Mahomet-Seymour teachers approve intent-to-strike notice
MAHOMET – The Mahomet-Seymour school district's teacher union voted to file an intent-to-strike notice Thursday.
About 122 members of the union out of approximately 260 members were at the meeting, and 110 voted in favor of filing the intent.
"It doesn't mean we will strike, but it certainly means we can," said Joan Jordan, co-president of the Mahomet-Seyour Education Association.
Jordan said the filing is being made because of the "lack of movement" on the part of the Mahomet-Seymour school board in negotiating the teachers' contract.
"We've got to get closer together," she said, referring to compromising. "They don't see the need in us getting any more money. We have to do what we can to protect ourselves."
The union's contract expires Aug. 17.
A meeting between the board and union is expected to be held Aug. 12.
The board has asked the union to go to mediation. The union, after its meeting Thursday, said that would be a good idea.
Terry Greene, president of the Mahomet-Seymour school board, would not disclose any details of negotiations, but he did say the union and board have met twice and have meetings scheduled to discuss the contract.
"We will meet anywhere, anytime, and are prepared to work as long as it takes to work out a contract that is fiscally responsible for our school district and our community," he said. "The board of education has and will continue to work very hard to negotiate a contract that is fair, affordable and protects students, programs and staff."
"We need to be very conservative and cautious in how we move forward in terms of spending," he continued. "We want to be fair. We want to be responsible. But at the end of the day, these are difficult times. Spending down our cash reserves at a time when storm clouds are circling and state funding has slowed to a trickle is a risk our board doesn't want to take. We've got to work together to resolve these differences and make sacrifices where we can. But given the current state of fiscal affairs, and predictions of more difficult times ahead, the board of education believes it would be unwise to make a financial U-turn at a time when so many families and businesses are hurting."
After reading this article, I reflect upon my education all the way from grammar school thru college. I was born in raised in Nevada, and graduated from the high school which was considered the most "inner city" high school in the area. To this day, I am proud of my diplomas, both high school and collegiate. What I have yet to understand is why families insist upon moving their children to "better schools". What I learned through my high school experience is tolerance, acceptance and appreciation, not just for myself, but for other cultures. I graduated in a class of 1500, 55% of whom were Hispanic, 40% white. I am very proud of the high school in which I attended, and am thankful for the experience.
What concerns me is the parents who do everything within their power to shelter their children, and expose them to nothing more than those who look exactly like themselves. What this does is not only create a fear of those who are different from themselves, but also creates what their parents possess; hate.
You may be asking why such a comment on this article. The reason is simple. Mahomet is ground zero for those who attempt to move and place their children into “better schools“. Fact is, living 20 minutes from C-U doesn't make the schools any better, it makes them worse. The children are blinded from the real world, and it is a shame that the parents believe they can protect their children from those who appear different from themselves.
I say, let your children go to the schools in which they are zoned. It will make them better human beings in the long term, despite your own fears and stereotypes, which hopefully your children won‘t subscribe to.
Shane, B.A.S.
Urbana IL
I do not see that this contract issue has anything to do with zoning or parents sending their children to Mahomet when they live in C-U. This is an article about teachers wanting what is right for them and their families. Teachers are no different than any other employee wanting to be paid a fair wage for a days work. Why Shane B.A.S wants to make it anything other than that I am not sure. And if it is about people wanting to send their kids to schools other than C-U that is their decision and they should not be looked down upon for that decision. After all why would parents want to send their children to schools that have fights, batteries and thefts on a daily basis. Look at the police calls for service at the Champaign and Urbana schools. Most people would be shocked at the crime in and around the schools. I however am not.
Shane, thank you for your "concern." I also have concerns. One relates to people from Urbana who feel the need add letters to a signature in an apparent attempt to lend credibility a totally unrelated comment on an article. Why don't you just stay in Urbana with people that think and act like you.... Oh wait, isn't that exactly what your accusing people in Mahomet of doing that creates fear and hate?
Did you even read the article?
I attended all of Mahomet's schools, so I think I would consider myself an "expert" in the area of what it is like attending these schools.
