Hazen Forum misunderstands union practice on layoffs

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Dan Hazen’s June 10 Forum essay on teacher layoffs attempted to be even-handed in addressing two subjects he admittedly doesn’t understand (“When pink slips go out, why can’t the best be kept on,” The Herald, June 10).

The result was a confusing essay that backhanded unions and school districts while lamenting that all parts of our society suffer under “a Darwinian ecosystem.” And though I doubt he meant harm, that is the only effect of publishing misinformation in the guise of goodwill. All aspects of public education are currently in turmoil and can’t benefit from a community leader’s uninformed public opinion.

So, I ask Mr. Hazen, please, if you don’t know what a union is, research.

If you don’t know why teacher layoffs are structured as they are, research. If you don’t know what Washington teacher certification requires, don’t claim one certified teacher is “better” than another. Is a Ford better than a Chevy? In what way? For whom? Under what circumstances? Answering those questions makes the difference between understanding what you’re writing about and mentioning it as part of blathering and bleating.

Paul Heckel

Snohomish