[Southsider2k12]

I am sure some people out there will have a response to some of their main points.

http://www.mcas.k12.in.us/documents/newsle...igan%20City.pdf

October 31, 2008
Dear Community Members, Parents, Teachers, Staff, and Students of the Michigan City Area Schools:
Many of you may be wondering and worrying about what is happening with negotiations for a new
teachers’ contract. This will provide you with the facts.

To review how we got to where we are today: More than 1,000 members of our community have been
involved in creating the MCAS Strategic Plan. These community members recognize that change and
innovation in our schools is critical to our city’s future.

The vast majority of our teachers have embraced the goals of the Strategic Plan and have worked hard to
implement it. The same cannot be said of the teachers’ union leadership.

Let’s look at the progress that has been made recently in our schools. Just a few examples:
• Test scores have improved in every area, in all subgroups.
• An early learning program has been established for three- and four-year-olds.
• Full-day kindergarten is now offered for all students.
• All three middle schools and the high school have been renovated.
• Two new elementary schools will open this school year.
• Technology advancements are directly impacting instruction.
• Alternative programs for suspended and expelled students have been established.
• School attendance has increased.
• Summer school has been expanded to include enrichment opportunities for all students.
• A new career/technical education initiative is under development.

Every one of these improvements has occurred because of the hard work of classroom teachers, staff,
students, parents, administrators, the School Board, and the entire community. When we work together,
we know great things can happen.

Straight Talk about Negotiations
The teachers’ union (MCEA) and MCAS have been negotiating the teachers’ contract for more than a
year. In June 2008, the teachers’ union declared an “impasse” in negotiations because it felt insufficient
progress had been made toward a settlement. Impasse is a legal procedure that helps parties resolve
conflict in agreeing to a new contract. The first step of impasse is Mediation; the second step is Fact
Finding. The MCEA knew when it declared impasse Fact Finding might occur.

On October 15, 2008, the MCAS negotiating team asked the Indiana Education Employment Relations
Board (IEERB), the agency assigned to oversee the process of impasse, to proceed to Fact Finding.
Even though this step was anticipated and lawful, the teachers’ union responded by authorizing a strike,
an action which is illegal in Indiana.

In addition, the teachers’ union leadership has sent out inaccurate and misleading information to the
community and its membership regarding the status of negotiations and proposals MCAS has made.

FACT: Teachers still have a contract, and it will remain in effect until it is revised through
negotiations. The existing contract will continue throughout negotiations, Mediation, and Fact Finding.

FACT: During Fact Finding, the State conducts a public hearing, at which both sides present their
proposals. A State-appointed Fact Finder then issues a neutral, advisory opinion. Both sides return to
the bargaining table with this opinion as a roadmap. Fact Finding does not end the negotiation process,
and it does not cancel any progress that has been made.

FACT: The Michigan City Area Schools’ negotiating team did not believe a settlement was
close when it requested Fact Finding. The State-appointed mediator initially proposed two mediation
sessions to reach agreement, noting if agreement had not been reached after these two meetings, it
was appropriate to move to Fact Finding. In an effort to reach agreement, a third Mediation session
of almost six hours was held, but the parties remained far apart. Some significant issues had not been
addressed by both teams. The MCAS negotiating team concluded it was time for the next step: Fact
Finding.

FACT: Fact Finding is not a delay tactic. Mediation has not resulted in agreement. Fact Finding
will clarify the issues.

FACT: Until MCAS asked to go to Fact Finding, the teachers’ union leadership had not shown any
sense of urgency in reaching a contract settlement. While MCAS will not speculate on the reasons for
this, the facts are clear:

• The teachers’ union initially declared impasse in August 2007, and then delayed for more than
three months before deciding to return to negotiations in November 2007.
• In June 2008, the teachers’ union declared impasse again. This time, a Mediator was appointed
by the State of Indiana, but the union’s chief spokesperson was on vacation so no meetings were
scheduled until August 27, 2008, causing another delay of more than two months.

FACT: The MCAS negotiating team has presented a number of innovative proposals.

