The local papers reported that the Superintendent filed suit against the School Committee at the beginning of November and that the School Committee was expected to file a response with the Court in 21 days.
Yet, here we are almost in the middle of December and what are we hearing?
Yup. Just chirping crickets!
This case could obviously have huge budget impacts. And, I don't think its going to go away ... no matter how hard school counsel wishes it would!
Litigation strategy is not public information, but I would suspect a court filing would be. I would also suspect that the Committee would have to discuss and concur on whatever response is actually filed with the court. Yet, some members I have talked to say they have no idea what the current case status is.
Did Counsel "forget" to file a response? Did the Committee Chair or a "secret subcommittee" approve a response without discussing it with the entire Committee? That doesn't sound very "transparent" or in the spirit of public disclosure that one dope babbled on about last year.
5 comments:
As a card carrying union SEA member, I can tell you that we, the teachers, were NEVER asked to take a freeze. Many of us would have, but we were never asked. Just sayin...
That is correct you were not given the opportunity.
Your union leadership has refused to submit any proposal for a freeze to the membership.
That Leader has done serious damage to her organization and the District in many ways. Norma Rae she ain't.
Well now that the school budget amount has been set for next year by the BOS, the inaction by the president of the union has set the teachers up for zeros two years in a row without even the benefit of receiving any community recognition and appreciation. Past time for a new president.
I don't believe SEA President Ms. Carlisle has not kept the teachers association informed of the ongoing negotiations, how stupid do you think the taxpayers are? You'd have to have been living in a hole to not know the town side workers volunteered to take zeros not once but many times over the years.
The last SEA contract went on for 15 months, the lawyers got fat off that one too and the teachers won again. They never have compromised in 20 years we have lived in town. If you sincerely cared about the schools and children,your association would have already voted the president out buy now. Taken zeros the past few years to save their fellow teachers. 3% annual raises along with 3% step raises = 6% Can't sustain jobs when budget only increases 2.5% a year, basic math. There is no where else to go but payroll.
I'm certainly not defending the SEA but the idea that there was any great gain from Town employees taking a freeze in the past is a great myth.
Randy Hunt pointed out in the last Long Range Plan (see link at left -- it's on page 56) that for the period 2004-2008, Town salaries grew at an average of 5.9% annually, while School salaries grew at 5.5%.
Yes there were wage freezes, but those freezes were "made up for" in subsequent years.
Reality is that none of that matters. We can't afford 5.5%, 5.9% or even 4% if that increase exceeeds the growth in our revenue.
The Town employees, and MANY of the School employees have taken freezes to help the situation -- now it's the SEA's turn. If the current SEA leadership disagrees, I would hope that those members who DO agree speak up and get their union to respond to their concerns.
This is not about teachers, it is about economics. Sandwich has some great teachers -- many of who are in the union, some in leadership positions. BUT, the District is going to be forced to eliminate many of them unless some cost savings (and public support) is generated.
Quickly.
Unfortunately, it's the younger teachers with less seniority and little voice in union activities who are the ones that will usually be eliminated.
Post a Comment