A request for Glendale Unified School District teachers to voluntarily remove personally-owned appliances such as refrigerators, coffee makers, and microwaves from classrooms became an outright ban when almost no teachers responded. A one-sided article and a linked blog post on the new policy didn’t mention this progression.
Yesterday’s Los Angeles Times article on the school district’s new policy features two teachers opposed to the ban, and describes the inconveniences they face because they can rarely leave their classroom. The article also mentions that the school district hopes to save $60,000 (the cost of one teacher salary) with the ban in place.
Missing from the report is any explanation from the school district or its board. At the school district office, only the business services manager was interviewed, and his printed comments didn’t provide any details.
The Sunroom Desk editor called a school board member to get those details. Incumbent Greg Krikorian told me that the school board exempted certain classes (like biology and home economics) and teachers (those with disabilities), and tried to make giving up appliances a voluntary program. Hundreds of personal microwaves, coffee makers, popcorn machines, and refrigerators still remained plugged into classroom outlets. At that point, the district, looking for ways to save money in areas besides instruction, enacted the ban.
I understand why the district is trying to cut costs but question whether this is a good place to start. Enforcing this ban will contribute to decreased teacher morale. As a parent, I want happy teachers. The teachers I have spoken with regarding this ban, mention how having the fridge allows them to spend their lunch time with the students so they don’t have to go to the cafeteria or break room, which is a 10 minute walk. When one has 30 minutes for lunch, walking to and from the designated teacher cageteria or break room, consumes a major portion of an already shortlunch. Any teacher, who is willing to open his/her classroom to students at lunch time, deserves a fridge in his/her room.