Comments on: Superintendent O’Brien Letter to KPBSD Parents and Guardians about Potential Strike https://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/2019/08/30/superintendent-obrien-letter-kpbsd-parents-guardians-potential-strike/ Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | Sharing Stories ~ Learn, Connect, Engage Sat, 31 Aug 2019 04:35:56 +0000 hourly 1 By: B https://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/2019/08/30/superintendent-obrien-letter-kpbsd-parents-guardians-potential-strike/#comment-1622 Sat, 31 Aug 2019 04:35:56 +0000 http://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/?p=5745#comment-1622 Make teaching great again

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By: Robb Geesen https://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/2019/08/30/superintendent-obrien-letter-kpbsd-parents-guardians-potential-strike/#comment-1621 Sat, 31 Aug 2019 03:09:18 +0000 http://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/?p=5745#comment-1621 So what exactly do the teachers sign in the spring or upon accepting employment within the district. Do they not agree to do their job as hired? Isn’t not doing so a breach of their agreement with the district?
No one wins in this situation. Blame should be equally shared by both sides. If unhappy why sign that agreement to provide education for the children. As far as administration goes, why are we even close to this situation? Why has the communication broken down? Why threaten to lock out the kids or cancel their activities if wanting to keep positive communication open. Both sides lose with this.
In closing if we have lost overall numbers of students being educated over the last 2 decades, why hasn’t cost been cut by an equal percentage? Seems all are happy to fleece the taxpayer and threaten to do more by closing our education institutions.

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By: Monica S. https://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/2019/08/30/superintendent-obrien-letter-kpbsd-parents-guardians-potential-strike/#comment-1620 Sat, 31 Aug 2019 02:43:29 +0000 http://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/?p=5745#comment-1620 The teachers have been trying to resolve this for over 560 days. This smear against ‘union leadership’ is off the mark and is a blatant attempt to jade the community. The 800+ unhappy employees voted to strike. The union is obligated to support their choice.
Perhaps if our teachers & support staff weren’t so poorly paid and also separately overcharged for insurance, for years on end, and having been forced to negotiate for two school years..things might have been different. But, this letter is evidence of the level of disregard that they have endured for far too long.
Let it be known that this district has teachers whose families qualify for WIC, reduced lunches, and medicaid. Let it be known that we have employees who have to cut checks to their employer to pay for health care. Let it be known that this district has chased off over 300 employees already and more are poised to do so.
Stop ducking accountability for the mess the district has created.
Stop hiding behind your attorney.
The employees requests are reasonable.
Don’t take this out on the kids or their teachers.

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By: Mickey Bitsko https://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/2019/08/30/superintendent-obrien-letter-kpbsd-parents-guardians-potential-strike/#comment-1619 Sat, 31 Aug 2019 02:35:50 +0000 http://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/?p=5745#comment-1619 This was clearly written by your negotiating consultants and lawyers in a lame attempt to split the teachers away from the “Union Leadership”. Don’t forget, the teachers and staff voted to strike by an overwhelming majority.

Your pathetic attempt to toss in the sports strawman is another typical tactic by contract lawyers, to try to divide out another group from the upcoming strike.

You can do better than this, John. What a sad way to begin your “career” as a Superintendent.

I listened to your precanned interview on the radio the other day, where you spouted all the expected platitudes about “caring” for the children, the community, the hard working families, etc. Except, apparently, when it comes to your own employees.

I can’t wait to see you moved on, by the next Board, for lack of confidence in your leadership “abilities”.

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By: Bob Cheeseman https://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/2019/08/30/superintendent-obrien-letter-kpbsd-parents-guardians-potential-strike/#comment-1618 Sat, 31 Aug 2019 02:17:27 +0000 http://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/?p=5745#comment-1618 What an embarrassing statement from the acting superintendent.

I can see many other parents are reading your letter and seeing the malicious intent that seems to be behind it. You act very hands off from the issues, that I invite you to actually watch the negotiations for yourself, since you clearly do not seem to know what is actually happening in them. I also suggest you to take a “kinder” stance towards your employees, just as you preach that they should instill these lessons in their students.

In the latest district in-service, that every member of the district attended, I believe that the statement “How can we take care of the kids if we first don’t take care of ourselves” and the metaphor of “first secure your own breathing device before helping others on a plane” were used. I think we can all see now that these were merely buzz words.

Perhaps you have been away from the classroom too long, Mr. O’Brien. I’m sure you could tour one of the many schools you now administer.

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By: Brian Carper https://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/2019/08/30/superintendent-obrien-letter-kpbsd-parents-guardians-potential-strike/#comment-1617 Sat, 31 Aug 2019 01:35:06 +0000 http://communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/?p=5745#comment-1617 What a load of crap from the superintendent. There’s been no contract for 2 years.

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