Thanks to a NewsOverCoffee reader who submitted the following:
Went to the school board meeting tonight. Thought you'd like a rundown...
There were at least as many people at tonights meeting as there were at the last meeting. Several more parents were there and some had broght their children. Teachers support was approximately the same (as far as I could tell) as last months meeting.
Community corner got a little heated...
Dan Ifkowitz (pres NAEA) spoke first. He wanted the board to specifically address a couple items. Would the board return to the negotiating table? The board responded that they would. NAEA also wanted to know the salary paid to the board's negotiator. Board was unable/unwilling to give that information. NAEA stated that he thought that the board negotiator's salary should be public record.
Next, a teacher spoke about how if it wasn't for her students, "this would be a very unbearable year". She questioned the board's priorities in spending $$ for pools and athletics and not on teachers.
There were a few parents who spoke on the teachers behalf... Telling personal stories of moving her from out of state specifically for the schools. Current contract dispute has them questioning that. "Feeling cheated". One parent questioned why the board never returns her emails while the teachers always answered them. Dr. Lesky apologized if he didn't respond, saying that he usually responds to all emails within 24-48 hours.
Mr. Keller at some point during the parent/teacher responses stated that the board has offered several more offers to the NAEA and is still waiting for a counter offer from the NAEA.
The last parent to speak first talked about how her 1st grader's class had 29% more students than the average. She wanted to know why we hired an additional superintendent and not an additional 1st grade teacher. She also passed around (to the board) a chart/table (?-I didn't see it) that compared Nazareth housing prices and NASD PSSA scores to surrounding areas/schools. She commented that Nazareth housing prices were the highest and while the PSSA scores were not the highest, they were above average. She reiterated "give the teachers what they deserve". The heated moment came when she quoted the NAEA website quote attributed to Dr. Lesky where he says (I'm paraphrasing here because I don't have it front of me) that he didn't want NASD to be much higher than average in terms of teacher salaries....
This statement was rebutted by both Mr. Keller and Dr. Lesky saying that it "was not factual" and "was taken out of context". The NAEA pres-elect quickly questioned the board:
"Is it not true that the NAEA requested a neutral stenographer be present during all negotiations between the board and NAEA?" Mr. Keller responded "I don't know" and Mr. Butz responded "No comment".
The NAEA pres-elect then stated that they would be available to negotiate Tues/Weds/Thurs @ 4PM (any of those days or all of them). He reiterated his desire to "become a family once again".
That was about it for the community corner. Mr. Scott Shearer, Sr. Managing Consultant of Public Financial Management, Inc., Financial Advisors made a presentation regarding possible refinancing of debt. The motion was passed that they would continue to keep an "eye on things" and either make a decision at next weeks meeting or continue "to keep an eye on it" depending on the movement of interest rates. There were a couple of interesting items presented regarding the budget. Apparently, there is approx. $104M in proposed projects (which is inclusive of $71M in approved? projects). State Act 1 will limit the amount that millage rates can be raised (projected to be 4.17% cap on increase in millage for next year). On a side note: If anyone wants to see the budget and understand a little (?) better the numbers, go down to the admin office and request a budget.
On a somewhat related note, the Tax Study Commission has been regularly meeting but nobody from the general public has shown up. The next public meeting is Nov 13 @ 7PM in the admin board room and the public is invited (urged?; pleaded?) to attend.
There were no comments durng the wrap-up community corner. Next board meeting is Monday 11/23 at 7:30PM.
That was the report. The quote from the NAEA web site can be found here: http://www.nazteacher.org/contract.html
The Tax Study Commission is critical. If you have the opportunity please attend and let us know what is happening.
The school building projects summary from NewsOverCoffee is available here.
Lots to talk about, and I'd like to add given the quickness of getting information up regarding the teacher's potential strike, doesn't it seem the budget should be available online? Instead you have to go into the school during school hours to view a copy. Why not have it available 24/7?
If you have the material that was given to the Board (would this become public record by offering it at a meeting?) share it with me and I'll post it here for all to see. It'd be interesting material to see. I know from looking at the PSSA scores there wasn't a lot of positive material for Nazareth, but apparently this summary was good for the district.
Did you go to the meeting? What did you think? And again, my thanks to the reader who forwarded this summary of tonight's meeting.
