Board president explains withdrawal decision
(Open letter to Middletown residents)

It is with deep regret and mixed emotions that I am withdrawing my petition to run for the three-year seat on the Board of Education. Having served this community for six years, I have always maintained as my first priority improving the quality of the students’ education.

Education is extraordinarily complex. There are many driving forces that pull the focus away from what’s best for student learning. One of the most significant forces remains the archaic, industrial-style collective bargaining process which has often proved counterproductive and torn communities apart.

I personally experienced the tragedy of this process when our efforts to conduct negotiations in a less adversarial manner were met with a strike. The resulting pain and anguish suffered by our staff, community and my own family is something I will never forget.

My hope for Middletown, and especially the children of this community has always been that a more harmonious relationship can be attained between the board of education, teachers, administrators, parents and our community. To quote mediator Ronald Riccio, "The responsibility of the board and the [Middletown Township Education] Association leaders to educate our children and young adults is far too important to allow personal animosities to interfere … the interests of the students must come above the interests of the leaders."

It is still my desire to see a change in the Middletown school district. One step would be a change in the negotiations process such as those advocated by the Teacher Union Reform Network. Replacing the current adversarial tone of negotiations with those conducted in a professional manner and dedicated to the ultimate goal of better student learning will earn our staff the respect they so richly deserve.

Although I have not been able to see the end of this labor dispute, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the "culture of confrontation" that "infects" the Middletown School district. I willingly step aside, and I challenge the union leadership to do the same. The healing process for our staff and community will not begin until impediments on both sides are gone. It is a moral obligation of the leaders in this dispute to promote the healing of this district above their own personal considerations, for this to be the last strike that Middletown experiences. It is my hope that the community will take full advantage of this opportunity for a new beginning. It can be a lasting legacy to the betterment of our children’s education.

Pat Walsh

President

Middletown Board of Education