The Mail-Journal, Volume 17, Number 40, Milford, Kosciusko County, 22 October 1980 — Page 14

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., October 22,1980

Large gap remains between LCEA, board

By KIM HIEBER A large gap still exists between the Lakeland Community Educators’ Association and the school corporation after a 34 hour negotiation fact-finding held last Thursday. The meeting was open to the public with a large crowd on hand. Hearing officer Robert Wise said he found both sides organized and prepared with arguments, but believed both the teachers and the school corporation were not cooperating together for a solution. Wise explained, “The key to making fact-finding valuable for both parties is not just to convince the fact-finder of a side, but to bridge the gap of disagreement with bargaining. He recommended the parties move closer together as well as

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REPRESENT TEACHERS — Robert R. Rosinski. far right, Uniserve Director of the Indiana State Teachers Association, is shown above with Lakeland teachers Mary Pearl and Phil Metcalf. Rosinski is representing the teachers in the negotiating. The LCEA is seeking many changes in their new contracts.

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Let's Elect ~, GENE COGAN f 1 State Senator For J District 13 k «/ /ww fat/ mu IW c<tni/ia«yn ft/w/ye: "I would rather lose this election JjtFy.,.. while being honest and sincere in ’ a<-~£ saying what 111 try to do if elected, UK fa®* JKI than win with false promises I" The incumbent Senator's ads state 'Proven Leadership,' but let's look at the record. In his term we note his voting record: • Voted against needed money for schools ... • Voted against teacher and principal's rights... • Voted against labor .. • Voted against ERA ... • Voted against income tax break for the elderly... • Voted against property tax exemption for the elderly... • Voted against added money for mental hospitals... • Voted FOR new tax on gasoline ... tax that is failing the highway fund. The the months the Senate is not in session, the incumbent is seldom seen throughout the 13th district, except at election time. Cogan, "As your Senator, I will note with extreme caution on all money bills, but ongoing programs must be funded; AND during the time the Senate is not in session, I will maintain scheduled visits into each county to be available to the people." Let’s Elect Cogan State Senator, Dist. 13 Paid For By Citizens For Coqan, lona Pulver, Treasurer, P.O. Box 145, Avilla, IN 46710

listen openly. He explained that without a bridge, resentment could flourish, increasing problems rather than reducing them. Towards the fact-finding conclusion, Wise found the sides miles apart and did not believe one additional meeting could resolve the problem although he agreed to return this week if both parties were truly interested in a resolution. “A lot depends on what I hear. If I hear from both of you this (next) week then I could be back. I may try if only I hear the flexibility is available between the two sides,’’ Wise explained. When Wise receives the two teams’ views, he will prepare a written report and then will contact both negotiating teams about returning. Once his recomendations are written, they

will be open to the public. Wise said, “The fact finder must produce a neutral report amid the school corporation. There is a list of things I want to have prepared to aid my decision.” He requested the school board give him the past five years’ budgets. He also wanted to know the board’s actual financial position with a comparison chart to other school corporations and the local history of bargaining. The school board negotiating team was representated by Business Manager George Gilbert. The LCEA was represented by Robert R. Rosinski, Uniserve Director of the Indiana State Teachers Association. No Money To the shock of many listeners, Gilbert stated the corporation does not have additional money for salary increases. “We anticipate a $43,090 deficit by December 31, 1981. Adding that figure to the $192,034 cash balance for January 1, 1981, and you are planning on spending $235,000 more than we will have in 1981.” He further explained the deficit is due to the anticipated loss in excise tax. The deficit will need to be met by a reduction in spending. He implied that a staff reduction is imminent since 80 per cent of the appropriated budget provides for certified and non-certified salaries. Wise asked why such a large overexpenditure was appearing this year. “You’re going to be in a pickle. Why did you add to the staff this year if a reduction is imminent?” he said. Superintendent Don H. Arnold explained the four new teachers were added to meet federal guidelines. The one teacher was a replacement and the other three were for special education classes. Presently, there are 172 included in the Lakeland teaching staff. Corporation Compared Os 302 school corporations in the state. Lakeland is one of 43 with a contract unsettled. It is also one of 11 school systems with a calendar-year contract (January 1- December 31) instead of a school-year contract (July 1- June 30). In comparison to surrounding school corporations, during 197980, Lakeland teachers’ salaries ranked the lowest. Statewide. Lakeland ranks 227. Teacher Wants The teachers are requesting several changes from their present status. Their negotiating committee is asking for better salaries and extra duty pay and changes in the hours, insurance, grievance procedure, terms of contract and sick leave bank. They want a cost of living increase with a five per cent salary increase based on a proposed new index. The index has a reduction from 22 years to 20 years to reach the top of the pay scale. “If you take the whole package of the consumer price index you can see that this is not a cheap area to live in. We’re behind in buying power,” stated LCEA representative Rosinski. According to LCEA reports, Lakeland’s gross potential earnings from 1975-80 has dropped 95 places in rank. For the present 1979-80 school year, Goshen has the highest potential gross earnings and Fairfield the lowest, with Lakeland just above Fairfield. Using comparison charts, the teaching negotiating team demonstrated its areas of complaints. Gilbert stated the teachers are requesting an approximate 17 to 18 per cent increase over the present contract. He commented the school board is offering a wage increase that gives teachers with more experience a pay increase. Extra Duty The association is asking for a change in the extra duty pay schedule. In the current contract, the boys’ varsity football and basketball coaches have 10 additional days in their contract. They instead want pay to reflect their total pay with $3,280 for the coaching positions. “What they are paid now is basically the same, except in lieu we’re asking to end the extended contract,” stated Rosinski. The LCEA is requesting that some extra duty assignments be voluntary instead of assigned. Teachers presently involved in