17 comments:
Attending the meeting last night it was very obvious a few of the board members appear to have a bone to pick with others including some of their own fellow board members. You could easily pick up on the tension after Mr. Keller's responses to different issues including those brought up by his own group. Again, I have notice the women of the board hardly say a word. There was such a feeling of mistrust and arrogance in the air when
the teachers' union would ask for a reply or confirmation especially to the hiring neutral stenographer for the nego.
All I can say is from on meeting this is a very hostile enviroment and if they cannot work out an agreement, I can see where many top quality teachers will seek positions elsewhere. It is too bad that students education is a hard piece to fit into this puzzle. More so after Mr Maher spoke of being sure the new MS building facade would be appealing to look at when you drive by it on Friedenstahl Ave and maybe even call on Nazareth historical committee folks to see if they have suggestions to keep in line with the colonial look etc. All fine and dandy but I can see where already the school board and admin can easily lose site of what the top #1 priority in these building and that is the Quality Teacher-Student Education. New is already nice why all the added expensives. I can see done the line if this building get way out of control cost wise, again, the future hs addition and new gym will become the tajmahal. Such as existing MS library, totally out of line, one could of scaled way back and still had a great library. "Needs over Wants" We need our kids to have teachers that can teach in a positive enviroment not outragous building cost. I really encourage parents to go to school board meeting and listen and ask, keep these folks on there toes.
I attended the board meeting last night. I am a parent with children in Shafer and the middle school. I have lived in Nazareth for almost 2 years and like most other newcomers to Nazareth with school-age children, I moved here for the highly praised school system. It doesn't seem to me that the school board understands the importance of keeping this status. If the teachers are not supported (both in getting better health care and salaries), they will leave or choose not to work here in the first place. A high-quality school system is simultaneously with a high quality of life. People who care about education care about and support their community. These are the kind of people you want living here and moving here.
I read the Express Times article and was surprised by Mr. Keller’s last comment that the presentations made last night were to intimidate the board. OH COME ON! The parents and teachers that were brave enough to stand up their and present their issues and views were truly concerned. It wasn’t a ploy or a negotiation tactic. It was obvious how heartrending it was for some of them. They were trying to make the board understand the importance of giving the teachers what they need and deserve.
In my opinion if the president of the board thinks this way and this his attitude, it’s going to be difficult for the education association to get what is fair for the teachers.
Again, and this is the biggest problem for me, the teachers have not said what they want.
They haven't showed how their medical is the worst in the Lehigh Vally. They say it and hope people buy in (which they seem to have) and have sympathy for them as a result.
Same is true with the salary. They say it is low, and that teachers are leaving Nazareth (one example of this has been given and none of us know the circumstances), but both sides have shown they can play with numbers. How much more do they want? This is rather important, but yet it goes unspoken.
One of the "big" issues was planning time, but little has been said about it. One reader noted the length of school day in comparison to other districts needs to be considered, but I've not heard it discussed.
There are a myriad of issues, but unfortunately we are stuck with emotion and speculation because we haven't been told what the teachers want.
Could it be this the way of nasd board is reacting to the input of people moving here with all the associated ^ costs. Will this be the excuse the board is looking for raising taxes? There was mention last night of the district's ^ costs that if there is chance the future mils would increase more than what the tax act allows for then the increase would need to go on the voters referendum and if is voted against allowing the increase in mils then services and programs will need to be cut as stated by Dr. Lesky. Ever think they are on the path to lead you to think only teachers salary and benefits will raise the taxes and keep us blindsided to all proposals in the nasd budget for a very costly future in new expensives and expansions. Looks like if the teachers get better benefits and pay, it will come back around as to this pay out is the reason the district will need to make cuts elsewhere and keep upping taxes. However, all the increases and new admin positions did not present us with a need to increase taxes.
I, too, was shocked to read the immature quote in the Express by school board president about intimidating the board. That quote just shows you the lack of respect to not only teachers but parents, students, taxpayers, and staff. Wake up community, this is a fine example of a published public statement that some members do not deal very well with the freedom of speech part unless we are in total agreement with their thought process and decisons. Since when is speaking your point of view at a school board and give compliments to teachers viewed as an intimidation tactic, they only want to hear what to hear. Maybe this is why emails and phone calls are not responsed too as mentioned above. This comment alone by Mr. Keller in the Express-Times is enough to sway my thoughts as to give the teachers what they want. We can see first hand what teachers are up truly up against. There is a meeting at the middle school this Thursday 7pm with teachers union and admin reps, quoted from today's The Morning Call to answer parents questions, again another chance to stand up and inquire. Note of caution... if you do speak out, you will be accused of acts of intimidation maybe even dissent. Funny if you are a teacher you might be told you are to represent the district and if not you may find yourself micky moused elsewhere.
