Covington supports teachers’ raises and benefits

Letter to the editor

I am the present School Board member representing the Potomac District. I am a candidate for reelection. I have never joined a political party.

I am an Independent. The School Board is nonpartisan. I belong to the Children’s Party. I vote for what I feel is best for our children’s education.

I am responding to some information that my opponent wrote in a previous article. He stated that I was the only Board member running for reelection who voted to add 30 minutes to the teacher work day.

He neglected to say that I am the only Board member running who voted for the teachers’ raises and benefits in that same motion. I suppose only selecting what some have viewed as the negative part of an issue to report is just politics.

Bill Hosp, Prince William Federation of Teachers (PWFT) President, and my opponent’s campaign manager, stated that there was an attitude of teachers being uppity.  That is very insulting to our School Board and to me personally. I have never heard School Board members make those kind of remarks and I definitely haven’t.

I was a teacher for many years and have a lot of respect for teachers. I am still a teacher at heart. My son is a teacher in the county. I have always supported teachers and voted for salary increases and their benefits package every year.

I voted for the 30 minutes added to the teachers’ day because our school system was the only system in the area with a seven hour work day. All other school systems, including Stafford and Fairfax, have a 7.5 hour work day. Having been a principal for 27 years, I know that the majority of our teachers already work more than 30 minutes over their contract day. I felt it was something that they were already doing.

A previous article had incorrect information. It stated that candidates were given surveys and then interviewed by the teachers’ organizations.

When I questioned Bill Hosp, PWFT President, why I did not receive a survey or interview, he stated that my opponent was a member of his organization and that they would never endorse anyone over a member. It appears that membership takes priority over experience and qualifications.

My opponent resigned from his teaching position in November 2013, yet has remained a member of the teacher’s organization. I respect and appreciate our teachers. They are the ones delivering instruction and deserve the credit for our outstanding school system.

I will continue to support reducing class sizes and increasing teachers’ salaries.

Betty D. Covington serves as the Potomac District Representative on the Prince William County School Board.