Second in a series. 

Re: “Easy Call for Mielke – Vergara Verdict ‘Is Fair’”

In the spirit of a triumphant afterglow following the state Supreme Court’s decision to essentially uphold present teacher tenure guidelines, the president of the Teachers Union said in Culver City teachers usually decide themselves whe to leave.

“Not that often” are they forced out, said congenial David Mielke, union president since before some School District instructors were born.

“People often will realize they are not right for the profession,” he said. “The union and the District will counsel them out.

“Other times, teachers have done something that is not right. The District will come in and say, ‘We can’t have that.’ Then we (the union) come in and say, ‘Will you accept a resignation?’

“Just as a side note,” Mr. Mielke said, “the unions always get blamed for protecting bad teachers. We have no interest in that.”

The union president turned the tables, sort of, on his interviewer.

“If you were a bad teacher at Culver High,” asked Mr. Mielke, “why would we want you there? It is not in our interest. We are collecting dues from you. But we would rather collect dues from someone who comes on time and takes his job seriously and do a good job.”

(To be continued)