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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

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127 responses to “Teachers and Greener Pastures”

  1. Mac

    Sue, it’s a bit of a strech to pass judgement about the quality of my life based on what I post here. I love teaching and enjoy what I do. One big reason I love teaching and am happy with my job right now is probably because I don’t teach in SMUHSD.

  2. Mac

    Sue, I don’t lock my doors at lunch, I never mention or talk about what’s going on in SMUHSD with my students, I’m treated with respect by the administration, I make the same amount of money I’d be making in SMUHSD, I wake up in the morning feeling positive about my work environment (even on Monday’s at 5:45), and I have peace of mind. What’s more to ask for?
    What’s the name of this strand again?
    I’m proof positive that greener pastures exist and are thriving.

  3. Anonymous

    Thank you to all those teachers who wrote recommendation letters for my daughters, who listened to my concerns about my daughters, who stayed “after hours”, who helped my children, who inspired them because they worked so hard for their students and who made their school years so wonderful.

    I am sure those teachers did not do all of the above because of the huge salaries they were paid (ha!) but because they cared for our children.

    Thank you for your dedication – our family respects you enormously!

  4. Anonymous

    I am a former BHS teacher currently at Aragon and I post frequently. My two children graduated from BHS. I give all of my passion and commitment to my profession but I am still frustrated and angry. Not one of my students would know that I am frustrated or angry about the treament I receive from the district. I still enjoy coming to school see the kids, work with my colleagues, teaching my classes and coaching my teams. But I will not give up my right to express my employee rights at the approriate time and place.
    A parent stated above that teachers don’t do the extra things they used to do. I beg to differ. Many colleagues and I still go to many after school school activities and enjoy seeing students demonstrate their outstanding talents and skills. As an aside I did enjoy participating in the talent show at BHS each year.
    Those were days when administrators and staff were a team and teachers were treated with respect. There were years, during the “good times”, when we received 0% pay raises and increased class sizes yet we didn’t complain because we felt respected, were heard and treated fairly in the proces. This is no longer the case.
    Finally I am hard pressed to see administrators at school activities unless they have to be there. Thats not the way it used to be when administrators like Mr. T and others actually went to activities because they enjoyed them. Administrators today would rather sit in their office than go out and mingle with the kids or their staff.

  5. sam

    good for you, Ed, if you don’t bring your gripes into the classroom..such is unfortunately NOT the case at BHS…as my student said, BHS seems to be dying…what a sad thought. And please, Ed and KRN, it is not all the board’s fault–you and the other teachers are the “boots on the ground”–your attitude could make a big difference–you can fight long and hard for your benefits but the prevous posts seem to me to indicate that a lot of parents are not happy about the way teachers are fighting and the effect it has on the atmosphere of the school—I frankly think teachers who are not happy should pack their bags and leave. I may be wrong, but I’ll bet the grass is not greener in other places…and if it is, more power to them–they deserve it.

    And I do agree about the BHS admin…I think Biggar is trying to mealy mouth his way out of every situation–try to make parents feel their concerns are being addressed while talking out of the other side of his mouth to teachers (has anyone ever really felt they got a straight answer from that man?)–I see him as having a long range plan of securing Sam Johnson’s job down the road–put this post in a time capsule and see if I’m not right!

  6. KRN

    Sam,

    You are blaming the teachers for a problem that they did not create. It is sad that some of the same teachers who you blame have been fighting to save BHS for years except no one would listen. Now some of you think you are the founders of the movement and the saviors. The actions of the board and the administration are what put things over the top for BHS.

    You claim that teachers are the “boots on the ground”–your attitude could make a big difference–you can fight long and hard for your benefits but the prevous posts seem to me to indicate that a lot of parents are not happy about the way teachers are fighting and the effect it has on the atmosphere of the school.-

    Why don’t you come to the homes of the teachers and explain to their young children why the teachers are losing income and the families are having to cut back!

    Sam,
    You are angry about BHS, but don’t blame the teachers for an environment that they did not create. Do some homework and find out what went wrong. Its not hard, much of the information is located on the voice. If you turned your anger in the right direction you might actually solve some of the problems. Screaming at the teachers is not going to do it. I know that the teachers are the path of least resistance so it is much easier to attack the teachers than the real problem.

