As a former employee of the Great Neck Public Schools, I would like to address a major concern raised in Ms. Roth’s letter.
She made several other misstatements, but one particularly caught my attention.
A “retired teacher,” as a resident of the United States, protected by the First Amendment of our Constitution, has every right to advocate for the bond and the school budget.
Ms. Roth has the constitutional right to advocate against them.
“School employees” as individuals can “advocate their favored positions.” It is not “unethical” or “illegal” for them to express their opinions. It is their constitutionally guaranteed right under the first amendment. The retiree did not speak as a “state agency” but as herself.
A “dictatorial government” would prohibit her free expression. Our “democratic United States” gives her every right to do so!
Ms. Roth has made a number of misstatements about the district’s ranking, taxes, teachers’ union and property values. These can be addressed at another time.
Thank you.
Arlette Sanders
Retired Assistant Superintendent,
Great Neck Public Schools
