The old saying, “you snooze, you lose” came to mind when I saw today’s News Sentinel. KCEA the teachers labor union is upset over the Knox County school districts budget proposal that will give teaching assistants and other non teaching professionals higher raises this year.
Interim Superintendent Buzz Thomas created the budget with input from the districts Teacher Advisory Council. New Superintendent Bob Thomas says to change the budget at this late date will effect other line items in the budget and he does not appear to be supportive in changing the budget.
It really opens up the question, how many teachers are members of the teacher union? Back in 2000-2004 when this author served on the board, the Union was dangerously close to it’s membership falling below the threshold to be the representative organization. I suspect with retirements, departures and the mindset of younger educators joining the profession and the county school district the union has not grown significantly, that is my opinion.
However, in my opinion, what this predicament demonstrates more than anything is the incompetence of the current leadership of KCEA. Was the KCEA not present at the teacher advisory committee meetings? Are there not any KCEA members on the teacher advisory committee? Does the KCEA not have any school board member friends that let them know about the budget proposal before it is going to a vote?
If the KCEA would do what they were created to do instead of repeated failed attempts to elect a one term State Representative that has now been defeated THREE times (once for State Senate, twice after one term in State House) and would work more for teachers in Knox County than oppose school choice and working to keep poor kids in failing schools then the term of this KCEA President would be measurable different.
