Questions decision to layoff teachers over sport complex costs

To the Editor,

Sixteen Tecumseh school district teachers have lost their jobs in order to balance the school budget. Do we know how much the yearly operating budget for the new Sports Complex will be? I’d like to suggest to Mr. Mike McAran that he work this next school year for $1 and surrender his salary for the sake of the district! I feel it would also help to cut a P.E. teacher (or two) in order to reduce the budget.

English is a 4-year subject versus gym which is a quarter credit. Why do we need yoga class over English class? I want to know how many kids who have left our district did so because of our sports facilities? Clinton’s workout room is a converted two-car garage that’s on school grounds, so I don’t think our athletic facilities have anything to do with kids leaving our schools! I think large class sizes has a lot to do with it and now that you have cut these 16 teachers the classroom will be even larger making the problem even bigger!

Maybe parents simply want a school system that understands “student athlete” not “athlete student.” Maybe the school board with its actions have driven kids out of the district by not listening to parents. I know I don’t feel bad for the school board who have earned the mess they have made for themselves.

How many of those 16 teachers coach a sport for the school?
I’m sure the answer is none. We all know how the school board works!

Mike Bailey
Tecumseh