Dear Editor,
As California School Employees Association Chapter 69 president
I represent the men and women that serve the students and families
of Gilroy Unified School District in ways other than teaching and
administration, and I want to respond to columnist Ben Anderson and
his Oct. 19 column headlined
”
CSEA’s School board Endorsements a Crying Sham.
”
Dear Editor,
As California School Employees Association Chapter 69 president I represent the men and women that serve the students and families of Gilroy Unified School District in ways other than teaching and administration, and I want to respond to columnist Ben Anderson and his Oct. 19 column headlined “CSEA’s School board Endorsements a Crying Sham.”
In Gilroy, CSEA embraces the people that drive this communities children to school, bandage scrapes, cook, keep the vehicles running, provide technology and clean up after our kids.
That’s right, they are our kids. We live here. GUSD is the second largest employer in Gilroy and we are fighting for the kinds of jobs this community needs to survive. We are fighting for the kinds of benefits that provide health care for our kids, Gilroy’s kids!
Columnist Ben Anderson’s article provided nothing. It just asked questions. Questions designed to try to drive a wedge between CSEA and this community solely for the sake of entertainment .
CSEA’s relationship with GUSD is excellent. We recently concluded a round of contract negotiations with the district that should be a model for everyone. Our interest-based talks were characterized by honesty, openness and willingness to compromise. We never once lost sight of the welfare of our kids.
I will not justify the results of our participation in a legitimate political process to endorse candidates for the school board to Mr. Anderson. However the issue of volunteers is a controversial one and I welcome this chance to talk about it with Gilroy community at large.
Do volunteers have a place in the on going operations at GUSD? You bet they do! Our classroom teachers are often over burdened and committed consistent help from parents is vital. Recently we all saw first hand the need for volunteers at intersections watching over our little ones on the way to school.
However, whether Mr. Anderson wants to admit it or not, volunteers can also cause problems. Yes, CSEA is protective of our jobs. Yes, there are concerns about liability and who pays when a volunteer is injured. Volunteers can be expensive in other ways.
I can give examples of volunteers that have caused expense and damage to district facilities and budgets. I can show situations where volunteers and donations have diverted district resources from areas that were more important. Often we simply don’t have the time to train and supervise volunteers on projects the district had not planned or budgeted for, but are personally important to the volunteers.
Mr. Anderson’s article stands as a perfect example of the knee-jerk animosity, and pointless grandstanding that often surround this issue. His article was a prime example why it’s so very vital for GUSD, CSEA and community members continue to strive for common ground and solid solutions to the very real problems that face our schools. I hope Mr. Anderson can join this conversation soon, but I fear he has a lot of catching up to do.
James Fletcher, CSEA, Gilroy Chapter 69 President,
Gilroy Unified School District
