Teacher Layoffs and School Funding....A National Emergency

Sent to: President Obama, Congresswoman Melissa Bean (8th District Illinois), Senator Dick Durbin, Governor Ted Strickland, Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator George Voinovich, Congressman Michael Turner


This afternoon I was deeply saddened to learn that my sister’s position as Kindergarten teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School, Miamisburg, OH was eliminated due to budget cuts.

My sister has spent her career serving her community, her state and her nation—first as a Greene Country Children’s Services social worker for several years, then after going back to school to complete her Masters in Education she has spent the last two years serving as a Kindergarten teacher.

I will openly confess to being a bit biased, but my sister is an excellent teacher. She is smart, creative, compassionate, energetic, loves children and is deeply motivated by the prospect of enriching the lives of her students. If only more of us could be so committed to our professions, perhaps our country and our world would be a better place.

If it were just my sister losing her job, I would feel for her. But, the fact that thousands upon thousands of teachers across the nation—many of them talented teachers like my sister— will be terminated at the end of this school year is alarming. It is, in my opinion, a national emergency.

I can think of few higher priorities than assuring a strong education system. As you know, our education system has suffered in recent decades. We are falling behind as a nation compared to other countries around the world. In addition, due to state and local funding challenges, I worry that we will lose a generation or disservice a generation—the kids currently in school.

Many teacher positions and other public service jobs were saved last year via stimulus fund allocation. I urge you and Congress to consider allocating another portion of the stimulus funds to this purpose so that massive teacher layoffs may once again be avoided.

Allocating stimulus funds, of course, is a temporary solution—an emergency measure similar to the manner we might fund relief efforts for other national emergencies. After the emergency symptoms are treated, I ask for you to consider ways that you and your administration might be able to provide leadership and counsel to each state in order that our educational systems will be strengthened for the long-term.

Thank you for both you consideration and your service to our nation.

Sincerely,

Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL

Health Care Legislation--Only an Initial Step

Sent to Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Senator Dick Durbin, President Obama

I am pleased that it looks as though the pending health care legislation has very promising chances of passing.

It is my most sincere hope...in fact it is my expectation that the legislation that seems likely to pass will be considered an initial step.

The health care journey began on the premise that all Americans deserve access to quality health care. Access to health care is not only a moral issue, it is a practical issue—a society cannot thrive without a healthy populace. I still believe deeply in this premise.

Although I see some positive aspects of the current legislation, it must be viewed as a first step. I do understand that governing requires compromise. Necessary compromises have been made and smaller compromises will still be required. However, we cannot pass this legislation, declare a victory and move on.

The outcomes/results of the legislation—both successes and failures—will need to be evaluated. Future legislation will most certainly be required to improve various aspects.

Of greatest concern to me is that there seems to be little included in the legislation to restrain rising costs. In fact, given that insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions, the cost of health coverage may rise. This uncertainty will need to be monitored and future legislation required.

The reality is, the only way I see to restrain rising costs is to reduce the tremendous inefficiencies and wasteful areas within our health care system. Given the fact that the system is not making improvements on its own, the government will need to step in. The process of bringing wastefulness in line will take enormous political fortitude and will require thoughtful support of the American people.

Hopefully, the current legislation will pass and you will continue to fight for the full scope of the needs of the American people.

Thank you for your service and I wish you and your family a very happy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Tonia Becker VerShaw
Grayslake, IL