Board Update Oct. 4, 2000 HI HO, HI HO......... In the midst of a massive show of solidarity, the Slippery Rock School Board, looked into the eyes of over 100 district teachers and voted NO to the Fact Finding Report. That's right. Over 100 teachers crowded the meeting awaiting the Board's vote. Before voting, four board members made the following comments. Adams- "A lot of people are struggling, facing a lot of higher heating bills, and taxes, across the board...." Youngman- "I have a problem with having an excellent business manager who does a prudent job, and we are penalized because of his ability to manage the money properly, and I do think it is a very expensive ordeal that we are being asked to undertake". Watson- "One of the questions and concerns I have about the fact finding report is that it compares SRASD with school districts predominately and only in Butler Co. Especially districts in the southern part of the Co., which we differ from a great deal and a good number of our demographics. There is no information that would compare us with districts that may be more like us, just across another Co. line, whether it would be a Grove City school district or a Mercer or school district in Lawrence Co. So, the information provided in the fact finding report is not as approprate to provide us with information to make the decision". Geisler- "I also believe it's not only important to compare other school districts, but to whatever other occupations...., what other people in the district are making, and use that as a comparison basis with what's customary and what's approprate at this time" There were 28 issues addresed in this report. But judging from the above comments, it appears that the Board's problem, which may lead to a strike, revolves around one- wages and salary provisions. The fact finding report recommended that the teachers receive an $1850 a year raise during a five year contract. The teachers wanted on average around $2500 a year, the district wanted to give only $1000 a year. The report looked at the district's ability to fund an increase compared with other Butler Co. school districts as a basis for this recommendation. The report noted that taxes have gone down in our district while the value of property has gone up 7.9%. The report also noted that actual expenditures have been less than bugeted expenditures to the tune of $335,827 a year on average! The report also pointed out that last year the district had a fund balance of almost $1.5 million. To further demonstrate that the $1850 a year raise is reasonable, they compared our district with Karns City. The fact finder concluded that the teachers in that district got a $1750 raise, noting that Karns City is comparably placed with Slippery Rock, although Karns City is somewhat less wealthy than Slippery Rock regarding ability to pay. So, it appears that our Board, despite the fact we have the ability to pay our teachers $1850 more a year, has no intention to show them the respect they deserve through a fair pay increase! Are any of you surprised? In the past members of our board have called our teachers amateurs, declined to approve the curricula they have developed etc., etc.! The teachers will vote on this report on Thursday. You should know that currently, our teachers are the lowest paid in the County. It's time to treat our teachers as the professionals they are! I fear a work stoppage! Call a Board member. Let them know you support our teachers! I think the recommendations from the fact finder are fair to both sides! Board Update - October 16, 2000 First, I have heard several people have had problems getting to my site. I have "tweaked" it and hope this helps. Spread the word. Well, it's happened. Last night, SRASD PSEA President, Lavonne Gilliand, hand-delivered The Notice to Drs. Ahlum and Duryea, informing the District of a work stoppage to begin on Tuesday, October 24. And so the meeting ended, with the Board holding an executive session for personnel and contract negotiations. The evening began with a PTCC meeting at the Area Elementary School. Tony Consbruck spoke on behalf of the teachers' association. Acting Superintendent Ahlum, Attorney Michael Hnath, and Bussiness Manager Paul Cessar represented the District - and lo and behold - three Board members were there to speak for themselves. Remember that after refusing "early bird" negotiations, the Board began negotiations in January. The last negotiating meeting was in August, and the Fact Finders report came out in October. But last night, Board President Duryea told parents and the teachers association, It's time to say knock it off...Let's get together and negotiate...We don't have to go through a strike...It's all up to the teachers. Tony