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Letter attacking Ruby was inaccurate
Editor
Today is election day and the last time to respond to yesterday's letter regarding Jacki Fox Ruby.
It is completely inaccurate to claim that Jacki Fox Ruby, in her former role as Berkeley Federation of Teachers' President, should have or could have “inform[ed] Berkeley's citizens” about the “ever deepening fiscal mess” of the Berkeley Unified School District. Her role, as BFT negotiator and President, was to advocate for the best possible compensation for her constituents, i.e., the Berkeley teachers, and to call attention to working conditions, class size inequities, and administrative process, things which benefit all our children at every school site.
It is not in the purview of a Union representative to disclose to or inform the public about District fiscal policy.
It was, and still is, the role of the District, particularly the Superintendent and the elected Board, to make adjustments in the budget to ensure that we can pay our teachers the compensation they deserve, as well as to ensure a balanced budget and to inform the public of the state of District finances.
Jacki Fox Ruby has been an effective representative for the BFT as well as a consistent advocate for classroom resources. For that she has earned my support.
John Selawsky
Director, Berkeley School Board
Berkeley
