The Independent-News, Volume 121, Number 30, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 7 December 1995 — Page 1

INDEPENDENT NE WS j

VOLUME 121; NUMBER 30

Christmas CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON The Oregon Twp. Home Economics Club is planning a Christmas luncheon, to be held at the regular meeting, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 12:30 p.m., at Al’s Diner, Koontz Lake. A chicken luncheon is being planned. Members are to bring a $3.00 grab bag gift and «re welcomed to bring a guest. Reservations for the luncheon must be made no later than Dec. 6, by calling Pam Kaplowitz, president, at 586-3843. CHRISTMAS CANTATA SET FOR DEC. 17 The Teegarden First Brethren Church will present the Dutchtown Brethren Church Choir performing the cantata, “Home For Christmas” on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 5:00 p.m., at the church. For directions or questions please call 9353567. Refreshments will be served following the cantata and the church is handicap accessible, CHRISTMAS CANTATA IN NORTH LIBERTY SUNDAY, DEC. 17 The North Liberty United Methodist Church Choir will present a Christmas cantata, “Love Came Down,*’ by Stan Pethel. The cantata will be presented during the morning worship service, Sunday, Dec. 17, at 9:30 a.m. The choir is under the direction of Mrs. Madelyn Nelson. This is a dramatic and appealing cantata which celebrates the miraculous birth of Christ. The scrip-ture-based narration is scored with a perfect balance of original anthems, modified favorite hymns and carols. It begins with “Love Came Down At Christmas” and continues with “The Promised Coming.” You will hear familiar hymns balanced together. A tender and smooth number follows, “The Holy Child.” Becky Burch is soloist for ‘‘Child So Lovely.” A medley of Christmas carols is the focus in “The Angels Sang.” Narration during the cantata will be given by Pastor Fred Stayton and Caroline Shupert. “Mary,” will be

WALKERTON, IN 46574

John Glenn Education Assoc. Clarifies Bargain ing Position Recently, developments have occurred in the John Glenn School Corporation which threaten to polarize this corporation’s public, parents, students, school board, and teachers. The public must understand that the contract settlement the teachers are requesting will by no means adversely affect the financial strength of the corporation, cause the corporation to use its vast cash surplus, take money from any other employee not covered by the teachers’ contract, or raise taxes. The school board and superintendent know this, but they are encouraging the public impression that teachers are being unreasonable. Regarding the school board’s recent press release, certain facts must be clarified. 1. The John Glenn bachelor’s salary schedule compares favorably with Penn’s bachelor’s schedule, but most John Glenn teachers are master’s teachers with 10 to 20 years of service. It is the master’s schedule that has been the major issue of bargaining. 2. Contrary to the report that John Glenn’s salary schedule is equal to Penn’ schedule, a master’s degree teacher in the John Glenn system makes $5,000 to SIO,OOO LESS than a master’s degree teacher in the Penn School system. In fact, almost any area school pays better than John Glenn on the Master’s schedule. The majority of John Glenn’s teachers with ten or more years of experience and a Master’s degree are paid S2OO to S4OO below the state average and over SI,OOO below the average of schools in the local bargaining district (Marshall and Elkhart Counties). A three percent increase will continue to maintain that below average status. 3. The corporation does have an attractive doctoral degree pay scale, but not a single employee has reached that level of education and, therefore, cannot receive such a salary. In fact, so many of John Glenn’s teachers give an inordinate amount of time coaching athletic and academic teams, maintaining outstanding musical and dramatic programs, teaching night school and summer school, and organizing extracurricular activities for students, that they do not have the time to further their education and thus increase their salary to the level recently reported in the school corporation’s press release. 4. Many area schools pay more toward health insurance coverage than the John Glenn system. A John Glenn teacher taking the single health insurance plan pays over S6OO out of pocket each year. A teacher taking the family health insurance pays over $2,000 out of pocket. 5. Regarding new revenue for 1996, the proposed three percent salary increase would cost the corporation only one third of the new revenue (not two thirds), thus strengthening the corporation’s financial base. 6. Contrary to the recent news report, a state mediator is not allowed to recommend a settlement in mediation. His sole responsibility is to assist in reconciling differences. 7. The superintendent and the school board have not been forthright with either the teachers or the public. Since bargaining began in May, positions have been misstated to the media, and the board has made demands and suggested proposals that would be unacceptable to most working people. The John Glenn Education Association is an organization of teachers whose main objective is to effectively educate the students of the Walkerton, North Liberty, Teegarden and Tyner communities. For many years, the education received in this corporation has exceeded expectations in many areas, and the community should be proud of those achievements. Much of the school’s success must be attributed to the unwavering dedication and loyalty of its teachers. In return, the teachers are only asking for fairness, respect, and HONESTY.

