Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 13:55:20 -0500
From: Chatham Ghost
Subject: teacher speaks out
Chatham County Schools – Redistricting Plan
Posted for a long-time Chatham educator who doesn’t feel safe making these comments his/herself. Items in parentheses were made more general to remove identifying information.
I have been a teacher in CCS for (20+) years – I don’t ever recall a time when teacher morale has been so low. I am seriously considering retiring because I’m so… frustrated. Your latest post about cutting positions in the Central Office has prompted this message. Do we need to pay a salary for a construction management position when there will be no $$$ for construction? Do we need to pay a salary for the position of teacher recruiter when we will be letting teachers go? The one expenditure that bothers me the most is the bonus that has been paid to Mr. Logan since he has been our superintendent. While I understand the board may be contractually obligated to pay him a bonus, it would increase morale if he would “lead by example” and offer to do without this bonus on his own. I know the amount is just a drop in the bucket as far as what’s needed, but what a statement that would make. The majority of the goals that he gets paid the bonus for are things that the individual schools and teachers are doing – not Mr. Logan himself.
I have seen Mr. Logan at my school (under 5) times since he has been hired …. How can he possibly know anything about our school and its community?
I think the most important thing to consider is this: It is obvious that the parents, students, staff, and communities feel passionate about and are supportive of their respective schools. This support is what makes our schools great. At a time when we are losing so much, we can not afford to lose this valuable resource of community support – it is PRICELESS!