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?