School Strike Suck!!!

My seven year old daughter loves school. In August, she was already telling me how excited she was to go back and learn this and hang out with her friends. She was actually giddy when the bus was coming up the hill to pick her up on her first day of school.

This type of enthusiasm for learning isn't easy to come by.....even with young children. I count myself truly blessed that I have a child that loves school....loves to read....really loves math, and has friends surrounding her at school. So....why do we now have to take that away from her because her school district is going on strike.

Before anyone starts pointing out the issues, let me make one thing very clear....I don't care who's fault you think it is. I hate both sides! This negotiation has been going on for more than 2 years.....thee teachers have been working without a contract for more than a year.....and the threat of a strike has been very real for at least that long.

Really....we couldn't figure this one out? Saucon Valley pays their teachers very well.....these folks are not going broke. They have the same good health benefits and opportunity for education compensation that is pretty standard in all teacher packages. And let's face it, they don't have the toughest student population to teach. I haven't seen any metal detectors installed there.

On the other hand last year the district kept offering non-binding arbetration to the teachers union to get them to end their 6 day strike. When the teachers agreed to it...and the arbetors sided with the teachers, then is wasn't such a good idea after all. They ditched all that arbetration talk and came in with an offer far less than they had originally given. Seemed a little like the old bait and switch to me.

So.....why can't we come up with an average salary increase and hold the line. I'm sure the union can give up a few minor points on approved eduction venues for reimbursement....I know they could do this. But the reality is neither side is the real loser. The administration will look good to the residents that don't want a tax increase, and the teachers will eventually have to teach all 180 days, so they don't lose any income.

No...the big losers are the two income parents that have to scramble to find child care for an undefined period of time. If you don't have friends and family at your disposal....this can be extremely difficult and expensive....and even if you do, who likes to inconvenience your friends and family. The other losers are the kids...like my daughter who now have to shut down their brain and find things to do during the day. At least during the summer they have camps and things to keep them busy and curious and motivated. Now it's the Disney Channel.

Let's all hope both sides can get their crap together and figure this out...it can't be that hard.