Billings Teacher Resigns, Expresses Concerns About Spending Priorities

Bradley Bingham, a teacher at Castle Rock Middle School in Billings, shared his resignation not only with the school board but also posted it on the school’s ParentSquare app, which was shared with Townsqaure Media.

In the letter, Bingham explained that he submitted his resignation over concerns about how the school district is choosing to spend money. Bingham believes that they are not focusing enough on academic programs and that they are making staffing decisions that, in his opinion, shift attention away from the main academic goal.

A Commitment to Academic Excellence

In his resignation letter, Bingham said that when he started working at Castle Rock Middle School, he wanted to be sure students had a good learning environment.

However, he was worried because the shop class had broken and unsafe equipment. So, he secured more than $40,000 from parents and local businesses to fix the shop class and make it safe and useful.

Efforts to Improve Facilities and Student Learning

Bingham said that he didn't just raise money but also gave credit to projects that were led by students, such as selling handmade benches that made $1,500.

Bingham believes these projects not only made the shop better but also helped his students learn math and science in practical ways.

Concerns Over District Spending and Program Priorities

Bingham was mainly upset about how the district is spending its money. He pointed out that there is enough money in the budget but that he feels it is being incorrectly used, like hiring more staff at the district level and starting programs like Restorative Justice and Rachel's Challenge.

Bingham believes that these programs, even though they are meant to help, don't have clear ways to show they are working and could shift the attention away from students' academic success. He also mentioned studies that showed these initiatives could lead to worse grades and make teachers' jobs harder

Frustration With "Pet Projects" and Budget Mismanagement

Bingham says his decision to resign was fueled by frustration with what he perceives as the district's continual investment in "pet projects" that exceeded their original budgets.  Specifically, Bingham criticized the district's allocation of funds toward Social Emotional Learning programs, which he deemed ineffective in addressing student needs.

Bingham argued that this approach diverted financial resources away from essential classroom materials, teacher salaries, and initiatives that directly contribute to improving students’ academic performance.

The Impact on Classroom Environment and Discipline

Bingham also worried that the district's emphasis on programs like Restorative Justice has made it harder to keep classrooms orderly and safe.

Bingham mentioned that teachers have had a tough time controlling their classes, which can disturb the learning atmosphere, and that he believes that teachers' main job is to ensure students have what they need to do well in school.

Pride in Community Partnerships and Support

Bingham highlighted the good connections he has made with the local community, like parents and businesses who have supported his efforts to improve educational opportunities at Castle Rock Middle School.

Bingham mentioned that parents often email him to thank him for his teaching approach, which he thinks follows the traditional, proven methods that help students succeed in school.

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A Call for Reassessment of District Priorities

Bingham said that his decision to step down was made with a heavy heart, but he hoped it would cause the district to rethink what it values most. He asked the administration to concentrate more on helping students learn directly, highlighting that student education should come before spending on costly, uncertain projects.