CAT Press Release May 23, 2002

CAT NEWS
Cairo Association of Teachers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 23, 2002 - Cairo, IL Following through with earlier threats, the Cairo Board of Education decided on Thursday afternoon to throw away what it claimed was "only $50,000" of state aid rather than reach a 3-year deal with the Cairo Association of Teachers.

Ron Newell, CAT President, contested the Board's numbers, saying the savings would have been closer to $100,000. "How a District that has pleaded 'broke' from day one of negotiations can contemplate throwing away money amazes me," said Newell, accusing the Board of Education of "cutting off its nose to spite its teachers."

Newell said "The Board of Education managed to turn a win-win situation into a loss for everyone." Newell emphasized that "The decision to make up days rests totally with the Board of Education. Parents want the days made up, but the Board wants to punish teachers for striking." Newell stated that "Since the Board knows that it is going against the parent's wishes, it is trying to blame teachers, which is a lie. Teachers are willing to work the days missed and negotiate during the summer."

Newell stated that "The Board of Education has some explaining to do. If they had listened to the parents and made up the days, the Board would have saved more money than the teachers were asking for and brought much needed stability to the District." "Totally irresponsible," said Newell, who added "It's not THEIR money...it's educational dollars that belong to the community."

After the teachers went out on strike, the Board of Education reacted to public criticism and quickly settled contracts with its three other unions, giving them higher raises than it continues to offer teachers, reportedly 5% the first year, 4% the second year, and 4% the third year.

If the District closes its doors on May 29th, many students stand to lose educational opportunity and credit. Rules and regulations, over which the Board of Education has no control, will cause students to not get credit for driver's education classes and certain computer classes. The District will also lose additional funding related to these programs.

The parents of these students had planned to go to tonight's scheduled school board meeting to complain, but the Board of Education canceled the meeting.