With an eye toward the coming campaign for the fall elections, the St. Thomas-St. John Federation of Teachers is preparing to evaluate the district's senators.
The seven district senators of the 23rd Legislature and the at-large representative have been invited appear before the union membership on Wednesday, March 22, to respond to questions, particularly with regard to their views on education issues.
The objective is to determine "which lawmakers truly are concerned about our needs," union Public Education Committee chair Carol Callwood said. She said the union will decide which senators to back for re-election based on their positions. "It's a sorting-out process," she said. "We need to know first hand about our leaders' posture on the items that are near and dear to us."
Retroactive pay remains an issue of major concern, she said, but there are others, including the physical condition of schools, the general shortage of supplies and the desire for greater autonomy for the Board of Education. And student discipline is an issue on which teachers will expect the senators to take a stand, she said, given the recent job action at Charlotte Amalie High School over a disciplinary action.
Callwood will be a moderator posing questions to the senators. She said the public is encouraged to attend the session and pose questions.
The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Palms Court Harbourview Hotel.
