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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.