Dedicated to Empowering and Informing the Burlingame Community

Teachers and Greener Pastures

A flyer advertising a Teacher Job Faire of the Bay Area Catholic High Schools is floating around BHS. The faire, scheduled for 10:00 1:00 on Saturday March 3 at Serra High School may pre-empt the Taste of the Town as a priority for BHS teachers. The financial mismanagement of the district's funds and the administration's violation of the contract in deducting health care contributions is pushing some teachers to explore other more secure employment opportunities. The new $80 million debt will place a severe drain upon the district's financial resources leaving little for the classroom or salaries and benefits.

– Written by JC

Posted in

127 responses to “Teachers and Greener Pastures”

  1. Joanne

    Answered above. Have a good weekend.

  2. Mac

    Joanne– there are larger fish to fry than Matt Biggar.

    And not that it’s any of your business, but my wife appreciates that I engage in dialouge with members of the community to discuss relevant issues regarding the state of education in our community.

  3. Mac

    Does anyone know if it’s true that SMUHSD is under investigation by a Grand Jury?

  4. Mac

    “The Burlingame Voice”

    A community service for everyone interested in Burlingame, California

    Dedicated to informing and empowering the Burlingame community.

    “If you want to know what goes on inside of a school, ask a teacher.”
    –KRN

  5. Anonymous

    is there a point there, Mac? I’m not getting your post. Are you suggesting that folks interested in all things Burlingame should go to KRN rather than the Voice?

    Please explain. Thanks.

  6. Mac

    Jean, my point is this– The purpose of “The Voice” is to inform and empower the Burlingame community (or anyone interested in Burlingame). A teacher has a unique perspective in an educational setting, one that can provide good insight, especially if they’ve served in leadership positions (as I’m sure you’re well aware). If Burlingame seeks to discuss the state of its public education, a teacher’s perspective is important to consider.

  7. Mac

    Denial is not just a river in Egypt. SMUHSD is a district in need of repair. 9 out of 10 teachers have no confidence in the superintendent and associate superintendent. What is the logic of keeping these administrators in their current positions?

    Common sense says the first step toward better days is new leadership.

  8. Alicia

    I am shocked and disappointed to hear such negative things about the teachers at BHS. In my heart, I’m hoping it’s somewhat exaggerated. I can only speak for myself, and that’s what I’d like to do.

    Since the moment I joined the staff at BHS, I’ve been as dedicated to the student and school climate as anyone! I have been department chair, a member of the leadership team, an advisor for the Human Relations’ Commission (an active student organization.) I’ve planned field trips, held more parent conferences than I can count (I have records and could let you know a precise number, if necessary.) I attend professional development opportunities as often as I can. I frequently present at staff meetings. I attend athletic events, school events such as Prom and Know Limits, the list can still go on!

    I do all of this on top of teaching English. Teaching English means re-reading stories and novels before class, planning standards-based lessons, and collecting essays. Every time I collect an essay, I do so from at least 90 students. I read these essays thoroughly, and it’s NEVER between 7:45am-3:15pm. It’s ALWAYS on my own time.

    There are still positives involved with teaching at Burlingame High School. I returned two days ago from one of the most empowering experiences I’ll ever have. 51 of the most diverse BHS students and 6 staff attended “Camp Everytown,” a leadership and diversity training camp. I’ve never seen students bond so powerfully. We were a true rainbow of diversity, breaking down stereotypes and valuing each other for who we are.

    Today at lunch the student participants from Camp Everytown met in front of F1 and circulated campus either or alone or in small groups to bring cheer to students with whom they were unaquainted. They were trying to make others feel welcome as friends, and to interrupt some of the intense social “cliques” that have formed. Tomorrow at lunch, we are meeting in the Alumni room to debrief what happened today and to discuss the upcoming Diversity Week.

    Yes, I’m still absolutely passionate about what I do. I don’t mind spending 10 hours on a Sunday preparing for the work week. It’s worth it for the joy I see in the students, our future.

