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Voters know smaller class sizes are worth paying for

Re: Class size cheat, editorial, Feb. 21.

Your editorial gives the lie to a cynical attempt by Gov. Jeb Bush to smokescreen his refusal to enforce the law on class size by coupling it with the issue of teachers' salaries. But your editorial has this in common with the governor's phony proposal: It omits mention of the core issue - taxes.

We voters are not so stupid as not to have realized, when we voted for the amendment to reduce class size, that a tax increase would likely be necessary to pay for it. We voted for it anyway because it is so obviously necessary, so obviously first among many important issues, including teachers' salaries, that must squarely be faced if the quality of public education in Florida is to improve. The governor and most politicians in the Legislature are scared to death of proposing a tax increase, even a modest one that the amendment on class size makes inescapable.

Where is the leader with the courage to say, "We voted to reduce class size. Now we need a tax increase to pay for it" - a leader willing to balance the political risk of raising taxes against the greater public good, which is to tell the truth?

Smaller classes make a difference

Re: Class size cheat, Feb. 21.

Thank you for your editorial concerning class size. I have been an elementary school teacher for the past 24 years in Florida. I have had 30 and more children in my class at one time or another. Many years ago, I had a full-time instructional assistant to help with the needs of my students.

This year, for the first time, I have 19 children in my kindergarten class. I do not have a full-time assistant. This year, it has been much more manageable to serve the individual needs of these children. It makes things a lot easier with fewer children in a classroom, not only for the teacher, but for the kids.

Yes, beginning teacher salaries need a lift. I certainly don't oppose that! We will not get, or keep qualified teachers if salaries do not go up! I urge Gov. Jeb Bush to keep class sizes low for elementary schools and up the starting salaries for beginning teachers. And what about raising the salaries for seasoned teachers?

Bush flunks with education plans

Re: Governor's education proposals.

As the governor unveiled his educational proposals, I had to wonder about his motives. Is he really trying to improve the public education system or create a pathway to destruction? His plan for attracting new teachers by raising the base salary to $35,000 and giving other teachers $2,000 in a tradeoff for easing up on the class size amendment requirements is an insult.

Why should there be a tradeoff between class size and salaries when they are both needed?

The ultimate insult came when the governor suggested giving vouchers to Level 1 (struggling) students who had not been successful on the FCAT. His flagrant disregard for the decisions rendered by the courts on vouchers and the lack of accountability for institutions that would receive public monies is appalling. I guess if you got rid of all your struggling students, then your test results would look better statewide and you could brag about the success of the reforms. I'm glad that we have a Legislature where the merit of these proposals will be debated and where I, as a voter, can express my concerns to my representatives.

Gov. Bush, here's a grade for your A-Plus-Plus plan and your other proposals: "F" for failing to include educators in the discussions; "F" for not acknowledging teachers are crucial to the success of Florida's students; "F" for cutting $10-billion in taxes while salaries languished; and "F" for ignoring the desire of voters for manageable class sizes. Maybe it's time for us to give the governor a voucher to go to some other state.

Teachers Association, Largo

Questionable voucher critic

For the past 100 years government schools have monopolized the provision of education. Continued failure in many such schools has resulted in alternative proposals. In Florida a current proposal would provide vouchers to enable students failing reading tests for three consecutive years to attend private schools. Many of these underperforming students are minorities in the inner cities.

What is the response? Get this! Andy Ford, president of the Florida Education Association, says, "What we need to do is give public schools a chance."

Something is "rotten" in Florida, too!

Report all teacher compensation

Re: Report the whole story, letter, Feb. 19.

In his letter, a teacher's husband expresses his dissatisfaction with the "low" salaries paid teachers. Of course, whether one is the payor or payee will affect the definition of "low."

The letter writer asks the Times to "please report the whole story." I heartily concur. I fear that salary figures published in the Times may not fully inform the taxpayers who must foot the bill.

I suggest that honesty and objectivity demand that any published salary figure include total annual compensation, such as all nonsalary benefits, like pension, medical, etc., so the taxpayers are fully informed as to what bottom-line costs they will actually be assessed to pay for.

Please report the whole story.

Retirees could teach part-time

Re: Teacher shortage.

There's a large cadre of teachers that could be utilized under the right conditions. The number of retired teachers in Florida has to be in the many thousands. I am one and I know at least 30 from my own school system alone.

We no longer want the full-time job of being in the classroom five to six hours a day plus supervising cafeterias, playgrounds, buses, halls, detentions, etc. However, teaching a few classes a day might appeal to many retirees.

Most of us have health and life insurance from our former districts and probably Medicare.

Has there been any thought given to this source of teachers?

Loving longevity

My wife and I will be married 50 years this May. After reading Marriage Jubilee Mass: The longevity of love by Nicole Johnson (Feb. 21), I am amazed by my wife's parents, Herman and Ann Alexander of South Venice, Fla.

They will have been married 73 years this September. At 91, Herman still drives, repairs the house and mows the lawn. Ann, 92, cooks, cleans and takes care of Herman. With four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, they are shooting for 80 years or more of being together.

[Last modified February 28, 2005, 01:04:17]