By Robert Ihrig
My View
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“Kato school district wins in contract arbitration” was the headline of a March 5 Free Press story. This headline is misleading since the “district” will actually “lose” with this decision. While it will save money due to the lower costs of its proposal, it will lose the confidence, support and respect of its teachers who comprise the “district” and serve as the foundation of the education delivered to the 7,200 plus students in Mankato public schools.
During negotiations for the 2009-11 contract, the Mankato Teachers’ Association recognized the economic conditions facing the “district” by agreeing to a historic freeze on improvements in teacher salaries. It withdrew other proposals affecting special education, early childhood and adult basic education when the “district” pleaded poverty. It was willing to work in good faith with the “district” to craft a contract acknowledging financial limitations but respecting the professional experience, skills and contributions of Mankato teachers.
The arbitrator’s decision acknowledged that the district’s historic costing method was inaccurate since it does not reflect the real costs of the actual number of teachers employed this year. Using more accurate costing data resulted in a teacher proposal that cost less than what the district indicated it was willing to pay with its arbitration proposal. Despite this reality, the arbitrator ruled in favor of the district on the issue of “affordability” and the potential impact of budget reductions. That represented the “win” for the “district.” We are still trying to understand the logic of this ruling.
If affordability and budget reductions were the district’s concerns with the teacher proposal, Mankato teachers raise the following questions, which were presented at the Feb. 1 school board meeting:
It is interesting to note that the district’s last official proposal prior to arbitration offered and cost more than what it actually offered to teachers in arbitration. The MTA rejected this proposal since it did not address all major issues of concern to teachers but offered to continue negotiations.
Rather than showing its good faith and respect to teachers in arbitration, the “district” chose to present a “bare bones” proposal to save money but sent a resounding message to its teachers that “we do not respect you enough as professionals to provide the compensation you deserve.”
The school board added fuel to the fire of the “affordability” issue with its revised budget reductions proposal last week. It withdrew the proposed cut of $7,600 for the lead principal stipends which ensures that principals who do more will continue to get additional compensation while teachers will continue to be asked to do more for less. So much for shared sacrifice and real concern for the “bottom line.” The board also approved the cuts of 12.5 elementary paraprofessionals who work with teachers with large class sizes. Where are the priorities of the school board?
Mankato teachers perceive the actions of the school board and administration to be out of touch with economic and ethical realities. The clear signal they have sent is that they respect administrators more by providing salaries and financial benefits required to attract and retain them.
However, the same incentives do not seem necessary when it comes to attracting and retaining quality teachers. Teacher morale and school climate has taken a major hit with such attitudes and actions. While teachers will continue to be true professionals and provide quality education to our students, their confidence and respect for the school board and administration have been eroded.
Mankato teachers call on school board members to commit themselves to the values of justice, fairness and integrity. It is time to pay for the respect you say you have for teachers. The education of our children is priceless.
Robert Ihrig is a negotiator for the Mankato teachers union.
