SATA president gives her side (11/12/04)

My name is Jody Walker. I am the President of the South Adams Teachers Association and a member of the Negotiations Team. I was at the South Adams School Board meeting last (Tuesday) night. I would like to respond to some of the items that Mrs. Bailey addressed.

I would like to take this opportunity to address the status of the negotiations of South Adams from standpoint of the teachers. As of today, Nov. 10, 2004, we have been without a contract for 815 calendar days. In the past we have experienced an atmosphere of trust and the closeness of "family" with the administration. Currently, many staff members perceive these feelings as deteriorating.

The teachers of South Adams Schools are dedicated to providing the best overall education possible for our students through personalized instruction. Personalized instruction is possible because the teachers at South Adams know their students as individuals, not as "numbers." We care about each one and want all to achieve in our classes. We have a good school corporation and we teachers can be proud of the part we play in the high test scores, good attendance rates, and extra curricular opportunities.

All we want is a raise on the par with neighboring schools, decent insurance, and a fair severance package for our teachers who will be retiring within the next few years. The amount of money has been a source of concern. It is not our intent to take advantage of our corporation or its taxpayers by making unrealistic demands. Due to thrifty management policies, our corporation has been able to amass a cash balance of $2,264,924.21 as found on the Indiana Department of Education’s web site on July 1, 2002. (http://mustang.doe.state.in.us/SEARCH/snapcorp.cfm?corp=0035) The board's proposed salary increase of 1 percent is not only below the state average, but also below the averages of our surrounding schools. The average state salary for a teacher in the state of Indiana for the 2002/2003 school year was $45,000. South Adams Schools is ranked 149 out of 294 schools with an average salary of $44,500. Adams Central has an average salary of $45,100 and Southern Wells has an average of $45,400. This information is also found on the Indiana Department of Education’s web site.

I would also like to point out that although the proposals presented by the board's negotiating team may sound good, the truth is that teachers would be taking a cut and going backward if those proposals would be accepted. We would be losing not only money, but also contract language that has been negotiated over the course of many years. While it is true that the 1 percent raise is comparable to that given the administration, the loss of money and contract language affects only the teaching staff.

We have attempted to respond to the administration concerning the major issues yet to be resolved: Salary, insurance, and severance. However, there has been no attempt by the board's team to address these issues important to teachers. "Rejected" does nothing to address a proposal. I realize that having an unsettled contract reflects poorly on both the administration and the staff. However, just as one child or group of children is not allowed to control all aspects of a game on the playground, the true spirit of negotiations must be a give and take process. The teachers wish to establish true discussion.

Thank you for the opportunity of expressing my feelings to you.

Jody Walker

Portland, member,

South Adams

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