Teachers’ union sets the record straight on contract requirements
By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times
The auditorium at the Coatesville Area Senior High School was packed with over 300 members of CATA Tuesday, some of whom spoke of the current contract negotiations.
CALN – Hundreds of members of the Coatesville Area Teachers’ Association (CATA) turned out Tuesday night for the school board meeting of the Coatesville Area School District to urge board members to come to an agreement to their contract that has been expired since Aug. 30.
Though it seemed to be business as usual according to the board meeting agenda, the packed auditorium with members of the teachers’ unions – all wearing blue as a sign of unity – and a surprising amount of high school students told a different story.
Not only did several union members speak one-by-one, they also individually clarified or disputed facts on a handout that was called, “Teacher’s Fact Sheet,” which was provided by the district at September’s board meeting.
Some facts the district listed as part of the contract are actually required by Pennsylvania Department of Education, such as 189 workdays, paid lunches, as well as 10 sick days and two personal days for those who work a normal school year.
Also noted during the presentation given by teachers is that district administrators also receive health care, prescription, dental, vision and life insurance plans, on top of their salaries as the teachers do, yet they all received salary increases.
Questions were also raised regarding the so-called improved technology. A survey sent to teachers throughout the district indicates repeated and ongoing problems with their new laptops and further feedback shows the laptops provided to them offer fewer features than the laptops they used previously.
Coatesville senior Meghan Atwell (left) pictured with senior Nia Giordano showed support for the teachers of the Coatesville Area School District at the school board meeting last week.
As teachers and students each took to the microphone to speak, the other students and members of CATA, who remained at their seats, silently stood in support of one another.
“I would personally like to thank the teachers who don’t give up and for emphasizing the importance of respectfully and responsibly standing up for yourself and others,” said CASH senior Meghan Atwell. “Everything you do and both academic and life lessons you give us each and everyday, will never be forgotten.”
“Please work with us,” said CATA president Audra Ritter at Tuesday’s meeting. “Let’s find a fair and equitable compromise so that we can continue with our mission to make Coatesville great.”
Jason Eckert, a teacher at the high school and 2016 Ross Kershey award winner, had not planned to speak but felt inspired by the support of the students.
“Forty-six of my students received full college credit because they passed the AP Human Geography or AP World History exam last year. My students saved over $70,000 in college tuition costs just last year alone.” Eckert stated. “I’ve been here 13 years, I have a master’s degree from Penn State and I make $59,700 a year.”
According to school board president, Dean Snyder, the negations committee, which consists of school board members Stuart Deets, Tom Siedenbuehl and Snyder, has met with members of CATA in 16 negotiation sessions so far.
Snyder states that CATA has come to the table requesting a salary increase of over 4.5% each year for four years.
From left to right: school board president Dean Snyder, superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner, recording secretary Karen Jackson and region one representative Deborah Thompson listened intently to each speaker during public comment.
“This is not sustainable for the taxpayers in our district,” Snyder said in a phone call. “Based on the information provided to the negotiations committee of the board, it appears that CATA has received salary increases of more than 4% in eight out of 10 years.”
“I always appreciate seeing people at our public school board meetings, however I have concerns if teachers may be giving one-sided information to students,” Snyder continued. “It is important for everyone to know both sides.”
“We want a fair contract to end this protracted situation with the School Board,” said Ritter in an email in response.
“The unexpected outpouring of support by our students at Tuesday’s meeting is a prime demonstration of the impact teachers have each and every day on the more than 7000 students in the Coatesville community. The pride our teachers felt seeing their students stand up and speak out and participate in their community can’t be put into words.” Ritter continued.
“As teachers, it’s about meeting learning objectives and making assessments but our ultimate goal is to train young people to stand up for themselves, to have the confidence to speak out when something isn’t right. To watch the maturity and advocacy of our students on display Tuesday night was nothing shy of inspirational. I hope the board feels the same way,” stated Ritter.
Superintendent Dr. Cathy Taschner did not respond to a request for comment.
Unfairly overshadowed that night is the unanimous school board vote to implement a boys’ lacrosse club team, subject to oversight and revisions by the athletic director, Vincent Leavy.
Also voted upon was the hiring of a new school district police officer with a salary of $57,500, effective Nov. 7, pending 168 forms.
Holcomb Behavioral Health will now be using two classrooms for truancy classes for parents and students; upon completion of four classes, truancy fines will be waived.