    When the budget problem came out, most of you sat on the sidelines and did not take action. Once the teachers began action, you came out screaming. Well, now your in the game. I don’t care which side you are on, at least you are on the field and you may be open to finding out the truth. You would not listen in the past (and you may not listen now) but at least you are taking a greater interest in what is going on. Solving this problem is going to take leadership.

    What happened to the teacher who organized the talend show? What happened to the teacher who made great things happen at BHS? If you want to re-build the spirit of the school, you are not going to do it by screaming at the teachers. Many of the teachers have dedicated much of their lives to BHS and are very angry at its fall. They are the teachers with their boots on the ground, fighting to make change to get the school back to its former greatness. If you want to make change, you need to make a sacrafice and join the fight on the right side.

  7. burlingame parent

    As far as the administrators being there for the kids, you are right but I honestly don’t think they have ever been missed. Larry Teshara was a one of a kind. He was someone that the kids and the parents loved. He had that rare talent to administer and get down in the trenches. He may be irreplaceable.

  8. burlingame parent

    Ed, I know you and know what you have contributed to BHS. You have long been a huge supporter of not only the students but he parents of our school. Ed, Please don’t misunderstand my words, I was not at all talking about the “old” days of BHS. Just this year. You are right the teachers were ALWAYS there. That’s what makes their absence felt even more. The talent show was one of the most amazing things to see. The kids shocked to see what their “old” English teacher could do with a guitar. You guys were always at the football games, and your presence was so appreciated. If a kid needed a teacher for any reason they knew they were there. You are so right about the raw deal you received. But you still were there for your students. You never shut the door. “The appropriate time and place.”
    Fiona do your children attend Burlingame High School?
    Also, we quietly skipped over the teachers making $ 70.00 per hour comment. Is that truly what teachers make? I was under the impression it was a low paying job. What do cops and firemen make? I was able to look up the monthly salary in 2005 of a Burlingame Police officer was listed as $5,578 to $6,778.
    EM you said you received 20 letters of recommendation for your son. Were each of those letters completely different?

  9. Mac

    What parents and others in the community don’t see is when my wife, who teaches in SMUHSD, comes home after a twelve hour workday in tears because the work environment is so contentious. I’m not saying this teacher’s departure will cause the school to collapse, but it’s going to have an significant effect.

    Is there any coincidence the two administrators at BHS who pre-date Sam Johnson’s arrival as superintendent are choosing to retire at the end of this year? These are good people who have been a part of the BHS community for years.

    Another thing to consider– I have a contract in the district I teach in. The district upholds their end of the agreement, and I uphold mine; it’s really that simple. The district I work in is straight forward and honest with me, and their integrity makes all the difference. Integrity in the SMUHSD district office and school board is lacking. Honest people with integrity don’t hide $70+ million in debt from the public. The public trust has been violated, not by the teachers, but by the school board and the district office administration. Don’t shoot the messenger folks. The teachers aren’t to blame at the root of this problem. Perhaps if teachers saw some action on the part of the community, they’d be more inclined to think positively.

    People don’t like to be jerked around, and what the district is experiencing is what happens when people in power jerk people around. A positive change in leadership is necessary as the first step in the healing process. Find some administrators who are benevolent, honest, enthusiastic, and have integrity, and I bet conditions will improve… I’ve experienced it before.

  10. burlingame parent

    What is it that you want us to do. You say get them out of office. How. Go to the office and remove them from their desk? How exactly does this process work? IS it a process? GIve us steps. Make us your students. Stop with the preaching and teach. If we have clear steps to take to help you then we can help you. If we see that you are there for us and our children we will be there for you. Just as we have ALWAYS been there for you. Is this something that will take weeks, months, years. Are we capable of making this change or can we only complain about it? I personally have no idea what my role in this process is.

  11. Anonymous

    Get them out of office, and then what? The money will not suddenly appear.

    Will some of the teachers be happy because they “won” the war to get rid of Johnson? And, still with no money and no contract, but now happy, will the teachers return to the good old days of teaching the students in the manner Ed speaks of?

  12. Mac

    My advice is to organize as large a group as possible of parents from SMUHSD and surrounding elementary feeder school districts who are concerned about the state of affairs in the district. Create a name for the group, so people know who you are. Ask questions and demand action from community leaders– all the way from local city councils to Tom Lantos… and everyone inbetween. Power is with the people and pressure from the public will facilitate change.