Shane, I read your opinions and thoughts on the matter of diversity, but I truly believe you have missed the boat with what you have written. What you are describing is the difference between what we as humans look like on the outside. Your rhetoric is the same sort of those involved in race relations, or can we call it politics. It saddens me that you have gone through life believing diversity is what lies on the outside of our bodies. Diversity to me is the unique qualities we as humans have inside our outer shell. I went to school with over 700 young adults, for the most part, they all had the same characteristics on the outside, but on the inside, we were so diverse that it created divisions or "cliques" just like you see in all those teen movies. You will see this at ever high school in America, no matter what their “race” is. I attend a church where we all look the same on the outside (for the most part). But on the inside, we are a melting pot of opinions, beliefs, backgrounds, hobbies, education and I could go on. From your point of view, there is no diversity at my church, we are all the exact same, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Our church is no different than the Mahomet’s schools.
I hope one day, that America will not label each person by the color of their skin, instead we all call ourselves Americans. I believe Martin Luther King, Jr. put it best in his “I have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. “
Shane, I have to ask, what does that have to do with the article? =)
Please do not misunderstand; for the most part I agree with you, Shane, and can relate to a degree. In terms of the article, however, I cannot help but wonder why lies beneath the surface. Surely the teachers are not merely threatening to strike for pure posturing. Surely the school board recognizes the threats on both sides of the fence, and from the small glimpse we have into Mr. Greene's thoughts, it looks like they do. What is the current that drives these thoughts? We would the teachers union want to start pulling out aces at a time like this? There is something else going on that is not obvious from the article. Perhaps Crystal can shed more light on this.
What exactly is a "fair day's wage"? With the quality of teachers nowadays, the number of days off (spring break, Christmas break, summer break, etc.), as well as sick, personal, and vacation days, medical/dental insurance, I think most teachers are paid plenty for the job they do. Is $35,000 for 7 months of work fair? The time for unions has long past. We're probably better off hiring hacks to fill the vacancies rather than bow to these teachers "demands".
Fact checker, please -- 7 months of work per year? Dream on!! Medical/dental insurance -- when is the last time you were advised of teachers' benefits? They are nothing to brag about!!
If you think teaching sounds like such a great gig, why don't you try it?
Same old union garbage....The school district has tried to build up working cash to survive future uncertainty, but the teachers want it all.....same old cycle--same old greed. I agree with J.B.1. completely; the unions are killing our nation.
In an economy in where many people are losing their jobs, taking pay cuts, these union thugs are not happy with the raise amount. They should be lucky to get any raise! All unions, especially public sector unions, should be abolished. Mahomet actually has a surplus and these greedy union "people" want to steal it all. But remember "we care about the kids". YEAH RIGHT!
I am getting more and more fed with how people act these days. I live in Mahomet and have children who go to school in Mahomet. Don't get me wrong, I fully support the teachers but what makes them believe that they should get raises during horrible economic times when people are struggling to meet the basic needs of their life. Eventhough the school district may have the funds in cash reserves, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that they need to save this money for any unforeseen events. I work at the U of I and I haven’t got a raise in several years. Isn't the State behind in payments to the school district and the U of I? Doesn't make a lot of sense these days!!
This is greed and the teachers are not even trying to disguise or hide it and the kids have to possibly miss school over greed. How much more money does one need to teach for a few hours each day? I hope this shows people what the whole town of mahomet has always been; greedy schools, greedy town. mahomet will be a ghost town someday. Less people, less taxes. Won't surprise me.
I agree with the statement regarding union greed and they have no idea what an at-will person goes through or is subjected to. Other than the 40hr work week and safety in the workplace, unions have become greedy socialists. The 40hr work week for at will employees went out the window years ago. I think it is time for those unemployed teachers who have the educational background ie teachers certificate call the board and cross the line. No need for the children to go without school or after school activities which the union want to hold over the head of the students and parents. If the union want to strike, then fine and if you quit your jo you relinquish your unemployment. I have been laid off since March, why unions forced my job overseas. I lost a 25 yr career and why? Unions went on strike so corporate moved operations to another state. As far as the comment about moving kids to a better school, they should have that option. Teachers get to choose where they teach so parents should get to choose where their children will be safe and have a better educational experience.
Some explanation as to why children should have after-school activities, please. "After school" is a parent's job, not a teachers. Even those looked upon as highly paid coaches don't reap minimum wage in the end ( and all for other people's children).
Having been a teacher myself, I am disgusted that in economic times like these, teachers in the Mahomet school district are hoping for a pay raise! Give me a break!
I come from 3 generations of teacher - and we all feel this way!
Thank God or whoever you believe in that you HAVE a job. Many people don't!!
