SV board's rejection of teachers' offer is revealing

Regarding the most recent offer from the Seneca Valley teachers union being unanimously voted down by the district's school board ("Seneca Valley Strike Goes On: Board Rejects Teachers' Offer," Nov. 6): The school board members and their solicitor Tom King have at last "jumped the shark."

By detailing in a public forum the teachers' latest offer and then rejecting it, they have revealed that not only are they able to pay the teachers the salaries requested without raising taxes but they are also able to do it by means of attrition savings -- the money saved by the district when a top-level teacher retires and a new teacher is hired at the bottom step.

What the school board members have been tirelessly saying through Mr. King is that paying the teachers would mean tax increases for the district. What they proved by their rejection of a viable, alternate way to fund these raises is that they don't care about the taxes -- they simply don't want to pay the teachers what they are worth. Instead, they have revealed such a twisted, preposterous and mean-spirited thought process toward these negotiations that they can no longer be credited with having the students' or the community's well-being at heart, let alone the teachers'.

The Seneca Valley school board emperors have no clothes -- and hopefully the public will open their eyes to that fact and force them to quit thinking of their own petty desire to exert power and instead bargain in good faith for a fair and equitable settlement between the two sides.

CHARLENE SHAW
Slippery Rock

The writer's husband teaches in the Seneca Valley School District.

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The bottom line

I am a confused Seneca Valley School District parent. I have read the newspaper and attended meetings regarding the school strike. While I am in complete favor of the teachers asking for a fair wage to work for our school district, I find myself at a loss understanding the property tax impact behind the impasse between our school board and teachers association. I have information from the Seneca Valley Education Association, which is the teachers association, and my school board representative. Unfortunately, the data tell two completely different stories.

Either my property taxes will "increase in Seneca Valley, but it is not salaries driving those tax increases" or "need to be increased at least 35 mills to upwards of 59 mills."

I completely accept that my property taxes will soon increase; everything else at my household has. My confusion is this: Who is closer to the truth regarding the tax increase? I would like to ask both the Seneca Valley school board and the Seneca Valley Education Association to enlighten the taxpayers with their "numbers" at the next Seneca Valley School District board meeting on Monday, Nov.12, at 8 p.m. Is our school district having a strike over a relatively small tax increase or one that could increase our property taxes by 28 percent or more? The board should approve a reasonable increase. Why is this information not being clearly demonstrated to the taxpayers? I challenge all concerned members of the Seneca Valley district to attend the meeting, so that our school district may get beyond the current impasse.

PATRICIA SCHILLERO
Forward Township, Butler County

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See the positive

While I completely understand that the Seneca Valley teachers strike is frustrating to all involved, I hope parents won't stress out about the lack of scheduled vacations. No matter what side you come down on, we can know our kids will get through the school year with all the academics required ... it's just that the "model" will be a different one.

Life is messy, and it just doesn't go according to plan sometimes, ya know? Because I have no control over the negotiations or the outcome, I'm trying to remember that education is really a lifelong process. Academics will always come. I'm trying to enjoy the moment and spend time doing things we'd normally do on vacations. Frankly, I always think Christmas vacation seems to last forever anyway. I'm just going forward with faith, not fear. This strike is just not the end of the world to me and my family.

Yes, the strike has divided our communities, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. It forces each of us to reassess or confirm our thoughts and positions regarding the school district, the teachers, our values and ethics, and the future of our children. We are a strong group of communities. We are all capable of getting through this.

I am unafraid of discord, as it can be a valuable tool in teaching us life lessons. We will all be forced to summon up our courage and bravery to respect and provide understanding to achieve the reconciliation that will be necessary once the strike is over. A perfect lesson for us all going into Thanksgiving ... Choose to have faith, people, not fear. It'll all be OK. Our kids are smart.

ELISABETH BRUGNONE
Harmony

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Needs repaving

Regarding "Council Balks at New Street Paving System" (Nov. 6): Yes, many Democratic committee members get their streets repaved. I'd be willing to guess that for some, there could even be some political connections influencing it.

I live on a street that happens to have two members of the committee living on it. I'd like to challenge city Councilman William Peduto, whose pot-stirring apparently removed our street from the 2007 resurfacing list, to find a street in our city in worse condition than ours.

Mr. Peduto, I agree with you that having members of the committee should not influence whether a street is paved. But in this case, your agitation caused a system that would have worked to fail miserably -- having those members should not remove us from the list, just as it should not add us to it. Maybe I'll send you the bill for my next bent wheel suffered on my own street where conditions dictate a speed limit of 5 mph.

GEOFF MARTON
South Side Slopes

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Don't move the bed

In response to the Oct. 25 editorial "Lincoln's Bed: The Heinz History Center Is a First-Rate Showcase": With all due respect, the Soldiers & Sailors National Military Museum and Memorial is exactly where Lincoln's bed should stay. There's no argument that Lincoln's stay at the Monongahela House was a regional history event; however, the Soldiers & Sailors hall was built for and by American Civil War veterans of Allegheny County. Any artifact pertaining to their commander in chief belongs in the architectural gem built in their honor.

Aside from George Washington, Lincoln is the most important person in American history (ask David Shribman). You degrade Lincoln's memory and that of his army by advocating a move from a hallowed building to a converted icehouse.

The Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center is a wonderful regional asset, but hands off when it comes to Lincoln or Civil War artifacts. Your grandparents would be disappointed with you.

MICHAEL CONNORS
East Pittsburgh

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Police, stay put

Considering allowing our police to live outside the city is not a good idea ("Residency Sparks Mayor Debate," Oct. 23). As a homeowner and taxpayer, this issue is an easy one -- let the residents decide by placing this question on a ballot and allowing us to vote on it.

Other issues have been placed on a ballot, why shouldn't this? This should not be an item that is negotiated and included in their contract. If you don't want to be employed by the city and abide by the rule of employment, quit. When the police accepted these positions they were well aware of the residency requirement.

MARY STANLEY
Knoxville

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Why do people not vote when it's clear that we need new leaders?

I went and voted on Election Day. It is just a shame how many people have forgotten that this is their right as an American citizen. This is one thing no one should forget.

Our country is going to the dogs. The leadership of our government is downright sickening.

We have a president who does not care about the American people.

We have a Congress that thinks it knows best. Its members sure don't care about the American people. We are the ones who voted them in. Guess what? We sure can vote them out next November.

Congress better wake up and listen to what the American people are saying.

We want the borders taken care of and also our ports. No more pork spending. Congress should also listen to what we are telling it about no more amnesty for illegal immigrants.

But guess what? Our government will not listen to its citizens.

We should stand up as American citizens and do our civic duty and vote. There are people who laid down their lives so that, as American people, we would have this God-given right.

There is no excuse for not voting. The weather was just fine.

DOREEN W. HODDER
North Huntingdon

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