Jerry H. wrote:
SASD is pretty much a joke. Glad my kids go to North Penn.

I wouldnt go getting too cocky just yet Jerry.

"Nearby districts eye Souderton talks"

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-10192008-1607748.html

Souderton walked on a 2 Àadditonal hours in the day, additonal days to the year and no negotian from the School board. What the other 2 contracts still not done?

Can't compare the East Penn situation to that of Souderton. If the info in the article is correct, their new contract (4.9 er year)will require a total of an additional $15 million for payroll over the four years of the contract.

In Souderton, the SAEA's initial demand was for 9.5 er year for 5 years and would have required an additional $46.6 million for payroll over the life of the contract.
It's current 8.2 er year for 4 years would require an additional $26.6 million for payroll over the life of the contract.

The tax increases needed in both cases would most likely trigger Act 1's referendum provisions.
The board is gambling if it agrees to any contracts that require a public referendum to fund. Should such a referendum fail, the board would still be on the hook for the contract. The only option it would have would be to start cutting non-mandated curriculum, activities and services in order to bring the budget in under the Act 1index.

Also keep in mind that the SAEA didn't walk out on 4.9Àit walked out on 8.2à
In the past the union leadership has used the term "parameters of negotiation" to define both proposals.
It's part of the process for the union to come in high. But to be seriously considered, even high has to be within the boards ability to guarantee funding for it.

All 3 Souderton contracts should have been settled by now. It took Suacon Valley a few days, Palisades a few days, but not Souderton. This community appears to not value education, or they would be working round the clock to settle this mess. I heard that the contract wasn't even an item at the last school board meeting. These guys are out to lunch. SASD is pretty much a joke. Glad my kids go to North Penn.

The Reporter quotes you as saying, "They bring in these professional arbitrators, who are unelected people, who say 'Here's what we think, have a vote,' and pass all of those costs on to the school board. To me that is taxation without representation," Campbell said. "If that's the way we want to go, we might as well bring back the Queen of England."

Two issues I have with your comment (and this is the only one I have the stomach to respond to...)
1) The Board's arbitrator is passing on costs to the board (AKA Taxpayers). The union's representation is paid for by teachers' dues. Many teachers of SASD live right here in our district. Guess they're the ones getting screwed double here!
2) Taxation without representation happened under a KING (King George), not the QUEEN of England. If you're so ignorant as to not even know this basic part of our history, are you really intelligent enough to lead this fight.

Just a word to the wise...check out ALL sides of a story and the consequences of voting for said bill BEFORE you jump on board with more propaganda and rhetoric. After all, we've had enough of ignorant spin tearing our community apart in recent months, haven't we???

Below are parts of an article I just read in today's Morning Call. Another district settles! Yesl, there are reasonable people who are school board members out there in other communities. East Penn, Saucon Valley, and Palisades, all districts in our area who have settled without tearing apart the community. Can someone tell me what drives the men who have the most power on the SASD board to be totally disagreeable and show such distain for public education? They need to be replaced by people who are more typical school board members. They need to share a passion for wanting the schools in our towns to be the BEST they can be. This benefits our children most of all but it benefits everyone by providing an example for all community members to value education and our younger citizens too. These mean spirited power mongers need to go. I know that there are some sasd school board members who really do care about the educational programs in our schools. Why haven't we heard more from them? I wonder, because I have personally spoken with some of them. It is time that we hear from them. Not everyone fits the same mold as the three or four who seem to display their need for control and power.
DOESN'T THIS MAKE YOU ASK WHY????
LOOK AROUND AT HOW OTHER SCHOOLS FUNCTION IN TODAY'S WORLD. If you don't , you risk a tremendous loss in your own real estate values. Who would want to pay money for a home investment in a school district that doesn't give two cents about educating the children of the community.
WAKE UP, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
DEMAND A FAIR CONTRACT FOR OUR TEACHERS!!

East Penn teachers sign early
East Penn School District teachers will get average annual pay raises of 4.9 percent under a new four-year contract ratified this week, more than eight months before the current pact expires.
Union members, who approved the deal unanimously, will have to pay more toward their health insurance coverage, agreeing to annual increases toward their premiums.
The net effect for the district and its taxpayers will be a 4.4 percent annual spending increase for teacher salaries, according to Gary Reigal, the district's business administrator.



''We got a number of things done in the contract: better starting teacher salaries and obtaining significant [health insurance premium co-pays] å…''


Both Ballard and Susan Arnold, president of the 536-member East Penn Education Association, said the district could reach an early agreement because of the good relationships among the union, school board and administration.

Under the new deal, the starting salary will increase from $41,432 this school year to $43,700 next year. In the last year of the contract, teachers will start at $50,000.



''East Penn teachers are absolutely the youngest teaching staff in the Lehigh Valley,'' Arnold said. ''Our average salary is going to look low, but it's because [of the relatively young staff].''

Ballard said the union's willingness to cover more of its health insurance costs was ''significant.''

Teachers paying $22 per month toward their premium for individual coverage this year will pay $40 next school year and $100 in the fourth year of the deal, Reigal said.

Employees with family coverage paying $75 per month now will pay $107 next school year and $197 in the final year of the deal, according to the district.

The contract will cost the district an extra $1.4 million next school year, $1.5 million in the second year, $1.6 million in the third and $1.7 million in the fourth, according to district figures.

No, I haven't been attending all the meetings. Foolish me, I actually thought that the men I ELECTED TO REPRESENT MY VOICE - might actually be capable of doing that. My eyes have been opened. They do not REPRESENT ME and from what I have been able to gleen from my friends and neighors, not their voices either.

The members of the SASB have become a part of a carefully orchestrated smokescreen to deceive the public of SASD. Try as you may to justify their efforts and lean on the union as the cause of this whole debacle, I'm not buying it.

Every single item on every school board agenda (and especially those items on the last minute addenda) come directly from the SASD Cabinet. Instead of continuing to point fingers at the school board, let's just cut to the chase of who is actually holding the baton - R. Bradley Clemens and Brenda Jones Bray. Good pairing I'd say, the HR guy and the money lady. Who better equipped to decide the fate of the teachers?! And just for good measure let's throw some legal representation in there too, with seasoned cruiser, Jeff Sultanik.

It must be fun to hold the puppet strings and let the SASB take the heat .

So, you think that public displays of disrespect are OKAY as long as you don't agree with a proposal that is offered? Okay when citizens are acting fully within their legal rights as a last resort, that this community should slander and degrade them? You think it is okay that the board waited until the end of the contract (June 30, 2008) then said they would negotiate in good faith IF the teachers would agreed to continue all their summer responsibilities, which they did! Do you think it is okay that the SASB canceled the insurance BEGINNING Sept. 1st, the day of the scheduled negotiation meetings? They had obviously no intention of negotiating, due to the fact that they had to schedule that during the week prior. (since the teachers had no insurance Sept. 1 and did not know it until someone needed a hospital that very day, no prior notice and they had not even gone on strike yet). I do not think it is okay for men representing this community to give their word so many times and not keep it on many occasions. If they didn't PLAN to negotiate, then why did they lie to the teachers and to the people that live here and pretend they intended to? I would have more respect for them if they would have said, no negotiation, let's go right to arbitration. I can't really see one area where the school board have been men of integrity in this situation. I hope you are not foolish enough to say I don't care what they do as long as they don't raise my taxes! I'd be careful talking too freely about someone misleading us, when I think the school board has pretty much perfected it at this point. I guess honesty is a lost character trait, here in a district where we pretend character counts.

SASD Taxpayer,
SASB pajamas- Thats' too funny. Do they have them at the school store?
But instead of deflecting why don't you answer the question.
If you had a question / complaint about addendums why didn't you bring it up at the meeting?
You do attend the meetings, don't you?

Much about nothing
Not holding my breathe
Sorry
Shedding tears for union - not.

No need for a name game. We already know how handsome you look in your SASB pajamas.

Well, well, well, whatya know ... another meeting about middle level boundary lines. Very interesting. Thought this had all been settled back in February. Somehow it got resurrected?! Guess enough parents complained they didn't like where the district decided their children were going for middle school. Amazing what can happen when a few voices are spoken and actually heard.

It's just too bad the same voices were not speaking up all summer long when the SASB was talking about the teachers contract. Oops, I forgot - the SASB did not actually hold any "special meetings" inviting the public to attend, to specifically discuss the expiration of the teachers contract.

Why would I ask only the union for a statement? I know the reason from both sides already. The reason is that they did not start the NEGOTIATIONS soon enough and did not negotiate to settle. Whether people want to understand it or not...the way it works is called NEGOTIATIONS. Both sides have to negotiate the outcome. Is it the teachers' fault this is the process? A negotiation requires both parties to come to agreements. Nobody gets it all their way. The school board cannot have it all their way and the union cannot have it all their way. People who think that the school board should dictate everything in a negotiation have the wrong idea. When the law says it will be different, then it will be different. I say NEGOTIATE.

Even more reality,
The union has been attempting to mislead the public since June. What's to respect about that?
The teachers can't insulate themselves from the consequences of the union leaderships actions . After all, it is THEIR union.
The publics attitude toward the teachers is one of those consequences.

SASD Taxpayer,
The addendum was handed out at the meeting. I'm surprised you didn't ask about addendums last night. As you seem to be deeply concerned about district operations, I'm sure you attended the meeting.

nichole,
Fair enough. Since you won't believe anything reported by the district or in the paper, you'll have to ask the PSEA or the leadership of those unions why their contracts aren't settled yet.
Perhaps they'll issue a statement.

Why is it that a three page addendum was added to the Website again after the Board meeting happened?

As has been noted- "Teachers have received the same healthcare plan for the past 15 years, with no changes in co-pays, deductibles, or premium sharing."

Given that, the increases are not "outrageous".

You say "it had been reported" that the other contracts want the same insurance the teachers get. May I ask who did the reporting? Did you see it in writing by the secretaries and support staff? If you are speaking of the reporting being a certain area news supplier or better yet, Mr Jeffrey Sultanik himself, then that is not going to impress me too much. I've seen both parties do way to much spinning in this situation to think for a moment that is the truth. If you can show me where one of the interested staff groups put it into writing then I would know it is the truth. I still say these contracts are way too important to be put off any longer and should have been settled prior to June 30, 2008. We don't have to agree to the terms, but it should have been settled during the last school year! Who didn't make it a priority? Whose job was it to make it a priority? That is my point.

Where do I begin? First, I'm not sure how I'm advocating throwing gasoline on the fire. Are you saying that new people moving into the SASD is bad, and that new people moving into the district will make our taxes go up? Perhaps we should build a big fence around the district to keep them all out....???????

OK, let me outline this in detail for you, since you clearly don't get what I'm trying to say (or are intentionally distorting it).

1. New teachers looking for jobs are not going to take the lowest paying job they can get. NO ONE that I know - whether they are a teacher or someone in the "real world" - takes the lowest paying job they can get.

2. New teachers are not going to be jumping at the chance to work in a school district where the school board, and many community members, treat their teachers with blatent disrespect.

3. Teachers already teaching in the district are not going to want to stick around when they are being treated as if they have no value to their bosses (the board) or to the community. Even people in the "real world" don't stay in jobs where their talents aren't valued.

4. When talented teachers leave, and new, talented teachers are going to other districts, the quality of the school district will decline.

5. When the quality of the school district declines, new families will not want to move into the district. Therefore, there will be no buyers for homes in the district.

6. When there are no buyers for homes in the district, THE VALUE OF ALL OF THE HOMES IN THE DISTRICT WILL GO DOWN. ALL OF THE HOMES, not just the ones with children in them.

