Arrested Duval Teachers United leaders no reflection on other union members

USA Today

29-01-2025

Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
Brady, George don't reflect all teachers
I've been a member of a teacher union wherever I've taught. I joined them for the same reason anyone joins a union — to make my individual voice stronger as part of a collective group.
Over two decades in Duval County Public Schools, I was the union rep for several years at my school. I gave up one of my personal days each year to accompany Terrie Brady and other members of Duval Teachers United to Tallahassee as a teacher-lobbyist on several occasions.
Reading about Brady and Ruby George was both surprising and disappointing. When working with them, I've only experienced dedication and major efforts on behalf of Duval teachers and students. I was shocked to read about their high salaries, especially when compared to leaders of larger unions in South Florida.
The first reason I'm writing is that the situation concerns only the individuals involved and should not be used as yet another reason to think less of teacher union members than those of other unions. I can assure you that it does not reflect my values and professionalism nor that of many thousands of teachers I have met over 43 years in education.
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The second reason is my concern that Gov. Ron DeSantis and our legislature will use this to punish Duval County educators and other teacher unions. As retaliatory as he has been, he needs to remember that it is not all about politics, but about students in Florida schools.
Singling out teacher unions because they often support Democrats does little to attract educators, nor does it encourage experienced teachers to stay in the profession.
We have an enthusiastic new school superintendent and graduation rates are rising. Let's focus on those positives — leave judgment about the two indicted leaders of Duval Teachers United up to the courts.
Rhoda London, retired educator, Jacksonville
Parents, schools must trust the process
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the St. Johns County School District will hold yet another book appeal hearing — this time for six books that have already been reviewed and retained. Why? Because one person refuses to accept the process, exploiting a flawed policy that allows endless appeals.
Nine months ago, I served on the official review committee for 'Nineteen Minutes' by Jodi Picoult. I read the book, listened to concerns and engaged in real discussion. We followed the district's process, voting 7-1 to retain the book, a decision upheld by Superintendent Tim Forson.
Yet, the objector filed an appeal. Other districts require appeals to be filed within 14 days, but St. Johns County allows them indefinitely, keeping the process in perpetual limbo.
This isn't about protecting students. It's about one person, likely unfamiliar with the book I imagine, following a hyper-conservative agenda to erase diverse voices. These books remain on the shelves in other Florida school districts, proving their accessibility is not unlawful. They help students navigate challenges, foster empathy and provide valuable insights that prepare them for real life.
Every appeal wastes taxpayer dollars, diverts staff from their jobs and rehashes decisions already made by a diverse committee — all to satisfy one persistent objector. The district is spending thousands of dollars on unnecessary reviews and hearings, while pulling teachers, librarians and administrators away from their real jobs.
And for what — to let one person dictate what 53,000 students can read?
The School Board must trust the process. They must close this loophole and adopt a 14-day appeal limit, like other districts. The review process worked, so let's stop wasting time on politically motivated, frivolous appeals and focus on real education priorities.
Anne Tressler, Saint Johns
Founding Fathers didn't consider profit
The ideas of 'Trickle down economics' and 'The government should be run like a business' are economic theories dating back to at least the 1980s.
Over the past 40-plus years, many middle-class Americans have seen their share of the American Dream transferred to individuals such as Elon Musk, Jeff Besos, Mark Zuckerberg, the Koch Brothers and Donald Trump. These men are oligarchs who use their money to influence government policy for their personal advantage.
In a democracy, government is a collaborative effort of its citizens to do things that cannot be accomplished individually. Government differs from a business because of its mandate to serve all, not just a selected few.
The underlying economic issue in a democracy is not the size of government, but whom the government is meant to serve. A corporation's mission is to make a profit. Government's mission is to provide for the "common good" by building roads, providing public education, maintaining law and order and supporting the defense of our country.
Profit is the goal of business, while socially beneficial services (though unprofitable) are the responsibility of government.
The preamble to the United States Constitution defines the purpose of our government as to 'establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence [sic], promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.'
Profit is not mentioned once.
Karen Adler, Jacksonville
Where will political interference stop?
I was heartened to see the Jan. 18 article in the Times-Union titled "Professors in Fla. sue to halt ban on DEI aid." The ACLU sub-headline "Free expression at colleges under threat" could not be more accurate.
The law being challenged in federal court is the 2023 statute that bans funding for public college and university diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This ban overreaches to control course content as well. It is a clear imposition of the current dominant political party into our higher educational system.
Where will it stop? Our public educational system must be independent of whatever political party is in power. The education of our children and young adults must include all points of view and not exclude viewpoints of view sough to be banned by the political party in power. That way those students can develop into free-thinking adults.
This law, if unchecked in the state of Florida, may give other states the license to make inroads into the academic freedom we hold dear.
My late sister, Dr. Maurianne Adams, founded and developed the DEI program in higher education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which is thriving. Her writings on that subject have been published nationally. In her blessed memory, we must ensure that the right to learn and teach without political interference is preserved.
Carolyn S. Zisser, attorney, Atlantic Beach
City won't be the same without Mousa
The death of Sam Mousa leaves a large hole in the fabric of city life and in my heart.
I had the pleasure — sometimes pain — of working with and for Sam Mousa over the 21 years I was a city employee. I have so many stories of him, most of them arising from when I (as the enforcement manager for the city's environmental program) had to tell Mousa that enforcement action was coming for one of Public Works' divisions.
For many lower-level city employees, the thought of meeting with Mousa could strike fear in your heart. But the man I knew, although strong and sometimes intimidating, was a leader who listened — if you had done your homework and were brave enough to speak up.
After a few bumps and bruises, we developed a relationship that was full of respect and admiration, even when we agreed to disagree. I have so many stories and fond, funny memories of Mousa and our interactions — too many to share here. But suffice it to say, he was incredibly smart, funny and a heck of a boss and coworker.
He loved Jacksonville. The city will not be the same without him.
Dana B. Brown, former environmental enforcement administrator and legislative liaison, Environmental Quality division, Jacksonville
Confusing exceptionalism with patriotism
In his Jan. 12 Your Turn article, Sohum Sheth argues that the re-election of President Donald Trump is a threat to American exceptionalism. I believe he confused exceptionalism with overseas involvement.
American exceptionalism means that our identity is not based not on geography or ethnicity, but on the truth about our God-given inalienable rights.
President Ronald Reagan described it like this, from a letter he once received: 'You can go to live in France, but you cannot become French. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk or Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.'
Exceptionalism is at risk when people reject America's uniqueness. When President Barack Obama said, 'I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism," I think he mistook it with patriotism. Most nations are patriotic; America is exceptional.
I think Trump's motto, 'Make America Great Again," is a clarion call to restore exceptionalism. I pray it succeeds.
Jorge Miyares, San Marco