About 1983, after many hours of difficult negotiations, the West Salem School Board and teachers union agreed to an “exceptional teacher” clause. This clause recognizes the fact that there are gifted and talented teachers in the West Salem school system. The clause also allows the board and union to deviate from the salary schedule to pay talent over and above that salary schedule.

After more than 20 years, let the record show that the union has never once presented to the board a talented teacher recommendation. This record indicates to me that the union does not recognize gifted and talented teachers.

I hope the president of the West Salem Teachers Union would respond to the public and to her peer group on this issue.