Teachers confront Legislators

I attended the meeting set up between Goedde and IEA president. Local Educators, legislators, and community members showed up at Coeur d Alene High School at 10am on Saturday. All legislators from Kootenai County were invited. Sayler, Goedde, and Nonini sat on the podium while Hammond and Henderson were in the audience. There was about 100 people in attendance.

Originally, this meeting was to be an opportunity to reassure teachers and educators. However, House Education Committee Chairman Bob Nonini introduced a bill last week as the legislators faced a cut of up to $109 million in the 2010 K-12 education budget. This bill proposed changes to state law that would limit contracts for teachers to a single year.

I was stunned by the angry and defensive responses from Nonini and Goedde. From my seat in the audience, it did not take long to understand that these educators were afraid about their ability to secure a future. Many of the instructors brought legitimate feedback regarding the bill. George Sayler shared the educators' concerns and added his frustration to the conversation while informing Nonini and Goedde that this was reactionary governing without foresight.

You should check out these links:

Legislation draws ire of teachers by Rick Thomas at the Coeur d Alene Press

Idaho lawmakers suggest education cuts by KXLY coverage

Hearings delayed on bill that would end multi-year teacher contracts IdahoStatesman.com

Taking a bite out of education Rexburg Standard Journal

Will Stimulus Really Save Idaho Education?
New West, MT - 23 hours ago
... Education Committee chairman Bob Nonini (R-Coeur d’Alene) postponed three days of hearings, scheduled to start Monday, on two education cost-cutting ...

Note: Nonini and Goedde both said at the Education meeting yesterday that the bill was postponed for a week until more information about the stimulus package was in but they did not say it was off the table. They said that this bill was asked for by the administrators and school board members. Though Sayler said many of those individuals never saw the final draft before printing of the bill. Nonini said that they were aware of the content and it was the direct result from what they were asked to create.


Final, question: Where was Representative Marge Chadderdon? She is the member of the House Education Committee and an elected official Leg Dist 4. Sayler was there. Goedde was there, so where was Chadderdon?