FACT: Teachers need time during the school day to collaborate – to meet together to address
students’ needs. Collaboration is important to our teachers and is a major focus of Strategy 5 of the
Strategic Plan. The present teacher contract does not provide for collaboration. Currently, elementary
teachers have 390 minutes per week scheduled without students – equal to one full school day each
week. Some of this time must be devoted to collaboration.

FACT: The majority of teachers do not participate in professional evaluation or personal growth
reviews. Evaluation is limited to writing one goal a year. We must assess teachers’ strengths and
provide training in areas of concern. Teacher growth and development is key to improving student
achievement.

FACT: The teachers’ union has made respect an issue in contract negotiations. The teachers’ union
leadership, however, has used various means to create an atmosphere of negativity and animosity.

FACT: The teachers’ union has voted to authorize a strike, which is illegal in the State of Indiana.
The Bottom Line

Michigan City Area Schools is blessed with many talented teachers who work hard every day to
educate our students. Now is the time for innovation, change, and teamwork. Working together, we
can boost student achievement and restore pride in the Michigan City Area Schools. More than ever,
the school system requires positive, proactive, dedicated individuals who will continue to support the
MCAS Strategic Plan. The future of our entire community depends on it.

The Michigan City Area Schools Negotiating Team

[Ang]

Was this approved by the spin-doctor?

IMO, this is an attempt to sway the general public to be against the teachers.

Humph!

[Southsider2k12]

There are a bunch of things wrong with these "facts". Many of them are half truths or just BS.

Such as...

FACT: Teachers need time during the school day to collaborate – to meet together to address
students’ needs. Collaboration is important to our teachers and is a major focus of Strategy 5 of the
Strategic Plan. The present teacher contract does not provide for collaboration. Currently, elementary
teachers have 390 minutes per week scheduled without students – equal to one full school day each
week. Some of this time must be devoted to collaboration.

If this is so important, why did the MCAS propose and agree to taking away a plan period from the HS teachers each day and forcing them to teach an extra class. Notice they only mention the ELEMENTARY school teachers in their letter, right. Also I am curious exactly what standard they are using to come up with that 390 minutes a week. An elementary teacher doesn't have 80 minutes a day of extra time, unless they are counting their lunches into that number. I guess this is what we are paying $60,000 a year for... a professional BS artist?

and

FACT: Until MCAS asked to go to Fact Finding, the teachers’ union leadership had not shown any
sense of urgency in reaching a contract settlement. While MCAS will not speculate on the reasons for
this, the facts are clear:

Think about this for about two seconds. Why would the TEACHERS be delaying anything. They are the ones who have been without a contract FOR THE LONGEST PERIOD OF TIME IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF INDIANA! Remember they aren't getting raises, they aren't seeing any changes in their collective state at all. They are working under the terms of a contract that was agreed to about 5 years ago. Whereas if the Administration can delay this, they don't have to pay raises, give more benefits, etc. Give me one good reason why the teachers would be dragging their feet right now?

FACT: The majority of teachers do not participate in professional evaluation or personal growth
reviews. Evaluation is limited to writing one goal a year. We must assess teachers’ strengths and
provide training in areas of concern. Teacher growth and development is key to improving student
achievement.

FACT: The MCAS negotiating team has presented a number of innovative proposals.

As I have understood it, all of these proposals are unpaid extra time the teachers would have to work. I am curious exactly how many of them would be willing to add hours to their already long workdays for no pay? All of these types of things, such as all of these personalized learning plans for each student in the entire MCAS are unfunded mandates. They have been heaped onto the teachers, and they aren't getting paid for them. This is on top of all of the unfunded mandates that have been dictated by the Federal Government from No Child Left Behind. (which the Administration has a large problem with because it makes THEM work extra without pay).

FACT: The teachers’ union has voted to authorize a strike, which is illegal in the State of Indiana.
The Bottom Line

After almost 500 days of not having a contract. Meanwhile Michael Harding has gotten 3 contract extentions and 4 raises during the time since the teachers signed their last contract. Is anyone really surprised that now that the adminstration refuses to deal with the teachers, that they took the drastic action? Striking isn't what I want to see them do, because I know the administration wants to fire a lot of teachers, so they can bring the costs down in the school system.

[Roger Kaputnik]

Call the school admin office and state your objection to their using the mcas website for partisan use.


And don't forget to vote.