Consbruck, though disagreed and said that indeed, there is something the Board can do... So the tone was set. The message from the Board? Aw, come on teachers. You know we aren't going to budge. Last week we were unhappy about the comparison with Karns City - we're poorer than they are. We're more like Grove City. This week we've decided that we didn't vote for the Fact Finders report because it was all or nothing. Well, yes, we did know that was the process when we agreed to go into fact finding, but um, er, well... And on to Har-Mer for the big meeting. And I mean big. Over 250 people filled the gymnasium, and 10 citizens were granted to privilege of addressing the Board (the Board didn't answer, with Dr. Duryea saying he had a statement he would read later...). All of the speakers supported the teachers, and many were critical of the Board's lack of respect for citizens and teachers. One of the highlights came from a local realtor who figured out that any tax increase needed to fund the raise recommended by the Fact Finder just came down to not buying an extra bag of potato chips a month. Even Adams appreciated that analogy, but said that if we invested that money, why we'd have - heck, I don't know, something like a billion dollars over a 100 year period. I'm not sure, but I think most of us would be buying those potato chips... Duryea's statement repeated the party line on the Fact Finders report. Giesler said we should all sit down as adults and hash it out. And for a second time, there was a unanimous vote from the Board to reject the Fact Finders report (Thompson abstained, Watson was absent). Gee, Dad. It's time to "knock it off"? It's time to "sit down as adults"? Thanks for the advice. Ain't it funny how the Board is going to blame the teachers for a work stoppage? It couldn't be the Board's fault. Don't forget, the Board knows best (about curriculum, parent involvement, contract negotiations, the Constitution, the economy, world religions, etc...). They have made their decision (no raises, inferior insurance, a longer school year for teachers), but they'll be glad to "negotiate" - in good faith, too! In Other News Dr. Mariane "Lee" Beaton has been hired as the new Superintendent.Chosen from 22 candidates, she comes by way of the York City School District and is their resident "Core Knowledge" expert. And continuing with the Board's comparison that we are just like Grove City, Beaton received a four year contract, and will be paid an annual salary of $101,700 (the audience moaned). She's losing benefits by coming here (awww, said the audience) So I guess Dr. Post, the Superintendent in Grove City makes that much. Oops. His salary is $91,569. Let's see. We want to pay our teachers like Grove City does, but not our administrators....When asked how much Bonfield made the last year of his contract, there were lots of hems and haws and downcast eyes. No answer was given. Ron Cokain was hired as principal for SRAE and Har-Mer at a salary of 58,500 per year. The audience applauded. Core Knowledge- School Reform or Cult? cult (kult) n devoted attachment to a person, principle, etc. Click on the following link and scroll about half- way down to "York City: Core Knowledge" Let the "conversion" begin! Board Update Oct. 24, 2000 I may make you feel, but I can't make you think... There was a good turnout of citizens last night, with lots of comments during our precious public participation time. Lee Beaton, the new superintendent was there, and the Board members were on their best behavior. A wide range of community concerns were discussed (well, citizens spoke but the Board didn't discuss, following their "the less said the better" rule...!) One parent spoke passionately about the dangerous situation on middle school buses, and described how a high schooler had smashed her son's head into a bus window, shattering the glass. The penalty for misbehavior should be increased, the speaker said, with more cameras and bus monitors added. In Sept. there were 54 incidents on middle school buses, but the parent wondered how many incidents were not reported. Remember, students become the school's responsibility the minute they enter the bus. The transportation director agreed to look into the situation. Parent Deborah Wells spoke, asking the Board to create a Citizens' Advisory Committee to be part of the district's decision making process. We'll see...A Har-Mer parent asked about renovations and a MS parent questioned the District's plan to begin the conversion to Core Knowledge. A senior citizen on a fixed income spoke out against taxes and against foreign languages in schools, saying that we need to stick to the 3 rs, since students today can't even fill out a job application (now where have