From staff reports

The idea of Albert Lea teachers voting to release around $200,000 in staff-development funds to help stave off budget cuts was a promising one in the beginning.

Tuesday, January 22, 2002

The idea of Albert Lea teachers voting to release around $200,000 in staff-development funds to help stave off budget cuts was a promising one in the beginning. However, it appears either unwillingness to part with the money or a deep mistrust of the school board and administration – or perhaps both – may mean the money stays put. This is an unfortunate situation for the district, and the losers, as usual, are ultimately the kids.

Here’s the background: The state mandates that a certain percentage of each district’s budget be reserved for staff development. The money is used for things like teacher conferences and training programs. The only way a district can use that money for its general fund is if the teachers vote to allow it. A teacher representative brought the idea to the school board before it made its cuts in December, saying it was not a sure thing, but some teachers were interested in taking a vote.

The first vote failed, and now there’s talk of taking a second vote. However, the teachers have informed the school board they want to know what the money will be spent for before they vote again. This request demonstrates a clear lack of faith in the school board’s ability to do its job to the teachers’ satisfaction. There are $1.1 million worth of teachers, programs and services already marked for cuts, and it seems clear that throwing $200,000 into the mix will certainly do something to help preserve programs; it would even be enough to keep bus service at its current level with money to spare.

The school board has expressed little enthusiasm for letting the teachers know what they would spend the money on; perhaps they don’t want to name names, get people excited that their programs or services will be saved, then find out that the teacher vote fails a second time and all was moot. However, if the teachers insist on this requirement before they will vote, the board ought to seriously consider it. It may not appreciate the stipulation, but the important thing is that this money would help the district serve its students better. One side needs to swallow its pride.

We hope the two sides can reach an agreement that allows a new teacher vote – and that the teachers seriously consider making a sacrifice for the betterment of the school district.