Are School Classified Employees Less Important?
Dear Editor,
I am a Morgan Hill Unified School District classified employee. I have been employed with MHUSD since 1989. I am a dedicated employee, get to work everyday on time, very seldom miss a day of work, take my job seriously and want to do the best job that I can for the students, staff and community. I take pride in my job.
For the past several months during classified negotiations, the classified employees have tried their best to explain to District Superintendent Alan Nishino and the board of education members that we are an integral part of the school district. Classified employees assist with:
-Bus drivers provide students transportation to and from school.
-Instructional aides provide students instructional assistance.
-Cafeteria clerks provide students brunch and lunch service.
-Health assistants give students band aids and ice to heal injuries.
-Secretaries and clerks provide students, staff and the district community communication assistance and data entry.
-Library assistance for students and teachers.
-Custodians make sure school facilities are clean.
-Gardneners landscape district property.
-Lighting and general maintenance for all schools.
The superintendent arranged for himself a 5 percent salary increase; he approved a 5 percent salary increase for teachers. On Dec. 12, he and the board approved a 5 percent salary increase for certificated administrators/psychologists, classified managers and confidential employees retroactive to July 1. Where does that leave the classified employees? Are we not as important as the rest of the school district employees? How do you think this makes us feel as employees of the district?
One of the 2006-07 MHUSD board of education goals is to “Value, Respect and Support our Employees.” The classified employees are still waiting for our 5 percent. Is anyone out there listening?
Marilyn Morrell, Morgan Hill
-Story of Gnash-o, See-yus, Mafas and Yidees
Dear Editor,
Here and now in a little town surrounding a big sinder-cone volcano, a wise wizard ruled over all the schools. His name was Gnash-o (Superintendent Alan Nishino).
He wanted to keep the Mafas (Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers) happy so he gave them five golden coins and other good presents.
Gnash-o sat in his round room and made many decisions about the Mafas, the boys and girls, and test scores. He had a group of wise people to help him.
They all went on trips together and learned more about being school wizards from other school wizards. They stayed in hotels with tasty food to eat.
Gnash-o and his friends returned to the round room.
The See-yus (Service Employees International Union) got up to speak, but Gnash-o wouldn’t listen. He stomped out of the round room.
The See-yus helped boys and girls gt to school on buses, served brunches and lunches, worked in the school offices and some helped the Mafas give out pearls of knowledge in the classrooms.
See-yus wanted the same number of gold coins that the Mafas received. Gnash-o stomped around saying, “I was going to give you eight gold coins, but you said, “No.”
See-yus said, “No you gave us two. We want five like the Mafas and the Yidees (unrepresented yard duty supervisors) who watch the children at recess.
The See-yus tried to talk to Gnash-o wizard friends, but Gnash-o said, “No.”
The See-yus decided to go to the mothers and fathers of the children for help. And that, boys and girls, is where this part of the story ends. To be continued…
Jane Donnelly, Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill Unified School District classified employee
