YOUR VIEWS
Govern for the good of all
We are all Oklahomans. Some say we have a spending problem; others insist we must increase revenue. Can we find solutions for our collective good? Can most of us agree that government has a responsibility to the people it serves to be judicious with the taxes provided to it? To this end, Gov. Fallin should order a complete audit of state government expenditures by a Big Four accounting firm. Areas of potential savings, including possible school district consolidations, must be identified. Teacher and state employee wages must be reviewed. Findings and recommendations must be made public. Can most of us also agree that quality public education, and therefore money to fund it adequately, is important? If not, we need to amend our state constitution. It says, “The Legislature shall establish and maintain a system of free public schools wherein all the children of the State may be educated.”
We all have common stakes in competent government, a solid public education for our young Oklahomans, and competitive compensation for the people dedicated to educating them. Our leaders are failing so our teachers are striking and our kids are not learning. It is well past time that our leaders act in the best interests of Oklahomans and govern for the good of us all.
David Eden, Harrah
Wandering into activism
Regarding “Walkout a burden for some parents” (News, April 7): Oklahomans scrambling to make child-care arrangements within their families during a prolonged public school teacher walkout might well stop and consider: “Hey, together with other families, we have the makings of a workable homeschool co-op!” As Josh Dulaney’s reporting makes clear, dedicated homeschoolers stay on schedule as the government schools wander more and more into activism and away from academics. It figures that homeschooling will continue to boom.
Robert Holland, Arlington Heights, Ill.
Accountability lacking
During the teacher walkout, we’ve gone way past pay raise demands, school funding demands, and are now dictating how the revenue should be raised. There is not any sign of accepting
or compromising. Parents and various nonprofits are providing safe places, food and educational experiences that likely exceed many average school days. Everyone supports better wages and better funding for “our kids.” However, we don’t hear anything about other ways to improve education and funding for our kids, in a state where the education system fails on every national metric. I believe better wages and better funding are critical. But that isn’t all that is needed. Accountability is equally critical.
If I were a teacher, I’d want to hold my union accountable for its stunning silence over the past 10 years. I’d want to hold the district accountable for getting freedom from a line-item requirement to buy textbooks and then spending it on other things, year after year. I’d want to hold the Department of Education accountable for allowing administrative bloat and the costs associated with that. As a taxpayer and parent, I really want to hold the Department of Education, the school districts and the union accountable for having such poor performance records. Our students too often move through the system, versus graduating, and are unprepared for college or employment, with huge deficits in reading and math. Our dropout rate is atrocious. And so on. I demand accountability.
Cynthia Archiniaco, Oklahoma City
Opposing reforms
I whole heartedly agree with Sylvia Bickell (Your Views, April 8). From House Bill 1017 to the current fight over teacher pay and school funding, all I’ve heard from teachers is what the taxpayers of the great state of Oklahoma should be doing for them. Never have I heard a word spoken, from teachers or the OEA, on what they’re committed to providing the taxpayers. I agree that teachers should be paid a “living wage” and provided adequate classroom supplies. However, why is it that teachers always want the money but they fight to avoid the accountability, or reforms, that should come with it?
Aaron Adkins, Oklahoma City