July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
SA teachers, board nearing pact? (03/15/06)
South Adams School Board
By By BETH A. CLAYTON-
BERNE — An impromptu meeting that lasted until nearly midnight Tuesday between negotiators for South Adams teachers and the school board soothed tensions but did not result in a contract for teachers.
The negotiating session came after a heated discussion between board members and teachers who attended the regular board meeting held in the elementary school gym.
The back-and-forth exchange centered around the $900,000 severance buyout the board has offered to teachers. Board president Arlene Amstutz said that the school system has accumulated roughly $500,000 in a severance fund since 2001 but would have to take out bonds to make up the difference.
Board member Julie Mansfield went on to say that the board has been advised by the Indiana School Boards Association not to take out the bonds until a contract has been agreed upon with the teachers.
“It’s like taking out a mortgage without buying a house,” said Amstutz.
“The teachers first have to decide how that money is going to be divvied up,” added board member Denny Affolder.
The deadline for issuing bonds in connection with accumulated sick days is March 31, leaving teachers concerned that they will enter their fifth year without a contract.
Board member Tony Mellencamp interrupted discussion, suggesting that the board skip their previously scheduled executive session to hold a negotiation meeting.
“We’re willing to compromise and I think you are willing to compromise, so we just need to get to the table,” he said.
“I believe it is fair to say that severance is seen as a big issue for teachers, who have not found that last proposal from the board to be acceptable,” said SACTA member Michael Baer in an e-mail this morning. “But certainly, if progress is seen in open discussion, then progress is being made, thanks to concerted efforts on both sides.”
Baer added that another negotiation meeting is being planned for next week.
Superintendent Connie Bailey, who announced her retirement earlier this month citing health reasons, has repeatedly said she hopes a contract can be agreed upon before her retirement is effective on June 30.
In other business:
• The board accepted a construction schedule for summer renovations to be performed on the high school auditorium from John Lamson of the architectural firm Lamson & Condon, Inc.
Lamson said bids for the project, which will include renovation of the auditorium and new lighting and sound systems, will be accepted beginning March 31.
Lamson said he will receive the bids on April 25 and bring a recommendation to the board on April 28. Pending board approval, construction can begin June 5 and will conclude by October 10, in time for the band and choral concerts to use the new equipment.
Lamson also said construction will not interfere with ISTEP testing, which will be held in the auditorium between Sept. 19 and 21.
• The board also voted to move forward on a construction or renovation project for the elementary and middle schools.
A committee was formed including Tony Mellencamp, Steve Dobler, and John Crieder to lead community meetings and discuss what types of changes should be made.
“I think everyone in the community ought to have full access to all the information and be active participants in the process,” said Bailey.
Lamson & Condon Inc. performed an assessment on those buildings in 2002, though the board chose not to proceed with a new construction project.
Lamson said he would volunteer his time to review the assessment with the committee, though parts of it may need to be updated.
“There are things that should be looked at again, rather than just assuming that everything is okay,” said Lamson.
The formation of the committee was prompted by discussion from several elementary and middle school teachers at the February board meeting that their facilities were sub-par.
“I think some of the teachers who have spoken have some valid points and I think its time to get going on this,” said Mellencamp.
• The board voted to accept the retirement of guidance director Malcolm Stauffer, guidance secretary Linda Lehman and superintendent Bailey.[[In-content Ad]]
The negotiating session came after a heated discussion between board members and teachers who attended the regular board meeting held in the elementary school gym.
The back-and-forth exchange centered around the $900,000 severance buyout the board has offered to teachers. Board president Arlene Amstutz said that the school system has accumulated roughly $500,000 in a severance fund since 2001 but would have to take out bonds to make up the difference.
Board member Julie Mansfield went on to say that the board has been advised by the Indiana School Boards Association not to take out the bonds until a contract has been agreed upon with the teachers.
“It’s like taking out a mortgage without buying a house,” said Amstutz.
“The teachers first have to decide how that money is going to be divvied up,” added board member Denny Affolder.
The deadline for issuing bonds in connection with accumulated sick days is March 31, leaving teachers concerned that they will enter their fifth year without a contract.
Board member Tony Mellencamp interrupted discussion, suggesting that the board skip their previously scheduled executive session to hold a negotiation meeting.
“We’re willing to compromise and I think you are willing to compromise, so we just need to get to the table,” he said.
“I believe it is fair to say that severance is seen as a big issue for teachers, who have not found that last proposal from the board to be acceptable,” said SACTA member Michael Baer in an e-mail this morning. “But certainly, if progress is seen in open discussion, then progress is being made, thanks to concerted efforts on both sides.”
Baer added that another negotiation meeting is being planned for next week.
Superintendent Connie Bailey, who announced her retirement earlier this month citing health reasons, has repeatedly said she hopes a contract can be agreed upon before her retirement is effective on June 30.
In other business:
• The board accepted a construction schedule for summer renovations to be performed on the high school auditorium from John Lamson of the architectural firm Lamson & Condon, Inc.
Lamson said bids for the project, which will include renovation of the auditorium and new lighting and sound systems, will be accepted beginning March 31.
Lamson said he will receive the bids on April 25 and bring a recommendation to the board on April 28. Pending board approval, construction can begin June 5 and will conclude by October 10, in time for the band and choral concerts to use the new equipment.
Lamson also said construction will not interfere with ISTEP testing, which will be held in the auditorium between Sept. 19 and 21.
• The board also voted to move forward on a construction or renovation project for the elementary and middle schools.
A committee was formed including Tony Mellencamp, Steve Dobler, and John Crieder to lead community meetings and discuss what types of changes should be made.
“I think everyone in the community ought to have full access to all the information and be active participants in the process,” said Bailey.
Lamson & Condon Inc. performed an assessment on those buildings in 2002, though the board chose not to proceed with a new construction project.
Lamson said he would volunteer his time to review the assessment with the committee, though parts of it may need to be updated.
“There are things that should be looked at again, rather than just assuming that everything is okay,” said Lamson.
The formation of the committee was prompted by discussion from several elementary and middle school teachers at the February board meeting that their facilities were sub-par.
“I think some of the teachers who have spoken have some valid points and I think its time to get going on this,” said Mellencamp.
• The board voted to accept the retirement of guidance director Malcolm Stauffer, guidance secretary Linda Lehman and superintendent Bailey.[[In-content Ad]]
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