Teacher supplies program announced, criticized
9/9/2009Toledo Board of Education member Darlene Fisher announced Wednesday a new effort to collect donated school supplies for area teachers to use in their classroom.
Ms. Fisher, who is running for reelection in November, announced the Teacher's Cabinet program that she hopes can collect enough supplies for Toledo area teachers to stock up their classrooms three times a year.
"We are hoping it will be a great success," she said.
The program is modeled after similar ones in Cincinnati and Tennessee.
But Toledo Federation of Teachers President Francine Lawrence said Ms. Fisher's announcement is a hypocritical campaign stunt because she voted against the recent contract agreement with the teacher's union that increased teacher supply money.
"She'd have to stand on a corner for a year handing out supplies to make up for what she voted against," Ms. Lawrence said, adding that Ms. Fisher also has voted against levies that put money into the general fund that is used for supplies.