This is an open letter to the Howell teachers and administrators’ union presidents. You may have heard of the group Howell TRUTH – Townspeople Rooting out Unnecessary Tax Hikes – and you may believe that TRUTH is “the opposition.” In fact, TRUTH is on the same side of the school closing issue as you.
We are not fighting to keep the doors to any particular building open. We are working diligently to avoid layoffs throughout the district, from administrative staff to instructional staff right on through to custodial/ maintenance staff. We presume this is your goal as well, as the Howell Township teachers and administrators associations’ presidents.
We hope you would agree that the common cause that unites us, the desire to preserve jobs in this awful economic crisis, is far more significant than whatever issues might be seen as dividing us. Please do not allow any outside force, whether it is from the administration, the Board of Education, or the state or national union, to divert your attention from this singular purpose, if it is in fact your desire to preserve jobs as well. We need courageous leaders now more than ever and we encourage you to be such leaders.
We invite you to read our mission statement at www.howelltruth.blogspot.com so that you will know our intentions are not to attack the unions or your membership. Our goal is to preserve the great educational system we have put together over the years by preserving its staff.
Please work with us to encourage the Board of Education to make cuts, not closings. Please agree to sit down with the board to discuss whether concessions can be made to help see your membership and our great staff through this economic emergency. Please do so quickly, as a closing decision could come as early as mid-February.
We have supported you through the good times and now we are asking that you support us during these troubling times.
Nicole Boyce for Howell TRUTH
Howell