And, to reiterate the point from my first post, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT SALARY. It's about attitude. And when the attitude of the school board and the community is that teachers don't deserve squat, new families are not going to want to move to that district. And that will affect the value of ALL of the homes in the district. Including yours.

The Social Security Administration announced today that social security benefits will be increased 5.8 percent for 2009. Also, Medicare premiums will be held at their 2008 levels - no increase in Medicare Plan B.
So the SASB offer of 2.5 percent per year and a increased co-pay to 25 percent of the premium really is outrageous.
Many people on Social Security complain of living on a fixed income. When the teachers sign a contract that locks in salaries and benefits for years into the future, is that not a fixed income?

Looking foward to seeing all you complainers there. It's your chance to state your complaints and make your accusations in person.
If you don't have the balls to go and do that, you should just quit your b*tchin and have a little cheese with your whine.

I heard about tenure and how it is the magic that keeps teachers no matter what they do, say, they can't be fired, etc... It actually is, if you research instead of just listening to negative nonsense, the certification from the state, that says one has completed what needs to be done to be considered a teaching professional. It takes time and work to get there. How many professions require completing all the education, pass all the required testing and then work in the job for a number of years to be able to be labeled "professional"? A teacher can lose their job for any number of reasons as any professional, just not the foolish ones discussed on this board. Oh, if my child doesn't like the teacher, they should be fired. If they aren't willing to do any task that this community sets before them, they should be fired. My child is BORED in that class, therefore, they aren't a "good" teacher. How about your child is ENTERTAINED too much and has the misconception that going to school is another way to be amused! The problem with little Amanda or Richard is that mom and dad spend too much time listening to nonsense and not enough time saying do what you need to do to get the grade and learn all that you can. Life depends on it! This attitude of parents that think their child should be the judge of a teacher and decide whether they should be in the teaching field is ridiculous! These people spend YEARS preparing for this profession. The idea that a person can just say "this one shouldn't be a teacher" for any reason is insulting! I'm amazed at how many people talk about their child liking or not liking a teacher, or a teacher is so nice, or gives candy, or plays neat review games, etc...These things area all great and a plus, but they do not mean the person is a "good" teacher. Oh, in a student's eyes it certainly can make a difference. They DO NOT have the maturity to see past these things. This was talked about on the debate last night. It's time for PARENTS to step up! Stop caring if your child "likes" the teacher. Start demanding that they do their homework, stop listening to ridiculous complaining, make school a priority at home. If our children are corrected at school, stand behind the teacher-you know your child probably did talk or fool around at some point-give some support! They aren't perfect angels at home, why would you think they would be at school??? Don't look for excuses and don't accept them from your children. If education is important in this district,we need to get behind the teachers and demand more from our child/children. Sorry for the rant, I just think we need to look at this closely and examine ourselves with all the negative talk and attitudes that are coming out toward our teachers. The future is at stake and we CANNOT blame everything on the teachers. They are our children and WE are accountable for what we demand from them and attitudes we pass on to them.

The more families that move into the district, the more enrollment increases. And since development never pays for the infrastructure it takes to support it, especially when it comes to public education, that increased burden in the form of higher property taxes is carried by all the residents of the district.

Your argument that we need to pay teachers more so that more families move in isn't a very compelling one. At best you're advocating throwing gasoline on the fire.

nichole,
It had been reported that the others wanted the same health care that the teachers got. If that's true than they can't really settle until after the teachers.
I imagine there's some truth to that since we don't see them on strike.

The 'job" of the school board is to assist the legislature in meeting its Constitutional requirement to maintain "a through and efficient system of public education to meet the needs of the Commonwealth." and to
"Act as the general agent of the General Assembly in carrying out the will of the people of the district in the matter of public education."

It does not exist to find a "middle ground" for the rediculous demands of union thugs who seek to enrich themselves by holding the education system hostage.

Waiting for the reveal,
It's been public knowledge that the district would be changing boundry lines since at least January of 2008, plenty of time for people to provide input to the district.


The districts intent to sell the old school has been public knowledge since September of 2006 and the public has been updated throughout the process. I would think that 2 years if enough time for the public to "digest" the concept, if they're paying attention.

Will some of the proceeds of the sale go toward the new school? Maybe.
Or perhaps they might consider paying off the approx. $8 million the district still owes for the 1987 renovation of the old school.

As to the slow-down of posting on this site, it's no coincidence. I think it's because the teachers are working and not posting. It was no coincidence that the volume on this board was at its highest during the time of day when some teachers were walking and others were 'getting the word out' to the public on this and other forums.

And a question. In your post yesterday, you complained about what was on the agenda for tonights meeting, How did you know what was on the agenda?

The dispute is currently in the hands of the arbitrators, it makes little sense for the board not to conduct business required for the operation of the district.

You are right, not all SASD teachers are the lowest paid in the county - those at step 15 (the highest step on the matrix) are about average in the county. All the teachers BELOW step 15 - so that's steps 1-14 - ARE the lowest paid in the county. I've done the research. All the numbers are public, so go ahead and check. So, if by "toward the beginning of the matrix" you mean everyone except the teachers at the very top step, then yes, you are correct.

I believe Valerie is correct. And here is why. My husband and I moved to SASD 10 years ago. Neither of us is native to SASD. We moved here from out of state. We had the choice between MANY area school districts, and we were told hands down, SASD is the best. So we moved here. Now, after seeing how the board and a shockingly large number of community members are treating our teachers, we are considering moving to another district - one that treats it's teachers with the respect they deserve. You see, it's not SPECIFICALLY about salaries. It's about attitude. I know if I were a teacher, I wouldn't want to work for a board or in a community that clearly doesn't value what I have to offer. No one wants to work in those conditions, not even people in the "real world". I am concerned that not only will SASD be unable to attract talented new teachers, it won't be able to retain many of the ones we already have, because of the attitudes that have been displayed during this crisis. Which is why my family is seriously considering moving to another district, and why many new families won't move here.

I'll add to that and say that until the secretaries and the support staff all have contracts, no other business should even be considered. This school board has snowed the entire community into thinking they are doing their job by protecting the community from the terrible union. They haven't settled ONE contract that ended June 30, 2008. These people are the reason our schools can operate. I can't wait to see the slander and spin that Mr Sultanik does on the secretaries and support staff. I guess they will try offering them about 10 cents an hour and say they are foolish for not taking it! I wonder when the public will wake up and demand the SASB does its job. I for one am tired of the rhetoric and think that they should not be selling, buying, or doing any other job until these are settled! There IS a middle ground and it is their JOB to find it!

My point is that the SASB seems to move at a rapid pace withot any rhyme or reason to their actions. Remember the last minute addendum with admin raises? They pulled that one off quickly and quietly. They tried to quickly push through the new middle level boundary lines, until a few parents spoke up. The sale of the new high school will most likely be approved before the public even knows about it, muchless has the chance to digest it. Keeping watching how quickly those sale proceeds get allocated for new furniture for the Taj Mahal.

And yet, the teachers are still working without a contract.

To coin Sultanik's term - "our plants" may be up and running, but they are not at full production capacity. Each and every school board meeting should be about getting a contract for the teachers.

This message board speaks volumes. During the height of the strike - people were reading and posting at a frantic pace. But now, that school is back in session - activity here has all but stopped. Coincidence? I don't think so. Kids are in school. It's back to business. That's the shame. That's the embarassment.

No other school board business deserves to be conducted until the teachers have a contract.

Valerie,
The current credit problem sparked by the sub-prime mortgage mess effects on home sales isn't political spin, it's fact.

Also, not ALL SASD teachers are the lowest paid in the county, only the ones toward the beginning of the salary matrix. So don't "spin" that into being all the teachers. And if the SAEA is to be believed, those salaries have historically been lowest in the county.

And if youre correct about young buyers deciding to purchase a home based on what teachers salaries are, then I guess not too many homes must have been sold here over the years.


And the $17 million the board has saved over time toward other needs and obligations has nothing to do with the teachers salaries. Just because the $17 million exists doesn't mean it belongs to the union.

If you read my earlier post, I merely pointed out that my young clients asked about school districts and have compared per pupil spending and teacher salaries. The rest of you added your own political spin.

By the way, this IS my question: if the teacher's union is so all-powerful, why are the SASD teachers the lowest paid in the county? If they are paid so well, why does the school board have a 17 million dollar surplus?

Ok, my apologies. Yes, getting another degree such as a Masters or Doctorate IS an achievement. A big achievement.

However, taking additional courses for credits and achieving your Masters or Doctorate does not necessarily make someone a better teacher. Yes, it should help, but it's not automatic.

I understand that most teachers are reviewed on a regular basis, but what difference does that make? If a teacher is performing poorly on a consistant basis, what action is taken? Are they fiired? They should be.

My biggest complaint is that a teacher's merit should not be based solely on their own personal academic achievments, but also on a combination of various aspects that go into "being a public school teacher", such as managing a classroom, educating students, counseling, participating in events, etc...

I would like to see "tenure" either abolished or at least pushed back to 10 years. If a teacher can perform well (consistantly) for 10 years, then they have "earned" tenure.

I personally have no problem with a "good" teacher, who has earned higher academic degrees and consistantly performs well in and out of the classroom, making a six figure salary. If that teacher is really that good, then they deserve it.

Oh, one last thing. Is it possible that the reason families are not interested in moving into the Souderton School District, is because of the overpowering control that the teacher's union has over it's community of taxpayers? Unfortunately, until we are able to outlaw the ability for teacher's to strike, we have to deal with it.

All is not lost. We all have some choices to make. We, as a community, need to do a much better job of voicing our concerns. We need to work on communicating with our elected officials (such as School Board Members, State Senators & Reps, etc...) on a regular basis, not just by the act of who we vote for on election day, but by contacting them directly and frequently. They all have offices and ways to get in touch with them. It's about time that we all begin to speak up and let them know how we feel, and remind them of why they are in that position.

Waiting for the reveal,
What's your point, that the board shouldn't be conducting business?

Valerie,
So that's why home sales are down, low paid teachers.
It wouldn't surprise me to find out that the whole 'sub-prime mess effecting the ability to get credit' is just a cover story cooked up by the SASB, the Fed and the Treasury to cover for the real reason.

I'm in real estate, and this is my reality:
Most of the homes I've sold in the last ten years have been sold to young couples with small children or anticipating children. Young buyers with children consider the schools when buying a home: they always ask about the schools. If you were looking for a home in a good school district, would you choose the district that has the lowest paid teachers and spends the least amount of money per pupil? I can tell you it is very, very difficult to sell a house anywhere right now, but it is virtually impossible to sell one in SASD.

Take a look at the school board agenda for tomorrow nights meeting. The teachers are working in nonbinding arbitration, two other support staff contracts remain unresolved - and yet the school board will be approving requests for teachers to attend workshops and conferences on the taxpayers dollar ... more reckless actions by the SASB.

And, oh yea, by the way - one small little item at the end of the night - they're going to sell the old high school for 11 million dollars. Business as usual.

This is a poor example of the intelligence of some in the SASD. If his degree from the cooking school helps him get a good paying job in a fine restaurant, then the degree will be worth a great deal to him. If he cannot make it through the interview process and cooking samples, then he undoubtedly will not reap the benefit of his schooling and degrees. What you fail to understand is the process of securing a job in a school district. You must interview with human resources, then with other administration, and then meet with principals and present writing samples and actual subject lessons. It is a PROCESS with many different people in the district. If one secures a teaching job in any district within a few years you MUST continue education with a masters degree and then so many more credits every few years. There are evaluations every year for every teacher by different administration. Everyone has accountability. Please comment with intelligence. It is a shame to this district for people to continue this nonsense. If you think the job is so easy and wonderful, by all means, go back to school. get a teaching job if you can make it through the interview process, and try to teach. Then stop your whining and slandering the teachers in this district. You really should walk one day in their shoes.

