To the editor:
I’d like to offer an alternative perspective on the recent issues with the Lynnfield School Committee. I believe that the main issue is not improving communications between the School Committee and parents, but in identifying the problems facing LPS teachers and proposing concrete solutions. My concern is that the focus has shifted toward parents’ needs for communication, and away from the very real issues that are facing LPS teachers and educators.
I also think that the specific issues facing teachers are currently unclear. The biggest issue appears to be “teacher morale.” Why are teachers dissatisfied? Is it the rollout of new programs like “Wit and Wisdom” and if so, what training is required to get teachers the appropriate training? Is it low pay, potentially resulting in another override to increase salaries or hire additional staff? Does firing top-level administrators instantly solve all these issues, or are there numerous other issues which need to be addressed? Nobody seems to have a clear and specific list of the problems, and thus it’s impossible to develop a concrete list of solutions.
It’s understandable that teachers are understandably unwilling to go “on the record” with their issues, but I assume the Lynnfield Teachers Association can have private discussions with teachers to document their specific experiences and issues. The current discussions only started after the LTA letter was made public in the local papers, and I would respectfully recommend that the LTA develop a comprehensive list of concrete problems that can then be shared with the School Committee and superintendent for discussion.
I also disagree with the calls for parents to flood the School Committee with requests for further discussion. I have never been a School Committee member, but it seems to me to be a largely thankless job that consumes a lot of free time responding to parent requests and providing accurate information. I would much rather have the School Committee spend their time working with the superintendent and LTA to develop solutions than responding to every parent who asks for a response. I actually think that dozens of parents calling in to increase pressure on the School Committee would prevent them from having the time to listen to the LTA and collaborate with it on a comprehensive solution.
I respectfully recommend that the LTA, the superintendent, and all five members of the School Committee work together (as they have done in the past and intend to in the future) to finalize a concrete list of specific issues facing LPS teachers, as well as a list of proposed solutions that can be presented to the community. I also recommend that parents give the School Committee, superintendent, and LTA time to develop these solutions.
I look forward to future respectful discussions about these issues, so that I (as a parent) can continue to support the Lynnfield Public Schools system to be a supportive environment for administration, staff, teachers, and students.
Joe Gallagher
