July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
South Adams teachers urge talks (10/19/05)
South Adams School Board
By By JACK RONALD-
BERNE — Let’s talk.
That was the message from the teachers’ association to the South Adams School Board Tuesday night.
Now in the fourth school year without a contract and with negotiations stalled, teachers urged the board to consider holding a public forum so that the issues can be discussed openly.
“I firmly believe that if we meet in spirit of trust, issues can be resolved,” said Sheryl Cook, a teacher at South Adams Junior-Senior High School. “This isn’t a negotiating session. This is just to talk.”
Board members were both receptive and wary.
“I want a dialogue,” said board member Tony Mellencamp. “But parameters have to be set.”
Superintendent Connie Bailey warned the board it needs legal advice to make sure it doesn’t violate Indiana’s law on collective bargaining. “We must be careful under the circumstances,” she said.
“We don’t want a free-for-all,” responded Cook. “I think there are parents who would like to be there...It’s time to clear the air...I just want to open some communication.”
Board president Arlene Amstutz said the teachers’ association would be notified within a week if such a meeting is possible.
In other business Tuesday, the board:
• Heard Bailey report that official enrollment for the school corporation on the state’s count day was 1,386.03, down from 1,412.59 last year. The partial attendance figures reflect students who attend only part of the school day.
• Agreed to waive rental fees for Ivy Tech when it conducts classes in South Adams school facilities. Ivy Tech officials said such arrangements are already in place with eight other school districts in northeast Indiana.
• Agreed to advertise for bids for the purchase of two new school buses and to advertise for an additional appropriation to pay for the buses. School officials explained that bus prices have jumped since the current budget was prepared in the summer of 2004.
• Hired Susie Meshberger as junior varsity volleyball coach.
• Agreed to advertise for loans to help span the time when waiting for the tax draw.[[In-content Ad]]
That was the message from the teachers’ association to the South Adams School Board Tuesday night.
Now in the fourth school year without a contract and with negotiations stalled, teachers urged the board to consider holding a public forum so that the issues can be discussed openly.
“I firmly believe that if we meet in spirit of trust, issues can be resolved,” said Sheryl Cook, a teacher at South Adams Junior-Senior High School. “This isn’t a negotiating session. This is just to talk.”
Board members were both receptive and wary.
“I want a dialogue,” said board member Tony Mellencamp. “But parameters have to be set.”
Superintendent Connie Bailey warned the board it needs legal advice to make sure it doesn’t violate Indiana’s law on collective bargaining. “We must be careful under the circumstances,” she said.
“We don’t want a free-for-all,” responded Cook. “I think there are parents who would like to be there...It’s time to clear the air...I just want to open some communication.”
Board president Arlene Amstutz said the teachers’ association would be notified within a week if such a meeting is possible.
In other business Tuesday, the board:
• Heard Bailey report that official enrollment for the school corporation on the state’s count day was 1,386.03, down from 1,412.59 last year. The partial attendance figures reflect students who attend only part of the school day.
• Agreed to waive rental fees for Ivy Tech when it conducts classes in South Adams school facilities. Ivy Tech officials said such arrangements are already in place with eight other school districts in northeast Indiana.
• Agreed to advertise for bids for the purchase of two new school buses and to advertise for an additional appropriation to pay for the buses. School officials explained that bus prices have jumped since the current budget was prepared in the summer of 2004.
• Hired Susie Meshberger as junior varsity volleyball coach.
• Agreed to advertise for loans to help span the time when waiting for the tax draw.[[In-content Ad]]
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