Discrimination has no place in public education

On Nov. 13, Lake Pend Oreille High School hosted the November school board meeting.

As an LPOHS staff member I was proud of the “Snapshot video” about our school. I was also proud when three of our students spoke about their successes here at LPOHS. Many of the students at LPOHS have not had much success at other schools. In fact, the students at LPOHS are considered “at risk” and oftentimes they are discouraged learners with a history of perceived failures and disappointments.

Students at LPOHS take the same academic tests that all Idaho high school students take. For a variety of reasons, many of the LPOHS students do not score in the advanced or proficient range. I know firsthand how hard the students and staff work at LPOHS and every day I see tremendous learning taking place. Mr. Olin, assistant superintendent of Lake Pend Oreille School District, presented a summary of the district-wide test results.

Student academic growth and achievement, as measured by the statewide tests (ISAT), were part of Mr. Olin’s presentation to the school board. It is a major factor in the “merit pay/teacher bonus” money that was implemented this year.

As Mr. Olin noted, Lake Pend Oreille High School teachers were the only teachers in the entire school district who will not receive one penny of the “bonus money.”

Teachers at alternative schools across the state are experiencing this same disparity. Idaho Department of Education officials have expressed their concern about this discriminatory method of awarding “bonus pay” … but, this year, the checks are going out to every teacher in our school district except for the teachers at Lake Pend Oreille High School.

It seems to me that when the Idaho Department of Education develops a procedure that discriminates against a large group of dedicated and skilled teachers it would be their responsibility to correct it immediately. Discrimination has no place in public education.

STEVE JOHNSON

Sandpoint