Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for October 22, 1999 NO RELIEF IN SIGHT

IMPACT BARGAINING - 10/15/99:

The CAT Bargaining Team met with the Board Team for approximately one hour on Friday afternoon. The Board's Team indicated that they had checked with their attorney about "excusing" (i.e. NOT docking as sick days) employee absences due to exposure to toxic fumes. The Board's attorney advised: NO PROBLEM...UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS! Those conditions are: (1) Verification that the day missed was actually due to fume exposure, (2) Establishment of a "reasonable time period" (i.e. a "cut-off" date), and (3) SIGNING OF A WAIVER AGAINST FUTURE LITIGATION! Your team indicated that these conditions--especially the last one--would probably be a sticking point. Hopefully, this matter will be resolved with further bargaining. ASSOCIATION ADVICE: If you feel/know that you have suffered or are suffering effects from your exposure to toxic fumes, consult an attorney prior to the signing of any waiver!

Two other issues were discussed: (1) We were assured--AGAIN--that restroom breaks would be provided for teachers during the new double-length periods. Unfortunately, as of today...still no break. (2) For clarification, we asked whether teachers who volunteer to internal sub during the new double-length periods would receive $40 instead of $20. The Superintendent wanted time to review the situation. We have not yet received a response. It is the Association's position that this MUST be done, especially since we are forfeiting our planning period every other day! REMEMBER: You do NOT have to internal sub--it is completely voluntary!

The two teams did discuss alternatives to the current situation. Your team emphasized that the current situation--tolerable for a short term--was NOT an acceptable permanent solution. While sympathetic, the Board Team stressed the lack of any viable alternative. They did indicate that they were willing to listen to any and all suggestions.

Along these lines, the Association Team asked that the faculties of Bennett, CJHS, and CHS--the three schools directly affected--be given release time during the SIP Day on Thursday or the Parent-Teacher Conference Day on Friday to come together and brainstorm possible solutions. This was agreed to, with the meeting time/location to be determined. (Meeting: Today, CJHS Gym Lobby, 1:30 p.m.)

During Friday's meeting, the Association Team brought up the possibility of relocatable buildings--that this had been done in other school districts which had suffered disasters. We suggested calling those districts rather than "re-inventing the wheel." The Board Team said they would look into it. On Wednesday, I spoke to the full Board at its regular monthly meeting and repeated the urgency of finding a better solution. I told them that if at all possible, we needed information on the relocatable buildings in time for our Friday teachers' meeting. They acknowledged my request, but unfortunately I have not received any information as yet.

NOW, IT'S ASBESTOS!

The Association requested/received a copy of the Project Manual for the roof replacement at CHS. We were unpleasantly surprised to find that the roofing materials contain asbestos. Very strict procedures are specified for its removal. To the casual observor (the staff of CHS) these procedures were NOT followed! So now there is a real concern that the students, staff, and public may have been exposed to asbestos in addition to toxic chemicals. The Association is currently in the process of trying to obtain further information. The Illinois EPA and Illinois Department of Labor have been contacted. We will keep you informed.

GLIMMER OF HOPE?

During the "Visitor" section of Wednesday night's Board meeting, a couple of parents spoke movingly of their concern about the quality of education being offered--especially with so many classes being taught in the open gym. At the conclusion of their remarks, a representative of ISBE (apparently in Cairo on other business) went to the podium and offered her sympathy, but more importantly, her assistance. She stated that she would meet with Dr. Isom on Thursday and explore the possibility of obtaining relocatable buildings--and funding! Too good to be true? Maybe, but after weeks of inactivity, let us hope that the ISBE will finally get us moving and lend their support.

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