STUDENTS HELD HOSTAGE!!! @ Mahomet-Seymour As Guerrilla Factions Battle Government Officials!!! Palestinian Guerrillas moved into position to attack the Gaza Strip, (Cash Reserves), Israeli Government Settlements earlier this morning!!! - should be the headline, just change the town name to Somalia, Holy Land or Afghanistan. The Holy Grail, (Money, Benefits, Security, Well Being, Prosperity, Human Rights, Unity, Equality), just pick one. You would think good, responsible people have like interest concerning all the children, teachers, administration at heart but obviously rather than stand strong together for everyone's best interest they would drown the one next to them then climb over to save themselves as the economy pulls everyone under. Now is the time to save as many as is possible, helping each other.
Unemployed, out of benefits, on welfare with 7 million + others and out of health insurance with 56 million + others. In case you don't get it, we are not paying taxes, government revenues have decreased with job losses in this world economy. We are not buying the average quantity of consumer goods, only what is absolutely needed. Adjust with the times or join our group, plenty of seats available. 122 out of 260 show and vote? wOw! That's better than an election but far less than the name union would suggest as in a full 260 showed and voted ah but that's what Timothy McVeigh would call collateral damage.
Hono9(chief
You obviously know nothing about the amount of time most teachers put in- a 40 hour week would be a welcome respite from taking home volumes of papers to be graded . Safety on the job is unheard of - teachers are physically attacked on a daily basis. "Assault on a school employee" is on the crime list of many students.
As far as parents wanting their children to be sheltered from the rest of the world? I say "Do what you can to keep them safe!" That's a parent's job. I am sick of those who are jealous of those who have opportunities because they have worked for opportunities.
Would I go on strike? Never, because the public has no concept of what goes on in schools; like most of you , all they see is a money issue. The real failure lies with poor or no parenting and when all is left up to a teacher with 30 kids in a classroom ( when 15-17 contributes to optimum learning), you don't get very positive results.
Schools will never be improved until the public, overpaid administrators, and school boards realize that crowded classroom give you the same results as over crowded living conditions. A few survive and thrive, but most do not. Until money is spent to hire more teachers and reduce class sizes, nothing will improve.
What's really missing from the story is why the union and the school board are so far apart that the teachers would vote to strike. Why are/should the details of the contract negotiations be kept confidential or not discussed publicly.
With the state billions and billions of dollars in the hole it is a bad year to negotiate a raise...
I thing the teacher's union need to be very careful with the way they approach this situation. I would like to know is if the teachers have had a raise in the past few years? A lot of hard working Americans have not had a wage increase in a long time. I know teachers work extremely hard, but so does the rest of America. First thing that needs to happen at every school district are pay decreases for the administrators. There is no reason for any government employee, besides the President of the United States, to make over 130,000 a year! Cutting from the top will save all districts money in the long run.
Comment about the surplus. Mahomet has a surplus because about 10 years ago a lot of teachers retired that were at the high end of the pay scale (between 70,000 and 105,000). Mahomet replaced those teachers with new teachers who were on the other end of the spectrum.
If you want to see how much the administrators and teachers make in your district, visit this website: http://www.familytaxpayers.org/salary.php.
Keep in mind those salaries include sponsoring clubs and activities, homework help after school ( another responsibility parents shirk-home work should be homework), teaching summer school, and coaching,working as department heads or team leaders and class advisers , to name a few things. Few are base salaries!!
This is ridiculous. In financial times such as these, asking for money is crossing the line from necessity to greed. I have a degree in education. I have taught. I did not go into that profession to get rich. I went into it because I wanted to teach children. If you can honestly say that striking is in the best interest of the students and not the teachers, then I could support it. Until then, I am disgusted. I too would like to know why the union and board of education in Mahomet are so far apart. Is it solely a money issue or are there other issues at play? Perhaps a follow up story could be done to shine some more light on the situation,
In August 2007, the News Gazette reported that the Mahomet-Seymour Education Association's new contract gave certified teachers a 5 percent raise each year, or a 15 percent raise over three years and an average raise of 6 percent per year for teachers' aides and other noncertified employees, or 18 percent over three years (http://www.news-gazette.com/news/education/2007-08-28/new-deal-increases...). With unemployment at record highs, layoffs, furloughs, and pay cuts or no pay raises for many state employees, the teachers & union will not find much support for their 'cause'. Teachers apparently think the current state of the economy doesn't apply to them. Maybe they should stand in the unemployment line instead of a picket line.
