Lyndonville BOE president shouldn’t be part of negotiating contract with teachers

Editor:

I am writing regarding the Lyndonville Board of Education. As many know, in May, there were changes to the Board of Education. Three dedicated board members (two of which served the taxpayers in excess of 10 years) were replaced by individuals hand-picked by the Lyndonville Teachers Association, the union representing teachers within the school district.

As a result of the changes in board members, a new Board of Education President was selected. This individual’s wife is a teacher within the school district, serves on the executive board of the Lyndonville Teacher’s Association, and is on the negotiating committee representing the teacher’s union.

Some might be wondering “Why does this matter?” It matters because the teacher’s union is in the process of negotiating their Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the Board President is directly involved in those negotiations. To put it simply, the Board President will be sitting across the table, negotiating a contract with his wife on the other side of the table.

As a Lyndonville graduate, resident, taxpayer and parent who will have a child in the school district in a couple of years, my concern is not personal. Knowing many of the Board President’s family members since I was a child, I am sure he is a good and caring person. My concern is the direct conflict of interest, and questionable ethics surrounding these circumstances.

How can the taxpayers trust the Board President to negotiate in the best interest of taxpayers, when any subsequent raises teachers receive will directly benefit his immediate family and household income?

During these challenging economic times for most families, we need all levels of government to be as fiscally responsible as possible. My hope is that this letter will bring transparency to the taxpayers, as it is what they deserve.

Respectfully submitted,

James C. White

Lyndonville