    It’s not about winning a war, but doing what’s right and what’s best for the community.

  13. KRN

    Great recommendation?
    The difference between your students getting into a state university or a state of inertia could come down to your recommendation letter.

    “Writing an effective recommendation letter can take hours and during the high season, an oft-requested teacher can spend as much time at her laptop as a football coach on the field. But there’s no cash stipend for this duty, and usually not a lot of sympathy from administrators or parents who often consider it part of the job. “

    http://www.nea.org/neatoday/0511/coverstory

    A great letter is the difference between admission and rejection. EM above states that her son needed twenty letters for college. If each university wants a specific answer to a question, then each letter needs to be different. Each letter also comes with its own data section that must be filled out by the teacher. If you are spending less than an hour on a letter, it most likely is not going to help the student get into college. Yes, in many cases teachers can use the same letter for different school to help reduce time.

    Can you find a BHS student that needed a letter and did not get one? No, because the BHS teachers did not let the students down as the parents above have stated.

    Burlingame Parent: A private tutor makes $75 per hour. Yes teachers, with 15 years of experience and a BA, Teaching Credential, and a Master’s degree make $70 per hour. How much would they make in the private sector?

  14. KRN

    If the parents don’t like what the teachers are doing in protest then what do you suggest?

  15. smuhsd teacher

    Wow, interesting thread. In fact, interesting enough that it lead me to do some calculating. The following calculations are based on 183 workdays in the school year and the contract day of 7:45-3:15 (the contract work hours).

    The maximum pay in SMUHSD would be for a teacher with 22+ years of teaching + Teaching Credential + BA/BS + Master’s degree +75 additional units (master’s degree and extra units must be paid out of pocket to count for pay) + complete the Career Increment program (about 240 hours of unpaid professional growth outside of school hours) = about $66.25 per hour plus benefits plus pension (public sector’s version of social security). I suppose it’s actually a bit lower if you factor in the out-of-pocket tuition expenses.

    The minimum pay would be a first-year teacher with BA/BS + teacher credential= $34.23 per hour plus benefits plus pension.

    The difficult part in calculating a per hour wage, though, is the previous numbers assume working 7:45-3:15. This means all student tutoring, creating lesson plans, grading homework/papers/tests, writing recs, meetings, etc. would be confined to those hours. I’m not bitching at all about that stuff but definitely it needs to be factored in if attempting to try to figure out a wage which is why my above numbers are inaccurate. This is obviously going to vary greatly from teacher to teacher.

    If the above responsibilities can be done with only 2 extra hours per day and no weekend hours (10 total extra hours/week) it’s: maximum = $52.30/hour (plus benefits plus pension) and minimum =$28.01/hour (plus benefits plus pension).

    While most of my colleagues, including myself, definitely spend more than 10 extra hours/week, there are probably a handful who just spend/need that much. If it’s an extra 20 hours/week outside of the 7:45-3:15 workday it’s: maximum = $43.21/hour (plus benefits plus pension) and minimum = $23.14/hour (plus benefits plus pension).

    The hardest part to factor in (and I’m not going to bother trying) is the extra uncompensated hours needed to reach the maximum wage. There are 240 professional growth hours needed for the career increment and then however many school hours needed to get the 75 college units beyond a BA/BS plus however many hours needed to get a masters. If those are factored in it obviously drives the maximum wage down but I have no idea by how much.

  16. Mac

    Two first-year teachers = one veteran.

  17. smuhsd teacher

    oops two of my numbers were wrong, sorry.

    with 10 extra hours/week, minimum = $27.03/hour (not 28.01)

    with 20 extra hours/week, minimum = $22.32/hour (not 23.14)

  18. burlingame parent

    I don’t know how you can say across the board that two first year teachers = a veteran. I know many 1st grade teachers that are amazing and sadly several veteran teachers that outstayed their peak teaching time if indeed they were great teachers to begin with. Sure a certain amount of insight and greatness comes with experience but there are definately people who are born to be teachers and there are those who are not. This may be natures weeding process.

  19. burlingame parent

    I didn’t mean first “grade” teacher I meant first YEAR teacher.

  20. KRN

    Burlingame Parent.

