SDCSC boards hears teacher concerns

Diane Raver

March 18, 2008 10:43 am

— Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corp. teachers are still without a contract. About 60 of them and their supporters made their presence known at the March 13 SDCSC meeting.
Larry Sandman, Sunman, whose wife is a teacher, stated that his taxes went up. He asked board members, “Did this revenue get to the schools or did it go to Indianapolis? .... If our taxes went up that much, it seems like we would have enough for teachers’ raises ..... and you would have significantly more money coming in.”
Member Cathy Martini responded, “There was no windfall from all the people’s taxes.”
Ken Wilson, teachers’ union president, asked board members, “Are you aware of how many teachers do not get increment raises in this corporation? .... 38 percent (and) that’s a significant amount.”
Sandman added the veteran teachers “to some degree are being asked to take the brunt of this .... (because) they can get nothing or do nothing to improve their situation.
“The people who are upset have reason to be .... They have children in college and have bills to pay .... For them, at this point in their careers, they seem to be going backward.”
Wilson emphasized, “Teachers are doing their job .... and they’re supporting this community.
“I hope we can get rid of this attitude of us vs. them – the administration vs. the teachers. I would like to see us sit down and talk .... and work it out.”
Jim Singer, Indiana State Teachers’ Association representative, revealed he has worked at bargaining contracts for over 30 years. He said, “The teachers’ group I’m working with here is by far the most patient group I’ve worked with.
“Since Aug. 1, we have had one response from the other side .... Since that time, we have not received another written offer from the board .... We’re still waiting.”
He suggested to the board, “Let’s show them (the teachers) some respect.”
President Kim Weber responded, “This is not about disrespect .... This is about a financial issue in our district .... (and) trying to come up with a way to find dollars. The bottom line here is a budget issue with the general fund.”
Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114.