Letters to the Editor | Feb. 29, 2024

The Philadelphia School District’s “3-5-7-9” policy is an ineffective way of dealing with sick leave abuse. A sick teacher isn’t recalcitrant or behaving inappropriately. While sick leave abuse isn’t uncommon, it is generally nuanced, not formulaic. Teachers work in crowded classrooms filled with children, many unvaccinated, contagious, or with compromised immune systems. A policy giving an ill teacher the Hobson’s choice of reporting to work sick and endangering themselves or their students or being called into the principal’s office protects neither teachers nor students. Progressive discipline will not cure a sick teacher and could make them worse. Forty years ago, teachers didn’t have to worry about pronoun slips or harmless literary, historical, or political allusions. Their jobs have gotten more stressful. The regressive 3-5-7-9 policy makes sick leave as much a detriment as it is a benefit, an unintended consequence that needs correction. Potential sick leave abuse requires analysis, not a one-size-fits-all formula ignoring a teacher’s overall work history and years of service.

Stewart Speck, Ardmore

On Sunday, The Inquirer Editorial Board again recognized the harm to our nation and the world that would result should Donald Trump be elected president this November. While commending “The Trump Threat” series, I take note that it is labeled as “occasional.” Trump’s assaults on our laws, norms, institutions, and decency are not occasional — they are evident every day. That’s why, every day from now until the election, the press has the responsibility to inform voters of Trump’s crimes.

That includes the violation of the emoluments clauses, the payoff of an adult film star, coercion of election officials in Georgia, planning a fake electors scheme, incitement and encouragement of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the keeping of top-secret documents with deceit and obstruction when ordered to return them, and conviction for fraud. Moreover, Trump does not disguise his admiration for dictators and his intent to be a vindictive autocrat, antidemocratic, anti-immigrant, anti-NATO, pro-Putin isolationist. He will form an administration of sycophants with no qualifications other than their loyalty to him. The responsibility of the press to warn us is much greater than just occasional.

Mark DeWitte, Lyndell

Our group has worked to stop dumping in our neighborhood, at a hot spot known as Snake Road, for years. We mobilized neighbors, put pressure on city departments and officials to address the problem, built alliances, and engaged in discussions to learn about lasting solutions. Largely because of our efforts, the area is cleaner, with more frequent city pickups. We commend Mayor Cherelle L. Parker for committing to ending trash dumping, but we were disappointed by her approach that pledges to enforce existing laws and promises that city agencies will do better. Our experience shows us that this is not enough.

City revenue is limited and needs to be spent on real, sustainable fixes. Existing disposal services need expansion. As much of the trash on Snake Road is from housing cleanouts, people need easier access to city dumping sites at an affordable cost. Additionally, two cameras were installed on Snake Road at a considerable cost and had little impact. The punitive structures that we have now are not working. Clean Philadelphia Now, developed by the Trash Academy, is a comprehensive platform. It recognizes that this problem is concentrated in low-income communities of color, and solutions come only when these communities are engaged.

Dallas Herbert, 215 People’s Alliance, Northeast chapter, Philadelphia

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