I heard that before?? Something about Adams manufacturing and a presentation complete with overheads...) One well prepared citizen spoke quite knowledgeably about the private contract negotiations. First he took a swing at the teacher's association. And no wonder Board members were talking about resigning, he continued, given the lack of community support they got in the recent public meetings. Then, filled with dates, facts and figures, he told us exactly how many issues had been settled and exactly how much money had offered. Quite interesting, since this isn't public information. Now who would be talking? The wise men don't know how it feels to be as thick as a brick...... This speaker also had something to say about me and my homepage. He took issue with me correcting the record at the HarMer meeting concerning how Board members can be removed from office. The energy I spent raising how to impeach the Board would have been better spent helping the Board, he said. Help the Board? Seems to me that any attorney hired by the the Board should have recognized that there is a process for removing ANY elected official from office. A democracy, you know. But then again, maybe having an attorney who didn't speak directly to this issue is a good thing for a school board beseiged by angry cries for their removal. I appreciate the constructive criticism, though. Let's see. What could someone like me do to help this Board?!!. Draw the lace and black curtains and shut out the whole truth... In the why don't you ever report the good news category...The issue was raised by the same knowledgeable speaker regarding my seemingly biased coverage of the board. Not enough good news. Take for example, he continued, "the algebra textbook presented by the past curriculum director.Upon research by one or more Board members"...(it was ranked poorly by the) "American Association for the Advancement of Science. Therefore, the Board opposed their order and reverted to the old books at a savings of $100,000." (Gee, who ya been talking to? Bill Adams?) Flashback to Board meeting on September 18. Moraine Elementary School. Board member Christmann demurely brushes aside Mr. Adams' heartfelt congratulations. Seems that Christmann had "ironically" found a report by the American Association for the Advancement of Science that ranked one of the proposed algebra textbooks as "having little potential for helping students learn algebra". And as luck would have it, the Board didn't approve purchasing those texts (now wasn't that decision made the day school began? Nevertheless...) And even though Christmann admitted "the study actually came out after we voted", ( they voted on not ordering the textbooks on Aug. 28 and Christmann told the Board about the report on Sept. 18.) Adams couldn't contain his jubilation. At least we can "trust Edwin's intuition", he said. I like that - let's select all of our textbooks based on intuition. Funny. I'd have thought that was too mystical for Adams..... I hate to disagree with the speaker, but the Board did not base its decision to reject the textbook on the AAAS report - or if they did, it was based purely on intuition. And we were saved $100,000? I guess everyone's forgotten all of the time and effort the teachers put into developing curriculum and selecting and evaluating textbooks just to have it all rejected by the Board. I guess all those sub days were free. Biased though my reporting is (and in no way represents the ideas or opinions of the officials of the SRASD), the facts are the facts. When will people realize that they need to get off the phone with Board members and attend every board meeting to know the "whole" truth! This guy was obviously being "played like a fiddle". It's funny the difference between going to a Board meeting and hearing about it second hand. It was good to see a full house at this meeting. And next week's meeting should be crowded...I wonder how long it will take until it's just the Board playing to an empty house???? The Moral Melee In other business (here's the good news)...swimming was approved as a varsity sport. A part time learning support teacher will be hired at SRAE (so the District will be in compliance with state and federal laws), a pep band was formed, etc.. Duryea thanked Dr. Ahlum for being a good acting superintendent and gave dates when Ahlum or Beaton would be here. Near as I can tell, there's a week in November when we'll have no superintendent (so the Nov. 13 committee meeting is cancelled). Beaton should be here for good on November 21 (the day before Thanksgiving). No mention was made of a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 30, but I think it's still the plan for the Board to vote on the contract at that time.

