Posted on 02/21/2006 3:35:36 PM PST by twippo
A controversial $500 gift certificate designated to help teachers buy school supplies was turned down by the school district, but has now been accepted by the teachers’ union.
The offer, from Rich Dickerson and Glenn Curtis, known as the Love Doctors on WZZR Real Radio 94.3-FM of Port St. Lucie, was presented not long ago to Assistant Superintendent of Schools Lee Dixon.
He refused the offer, citing what he called the “very inappropriate content” of the radio show. He said the language used was “beyond questionable” and he compared the Love Doctors to shock jock Howard Stern. The assistant superintendent said the offer was a marketing effort of the radio show.
He said that with the Character Counts program in the schools and their view of setting an example for our children, he had to refuse. He added that school officials would be upset if the children listened to the Love Doctors.
Mr. Dixon said he set an example by saying no — that this type of talk is wrong for adults as well as kids. He compared the Love Doctor’s offer to taking a gift from an adult book store or a strip club.
When asked how this compares to using lottery money for schools when some people think gambling is immoral, he replied that the Love Doctors were many, many times worse than the lottery.
“We need a lot of money but we don’t need it that badly,” he added.
So far, Mr. Dixon’s action has generated two letters to the editor in his support, both from the same person and two Speak Out calls against his action.
Candice Walker, president of the Okeechobee County Education Association (OCEA), said the union’s executive council heard about Mr. Dixon’s actions. At a recent meeting, they discussed the matter and said they would take the money if it were offered to them.
Mrs. Walker said on Monday, Feb. 13, Mr. Dickerson left a telephone message at the OCEA office. She returned the call Monday night and Mr. Dickerson said the Love Doctors still wanted the money to go to the teachers and they were offering it to the union.
She told him that was great and the union would accept it. Mrs. Walker said the Love Doctors were still willing to donate the money, even though it would go only to union members and that the union was undecided at that time on how to distribute it.
She said Mr. Dickerson told her someone would be calling her with the details of receiving the money. However, as of Thursday morning, no one had called. Mrs. Walker said she did a little research and found that it is a legitimate charity. She said the gift certificate was purchased with money left over from donations to the Love Doctors’ Christmas toy drive to buy Christmas toys for needy children. She said the leftover money was distributed to teachers in the station’s listening area.
When asked about Mr. Dixon’s reason for refusing the money she replied,
“We don’t want to get into ethics. Are we going to check the morality of all those people who donated?” she replied when asked about Mr. Dixon’s reason for refusing the gift certificate. “It is a good cause.” Mrs. Walker compared the union’s action to accepting lottery money for education and noted that the radio show is on from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. when kids are in school.
Mrs. Walker said Okeechobee would come out better than some counties who gave all the money to one teacher because her union is planning to divide the money. Details of dividing the money will be discussed at the March 9 union meeting.
Mrs. Walker said teachers have to pay for school supplies out of their pockets and this gift certificate, which is from an office supply store, could be used to purchase school supplies.
The union president denied that accepting the gift certificate was an act of defiance or displayed a lack of confidence in school administration.
“I see it as another avenue to get something to teachers. Sometimes we can do things the administration can’t,” she said. “Our whole purpose is to do what is right by teachers. We’re all in this together. We are just coming from different angles.
“When asked about the union’s action Mr. Dixon replied,” We tried to set an example for our children. If we set an example for the union and they are obviously not following it, that’s their choice.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Cooper asserted that the union is its own entity and can accept or reject offers as it sees fit because it has separate guidelines.
She added that if students used the language that is used on that radio station, they would be disciplined based on district policies and practices.
The superintendent admitted that with about 500 teachers, a $500 gift certificate would not go very far.
I had a business in Stuart, Florida with high traffic and the Love docs were so filthy that I had to stop playing the station.
Utter trash. - It does not surprise me one whit that the local teachers unions would accept the gift.
They probably taught them.
I never listen to the Love Doctors but my husband and son do. I can however distinguish between their persona on their show and the Charity they have established.
I am glad that the teachers took the money and hope they will use it as was originally intended by the Charity.
That's a good point.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.