To the person who said teachers should earn based on their achievement...
Um, yeah, going to school and EARNING a degree is an ACHIEVEMENT.
Going to school and EARNING a master's degree which most often includes REAL world experience is an ACHIEVEMENT.
Oh, and going to school to earn a doctorate, requires YEARS of dedication to your craft, extensive experience, determination, and fortitude... and is an ACHIEVEMENT to say the least.
So, if you are going to base your argument on pay should be based on achievement, then teachers should be making a TON more than they are. Anyone who doesn't believe EDUCATION in itself is ACHIEVMENT is ignorant. In fact, I think thinking like that is what is killing the educational system in this country, and absolutely tearing apart Souderton

Yep 'er - its that warped sense of thinking that keeps on attendin' those sportin' events (while wearing that high priced jersey) paying top dollar for a beer and a hot dog so those uneducated athletes can run around on a field, and not get paid what their worth either. DUH?!

Doesn't the 'fry guy' at McDonalds make more if he's a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America?

To Valarie N. (and the rest of the teachers posting comments on here),

WOW! What a warped concept! Why should a person with more education earn more than someone with less? Does a higher education automatically grant you the right to higher pay? I don't think so!

In the world where the rest of us live, it's the performance, achievement, or value that you produce for your employer and/or client that earns more money.

It's time to start paying our teachers based on their performance and achievments, not a free pass to higher pay just because they took some classes, and hung around long enough.

I'm not saying don't attend the meeting. Infact, I may eventually be in favor of the entire effort. Just not now. The union is in place and we need to deal with the result of their current action - not what we want them to do in the future. We need to put out this fire first. And for those of us who are unable to attend every evening meeting, I'm simply questionning, would it not be more prudent to be at Thursday nights' school board meeting and ask the school board where we are with the "final best offer" proposals? I want resolution on the current strike situation. You can believe that the school board is elated to know that the focus has been taken off them, while interested parties pursue stopping strikes instead.

Parent in waiting,
The union and district are in arbitration, I already sent my letter stating what I thought of the unions proposal.
So how would you suggest I spend time to "fight the fire" tonight instead of going to the Stop Teachers Strikes meeting?

Good idea - maybe ..? But doesn't it make more sense to fight the fire that is currently blazing out of control within the district - rather than try and prevent the next one?

Its all about timing folks.

Obviously, I wasn't attending the SASB meetings. Tell me about the risky bond issue that the SASD, along with several other school districts, is involved in.

As I crawl out from under my rock ... educate me!

Olin M.,
1- Section 3-318 of the School Code doesnt apply here. The boards not handling this as you see fit doesnt constitute a neglect of duty on the part of the board.

2- There is no long history of foot-dragging, stonewalling, and stalling by the SASB in the contract negotiations. The union made such accusations at the June 5th meeting. However just a couple of weeks prior to that the paper reported on the status of negotiations.

According to SAEA president Bill Lukridge: All I can tell you is we are looking into employee-employer contributions to health care Lukridge said So far, weve met, offered them our proposal, met again where they offered theirs, and we havent really had a chance to get back and forth and have a discussion.

It also reported that :
Lukridge and Brad Clemmens, assistant to the superintendent / director of human resources, said they are awaiting the medical representatives report and may know a timetable for negotiations sometime this week

In fact it wasnt until just after the union got the report that the accusations started flying. So was the board really not negotiating fairly or was the union just not happy with the results of the report?
And reportedly since June, the union wouldnt meet without the Uniserve rep, who wouldnt meet without the state mediator, negotiations were totally dependent on the schedules of those two people.

3- I also noticed that when you quoted section 3-318 you omitted the part about who can end up paying for the process of going to court.
But considering that you think you have a case, I think you should go for it.

4- And FYI, you wouldnt need a subpoena to see the districts financial records, theyre a matter of public record.
And if people would have bothered to attend the PUBLIC board and committee meetings over the past few years they would be up to speed on things now.
Then they too would be laughing at most of the facts put forth by some of the people on this forum.

excellent word skills!

I have found this message board to be most informative. But I also find it very disturbing when the readers and writers who are obviously supporting the school board, and have nothihng of worth to add - simply resort to criticism. If you truly support the decision making of this current school board - please cite your reasons.

Its about unity folks - not division. We all have a stake in the outcome. Please post material that is filled with substance and not cynicism.

GB and other concerned supporters of public education:

School board members may be removed from office, as provided by the school code of 1949. Here are the highlights:

§ 3-318. Removal for failure to organize or neglect of duty.
If the board of school directors in any district refuse or neglect to perform any duty imposed upon it by the provisions of this act relating to school districts any ten resident taxpayers in the district may present their petition in writing, verified by the oath or affirmation of at least three such resident taxpayers to the court of common pleas of the county in which such district or the largest part in area is located, setting forth the facts of such refusal or neglect of duty on the part of such school directors. If on such hearing, or if when no answer is filed denying the facts set forth in the petition, the court shall be of the opinion that any duty imposed on the board of school directors, which is by the provisions of this act made mandatory upon them to perform, has not been done or has been neglected by them, the court shall have power to remove the board, or such of its number as in its opinion is proper, and appoint for the unexpired terms other qualified persons in their stead, subject to the provisions of this act.
Any person so removed from the office of school director shall not be eligible again as school director for the period of five (5) years thereafter.

With the long history of foot-dragging, stonewalling, and stalling by the SASB in the contract negotiations, it is conceivable that a Court would find them negligent. This is especially true since the district has the money to fund a contract with money it has on hand. In such a lawsuit, the taxpayers could subpeona all the financial records that the district has hitherto kept closed to the public.

They're just so darn entertaining.

To Keepin It Real,

It is disturbing that you laud the fact that you voted for this board. The fact that a handful of vocal residents supports them at a public forum means little. History is littered with examples of poor leaders being elected and getting much vocal public support: have you heard of the March on Rome or the Party Congress at Nuremberg? Like any good show, the board packs the audience. I was at some of the board meetings at which pro-teacher speakers were cut off at the three minute mark, but pro-board speakers lingered for 4 or 5 minutes.

Keepin It Real supports a board that:

1. Has made no progress in negotiating any of the 3 contracts (teacher, secretary, support staff) that expired 3 months ago, but have become experts at dancing and spinning.

2. Has approved a 20 percent raise for an athletic director and a 24 percent raise for a video production specialist. The video production specialist now makes more money than a ten-year veteran teacher with a Masters degree would under the boards contract proposal. That teacher spends hours working with students each day. The video guy taped Negotiation Update.

3. Refuses to tap into a 17 million dollar surplus of taxpayer money that could easily end this mess immediately. Why would this fiscally responsible board spend the 17 million on education, when it can be invested in the financial markets and lose have of its value?

Keepin It Real is probably correct, all 515 teachers probably arent great. What percentage of the 7,000 students are great? What percent of the 9 school board members are great? We dont live in a perfect world. The fact that one may have a less-than-wonderful anecdotal experience with an employee at the grocery store does not give the consumer the right to hold down the compensation for the entire workforce for three to five years hence.

Organized labor is not the problem, its a rogue board that wants to pay teacher salaries at outdated levels!

Its not 1975, Keepin It Real.
Tell the board to SWEETEN THE DEAL.

I just assumed that several of the board members were up for re-election in November, since so many of the union supporters suggested in their comments that we should "remove them from office" come November.

My bad... for thinking that a union supporter would be able to convey accurate information.

Someone mentioned that they voted for this current board and would be happy to vote for them "in November". Since no year was given, let me inform you--NO ONE ON THIS BOARD IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2008! So many people pay no attention, as Aaron wrote, until the strike happened and things blew up. The board has 9 members. Their terms are for four years. To prevent a totally new board from being in office at once, the terms are staggered. Every two years there is an election, with either 4 or 5 seats being up for re-election. Sadly, for the community who realizes that this board is horrible, none of them need face the ballot box until November of 2009, and it's only 4 of them. Those of us disgusted by the tactics of this board cannot affect the majority until 2011. It's really sad. Unless, of course, some of them decide to resign. That is the only way that more seats can be open.
So, bear in mind, we are STUCK for 1-3 years with this current crew.

I voted for our current school board members and will likely vote to re-elect them in November. Unlike this message board, it was clear at the last school board meeting at Indian Valley, that the majority of parents and taxpayers supported the boards negotiating position.

That being said, I am pro teacher. Anti-union, but pro teacher. I believe that great teachers should be compensated appropriately and treated with the respect that they deserve, but unfortunately, we don't have 515 great teachers.

The collective bargaing process offers great teachers very little when it comes to getting the compensation they deserve. It's wonderful for the bottom 20 percent who are just putting their time in until retirement, they're benefiting "big time" from the efforts of those great teachers.

This isn't 1975 anymore, and we shouldn't be intimidated by organized labor. No doubt, our great teachers are "taking it on the chin" here, but that's their choice.

Aaron your comments on the current situation in the SASD were dead on correct! No one ever bothers to look under the hood of the car when its running well. And now that the engine is knocking, people are beginning to look and listen. Myself included.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for October 16th . The agenda will be available on October 15th.

Instead of Home & School Parents planning bingo nights and fall parties, we need to be a part of the real planning for our childrens' education. Tell your friends and neighbors - its not the classroom we need to get into to be involved - ITS THE BOARDROOM!

I 'm a business owner so I can assure you that economic conditions (in my industry) have a direct effect on my salary year to year, unlike teachers salaries.

So far as Christmas/Holiday bonuses.... are you kidding me. I suggest that you take a poll of the "blue collar workers" living in your neighborhood, you would find that very few receive a bonus at the holidays.

While I agree with you regarding CEO compensation in some cases, the reality of the situation is that the reason pension plans have all but disappeared... is because retiree's are living much longer these days. Not all pension plans can have access to taxpayer dollars if the fund goes insolvent.

I have no doubt that your job has challenges as well as its share of frustration, but we all do. Teachers have guaranteed annual increases built into their contracts, pay far less for their medical benefits than the majority of americans and are pretty much guaranteed a job for life. Add in the pension and summers off... it's a pretty sweet gig.

According to the Penn. Dept. of Ed., residents of the SASD earned 1.3 billion dollars in income in 2006. This was the adjusted gross income on the 21,580 PA state tax returns filed for 2006 - an average of 61,362 dollars per return. Keep in mind that this is adjusted gross income- pensions are not taxed in PA, so the actual income for area residents is higher.
According to the US Bureau of Labor, the average weekly wage for Mont. Co. was 1,176 in 2006, which matches the 61,362 yearly income almost perfectly. Therefore, it is odd that a teacher, who probably has or will have a Masters degree, would only be earning about 65,000? Since teachers have more education and credentials than an average worker, why would they not be paid accordingly?

You want to hear a teacher admit they have a sweet gig? When you say that you are thinking of a pension and time off in the summer, I bet. Every job out there can find someone who has something they wish they could have. I wish I could get a Christmas or Holiday bonus. I wish I didn't have to pay into Social Security since PA state law prohibits me from collecting. All of you who will collect it-thank a PA teacher. We teachers have paid into it for years. I worked through college and two jobs when I began substitute teaching. I was recently married and I think that my prohbit my husband ,who is a blue collar guy from collecting his social security.[Though I won't swear to it].

