Parent Script August 2011

8/4/2019 Parent Script August 2011

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ScriptforNeshaminyParents

Hello,mynameisNAME,andImateacheratNAMEOFSCHOOL.MayIspeakto

PARENTNAME?

Asyouknow,thefirstdayofschoolisrightaroundthecorner.

BEPERSONABLE,TALKABOUTYOURCLASSROOM(SUPPLIES,UPCOMING

LESSONS,WHATTOEXPECT,ETC)THISSHOULDBEABOUT12MINUTES.

ANDIFITDOESNTCOMEUPNATURALLYINTHECONVERSATION

Iknowtheresalotinthenewsrightnowaboutthestalemateinourcontract

negotiationsbetweenteachersandtheSchoolBoard.

Afterfouryearsofworkingwithoutacontract,anddespiteteacherseffortstooffset

healthcarecostsandfindmiddlegroundwiththeSchoolBoard,wearenoclosertoreachingacontractthanwewerelastyear.

Itsbeenhardforeveryoneinvolved.Asteachers,wetakeourworkveryseriously,

andourstudentseducationhasalwaysbeenapriority.

TheSchoolBoardhaspittedteachersagainstthecommunity,andIwanttosayit

shouldntbelikethat.ThatswhyImcallingyou.Itsimportantthatteachersand

parentskeepopencommunicationandthatyoushouldfeelfreetocallme,andI

hopeyoufeelthesamewaysinceweallhaveasharedinterestinthesuccessofyour

child.

Asyoumayhaveheard,teachersvotedtoinvokeaWorktotheContracttobegin

immediately.

Thistimewewillbecommunicatingmorewithyouandothersinourcommunity.

Itsvitalthatparents,residentsofNeshaminyareinvolved.

Thistime,teachersworkingtothecontractwillreportthefirstdayofschoolonAug

29forourinservicedayandeverydayafter15minutesbeforethefirstbell,and

leave15minutesafterthelastbell.

TheSchoolBoardistheonlyonewhocanfixthis.Teachershavebeenleftwithno

otheroption.Butwewanttoworktogetherthistimewithyouinourcommunityto

ensureourchildrenhavetheeducationtheydeserve.

Ihopewecancontinuetokeepanopendialoguebetweenussotheresno

misinformationorliesabouthowtheSchoolBoardrefusestonegotiatefairly

towardamutualsettlement.


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TAKEQUESTIONS:

1. How is this work-to-contract action different from what you did last year? The goal is the same as it was then. We want to raise community awareness of

the need for compromise and good-faith bargaining to resolve the contract issues.And we want to work with parents and others in the community to find new ways

to improve the education of our children and to build understanding of why a new

contract is important to that shared goal.

But what about Back to School nights and student orientation programs?

Teachers will participate in regularly scheduled Back to School nights andorientation. Wherever students and parents are, we will be there.

And sports or other extra-curricular activities?

Teachers will continue to be involved in those activities if they are part of thecontract, or if they involve duties for which they are paidsuch as coaching.

2. How long will this work-to-contract thing continue? That is really up to the School Board. We are doing this to illustrate the wide

range of tasks that teachers are asked to complete every day that have nothing to

do with contractual obligations. And we hope to make the point that everyone

winsstudents, teachers, parents, taxpayersif the School Board is willing to

consider compromise.

We have outline the potential for savings on healthcare costs, and we have offeredsignificant contributions to health insurance premiums. The School Board

wouldnt even consider those proposals, even though they involved millions of

dollars for the school district. Instead, they threw back a contract proposal that

took a giant step away from compromise.

If they can give up their strategy of negotiating by ultimatum, and bargain ingood-faith, this work to contract will not last very long at all. But that is up to the

Board members. The solution to our long stalemate is literally in their hands.

3. What should parents and others in the community who care about ourschools be doing?

Please continue to speak with teachers, and find out more about this situation andthe truth about the contract talks over the last three years. There has been a lot of


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misinformationsome would say deliberate liescirculating out there. Take the

time to listen to both sides and learn the truth.

Teachers have been ready throughout this process to work with the School Boardto reach a contract that is good for students, and fair to teachers and taxpayers.

But we cant bargain with ourselves, and the School Board has repeatedly shownthat it is not serious about trying to reach a settlement through negotiations.

4. Is this work-to-contract action just a first step toward a strike? We absolutely hope not. That is not what teachers want. The School Board

knows that. But for every step teachers have taken to find middle ground, the

School Board has taken two steps in the opposite direction. Those are NOT the

actions of reasonable people, or of people who are honestly engaged in

bargaining.

So we are hoping that those who care about our students and Neshaminy PublicSchools will call Richie Webb and other School Board members and let them

know that they are the key to a resolution. We can reach an agreement and end

this divisive stalemate at any time the Board is willing to re-commit the honest

bargaining.

5. Iftheystartbitchingatyou. YouneedtocallRitchieWebbandtheSchoolBoardandtellthemexactly

whatyouaresayingtome.Itsuptothem.Iwishitwasuptous,thenallofthiswouldbeoverbynow.

Documents

Parent Script August 2011