Guest Column from the St. Ignatius Federation of Teachers, MEA-MFT Local 3182
The teachers of St. Ignatius School District 28 have been attempting to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the Board of Trustees for the last 13 months without success. We feel it is necessary to inform the St. Ignatius community of the reasons for this impasse.
The board wants a change in the contract language giving them the ability to fire beginning teachers at will. The proposed change would overturn a 30-year-old contract provision requiring the board to state a reason for firing a teacher. We believe changing the contract in this manner would create a revolving door of new and inexperienced teachers, which is not an effective way to provide the quality education that our students need and that our community demands.
In addition, all other district employees have been given raises without being asked to give up long standing contractual language. The superintendent was given a 21-percent increase, the administrative team and classified staff received a four-percent increase in pay. The board’s “last, best and final” offer to the teachers is a 0.5-percent increase in pay. Although the teachers have offered compromises on the proposed language change, the board has made it clear that until the teachers agree to allow beginning teachers to be fired at will, the 0.5-percent increase is its only offer.
It appears that the board’s desire for the change in contract language is rooted in their belief that the existing contract protects “bad” teachers and prevents the district from firing employees. We most emphatically state to you that the contract does not protect “bad” teachers. The process for regular evaluation of and dismissal of teachers is clearly outlined in the existing contract. If utilized, the administration has the necessary tools and procedures available to properly evaluate teachers and release them from employment if they receive poor evaluations.
Our position is based on the principles of fairness and equity. If a person is being fired, it is only fair they be given a reason for being fired.
On the matter of equity, we did not go into negotiations expecting a four-percent raise. We are as aware of the economic climate of the times, as is everyone else in the community. Yet, the board has given a raise of 21 percent and four percent to all other school employees indicating the district has funding available for raises, and yet asks the teachers to accept a 0.5 percent raise.
Despite these events, we want to assure the community that our first priority remains the same (as always), which is teachers in the classroom doing what’s best for kids.