Dear Editor,
As the presidents for the Gilroy Teachers Association and the
Gilroy Chapter of the Classified School Employees Association, we
would like to respond to the Jeers you gave for the
”
pitiful
”
endorsement given by the three unions for John Gurich.
Dear Editor,
As the presidents for the Gilroy Teachers Association and the Gilroy Chapter of the Classified School Employees Association, we would like to respond to the Jeers you gave for the “pitiful” endorsement given by the three unions for John Gurich.
It is true that all three unions (including the union representing the paraprofessionals) attempted to come up with an endorsement with which we could all agree. Unfortunately, due to the widely divergent opinions, that was not possible. Having said that, we would like your readers to know that there was a degree of consensus among the members of two out of the three unions.
An informal poll of the teachers and classified employees we represent indicates strong support for Rhoda Bress and, to a lesser extent, Pat Midtgaard. We feel that both women are willing to work to improve the school system, willing to listen to the employees and parents, and willing to do the extensive research necessary to make informed decisions.
As for John Gurich, there are other reasons we are endorsing him other than “nobody objected.” John is the only teacher who is running for the board and as such, understands the enormous pressures under which all teachers operate, especially with the “No Child Left Behind” unfunded mandates. In addition, out of the six incumbents who voted to dismiss Kristen Porter last spring, he is the only one who has expressed regret over the way that was handled by the administration. That shows that he is willing to admit he made a mistake. Finally, even though the district pays for the health benefits for all board members, John waived his.
As you go to the polls today, we urge you to consider these three candidates for Gilroy School Board.
Rita Delgado, president, Classified School Employees Association, Gilroy Chapter
Michelle Nelson, president,
Gilroy Teachers Association
