'The toxicity of the political environment surrounding education played a role in my decision to retire.'
Woods checks his note before the recent 25th anniversary celebration at May Elementary School, where he applauded teachers. “Teacher quality is the most important school-related factor influencing student achievement,” he says.Needless high-stakes testing, punitive accountability measures, increasing demands with relatively flat wages, toxic politics and baseless character attacks from lawmakers have contributed to the teacher shortage.
As you have probably heard, Texas has a historic budget surplus of more than $32 billion, yet lawmakers ended the most recent legislative session without passing a single bill to directly increase teacher pay or raise the basic allotment, the main unit of school funding. Failing to address the needs within our schools, particularly when the state is flush with cash, is disgraceful and does not align with Texans’ values.
We also need reasonable people to vote. Unfortunately, a small margin of fringe extremists tend to dominate our elections — particularly primaries — and politicians know it. It’s time for parents, teachers and the entire community to show how much they value public education at the ballot box.Last fall, I announced my plan to retire as superintendent. People asked me if the toxicity of the political environment surrounding education had anything to do with my decision. It did.
Thank you, San Antonio, for your support and commitment to providing a better future for our children. I know that our Northside employees, board of trustees and Superintendent John Craft will continue to make the community proud.
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