Robert Matson: Rethink eliminating TAs

The July 21 editorial “Summer class in caring” highlighted the dedication of both the teachers and volunteers from Lacy Elementary School and the Republican Party-dominated statehouse. Unfortunately, these two groups are dedicated to causes that are in opposition.

The Lacy folks are clearly dedicated to the education of the children in their charge and are willing to volunteer their time and energy to help those children succeed through a summer reading program.

The legislature, especially the Senate, appears dedicated to dragging the K-12 public education system down from excellence, through mediocrity, to below national and regional averages.

Teacher pay shenanigans, elimination of teacher assistants, attempts to privatize education using public funds and funding cuts in general will certainly bring North Carolina public education down to an unsatisfactory level.

I strongly encourage my state senator, John Alexander, and all his fellow senators to support funding for our public schools and specifically to vote to retain teacher assistants. By doing so, he would help to avoid the largest layoff in North Carolina history and enhance the quality of elementary education in our great state.

This story was originally published July 26, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Robert Matson: Rethink eliminating TAs."