Tell It to George is a collection of thoughts from here and away, from people who want to get their two cents worth in, without using their names.

Wiscasset Newspaper office manager Kathy Onorato received this message from a young man who called our office about 8:30 Tuesday morning: "I've got a message for Tell It To George -- on my way to school this morning, I found a gallon of gas, a pack of butts, a fifth of liquor and a pound of dope."

Some people have all the luck.

I've read a great deal about the teacher situation in Wiscasset, but nothing that I can readily attribute to the parents of Wiscasset children.

As a retired educator I have followed, with dismay, the situation which continues in Wiscasset between the teachers, and the superintendent and the Wiscasset school board. For months I have read of the unwillingness of the school board to settle the issue of teacher contracts. It's been almost two years now, and your teachers are still working without a contract and at the same pay as specified in the previous contract.

After mutually agreed to but failed fact-finding procedures in the fall, the issues continue. The teachers agreed to compromise, accepting the fact-finder's report. The school board did not agree. Where in the process was the superintendent? From the perspective of an outsider looking in, the superintendent's actions exhibit little respect for his teachers, nor apparently does he care about the morale in his school district. Where is his leadership in these matters?

The effect of this dispute filters down to the students; what child wouldn't wonder why he or she isn't worth the effort to end this controversy and make school the happy place it once was? I have read the negative comments from some of the school board members, and I wonder why they ever signed up to serve on such a board. If they don't have the best interests of the children in mind, then they shouldn't be serving in such a capacity. There seems to be no consideration for the effects on the children who are the crux of the matter.

There also seems to be no respect within the school board for the teachers who have worked years with children and parents of Wiscasset to provide the best education possible and to help the children develop into the types of citizens that make us proud. Teaching requires more dedication to the job than most any other profession I know. Please respect the facts that obtaining a teaching degree takes much work beyond the requirements for a normal bachelor's degree and that teachers are required to upgrade their credentials regularly. Each day in the classroom requires preparation, and after each day, be assured the teachers have more homework than the children.

I have read many things about this sad situation, but I have not once read a plea from a parent to end it fairly. What are you as parents saying, or not saying, to these people who work with your children everyday?

Can you blame the teachers in Wiscasset for considering "working to the rule?" As a former teacher, I can only imagine how difficult it must be in such a position. Fortunately, I worked in communities where effective education was desired and where teachers were treated fairly and were highly respected.

Parents: Isn't it time to make your voices heard? Maybe you can help to end this lingering miasma by speaking up and supporting those who share the best interests of your children.

Send "Tell It To George" entries clearly marked (this way, we won't use your name) for the "Tell It To George" column, by mail at P.O. Box 429, Wiscasset, ME 04578.

Or hand carry them to our office on at 47 Gardiner Road (don't mail them to Gardiner Road, because they will be sent back to you by the post office); just put them in our mailbox right next to the front door.

Or, walk right in and give them to us.

Or, send them to us by E-mail, at wiscassetnewspaper@verizon.net.

Or, fax them to us at 882-4280;

Or, if you're not good at writing, leave us a voice mail on our answering machine after hours, at 207-882-6355 (speak slowly and distinctly). Please make sure your entries a r rive by noon on Tuesday for publ i cation in Thursday's issue.