Logic of Layoffs

I just saw a flyer that went home today with my daughter. On it were pictures of seven teachers, the principal and the assistant principal...all are targeted for layoffs and will be without a job in the Fall. As an educational consultant, I do understand the economic crisis and also understand that districts like LAUSD are faced with enormous challenges that most people don't understand. Local district offices are being decimated by 50% and many clerical folks that depend on their jobs are going to be losing jobs. I taught in public schools for years and consider myself an urban educator and a staunch backer of teachers. However, I can't escape the feeling that the unions that I used to pay dues to regularly are doing a horrible injustice by protecting jobs of people based on seniority rather than quality. Granted, this is a complicated problem but teachers need to be held accountable and many are not. If principals "write someone up" with a negative performance evaluation, formal grievance procedures usually follow. Teachers with tenure are valued people but it is time to ask the question...does this system really need reexamination?
I do not advocate for the dissolution of unions. They are a strong part of the support system for teachers and others. But when we are talking about children that are expected to be the future workforce and production is horrific (in California at least), the subject needs to be broached. When people that are dedicated and good and caring are forced out and teachers that have been forced to complete anger management classes are protected...we need to reevaluate.

Things may not change but a discussion certainly needs to follow...