This commentary is by Sarah and Michael Vooris of Rutland City. They are parents of two Rutland City School District students.
It is not an exaggeration to say that our education system is under severe stress. We believe our teachers are the most important component of this system and are essential to the success of our schools and students.
We see the increasing demands on the teaching profession locally and throughout the United States. Support from the federal, state and local levels is not keeping pace with ever-increasing demands and does not demonstrate the respect for teachers that their work deserves.
As the current presidential administration makes drastic changes to education funding, we need to continue to advocate for and protect our students by allocating funding to the places where it is most effective for student learning. Despite what is happening federally, we still have power at the state and local levels to influence how funding is used.
Most decisions about education are made locally by school boards, superintendents and state boards. Our school board has authority over what gets taught (or not), how students are supported and how money is spent with direct input from community members like us.
We believe our greatest educational asset is our teachers.
Today we ask: Why don’t we pay our teachers more? Is it because we can’t or because we simply don’t? When we do spend on education, is it on things that actually benefit student learning? Are we just telling our teachers we value them or using our resources to show them? How can we as community members influence change in these areas?
As community members and parents, we want our tax dollars spent first and foremost on helping our children learn and ensuring that skilled teachers are attracted to and remain in the Rutland City School District.
Today we ask the board for better pay for our teachers, a salary reflective of who they are as educated, highly trained and dedicated professionals. We implore community members to ask important questions and tell our elected leaders we want our tax dollars spent in ways that ensure our teachers know our community values them and prioritizes learning for all students.
When we respect and support teachers, we support our children’s future. We have the power to reform our thinking and act in ways that reflect our understanding of the immeasurable impact of teachers.
Respectfully,
Sarah and Michael Vooris
RCPS Parents
