In the last editorial of The Waking Bear©, teachers were advised that they could not treat the present contract negotiations as though things are as they were. We explained that the harder they pushed, the greater would be their long-term loss. That they were in a "loooz-loooz sitchewation" from which there would be no extrication. But, alas, even the intelligent are not as often smart.
We have an outstanding community. It is physically beautiful, culturally diverse, safe and offering great social and academic opportunities to both child and adult alike. Beaches, theaters, museums, state and county parks, excellent libraries, history and tradition abound. In its center sits Stony Brook University, its Medical Center and School. Nearly 42% of the community's greater than 42,000 residents [with - exxxcussse me - middle class ideals, motivations and aspirations] have 16 or more years of schooling. It is these things and more that make for an outstanding community and not its visiting middle class and middlin' educated teachers that, according to TVCSD Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Joyce C. Flynn, come and go to where the money is best.

The pitiful wailings of the apparently oppressed TVTA President, Shiela MacFayden, fall upon deaf ears. Her pretense, and that of TVTA's membership, of professionalism is recognized as facade. "Show me the money and to hell with the kids," is their more recent and closer to reality image.

Though not from our district, author Frank McCourt was a school teacher for 27 years. Subsequent to his retiring in 1987, he wrote a biography entitled "Angela's Ashes" about his poverty and alcoholic-family ridden childhood in Ireland. Because of its literary success, McCourt was invited to be speak before students of 30 Long Island school districts at Bay Shore High School. Two days before the scheduled appearance, McCourt won a Pulitzer.

Suddenly confronted with scheduling conflicts, it was at first thought that he'd cancel his appearance but, according to Nina Wolff the coordinator of the Bay Shore conference, "He is first and foremost a teacher and wouldn't do that to the students."

Ms Wolff has obviously never met the gang from the Three Village Teachers' Association, too many of whom appear to think nothing of breaking formal and informal non-contractual arrangements with students. Failure to meet these various obligations has come to be seen as sad and fruitless posturing that hurts our children...and their cause.

Keep it up. You're cutting your own throats.