Are You Nuts? Read Online Free Page A

I can call.”
    â€œIs it that serious? A PTA can’t have that much power.”
    â€œYou heard Carolyn. I think she’s right.”
    â€œI’m more worried about Scott than about what either the PTA or the school board will do. I’ve been making these brave statements all these years about not living in fear. I guess this will be the big fight.”
    â€œPossibly. People love to intrude where their noses don’t belong. The meeting isn’t just about you though. There are other issues besides you.”
    â€œI wonder if Edwina is going to the meeting.”
    Edwina Jenkins was the school principal. After teaching for a number of years, she’d gotten her administrative certificate and worked her way up through the ranks.
    Meg used her pet name for Edwina. “Shit-for-brains probably has to show up. She’s as useless as any administrator we’ve ever had.”
    â€œTry not to hold back, Meg. Let me know how you really feel.”
    â€œI guess she tells as many lies as any administrator. If she shows up, she won’t be any help. I’m definitely going. I love a good fight once in a while. I’m in the mood to be nasty to a few people.” She stood up. “I’ve got to finish cataloging the new books that arrived over the summer. As well as plot, plan, and connive about tonight’s meeting.”
    I told her I would join her later to discuss strategy and possibly help make phone calls.
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    Half an hour later, I’d assembled the computer equipment. This was progress. When it was new, it had taken me half a day and three calls to the “help line” before I mastered the on switch. Next, I searched for my computer disks. I have a small collection that I use both at home and on the departmental computers that we share. I found the disks strewn in the back of my cabinet. I knew I hadn’t left them there. I thought about hunting for the custodians to find out who had been in my room and why my stuff had gotten messed with. Was it important enough?
    My next visitor was Seth O’Brien. I was not expecting him. I had a meeting with Jerome set for two that afternoon.
    â€œCan we talk?” he asked.
    I let the computer hum to itself and gave him my attention. Seth was in his late twenties. He was tall and heavyset, maybe a defensive lineman for a smaller college. He wore a loose T-shirt without any logo, baggy shorts, and sandals with white socks. Prior to Meg’s information, I’d known he taught third graders in one of the elementary schools in the district. I’d heard he was a competent teacher.
    â€œWhat can I do for you?” I asked.
    â€œI’m hoping to get your endorsement in the election,” he said.
    â€œI can’t imagine my word is very important. With all the controversy surrounding Scott, my name isn’t going to be something to hang on a banner.”
    â€œPeople respect you, Tom. Members of the faculty listen to what you have to say. Your reputation is solid.”
    â€œThank you for the kind words. I’m not sure who I favor for president.”
    â€œI think the elementary teachers in this district have been ignored for too long. We need to do more for them.”
    â€œWhat hasn’t Kurt done?”
    â€œYou high school teachers are always trying to run things. All the union officers are from the high school. All that extra money is spent for high school sports. We never get anything.”
    â€œDid you ever discuss this with Kurt?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhy haven’t you volunteered to be on the negotiations team? Why haven’t you come to any of the meetings?”
    â€œWe’re discussing it now. The problem with the transfer situation in this district is horrendous. In all the years Kurt has been president, not one elementary teacher has been given a job in the high school.”
    This was a sore spot in many unit districts. Many elementary teachers saw