But I am not complaining because I don't want someone out there to tell me I am whining. I love seeing the light that burns in a child's eye's when they 'get it'. I loath the phone call that implies that a child not doing his homework is MY fault. I dislike looking into a teenagers eyes and having him tell me that his parents pay taxes and he can tell me to 'F' off and I cannot do anything about it. He is right. I can't. the system is broken because invariably that child's parents will tell the Principal I provoked him, and threaten to sue. Then I get in trouble.

The grass is always greener in someone else's career. That is all I am saying. Oh, and by the way, I moved here from another state and rolled that pension over into an Etrade IRA (it was roll it or lose it). I lost it anyway. I truly believe that America was stronger when MOST companies showed loyalty to their workers and paid them pensions. Too bad those same corporations are more intersted in paying CEO bonuses.

I couldn't agree more! No one cared when the SASD and SAEA couldn't settle a contract in June. No one cared about what the school board did with their tax money. No one even knew what was going on with our school board. Until... the teachers went on strike. Now we can all see how this board does not have the public education system in its best interest. Without the teachers taking a stand, we would still be in the dark. I will bet that many more residents will pay attention to the board meetings. Even if they can't attend, they will be watching on T.V.
So, Aaron made some great comments in his post. If you haven't read it, go back and check it out!

Tell us more about the bond issue. Where do we learn about it?

We need to equip each other with the necessary tools that will hold this school board accountable. Each and every SASD resident has something at stake.

The bond swap deal was mentioned in this article:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-4swap.6602980oct05,0,6257984.story?page=1

To Keepin' it real: I agree that teachers are caring and professional. I disagree with your other points. If you examine either proposal in depth, it is obvious that teachers at both ends of the spectrum DO NOT receive the same increase. Obviously, a 1000 dollar raise is a larger percentage of 37,000 than 60,000. Also, there is a misunderstanding that each teacher receives the same pension. A teacher with 40 years in the system will have a "better" pension than one with 25 years in. It also depends where the teacher worked and the age at retirement. You are also assuming that the pension will be there when some of the young teachers retire!
And to those really vindictive taxpayers: the teacher retirement system is state-mandated and state-controlled. The SASB and the SAEA have no control over it and it is not a negotiable matter.

Believe it or not I have been extremely happy with the teachers that I've had encounters with over the last decade. The majority are dedicated and caring professionals. My main problem is with unions in general.

You may well be one of the teachers who deserves a 6, 7 or even 8 percent annual salary increase, and why won't you get it??? Because the top ten percent of teachers will receive the same increase as the bottom ten percent. The system is horrible... It's not the school board cheating you, it's the system.

Regarding your pension plan... I realize that you contribute around 7.5 percent of your annual salary into the plan, but you will retire comfortably after 25, 30 or 40 years.

Just once... I would like the teachers to acknowledge, that although they don't have everything they want, you do have a pretty sweet gig.

Is there anywhere that we can research this deal before the school board meeting? It would be interesting to have a few answers before the actual meeting. Can you direct us to any site for info? I'd definately like to know more about this bond issue. Thanks for mentioning it.

Will the taxpayer group attend the next school board meeting and ask for details about the district's bond swap deal? Will the district reveal how much taxpayer money they have lost on this deal? Given the recent turmoil in the financial markets, will they disclose how much of the 17 million is still there?

I'm a student at Souderton High, and there are still some activities. A student led fall play auditions will be held this thursday and friday. There is a knitting club held at the library, which although is not affiliated with the school, is designed by a high school student. Come and make scarves or an afghan. There's also still a robotics club, fields of faith, and movement, as far as I'm aware.

Please explain to those of us who are following the message board postings, what exactly it is that you are "keepin' real." Do you enjoy the continual bashing of teachers? Are you pleased that this school board underhandedly and with poor timing granted raises to administrators while the teachers, secretaries and aides continue to work without contracts? Can you really uphold the percentage increases to the video technician and the AD?

You can keep it real by actually adding some constructive coments and facs that will benefit the reading public, rather than continually trying to tear us apart.

Jill Basiles effort to ban teacher strikes is misguided and naïve. It is overly simplistic in its approach to solving labor disputes between school boards and teacher unions. What she fails to realize is that a strike by teachers is a reaction to a school boards unwillingness to negotiate in good faith, and that a strike is a last ditch effort on the part of a teachers union.

Basile is quick to point out that there has been an outpouring from support from the community, of people e-mailing me asking, 'What can I do to help you? What do you need me to do?' My question is: where were these people in June? Did the community attend the school board meetings and demand that the contract be settled quickly and responsibly? No. Did the community follow the negotiation proceedings in late August and demand that the board avoid a strike? No. Most people paid little attention to the absence of a settlement between the SASB and the SAEA because they did not care about it until they were affected by it personally: the strike. Basile and her confederates are not really interested in preserving quality education or retaining highly qualified teachers. They want to pass a law to ensure that they are not inconvenienced by a strike in the future.

Basile is quick to proclaim that she is a taxpayer, and that she pays teacher salaries. She did not profess to be a voter. Did she vote for the current school board members? If so, is she willing to admit that by voting for this school board she contributed to the current situation? I doubt it. There are many people in this community who are quick to blast the teachers and complain about tax increases. How many residents are willing to stand up and say, I regret electing this Board. I admit I have not taken a keen interest in the way in which the school district is run. I have taken teachers for granted and have failed to consider how absence of a contract might affect their careers and their families. We have heard much about taxpayer rights and teacher responsibilities in this newspaper. When will we hear about a teachers right to a fair, competitive salary and the taxpayers (and the Boards) responsibilities in maintaining the excellent school system that has taken years to develop?

I just wanted to clarify the point of my post. The point was that we have been acting professionally. I wasn't complaining that I didn't get paid-just pointing out a fact.

As for the Principals' raises, I wish they had been offered more-they do more for our district than the head AV/SATV guy and the Athletic Director combined. Of course the district does give the perk of 50 cents for every dollar an administrator puts in their 403b retirement fund (Teachers do not get this addition to their own contribution). That can add up.

Seems to me with an 11 million dollar payment for the old high school, and the 17 million dollars of my tax money sititng in a bank account, the district can certainly afford to pay the teachers the raise they deserve plus don't forget our hard working secretaries and teachers aides who still have no contract!!!

Amazing... I think that you should "fine tune" your calculator. Looks to me as if tiers 11-15 will receive an average annual increase close to 5 percent.

I find it interesting that the union "pit bulls" among us haven't questioned the 2.5 percent salary increases that the majority of our principals received, but are focusing only on two administration employees.

To the teacher who attended back to school night and wasn't compensated for the two hours of her time... Welcome to America in the 21st century.

Again, I must say that Mr. Sultanik and his words never cease to amaze me. This is the man, may I remind the public, that could NOT say how many hours he has billed the district for at a school board meeting. He has no answers for himself, but he can sit back and at any given moment slander and insult the teachers of this district. I personally know a child who has an IEP this year. It was completed and there was never any question of the preparation for it or professionalism of the teacher involved.
I wonder how much Mr. S charged the district for the time in giving his derogatory statements about the teachers? This board might want to look at why they have this man representing our district. The idea is to settle this contract in a timely manner without damaging our community and district further. Are new teachers going to be applying when they find out that this is how the district treats their professionals when "negotiationg" with their staff? I think they should look into hiring someone who will attempt to build relationships and further the reputation of our community, even during disagreements, instead of continually looking for ways to tear it down.

As a Special Education teacher in the Souderton district, I am appalled that Sultanik would mention that we are not going to do our IEP's. I can tell the public that the Special Education Teachers of SASD are going to do our IEP's. We will fit them into the school day and fulfill our responsibility.

I can say it was a shock to come back from strike and find that even though I had been responsible and informed my supervisor [prior to the strike] of any September IEP's that I had due-no finger was lifted to make sure the DISTRICT fulfilled its legal responsibility. I came back from strike and had an IEP due in 4 days. It is completed, although it took a HUGE effort to make it happen in so short a time frame. Keep in Mind that while I was making sure to fulfill this responsibility, I was also planning to teach my own class, planning for the two classes that I co-teach, tracking down and introducing myself to the 20 kids on my IEP list, setting up a new grade book program, and reading the district last best (?) offer.

I have diligently worked to fulfill my responsibilities. I went to back-to-school night (unpaid). I have done my work. How dare Sultanik claim that I am not professional!

The board gave the Souderton administrators raises before offering non-binding arbitration to the teachers.

http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=20054840&BRD=2275&PAG=461&dept_id=635541&rfi=8

You asked why it took so long for the board to offer non-binding arbitration and get our kids back in school. I will tell you exactly what Mr. Currie proudly announced. We saved $1.25 million on the strike. Face the facts, they knew their offer was something the teachers could never accept because it was going backwards. It is for that reason they were able to cancel the insurance effective 9/1---that date is the day BEFORE the teachers voted. And, if you think just a little more, for it to be effective the morning of 9/1, the process must have been put in place 8/30 or 8/31. The board and Mr. Sultanik are dishonest, manipulative, insulting, and do not care about our children or our community. Look at how open they were about getting the raises passed for the principals.

I think the teachers should hold out and keep trying to get their hands on that
$17 million.
No matter how long it takes.

I think the board should just give the same percentage raise to the teachers as they did to the athletic director. That is amazing. $13,000 raise??? How can this school board look the public in the eye? How can they show their faces in public? Our kids and community were torn up because of this contract situation. The board turns around and give some people huge raises yet let our kids remain out of school and tarnish our communities reputation for years to come. I can't wait to see what an arbitrator says. This entire scenario should never have taken place. Make a fair offer to the people that work with the kids and end this once and for all. This school board's legacy will be one of divisiveness, anger, and embarrassment. That school district near Allentown went back to school in a day or two when the board offered non binding arbitration. Why did it take our board nearly 3 weeks to do the same? Our school board should be issuing a formal apology to every family and child in this community. They collected the tax revenue to the tune of 17 million dollar surplus, give huge raises to administrators to "remain competitive with other districts", just sold the old high school for another 11 million dollars, yet our teachers have no contract and our kids are having their education shortchanged. Please get this done NOW Mr. Currie or resign and let somebody do it who can! ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

help the arbitration process. if you are a resident of the souderton area school districrt please send a letter to the following addreess. for your opinion to be considered your letter must include your name and address and you must be a sasd resident. emails are not considered. help our teachers get an appropriate contract.....write now - there is only about one week left for comments to be considered.
SAEA Final Best Offer Public Comments
c/o Souderton Area School District
760 Lower Road
Souderton, PA 18964

I think the administration is smart enough to realize there's a limited amount of money to go around.
The board will never, nor should it, approve any contracts which will result in tax increases that might trigger the Act 1 public referendum requirements. Because the residents would never vote to raise their own taxes.

Any group holding out only increases the possibility of finding themselves without a chair when the music stops.

Okay Bankrupt,
I'll say the administrators get their raises BEFORE the teachers and the board will sneak it in under Act 96 this time. Act 96? Don't you remember it's purpose? We will before this is all said and done.

OK, I am thinking about starting a little betting pool here to see when the administration plans on sneaking in their pay raises to the Board. Do you think it will be A) before the teachers get a contract or B) after the teachers get a contract? I figure the money we raise in the betting pool willl be enough to pay for their raises!

Now, we all need to go to the next Board meeting and demand answers for the following:
1) Why does an athletic director deserve an over $13,000 raise?
2) Why does someone who has not even worked for the District yet desrve an automatic $12,000 raise?
3) Why does a video guy deserve a $12,000 raise?
4) Why does a job that does not even have an employee for it deserve a $3,000 raise
5) What is the District going to do with the over $266,000 they have "saved" by "eliminating" or "restructering" three positions?

I guess the video production specialist earned his $12,000 a year raise when he video taped Bernie with that leggy blonde.