    “I know someone who didn’t go to college and they are successful so I don’t need to go to college.”

    Apply your analysis to the whole and not in a specific situation. Would a parent rather have a new teacher or an experienced teacher?

    In your post above, you have a desire to return to the “old” BHS. New and inexperienced teachers don’t know about how it used to be.

    Administrators love new and inexperienced staff becasue they are cheap and will do what they are told. They then burn out and are replaced by other new teachers.

  21. Mac

    Burlingame parent– my comment was strictly financial in nature. The cost of two first year teachers to the district is approximately equivalent to the cost of one experienced teacher.

    Many effectively managed basic aid districts offer what’s called a “Golden Handshake”. It’s essentially a buyout in the form of a single cash payment or an annuity of some kind. This “Golden Handshake” is usually offered every ten years or so when there happens to be a lot of teachers in the district at retirement age. It’s offered as a way to encourage teachers who are thinking about retiring to do so. It’s something of a “win-win” situation because retiring teachers (many of whom have dedicated 30+ years of their life to public education) get a nice bonus and retire on a positive note. The district wins because they don’t have to pay the salary of the retired teacher anymore. This frees up money to hire new teachers at a lower cost, implement programs, etc.

    Because of the way this district has/is being managed, the district cannot offer anything of this nature. Would the district gain financially if teachers retire/leave? Yes, because of the latter of this “win-win” senario described above– the district saves money when experienced teachers (who make more money) aren’t there. Obviously, SMUSHD wants to save as much money as they can in the current financial situation they’ve created. Since there will be no “Golden Handshake”, how can management encourage departures? Ask any SMUHSD teacher what their work environment is like right now, and you’ll likely find the answer.

    “Administrators love new and inexperienced staff becasue they are cheap and will do what they are told. They then burn out and are replaced by other new teachers.”

    KRN is right on the money. The system management is attempting to implement is cost-effective, but not ethical or best for students, and in the long run, it’s the community that will suffer the most for the mistakes of a few.

  22. sue

    And KRN, let’s think of some new teachers as energetic, enthusiastic, empathetic, and loving the fac that they are gainfully employed. Would I trade that for a veteran teacher who is disgruntled and observed to do the same thing in each class for a number of years…………..YOU betcha!
    Give many of the first year teachers the credit they deserve. You were once a first year teacher too. Everybody starts somewhere. Yes, they are cheaper, but your other analogy is way off.

  23. KRN

    A Burlingame resident or any resident of the SMUHSD is goiing to lose because the level of education and instruction is going to fall. (make any argument you want- this is true) We have already seen a dip in the level of instruction due to a loss of higer quality teachers and those who replaced them are not yet up to capacity. (this is not a criticism of the new faculty, just an analysis of learning by doing) We have also seen a drop in the level of student who enters the SMUHSD. Many parents with the financial means to pay for private schools are doing so. We can get into all kinds of debates about public and private but this loss is real.

    Schools operate based upon the level of instruction at the site. High quality teachers create high quality output. These teachers also need high quality and motivated leaders to bring the systems together. If we were to spend our money on people rather than buildings, we would be establishing a stronger academic environment.

    Individuals do not desire to attend Harvard and Stanford because of the nice buildings, but because of the quality of students and instruction. Harvard and Stanford have great facilities because everyone wants to go to school there. It seems that the SMUHSD needs to re-position the cart and the horse if we intend to succeed.

  24. KRN

    Sue,

    Your observation is based upon a known product (great new teacher) rather than an unknown product. (reality of new teacher)

    You have created a scenerio where you have pitted a bad older teacher against a great new teacher and have established this as the norm. Is every parent faced with this selection? Not a chance.
    By the way… who mentors that young teacher through their early years of teaching?

    A real question that needs to be answered in your analysis. What makes the young, energetic teacher you describe turn into a “veteran teacher who is disgruntled and observed to do the same thing in each class for a number of years.” The lack honest and ethical leaderhip as well as a leader who will burn them out early. A smart leader knows how to extend the benefits of a quality teacher and allows them to blossom into the future.

    The 96% No Confidence vote against the Superintendent and Asst Superintendent included all of those new teachers you are praising.