    However, the negative school climate is like a poison. I find it strange that so many of my colleagues are getting seriously ill, physically and emotionally. It’s too personal to mention names, but some of you know who I mean. Our school has been suffering. I attend the Wednesday meetings, I picket to get information about the teachers’ perspectives out to the community, I am saddened when my colleague of three years is laid off for no reason and his students are shuffled around into random classrooms partway through the semester.

    I am one of those teachers who is seeking another school district for next year. I want to work somewhere where I can be this passionate, but where I will be supported. I make approximately $58,000 a year with my an MA Education and CLAD professional clear credential. It’s not that I want to make more; I want my income to be secure! As is, I feel that I won’t ever be able to afford to by property. Having a family is one of my dreams. Will I be able to do all of this for less money and raise healthy children?

    I feel so dedicated and involved at BHS. I don’t want to leave. If I must, it will be with regret. If this “budget crisis” which is really a situation of clear political corruption, hadn’t happened, I would have stayed for years!

    I am truly offended by some of the negative comments posted about the educators at BHS. I work too hard to deserve this (which is why I haven’t been on the Voice before… I don’t have time!) I have taken about 30 cumulative minutes of classroom time this whole entire year to discuss the issues faced by the district, I won’t lie about that. However, it was only to respond to students’ questions such as, “My English teacher is new! I don’t want him to be laid off. What will happen? Will I have to enter a new English class and make up all of the work I’ve missed?” Students are sad. Students are curious. If I discuss what’s happening around them, it is only because I am concerned for their well-being. Of course I’m concerned about mine, but that’s not the topic at hand. The students come first, and they always should.

    To survive in this world, I must think of myself sometimes, too!

  9. Anonymous

    Well, thank you for all of your devotion and energy. You are surely a great addition to the district. I’m sorry you are considering looking elsewhere, but under the circumstances, I can understand why. Parents and kids come and go through the system, sometimes as briefly as four years, but you and your colleagues have to live with it.

  10. KRN

    The damage is done. A new contract will not restore the trust and respect that has been built up over the years and destroyed in a few short months. Teachers will leave and new ones will arrive but the relationships that teachers build with their students will die with their departure.

    The teachers are not winning. The students are not winning. Who is winning in this mess?

    The SMUHSD Administration is winning. They are proving that they are right. This is a very high price to pay.

  11. Anonymous

    I’m curious about the phone (computerized) interview that has been announced for this evening to all households answering the phone. Why would they be interested in our opinion of the 7th period day, now? Is this survey created and undertaken by an outside firm, which I realize is costly, or is done in house? The timing is strange. Is this in preparation for a parcel tax, perhaps?

  12. KRN

    The survey is being conducted by the district. We believe that they NOW want to build up support for the 7 period day despite the financial crush.

  13. Anonymous

    They’ve always been pushing the 7th period, so to me, it sounds like they want some kind of statistic of those polled, to substantiate support. If there isn’t the kind of support they presume, I have no idea what the plan will be…..

    Since they haven’t seemed responsive to those who expressed concern about effectiveness and financing the 7th period initially, there must be another reason they are asking for feedback.

    I do not see that the district is in better financial condition now than when this was brought up 2 or 3 years ago. In fact, it looks worse. Therefore I would not be surprised if it isn’t related to a future parcel tax drive. How else will they continue to fund this program?

  14. KRN

    Start paying attention. Early retirements, leave of abscence, and new job searches and careers are being announced. BHS is losing some SOLID people. This would NOT be happening if it were not for the district’s screw up!

  15. bill

    Alicia…so sad to hear that you earn over $55,00 a year and have to work more than 7 hours a day for it…how many weeks of vacation is it that you get…and isn’t it tenure after 2 years…oh please, and did you have no idea that there would be homework to grade when you went into teaching?

    Good luck somewhere else!

  16. KRN

    Bill,

    Are you still angry that you child didn’t get the extra tutoring at lunch that you expected?

  17. b. franklin

    any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.

    foolish, krn.

  18. Anonymous

    Now I’ve taken the survey, and still wonder about it’s use. It asked only if ones child was interesting in taking 7 periods (again) next year (one of four buttons/questions to push/answer.) I believe counselors are signing kids up now for next year, so couldn’t this data have been easily obtained from the counselors for each child? People with two or more would not have an easy time registering a “vote” with the phone method.

