Union head asks parents to get involved

The teachers of Pleasant Valley School District want the citizens of Camarillo to know that we continue to work every day to do the best job possible for our students. We will continue to do so, in spite of very low salaries and the lowest benefits in Ventura County.

The Pleasant Valley school board has not made teacher compensation a priority as they promised last year. They continue to focus on their pet projects, unification to name one, and expensive software and programs used at the district office, not in the classroom.

Approximately $1.5 million of the district budget is designated for technology. This is not to put computers or new software in classrooms. This money will be used to maintain district computer programs that are not for teachers or students. New district office administrators are also being added.

In short, the district is not using available funds to attract and retain teachers. This impacts effectiveness in the classroom and ultimately will determine how well students will learn.

Please lend your support and voice to that of the district's teachers to let the school board know that things need to change. Teachers and support staff need to be a priority so that students will have the best opportunity to learn.

Come to the school board meeting Dec. 13 at city hall at 7 p.m. and voice your support. Suzann Zeigler Camarillo

Zeigler is president of the Pleasant Valley Education Association, the district's teachers' union.