Letter: School officials should listen to teachers’ ideas

Wednesday, May 22, 2002 | 8:59 a.m.

I find it troubling that our Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce appears more concerned about retaining experienced teachers in our children's classrooms than our Clark County School District personnel empowered to make the necessary changes to do so.

How many times have we heard our school district administration talk of teachers' shortfalls and the alarming rate of teachers prematurely leaving the classrooms? But when it comes time to make the necessary changes to see that our children's classrooms retain qualified, experienced teachers, that's where it stops.

I have been a teacher with the Clark County School District for 23 years and I am the father of two children currently attending Clark County schools. Many of us who have been in the trenches for a long time have learned that those people empowered to make change often hear -- but rarely listen -- to the ideas that teachers and support staffs in the schools have to share.

Perhaps our school district leadership personnel may wish to tap this rich resource and sincerely work towards making the needed changes to resolve this alarming situation and provide our children with the best possible education the Clark County School District has to offer. This may not be the entire answer to this problem, but it's a big step in the right direction.

BART BOULTON