Category: Uncategorized

Yesterday, the Red River United took a stand to protect members who were excluded from the Caddo school district’s “Heroes Stipend.” While we support the district’s effort to reward employees who risked their lives during a global pandemic in order to serve their students’ needs, the district’s criteria regarding who could qualify for this stipend was overly restrictive. Too many deserving people were excluded from receiving the stipend. Even more upsetting, those that were excluded appear to be disproportionately women, older employees, and those with a physical condition or handicap.

After weeks of trying to negotiate with the district, warning them about the potential impact of this decision, and imploring them to expand the stipend to more people, it was clear that our concerns had fallen on deaf ears. The Caddo School Board and Superintendent were steadfast in their decision to exclude hard working, deserving heroes from their “Heroes stipend.”

Left with no other choice, yesterday Red River United filed a lawsuit asking the court to force the school district to expand the stipend to more employees. We believe that the court will see that the manner in which the district planned to allocate the stipend is discriminatory towards women and those with a physical condition or handicap, and therefore insist that the district broaden distribution of the $1,000 stipend payment to more employees.

This is in no way intended to take away the stipend payment from anyone. The district had no intention of distributing this stipend until June, and we believe this window provides plenty of time for the case to work its way through the courts. It is possible that the district will use this as an excuse to delay payment, but in the end, we believe that we will be victorious and all deserving employees will win the stipend payment. If at any point the district decides they are ready to do the right thing and expand stipend eligibility, then there would be no more reason for the lawsuit.
If you have any questions or concerns about how this action may impact you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

From a Twenty-Seven-Year Long Servant of Caddo School Children:

Dear Caddo Parish School Board Member,

I do not need a lot of money or to be hailed as a hero- those types of things are not why I started teaching over forty years ago.  However, being appreciated by my Caddo family is important to me.  I never thought I would live during a pandemic and have to make hardchoices to not only protect myself, but to also do the right thing to help my students.  This Fall, knowing how vulnerable someone like I was if they contracted COVID and face with my documented underlying medical condition, I became very anxious about going back to school.  How was I going to stay reasonably safe and still honor the commitment I had made to my students?

After conferring with my family and two of my doctors, I decided to use sick leave days while a substitute was hired to in my room in my absence.  During the time I was not on campus, I attendedprofessional development, prepared daily lessons, studied how to use the new Canvas system, zoomed daily to teach my lessons, and worked on campus on Fridays when students were not present.  I was not an “absent” teacher! 

This has been a very difficult year for everyone.  I am certain that the compromise I made to ensure my safety, while still dedicated to teaching my students, was the right choice. People with health conditions making them more vulnerable to COVID should not be punished for missing over 17 days. I am not writing so much for myself, but for all of those who have had to make the same choice for health or family.  Those choices have now resulted in those people being told they are not heroes, don’t deserve any extra pay for all they have had to do, and just plain are not appreciated.  Everyone in our Caddo family should not only be told they are appreciated, but they should be shown so as well.  I think you can afford to pay each and every one of them attention and compensation.

From a Concerned Teacher Facing Loss and Recovery:

Dear Caddo Parish School Board Member,

I am one of your employees who has continually demonstrated my commitment to the boys and girls of Caddo. I am writing to express my concern regarding the one-time supplement of $1,000 you have on your agenda for March 23rd. While this amount is far less than other districts, we are further jointly insulted that you are voting to leave employees out who missed too many days for various reasons.

In October, I watched my mother, who was a faithful substitute teacher in Caddo Parish Public Schools for over 20 years, battle and succumb to cancer during a pandemic. After saying goodbye to my mother, I was diagnosed with COVID.  After overcoming COVID, my doctor informed me I needed to have a major surgery.

I have worked for Caddo for 13 years, and to know I am being excluded because I chose to mourn the death of my mother and have lifesaving surgery makes me feel like I am not valued as an employee or a person. Why should I be penalized for circumstances that were not under my control?  How can you tell me I am important and needed in the district while at the same time excluding me from this supplement?

I have dedicated my life to Caddo Parish and my students.  Please consider my story and the story of many others like me when you vote on this supplement on March 23^rd because WE, the teachers and school employees, truly are Caddo.

