Letter to the Editor

I received this email and decided to run it (my throw everything at the wall and see what sticks approach to content), but without the individual's name. I know with most "letters to the editor" it is included, but I don't want this issue to be any more personal than it already is, while wanting to present the perspective. I know my own experience (having lived in the district for many years and having been employed there for a few as well) provides me with a much different perspective and I anticipate those who do have a different one will comment.

If you have a letter you'd like to submit that doesn't quite fit into the comments of a post, send it along. I want to get the readers view out as much as possible. However, if I get what equates to a letter writing campaign from one side or the other, I'll simply say thank you and ask that you present your note's contents within comments of the appropriate post. Thanks again to all for reading and if you go to any of these meetings, please forward your notes and I'll post them for all to read.

"My name is [removed by NewsOverCoffee] and I am a new resident of Nazareth with three elementary aged children. I moved here for one reason and that is because of the reputation of the Nazareth schools. When you relocate from another state--it doesn't really matter where you move to--it's all new to you. So you talk to your realtor, to the colleagues at the new job, to the waitress serving you, and to moms you meet at the park. Everyone I talked to said the same thing about the schools in this area. Do you know what district came up at the top of their recommendations every time? (I waited for anyone from the Board to answer and when no one did, I turned to the audience. There was a resounding answer 'Nazareth'.)

So I quit looking in Easton, in Forks, in Hanover Township, in Bethlehem, and in Stroudsburg where we would have been much closer to work, and I bought a house in Nazareth. Our money would have gone a lot further in those other areas but we planned to stay here for many years so that our children could take advantage of this top quality education. Now I'm beginning to question my decision.

I feel betrayed. I feel cheated and I am incensed because you are putting that education in jeopardy. What will happen when you continue to squeeze these teachers to the limit? YOU WILL LOSE THEM! And when you lose those quality teachers, you will lose your reputation. You will be the envy of no one. No district will emulate Nazareth schools anymore. No one will talk about you as the best-of-the-best.

I understand that the finances are there. You can't even claim that there is no money to hire, retain and compensate these educators. I urge you to do the right thing and give these top quality teachers, in a top quality school district what they need to continue teaching and maintaining the reputation of Nazareth schools."