School district is spinning the truth

The Aug. 8 article “Strike threat at end of talks” only promoted the Marysville School District’s propaganda. It appears that the writer, in her efforts to obtain factual information for this article, spent a fair amount of time talking with Judy Parker, spokeswoman for the Marysville School District.

Marysville children are our greatest assets. Teachers and staff take this responsibility very seriously, and it devalues them and our children to ask for cutbacks in their pay. As a parent and very active community member in Marysville, for over 12 years, I have seen many teachers of my four sons work above and beyond their workday by attending parent conferences, site council meetings, PTSA meetings, after-school activities, family math nights, student council meetings, etc. Teachers work consistently “extra” all year long and do not stop attending conferences and meetings when their TRI schedule (extra time outside the classroom) is full (which typically happens in the first half of the year).

It is unfortunate that the frame of reference for Ms. Parker is that of “community relations” when she does not appear to understand the community within which she is working. Much is stated in the article about teacher salaries but administration salaries remain a mystery. Ms. Parker, for instance, was hired this past year at a salary of?

Many of the Marysville teachers live and also work in the Marysville community. They send their children to Marysville schools. They shop, meet friends and worship here. Their kids are in soccer and baseball leagues. On the other hand, most of the administrators are not residents of this community. They put in their day and go home to Seattle or other districts. This is a caring community of local people. Why can’t the administrators begin to partner with, talk to and listen to the teachers and resolve their differences so that our children do not get caught up in this power struggle?

Marysville