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PVFA President Cheryl Ginsberg and former President Renae Roberts address teachers at candlelight vigil. |
Volume 9, Issue 6, March 2005
By Frank Wells
Wearing red shirts and "Invest in the Best" buttons, more than 200 Palos Verdes teachers conducted a candlelight vigil and rally in late January to emphasize their demand for better salaries and benefits.
Members of the Palos Verdes Faculty Association chanted "Invest in the Best" outside a closed door session of the district school board, then brought their chants inside for the public session, making it difficult for board members to get control of the meeting.
It was part of an effort to convince board members to improve on a contract offer that, as it stands, would keep teachers among the lowest-paid in Los Angeles County.
At the rally, PVFA President Cheryl Ginsberg blasted the district for hoarding funds that could be used in the classroom. "They're sitting on millions in reserves, far beyond what is required by law. That money should be spent on lowering kindergarten class sizes and maintaining a top-quality teaching staff."
Ginsberg reminded teachers of the outstanding job they've done for the district in raising test scores and fostering high levels of achievement among students. "I'm proud of all of you, and I'm proud to stand here with you in unity to show the district it's time to invest in the best."
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If the district continues to allow the pay scale to lag behind, it will lose good employees and not be able to recruit and retain quality teachers, explained former PVFA President Renae Roberts. "We're united in this. We're expecting about 40 retirements this year. How does the district think it's going to replace those teachers when surrounding districts treat their teachers better?"
Roberts expressed dismay that the district has let relationships with teachers deteriorate so far. "Until recently we had a fairly collaborative relationship."
PVFA members worked extremely hard to pass a parcel tax that would raise $4.7 million per year for district schools. At the time, they were told that the number one priority for the use of the funds would be the recruitment and retention of quality teachers. So far only a small fraction of that money has been invested in the district's teaching staff.
Employees went without a raise last year. This year the district has offered only a paltry amount.
The candlelight vigil and other planned activities are intended to generate additional support from parents and community members. "These parents will turn out for their kids and their teachers" as they see what the real problem is, said Palos Verdes Peninsula High School teacher Patrick Smith. "They're beginning to realize this district doesn't have a financial crisis. It has a management crisis."
