From: Ian Kohen
Columbus
A letter to the editor on May 16 said that "there is no relationship between school spending and student outcomes." I would ask that writer whether they believe there is a correlation between universities fairly compensating professors and the resulting quality of the physicians from those schools?
I believe in Columbus, the teachers in BCSC, and the youth that come out of our schools. I have seen and studied the data on what BCSC is trying to do and why. There is clear data that our teachers are paid less than many of the teachers in surrounding areas. There is clear data that we are losing teachers at a greater rate than we did in the past. Higher pay is one of the main drivers of this flee from BCSC. Basic logic supports that high turnover in teachers drives less effective training for our students.
The letter also suggests that no one has answered their questions on school spending and outcomes. I strongly encourage the writer to review the data and logic again and urge him to reconsider his decision to not support the referendum. I would encourage you to speak with Dr. Jim Roberts, or Dr. Bill Jensen, Chad Phillips, or our school board if you need more answers.
I also encourage others to contact BCSC to get answers to any questions regarding the referendum.
I know these are tough times and next May, after the referendum passes, we will start paying slightly higher taxes, but if our youth are not worth it and the teachers that teach them are not worth it, then I’m not sure what is?
I encourage all others to show their support by getting out to vote to pass the referendum on June 2.
