This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Poll Results: Readers Split on Teacher Support

Most readers have strong feelings on both sides of the issue but none discuss potential.

Deerfield residents who responded to split almost evenly when asked if they would support a strike by teachers if negotiations between the and the teachers’ union fail. 

When asked “if the Deerfield Education Association and School District 109 cannot reach agreement, would you support a teacher's strike” 132 of 244 people answering indicated they would support a work stoppage while 112 would not.

Comments from readers who took the poll showed strong support for the union and a lot of opposition. None discussed the effect on the community of a possible strike.

Find out what's happening in Deerfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One reader, Barry, will stop at no expense to compensate teachers and provide a quality education for Deerfield’s children. He equates quality education with property values.

“I want Deerfield to have the highest paid teachers with the best benefits available anywhere in the state.....so the finest and best qualified teachers will trip over themselves to be employed here and do the job that is expected in order to maintain their employment here,” Barry wrote. “It all comes back roi (return on investment) in real estate values in large part.”

Find out what's happening in Deerfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Another reader, Stephanie Brent, feels teachers must recognize the economic realities of the times and be glad they have jobs. She thinks falling real estate values and the overall downturn is a bigger threat to the teachers than their discussions over a contract.   

“And how many teachers will retain their jobs if the number of students declines sharply because of foreclosures and tax sales,” Brent writes. “As for contracts—no American has any security of any kind so why should teachers imagine that they are immune to the nation's malaise?”

Eddie Jacobs, who identifies himself in comments to the story as a former school board member for 10 years and a contract negotiator, cautions all sides. He takes a middle ground. He urges reason.

“To negotiate you have to be an effective listener, be open-minded, have empathy, do your homework,” Jacobs writes. ”I am very proud to have worked with great teachers, support staff, and administrators and am confident that common sense will prevail. Treat each other with respect and don't take yourself too seriously.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?