I have a recognized bias as a graduate of Battle Ground Public Schools with a parent that chooses to be a teacher. I write this as an attempt to voice frustrations on an issue that is much bigger than the Battle Ground school district, instead it is a trend in our society that seems largely ignored.
Leadership.
As a military officer, I have an understanding of the high cost of failed leadership where it costs lives and taxpayer dollars. It turns out this isn’t so different from leadership on a local government level, where poor decisions and lack of action costs taxpayers money and certainly hurts local communities. The strike in Battle Ground has been costing the local community, but the leaders who are in a position to end the conflict shirk their responsibility. District administrators have missed crucial votes, and have spent their efforts on turning blame for the strike back around on the teachers who are surely “greedy”. If we look at public data available between 2010-2016 for the district, district administrator salaries increased 25 percent while teacher salaries increased just 9 percent all while inflation was 10.1 percent. This means teachers salary increases fell behind inflation and their salaries were cut in comparison to cost of living while the administrators were rewarded with a healthy pay increase. Greedy? I wonder if we look at data over the next six years, will the same trend of those at the top reaping higher pay increases while reducing teacher salaries continue? I believe this strike is about disenfranchised and underpaid teachers who love their jobs and are passionate, but have reached their breaking point. I believe administrators will continue to deflect responsibility and not take any action, unless that action is legal sanctions or fines on the teachers who are already being mistreated. Mr. Superintendent, please prove me wrong. The damage may already be done, good teachers may elect to leave the Battle Ground school district and move somewhere that will pay a living wage. With a loss of talent comes a loss of performance. If Battle Ground schools fall short, new families will elect to go to neighboring schools that will have a better education for their children. It is no surprise bad schools have a negative impact on the economy. Real estate prices and even population growth will be impacted. Communities are suffering and it is a failure of leadership. So if you have not taken action, please do something to let those in positions of leadership in the district know that they are accountable for their actions or lack thereof. Undeniably, the district has more resources than the Battle Ground Education Association and it will be an uphill battle. McCleary was able to do it and showed the Washington State Supreme Court just how apathetic the State had become on education. Maybe if we change our expectations and hold leaders accountable we can bring integrity and ownership back into local communities and lift them up rather than tear them down.