Yes, the administration deserves a raise, SO THEY DON'T RUN TO OTHER DISTRICTS. The teachers should be granted the same respect, OR THEY WILL RUN. Get with the program SASD, honor the teachers, they deserve what they asked for.

I read with enjoyment Mr. Sultanik's comment about the union offer being "the same offer we have seen". After reading over the school board's final best offer the other day, it too appeared to be the same 2.5 percent they have been offering since the beginning. We are going into arbitration and they will sort through the issues. Bottom line, Mr. S, did you encourage the school board to change anything about the "same offer" the union has been seeing since the beginning? Did you remind everyone that this district final best offer is one and the same the union has been seeing from day one? It's interesting you are so hasty to point out that information to the public about the union offer. But the good news is that we the public have the ability to read and make some sense of this ourselves without the highly compensated attorney of the school board pointing out the obvious. It appears the arbitration will go ahead and the help and negotiating expertise of Mr. Sultanik was unnecessary after all. Did the question of his actual hours and fees ever really get answered? No matter, I feel certain that he will enjoy his hefty tax-payer refund check on that next cruise though.

Remember how Mr. sultanik was saying how he couldn't believe the teachers were asking for 8.2aises over four years and that they were willing to strike over that? And people bought the lie! Well the truth comes out. It turns out the teachers at the top of the scale would earn about 2.5 year over four years according to the teachers' proposal that Mr. Sultanik said had not really changed since the start of negotiations. (Oct. 2 article)
Apparently the man who spoke at the 9/11 school board meeting and claimed those salaries would rise to over 140,000 dollars and would double his taxes listened to Mr. sultanik too much. I guess the info. he referred to was misleading.

I've read the teachers best offer and it seems fair to me. The school board needs to stop playing games and approve what the teachers want.
The price of everything goes up and people will just have to live with the tax increases. There is nothing they can do about it.

Please remember what Mr. Currie and Mr. Sultanik announced at the last school board meeting. The board and the associaiton have agreed to "issue by issue" arbitration, which means the three arbitrators are free to pick and choose from both proposals. I think that is a good way to go. Otherwise, the choice is to pick one or the other in it's entirity. However, also remember this is non-binding. So, if either side ends up rejecting we are back at square one.

In other postings, I made it clear that I favor the teachers' side. I think the school board has acted irresponsibly and has treated the teachers with contempt. I also think the school board handled the approval and announcement of the administrative salaries very poorly. But, I do not begrudge them their increases. I am willing to bet that our administrative salaries lag behind what other districts pay.

Does anyone else see the repeated actions of this school board to be insulting? The whole argument when the teacher contracts were being reviewed was the economy, the public salaries, "accountability", etc... Why are raises for other staff members in this school district being "awarded" with no regard for "accountability" or even our comments? Yet they have encouraged slander and insult to the teachers in this community. I have to ask what is the real motive? I am weary of the nonsense of this school board and would like to see this contract settled, void of any more insults and accusations toward our teachers. I would hope that they are in this "non-binding arbitration" situation for the right reason. If they were voted in to represent the public in this contract, they should represent the public in ALL situations.

- A 13,500 dollar (20 percent!) raise for an athletic director?
- A 12,000 dollar (23 percent!) raise for a video production specialist?
These raises were approved by the SASB last week, after telling the public for nine months that teachers should be happy with a 2.5 percent raise.
Also, how can the board justify an 80,000 salary for an athletic director and a 62,286 salary for a video production specialist when under the board's offer to the union a teacher with a master's degree, 24 additional credits, and 10 years' experience would earn 62,144 dollars?
It's nice to know that the SASB values an athletic director at twice the average taxpayer salary, but an experienced master teacher warrants about 1.5 times the average taxpayer salary.

When is this community going to rise up and voice disapproval for the actions of this school board? This school board behaves in a manner that lacks accountability. How can community members oppose and 4 or 5 thousand dollar increase in salary for a teacher and yet approve a 20 ncrease for an athletic program administrator, well in excess of $10,000?? Do the math people, examine the increases that were gifted so smoothly, without question and public flogging to these administrators, many of whom deliver no actual educational services to our children. What about their benefits? THEY DO NOT PAY A CENT FOR THEIR INSURANCE...NOTHING!!! When will their benefit packages be published? The only thing this school board has shown is their hatred for the teachers of the Souderton School District. They have treated our teachers with nothing but total disregard for their education, talents, and work. Some teachers have already chosen to leave. Who will want to buy houses in Souderton? There is no other school district in Bucks or Montgomery County that appears to be guided by people who do not value public education. Let's get this settled and offer a better than average contract to our teachers. They deserve it.

Did you notice how the teachers' salaries (in their proposal) do not increase over 40

The three person arbitration panel can now review both proposals. What, if any, impact public comments will affect their decision remains to be seen. It seems that public comments really should not matter. An elected school board supposedly represents the public anyway. If the School Board proposal is unfair in your mind then it is imperative to let the Board know that in no uncertain terms. This is especially true if the arbitrators choose the Board's proposals because then you will have over 400 very unhappy teachers who undoubtedly will have their attitudes negatively affected and it just may show up in the classroom regardless of what they may say to the contrary.

Great Comment. I guess you must be supporting the school board and they are, as you already know, much more qualified for the job you describe. Good luck with that!

Hey SAEA,
You can't polish a turd.

I can't believe the SASB let those principal salary increases slip through. That's about as real as it gets.

The SASB keeps repeating that they do not want to grant the teachers a salary increase because it will raises taxes.

Yet, that same SB had no issue in quietly granting salary increases to their Act 93 employees. Rather nice increases for people who are not even in the classroom! That's a problem!

Stand firm teachers! They've got the money. Make them spend it on YOU!

Did you read the part where an Athletic Director got a $13,000 raise? Teacher hating is fun isn't it? It is fine to hate the people who teach our kids as long as we can field a competitive team. Thank you from the rest of us for "keepin it real" with the taxpayers of our community.

After reviewing your "wish list", I didn't notice a per diem for saying "good morning" to the students. I can't believe that the PSEA let that slip through.

THE TEACHERS STILL DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT!!!!! I don't get why the long conversations about principals??? Of course they are going to get nice raises. The teachers got squat!!! Why don't you spend some keeping pressure on that school board to accept the arbitration and less time attacking one another. Remember, this will all be over some day. What is going to happen to your wonderful community then???

"Compensation plan for the principals has absolutely nothing to do with the teachers contract".

Interesting comment, but mostly just more naive thinking. Money is money. Especially when its all being generated from the same source = the taxpayer.

It is that same line of thinking that spewed out the comment "the budget surplus is for roof and asphalt projects." Money is still money!

Face the facts - Souderton School District has money. They are just selective as to how and where to spend it. Meanwhile, those of us who do not believe its a separate issue will be waiiting five days for the reveal.

Angry Taxpayer,
Your opinion aside, the compensation plan for the principals has absolutely nothing to do with the teachers contract, it is a seperate issue.

I would suggest that you read up on Act 93.

Comment and clarify in every which way you please.

The fact remains that THE TIMING COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG TO GIVE SALARY INCREASES TO ACT 93 EMPLOYEES! Obviously, the SASB has a total disregard for the other school district employees. They should be ashamed of themselves. Even if the compensation plan had been publicly posted and the public had a chance to comment, TIMING WAS STILL WRONG!

Silly may possess knowledge on school board policies and practices, but is totally void of what qualifies as appropriate professional behavior.

Alanis,
There are two public comment periods at a meeting. The first occurs prior to the board taking action on agenda items. The second occurs at the end of the meeting for new or unfinished business.

There were two addendums to the agenda. The first one was provided with the agenda and other paperwork when you entered the meeting. That addendum included among other things, the ACT 93 Compensation Plan.
So that addendum was available to the public prior to the first comment period on agenda items.

The second addendum concerned the boards final best offer. That was handed out later in the meeting and the board allowed a public comment period prior to taking action on it.

Had you attended the meeting, you would know this. And that goes to the heart of the problem.

All the whiners complain about what they perceive to be improper actions on the part of the board. But they're not motivated enough to actually attend the meetings. Many of them aren't as truly concerned about the education system as they profess. They are just looking for something to piss and moan about in hopes of turning public opinion against the board in regard to the teachers contract.

You could run with your idea of posting on this forum the agenda items that you dont understand, and hope that someone else will do the work for you. Or you could attend the meetings yourself and that way youll know what youre talking about.

By the way, Section 1164 of the school code (aka ACT 93) was adopted in the mid 80's, not 1949. So it's not really all that "ancient".

Silly,

My comments or anyone's comments would have been pointless as the ACT 93 and the new administrator approval occurred under Roman Numeral 7 (VII). The public comment session isn't until the very end (XIII). So, even if I wanted to say something, it wouldn't have mattered.

You see, what is going on with the teachers is public knowledge because one person has a vendetta. He will do whatever it takes to paint the teachers in his own picture. That is why the public has had a chance to speak up about the teachers. How long has ACT 93 been part of the districts agenda? 2 Days? Of course no one is going to say anything because no one put information out about it, like they did for the teachers. People have had 9 months to hear about the teachers. We didn't hear about ACT 93 until after the fact. I'm sure, if the school board stated that ACT 93 was about raises for administrators, someone would have definitely said something. I'm supposed to go to a school board meeting to inquire about ACT 93.

Tell you what, next time something comes up on the board's agenda and I'm not sure what it is, I'll post it on here and you can tell me what it is. Then, when I find out that it is something underhanded, I'll go to the school board and voice my concerns after its already been approved. Thanks for bringing me to my sense.

Now don't get me wrong, the principals are part of the school and they are not a part of this charade. I just think this board is misusing its executive powers to do whatever they (he) want(s).

You have written words of truth. Thank You. Does the Souderton School Board really think the public is so naive to swallow their "jagged little pill"?

Alanis wrote:
"Sally, there is no sense in continuing your useless banter because it is clear as day that you have insider information about this School Board. Every bit of information you give makes me go "how would he/she/it know that?"

Well Alanis, you could try attending the PUBLIC meetings. You'll get to hear what you call "insider Info."

Why didn't you express your concerns during the public comment period of the board meeting?

I have a problem with it too. What I would like to know is why everyone else's salaries are made public, even those of the supplemental contracts? However, when it comes to the principal's salaries, it falls under ACT 93. I know that it is an ancient, adopted in 1949. The thing that bothers me the most is that it was placed at the very end and under an abbreviated name "Compensation Plan." I find it convenient that the Board omitted the rest of the ACT's title - "for School Administrators." It was only after the board meeting that it was known about the principal salaries. Had the Addendum stated "ACT 93 - Compensation Plan for School Administrators," I'm sure it would have raise eyebrows. I'm sure if the teacher's "compensation plan" fell under ACT 74, it would have been noticed by the public either.

More irony about this last School Board Meeting. A new administrator, having graduated in 2003 and with an "anticipated" 2009 Master's Degree, will be making a salary of $80,074. It will be pro-rated due to just being hired.

So Sally, its okay for the school board to okay $80,000 to someone who has had his/her Bachelor's for 5 years without even completing their Master's Degree. Yet, a newly hired teacher with a Master's Degree plus 24 credits starts out at $46,777 (according to the Board's Final Best Offer). Even with that teacher given 5 years with the Master's plus 24 would only make $53,113. But this administrator can come in and make the salary that would take the same teacher 15 years to make.

Sally, there is no sense in continuing your useless banter because it is clear as day that you have insider information about this School Board. Every bit of information you give makes me go "how would he/she/it know that?"

Still Outraged, Souderton-

Since YOU have a problem with the way it was handled, then why didn't YOU speak up at the meeting when YOU had the opportunity to comment?

