First of all, both educational marches have been peaceful and they’ve been organized in conjunction with in-office meetings with legislators to have respectful dialogue regarding their budget requests. 

To my knowledge, no teacher was arrested nor were there any reports of disorderly conduct. The following message on a hand held sign at the 2019 march conveyed a common sentiment:  “I’m not here as a Democrat or Republican — I’m here as a counselor who needs help!”

Secondly, other than trying to be inflammatory, there was no reason for the letter writer, Bruce Gardner of Waynesville, to mention unions. The North Carolina Association of Teachers (NCAE) is not a union — it has no bargaining rights. It’s simply identified as the state’s largest education advocacy organization for public school employees, representing active, retired and student members.

Gardner’s assertion that other professionals like doctors, dentists, architects and accountants deserve the “professionals” classification because they do not “march” is ludicrous. They operate in a competitive system, largely free of state control. Their pricing/income is primarily determined by the market, not lawmakers. 

Finally, it’s important to understand what the marchers were advocating for in May 2019:

• To provide a $15 minimum wage for school support staff, 5 percent raise for all school employees and a 5 percent cost of living adjustment for retirees.
• To provide enough school librarians, psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses, and other health professionals to meet national standard.
• To expand Medicaid to improve the health of our students and families.
• To reinstate state retiree health benefits for teachers who will be hired after 2021.
• And to restore extra pay for teachers with advanced degrees such as a master’s degree.

The right to join fellow citizens in “peaceful assembly” is critical to a functioning democracy and at the core of the U.S. Constitution (1st Amendment). 

I say shame on Gardner, not the teachers. They are more than worthy of their professional classification. MARCH ON! 

Myrna Campbell

Maggie Valley