Letters to the Editors

Don't jail accused worker

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 7, 2001

Editor: Re: Construction worker accused of slashing boss, July 26 Times:

In a country so rich, where all good things come to those who need them the least, it is tragic to read of a man like Pat Laliscio, who only wanted to be able to keep his job so he could pay his debts and care for his very ill wife. He is deserving of our compassion and help, not jail time. Only those who have been there can understand his plight.

Surely, we have not become such a heartless nation that we would not reach out to give a fellow human being in need a hand up. I don't think Mr. Laliscio is looking for a handout, for he was trying to do the right thing. It seems he was so burdened he just snapped.

I don't live in his area, but his story broke my heart. If some church or self-help group would come to his aid, I would be happy to make a donation.
-- Nancy Hughes, Homosassa

Special session needed to aid public schools

Editor: With the start of the new school year upon us, it is crucial that parents, teachers and community members become aware of the budgeting crisis imposed by the Florida Legislature. Legislators allowed for a 3.9 percent increase in dollars per student statewide. The actual amounts per county vary slightly, with Hernando County receiving a 3.19 percent and Citrus County receiving a 3.86 percent increase.

A large portion of that increase has to cover a one-time $850 pretax check that will be paid to most (not all) teachers who taught during the 2000-01 school year. These checks will essentially amount to a $600 net per recipient that will not count toward our retirement, nor is it considered part of our salary schedule.

Due to that stipulation in the state budget, that leaves only a 1 percent to 2 percent increase in district budgets with which school boards need to fund material and supply orders, reduction in class sizes, special programs, and insurance and cost of living increases. Currently, only six of the 67 counties in Florida have been able to settle contracts for teachers and school staffs.

Parents need to asksome important questions. For example, what student program is the district cutting in order to call itself ready to begin the school year? If programs are not cut, how many annual contract teachers were not renewed? Fewer teachers mean larger class sizes. Contrary to the July 17 article in the Hernando Times (Federal aid helps reduce class size), which stated that class sizes are going down, the kindergarten classes at the school where I teach will all be increasing by three students this year.

The Legislature also has provided a system for school districts to "certify" their own teachers. School districts can now allow for a new alternative certification route: "adjunct educator." Personnel holding an adjunct teaching certificate as issued by the local school board are not required to demonstrate mastery of general knowledge, mastery of subject area knowledge, nor mastery of professional preparation and evaluation competence. Most disturbing is the fact that the school district is not required to disclose to parents when "adjunct educators" are teaching students.

I don't know of any parents who would comfortably place their child's health in the care of an "adjunct pediatrician" or would allow their child to travel on a plane being flown by an "adjunct pilot." I find it insulting that our legislators assume that parents would place the education of their children in the hands of "adjunct educators."

There is an estimated need of 165,000 new teachers in the state of Florida over the next 10 years. Nationally, Florida has slipped from 29th to 30th in average salaries. How is this state going to compete with other states in the region and nationally when we continue to lose ground?

I frequently encounter people who state they are tired of hearing teacher complaints about their salaries. I have been teaching in this county for the past 13 years. I have paid for and earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and National Board Certification, and my current salary is below $34,000 a year. I stay because I believe in the importance of what I do and because of the knowledge that the very future of this country is in the hands of our children. The school boards in this state have had their hands tied due to insufficient budgetary allocations for education.

I implore the members of this community and throughout the state to look into the specifics of this budgetary crisis and not be deceived by political rhetoric. It is the right of every child in this country to be afforded a free, quality, public education. It is the responsibility of our governor to take the lead in correcting the inadequacies of the Legislature left in our school districts.

Please contact your legislators and urge the governor to call a special session of the Legislature to recommend that the $300-million in projects the governor vetoed be redirected to the education budget.

If you are not currently registered to vote, please do so immediately so we can avoid any further injustices to the children of this state.
-- Melissa Keller, Spring Hill

Reader questions praise for fire chief

Editor: Thanks to fire leaders and firefighters, Aug. 1 letter to the editor:

I am responding to John Timmerman's letter that stated Chief Michael Morgan is doing such a good job for the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District.

In his letter, he gives credit for the new brush truck, but failed to say that Chief Morgan misled the fire commissioners about how to pay for it. The chairman of the fire commission had to go before the County Commission and ask for the funds to pay for the truck.

Timmerman also chided the commissioners about paramedic training lagging, which is another responsibility of the chief. The Hernando County paramedics were trained on techniques five years ago that Spring Hill paramedics only recently learned. Is this the sign of a chief doing a good job?

Mr. Timmerman then said that fire Commissioner Jeff Hollander was more experienced than the other fire commissioners because he owns his own business. Was he a firefighter, chief or paramedic? I believe Mr. Hollander should listen to the other commissioners so they may open his eyes to what kind of job Chief Morgan is really doing.
-- Alan Setelius, Spring Hill

Schools need leader looking for a challenge

Editor: Re: Superintendent maps challenges, Aug. 6 Times:

Schools Superintendent John Sanders submits the skills and personal qualities he considers needed by his successor. He thereby makes clear that this person should have a background in the science and art of universal management. An appropriate qualification is the master's degree in business administration: Education today is big business.

This qualification is considered an end degree for practitioners: The doctorate is an advanced degree for teaching. Such a superintendent can direct and coordinate scarce resources, which include money, staff, buildings, equipment, materials and knowledge for efficient provision of effective education. Knowledge of teaching affairs needed by the superintendent should be available from the specialist assistants.

A superintendent appointed from the Hernando system brings familiarity with existing practices. Conversely, someone appointed from outside the local system brings a fresh approach to practices, some of which may be hallowed in tradition.

An expressed desire by a candidate for this position to end his or her career in Hernando may not be advantageous to the county: A commitment to any job is not necessarily suitability for it. Such a person, after an initial whirlwind of impressive activity, may become increasingly complacent as retirement approaches. Alternatively, the school system may be served best by someone who regards Hernando as a "stepping stone," brings experience from other school systems, performs excellently in the job, and then moves to another challenge.
-- James A. Willan, Brooksville

County Commission lauded for service

Editor: Re: Give this commission credit where it is due, Aug. 5 opinion column by Jeff Webb: Webb's Sunday column was like a breath of fresh air. He said what I (and many others) have been thinking. This is a no-nonsense group of commissioners who are not afraid to take action for the betterment of Hernando County. They deserve our praise for not politically pussy-footing around.

This county has a lot of catching up to do, and I, too, applaud the progress of our present commission.
-- Julia Jackson, Hernando Beach

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