CMS buses need to stop reckless maneuver before it causes an accident | Opinion
Today as I was stuck in traffic on Tom Short near Polo Ridge Elementary School, I witnessed multiple school bus drivers pull a reckless and dangerous driving maneuver with children on board. As traffic backed up the bus drivers passed the stopped line of traffic by crossing the double yellow lines, driving down Tom Short on the wrong side of the street, flashing their lights and forcing oncoming traffic to leave the road and go into the shoulder to avoid an accident. This needs to stop before they cause a serious accident.
Jim Van Meerten, Charlotte
Why NC teachers are leaving
In response to “About 15% of teachers left Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools last year, state data show”:
Thanks for sounding the alarm on the high number of teachers leaving the profession or choosing not to become teachers. Can you believe that one in ten are leaving the profession? Some are also moving to other states where salaries enable a teacher to support their families. NC ranks 43rd in the nation in average teacher pay according to the National Education Association. A similar ranking occurs with the per pupil expenditure in the public schools.
It should be evident to everyone that the reason for these dismal statistics is the lack of support for the public schools and their teachers by the state legislature, namely the Republican members of this body. This destructive trend will continue until voters begin electing candidates who favor public education and give teachers the support they deserve.
Thomas K. Spence, Jr., Sanford
Trump endorsement
Following the Texas primary, when it became apparent that a run-off would be required to determine the Republican candidate for US Senate, our president advised that he would endorse either the incumbent, John Cornyn, or the state Attorney General, Ken Paxton, and he directed that the other should then withdraw from the race. Does our president not understand that choosing a legislative representative is the constitutionally mandated province of the people? I know this President eschews alcohol, but he certainly seems to fully enjoy the intoxicating effects of power.
Geoffrey A. Planer, Gastonia
Ensuring maternal and children’s health
The U.S. has historically played a critical role in improving the health of women and children worldwide through investments in global health programs. We have supported lifesaving initiatives such as Gavi, a global vaccine alliance group that helps deliver routine immunizations to children in low-income countries. Since its inception, this program has prevented millions of deaths from diseases like measles, pneumonia, and rotavirus. U.S. funding also strengthens prenatal care, newborn health services, and nutrition programs that reduce maternal and child mortality abroad.
However, recent federal funding freezes and uncertainty around assistance programs are threatening decades of progress. I encourage residents of Mecklenburg County to contact our members of Congress and urge them to appropriate $1.3 billion for maternal and child health in the FY2027 budget, consistent with funding levels in previous years.
Evelyn Gandy, Huntersville
China will eat our lunch
While the U.S. government is rolling back environmental policies, cutting funding for clean energy programs and propping up fossil fuel production, China is reviewing their progress on climate goals and setting economic and policy strategies to meet their 2030 carbon goal. The leaders of China understand that their efforts to reduce carbon emissions is key to their success as a world power.
Our leaders are doing what they think will achieve dominance over China — including toppling governments in oil-rich countries to align with other oil-rich countries — while China is focused on adding renewable energy and technologies for growth and jobs in their country and capturing global demand for what is surely the future. It seems like no contest — China will eat our lunch and make the planet sustainable in the process.
Lynn Dransoff, Charlotte