I am a longtime resident of Falmouth, and in recent months I have become increasingly dismayed by the unwillingness of the Falmouth School Committee to negotiate in good faith with teachers for a fair, supportive contract. I wish to offer two reflections based on a lifetime involved in education.
Education at its core must be generous – of commitment of faculty and staff, of resources to enhance students’ growth, and of support from the community, especially families and elected representatives. This belief is reinforced by my observations of how deeply committed Falmouth teachers are to their calling, giving of their knowledge, talents, time and empathy.
Education, as life, must be based on responsibility. Students, teachers and the entire community grow from fulfillment of their commitments: assignments, lessons, mentoring and mutual respect.
Today, the Falmouth community and its elected public servants have a responsibility to live up to long-standing commitments to financial equity, including fair, protected salaries and family health coverage – based on respect for the system’s educators and the strong system that they make possible.
Larry Dyhrberg
Falmouth
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