CAT Tracks for April 8, 2005 TEACHERS' MEETING ON MONDAY

Yesterday, certified staff received a memo that Dr. Harbin would like to meet with us on Monday, April 11th, at 3:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Cairo Jr./Sr. High School.

We have received such memos in the past...along with the unspoken "expectation" of attendance.

So that you may appreciate how much the labor-management relationship has changed during the past year, you need to know that Dr. Harbin also contacted the Association and solicited our endorsement/support for this meeting. Would we encourage teachers to attend? Refreshing, indeed!

As you know...even though we have been intentionally maintaining a low profile...the CAT and the District are in the process of negotiating a new contract. No language has been written or approved, as we have spent four sessions getting to know each other's concerns...so that we may seek out common ground that is mutually beneficial. THAT is a dramatic departure from the past, when prior to the first negotiations session, each side would take opposing positions that created win-lose scenarios...with the resultant hard feelings.

Dr. Harbin initiated the idea of this approach and the CAT bargaining team quickly agreed. Folks, when "it IS broke"...

During these negotiations, Dr. Harbin has voiced sympathy with our current working conditions...the "bare bones" program with which we try daily to perform miracles. Accordingly, Dr. Harbin has indicated his desire to "put some flesh back on these bones"...to add offerings and staff - at ALL levels.

BUT...in order to do this, it takes money...more money than exists in the day-to-day budget of Cairo School District Number One. Due to our constantly declining local tax base, we are more and more at the mercy of outside sources. This means that securing grants is absolutely vital to providing "extras" that most other districts accept as a given.

Thus the need for Monday's meeting! A May 1st deadline looms for the completion of an application for additional funding that would be used to do some of the curricular/staffing expansions that are planned...as well as to finance changes in our school improvement plans. To secure this grant, a positive vote of the certified staff is required. Rather than simply force through an uninformed, "on paper" vote for appearances sake, Dr. Harbin wants the opportunity to personally inform you of the District's plans, provide the opportunity for input and/or questions, and to solicit your support.

Although after-school meetings are not on CAT's top-ten list of favorite things to do...on occasion, the need arises. This is one of those times.

So...on behalf of the Association, I hereby "second" Dr. Harbin's request for a Monday afternoon meeting. Let us respond "in kind" to Dr. Harbin's proactive efforts to open the channels of communication and to establish a true educational partnership in CSD #1 to meet that all-too-real challenges facing us all.

Thank you in advance for your support...and I will see you Monday, April 11th, at 3:30 p.m. in the CJSHS Cafeteria!