It is both disheartening and infuriating to read about another administrator receiving a generous severance package (“Dave Heavner returns to alma mater as Valley’s new football coach,” March 2, TribLIVE) but the New Kensington-Arnold school board can’t seem to resolve a contract for their most important resource, their teachers. Board members insist they need to be considerate of the taxpayers when it comes to a contract for the teachers — but not when they are handing out these generous severance packages. The NKASD seems to find money for everyone and everything but their teachers.
Our understanding is the increases the board offered the teachers is inaccurate. What they don’t say is that the increases will not offset the increase in the teacher’s contribution for health care. A number of teachers, not all, will not get a raise. Everyone is getting pay raises except teachers. Teachers should be no different.
Teachers of NKASD are caring professionals who have been invaluable resources to their students. They have done the unimaginable during covid. Please reward them with a contract they can ratify!
Connie Vita Bowser
New Paris
Regina Namey
New Kensington