Editor:
I’m writing in regards to the passing of the proposal of a four-day school week by the Sweet Home School Board.
I am in shock over the total disregard this vote has shown for the classified employees and their families. Moving to a four-day week will mean that most classified employees will lose a day of work per week. The teachers will not be affected financially by this, as their hours per day will be increased.
Voting this in will be a cut that most families will be unable to tolerate financially. If will not only affect those who were cut, but will cause a trickle-down effect that will hurt the grocery stores, gas stations, food establishments and other small businesses in Sweet Home.
There is already a lack of things for young people to do in our town and having an extra day off per week won’t help this or the families that have to pay an extra day per week in child care costs. Not everyone wants to send their children to the Boys and Girls Club for an entire day each week.
I understand that teachers are important; this goes without saying. But our classified employees are not less important, and this is the message that was sent out, loud and clear.
The ethical thing would have been for everyone to take an across-the-board cut and share equally in the financial burden instead of placing all of it on those whose incomes are the least. It is a slap in the face for all the hardworking, dedicated employees like custodians, teacher’s aides, food and maintenance workers and many others, without whose service the school would be unable to run properly.
A great disservice was done by the School Board, and others involved, to the employees, families and town of Sweet Home with the passing of this vote for a four-day school week. This speaks volumes about the members of the board who would vote something in that negatively affects the lives of so many people.
There were other options, but none were considered in the rush to hurry and push this thing through. There were a few on the board with the integrity to stand up for what was right and vote “no,” and I thank them for that. It’s sad to say there are not many willing to stand up for what’s right in this day and age, and our families and town will reap the consequences of their disregard.
Karen Baldinger
Sweet Home