The Vance County Association of Educators (VCAE), a local unit of the North Carolina Association of Educations (NCAE), will be hosting a forum to discuss teachers’ budget concerns at the Ambassador Inn in Henderson on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
The meeting is open to all educators in Vance County, regardless of whether they are members of the VCAE.
According to Maxine Hardy, the president of the VCAE, it is time for educators in Vance County to voice their concerns to Superintendent Norman Shearin and the Vance County Board of Education. An issue of major focus is the new policy regarding substitute teachers. Last week, it first came to light on Home in Henderson that school principals had been directed to use in-house staff to provide coverage for classrooms rather than retain substitute teachers.
Here is the text of Hardy’s letter to Vance County teachers and school staff members:
Dear Vance County Educator,
If there ever was a time for us to voice our concerns to the Superintendent and the Vance County Board of Education, it is now.
The Superintendent’s recent directive to principals regarding substitutes hurts the children of Vance County. The children are the reason that all of us are employed. The idea expressed at our opening meeting in August was, “Teaching Each Child The Way I Want My Child Taught”. We must hold to that standard.
We are accountable for growing students to meet or exceed expected growth as a part of the mission of Vance County Schools and accountability is a joint effort among all stakeholders. I applaud the explanation given by the superintendent during yesterday’s WRAL news broadcast because it does show retaining jobs was at the forefront of his decision. On the other hand, I firmly believe that there are other options that must be seriously explored.
You are invited to attend a meeting on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss this issue and other issues facing educators in Vance County. This is your opportunity express your concerns and get involved at another level. Though sponsored by the Vance County Association of Educators, all Vance County personnel are invited. It will be at Ambassador Inn and Suites on Parham Road and breakfast is available for a minimum cost of $6.00, beginning at 9:00 a.m. If you plan to have breakfast, please let your VCAE building representative know so that we can give the restaurant an approximate number of persons wishing to have breakfast. The separate meeting room is at no cost with a minimum number of 50 for breakfast.
At this point, I don’t expect representation from NCAE even though they are aware of the meeting and the issues we need to address. The convention is next weekend and staff is busy completing preparations for that. Nevertheless, I look forward to a very productive meeting. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Sincerely,
Maxine L. Hardy
VCAE President
Editor’s Note: The editor is a member of the VCAE and has served as the treasurer of the organization.