Letter: Courtney says he's best candidate for Dist. 20
Editor: In endorsing my opponent, The Record brushed away all nuance in my statement to its editors that I oppose teacher tenure. I do, if tenure is unqualified. I support tenure with clear rules that encourage our best teachers and spur all teachers to do their best. Apparently my opponent does not.
In his vote for Senate Bill 6, Rep. Bill Proctor voted twice for performance, or merit pay as it is commonly known, for teachers regardless whether or not they were teaching in difficult situations. He voted against, and did not offer any amendments to, Senate Bill 6 to make such a distinction. Painting his votes with more palatable terms does not hide the damage that could have been done to our education system by these votes.
Multiple studies have shown that money is not a primary motivator for people or teachers. I agree. Many factors motivate teachers, including security, environment, job advancement and love of the job. Most teachers just love to teach and we should give them the support and tools to do what they love.
It is hard to remove teachers due to tenure as it should be. Tenure is teacher protection from arbitrary and impulsive personnel changes used to advance personal agendas. But tenure should not provide teachers lifetime employment. I, like everyone, including teachers, would oppose tenure that provides irrevocable lifetime employment.
Proctor's tenure in the state House has resulted in stabilization: Nothing is moving. We remain the district with the highest unemployment in the state. We need jobs, business and ideas. This is no time for standing still.
We need proactive leadership that will move this district forward. Many of us can no longer wait. We need new state House leadership.
I believe I offer such leadership.
Doug Courtney
Palm Coast
Democratic Candidate, District 20, State Representative
No comments:
Post a Comment