An Eng teacher left the hs for a better offer at Parkland. This was stated at the parent community church meeting. My hope, for the students' sake is maybe by this Thursday a closer agreement to settlement is reached or settlement reach totally, if not it is not going to be a good scene. Please attend Thursday meeting and ASK.
I am skeptical about the claims that "quality teachers will leave" if the board doesn't cave in to the teachers union. So one teacher went to Parkland. That doesn't necessarily imply a trend.
Nazareth has never had any problems in attracting teachers. What are the differences in pay/benefits between Nazareth/Parkland? Is a teacher going to pull up stakes and move for $1000/yr? I doubt it. These moves are typically influenced by other factors (commute, where spouse works, family, personality conflicts, other opportunities such as coaching, etc.).
The threat that "teachers will leave" is a bluff. This is a perfectly acceptable negotiating ploy, but it's a bluff, nonetheless.
You make a good point regarding the bluff. As I recall, Parkland does not finish as high as Nazareth, but starts higher.
The biggest thing to keep in mind is current pay vs. pension pay, which is based on your three highest years of salary. So it is very important to be in a district that has a high top end, even moreso than a high starting salary, because you'll get the pension forever more.
Along the lines of a bluff is the misconception that higher pay will improve the quality of teaching. I don't think that gives our current teachers enough credit.
The good ones are going to do their best, those that did what they "had to" will continue to do the same. This is not incentive pay, its guaranteed, so why would it change their performance?
The teachers who complain now, will take the money and continue to complain. The ones that do a great job will continue to do a great job.
If we hung a raise out based on the performance of their students over time, then they would have an incentive to not only do a good job, but to encourage their peers to do the same. This probably won't ever happen.
But I do know what will - the district will always find a reason to blame having to increase taxes on issues that are "out of their control". Such as medical costs, employee costs, etc.
One quick fundraising idea would be to have the negotiations sessions in the auditorium and charge admission. I'd pony up a buck or two to hear what is so difficult for these two sides to agree on. Wouldn't you;-)
According to the account of the meeting, "one parent questioned why the board never returns her emails while the teachers always answered them."
I don't know what teachers were being referred to - but if you go to the Nazareth Teachers website, to the page titled "Contact Us", you can send them an e-mail. But guess what it says:
"Comments may be directed to the following link. This is for submitting comments only. Please do not expect a reply. Thank you!"
I would like to ask the teachers why their health care benefits should be so much better than the ones I get. I would like to ask them why they think that, though the salaries for other working people are governed by the market, theirs shouldn't be.
But they've made it clear - don't expect a reply.
At this point I am not sure it is all about the board caving into what the teachers union want. For a few years there has been with some of board members and admin, bad business/not so good fibes brewing, I think if teachers do leave they, being acknowledged would be a proirity. Again, this low morale has been getting worse than better. Teachers opinions, voices and first hand experiences were never considered on matters along with parent input or teacher feedback...and now it is only coming out in the public eye that we are being treated the same. Admin and board tries to intimidiate or ingore the public and teachers in their own way, so you do not hear much about matters of concern or they are greatly downplayed. This has been the policy of nasd for quite some time. Even without the strike issues suppressing of the voice of people is beginning to "unsweep"itself from under the carpet. Go to school board meetings, as very few taxpayers do and ask to see the budget and question who is accountable for what and demand to see where all the spending is going and if it is necessary??? They really beat around the bush and lack the ability to give direct honest true to fact answers is evident, for some of us this is nothing new"as you will be told this is the way it has always be done at Nazareth", for others have given up so please be persisant, the board is in public's eye and they need to provide us with answers we seek. One or two people will not to be able to do it alone.
Actually I heard the teacher who went to Parkland will get aobut 3,000 more a year, better benefits, factors were not mentioned. Good question for you to ask at information meeting this Thursday meeting at 7pm at the middle school. Is the board hoping for some early retirement out of this, only time will tell?
