Evidence of some thawing as parents push for both sides to compromise and get a deal done to end 15-month dispute
By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com
PENNSBURY — The often contentious talks between the Unionville-Chadds Ford School district and its teachers union seem to be again picking up some momentum — although it remains unclear as to whether there’s any resolution in sight.
During Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, board member Frank Murphy — the board’s point person in the talks — summed up the negotiations to date, noting that the two parties had met for 5 ½ hours on Aug. 11, and if not finding common ground, at least appeared to have a meaningful dialog.
“Ideas were exchanged, cordially and affably,” he said. “But a wide gap still remains.”
Murphy told the audience, which included roughly 200 of the district’s teachers, that he felt that both sides ultimately had the same three goals — and cited the interview process of Dr. John Sanville, the district’s newly hired superintendent. Murphy said the new schools chief surprised board members by asking them a question — to identify the top three goals of the contract negotiation.
Murphy said board members were fairly uniform, all expressing variations on the same themes: 1. negotiating a fiscally workable contract; 2. having work rules that were logical and didn’t get in the way of student learning; 3. having happy, satisfied employees.
“I think those are the same goals that the teachers have,” he said. “But the devil is in the details.”
Murphy noted that the board stands ready to continue talks as soon as possible.
One board source, on condition of anonymity since the source is not empowered to speak on the board’s behalf on the talks, though, did express optimism that real progress was being made, finally — and that the meeting of Aug. 11 established an improved dialogue between the two sides, who have been working without a contract since June 30, 2010.
It’s possible that after weeks of acrimonious exchanges between the two sides, a thaw of sorts may in the process, if Monday night public comments by officials of the two sides are an indication.
Pat Clark, the president of the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Association — the teachers’ union — told the board that the mass gathering of teachers in their navy blue union polo shirts should not be misinterpreted as a hostile act.
“We’re not here as a show of force,” Clark said. “But out of sense of unity, the unity to serve our community again this fall.”
Parents called on both sides to work together to close the gap and finally put the contract talks behind them. One noted that she had learned how much extra work the district’s teachers perform unpaid, since they began to “to work to the contract” in the fall of 2010, or just performing those duties as specified in the contract and how much extra effort parents have had to put it to fill the gap.
“I have taken all of you teachers for granted,” said Jennifer Wardius of Newlin. “I think you finally made all of us realize all that you do. But I don’t think that the board recognizes it.”
Really Brian?? Then I guess the UCFEA and the teachers that make up that association have had nothing to do with the Unionville Chadds Ford School District ranking at the top in the state of PA over the past several years. I guess that doesn’t mean anything when it comes to student progress and achievement. And it really doesn’t mean anything when it comes to your property value! If in fact you want to pay teachers based on performance then the teachers of the UCFSD should be paid a whole lot more than what they are making now!!
It’s not just the teachers that make this a great school district. The parents in this district–through PTOs and personal contributions–provide the teachers with technologies and other teaching aids that they otherwise might not have: computers, smartboards, etc. In addition, the children they teach every day, for the most part, already exceed the learning capabilities of children in other districts, are eager to learn, are well-rested, fed, and clean. Perhaps the teachers ought to consider the environment in which they are teaching and the luxury of having our children to teach. What is worth more to these teachers–taking less pay for the privilege of teaching in this district or makiing more money and teaching somewhere else? Chester, West Philly and Camden come to mind…I’m sure they’d love to have some of the UCFSD teachers. Many teachers outside this districtt would jump at the chance to teach in UCFSD–and not because of the paycheck–because of the top-notch learning environment, students eager to learn, and the outstanding parental support. Some of their colleagues in other districts view these contract negotiations through the prism of the already-privileged UCFSD teachers just being greedy. Perhaps a school district in Rhode Island had the right idea…fire all the teachers, advertise the positions, publicize the take it or leave it conditions of the contracts under which all teachers would work, and then start the interview process. If all the current UCFSD teachers were required to re-interview, how confident are they that they could re-interview for their jobs and be re-hired? Let’s stop making this about money–these teachers are compensated more than fairly in today’s economic climate. Do they really care about teaching or do they care about seeing how much more they can squeeze out of the “cash cow” that is the taxpayers of the UCFSD. I can give no more. Again, if you’re not happy with your salary, benefits, and working environment, I say good riddance. Update your resumes and find a teaching position in another district where you’ll have it better than you do here. Good luck in your search.
Time for the teachers to get with reality. These unions are a barrier for student progress and achievement. How about being paid for how good you perform and not for how long you have been paying your dues?