    I think we can agree on something, we all want BHS back the way it used to be. A place where we all could engage with the students on a REAL basis. Today students are just numbers, not people. (this is NOT the teachers perspective) Many teachers are burned out because we want to teach students. We are told to produce numbers.

    Even the current discussion of SOS, (Stressed Out Students) the underlying objective of the program is not to help students. Its to help student raise test scores!

    Well, at least we don’t have a graffiti problem. (This was a response by a leader on our lack of real relationships with our students.)

  25. Mac

    Approximately 50% of all new teachers quit within three years.

  26. Mac

    Pardon me, five years.

    “According to a new study from the National Education Association, a teachers union, half of new U.S. teachers are likely to quit within the first five years because of poor working conditions and low salaries.”

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/08/AR2006050801344

  27. Mac

    I’m sure the school board and district administration are well aware of this statistic– in fact, I bet they’re counting on it keep costs down.

  28. Anonymous

    The BIS graduating class of 2005 had less than a dozen kids (I think 6) out of nearly 300, go to private school. The numbers are similar for 2006. There is not a mass exodus of kids leaving for private school, in fact, some kids that really wanted to go to BHS didn’t get their transfer.

    A few kids go to private school a year or two, and transfer to BHS, if they can get it. There is a very strong bond between kids that come up through the BSD k-8 program, and want to stay together. This has gone on for generations, with students eventually marrying each other and moving back to the area after college to raise their kids, and send them to BHS. It has not changed.

    Your argument is sexy and may get some emotional “oh no” support, but it is not factual.

    Now, for the OLA kids, there is a very strong desire to go to private school, and that has not changed for generations either and probably has little effect on BHS.

  29. KRN

    Crocker Middle School, also a feeder to BHS sends kids to 25 high schools both public and private. While the BIS students continue to come to BHS, the Hillsborough students are opting out, because they can. BHS does not only serve Burlingame.

    As far as the impact on BHS, you would not know it unless you where on compus or in the classroom both before 2000 and after 2006.

  30. Anonymous

    The parents of the Crocker kids always joke that it’s a “private” public school. And they, like OLA, have a history of going private and that has not changed for generations, either. The percentages of the mass exodus theory aren’t working.

    The hundreds, hundreds of kids from BIS, their parents, and the Burlingame taxpayers are the ones to watch. They are your bread and butter.

  31. bill

    well…our kid, for one, is going somewhere else next year..

  32. Anonymous

    Since we and various family members have been involved in the Hillsborough School system, the percentage of private/public leaving Crocker did indeed shift from about 38% private, to over 60%. That was in the span of 6 years. In the very early days, most kids did go to public schools, as they probably did from Burlingame Intermediate, as well. (But that was before prop 13.)

    Given all the instability in the last two years, I think those who had the option, did choose to go private. I find it seems to be linked to whether or not the parents attended private or public, and their own memories and experiences. Maybe there are more residents there now, who themselves went to private schools. Still, I have seen a slow but sure shift. People do think ahead about college choices, etc., and are understandably nervous when programs are cut.

  33. KRN

    If you want to know about the food at a resturant, ask the waiter, not the chef or the owner. If you want to know what goes on inside of a school, ask a teacher.

    You might see the sausage, but I get to see what goes into it.

  34. Pete

    Careful; approaching metaphor-overload…

    Remember, the parents and kids have to eat that sausage.

  35. Anonymous

    Jen, all good points. But, do you think the shift is in direct relation to happenings at BHS, or a general shift in the overall increased competetion throughout the nation for college acceptance? Even two years ago, sophomores weren’t faced with the college application/selection process, now it’s common.

    KRN, love the typo!! If you happen to park by the now closed Pisces at the Broadway station, you’ll find 6 signs for “Resturant parking only”…it has always bugged me.

    Thanks for the smile.

  36. Mac

    You are what you eat… if you’re concerned about your health, you probably should know what’s in it. It might have some flaxseed oil from down the road.

  37. Anonymous

    Jean, I think it’s definitely both of what you mention. I think that the increased competition gets parents and kids very anxious, more and moreso each year, and as a result, many of them are unwilling to take chances in the public schools. It gets down to “How high is my tolerance for the unknown, if my kid only has four years”.–(actually three, to prepare for this rat race getting into Universities, and it really is one.)

