Harbinger of the Political Season

Springfield NEA received this message today from MNEA president Greg Jung.

"You need to be aware that the American Family Association (AFA) has launched an email campaign against a proposed NEA Resolution that will be debated at the NEA Representative Assembly that starts July 2. As you will see in the letter from NEA embedded below, the AFA has distorted this proposal that is being presented to the NEA Representative Assembly for debate.

This type of smear campaign has occurred in previous years right before the NEA delegates convene. In those cases the organizations, like AFA, distorted proposals made by NEA members in order to rally their supporters, raise money for their organizations, gain media attention and sow seeds of doubt regarding NEA."

The email is headlined:

Teacher's union begins plans to promote homosexual marriage in public schools

Here's a "translation", which was printed in bold, from an email campaign that targets teachers and encourages them to forward the message to staff:

"Translated, that means that the NEA will promote homosexual marriage in every avenue they have available, including textbooks, to all children at all age levels and without the permission or knowledge of parents. Their plans will include every public school in America."

A copy of this email has already been circulating through one elementary school in Springfield. The letter from the so-called American Family Association also asks for contributions to their PAC.

The NEA Resolutions Committee (our own Phil Grafft is a member) adopted a proposed change to Resolution B-8, as published in the Preliminary Report, that calls for the protection of legal rights and responsibilities of all diverse groups and individuals, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or other considerations.

The Resolutions Committee’s proposed language reads as follows:The Association believes that legal rights and responsibilities with regard to medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, legal immigration, domestic partnerships, and civil unions and/or marriage belong to all of these diverse groups and individuals."

Something appears to be lost in translation here.

Board Chooses Lee, Land Purchased, Budget

Lee to Serve Out Norman's Term

Gerry Lee was chosen by the board to serve out Mary Norman's remaining year on the school board following an open interview session held prior last night's regular session. Alice Weimer and Erin Hession were also among the three finalists gaining an interview.

Lee, now retired from City Utilities, has worked and volunteered for many education-related endeavors over the course of his career. He was instrumental in establishing Leadership Is For Teachers (LIFT) and the Leadership Springfield Academy. The SNEA endorsed Lee's candidacy during last April's board election. He'll be sworn in Thursday morning (6/22) and will begin serving on July 1st.

Approval to Purchase Land

The board approved the purchase of 72 acres of land across from McBride Elementary for the construction of a new elementary school in this rapidly-growing part of Springfield. The purchase price for the land, at the corner of Golden and Weaver, is $3.4 million. Andy Hosmer pointed out that the purchase price was some $500,000 more than listed market value, but district officials and some board members explained that sizable land in that area of town was difficult to find. Dr. Ridder further pointed out that the seller refused to divide the property. Hosmer was the lone "no" vote on this action. Bruce Renner was absent. The purchase closes in 90 days.

In other action, the board approved a $178 million budget for 2006-2007 (more on this later) and also approved a federally mandated Wellness Policy for the district.

The highlight of the meeting was the district's honoring of former Springfield High (Central) principal Ralph Hamilton, who gave a very entertaining and informative commentary on his life as an educator in Springfield. Hamilton turns 100 on Thursday.

SNEA Update, Board Mtg, NEA Delegates

Board Notes

The June 13th board meeting was a long one with so many items on the agenda, they almost ran out of letters of the alphabet in the outline. To summarize the more interesting points:

• The list of six new board candidates to take the place of Mary Norman was trimmed to three: Gerry Lee, who was endorsed by SNEA but finished fourth in the spring election, real estate agent Erin Hession and Alice Weimer, a counselor with Ozarks Counseling Center.
• The board voted to place Hickory Hills K-8 school and 15.45 acres (excluding the Natatorium) up for sale and begin looking for sites to build a new facility. Traffic patterns around the school are unsafe for children walking to and from school. Hickory Hills parents spoke to this issue at May's board meeting. Though it's unofficial, I believe the district is looking at a tract of land (30-40 acres) on East Division as a possible site for the new Hickory Hills school.
• The 2006-2007 budget includes a salary step advancement and a 2.5% cost of living increase. The SNEA had recommended a 5% increase.
• The 2006-07 teachers' salary schedule includes a $3,000 stipend for each teacher who has qualified by September 1, 2005 as a National Board Certified Teacher. Budget discussions for future years will include this as a topic for continued funding.

Rockwood Benchmark Cited

During the early part of the board meeting, SPS administrators presented a power point showing how well Springfield compares to selected schools in the state. Rockwood was mentioned frequently as a benchmark due to the fact that our enrollments are similar, and the suburban St. Louis district has consistently ranked high in student achievement.

It's interesting to note that, although Springfield (with a much higher poverty rate) compares favorably to Rockwood in student achievement, Rockwood's average teacher pay is considerably higher. Rockwood ranks 8th ($47,209) in teacher salaries among the state's 25 largest districts, while Springfield ranks 22nd ($39,436). Why not use Rockwood as a benchmark for salaries as well?

Springfield's NEA Delegation

Five SNEA members and one retired former SNEA president made the trip up to Columbia last weekend for a pre-NEA convention meeting with the entire state delegation. Melissa Albright (Wilson Creek), Brent Fullington (Cherokee), Patti Pogue (Study), Denise Slagle (Fremont), Phil Grafft (NEA Resolutions Cmt.) and Ray Smith (SNEA President) will be lifting off for Orlando in late June and will be your representatives at the week-long 2006 NEA Convention. We'll issue a complete report upon our return.