The teachers are being offered a fair contract. If the district loses a handful of teachers who decide that an opportunity in another district better suits their current life situation, that is called normal attrition. It happens everyday in the corporate world. EVERYBODY is replaceable. Nazareth will attract new teachers every year. A huge factor in our children's success in school is the high parental involvement we have. Every public school offers an education to the students who attend. Support at home is a key difference between districts. Parents-- don't lose sight of that. You cannot just blindly say 'give the teachers what they want' and sign a blank check. Every position whether in the corporate world or academia has a market rate associated with it. Given the cost of living in the Lehigh Valley and comparison of surrounding districts-- this contract is fair. Emotions are running away with people because children are involved, but the bottom line-- this is a business decision. A fair salary and benefits package for a worker. Afterall, where would our economy be if corporations gave all employees what they wanted everytime they asked for more so that they wouldn't leave?? Do some districts pay a little more-- yes. Do some pay a little less-- yes. That's life. Someone will always have more than you and someone else will have less. Do we not tell this to our kids when they point to a friend who just got a bigger or better 'something' that they want too?
The parent mentioned she was referring to all the five and nine years of her children teachers time at nasd schools and staff on an individual basis.
Please note :This Naz teachers website nazteachers.com is brand new as of just last week and represents the teachers union, not individual staff members.
Although I would like to add
There is no mention on the nasd school board and administration website stating" do not expect a reply" but at school,pta meetings, school handbook of policies and school website etc we are
instructed how to contact
all employees and employers of the district by email and to use as a 1st line of communication.. I too have sent emails and placed phone calls to admin and board members as I hear many other parents did in the past and never heard a word back from admin or school board.
I would understand as to why if they too would post do not expect a reply, but they do not and encourage you contact them by email.
Give the teachers bonuses based how well the students do and increase preformance such as on pssa tests results since pssa and standards have become the holy grail of pa public education and the straw that breaks the camel back,(teachers) Actually, I think have read on cnn.com, some districts are doing so. Many teachers give and go beyond 105% but others do not. How can that be fairly decided by a paycheck. Parent student reviews?
The staff directories are available and most if not all have email addresses. It is the administration that doesn't list their email, only name and phone number on the district web site (unless I missed it let me know, but in most cases first initial and last name @nazarethasd.org will work).
When I've contacted admin I've found they don't react the way you come to expect in business. I've sent some that are never replied to and others that come back with a reply weeks later.
The problem with putting bonuses on a teachers students PSSA or other test scores is cheating. Read Freakonomics. In it the Chicago School System was used as an example and they did find instances of teachers changing students scores to improve their classes performance.
It was found out because they tracked students year to year, found bumps in testing, took the pool of those who experienced a big jump and determined if a number had the same teacher the year of the bump. For those teachers with several students who excelled and fell-off they examined the actual test and found answers were changed by the teacher.
In short, you have to be real careful how you select a measurement metric when it comes to student learning.
You also have to have someone management the performance measurement and to do that the district would probably require another assistant superintendent to get the job done.
Thanks to all for reading and contributing today!
I keep hearing that we should "support our teachers" or "give them what they want".
I have yet to hear what they want. For some reason, the teachers and the union refuse to spell out their wants.
More pay? An apples to apples comparison, breaking it down to an hourly rate (since we have a shorter school day than most surrounding districts) show that our teachers are compensated almost the same as other districts.
Better benefits? When their plan is better than probably 90% of the residents of Nazareth, why should they have better coverage than the corporate world? Oh, don't even start talking about their pension plan. You know, that thing that most of the rest of us have had replaced by a 401K.
For all I know, the teachers could want a 50% pay increase, but alas, they REFUSE to tell us what their desires are.
I am thinking that a lot of this derives from a deep resentment that Dr. Lesky was given a large increase, something that was extremely poorly timed, and in my opinion, undeserved.
Will I blindly support the teachers, NO. These are MY tax dollars that they are talking about, and if they want to get more of them, they had better open up and tell me what their request is.
So again I ask (over and over again through various posts) to all the teachers who read this site.
WHAT DO YOU WANT!!!!
To get to the school district's board members email go to the district website click on school board ,you will find photos of the member and their name under them in blue, click on that blue and this will bring up their email address.
Right, the board members have pictures included as well as the email address, but the 'central office' administration - Superintendent, Asst. Supers, etc, etc., only provide a phone number.
It's almost hard to believe that on their own web site you can't get an email for these individuals.
One would think of all peoples(North Campus central office) they should be the ones providing their email links too. I am surprised they do not do so.
It's true. Those who teach because they love teaching will be content with whatever they are given in the contract. Those who teach for the money will not and might look for a job teaching in a district where they will make more money. Oh, well --- Cet la vie. It must be looked at as a business deal. There is always home scooling if you are not a satisfied parent.
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