The Independent-News, Volume 121, Number 31, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 14 December 1995 — Page 8

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- INDEPENDENT NEWS - DEC. 14, 1995

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

PANCAKE AND SAUSAGE TIME We will be going to St. Pat’s, on Sunday morning, for pancakes and sausage. On December 17th, the guys will be serving their great food. I understand that they will also have French toast. So gals, grab those husbands and head on out to St. Pat’s for an enjoyable meal, without the work. On Monday, December 11, the Walkerton Chamber of Commerce had their annual Christmas Dinner and yearly meeting, at St. Pat’s Parish Hall. The parish ladies, under the chairmanship of Alice Trocewicz, did an excellent job of organizing and serving of our dinner. The Wolf Pack 293 entertained us with Christmas carols. Great job Julie Morton and fellows. Theic were many awards given, with the Pumpkin Festival committee members receiving the Ambassadors Award. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the “Citizen of the Year’’ award. This year there were two recipients, Judy Hiler and Cheryl Rizek. Congratulations on your awards, gals. Little Joe’s Pizzeria and Subway also received awards for taking a business in need of restoration and making a major improvement to the SALYER REALTY 606 Illinois St. Walkerton 219-586-7753 Before You BUY or SELL Talk To BRUCE **♦ REAL ESTA TE BROKER CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL APPRAISER n23tf

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community. The evening was capped off by a band, “The Sentimental Journey,’’ playing dance music. I don’t know about anyone else, but I enjoyed myself. Have you tried out the Tea Room in North Liberty? Give it a try. Also, don’t forget the new pizza place. North Liberty seems to be getting several businesses downtown. Well I have to get going and pick up my two dates, Phil Waldron, Sr., and Morris Searfoss and head out for cards at Al’s Diner. Remember lots of food and protection is needed for our pets, this time of year. Sincerely, Nedra Williams We feel compelled to respond to last week’s letter to the editor due to the misinformation conveyed. It is alarming to us that information such as this is being passed around the community and believed to be fact without having been properly researched. We are all employed with the John Glenn School Corporation and are all shocked to hear the statement that a first year teacher receives an automatic raise two thirds through the year. All teachers are on a salary schedule which is a public document. There is a set yearly salary for all teachers based on level of education and years of experience. A salary does not change during the year. It has been mentioned that John Glenn’s schedule compares favorably with corporations such as Penn Harris Madison’s. Unfor~FOß RENT NORTH LIBERTY COMMUNITY CENTER AIR CONDITIONED Renting For All Occasions 300 S. Main Street Phone 656-4134 11593

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tunately, many people are unaware that our salary schedule does not progress in even increments. The first few years of teaching may indeed compare favorably with other corporations, this is intended to attract promising young teachers to our corporation. After a few years, however, incremental increases are much smaller than other corporations. Therefore, a teacher who has earned a masters degree and worked, for example, ten years in our corporation, earns less than Penn, but also less than surrounding school corporations. We are dismayed to find that is being publicized as fact that the average teacher salary is $40,000. Please consider the base salary of teachers when figuring the average, as this is what we are negotiating. It is misleading to include extracurricular salaries or extended contracts for teachers in the average, just as it would be unfair to include the salary of your second job (should you choose to work one), and quote it as a part of your first job’s salary. The average salary for John Glenn teachers, with more than 50 percent of the corporation’s teachers at the highest level of the master’s schedule, is considerably less than the $40,000 quoted earlier in this editorial column. Teachers, unlike other college graduates, are hired based on the least amount of experience, rather than

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seeking out experienced, seasoned teachers. This is a sad statement, but true. Teachers settle their families within this community and nearby communities to stay within the corporation. We are fortunate to have the professionals who provide sound knowledge based on experience with students, rather than solely on book theory and philosophy gleaned through undergraduate study. Our corporation’s high level of achievements and reputation are credited to our hardworking, dedicated teachers. Please consider these humans, with feelings, as people who currently disagree with the school board on a new contract. The JGEA is handling contract negotiations in a dignified, professional manner, according to Indiana State Public Law 217, which outlines a correct procedure for such dealings. In no way, throughout this process, have the students’ instructional programs been compromised. We are continuing to see excellence amoung our students’ achievements while the teachers continue to work without a contract. Lastly, we certainly realize that taxpayers pay our salaries. We are taxpayers as well. Our children are students, too. We appreciate how important education is and recognize the impact teachers have on the lives of our children and the future of our communities.

Sincerely/# i Amy Weiss^ Tim Davis^ > Kendall Hoover^ I Darlene Bell* r Pam Katterheinrich ' Joe Hunf* * Pat Srive^* 11 i Susan Bergart 8 : Kelly Harrington?* 6 i Rich Binkley° w r Carol Alspaugh’ I Dawn Markel i Ann Camblin^’ Lisa Morris 16 Cynthia Williams^ 161 Laurie Morri? 011 Angela Brown* 16 Amy Strong* 8 ’ Jane Bliley 2 * 8 Connie Mummert v John Hostrawser em । Linda Parker* r< Will Hostrawser^ Richard Kickbush w 0 Mary Jo Cox^ 0 [ Jill Davis: 116 Sally Hernandez iar Scott Richie ea Gordon Mosson 6 ^ 6 Cathy VanDuyne 38 * 1 Marilyn Gordon T Chris Houston 0111 lies i Better be good! It’s that litii time of year for giving ie ji and gifting and spread- ie ( ing joy and good will all j] around you! . a * jvei WITH A ™ GIFT Jst ie SUBSCRIPTION TO THE INDEPENDENT NEWS

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