Thanks for the update. So I take it there contract is up and want the same 5% increase a year. Is that correct?
Thanks for the update. So I take it there contract is up and want the same 5% increase a year. Is that correct?
@Nana25, calm yourself and re read my post. The reference to the safety and 40 hr work week was a cudo to the Unions and other than those 2 things they fought for during our industrial revolution they don't serve any purpose other than costing us jobs. Safety was a reference to the terrible conditions the coal miners were subjected to and the 40hr work week was the sweat shops that used to be run 24/7 which was the cause of the child labor law act. With that said, I have never enjoyed a 40hr work week. Day starts at 5 until 5, come home for a bite to eat and then work on paperwork at home to get ready for another day. No one should ever be subjected to work place violence, school or otherwise and if you are that is a failure of your Administration and the local law enforcement. Which brings up your final statement as sheltering" the kids. Parents ability to protect the kids extends only to their front door then it is your responsibility to insure their safety. My life experience was a daughter who didn't make it through her freshman year, dropped out until I was able to get her out of the nightmare. I picked her up at school and the school looked like a minimum security facility with the only area for the students for leisure time was a fenced in area and they just walked around in circles for exercise. The only thing that segregated the cluster of students was by "gangsta" colors. I took her to another school, she finished in the honor society and is now an RN at a major hospital as a emergency roon specialist taking care of the "gangstas" as they come in with their wounds.
I can only laugh at most of these comments. Its all good unless the raise we are talking about not getting was YOURS. Then it would be a different story. The comments would be I work hard I deserve a raise. I work more hours than my salary pays me for. Blah blah blah. I know for a fact that teachers work more than the 40 hours they are payed for. In fact I know a teacher in Mahomet that works 60 plus hours a week on a 40 hour salary. How many of you would do that? Maybe the teachers should lock the doors when 8 hour day is over. No after school help, no sports, nothing after the normal work day that you and I probably work. I would like to see what people would say then. Go for it teachers make parents raise their own kids after 3pm. Oh and by the way the "intent to strike" is a required step (by law) in the process. so don't get your panties in a bunch. anyway when was the last time Mahomet went on strike.
The very first cut should be getting rid of ALL extra-curricular activities. Figure the costs of coaches, refs, sponsors, extra janitorial services, increased insurance liability, travel expenses, gate workers , timekeepers, trainers, music contest judges,etc. and NO sport or activity can pay for itself. Then cut operating costs by closing buildings as soon as school is let out. Lower electric and heat bills by keeping buildings open when school is in session. The number of students hanging around building, for "free babysitting" is appalling. Kids are dropped off early and picked up late.
Let's see, last contract 5% a year for 3 years makes 15% 3 years later. Inflation average 3% a year makes 9% 3 years later. A difference of 6% in favor of the teachers ahead of inflation. Kinda comfy, eh? State budget billions in debt, state funding being cut, most all state departments cutting employees or salaries and or benefits. Most private or public sector jobs increasing work loads, production goals and cutting staff and or benefits to remain profitable in a recessing economy. Small percentage of workforce growing because their products are being purchased by consumers choosing to buy their products. Public schools, funded by a tax percentage that remains constant whether the economy goes up or down because it is a percentage and not a fixed number. Seeing that tax dollars are decreasing it stands to reason so should those dependent on those tax dollars as the economy evolves by either cutting staff and increasing work loads or cutting pay across the board and increasing staff in alliance with the percentage of tax supporting the school. Hmmm. Laura Prussing adding fuel tax to give union road workers pay increase on backs of Urbana citizens. Seems that the Mahomet problem lies with the governor more than the students or parents.
Let's see, last contract 5% a year for 3 years makes 15% 3 years later. Inflation average 3% a year makes 9% 3 years later. A difference of 6% in favor of the teachers ahead of inflation. Kinda comfy, eh? State budget billions in debt, state funding being cut, most all state departments cutting employees or salaries and or benefits. Most private or public sector jobs increasing work loads, production goals and cutting staff and or benefits to remain profitable in a recessing economy. Small percentage of workforce growing because their products are being purchased by consumers choosing to buy their products. Public schools, funded by a tax percentage that remains constant whether the economy goes up or down because it is a percentage and not a fixed number. Seeing that tax dollars are decreasing it stands to reason so should those dependent on those tax dollars as the economy evolves by either cutting staff and increasing work loads or cutting pay across the board and increasing staff in alliance with the percentage of tax supporting the school. Hmmm. Laura Prussing adding fuel tax to give union road workers pay increase on backs of Urbana citizens. Seems that the Mahomet problem lies with the governor more than the students or parents.
