Letters from Striking Teachers John B. Herndon and Betty L. Herndon to Commissioner of Education Floyd Christians about the School Crisis, 1968

Strikes and lockouts--Teachers

Education--Finance

Teachers' unions--Florida

Teachers' unions--Officials and employees

Labor unions--Political activity

Education and state--Public opinion

Teachers--Salaries, pensions, etc.

Collective bargaining

Veteran teachers explain their reasons for resigning, express support for FEA.

Herndon, John B.

State Archives of Florida, Series S303

1968-02-27

Florida. Department of Education (1969-1974 : Christian)

letters (correspondence)

eng-US

Text

s303_b010_f17_24

Postwar Florida (1945-1968)

Leesburg (Fla.)

Lake County (Fla.)

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Education And Libraries

Florida. Department of Education (1969-1974 : Christian)

Florida Education Association.

Christian, Floyd T., 1914-1998.

Herndon, John B.

Herndon, Betty L.

1007 Flamingo Dr. Leesburg, Florida Dear Mr. Christian, I am one of those hot headed teachers with 19 years of teaching experience in Florida. Yes I have resigned. In fact my wife and I have both resigned. We are both really tired of having people tell us that we are not doing the job. We know we are not doing the job as we would like. However we are powerless to do anything about it because we can not get the supplies and equipment which we need in the classroom. We also know that we have some very poor teachers among us but until we have a say in certification on [personnel], I can't see any way to improve this situation. Needless to say that I am very disappointed that you have been so concerned with the problems of County Administration that you have not realized that teachers were having problems too. I am now and will continue to support he FEA and if FEA had not activated those resignations I would have left FEA. Sincerely, [Signature] John B. Herndon John B. Herndon Mr+Mrs.

1007 Flamingo Dr. Leesburg, Florida February 25, 1968 Dear Superintendent Christian, I am a resigned teacher. So is my husband. There are 13 resigned husband and wife teams in Lake County alone. We all feel very deeply that we have done the best thing for the children of Florida. How else could we make the people feel wake up for their responsibility. If these same people refuse to take action for better schools then my family is ready to leave Florida. My husband is a native of this state and I went through Jr. and Sr. High School in Clearwater. I was there when you were first elected County Supt.. My father was a [businessman] in Clearwater and he supported you. I was proud of what you did for Pinellas and when you were appointed to your state office I felt we teachers finally had some blood and life in our State Department. Perhaps you can feel my disappointment when I watch you suddenly became [wishy-washy] in Education matters. WHAT HAPPENED??? Why are you now ready to compromise Florida's children?? Where do you really stand??? Why have you divorced yourself from the teacher YOU KNOW really are dedicated [?] and professional people??? You must know that Florida stands to loose its finest teachers. By allowing the certification standards to be lowered in order to keep schools open you are sentencing Florida School to DOOM. You of all people know the importance of keeping top teachers in the state. As a parent, teacher and [taxpayer] I ask you to close the schools for the safety of the children and then to make your proper place with the FEA teachers who are fighting for improvement of the schools. Don't fool yourself about the majority of teachers remaining in the classroom. many of them have told us that we are with you in spirit if not in body and that we support you and want you to win. I will be looking for you to assume your responsibilities and forget your political future. Sincerely, [Signature] Betty L. Herndon