  19. Judy

    Bill,
    You just don’t get it, do you? I am a parent and I know how hard teachers work. You don’t seem very concerned that we are losing some of the BEST teachers! Believe me, the word is out on the street that the SMUHSD is a mess and I think we will have MAJOR problems trying to find ANY teachers who will apply to this district when they know that there will be no salary increases for many years to come, health care benefits are being deducted from their paychecks, and some teachers were hired in August and fired in October!! Not a pretty picture! I don’t blame Alicia or ANY of the teachers for wanting out of this place!

  20. Mac

    Just wanted to share the Core Values of a simialar SES school district (as listed on the brochures they were handing out at a Teacher Job Fair).

    Core values:

    All students learning

    Parents as partners

    Competent and caring staff

    Staff participation in decision making

    Safe, orderly and attractive environment

    Effective management of resources

    Excellence in all we do

  21. KRN

    The list of teachers leaving BHS is getting longer by the day. We are losing some top quality teachers. This is a disgrace!

  22. Anonymous

    Can you tell us which teachers have left from which departments, and where they have gone?

  23. KRN

    According to the SMUHSD board minutes, the following teachers are leaving BHS.

    Retirement:
    Jackie Estes- Asst. Principal
    Rick Kell- Dean

    Leave of Absence:
    Jean Marie Buckley- Counselor
    Matt Vaughn- AP Biology
    Mike Skrable- Advanced Math

    There may still be others who have not yet announced.

  24. Curious

    I notice you site the board minutes listing Mr. Vaughn as “AP” Biology and Mr. Skrable as “Advanced” math. Is this really what the board minutes say or is there some editorializing there? Is there some official hierarchy that some teachers are “advanced”? Special degrees or maybe passing a test? Was Mr. Vaughn hired to teach only “AP” courses in Biology.

    Just curious, from a non-academian.

  25. Anonymous

    Well, I don’t know what their ‘official’ titles are, but I believe those above named teachers, only teach those courses. That is what they do best. There are plenty of math teachers, but I wouldn’t say that all are equiped to teach the courses Mr. Skrable has been teaching. (My kids have never had Vaughn, so I am not equipped to comment.) I’m also wondering if and by whom, Jean Marie will be replaced. She has been an excellent counselor for both my kids.

    Skrable makes difficult math, digestible, and always has made himself available after hours or at lunch to help. What a pity that he is leaving–a big loss, but not a big surprise. I think it must be part of the dumbing down trend, that started about 30 years ago. At that time, at San Mateo High, a brilliant, similar caliber math teacher, and a biology teacher were forced into early retirement because their courses were too difficult for the majority of students. This is where our public schools are going. Dumb them down enough so all kids can all pass the exit exam. Pretty soon we’ll be at a 6th grade level.

  26. KRN

    The board minutes will list the official employment status of these individuals. The level of instruction was added to demonstrate the level of loss. It is not the individual that is specified as advanced but the level of course instruction.

    Advanced Placement is a college course taught at the high school level. Honors or advanced is a course that prepares students to take advanced placement courses. Losing teachers and counselors of this level is a serious loss to the school and the community. Mr. Skrable’s high standards and exceptional level of instruction has been mentioned by parents in MANY threads on this site.

  27. KRN

    These people are all great teachers. They are leaving in mid-career and will now do great things… in other places.
    Take a good strong look at Jen’s last sentences regarding education

    ” Dumb them (courses) down enough so all kids can all pass the exit exam.”

Leave a Reply

RECENT COMMENTS

RECENT POSTS

CATEGORIES

ABOUT THE VOICE

The Burlingame Voice is dedicated to informing and empowering the Burlingame community.  Our blog is a public forum for the discussion of issues that relate to Burlingame, California.  Opinions posted on the Burlingame Voice are those of the poster and commenter and not necessarily the opinion of the Editorial Board.  Comments are subject to the Terms of Use.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All content subject to Copyright 2003-2026

Discover more from The Burlingame Voice

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading