TEACHERS' RAISES WOULD PAY FOR DRUG TESTING

The Illini Bluffs community is a nice, soft-spoken one, so I have
tried to keep the rush of opinions about the recent strike firmly
locked inside my own mind. Alas, they have made their escape, and I am
now forced to share.

Let me begin with the most outspoken part of this strike, the
teachers! I believe the teachers are in line for a 2 percent raise
this year, on top of a 3 percent raise last year. These raises also
come along with a yearly vertical rate climb the teachers
automatically get, no contract needed. Now, if you would like to read
what the contract entails, you can run along to your neighborhood
gossip and find out secondhand, or you can go to your school's Web
page and look at the final offers from both union and School Board.

If the teachers think the board is spending money the district doesn't
have on random drug testing, why ask for a raise? They can give back a
measly fraction of their raises and that would be more than enough to
cover the cost (I believe $2,000 to $6,000). It should all be about
the children, right? Teachers do not become teachers for the money. I
should know; I am getting my degree to become one.

Second, regarding the drug testing, the board has added the following
assurances: "Upon acceptance by the Federation of the board's proposal
the board will implement a policy requiring all district
administrators to be included in the drug and alcohol testing program
and every member of the board has voluntarily agreed to be included in
the program." So you see, the board and administrators are all on
board. Why are the teachers so bent out of shape about it?

Third, although I applaud board members for not being as childish in
their attempts to win over the community as the teachers, would it
kill them to make a statement? I have read all the "statements" made
by the teachers and they can't all be true. Why not do away with the
lies and tell the people of this community what is really going on?
After all, we chose them!

I am disappointed in the school I graduated from seven years ago. I am
disappointed with the finger-pointing and name calling. No one is
acting in the children's best interests. The schools are only as
strong as their weakest link, and right now, all of those involved are
pretty damn weak in my book. Shame on you. Shame on all of you.