Teachers are the pillars on which excellent school districts are built.
My two children, now adults, received excellent educations from wonderful teachers in the Oregon School District.
We are concerned about the future of the school district if relationships with the staff do not improve.
The incumbents are taking credit for many of the positive things happening in the school district. Many of the positive things happening in the district are because of teachers who continue to work with dedication and commitment despite the current strained relationship between the Board and staff. In the current climate, teachers do not feel free to speak out about their frustrations.
There is a feeling among many teachers that their expertise and professionalism are not respected. Eventually, this will affect the school district’s ability to retain the best experienced teachers and to attract excellent new teachers.
The three incumbents in the school board race wish to take credit for the strong financial stability of the School District, when actually the credit should go to an excellent Business Manager. We believe that the three challengers, Feeney, Maitzen, and Uphoff, will continue to promote sound financial policies, while greatly improving the stability of the School District in other ways. We do not need everyone on the School Board to be a financial expert. We need members with a variety of skills and experiences.
Feeney has 20 years of professional policy and planning experience, as well as experience on many boards over the years; she knows how to weigh needs, problems, options, costs, and consequences in a dynamic environment.
Maitzen taught for 16 years in the OHS Art Department and the Oasis Program, working with gifted and talented as well as at-risk students; she understands complex school issues from the inside out.
Uphoff was a member of the Oregon School Board from 1993 to 2002; he knows that when resources are short, the school board must work as a team and involve the whole community.
We need board members who will step outside of their bubble and listen to all sides of an issue; members who will earn the respect of all stakeholders; members with peripheral vision, not just tunnel vision; members who will balance academics, athletics, aesthetics, and technology; members who will collaborate with one another without being mirror images of one another. We need Feeney, Maitzen, and Uphoff for school board on April 1.
Jane Sheffy
City of Fitchburg