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Posted: 7:36 PM Mar 26, 2009
State Senator Criticizes Teacher Unions
Kanawha County state Senator Erik Wells took on the state's two teacher unions Thursday, accusing them of being more interested in pay than students' education.
Reporter: Jeff Jenkins, WV Metro NewsEmail Address: jjenkins@wvradio.com |
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV Metro News) -- Kanawha County state Senator Erik Wells took on the state's two teacher unions Thursday, accusing them of being more interested in pay than students' education.
"We have to change," an emotional Wells said during a Senate Finance Committee meeting Thursday. "I get tired of the WVEA and the AFT always talking about pay and not about kids."
Wells made the comments as he pushed for legislation that would allow for the creation of charter schools. Wells and other supporters say charter schools would clear out much of the typical public education bureaucracy, allowing innovation and great accountability. West Virginia is one of just eight states that does not permit charter schools.
West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee countered that charter schools would amount to cherry picking the best students at the expense of others by "taking public money away from every child in West Virginia and telling a select few students that they will have a better chance."
Wells accused Lee and others of "fear mongering" to keep charter schools from working. "I'm just looking for some change in the way we educate our students," Wells said.
Wells was relentless on the unions, accusing them of not having the best interest of students in mind. "I would hope your organizations would not be a roadblock," Wells chastised the union leadership.
The unions prevailed, however, because the committee decided to just study the bill rather than act on it. Wells agreed to the study resolution, but added that he'll bring the bill up next year. "I'll be dammed if I'm just going to stand there and let it go by," Wells said.
The legislation would have permitted a charter school if 60 percent of the parents and teachers wanted it. Wells said the goal was to empower teachers and parents to create the best school possible without the myriad regulations that normal public schools have to deal with.
Latest Comments
Don't trust Judy Hale. She's on the other side. Judy Hale doesn't work to improve teaching conditions. In fact, she often works for the other side...Judy Hale has a political agenda of her own. She just wants power.
Since the goofball Wells thinks all teachers are about money and pay...I wonder how he voted last year when they got their big pay raise? Isn't he running because he is worried about the state as a whole? So, why pay at all? Do you buy your own supplies for your desk and room? Do you have to do fundraisers for a copy machine? Maybe if we truely had a two party system in WV instead of a dictatorship by one party this wouldn't be happenning? Does he keep is private liscene plate or his vanity( WV senate plate). Does he eat out of a brown bag while working or goes to a nice lunch/ dinner. Maybe he should practice what he preaches. Wonder what he pays for his insurance? Its no wonder 3 of the last 4 student teachers I had leave the state. Keep going AFT & WVEA. LEts get rid of these people who think they know what ios best for everyone.
AFT needs a new president. Judy hale is not protecting teachers. She spends more time tooting her own horn and accomplishes nothing.
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