I have seen a lot of discussion about the decision by Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools not to hold classes for students on Tuesday, November 19th. That is “Red for Ed” day at the Indiana Statehouse and teachers from around the state will be gathering at the State Capitol Building in an event organized by the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA).
I was out of town and missed attending the last regular school board meeting, but I did watch the video recording and have reviewed Superintendent Allen Bourff’s letter to HSE parents and staff. Here are a few important facts we all should keep in mind.
November 19th will be a teacher work day. The teachers are required to report to work unless they choose to take a personal day (a day off work to which they are entitled).
Roughly 300 teachers had requested a personal day on November 19th as of a few days ago, meaning it would be a struggle to staff all the classrooms on that day. Dr. Bourff listed that as one reason the HSE Schools are converting November 19th to a teacher work day and students will not be reporting.
So, if a teacher wishes to attend the “Red for Ed” day at the Indiana Statehouse, that teacher will be using one of her/his personal days to do so. Otherwise, teachers in the HSE District will be reporting to work, even though the students will not be there.
Why the “Red for Ed” rally? And why do this now?
There are some facts that are disturbing for the state of Indiana. Education departments at universities around the state have seen a steep decline in students choosing to pursue the teaching profession. Many teachers are either choosing to pursue their educational career in another state or are leaving the teaching profession for a job that pays more and is not nearly as stressful.
Unless something is done quickly, our state could be on the back burner in public education. That would be a development that harms all of us.
Compensation is obviously a big part of the exodus from teaching in our state. But there are many other issues tied to this problem. Dr. Bourff listed a few in his letter.
First, the state has established what many education experts believe is a flawed system to evaluate schools and teachers because the state mandated program on how students are assessed is badly flawed.
Second, state lawmakers have been funneling funds away from K-12 public schools to fund vouchers supporting charter schools.
Thirdly, teachers have been struggling with state required licensing that continues to add requirements for those teaching, without any provisions to fund or provide time to deal with this.
January 6 had been set aside as a teacher work day, one day before students were to report back after the winter break. Dr. Bourff will be recommending that the school board vote to authorize changing January 6 to a day students report, essentially swapping out the days, so no instructional time will be lost for students.
We are fortunate that the teaching staff at HSE Schools is well compensated. The district is not at the top of the school corporations among Indy’s suburban districts in total compensation, but are about in the middle of that pack.
However, our teaching staff continues to struggle with the other issues cited by Dr. Bourff’s letter. Our teachers continue to deal with a flawed state-mandated evaluation system, licensing issues and the flow of money from public education to vouchers and charter schools.
Ask anyone involved in economic development and you will find that a strong public school system is key to attracting and nurturing local business development. Our local teaching staff is the key to continuing the outstanding reputation earned by HSE Schools.
This is an important issue to everyone in our local community, whether you have children in local schools or not. Red for Ed day is a way to express the immediate challenges Indiana faces in supporting public education.
Many teachers are choosing to use a personal day to attend the rally, when they could use that day for something else. It is up to you as to whether you choose to support it.