Monday it’s back to school after a two week break. And in addition to all the things I have to do to have successful classes, I’ve got burdens galore. Let me talk about them and my worries.
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So in the fall, negotiations started on a new contract. Because this is Indiana, we have to negotiate every year, and only for things like pay and benefits. No advocacy allowed. Also, in November there were two referendums up. The first was to continue the funding levels from the 2017 referendum, which was mostly for teachers, but also for the construction of the new high school. The second was for a limited referendum for building improvements. The second high school desperately needs them. For years they had no potable water in the fountains, for example.
Anyway, after the 2017 referendum passed, the district consolidated and closed several elementary schools, and ultimately the two middle/high schools, much to the dismay of people who thought the extra funding would keep at least one of the MS/HS buildings open. That was state mandated to focus on fiscal health, but communication was not good.
Therefore, a very well funded group started a “they lied to us” campaign to vote no on both. They won. Funding goes back to what it was before the 2017 referendum.
That put a damper on our negotiations. More later. Currently, the district expects to lose at least 200 teaching jobs, they have already announced that they are phasing out bus service within the next three years. 40% of the Administration staff has already been let go. AND they’re closing more elementary schools, one of which is the only one left serving the northernmost part of the city. As I commented to a parent on Facebook who was upset about it, “This is what you voted for”.
So back to negotiations. On the LAST student day before break, when all we had left was a teacher work day, the Administration made an “offer”. I use offer in quotes because here’s some of the details: No raises, teachers would have to pay a full 20% of the total insurance premium, and the District was no longer going to make a 3% contribution to the pension fund. That would become OUR financial burden. Being as this was nothing but a garbage pay cut with NOTHING for us in it, the vote to reject the offer was 99.6% against. Also, unfair labor practice grievances have been filed, as well as another suit to I think force the administration to the table for more negotiations.
A recent board meeting ended abruptly when one of the board members called on the Superintendent to resign. And I like the guy. He supports the Arts in the district, his daughter participates in district wide musicals.
So that’s the cloud I have hanging over me this upcoming semester. Tuesday, the Union is calling for all teachers to have an informational picket in front of the Administration building, then go in en masse and try to fill all the seats for the board meeting. We have also been told to prepare for more actions.
I was just happy I got paid yesterday. There have been doubts.
So I persevere. I’ll know in May if I am getting the RIF or not.
And on that note, on to Tops!
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From karij:
In the diary by DiesIraeabout the remarks by you-know-who about the school shooting in Iowa —this comment made by Mathy Kathy… is funny and so true!
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14) it is so depressing. ISW concurs. … by marsanges +6515) Ballot removal by Denise Oliver Velez +6319) R-Cons … by Denise Oliver Velez +6021) Dump by Denise Oliver Velez +5622) Remember the metal detectors on J6? … by Lex Lurker +5522) This is interesting and telling: by lpeacock +5527) Epstein by Denise Oliver Velez +5427) School Shootings by Denise Oliver Velez +5427) His introductory video advertisement. by bilboteach +54
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