CAT Tracks for May 11, 2002 INSANITY PREVAILS...AS USUAL

It didn't take long...a little over an hour. The Board rejected both of our offers...and demands that we accept the offer that was distributed to you at today's meeting.

This is what Barney said:

"Please be advised that your proposal A and alternate proposal B are rejected. Moreover, please be advised that the Board of Education's one-year proposal ($145,509, which included $97,509 salary, TRS, THIS/$48,000 insurance) is hereby withdrawn and is no longer on the bargaining table. Attached herewith is the Board's three-year proposal."

Barney goes on to say..."It is truly unfortunate that you continue to refuse a fair and equitable offer from the Board of Education. The board has offered the teachers a substantial increase in salary. We await your response."

UNBELIEVABLE!

This should finally prove to one and all who/what is the problem in Cairo School District Number One. I mean...WE ACCEPT THEIR OFFER...and they say no!. They take the offer off the table...to force an unacceptable, 3-year agreement down our throats. And their new flyer accuses US of "prostituting" children! The total hypocrisy. These people have crossed the line of acceptable behavior.

And if you find that hard to swallow...try this. Just got a call from the media...read me the District's press release. Their "spin"... now...is that they are demanding a 3-year agreement to provide financial stability for the District. Now these are the same people who initially resisted a long-term agreement...not sure of future finances. BUT...when we accept their (bad) offer of one year...they take it back! THEY DON'T WANT AN AGREEMENT...THEY ARE DETERMINED TO BREAK THE UNION...AND DESTROY THE DISTRICT IN THE PROCESS!

Folks...come Monday morning (feel free to start earlier)...it's time to kick it up a notch. It's time to inform the public of what (at least some of) the Board members are up to...how they are betraying the trust of the office to which they were elected. Each Board member needs to be asked where he/she stands on this issue! Board members should not be allowed to evade a straight-forward answer. Make them look you in the eye! These are people who claim that you are a friend... they claim to care about you...and especially THE CHILDREN. Geez... Each Board member is either part of the problem...or part of the solution. It's time to find out "Who's who".

YOU can and should hold your head high! You agreed today to sacrifice dollars for the good of the students you teach. Don't let anyone put you down...you have proven your willingness to sacrifice.

You agreed to go to work on Monday...the Board of Education refuses to let you in...the strike has become a lockout! SHAME ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.