Board Update Oct. 13, 2000 Last night, the PTO at Moraine Elementary School held an informational meeting regarding contract negotiations, and the Core Knowledge curriculum.  Over 100 parents and teachers filled the lunchroom. Tony Consbruck spoke on behalf of the teachers.  Representing the Board were Lee Ahlum (Acting Superintendent), Paul Cessar (Business Manager), and Michael Hnath (Attorney).  The members of the Board's negotiating team (Gregg Angerett and John Youngman) were invited but chose not to attend. Consbruck began with the history of the current negotiations and a review of the fact finding process.  Since the initial 10 day period had passed, copies of the Fact Finders report were distributed. We need your input, Consbruk told the audience.  Teachers, according to Consbruck, are frustrated.  Discussions have stalled, leaving teachers with no real options short of a work stoppage - a work stoppage that no one wants.  Ask yourself what you would do in the same situation, he challenged the audience. Then the fun began, as members of the audience submitted written questions.  Some of the questions, though, were a little hard to answer since no board members were there.  And where were they?  What is the Board afraid of?  Why are they unwilling to explain their votes to the public?  We really want to know. It bordered on the absurd as Hnath spoke for the Board.  He hasn't been involved in the negotiating process and has no idea why our Board really voted as they did.  Why did the Board reject the Fact Finders report?  Why  is the Board was unwilling to bring teachers' salaries up to the county average?  Why were no Board members present? Hnath just had to repeat the lines he had memorized.  I can't speak for the entire board.  They had their reasons. Not all Board members have time to participate in negotiations.  They have a firm position and are entitled to adhere to it.  They used the Business manager and the census to come up with the $1000 raise offer. This is the extent of the money they will agree to... Hnath, though, did assure everyone that the Board will vote again on Monday on the Fact Finders report, and we should speak to the Board then. Maybe get on the agenda. Tell them if you disagree on how they spend your money. After all, the Board values your input (And I've got some swamp land in Florida if you're interested...). Why doesn't the Board use the surplus to fund the salary increases recommended by the Fact Finder?  Business manager Cessar explained.  Turns out, that surplus doesn't really exist. I mean, the money's there, but...it isn't surplus.  After all, we have construction costs with two building projects.  And the curriculum, well that costs $300,00 a year (and we know that's been money well spent).  Oh yeah. And we need a million for technology. Heck, we're still trying to wire some of the buildings (now how was that Link to Learn grant spent?). Let's review.  The Har-Mer PTO had to cancel their meeting between parents and teachers because no Board members had been invited.  But last night at Moraine, the Board members didn't show up. Instead, they sent an attorney (who has not been involved in negotiations), an acting Superintendent (who has not been involved in negotiations), and a Business Manager (who has not been involved in negotiations) to explain the Board's position on contract negotiations. Right. But we, as good citizens, can attend their meeting Monday night (7:30 at Har-Mer).  A meeting that will be held in a place that is too small to accommodate a very large crowd.  A meeting where public participation can be limited to 30 minutes (I guess with a five minute limit per speaker, that's a total of 6 speakers.). A meeting where the Board doesn't really have to answer any questions (As the Board and their attorney have often reminded us, the Sunshine Act requires the Board to allow citizens to speak. It doesn't require the Board to answer). A meeting the Board, and the Board alone, controls. Core Knowledge- Heads' Up Teachers Wonder why tonight's Butler Eagle didn't cover the last night's presentation concerning Core Knowledge? Because they like Core Knowledge.  In an editorial on Sept. 22, 1999, the editor went on and on about how great it is.  Main point being something about the "internet culture" and a lack of "shared culture". Sometime last year, I was in the local Eagle office and our local reporter Ms. Miller had a copy of  Everything your 2nd, or 5th, or something Grader open on her desk.  When I asked her what she thought, she said she liked Core Knowledge. So, forget any coverage concerning this very, very, important issue. What is next? Speculation: The Board, next Monday night, will have Duryea read a general statement, individual members might have a statement, then they will vote NO once again. Adams is already showing his cards.  In a letter to the editor in tonight's SR Eagle, he is already talking about the high cost of renovations and the  manipulated, weak board members who voted for the renovations. Now, what did I tell you? Don't forget to read the Message Board!  People are talking! Do you think our teachers should get a $1850 raise even if it may mean a tax increase? Take the poll!

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