Rollback would give teachers needed raise



I begin this letter with the assumption that we need to provide a solid education for all citizens if we are to maintain our precious democracy in these United States.

With that in mind, I must reply to the “nay sayers” who have called for a “no” vote on the tax rollback.

Our schools have been providing quality education for all students, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or special student needs.

The Texas Education Agency publishes an annual report every year showing how each school is doing including results on the state's mandated TAKS tests. Check http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/aeis/ or stop by any school office for your copy of the district’s booklet comparing this year's TAKS scores to those from past years.

The gaps between all groups of students have been dramatically closed because the lowest scoring groups are being brought up to excellence.

Find out for yourself what the TAKS test requires of our children by going to http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/release/taks/index.html.

There you can peruse or run off a hard copy of a released test. If you would like to take an actual test on-line and have it instantly scored (a good thing to do with your children), go to the same site but click on the interactive version. I think you’ll be greatly surprised at the requirements for our children and find an answer to the old question, “What goes on at that schoolhouse?”

The recent out of state trip for educators mentioned in a previous letter was paid for through grant money that could only be spent for staff development.

True, excellent staff development is available through Sam Houston State University and Region VI Education Service Center right here in Huntsville.

Huntsville ISD takes advantage of those opportunities. The staff development in question, though, was only available through an out-of-state provider. Based on the above mentioned improvements with the TAKS scores, the special out of state staff development had a measurably positive effect.

Finally, when a teacher can travel 20 miles south of Huntsville and receive between a $2,000 and $7,000 pay increase immediately, why wouldn’t that teacher do so?

By voting “yes” on the tax rebate, you will be providing at least a minimal and much needed pay raise for our teachers.

If we want to maintain our democratic way of life, if we want all our children to receive a quality education, we need to support our schools. Vote yes for the tax rollback!



Ginger Metz

Huntsville



American taxpayer makes bill possible



It’s Friday afternoon as I write this. Less than one hour ago, I saw President Bush on TV, thanking key members of Congress for passing the “Bailout Bill.”

  Glaring in its omission was an expression of gratitude to the group who should most be thanked for making this bailout possible: the American taxpayer.  Also, shame on the representatives for adding a bunch of pork-barrel legislation to the bill.

 

Nancy R. Wilson

Huntsville