Submitted by Rick Lavallee, Aug 21, 2007 11:37

I own a business. To prosper (read survive in upstate NYS) I encourage innovation, efficiency, and accountability. Think outside the box, be where our competitor isn't- All that stuff.

I was a board member for 10 years. My biggest frustration was not being able to reward teachers who were doing a superior job. The second biggest frustration was seeing a stack of applications from bright and well motivated individuals for a single position- we would really want to hire the top 3 or 4 and replace a couple of burnouts or bad attitudes. Next is using the same pay scale across the board. Math and science teachers have opportunities in the private sector. Elementary teachers don't.

The present situation will eventually change. The arrogance and financial strength of the unions is well known. We will see a day when politicians will decline the union endorsement because they won't want to defend it in front of their hard working tax paying constituents.

Kudos and best wishes to Dr. Smith

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