Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for February 26, 2002 TALE OF TWO TA'S...MEDIATION

TWO MORE DOWN...

The two teams met last night from 5:30 p.m. until 7:50 p.m. Verbal agreement was reached on Section 2.17 (Pupil Discipline) and Section 3.12 (Instructional Facilities).

Much of the discussion during the past two sessions had focused on student discipline...primarily on the length of the "time out" for elementary students sent to the office for violations of the Code of Conduct. The Board team wanted to reduce the amount of time from the current 50 minutes to 30 minutes. The CAT team objected, citing the increasing verbal and physical abuse suffered by teachers at the hands of "small children"...that curse, bite, kick, etc. Finally...at the "Elementary Level--A student sent to the office for a severe act of misconduct as defined in the student-parent handbook shall not be readmitted to class without a minimum of 50 minutes outside of the regular classroom."

Section 3.12 concerns procedures for assigning an academic class to an area other than a classroom (e.g. cafeteria, boiler room, etc.) For example, the roof leaks badly in a classroom...okay, okay...even worse than it is now. The administration can move that class to another location...like a gymnasium...ahhhh...memories! However, if said relocation exceeds 10 school days, that situation must be bargained with the Association.

Considerable discussion was held on Section 3.11 (Working Conditions), which ALMOST brought agreement. However, one item...using classroom aides for other than their assigned duties...still remains unresolved. Maybe next time!

CALL FOR MEDIATION

As indicated in yesterday's CAT Tracks...the CAT team asked the Board team whether they had made a decision concerning a call for mediation. They indicated that they were still waiting to hear from the "facilitator" offered by the "outsiders" in mid-January. The CAT team indicated that 6 weeks had now passed since that offer...and STILL no facilitator. Also, the CAT team reminded the Board team that the facilitator was going to cost $500 a day or $250 a night, whereas, a federal mediator is "free of charge". After brief discussion, the Board team agreed with the CAT team that the best option at this point would be the federal mediator. A joint request will be made for this service this week.

The CAT team indicated...AGAIN...that negotiations...which have taken 8 months so far...needed to be completed...hopefully by the end of March. Hey, 9 months...we need to birth this baby! To accomplish this goal, we offered to meet longer and more often. The Board team indicated their willingness to do the same.

NEXT NEGOTIATIONS SESSION...

Would you believe next Monday...yes...Casimir Pulaski Day...at 1 p.m. We were going to negotiate on Tuesday to avoid the holiday, but the future of Pilot's basketball will hopefully conflict with that date.