Skeptical of takeover

I am a mathematics teacher in the Little Rock School District and, I must say, a skeptic of the state Department of Education’s takeover. It’s not that I have any confidence in the district to provide a quality education. It’s just that the state has no track record of being any better.

Seven months from now when the new school year starts, there likely will still be a superintendent, multiple associate superintendents, secretaries to all of them, curriculum coordinators for just about every core subject for every grade level, testing coordinators, district department heads, etc., none of whom ever set foot in a classroom.

I will begin the year (just like I did this year) with over 25 students in a remedial math class. Discipline totally out of control. A week full of “professional development” and paperwork having not one thing to do with my subject and maybe a half-day to prepare for my kids. Technology resources that may or may not even work. Classes in these core subjects that could be half the size they are by eliminating a few of those bureaucrats will still be full. Parents will still be upset about the horrifying environment their kids are in.

Since I’m a retired business professional, my interest in education has been more academic than financial. I enjoy the kids I work with. I look forward to them every day. I enjoy the parents who almost always help me and want so much for their kids. But to those parents I have to say this: I’m sorry, but I don’t expect anything to change. Just know that there are a lot of teachers who will show up and do the best for your kids no matter what happens. Teachers who love kids and can make real progress with them. RICHARD SNODGRASS Bauxite