Teachers’ Association Points Finger At Board For Budget Problems
The Desert Sands Unified School District has less money to teach your children – money is tight and teachers’ jobs are on the line. The Desert Sands Teachers’ Association is pointing the finger of blame at the district.
In a letter, the DSTA calls the DSUSD board “corrupt” and “incompetent.”
“I felt a deliberate attempt by the district to paint an inaccurate picture of the budget,” said Tom Burbank, DSTA president.
Burbank says he didn’t write the letter, but he did approve it earlier this year after a heated board meeting.
“I was animated,” said Burbank. “I was angry.”
Burbank and the DSTA believe DSUSD should more to battle budget issues. He says instead of focusing on cuts, they need to fight for a fix.
“They need to step it up and deal with Sacramento,” said Burbank.
Despite the differing opinions, the two groups are trying to work together.
Burbank said the accusations made in the letter were made out of anger and after meeting with DSUSD leaders dozens of times, he now sees their point.
“I think it was strong to say corrupt, it was just an unfortunate way to present the information to the public,” said Burbank.
District leaders say they’re glad the DSTA gets their point. Leaders there say they’ve always been and always will be honest and smart with their spending.
“We are very transparent in our books,” said Sharon McGehee, DSUSD superintendent.
McGehee says her goal is to cut as little as possible, but it takes a team effort.
“We work very hard to keep cuts away from the class, but that’s tough without an agreement from the association to take concessions,” said McGehee.
District leaders have agreed to furloughs and pay cuts. They want the DSTA and teachers to do to the same, but Burbank said teachers don’t want to reduce their pay.
“Over 60 percent of the teachers we surveyed said they don’t want concessions,” said Burbank.
As the budget crisis worsens, the groups are learning to work together. Instead of pointing fingers at each other, they’re turning their anger to the source of the problem.
“Things need to be fixed in Sacramento,” said Burbank.
