The dedicated professionals who work as educators in the Sweet Home Central School District have been without a current contract since before the school year began. That means, they've worked the entire academic year thus far without the basic respect and security of a current contract, in addition to multiple months over the summer.

Each student who walks the halls within the Sweet Home Central School District knows there are educators present who genuinely care about them. This means, students know they have safe and trusted adults who they can approach when they aren't sure how to navigate a number of situations. The support educators provide students extends beyond the classroom. An easy example would include the prom dress donation drive, hosted by educators. These elite educators regularly forego leisurely/personal time to ensure that their students are able to grow as students and as people, and to ensure that no student misses out, or gets left behind.

Each student, current or former, of the Sweet Home Central School District can recall at least one (but often, several) teacher(s) whose knowledge, guidance, and support had a direct and positive impact on the trajectory of their life. It is hard to understand how the District and Board of Education continue to avoid granting a current and fair contract to the people who actually spend the time, daily, helping students in the District be the best possible versions of themselves. Many educators within the SHCSD have been with the District for a decade or even several, and their lasting presence is a key factor in why our schools are so exceptional. These dedicated professionals have spent decades cultivating the dynamic that facilitates true understanding and success for SHCSD students.

Despite this, Superintendent Michael Ginestre and his Assistant Superintendents seemingly were able to secure themselves a new contract in Spring 2023, thus granting them salaries that appear quite substantial. As a result, Superintendent Michael Ginestre's base salary (according to the posted 2023-2024 SHCSD budget) is now a whopping $192,400.00 per year. How many families do you know in the SHCSD who have a combined household income of even half that amount? Superintendent Ginestre only joined the Sweet Home Central School District in 2021. Similarly, the Assistant Superintendent for Talent and Equity is making a base salary of $157,400.00 per year, according to the District's posted budget. It's interesting that there was a pay increase to the Assistant Superintendent responsible for "talent and equity" before securing a current and fair contract for the exceptional educators most would assume "talent" refers to. Each Assistant Superintendent has a base salary well-above the 6-figure mark, per the District budget.

 

 

According to the same posted budget, 48% of students in the SHCSD are economically disadvantaged. Since that figure is posted on the District's budget, it is clear they are aware that many students who attend District schools do not have the comfort of financial security. I would think that the District would seek to ensure the needs of its students are met before ensuring their own considerable pay increases. 

 

 

Parents and members of the community have attempted, to no avail, to voice their concerns to the District and BOE and affirm their support for our teachers. This is particularly interesting when you consider that, according to the District's posted budget, the community's taxes fund $53,321,588 of the $96,886,588 that comprises the 2023-2024 budget. This is approximately 55%. Could you imagine a corporation such as JP Morgan walking out on their majority shareholder? 

 

 

The way Superintendent Ginestre and the Board of Education have governed themselves in recent months makes me question their implied dedication to working to best-serve our school community.

Examples include:

• During the Sweet Home Central School District Board of Education meeting on September 19, 2023, the Board of Education, as well as Superintendent Michael Ginestre, physically walked out while a District resident and parent of several SHHS graduates, voiced the concerns that she, and many members of the community, have been asking for answers about for months. Link to meeting video

 

 

• While the admirable educators continued to come to work each day, giving their students their all like they always do (and even despite already having worked, for weeks, without a current contract), Superintendent Ginestre was apparently out of office during 2 days of the school week, and it appears that he was unavailable to speak to members of the community (and/or parents of current students) during District operating hours because it appears that he was traveling to London for that week's Bills game. We all love the Bills, however, I would think the needs of the students come before the desire to travel abroad to watch our beloved NFL team. It's also worth noting that the teachers were able to prioritize being at work, for the students, even without a current and fair contract.

 

 

*Photo used from SHEA Twitter, link: https://twitter.com/SHEAUnion/status/1711067668713730513/photo/1

The community has grown tired of roundabout non-answers to questions about things that directly impact the functional efficacy of the school environment. First, the Sweet Home Central School District Board of Education and Sweet Home Central School District Administration (including but not limited to Superintendent Michael Ginestre) walked out on their educators as it pertains to ensuring they are working with a current and fair contract. Now, the Sweet Home Central School District Board of Education and Superintendent Michael Ginestre are walking out on the school community, as seen in the September 19, 2023 Board of Education video - as well as in the low-effort and ambiguous responses received by members of the community who reached out to inquire further and/or voice their concerns. That is, the members who actually received responses to their inquiries at all. 

At this time, we implore the Sweet Home Central School District Board of Education, as well as Sweet Home Central School District Superintendent Michael Ginestre, to grant approval of a current and fair contract for the dedicated educators that have a direct and positive impact on the lives of students daily. It is imperative that the individuals who made education functional during COVID, and continuously do within the ever-evolving landscape of the public education system, are granted a current and fair contract. Instead of taking a leisurely trip to Europe, these educators have not wavered in their commitment to going above and beyond for their students and our community. Even without a current and fair contract, and certainly without the incentivization of a base salary of over $190,000.00 per year. It is time that the District and Board of Education treat our educators with the respect they are owed, by giving them a current and fair contract.

The Sweet Home Central School District and Sweet Home Central School District Board of Education have seemingly prioritized their wants over the needs of our school community, and it must stop. The needs of the students must be the top priority for the District and Board of Education, therefore, the District and BOE need to do their due diligence and ensure retention of their exceptional educators by granting them the decency, security, and respect of a current and fair contract.