Let's face it -- teachers have a job that is of the utmost importance. Teachers teach because they want to help students learn. They teach because students need someone to guide them. They teach because they know that all students can succeed and have the potential to do great things with their lives. Teachers do not teach because they are greedy!!
Teachers work hard -- they pour their hearts and their souls into their students and most love what they do. They are in the profession because they do have the best interest of the students in mind. However, just because they love what they do doesn't mean that they need to be taken advantage of. I can't believe some of the comments that I am reading that portray these teachers as money hungry or greedy. I will have you know that even with small pay increases (3%) each year, many teachers are still making less and less each year. The reason for this is because the cost of living (especially health insurance) is increasing at a faster rate than pay raises. Teachers have families, too. They need to support their spouses and children just like everybody else.
Teachers are selfless -- they come in early or stay late to help students with homework or review before an exam, they make countless phone calls home, they deal with crying children and mood swings, they grade papers on the evenings and weekends, and prepare for an upcoming year over the summer. Do we really want to make disparaging comments about the people that put so much of themselves into their jobs so that your children can succeed? Why are people so outraged that teachers expect to be treated with some respect because of a job well done?
Well put Bookworm2!
Ok - teachers have an important job. Yes, many teachers work hard, okay. Most people work hard. You're wrong when you say they are making less and less each year. This last year teachers in Mahomet got a 3% increase when the cost of living actually was in decline.
Many teachers in Mahomet are pulling down $50k a year, with benefits, and a retirement program that you can't even sign up for anywhere else. And realistically, they work about 8 months a year. Take into account a week for spring break, two weeks at Christmas and 5 or 6 three day weekends a year and its 8 months. I'm not trying to trivialize their work - I'm not saying its easy. Maybe they stay up late and grade papers, maybe they stay after school and help out kids.... I'll grant that - but they still work about 8 months a year, and they still do about the same amount of work that most everyone else does.
If I have to pay my second half of my property taxes just in time to send my kid to daycare while they're on strike this fall I'm going to be one p*(#@sed off parent. Go to work, period end of story.
And don't forget Band, and Debate teams, and science clubs and cheerleading, cafeteria help. Janitorial services can be achieved like clogged toilets, waxing floors, spraying for roaches, mowing the ground by the teachers. I think that is a great idea Nan25.
HMMM! Those would come under "etc" FYI- Etc. means "and others"
Why would a teacher want to take a job from a janitor?
You do not deserve a raise for doing your job. You earn a raise when the company is profitable from doing your job. Raises go in hand with success and failure of the bottom line. The bottom line is decreasing because of the economy and everyone is having to ride this through for better or worse. No exception to teachers, administrators or students. Cut what needs cut to maintain the core values. Teachers should modify their budgets to cope like the rest of America. Anything more is a social crime worthy of dissolution to save the innocent students from being victims. Being able to do something you love is a perk, reward, well done, enjoy it. It is not a reason to argue for more pay. Can you do your job without any raise? Its time to see if you truely are worth what you are being paid now and not worth paying more to see you repeat what you already do.
Well thinking that schools are not in the business of making money it might be a long time before a teacher could earn a raise with your way of thinking. Sure wouldn't want to be a teacher in your school. Oh and have you taken a cut in pay to help out the world even though your employer has cut the amount they are willing to put towards your health insurance. Thus costing you more than what you are even asking for in a pay raise.Most likely not. And having a job that you love does not mean you should not be payed a fair wage for doing it. After all when a student fails to learn or God forbid drops out its always the teachers fault. That maybe the school should hire better teachers. Well "better" teachers cost money. So unless you want to home school, pay the price. I know I am willing to.
Yes, I have taken a pay freeze and my insurance has gone up. So, as we all know, I am taking home less. In these financial times, I am glad to have a job. Even though they have money in the bank at this time, I am glad my company is taking measures to ensure that jobs are saved. It means that my family has to budget a little tighter and make decisions a little differently. It sounds as though Mr. Greene is simply stating the obvious state of finances in the state today. I don't disagree that teachers work hard. But so do many others who are in different lines of work.
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