Renowned educational researchers and authors, Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves, stated: “There is widespread agreement now that of all the factors inside the school that affect children’s learning and achievement, the most important factor is the teacher…teachers really matter.” Both the feasibility study paid for by the city and the report by the Utah Taxpayers Association totally ignore the educators who do the work of educating our children.

In a survey of Orem teachers, approximately 400 teachers responded with a whopping 91% opposing or strongly opposing an Orem City School District. That figure is astounding. To argue that quality education is more a function of school district size than teachers’ collective efficacy and attitude negates all that we know both intuitively and via educational research. This is one of the main reasons the Orem Council PTA has opposed Proposition 2.

Why do teachers oppose Proposition 2? Because they value and appreciate what they have with Alpine School District. In Alpine, they are supported with exceptional professional development opportunities and team collaboration time for Professional Learning Communities. They enjoy a strong school and district culture that focuses on student progress and achievement.

They work with Instructional Coaches who nurture their own learning along with an administration that respects them and works to reward them as feasible. They have a school board and negotiated policies that ensure their well-being. In short, they appreciate what they have and understand that promises of higher pay, lower class sizes, and lower taxes are not a reality in a district where there will be declining enrollment.

In an attempt to mitigate the strong teacher sentiment opposing Proposition 2, some proponents of Proposition 2 have openly criticized teachers and implied questions of competence. Others have suggested they are being coerced or brainwashed and are not able to say what they really believe. Additionally, there have been comments that teachers are instilling values critical of the government or teaching a curriculum banned by the state.

All of these notions serve to portray a sense that teachers should be discounted for their opinions about the proposition and should not be considered in deciding how to vote on Proposition 2. The reality is teachers and educators in Orem’s schools show up every day and perform at their highest level. Their primary concern is the stewardship they have over their precious students and how to help them achieve at their highest levels and reach their extraordinary potential. Their voices really do matter.

The large majority of teachers who participated in the survey indicated that they would absolutely attempt to transfer out of an Orem City district and return to Alpine District should Proposition 2 pass. In this era of teacher shortages, Orem cannot afford to lose one of its greatest resources, that of experienced teachers. As a retired educator with 47 years of experience, I urge you to thoughtfully consider the significance of the teachers’ opinions in this debate and vote NO on Proposition 2.

Gary Seastrand is formerly the principal of Hillcrest Elementary School, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and Schools for the Alpine School District and Director of the BYU Center for the Improvement of Teacher Education and Schooling.