As a parent of a student in the Berkeley Unified School System, I know that the most important component of a good education, is the classroom teacher.  And when I was the PTA president for 4 years in both my children's elementary and middle schools, I felt that my job was to provide support and assistance for teachers.  Period.  Therefore, I am very dismayed at the way in which the school district is handling its negotiations with the teachers. I do not consider the current teacher salaries to be high.  I want to have teachers who can afford to live in Berkeley, and send their kids to schools in Berkeley.  By having teachers participate in all
aspects of our school system, it makes the schools better, and our community stronger.  I want to have teachers who can focus on their students, not worry about health care bills. For those who say that everyone is experiencing cuts, I would ask that the district administrators lead by example with cuts to administrative salaries and benefits.   If top salaries and benefits are good enough for administrators, then top salaries and benefits are good enough for teachers. It is time for the school board to be clear on its priorities.  Without teachers, there will be no schools.  There are almost 60 teaching positions and 6 principal positions to fill.  I have heard from teachers in other districts that they will not apply to Berkeley because the wages here are low.   We taxpayers gave BUSD an extra $8.4 million last November.  Part of that money can pay for the $2.1 million to improve the teachers' compensation.

Catherine Durand