I am very curious to see what our incredible open district approved for administrative / principal salaries - will it be the same 2.5 percent they say they are offering the teachers? When will their health care be posted in the Reporter? Are they being asked to make much greater contributions for less coverage? Why won't they simply give the information out?? So much for "public information"

No comment was made on the salary increases because most taxpayers were not even aware that the proposed increases were part of the agenda to the Thursday night meeting! Could it be that the SASB were once again, quietly managing our money without our input?

Waiting until the last minute to put such a senstitive issue on an addendum, that no one would see unless they were in attendance at the meeting, is downright SLY!

Tell me Silly, can you really uphold salary increases to principals when such an unsteady environment currently exists within the SASD ? Our teachers are working under non-binding arbitration and two other integral support personnel associations are also working without contracts. C'mon think about it? Timing couldn't have been more wrong!

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE ADDENDUMS! More administrator increases should be showing up there soon, along with new elementary boundary lines and all that new furniture for the Taj Mahal! Who knows - maybe even the sale of the old place will be determined by the slam of the gavel on a last minute addendum item!

The public was given an opportunity to comment on the addendum items prior to the board taking action. And as I recall, no one spoke up. So you must have been ok with it at the time.

Why did they wait until the day after they approved Act 93 pay increases to post the addendum on their website? I checked for it on Thursday and on Friday for the addendum. Why did they post it late Friday and after it was approved by the Board. I guess they didn't want our input? Did they violate the publics trust? (Maybe a law or two) I also wonder why they will not release the pay for Principals for 5 days (Act 93 employees). Could it be that the Non-binding final best offer has 10 days for the public to make comments??? This School Board does what it wants and it does not care about my Kids or the teachers. This should be a lesson on how not to run a School District!!!

My sarcasm was obviously lost on you. Of course the addendum is on the website today, after the fact. I just thought the timing of a last minute addendum including salary increases, reinforces the reckless decision making by the school board. Had this item originally appeared on the agenda that posted Wednesday, the public might have actually been given the opportunity to comment on the salary increases of Act 93 personnel. If you're okay with their timing - you are indeed Silly.

Another blantant disregard for the SASD teachers.

Regarding an eariler question.
The board taking action on principal salaries was on an addendum to the consent agenda, and it was posted on the district web site with the meeting agenda.
It's probably still posted so take a look.

My point was that if are a single parent raising three children, as some teachers are, you could qualify for FREE lunches. Also, if you are a male teacher and want to provide a home for your family and you want your wife to stay home, you could qualify as well.

gb,
According to the flyer-"This town hall meeting will provide Souderton Area parents and taxpayers with a status update and comprehensive information on the Strike-Free Education Act."

So if you're going to "hear the other side" as you say, I don't understand what your issue is.
Of course if your interest is in opening a "dialog", you can always reserve a room and invite only those who wish to hear you talk. The library also has a small conference room availible, and perhaps a cubicle.
It's a free country.

Only a group of fools would grant salary increases to their Principals and still not have contracts in place for the rest of their staff! Was this listed on Wednesdays' public posted school board agenda? How does this happen?

What is going on in the Souderton School District?

I read the flyer for the town hall meeting on Monday, Oct 13th at the Indian Valley Public Library. Across the bottom of the flyer is says that if you support teachers' right to strike you are not welcome at the meeting. First of all, if this is a public meeting in a public place, they do not have the right to bar anyone from attending. Second, what if you support the right to strike but are willing to hear the other side? I think that sentence on the flyer says it all, folks--these people are not interested in a dialog, and they don't want anyone who disagrees to attend their public meeting.

I have lived in the SASD for >20 years. Both of our children have graduated from the SAHS. The tax base here is largely from Home owners, not industry. Alot of the longer term residents are not high income housholds.

Our teachers deserve to be paid fairly and no one is denying they are doing a good job. I have the utmost respect for the teachers here.

We all have to be practical though. Due to our wonderful econmy of oour times, our household income has been lowered by nearly 1/3 over the opast ten years. I myself have only received 1 pay increase in the last three years and that was only 3í
3n three years is not even CLOSE to cost of living increases but I continue to work and do the best I can. Our home taxes are higher than most of Montgomery Cnty as compared to the property values.

Please consideer everyone in this and negotiate in good faith on both sides of the issues.

Thank you!

Please compare apples to apples. $39K is for a FAMILY of FOUR. So a teacher making $37K doesn't mean they are in poverty. They may not have a children, and may also have a spouse with an income.

I believe the $39,000 for "free lunches" means "total" family income not just from one single person in the family!!! If you are a "single wage earner" then great - get the free lunches, but MOST teachers have two incomes coming in and you CERTAINLY do not qualify for POVERTY! You crack me up. Do you honestly think people are going to feel sorry for you!!

One of the many papers that came home in my child's backpack was an application for free lunches. I thought it was very interesting that you could make $39,000 with a family of foUr and qualify for FREE lunches! First year teachers only make $37,000. That's poverty level people! Wake UP!!!!

The spirit of our community has been torn apart by the actions of a few elected leaders that resulted in the recent school strike. The children of our school district are left wondering if education is really valued or important. One role of a community is to facilitate the growth of its young people, educating them to become citizens who will contribute to the future growth, security, and prosperity of the area. After observing the actions of our public school leadership, I must ask myself if they have acted in the best interest of the public. Or have they acted in a manner that is self-serving? I am perplexed by leadership of any public school system resting in the hands of a board that is not committed to providing the very best schools a community can provide. What would motivate private school elitists to make decisions that influence the day to day workings of the public schools? Is the Souderton Area School District being driven by men who lack personal faith in public education? It is time to initiate healing and repair the damage.Not all members of our school board agree with what has transpired regarding the lack of genuine negotiations. The school board needs to commence true leadership and heal this fractured community. The money is available to provide a contract that will fairly compensate quality teachers. Please donÕt waste it on flashy furniture and plants (no kidding). The fanciest furnishings and shower facilities will not educate our kids. Think about what really matters, pay our teachers a fair wage. They certainly arenÕt getting rich, just trying to live a middle class existence. They shop in our stores, pay taxes, contribute to our churches, volunteer at little league. Quit treating them like criminals. Maybe then we can respect the school board as well.

Anything that takes us closer to BANNINIG ALL LABOR UNIONS is time well spent for me!

Now I understand that HB 1369 is not intended to ban teacher's unions all together, however the place and time for labor unions has come and gone! Their stongarm (and often illegal) tactics are no longer welcome in this world, and they are killing the future of this state and our country!

A state-wide teachers health care plan would remove that burden from school board during negotiations.
But if the goal is surrendering responsibilty in order to make things easier, why not just let the state negotiate a state-wide teachers contract. And while we're at it, hang a target on the taxpayers.

One need only look at the state-wide teachers retirement plan (PSERS) to see how screwed we would be.
The retirement fund lost money do to Eron-type investments, the legislature increased benefits by 25À now taxpayers are told that the plan is projected to be under-funded
and we must pay more to make up for it.

Yep. Sounds like a good plan to me.

The "Stop Teacher Strikes Town Hall Meeting" is a waste of time for Souderton taxpayers. A law banning teacher strikes would do nothing to solve the difficulties involved in contract negotiations between a school board and teachers. Remember, a strike is a symptom of a problem - not the problem itself. HB 1369 is misguided and naive. It's like passing a law banning hunger in order to avoid starvation, rather than finding a solution to feeding hungry people.
If you really want to make a difference, write your state representative and ask him to support HB 1277. That would create a state-wide healthcare system for teachers and remove healthcare issues from local contract negotiations. There would be wrangling over level of benefits or copays.
By the way, a law banning teacher strikes would not affect the current situation in Souderton. A law may not work retroactively... so why waste your time?

Souderton Area residents to Host Issues & Answers Town Hall Meeting on STRIKE-FREE Education Act
WHAT: Featuring special guest speaker StopTeacherStrikes.org President Simon Campbell. This town hall meeting will provide Souderton Area parents and taxpayers with a status update and comprehensive information on the STRIKE-FREE Education Act (House Bill 1369).
DATE: Monday, Octpber 13, 2008
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Indian Valley Public Library
100 East Church Avenve
Telford , PA 18969

You are right on the money - our money by the way! Our money that is being hoarded aside to make the high paid business manager ($117,800) appear fiscally responsible! Capital improvements and pretty furniture do not a school district make. Let the smoke continue to clear.

Put the taxpayers money into the students, the teachers and its staff.

My post only stated that it would be a bold move for them to walk during the test taking time of PSSA's. I never said anything else. While we are focusing on the topic, who teaches the students what they need to know to reach AYP??? Would it be the local baker? maybe the gas station attendant?? I know!!! It's LT!!!!! Who do you think helps these students become proficient???

Quote from Article in Monday's paper - "a lump sum of money should not be used to fund recurring expenses such as salaries and benefits. A lump sum is better used to fund one-time expenses such as roof and asphalt repair or replacement," Bray stated.
So, in the district's perspective, a roof and / or asphalt are more important than the teachers that educate our children? What in the world kind of logic is this? How much money does this woman make to make fine insights like this one??? I want my kids to have a quality education. They only have so many years in school before they are thrust into adulthood. I want them prepared for life, and I don't care about her stupid roofs or parking lots! What an insane school district. How did these people EVER get into a position where they are running our once proud district. Every day this becomes MORE of an embarrassment. Please keep your comments to yourself, Brenda Bray Director of Business Affairs, and let the high priced PR firm you are paying speak for you! Enough of this.

I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who is opposed to school stricks. October 13th @ 7p.m. at the Indian Valley Library. Lets help Pennsylvania become the 38th state to outlaw school strikes!

Continuously bashing teachers on an anonymous website is a sure sign of hating teachers. Please answer the question presented before you. No more stalling. The fine people on this board are awaiting your response. Why do you hate teachers? Please, tell us what happened to you as a child so we can help you through your bitterness and hatred. It's not healthy. Let the healing begin, LT.

Come on, LT. This contract dispute is a two-way street. You don't want to give our dedicated teachers more money than is in their contracts? Then don't expect them to provide services that are NOT in the contract. After all, up to now, they've provided them for FREE. Helping children before/after school, clubs like Just Say No, after school events (Lip Sync, etc.) are all things teachers do FOR KIDS with no pay. You can't really have it both ways, now LT, can you??? You want to stick to the pay that's in the contract, then expect our teachers to back off on services and stick to the duties in that contract. That's what I would do, if I was a teacher. Can you blame them?

This is not over. A hurdle was made, but more work lies ahead. At the 9/11 Board Meeting many comments were made, asking to begin this process sooner rather than later. At least it has begun. The students are back in school and most extra activities will also resume. I think this shows good faith on the part of our teachers. I remain convinced that they never had the support or cooperation of our School Board, hence their strike.

LT, you must have been on vacation last week - only to return lugging a suitcase full of bitterness and resentment ... why do you continue to degrade our educators?!

I for one, will be watching for the School Board Agenda to be released on Wednesday. Eventually, that proposed furniture along with the administrator increases will appear there.

The SASD Teachers deserve a fair contract.

Are you claiming that teachers are responsible for the PSSA results?

Quoting the SAEA president is a sign of hating teachers?
Interesting

Many people bashed the teachers throughout this ordeal. I think they should go back to work and stay within the contract guidelines. This way, the public gets a real good idea of what this teachers do above and beyond their official job title. Now that everyone's kids are in school, the comments have stopped. The public could care less now. If the teachers show you all what contractual work looks like, maybe next time their contract is up, you'll remember how "extra" they really do on their own time. Just now it has become expected of them. Don't forget that when the board doesn't approve the contract, they can strike again. I do believe there is a really important test in the spring. Anyone know what that is????? That's right!! PSSA!!! Say it again! PSSA!! You all better hope there is a contract before then. If not, they should walk then. See how much they are needed then. You all need to stop and realize this is NOT over.

