Akilah Johnson The Sun-Sentinel

July 12, 2010

Akilah Johnson
The Sun-Sentinel
200 East Las Olas Boulevard
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316

RE: Unemployed teachers of “Life’s a stinks and then you die”.

Ms/Mr Johnson,

Your Page 1 story tells us that Marco Rodriguez, in addition to being an unemployed band director whose last job was at Crystal Lake Middle School, has a marriage “that would most likely end up in divorce” should his unemployment continue.

I must have missed the memo telling us that the “for better or for worse” part of the exchange of marriage vows is no longer operative.

Where does it say that teachers have first claim on diminishing tax revenues? Why would the claims of police officers or street sweepers be subordinate to theirs? What if public employees have sick children? Shouldn’t that bump them up in the line for the next open life boat seats?

Enrollment, the engine that provides students, the raw material for teachers such as Mr. Rodriguez, has been down in Broward County for 5 years.

Would not Logic dictate that if there are fewer students there must, perforce, be fewer teachers?

If curriculum coordinators and diversity experts were sacked perhaps the Board of Education could have a symphony orchestra. If that happens perhaps Mr. Rodriguez could practice his trade. He might even save his marriage.

I hope he doesn’t get sick. If his wife can dump the “for better or for worse” part she would have not problem with “in sickness and in health” part.

“Honor and shame from no condition rise.
Act well your part; there all honor lies.”



Kevin Smith