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REPRESENTS SCHOOL CORPORATION — Lakeland Business Manager George Gilbert, is representing the school corporation in the current contract negotiations. Shown with him is Superintendent Don H. Arnold. Gilbert said Thursday that the school corporation does not have additional money for salary increases. (Photos by Arch Baumgartner)

supervising assignments such as ticket-taking, timer and scorekeeper are paid $5 per hour. The association is asking that these duties be performed by teachers at a rate of sls per school activity for three hours or less, $25 for three to five hours and SSO for all functions over five hours. Teachers placed on an extended contract, for additional days immediately prior to or immediately following the regular school year such as guidance, band and audiovisual directors, are to be paid at their regular daily rate. Hours A problem appears present at the elementary schools with lunches. Teachers should be guaranteed a minimum of 30 duty free and uninterrupted minutes for a lunch period between 10

It happened ... in Milford

10 YEARS AGO. OCT. 21, 1970 Mrs. Homer Campbell of Atwood was a Wednesday afternoon guest of Mrs. Walter Nyce of r 1 Milford. Max Rarick, a senior at Le Torneau College, Long View, Texas, was a week end visitor in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dane Rarick of r 1 Milford. Saturday dinner guests in the Rarick home were Mrs. Ocie Rarick of Elkhart and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Rarick and Family of New Paris. Mrs. Robert Hoerr and Mrs. Arnold Doll and son Richard, all of r 1 Milford, drove to Michigan City to visit Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pelath and son Scott, Monday. Charles Kerlin of Milford attended the wedding of his granddaughter Miss Shelly Martin and Thomas J. Lochner, Saturday, Oct. 17. The double ring ceremony was performed in the United Methodsit Church in North Manchester. Mrs. Kerlin was unable to attend due to illness. Mr. and Mrs. Leon Young and daughters Sherry and Dawn of Milford were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Chapman and children Jami and James of South Bend. Mrs. Milford woman escapes injury car hit by train Maria E. Cruz, 47, r 1 Milford, escaped injury when her car stalled on the B and O Railroad tracks, north of Milford on Old Road 15, Sunday afternoon, Oct. 12 and was struck by a train. She told police she pulled up to the tracks to see if any trains were coming. When she attempted to back up, the vehicles reportedly stalled on the tracks. The front end of the car was hit by the train engine, causing $1,500 damage to Cruz’s auto. No damage resulted to the train. The engineer was M.N. Binz, 35. of Garrett. Kosciusko County Patrolman Jeffrey Bronsing investigated.

a m. and 2 p.m. During this time, some teachers are required to supervise students during the said lunch period. LCEA found another area of concern over teacher preparation periods. A problem exists in,the fact the preparation time is used in transport instead of during time for true classroom preparation. Teachers want a corporation activities pass to allow them entrance to all corporation events. Currently, the faculty is allowed to attend only school functions at the school where they teach, instead of cor-poration-wide. This would not be extended to the teachers’ families, but to the teachers. They feel this would encourage faculty attendance and help with student guidance.

Young is a sister of Mrs. Chapman. 20 YEARS AGO. OCT. 20. 1960 Mrs. Amos Orn of Milford and Mrs. John Watkins of Leesburg left Wednesday afternoon by jet from Chicago to California for an extended visit. They will visit Rev. and Mrs. Harry Orn at Santa Ana and Mrs. Orn’s brothers, Roy Gardner at Los Angeles and William Gardner at El Monte. Mr. Orn will join his wife in California in a month or so. Linda Young, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Young of Milford received her sorority pin at recent initiation ceremonies of Zeta Tau Alpha social sorority at Indiana University. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Schultz and sons of Bremen were Sunday afternoon guests of the Arthur Wise family. Later they were supper guests of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Anglemeyers at Millersburg. The Anglemyers are the parents of Mr. Wise. Mrs. Alice Peterson of Los Angeles and Mrs. Charles Wagner of Warsaw attended Layman’s Day at the Milford Methodist Church Sunday. Later in the day they visited Miss Martha Groves. 30 YEARS AGO, OCT. 19, 1950 Mr. and Mrs. Amos Steffen,

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TEACHERS AT MEETING — A large number of Lakeland School Corporation’s teachers were present at a fact-finding meeting held last Thursday at Wawasee High School. A portion of the crowd is shown above. Teachers were on hand to show their support for the LCEA negotiating team.

