My family has lived in Reynoldsburg for over 12 years. Our children are both Reynoldsburg high school students; one a senior and the other a freshman. We have experienced many ups and downs in Reynoldsburg City Schools and I believe we are at the lowest point in our children's' education. Some of our best teachers have left the district and we are now facing the possibility of a teacher strike. In addition, our schools are on a destructive course of creating a stunted curriculum that limits opportunities for student learning and makes Reynoldsburg an unattractive community for development.
Earlier this year, when I heard about the Board's proposed changes to the teachers' contract I reserved judgement until more details were available. When a federal mediator was brought in, I actually felt hope that an agreement would be reached quickly because my graduate degree is in Conflict Resolution and I have many years of mediation experience. I have hesitated to lend my voice to the many supporting our students and teachers because I believe in the mediation process as long as both sides are negotiating in good faith. Besides, I can't imagine what I would have to say that you haven't already heard from our community. I can no longer keep quiet, though, because I no longer believe the Board is negotiating in good faith. I want you all to know that I stand behind our teachers and students and I condemn the appalling contract proposals the Board has made to incentivize cheating and undermine the health and well-being of our teachers. I cannot support a School Board that refuses to agree to cap classroom sizes, especially when large class size negatively impacts teacher efficacy.
This morning I heard that Superintendent Thomas-Manning has mandated the elimination of general music classes from 5th grade across the district and that at least one school has moved band to an after-school program for 7th and 8th grade students. My understanding is that it is still unclear whether or not the school district will be able to provide transportation home for those students. As a property owner in Reynoldsburg, I am very concerned about the limited educational opportunities provided to our students in the areas of art, music and physical education. What family would want to move to a school district where their children cannot get art, music or physical education? "Specials," as the district calls them, contribute to a well-rounded education and expose students to new ways of learning and thinking. Music education in schools is more evidence-based for improving math scores than testing is! Eliminating general music and creating arbitrary barriers to band (or choir or orchestra) classes creates disparities for Reynoldsburg students and embarrasses our community. Reynoldsburg residents support a strong high school band program, including its Superior marching band and we will not stand idly by while you devastate the high school band program by tearing down its foundation at the elementary, middle and junior high levels.
Reynoldsburg City School District policies and proposed teacher contract changes have created a toxic environment in which teachers are devalued and student learning is stunted by large class size, limited education opportunities and utter disregard for community concerns and values. How can you propose a performance-based compensation plan when you have so clearly stacked the cards against teachers? I encourage you all to take a step back and reevaluate your current course. I ask those of you who are not on the negotiating committee to reach out to your colleagues and let them know that you stand behind our students and teachers; even better, make your position publicly known. Share your support for our community in public statements. I ask those of you on the negotiating committee to reconsider your position. Please go into negotiations with our children in mind; ask yourselves if your proposed changes are really helping our future community leaders. Please continue the negotiation process in good faith; do what you must do to avoid a strike and the mark it will make on our community. Bring back a culture of well-rounded education that values teachers and provides students with art, music and physical education taught by educated professionals in grades k-12.
This is a pivotal moment in Reynoldsburg history. You have the opportunity to make things right, please do not take that lightly.
Thank you,
Tina Bickert
This morning I heard that Superintendent Thomas-Manning has mandated the elimination of general music classes from 5th grade across the district and that at least one school has moved band to an after-school program for 7th and 8th grade students. My understanding is that it is still unclear whether or not the school district will be able to provide transportation home for those students. As a property owner in Reynoldsburg, I am very concerned about the limited educational opportunities provided to our students in the areas of art, music and physical education. What family would want to move to a school district where their children cannot get art, music or physical education? "Specials," as the district calls them, contribute to a well-rounded education and expose students to new ways of learning and thinking. Music education in schools is more evidence-based for improving math scores than testing is! Eliminating general music and creating arbitrary barriers to band (or choir or orchestra) classes creates disparities for Reynoldsburg students and embarrasses our community. Reynoldsburg residents support a strong high school band program, including its Superior marching band and we will not stand idly by while you devastate the high school band program by tearing down its foundation at the elementary, middle and junior high levels.
Reynoldsburg City School District policies and proposed teacher contract changes have created a toxic environment in which teachers are devalued and student learning is stunted by large class size, limited education opportunities and utter disregard for community concerns and values. How can you propose a performance-based compensation plan when you have so clearly stacked the cards against teachers? I encourage you all to take a step back and reevaluate your current course. I ask those of you who are not on the negotiating committee to reach out to your colleagues and let them know that you stand behind our students and teachers; even better, make your position publicly known. Share your support for our community in public statements. I ask those of you on the negotiating committee to reconsider your position. Please go into negotiations with our children in mind; ask yourselves if your proposed changes are really helping our future community leaders. Please continue the negotiation process in good faith; do what you must do to avoid a strike and the mark it will make on our community. Bring back a culture of well-rounded education that values teachers and provides students with art, music and physical education taught by educated professionals in grades k-12.
This is a pivotal moment in Reynoldsburg history. You have the opportunity to make things right, please do not take that lightly.
Thank you,
Tina Bickert