  38. sue

    Let us not forget that there are many fine universities out there that WANT kids from public schools.
    With regard to Hillsborough and the choices they make, that is a different kettle of fish all together, and they are also feeding into Aragon and San Mateo, not just BHS.
    Even when I was at BHS, many, if not most of the Hillsborough kids opted for private high school, and I am talking many years ago.

  39. KRN

    Its not just about getting into college, but the ability to thrive once you are there. Are the students leaving high school with the proper academic skills to navigate the competitive word of the university?

  40. Mac

    “Only half of students who start college eventually graduate… Research shows that challenging high school classes improve a student’s chances of getting through college.”

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A805-2005Apr19

  41. Former Parent

    The downfall of BHS can be traced to Matt Biggar. He is a fraud. He has no personality, no leadership, and no connection to the students. He does not listen to anyone and tells everyone what they want to hear. Listening to the community, the students, teachers, and parents have little or no respect for his leadership. It is a sad state.

    The downfall of BHS is a tragic loss.

  42. Joanne

    Ouch. What you say hasn’t been my experience. With virulent comments like that, no wonder you hide behind anonymity. So I guess we should fire the principal AND the superintendent AND the school board AND the SMUHSD human resources person and then everything will be rosy? The money will return. Everyone will have everything they want. There will be no conflict over budget priorities. Easy-peezy, huh? Somewhere over the rainbow.

  43. Joanne

    “You can never step in the same river twice.” Persons who talk about the good old days at BHS are wasting everyone’s time. One thing we know for certain: The only direction in life is forward. Whining without constructive comment for change is entirely non-productive. We are never powerless. We can do what’s within our control to change institutions. If “our side” doesn’t win an election or win the change we want to see, we can change our attitudes. We can change our jobs. We can change schools. What we can’t do is put the world in reverse.

  44. KRN

    Joanne,

    “Ouch. What you say hasn’t been my experience. With virulent comments like that, no wonder you hide behind anonymity.”

    Are you commenting on Former Parent, Burlingame Parent or the person who posted as Sam above? Each is writing under an assumed name and each is critical of others.

    According to you, which is the right side?

  45. Mac

    Moving forward is fine, unless you’re on the wrong trail…

  46. Joanne

    My “ouch” comment was directed to “Former Parent.” I’m not in favor of attacking anyone’s character with general conclusory statements (i.e. “fraud, “no personality” etc.) Attack specific decisions, fine. Character, no. This type of debate easily degenerates into a “you’re stupid. No, you’re stupid” level. All of us deserve better.
    By the way, for honesty in public blog debate, it should be noted that the person who posted the comment under the name “Former Parent” posted from a SMUHSD-owned computer.

  47. Mac

    Joanne–What has your experience been with Mr. Biggar? To what extent have you worked with him?

  48. Joanne

    Why? So you can argue further? Perhaps tell me my opinion is “uninformed”? If I told you I have had extensive contact with Biggar and he has been forthright in giving information, helpful in answering questions and practical in solving problems, would it make a difference to you? Would it change your opinion?
    Is this about Biggar? About Johnson? about the school board? Or is it about anybody in authority and any change? You doth protest too much. One loses credibility that way. What about picking and choosing your battles? Or is everything a battle? If your wife is coming home in tears at night due to the “contentious” environment at BHS, as you claimed elsewhere, do you think it is helpful to be blogging as much as you are? What district do you teach in that you have this much time to spend on this blog?
    Maybe there is a place “somewhere over the rainbow” where there are no problems and no budget issues. I wish the best to anyone who goes out looking for it tomorrow.

  49. KRN

    So here is what I don’t get. It is fine with you if Sam attacks teachers, students, and the principal in the posts above, but since you are more closely related to his/her position, that is OK. Be consistent, admonish those who are in your group as well as those who you oppose. Sam openly criticized a student by name! How do these comments differ from the one that you criticize?

    “why do the teachers seem to think that hurting the kids or trying to use the kids as pawns will help their cause.” -Sam

    “I think Biggar is trying to mealy mouth his way out of every situation–try to make parents feel their concerns are being addressed while talking out of the other side of his mouth to teachers.” -Sam

    If it were not for Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, we would not know what was in the sausage and we would still be eating it.

  50. Mac

    Joanne, I merely asked you what your experience with Mr. Biggar has been and to what extent you’ve worked with him.

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