July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
No contract for SA teachers (12/15/04)
By By Jennifer Tarter-
BERNE — Members of the classroom teachers association here are keeping count.
That fact was apparent at the South Adams School Board meeting Tuesday where association members were wearing stickers that read “849 days without a contract.”
Despite recent contract negotiations surrounding the corporation’s deadline to sell pension bonds, the school corporation and the association have not reached an agreement on a teachers’ contract.
The groups would have needed to sign a contract by Nov. 15 in order to sell pension bonds by Dec. 31.
The school has about $3 million in unfunded liability for retirement and severance payments. The bond money would have been used for the buyout and set aside funds for future unfunded obligations.
On Tuesday, board members voted to transfer $150,000 from the corporation’s general fund to a fund for growth in certified severance debt. These funds cover the growth in severance since July 2001, South Adams Schools superintendent Connie Bailey said Tuesday.
“(This) action is needed because we have not reached an agreement that stops the growth in our unfunded liability. We are only addressing the growth,” she added.
In related business, association president Jody Walker requested board members explain the new severance plan under the corporation’s proposed contract. Walker called the language used in the proposal “confusing.”
School board president Arlene Amstutz told Walker an explanation for the contract would be written out and delivered to her to pass onto association members. Amstutz didn’t say when the information would be made available.
Also Tuesday, board members approved the $56,226 purchase of a new 72-seat school bus from Kerlin Bus Sales of Silver Lake. This price includes a reduction of $4,000 for the trade-in of two used buses.
Kerlin was the low bidder. Bids were also submitted by Cardinal Bus Sales of Lima, Ohio ($60,250 with a $3,500 trade-in allowance) and Midwest Transit of Indianapolis ($57,750 including $4,900 for the trade-in).
In other business, the board appointed the First Bank of Berne as the corporation’s loan institution for the 2005 tax anticipation warrant. The bank offered the loan with a 2.97 percent interest rate.
The corporation can borrow up to 80 percent of the amount of tax money the corporation is expected to receive from property taxes collected from residents in the school district. The money must be repaid by Dec. 30, 2005. These borrowed funds will be used for general expenses in the corporation.
Also Tuesday, the board approved the first reading of a revised facility usage policy for gymnasiums at South Adams high, middle and elementary schools.
If the policy is approved a second and final time at the board’s January meeting, it will charge all non-school sponsored events $20 per hour for a custodian to be at a school for a group’s event on Saturdays. The change affects all non-school-sponsored volleyball, soccer and AAU basketball teams.
Also Monday, the board:
•Approved a request by the Geneva Park Board to create a 60-foot by 80-foot gravel parking lot off Shackley Street, near the baseball field at Kofax Park located on the south side of Geneva.
Permission was needed because the school corporation owns the land where the proposed parking lot will be constructed.
Geneva Park Board member Jason Wilkie told board members the current parking at the park will not accommodate the expected crowds that will attend the semi-pro Geneva Cardinal baseball team games in 2005.
•Authorized school corporation officials to pay necessary claims, reductions and transfers needed to balance accounts in the corporation’s budget. Bailey said Tuesday the budget must be balanced by Jan. 1.
•Appointed board member Steve Hampshire to serve on the Geneva Park Board. According to the town’s policy, a school board member must be appointed to serve on the board.
•Approved the resignation of South Adams High School junior varsity softball coach Amy Meyer.
•Approved the appointment of Doug Beall as the fifth and sixth grade girls basketball coach.[[In-content Ad]]
That fact was apparent at the South Adams School Board meeting Tuesday where association members were wearing stickers that read “849 days without a contract.”
Despite recent contract negotiations surrounding the corporation’s deadline to sell pension bonds, the school corporation and the association have not reached an agreement on a teachers’ contract.
The groups would have needed to sign a contract by Nov. 15 in order to sell pension bonds by Dec. 31.
The school has about $3 million in unfunded liability for retirement and severance payments. The bond money would have been used for the buyout and set aside funds for future unfunded obligations.
On Tuesday, board members voted to transfer $150,000 from the corporation’s general fund to a fund for growth in certified severance debt. These funds cover the growth in severance since July 2001, South Adams Schools superintendent Connie Bailey said Tuesday.
“(This) action is needed because we have not reached an agreement that stops the growth in our unfunded liability. We are only addressing the growth,” she added.
In related business, association president Jody Walker requested board members explain the new severance plan under the corporation’s proposed contract. Walker called the language used in the proposal “confusing.”
School board president Arlene Amstutz told Walker an explanation for the contract would be written out and delivered to her to pass onto association members. Amstutz didn’t say when the information would be made available.
Also Tuesday, board members approved the $56,226 purchase of a new 72-seat school bus from Kerlin Bus Sales of Silver Lake. This price includes a reduction of $4,000 for the trade-in of two used buses.
Kerlin was the low bidder. Bids were also submitted by Cardinal Bus Sales of Lima, Ohio ($60,250 with a $3,500 trade-in allowance) and Midwest Transit of Indianapolis ($57,750 including $4,900 for the trade-in).
In other business, the board appointed the First Bank of Berne as the corporation’s loan institution for the 2005 tax anticipation warrant. The bank offered the loan with a 2.97 percent interest rate.
The corporation can borrow up to 80 percent of the amount of tax money the corporation is expected to receive from property taxes collected from residents in the school district. The money must be repaid by Dec. 30, 2005. These borrowed funds will be used for general expenses in the corporation.
Also Tuesday, the board approved the first reading of a revised facility usage policy for gymnasiums at South Adams high, middle and elementary schools.
If the policy is approved a second and final time at the board’s January meeting, it will charge all non-school sponsored events $20 per hour for a custodian to be at a school for a group’s event on Saturdays. The change affects all non-school-sponsored volleyball, soccer and AAU basketball teams.
Also Monday, the board:
•Approved a request by the Geneva Park Board to create a 60-foot by 80-foot gravel parking lot off Shackley Street, near the baseball field at Kofax Park located on the south side of Geneva.
Permission was needed because the school corporation owns the land where the proposed parking lot will be constructed.
Geneva Park Board member Jason Wilkie told board members the current parking at the park will not accommodate the expected crowds that will attend the semi-pro Geneva Cardinal baseball team games in 2005.
•Authorized school corporation officials to pay necessary claims, reductions and transfers needed to balance accounts in the corporation’s budget. Bailey said Tuesday the budget must be balanced by Jan. 1.
•Appointed board member Steve Hampshire to serve on the Geneva Park Board. According to the town’s policy, a school board member must be appointed to serve on the board.
•Approved the resignation of South Adams High School junior varsity softball coach Amy Meyer.
•Approved the appointment of Doug Beall as the fifth and sixth grade girls basketball coach.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD