- By Lisa Thompson Waldrop
- Opinions
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Dear Lansing Star,
I am a proud member of the teaching staff of the Lansing Central School District. I have been teaching in Lansing since 1998, first as an instructional support specialist and currently as a 5th grade English Language Arts teacher at the Lansing Middle School. I take great pleasure in the opportunity I have each day to help Lansing's students to develop as writers.
Typically, I don't make public comment on that which I read in the Lansing Star, but today, I am unable to remain reticent.
Everyone in this community knows that Lansing's schools, just like schools all across New York State, are having to make tough decisions about what gets cut and what remains in light of our state's fiscal crisis. What I am uncertain about is if the Lansing community understands what the Lansing Faculty Association (LFA) is doing to try and help the situation. Mr. Veaner's recent article in the Lansing Star was quick to print Mr. Thaler's criticism of the LFA nearly word for word, but he made no mention of the LFA's recent donation of $28,000 of summer curriculum money back to the district or of the fact that the LFA has donated well over $33,000 in the past three years.
These are difficult times. We will all be called upon to make sacrifices. Teachers will be lost, classes will swell in size, and those left behind who are dedicated to imparting knowledge to this district's children will do everything within their power to continue to deliver education at the level to which this community is accustomed; of this there can be no doubt.
While I disagree with Mr. Thaler's opinion of the union, I respect his right to voice that opinion, for truly, that is part of what democracy is about. My issue, then, is with one-sided reporting. The LFA, no matter your opinion of it, is part of this community too, each member a person who is trying to make the best out of a difficult situation. Please, do not sell us short by omitting what we are doing to help. It is unfair to us, to this community, and to the children we serve.
Sincerely,
Lisa Thompson Waldrop, 5th Grade ELA teacher
Editor's Note: When I read Ms. Waldrop's letter I thought she had missed the paragraph where I reported on the money the union is donating back to the district and Union President Stacie Kropp's quote that goes along with it. I rechecked the article and was horrified to find that in the rush to deadline that piece of the article was omitted. My thanks for bringing it to my attention. Click here for the missing piece.
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