MNEA PAC Candidate Endorsements

MNEA has released early candidate recommendations for the upcoming fall elections. SNEA vice-president Ron Tate deserves a great deal of credit for organizing our own SNEA candidate interviews. Thanks to all members who were able to participate. This is a fascinating process that reveals much about our local and statewide candidates. I highly recommend that more SNEA members become involved in this during the next election cycle.

MNEA PAC Candidate Recommendations of note:

Claire McCaskill (D), U. S. Senate

Doug Harpool (D), 30th District Senate

Sae Tuia (D), 62nd District

Bob Bilyeu (R), 134th

Nancy Hagan (D), 135th

Richard Napieralski (D), 137th

Sara Lampe (D), 138th

Jamie Daniel Schoolcraft (D), 139th

Mark Blevins (D), 141th

Larry Baker (D), 147th

Phil Grafft's Comments in News-Leader

Paper Unfair to Accused Teachers

In recent months, I have seen a disturbing pattern emerge as concerns the News-Leader's coverage of a number of events in Springfield. In particular, some of the coverage of events that have occurred in our school system. As former president of Springfield National Education Association, it is natural that I turn a particular eye to coverage of education stories. What I have read disturbs me immensely.

Two events unfolded this spring — one at Bissett Elementary School, and the other at Rountree Elementary. That investigation continues. However, in both instances, the three individuals under scrutiny have, by the Springfield News-Leader, already been tried and convicted.

Even while the Bissett investigation was ongoing, the teacher in question, though not even formally charged with any wrongdoing, was named by the News-Leader. Named and convicted. One article by Sarah Overstreet was particularly offensive. Unable to obtain information from the school district, which I'm sure was following legal advice not to discuss the events, Ms. Overstreet apparently decided to report one side of the Bissett story and make up the other side as she went. I now know to either ignore the writings of Ms. Overstreet, or at least consider them with an extremely large dose of skepticism. Clearly, I will know not to trust what she writes to be truth. And, isn't it interesting that, though the teacher in charge was cleared of any wrongdoing, that just didn't warrant significant coverage by the newspaper. Why? Is it the age-old adage that good news doesn't sell newspapers?

At Rountree Elementary, two people have been charged, and though the investigative process is still under way, you wouldn't know it to read the News-Leader. To read the paper's coverage, this case is all but a done deal and all we are waiting for is the ax to fall!

My concern here has to do with the responsibility of our journalistic community. I am not even addressing the specific charges that have been filed or considered, but rather these three individuals' rights to have their day in court. People with a long history of satisfactory, even exemplary service have been callously "kicked to the curb" by what appears to be an unfeeling, uncaring press.

Occasionally I hear people speak of the News-Leader as though it should not even be mentioned in the same breath with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Kansas City Star, the Chicago Tribune, etc. Sadly, I am beginning to understand why they feel that way. These individuals deserved better. Your readers deserve better.

Phil Grafft of Springfield is the former president of Springfield NEA.

Teacher Exonerated, Outrage Misplaced

A news release from MNEA yesterday made public the results of a Department of Social Services investigation into child abuse allegations leveled against SNEA member Patricia Wright, a fifth-grade teacher at Bissett Elementary. The DSS investigation concluded that the allegations against Wright were unsubstantiated.

I find it interesting that the News-Leader pasted the story on the front page with the headline "Couple 'Outraged' Abuse Claim Dismissed" rather than "Allegations Against Teacher Dismissed". Probably wouldn't have sold as many papers, but perhaps the public acknowledgement would have at least provided some small measure of justice to Patricia, given the fact that the original story hit the media in the form of a poorly-researched piece by News-Leader columnist Sara Overstreet some months ago.

A letter from Patricia Wright was sent as part of a mailer to non-SNEA members earlier this week. Here is the text of the letter from Patricia:

May 17, 2006

Dear Colleague,

Recently, you saw my name splashed all over the media. You see, I was accused and found guilty in the media of child neglect while teaching at Bissett Elementary School in Springfield. Unfortunately some prejudged this matter before they knew all of the facts or they chose to ignore facts and their involvement. After an investigation the Missouri Division of Social Services investigation found the complaints against me to be unsubstantiated.

This experience for me was surreal; it was one that I never thought could happen to me, but my friends have reminded me that bad things do happen to good people. Speaking of friends, one going through such an experience needs to know who ones friends are. I learned very early that I could not count on everyone but my family and friends were always there to support me. The NEA was on my side, right from the beginning. I never had to question whose position they were advocating.

If you are a member, I want to thank you because your dues made it possible for the NEA to always be working on my behalf. If you are not a member, I really can’t imagine why not. I urge you to become a member today. What happened to me yesterday can happen to you tomorrow and don’t think it can’t. Should it happen, the NEA will stand beside you as they stood beside me.

I sincerely hope you never have to go through such an experience. But, just in case, don’t be without the NEA. I want to thank my friends and NEA for their support.
Sincerely,

Pat Wright
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While most of us have just completed a successful and rewarding school year, the media events of 2005-2006 clearly illuminate the pitfalls of this profession. We owe it to ourselves and our colleagues to remain informed and continue working together to strengthen our association.

Ray