From a Caddo Teacher and Expecting Father:

Dear Caddo Parish School Board Member,

I am writing to you in regards to the $1000.00 Hero Supplement for the 2020-2021 school year. I would first like to say that I very much appreciate the recognition for our hard work through these unprecedented times. However, I feel that the supplement amount is far too small, especially when compared to nearby districts. Furthermore, I feel that it is unjust to exclude teachers and staff who have worked tirelessly for the boys and girls of this district because they missed days of work due to extenuating circumstances.

My wife is expected to give birth via a cesarean to our second child in mid-April of this year. I will find myself in a Sophie’s Choice next month between choosing to stay home to care for my wife and children or return to work to ensure I receive the supplement that will aid in covering hospital bills. It is a crying shame that I have to decide between these two things at all. 

I feel as though Caddo teachers are being punished for missing days for justifiable reasons. It is undoubtedly disparaging and discouraging to all of us, and I believe many amazing teachers and staff will begin to seek employment in neighboring districts where they feel appreciated for their hard work and commitment. 

I urge every single one of you to place yourselves in the shoes of a Caddo Parish teacher or school employee. We all jumped at the chance to return to the classroom to serve our students, even when we knew the dangers and uncertainty we were faced with. Do right by the loyal employees that truly make this district great.

From a Concerned Caddo Parish Teacher and Grieving Mom:

Dear Caddo Parish School Board Member,

I am one of your employees who has continually demonstrated my commitment to the boys and girls of Caddo. I am writing to express my concern regarding the one-time supplement of $1,000 you have on your agenda for March 23rd. While this amount is far less than other districts, we are further jointly insulted that you are voting to leave employees out who missed too many days for various reasons.

In early September, I watched my only son take his last breath while fighting a horrible genetic terminal illness during a pandemic. I have worked for Caddo for 14 years and to know I am being excluded because I chose to mourn the death of my child makes me feel worthless, and honestly I am considering leaving Caddo for the lack of humanity they have for their employees.

How can you say you care for students when you don’t have enough humanity to care for employees? Have you really thought this through? What is the point in this vote anyway? To save money now?

What happens down the road when your loyal teachers leave because you failed to see that we are living in unprecedented times that require us all to work together and support each other for the success of our students? Also, correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t we currently declining in enrollment of students? So why are you excluding maternity leave when in five years, these babies are the future of Caddo? Their mothers put their lives and their unborn child’s life at risk to educate the beautiful faces sitting in their classroom.

They really are heroes and deserve not to be excluded, as do I, for saying goodbye to a child, and then having the courage to get up and spread my love of reading and writing with my students. We are your loyal employees! Wouldn’t you like to keep it that way?

FROM A CONCERNED CADDO PARISH TEACHER AND NEW MOM:

I appreciate that Caddo employees are receiving much deserved recognition and being thanked for their hard work during this school year. It has without a doubt been a challenging year, and educators have worked so hard to conquer the challenges for their students.

If I had not chosen to return to school during the pandemic or if I had taken a leave of some sort just to get out of teaching during this difficult time, I would not mind being excluded from the Hazard Pay/Heroes Supplement. However, I chose to return to work in August while I was five months pregnant. I had many concerns about returning because I had taken quarantine very seriously and not been around others at all up until the school year began. But I made the decision to return to work, be very careful, and remain dedicated to the education of my students.

I prepared all of the lessons and materials for my students and my sub before my maternity leave. I made sure everything was ready and accessible on canvas so that my sub, who had no Canvas training, would not have a difficult time utilizing that platform with both my traditional and virtual students.

I had a cesarean delivery in December and was out for the allotted eight week recovery time. I stayed in communication with my students’ guardians and my sub, and I adjusted lessons on canvas when school was canceled due to the weather. I have since returned to work and will finish out the school year with my students.

I know other teachers who have had or will have their baby at some point during this school year, all of whom have worked very hard during the pandemic and been committed to their jobs. To exclude those who were out on medical leave, such as maternity leave, is penalizing Caddo employees who should actually be included in this supplement.

I feel it is important to speak up for the pregnant teachers or teachers with newborn babies. It was a scary and hard decision to return to work while growing and protecting a young and precious life. I applaud all mom’s who took their pregnancies and the pandemic in stride. It is a shame that due to the nature of a birth we would be penalized instead of recognized alongside our equally as dedicated and heroic colleagues.

We are asking the Caddo Parish School Board to do what is right. Employees should NOT be punished for having a baby or a health condition.

Use this link to report any safety concerns or issues you may have.