Why do you hate teachers so much? Please explain. Refrain from using the words "greedy" and "selfish" or synonyms of "greedy" and "selfish". Do not include quotes from others in your response. Support your response with facts not speculation.

You wrote:
"Meanwhile, our children's teachers will still be putting in way beyond that 7.5 hour day, running clubs and sports, tutoring kids, planning curriculum"


Yea, right.
Statements below made by Lukridge and appeared in the 9/19/08 Intelligencer-

""And Bill Lukridge, president of the teachers union, said not to expect teachers to perform any volunteer work after they return.
Teachers are going back, but we are still very disappointed we do not have a contract. There are things that we are not contracted to do, and won't do them. We will work to the letter of the contract."

But as for any after school help for students who have gotten behind, Lukridge said sternly the teachers will be providing no after-school help.

Or...maybe it's the fact that all of our kids are back in school and we, the PARENTS, are forgetting that there's still a battle going on. We can't let the fact that they're back to "business as normal" mean we forget that they're still depending on our support and for us to contact the board, especially as this arbitration process moves along. Funny how we all care (one way or the other) until kids are back in school and OUR lives return to normal! Meanwhile, our children's teachers will still be putting in way beyond that 7.5 hour day, running clubs and sports, tutoring kids, planning curriculum, SEEING OUR CHILDREN SOMETIMES FOR MORE HOURS IN A DAY THAN WE MIGHT.

Will we let them down? I hope not!

Don't you think it is funny that now that those greedy teachers have released their hostages and are back in the classroom where they belong that the comments have stopped The public got what they wanted, so I guess everything is okay?

Yes, it does, even on an anonymous message board. There is no reason to ridicule a grandmother who is worried about her grandson. Someone may not express themselves elegantly but they have a right to say what they need to say. It is a shame that there may be a young man who has not progressed academically. I don't know what the specific issues are but I have a special needs son too. My son has benefited greatly from the Souderton teachers. They are patient and have helped him so much. He is not at the same academic level as his peers, but he continues to progress and he loves school. So, please, disagree with grandmother if you wish to but don't mock--it's cruel and bullying. Ma'am, I hope your grandson does well.

Are you really calling the teachers terrorists and the students hostages??? What kind of sick world do you live in? You are comparing teachers and students to a horrible thing that happened 7 years ago. Really, you are a loser.
As someone else mentioned, the teachers shirts were ordered long ago and the plan to greet the students was in place long ago. The plan was created by Sam Varano... the principal of SAHS.
Oh, by the way, the teachers deserve a fair contract!

That was not a photo-op for the teachers this morning in front of the High School. That ceremony was planned long before the teachers decided to go on strike to celebrate the last year that students will occupy that building. So please let's stop the negative comments for now. The students are back in the classroom and that is what we should all be focusing on now. Thank you!

$17 million dollars worth of furniture....

I hope its all gold plated!!! Is it all being custom made in France????

Last I heard, all the current furniture in the old high school was being moved by the teachers this summer.....oh cheap labor Mr Currie.......are you gonna help???? or just sit on your duppa and wait for the Hill School to ask for another donation?

Where were you when your grandson was learning his ABC's??? or learning to count??? takes a lifestome to learn that starts with PARENTS at home...

shame shame Grandma....no wonder you are mad.....no go pluk your chinney chin chin hairs....

You people obviously are outta work and jealous of teachers.....What happened?? too many times in rehab make ya lose yer job...D-R-B...

Get a clue....and maybe look in the classifieds....I hear the kettles need a cleaner upper

Who is kidding who? This strike is not over. This is a Union Trick to get you on the teachers side. Oh how nice that the teachers are back and really care about our kids, right. They still have several days left to strike, and believe me they will. This will mean more interruption to our kids schooling. Board, stick to your guns and dont give in.

d-r-b
are you a communist...what the teachers did today was a CLASS ACT....that was planned long before the strike ever occurred...In case you did not know, this is the last class that will start the year at the high school...It has nothing to do at all with the union, the strike or a show of solidarity...
I applaud the school and the school administration for such an effort...

I have not supported the teachers cause at all, but I must say that it's minds like yours that create the need for everyone to remain anonymous.

There really should be sort of a "Megan's Law" for nit-wit's, so that the public knows who and where you are.

Nice job this morning teachers!!

It's bad enough the union disrupted the education of the students in order to advance its agenda. And they continue to use the students, this time for a photo op.

Teachers dressed in the same red used signify solidarity in denying education to our children, now line the walkway into the building. Forcing students to walk a sort of perverse Gauntlet O Applause in order to go to school.

Its seems to me a little like terrorists clapping for the hostages theyve just released.

Have they no shame?

I don't think that Bernie was being stubborn at all, and I agree with you that he knows the number will likely be somewhere between 3.5-5 percent annually. In my opinion the PSEA was driving the bus on behalf of the local union and didn't want them to budge.

I'm sure they'll get something worked out so far as medical benefits are concerned, and I'll bet that if the teachers come back with a reasonable final proposal, (around 5a deal will get done and we can all move on.

I'm not sure why Bernie is the "bad guy" here. The board started at 2 percent, increased it to 2.5 percent, and the union never moved from 8 percent. If you're idea of negotiating is just handing the union everthing they ask for, then I'm glad that you're not on the negotiating team.

There is no way the district was going to agree to arbitration before this week becuase their offer is not realistic. The teachers have a case whether you want to believe it or not. Remember what is taken into consideration and most of the facts (to be considered) seem to be on their side. Bernie is smart enough to know 2.5 would never get it done, but he is too proud to admit it at the table. He put a number surpassed by Bristol then the Lehigh Valley that was not even in the realm of possibility all in the name of "accountability". This is why this community finds itself in the position it is in. Now an arbitrator has to do what the school board was incapable or too stuborn to do.

The school board has too much to lose at non-binding arbitration. There is no way that outsiders aren't going to give the teachers more that what the board was offering. It is beneficial for the teachers to go this route. If the school board had offered this earlier, the union would have jumped at the chance. Once that's started, they can get back in their classrooms and then the REAL negotiating can start.

You might want to consider changing your name to "foolish coward", it would be more appropriate.

Although I support our school board and believe that they would have agreed to non-binding arbitration from the beginning, eliminating most of this non-sense. I'd like to say "welcome back" to our teachers, my children can't wait to see you tomorrow.

Calm Down! We were all told in the beginning that whenever school was starting, we would be notified by 8pm the night before. Like it or not, we all knew it could be a last minute change.

As for the question why did the teachers wait until the 11th hour? They went in to every session, with their entire team prepared, hoping optimistically that they would be treated fairly and the board would compromise. Look at the info...they were backed into the position where they were essentially bargaining w/ themselves because the board wouldn't give medical until a salary was named. Whatever teachers were going to make up in salary was going to be spent on medical insurance. Finally, at an impasse, it goes to nonbinding arbitration.

Maybe now someone objective (ie: without an ulterior motive and a large ego, Currie) will weigh the options and start treating our teachers repectfully. They care for our children day in and day out, after all!

your idiocy knows no bounds. do you really believe everything that is posted here, or that people's signatures reflect who they really are? BTW, I am a gorgeous blonde looking for a coward to spend my friday nights with. Maybe you could show me how to bite open beer bottles with the three teeth you have remaining and then we could watch some Springer.

In order to enter into non-binding (or binding) arbitration two sides have to agree UNLESS teachers are ordered back from a strike THEN it is mandatory. The mandatory non-binding arbitration would have been instituted beginning the 24th. I

t wasn't until two failed bargaining sessions last Friday and Monday that the SASB began realizing their offer would not be accepted. The solicitor for the school board called union leadership and agreed to enter arbitration early IF the teachers would come back early. I realize that he and his PR firm probably spun that a little bit differently (I am a teacher who doesn't have a degree in PR) If you are unhappy about how long it took to get here-call your school board. They were aware that if the parties couldn't get a settlement this was the next step. I also believe they knew the union would be amenable to the idea. I would also point out that if the teaching contract is extended to the number of days the district propses they have just reached the number where they would no longer save money. (We are past that if you look at keeping the days worked a year the same)

I look forward to the process of arbitration. I feel it will give a fair and balanced look at the situation. I also look forward to being in my classroom tomorrow and am glad things are moving to the next step.

The teachers are returning because the board FINALLY agreed to non-binding arbitration. But as predicted, they will turn this around to make themselves look good. The teachers are gaining nothing by going back to school early, they still don't have a contract. Theya re hoping that the community will see that they are bargaining in good faith and trying to get the school year started as quickly as the BOARD would allow. This way, thay could save three days of vacation time for the kids. Make no mistake, the teachers will do their very best to return to normalcy, but they still are working without a contract!

These teachers do not understand what the average family income is, and they are demanding more money. They are a joke! They need to get back to work and stop complaining.They need to start caring about what is really important and that is the students!

Both sides had to agree on it and the district just brought it to the table as a means to get the kids back in school and the teachers overwhelmingly agreed

Sincerley--that is not sarcasm. The next step was always going to be non binding arbitration. The teachers were not obligated to go back before next week. I think it is a great gesture on their part--they want to teach, the kids want to go to school!! Now let's just keep pressure on the school board to be realistic and BARGAIN.

Its about time ! Now that the students finally are going back, may the community begin to heal. At least until we debate which teams best offer is the best.

Quote from A Teacher in Souderton
"there is NO WAY that will actually happen"

Apparently, you have no idea what you're talking about. I just received a phone call from my friend Charlie Amuso that school begins promptly tomorrow at 7 AM. You might want to set your alarm "Teacher."

Check the headline on the Reporter site. Check the message from SASD. Why would you rile everyone up by stating that you will return tomorrow if, in fact, you are intending to return on Monday. Why wouldn't that be added to the message? Here is a headline for you in case it is impossible to be straight-forward with the people that are footing the bill here.

"Teachers may return to school tomorrow. Students would be back in class on Monday"

Is it that freaking hard?

Can someone also explain to me why... after 2 weeks, the teachers are deciding to throw in the towel 3 days before the deadline? Is there some benefit to doing it this way? Or, did the union leadership really just want to screw up everyone's life for a week and a half. Then, at the 11th hour say... nevermind, let's do arbitration. Please enlighten me.

Seems as if you might be the one not sleeping at night... When this is all over, we can all meet at the high school, hold hands, and sing "God Bless America" together. Do you think that will help to "mend" our community?

Unbelievable! So, the main argument that the Union has been using to justify their strike, was somthing that they actually brought on themselves?

Ha ha ha! I guess I shouldn't be too surprised!

If the kids do go back to school tomorrow, PLEASE talk to them tonight about being nice to their teachers. There has been a lot of hostility these past two and a half weeks. I heard that there were some pretty nasty things done to the teachers as they picketed. Now that the school year is about to start, please let your children know that they need to respect their teachers, no matter what the last couple of weeks have been like. It's a new school year. I am highly doubtful any teachers will arrive at work tomorrow with a negative attitude. In fact, with the teachers that I've spoken to, they want to go back just as much as the rest of us want the kids back.

There have been many comments about the school district losing teachers due to the low starting salary and the lifetime earning potential. This is very true. Take a look at teachers hired during the summer. You will notice that some teachers were hired for particular postions and then you will notice that a different teacher was hired for that same postition later on. That is before even starting here, teachers are leaving. Look at how many teachers were hired in late August. What is the caliber of those teachers who couldn't get hired in the beginning of summer when districts like to get the best people for their open jobs? Some of these teachers may be in your child's classroom in the future. Starting salary and lifetime earning is very important to attract and KEEP the best.

