‘Gang of 8’ didn’t respect those they serve

The National Education Association and the Idaho Education Association are not nefarious groups hanging out in dark rooms but rather public educators that serve public school students every day of the school year. as a proud member of the NEA and IEA.

The “Gang of Eight” appears to have forgotten elected officials should be representative and respectful of people, even if we do not agree on all topics. However, as an engaged citizen, I feel I must fight for the change in which I believe even when it feels like an attack from an elected official.

The article states, “the Idaho Education Association launched a campaign to reclaim power, not in the classrooms but in the Capitol.” If a grassroots effort by public educators to evoke change is considered “reclaiming power,” so be it.

It is not the IEA that closed the legislative primaries; the Idaho Legislature did. It is not the IEA that unfairly voted to distribute $50 million to private school students; the Idaho Legislature did.

It is not the IEA with Supreme Court rulings against them for violating the Idaho Constitution to “establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools;” the Idaho Legislature does.

It is not the IEA that removed legislators from serving because moderate Republican legislators are deemed not conservative enough by the Republican central committee. Perhaps it is time “May Matters” make a difference in the current Idaho Legislature configuration.

The “Gang of Eight” article published May 21 stated, “It’s time to cut the strings. Let them spend their own money. Let Idaho parents, not union activists, decide the future of education.”

In an article published by NEA states 94 percent of public educators spend between $478 to $750 annually to stock their classrooms with supplies and resources. This includes classroom libraries, adaptive equipment, and band equipment, plus. Many educators spend their own money because some parents struggle financially to supply items their children need.

The IEA is an organization of public educators serving Idaho students. Indeed, lobbies Idaho legislators for fair funding for public education students. IEA lobby efforts are conducted on MLK day, when schools are not in session.

IEA members lobby Idaho legislators for fair treatment of all public education employees, mostly via email or phone calls. They work hard to defeat poor legislation that does not best serve public education and students.

Each year, IEA members raise money known as the IEA Children’s Fund to support students with a variety of needs ranging from warm coats to burn out funds, things parents may not be financially able to supply.

These members have always and will continue to organize, recruit, and engage legislators in support of what Idahoans believe to be their number one priority, public education. For the last 10 years, the Boise State University Public Policy Survey indicates education, public education, is the number one priority of Idahoans.

The survey conducted last November repeated the previous year’s results.

Are the people of Idaho out-of-touch? I believe not! As a proud retired public educator, I am a willing advocate in preserving and defending public education. Truly, May matters!

– Terri Sanders, Mountain Home