narrated by Julie Bontrager and “Joseph,” by Todd Burch. You are welcome. Come and enjoy the awe-filled moments of this magical season.

Ring In The Season With An Advertisement In The Independent

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1995

Community Calendar

THURSDAY, DEC. 7 4:30 p.m.-North Liberty sth grade basketball team to host St. Patrick. 4:30 p.m.-Urey boys basketball team to travel to Culver. 6:30 p.m.-John Glenn freshmen basketball team to host CMA 6:30 p.m.-John Glenn wrestlers to travel to St. Joe. 7:00 p.m.-Walkerton Elementary Christmas Concert. 7:00 p.m.-Epsilon Chi Tri Kappa to meet. Oregon-Davis girls basketball team to travel to Knox. Oregon-Davis jr. high basketball team to host North Judson. Oregon-Davis C-team basketball to play Argos oa the Wildcats floor. FRIDAY, DEC. 8 7:00 p.m., John Glenn boys basketball teams to travel to New Prairie. SATURDAY, DEC. 9 9:00 a.m., North Liberty and Walkerton Elementary boys 6th grade basketball tourney at LaVille. 9:00 a.m., Urey boys Bteam basketball tourney at Plymouth. 6:30 p.m., John Glenn boys basketball teams to travel to South Bend Riley. Oregon-Davis varsity basketball at Argos. Oregon-Davis girls basketball teams to host Kouts. SUNDAY, DEC. 10 2:00 p.m., John Glenn High School Christmas Concert. MONDAY, DEC. 11 Food drive at Urey ends. 3:30 p.m., North Liberty PTA Market Day in the cafeteria. 4:15 p.m., Walkerton Elementary boys basketball team to play North Liberty Elementary. The 6th grade teams will play in Walkerton and the sth grade teams at North Liberty. 6:00 p.m., John Glenn girls basketball teams to host South Central. 6:30 p.m., John Glenn freshmen basketball team to travel to North Wood. 7:00 p.m., Urey Christmas Concert at the JG High School. Oregon-Davis 7th and Bth grade basketball teams to host Lemans Academy.

35* PER COPY

Christmas Issue To Be Published Thurs., Dec. 21 The annual Christmas edition of the Independent News will be published on Thursday, Dec. 21. It is at this time that we try to contact all of the area businesses and industrial firms to participate in wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas.” As in years past we also will have the Season’s Greetings for those individuals who wish to send a special message to their family and friends at the holiday season. These will also be included in the Dec. 21st issue. Cost of these are the same as for a regular Happy Ad, $2.50. Cooperation in receiving news and articles for this issue as well as the New Year’s issue, which will be published on Dec. 28th, would be greatly appreciated. With the holidays falling on a Monday this year we are cut short of valuable time in getting the paper ready to be printed. Thank you all very much for your cooperation in getting the news and other articles to us at a timely fashion, this really does help along with our new deadline of 12 noon on Tuesdays for all copy including classifieds and happy ads.

TUESDAY, DEC. 12 5:15 p.m., Urey boys basketball teams to play LaPorte Kesling. The Bth grade teams will play in Walkerton while the 7th grade teams will play in LaPorte. 6:30 p.m., John Glenn wrestlers to host Culver. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13 4:00 p.m., Walkerton sth grade boys basketball team to host St. Patrick. 4:30 p.m., North Liberty 7th grade basketball team to travel to Plymouth. 6:30 p.m., John Glenn freshmen basketball team to travel to LaVille. Oregon-Davis girls basketball teams to travel to Westville. THURSDAY, DEC. 14 4:40 p.m., Urey boys basketball teams to travel to Mishawaka Young. 7:00 p.m., John Glenn wrestlers to host Bremen.