They want the six working days grievance procedure changed to 10 working days; following a problem last year. Rosinski added, “Binding arbitration is cheaper than going to court, you know. ” Contract Terms The teaching negotiation now wants to rid itself of the calendar year contract. To prepare for a school year contract, the LCEA is searching for a six-month contract to begin in January 1981. The school board believes that if it were to return to a school year contract following one year, the concessions would be for nothing. However, some demands could be met with a two year or one-half year contract. Sick Leave Bank A large argument exists over the school board and LCEA disagreement over the sick leave bank proposal. The Association wants a sick bank of 200 days provided by the school corporation. Any teacher using all the sick leave due to illness for a period longer than 15 consecutive school days may apply. These days would only be available to those exhausting their sick leaves and prior to the long term disability date of commencement. The board believes this proposal is not one of a true bank. The teachers wish to be contracted daily from 7:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., with one day at the end of the Semester used solely for the teachers to work on grades

Miss Marcella Steffen, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Beer and Betty Beer of Milford and Mr. and Mrs. Eli Gerber and son Dean of Goshen attended the wedding of Miss Margaret Gerber and Frederick Gerber at the Apostolic Christian Church at Bluffton, Ind., Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. William Coy and son and daughter, Stevie and Sharon, spent the week end with Mrs. Coy’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mansfield, at Michigan City. Guests of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Overstedt on Friday were Mr. and Mrs Herman Allen of Leesburg. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Schlotterback and children. Ann and Ivan, were their guests Saturday evening Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sponseller and daughter, Sue Ellen, spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. George M. Auer at Pierceton. . Week end guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Davidsen were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christopher of Orange, Calif., and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Christopher of Dwight, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Emory Drake and children spent Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stoltz at North Liberty and in the evenings attended services at the Church of Christ, Mishawaka. 58 YEARS AGO, OCT. 19,1922 Mrs. Emma Egli and son

and report cards with the faculty meeting not exceeding 30 minutes. According to the teaching team, a problem exists with lengthy meetings at the end of the semester, not allowing grade and report card preparation time. The group asks for two half days with no student attendance to allow for this time. Insurance In regard to insurance, the LCEA wants a group medical plan that includes health and major medical costs. They are asking for the corporation to pay 100 per cent of single and family costs lesssl. In term life insurance, the LCEA wants a $20,000 policy with accidental death and dismemberment less sl. The board would provide full payment of a long term disability. According to figures composed by the LCEA, other surrounding corporations have similar terms. Grievance Procedures Teachers are also seeking binding arbitration on grievances. According to the teachers’ negotiating team the present system can place the teacher in an awkward position. The individual now appeals to the principal and then the school board. The LCEA wants the fees and expenses shared by the board and association with any grievant released from duty, not suspended from pay or benefits.

Henry spent Sunday in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Orn Wherly and husband of Elkhart. Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Sparklin and Mr. and Mrs. James McKibben enjoyed the hospitality of Mrs. E. W. Bigbie and daughter Clarice at a dinner on Sunday. Mrs. C. E. Clayton of Elkhart and Mrs. Melvin Anglin of Madisin, Florida, were the guests of Mr and Mrs. George Neher over Thursday night and Friday. Mrs. Clayton and Mrs. Anglin are sisters of Mrs. Neher. Miss Rose Bogess of Leesburg spent Friday evening in the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Groves and family.

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It requires the board to aonate all the days, with none returned in payment. For a two-year contract the board would propose that the teachers contribute all days and when the teacher returns to work the days are repaid. It was suggested that only those teachers wanting to participate be involved in the sick leave bank system. Gilbert commented, “Who’s going to pay the increase in utilities, custodians, secretaries and government agencies? We can’t go make money. We need to make progress where we can If we provide raises to the teachers, who’s to say to the other school employees that they are not to receive increased benefits. This includes secretaries, librarians and more.” The only item that both parties appear to agree on is the new money the school corporation will receive. If the teachers receive all their requests in the new contract, that would include $453,000. The new money is only $439,000. “The money would be available if teachers were placed in a higher priority here,” said Rosinski. “It’s hard to understand why we must sign a twoyear contract when those around us have a one-year contract with the same benefits.”

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