As an educator myself, I have great concern for Durango’s teachers, students and community right now. While I’m not a 9-R employee, I have spoken to many teachers and staff this summer who feel uncertain about their careers and 9-R administrators’ leadership. Apparently, 9-R Superintendant Dan Snowberger sent an email to staff in late May explaining that “new contracts and updated letters of intent will be held until after the June 30 meeting.” I understand now, just days before the staff is to report for duty and a month before teachers are to report back, not one employee has a contract. This, after The Durango Herald reported (June 26) that the school board had voted 5-2 for teachers to get a “pay increase.”

Yet, almost a month later, teachers and staff still have not received their contracts, and the dedicated 9-R employees are uncertain of the administration’s lack of professionalism, adherence to the master agreement and respect for teachers and staff.

In fact, in June, the school board didn’t vote for a “pay increase,” but rather not to freeze teachers’ “vertical” pay (annual pay steps, as per the Durango Education Association’s master agreement with the district), but rather deferred this freeze until next year.

I appreciate living in a community where education is valued and our schools outperform the state average, win international and national awards and, most importantly, provide a positive place for our children. This is all achieved by our teachers and staff. I don’t appreciate 9-R administration’s and the school board’s apparent disrespect and devaluing of the dedicated teachers and staff. I imagine if teachers held the same ethics and disregard for our students’ report cards, projects and character development there would be professional consequences and interference from administration and the community.

Can our community and school board hold 9-R administration to this same standard?

Celia Villa-Guillén

Durango