15-B Insider -- January 2004

This school year began with members in over 600 of our associations going back to work without contracts. The bargaining climate is particularly difficult as districts use the State’s financial crisis as an excuse for seeking insurance and wage rollbacks, all the while sitting on record fund equities.

Members are encouraged to attend the 2004 MEA Bargaining, Political Action & Public Relations Conference. With more than 150 sessions from which to choose, you have an unparalleled opportunity to broaden your knowledge base, expand your professional network and hone your skills. The conference is February 5-7, 2004 at the Hyatt Regency, in Dearborn.

Settled: Cadillac EA; Manton EA & ESP; Pine River EA; Pine River ESP

Bargaining 2003-04: TAS of Cadillac; Evart EA, ESP and Transportation; Marion EA & Transportation; Wexford-Missaukee ISD

In the January 6th issue of the Cadillac News a headline read: "School’s biggest expense? Personnel."

It always makes me angry when school districts are reduced to a simple expenditure on an accountant’s balance sheet. What are schools without people? Without students, teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, food service, and custodial? They are just empty buildings. It is the people that give them life.

The story went on to indicate that the hardest cuts to make in any school system are in staff. However, it seemed to dwell on the cost of the people who make our schools run and didn’t bother to take time to research anything else.

According to a recent National Education Association (NEA) report on the status of the American Public School Teacher, the average teacher spends 12 hours each week on non-compensated, school-related activities such as grading papers, bus duty, and club advising. This time is considered part of the professional responsibilities as a teacher. Even more so, many teachers look at this time as a moral obligation to their community - and that time isn’t free. Teachers spend an average of $443 of their own money each year to meet the immediate needs of their students (NEA, 2003). But how often is this contribution, which doesn’t show up on a balance sheet, overlooked?

A superintendent quoted in the news article said that since the biggest expense in a district’s operating budget was personnel, cuts in other areas were irrelevant. Have they considered the significant amount of money that could be saved managing buildings more efficiently - or by trimming administrators? The statements in the newspaper left me wondering if the students will have to wear coats during class to stay warm, or if teachers will have to spend more out of their own pocket for supplies.

I feel that our bargaining teams, and most superintendents, are attune to the current financial situation in their respective districts. For many years teachers in the poorer districts have given up wages and benefits in response to the financial woes of their home district. Yet many of our districts now carry above average fund balances for that elusive "rainy day."

The bottom line is that cutting school employees should not be the first response to a budget crisis. Professional administrators are capable of seeing the big picture, and that includes having a policy of employee retention, not employee elimination. I hope the next article in the Cadillac News will delve a bit deeper into what the suggested cuts will do to the quality of education in the communities they cover. There is more to this than dollars and cents. Our children need properly staffed schools in order to get a good education. Not just teachers, but support staff as well.

I think Rev. Jesse Jackson said it best: "Children need all school workers. A person is not ‘just’ a janitor, not ‘just’ a custodian. Janitors can see children when teachers don’t see them. And bus drivers recognize that children who are disruptive on the bus are likely to be disorderly in the classroom. They are partners in education. We need each other to make this work."

OPIE packets have now been distributed to each association - and the process begins!!! You will soon be given an opportunity to nominate someone in your association who deserves special recognition for going "above and beyond" – and often without much recognition. What a privilege – both to have the opportunity to nominate someone and/or possibly be nominated yourself! I encourage each association to take part in this annual event. It is a wonderful opportunity to come together as an educational community with members, their friends and families, superintendents, school boards and administrators.

Our banquet will be held on Thursday, April 15^th at Timber Wolf Lake. Those of you who attended last year know what a beautiful, rustic setting this is – and the food was delicious! Reservation forms are available through your local association or from the Uniserv office. We are continuing to hold the price at $15.00 per person on a first come-first served basis. Reservations are limited so get yours in early!

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