The Problems at Foothill High in Tustin Need to Be Resolved

Historically, teachers have been underpaid. The profession was dominated by women, who in prior years could be paid less for the same work. Times are changing with regard to women’s ability to earn equal pay for equal jobs, but the teaching profession is still woefully behind in its salaries.

No one will argue that the teaching profession is one of the finest and most honorable of the professions. Nor would anyone argue that it is one of the most important if we are to improve the standard of living of our nation.

Tustin teachers want more money, and they deserve more money.

The Foothill High School teachers are not assigning homework as part of a job action in protest of their no-contract situation. In other words, they theoretically teach the material, and the student is somehow supposed to learn the material without ever having to study outside the classroom or perform any repetitive reinforcement tasks.

The teachers claim they will not give 120% in the classroom. No one has ever asked them to give 120% in the classroom. However, as long as they are in the classroom, we as parents and taxpayers deserve 100% effort, including the traditional assignment of homework in the form of outside research, outside reading, mathematics assignments, chemistry assignments, etc.

The Foothill High School teachers are still collecting their wages for their “work” but yet are not willing to perform their “work.” Since they are working without a contract and believe that wage negotiations are at a standstill, they have the option of going on strike.

If they choose that option, they should go on strike and close the schools down completely. They should bring the district to its knees and force it to pay an adequate wage.

If they are not willing to go on strike, then they must accept the wage the district is paying and perform their jobs as required or seek employment elsewhere.

FRED W. ANDERSON

Santa Ana