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[Southsider2k12]

That's right folks, probably the most important bit of information that I gathered at the meeting is that a discussion of Michael Hardings contract extension has been placed on the agenda for the next school board meeting on Tuesday October 28th at 6pm. By law the MCAS board has to inform Harding by December 31st if they are extending his contract or not. The timing is interesting as usual, as the board has scheduled the vote for the meeting BEFORE the election, instead of after it. The board pulled this same stunt two years ago. They are effectively tying the hands of the next school board by potentially guaranteeing that Harding will be there during their term, whether they would want him or not. There is no doubt in my mind that this will pass by the usual 4-3 vote that we have seen at just about every meeting. (Carlson, Lee, Gipson, and Jones for/Zeek, Burgwald, and Kintzele against)

In my opinion the board should table the vote until AFTER the election. In the true spirit of cooperation, the incoming board members should have their votes represented by the outgoing members in order to ensure that the votes opinions are honored, and not the agenda of 4. If the election places people on the board who want to keep Harding around, then they can still have the vote and the opinions of the voters have been honored. If they decide to change representatives, then that voice should be heard as well. Remember we elect people to vote how WE want them to vote, and not the other way around. If you feel your voice isn't be heard, make it heard. We have a week to contact our school board reps to tell them how we want to them to act in this situation. If you want them to vote a certain way, TELL THEM! If you want them to hold the vote after the election, TELL THEM! Each member has an email address and I believe they are all listed in the phonebook as well. Get a hold of them!

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...&TM=43076.6

Board tables action on MCAS chief's contract

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

Reaction from standing-room only crowd volatile.

MICHIGAN CITY - "It's Not Fair," a book read to Eastport Early Learning Center students in a presentation at Tuesday night's Michigan City Area Schools board meeting, ironically summed up the feelings of the audience present.

A standing-room only crowd of some 135 attendees were there to ultimately hear the School Board table a decision on extending Superintendent Michael Harding's contract.

Scattered boos were heard when Harding entered the room before the meeting.

School Board member Jim Kintzele said last week he wanted all board members to vote on the record about the contract since three members - Rick Carlson, Nate Gipson and Clyde Zeek - are seeking re-election Nov. 4.

Kintzele made a motion not to extend Harding's contract. The motion was met with loud cheers and clapping from the large audience. However, School Board member Jeff Jones moved to table the contract discussion until the superintendent evaluation is completed. The motion was seconded and resulted in a 4-3 vote in favor. The vote split along expected lines, with Jones, Kathryn Lee, Carlson and Gipson voting in favor of the motion and Kintzele, Zeek and Beryle Burgwald voting against it.

The decision prompted groans from the audience. Individuals shouted, "It's the taxpayer's business," "It's our kids" and "We want to teach."

Most of the crowd got up and left the room.

After the meeting, Phyllis Stark, Michigan City Education Association president, called the board's action unfair.

"We have not had a new contract and no pay increase," Stark said, "and they tabled his contract? What is the board trying to say to us?"

The MCAS teachers continue to operate under a contract that expired in June 2007. Recently, the school administration decided to move to fact-finding, which ended the mediation that was in process with the teachers' union.

"I think it's very clear that we didn't leave the table," Stark said. "We were so close to agreement. I just don't get it."

Harding didn't have much to worry about with the vote because his current contract extends to June 30, 2010. According to Indiana law, school systems are required to offer superintendents three-year contracts. If the board takes no action by the end of this year, Harding's contract will be good until June 30, 2011.

After the vote, Burgwald asked whether the evaluation was tabled indefinitely.

Jones said, "My feeling is, if we want to get this done, we can get it done quite quickly."

If the contract extension is put to another vote following Harding's evaluation, the board membership will be the same, since new terms don't begin until January, and would probably result in the same 4-3 vote in favor.

Shouts of "School Board note Nov. 4" during the meeting warned board members to expect changes in the board makeup following the election. But the new members would not join the board until Jan. 1, 2009, after the Hardingcontract issue was already decided.

Some who attended the School Board meeting waited for the public forum at the end. Bill Greene, a School Board candidate, said his children went to Michigan City schools "when they were good."

"It's sad when the leadership of our schools have lost respect from almost everyone in this room," Greene said. "On Nov. 4, people will speak out and change that 4 to 3 vote."

One woman, who said she was an Elston High School graduate, was concerned about the lack of teamwork among the board members.

Looking directly at Harding, she said, "You obviously have no respect for teachers and they have no respect for you. I challenge every citizen in Michigan City that on Election Day, let's make a change that's going to work."

A man in the audience thanked Kintzele for his motion on the contract and chastised the other members.

"Four board members employed the same delay tactics," he said. "Nov. 4 will be a watershed date for change."



Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.