The union argument has been that we're losing good teachers because of the starting salaries in the district. Assuming that one believes their argument, (which I do not) the union is the reason that starting salaries are so low.

Look at the matrix before you speak. steps 1-5 annual increase 2.55 percent, steps 6-10 annual increase 2.78 percent, steps 11-15 annual increase 6.73 percent. If the union is so concerned about entry level teachers they can negotiate an increase in payroll of 4-4.5 percent per year, and give the majority of that increase to those teachers.

I don't believe that's their ultimate goal. A large majority of teachers fall between steps 11-15, which happen to be the steps that will ultimately determine their pension benefit. That's precisely why the increases are weighted heavily towards those members.

It's clear to me reading these posts, that the majority of people are "clueless" when it comes to the collective bargaining process.

Come on people! Do you really believe that Jeffrey Sultanik has been trying to convince the union to agree to non binding arbitration and to go back early. IF, that had been the case, why didn't this BIG MOUTH lawyer announce that earlier in the week. He has done everything in his power to make Bernie Currie & himself look good. Again, if HE thought of this idea on Monday, he would have printed it.

I really don't know how this man can go to sleep at night with a clear conscience. I am begging you not to let this man continue to tear us apart.

People need to stop predicting and wait for the facts. One person this morning said they heard teachers were given permission to stay out until Oct. 6th!--FALSE!

Now, people are saying there is NO WAY the students will return tomorrow. Why don't you just wait until the FACTS are out and stop wasting your time predicting something YOU don't know.

TO The Comment OF RJS Harleysville PA , You ask me what I did for a living ? Well let me tell you I am RETIRED. I worked all my life. But no one has awsers for me about my GRANDSON who is in SOUDERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT and has been here for years. My GRANDSON CAN NOT READ , WRITE , or do MATH . My GANDSON is sent to SCHOOL to get an EDUCATION .I want some one to awser why my GRANDSON CAN NOT READ , WRITE ,or do MATH ? P.S I RAISED FOUR KIDS BY MY SELF WITHOUT NO HELP FROM ANYONE. RESPECT THE ELDERS

Teacher, I understand your concern about the board not being forced to settle. I think they would settle due to the pressure the public would exert on them if they were stonewalling. No one wants to see the school system fail.

However, don't let that stop you from talking about it. If that is a sticking point, let the PSEA offer changes to the bill such that they WOULD feel comfortable supporting it. This is just a proposed bill - a starting point. Unfortunately, it hasn't even been brought out of committee to allow the legislature to discuss it. That, to me, shows that the powers in charge don't even want to negotiate a bill such as this.

My proposed change would be this: After 365 days, if the negotiation is deadlocked - all leadership positions would be forced to be re-elected. So if the board was not up for re-election in November and thought they were safe to stonewall for another year, they would have to run and be re-elected to do so.

Relax, although the board will vote to go back to school tomorrow, there is NO WAY that will actually happen. The school district will need a day to round up the drivers, lunch ladies, etc... It is much more likely the kids will start on Monday. Perhaps tomorrow will be an in-service for teachers?

The Union decides on where the money goes but the problem is that the board has yet to put any money into the matrix. Determining the matrix is the easy part once there is money to "FIX IT" as you say. The board is offering 2.5 for the entire schedule not 2.5 per individual like they have duped the community in to believing. What they have offered them essentially is going backwards from where they are. Bernie Currie has used this community to try fulfill his own school hating ideology and this community is the one that had to suffer. I agree witht he guy who said arbitration will blow up in the boards face because they are very far behind. Lastly, the other 8 members should be ashamed of themselves for letting it get his far. They had the power yet they would rather have their wives posting on here to fire the teachers. All of you will get your firings come election time.

Are the teachers/board/Sultanik living on this planet? They want to start school tomorrow? After 2 weeks of nonsense, they just want to call it off? Oh, but you will get a few hours tonight to prepare for tomorrow. I know a lot of people who wanted to go to work late so they could escort their kids to Kindergarten. Will they be able to give their employer such short notice? I want to line these people (Sultanik, Currie, Smith, Lukridge) up a give them a 'real' dart.

Oh, and thanks a lot Mr. Leer for not showing up at any of the negotiations. What are you on the school board for? This was the single biggest issue facing this district and you couldn't even show up. We need to go to the next board meeting with fistfuls of darts.

Both sides contribute to the creation on the matrix. Part of the bargaining process involves agreeing on the number of steps, the amount of columns, and the amount of funds to be disbursed over the matrix. If I am correct, the board sets the starting salary, but the union decides where to put the rest. Some teachers are angry, because there is a huge bump step that served older teachers well at the expense of the rest, but any anger about this is useless. The board and the union representatives who serve us now aren't the ones who created this problem with previous contracts. Besides, even with the bump step, our beginning salary(set by the board?) and the top salary (set by the union?) are still below where they should be, as are all the steps in between.

Regarding HB1369: This bill would indeed benefit the community in that it would almost immediately begin the process were about to enter into anyway. After actually viewing the bill, I see one inherent problem that would ultimately prevent my personal support: There is no need for the board to settle. According to the bill, contract retroactivity is not able to be bargained, and if an agreement is not reached by the timetables outlined in the bill, the teachers would work on a month-to-month basis under the recently expired contract. With a school board like the SASB, I would imagine they would be content allowing us to work under the contract that just expired for the next decade if they could. As previously stated, this strike has and will continue to put a strain on the community; I cant imagine what its going to be like as we get back in the classrooms. It will be awkward to say the least, trying to imagine what parents and students are really thinking as we exchange pleasantries and conduct our lessons and try to return to some sense of normalcy for everyone. I suspect in this non-binding arbitration process the SAEA will certainly receive a more respectable offer than the one currently proposed by our school board. Unfortunately, as a previous poster stated, I fear it will be voted against by the school board. Yes, they will have public pressure to settle, but as evidenced by those who have repeatedly attempted to contact them, they dont care. The almighty dollar is the bottom line. If this bill was amended to include binding arbitration, it would have my full support.

That's all I ask. Please look into HB1369. If there are problems with parts of it, let's work them out. There just has to be a better way and we need to focus on change before we get lulled into inaction again.

(And I am far from a teacher hater, every teacher that has taught my children has been awesome! Which is exactly why this strike hurts so much!)

Can anyone please tell us who exactly determines the teacher's salary matrix? If it's the School Board, then they'd better do the right thing and make the necessary adjustments to fix it! However, if it's the Union who determines the matrix, we will never forget what you've done to this community!

I can't believe this community would actually think putting bows outside their house is a mature way to deal with the strike. Souderton is supposed to be a community where character counts! What are we teaching our children?

I too, would like to thank the teachers for considering ending the strike and returning to school as early as tomorrow and as stated by an earlier poster that is a sign of good faith and my hat is off to them. I really do hope they vote, yes, and get our children back in school.
This will allow all of us to focus and put pressure on the school board to also show some good faith as well and give our teachers a contract that is fair and equitable to everyone.
We as a community have been totally torn apart by this strike and it is time to end it and this possible step by the teachers is the most positive thing that has happened in weeks.
Let's show our support to the schools, especially the teachers and our childern. Lets rally at tomorrow nights football game and show our true colors not only for the football team, but for the band as well. These kids, despite all the turmoil, have stuck together and continued to practice.
We started the strike with a football game now lets end it with one !!!!!

Go Big Red !

It seems like you have a really open mind and aren't simply a teacher-hater. I never even heard of HB1369 before this strike happened. Obviously, it's too late to correct the damage that has already been done in the past few weeks. I promise to read up on HB1369 in the meantime. I really hope what you say is true, because I don't ever want to have to go through this again just to be treated in a fair manner. This has ripped Souderton apart, and I am dreading what is yet to come when we return. I can only imagine how hostile parents will be. I have never been cursed at so much in my life.

Something tells me that the school board will take this one on the chin. As much as everyone on this board is in love with their proposal, there has not been one bit of feasibility in it since this mess kicked off. Most of the facts are on the teachers side whether you the public want to agree or notbecasue they take into account money at hand, parity with other districts, and a host of other comparisons that the school board has denied even exist up until this point.

The board will reject the arbitrators ruling because the teachers in most lieklyhood will beat them up. The board picked this fight because Bernie is an idelogue and now they will have painted themselves into a corner with the community. They messed up with their original offer and now they will have to show their true colors. If the teachers were smart they would call their bluff and push for binding after this, then Bernie will have to actually live up to his oath.

Thank you for sharing some facts with us. The picture has become clearer and it further brings into focus the necessity of HB1369. While you believe the strike was necessary to raise awareness, that is only true because the current system is broken. You had to strike to get to arbitration, again - because the current system is broken.

You seem to be as bothered by the strike as the parents but believe you were required to do it to stand up for a fair contract. With HB1369, you would have had MORE power and more TIME to state your case and yet avoided the destructiveness of a strike.

Why do your union leaders insist that HB1369 won't work? Why won't they allow change for the better? If you truely hated going on strike, you would be telling the PSEA to get the laws changed so you no longer have to do it.

http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com/

I applaud the teachers for their possible return tomorrow instead of next Wed. They have a legal right to stay out until then but the fact is, as soon as they got a chance to go to arbitration, they are willing to return to work. That's GOOD FAITH and is something our school board is sorely lacking. However, the community needs to be aware that the current law in Pennsylvania does not provide teachers and school boards with BINDING arbitration. That means that the two sides are not compelled to accept the ruling of the three arbitrators. While they are neutral parties, and will be educated by both sides about the areas of dispute, when the three arbitrators do rule on a settlement agreement, either side is free to reject it and then the bargaining process begins again. Of course, at that point there is often a lot of public pressure on both sides to accept the arbitration recommendation but it is not a given, by any means. My gut tells me our illustrious school board will reject.

I've heard enough union rhetoric to last me a lifetime. You're right... the newer teachers are the ones taking it on the chin, but they can thank their union for that. SAEA is responsible for the structure of the salary matrix, not the board.

Yes, I understand that every teacher is not asking for an 8 percent increase, although the dollars that your asking for could make that possible. So now you've decided that it's time to give the entry level teachers a raise, after giving them next to nothing under the terms of your expired contract. Here's an idea... why don't steps 11-15 agree to a 1 percent increase in years 1 and 2, and 2 percent in years 3 and 4. After all, you saw to it that you were well taken care of with the last contract.

As for healthcare costs... better plans require larger contributions, for many americans that's been a reality for quite some time.

Why don't you put all of your energy into tying RED RIBBONS in SUPPORT of the two sides doing serious negotiations instead of something NEGATIVE? Hmmm what a novel thought?

And...to Grandma who makes 860.00 a month, may I ask what you do as a living? Did you go to college for 6 years? I am guessing your answer is no. If your answer is yes, then you need to move on.

I am not sure where you heard that the strike can last until October &th, but that is untrue. In Fact, I think you should read the update on saea.info. You might just be enlightened.

As for the fear-mongering about strikes spreading- they won't spread if the school boards of neighboring districts act in good faith and show respect. All it would have taken to stop the strike was true "good faith" negotiations on Labor day (a day everyone gets off thanks to unions).

So you can believe that the teachers are causing this mess-but the facts truly do not support this.

I heard they might be out until January of 2014.

I just read on the SAEA site that a vote will be taken tonight for binding arbitration and school may start tomorrow?

Why does the SAEA have this information and I have yet to hear anything from SASD? Still dragging their feet on informing the public.

Stand firm teachers. You are appreciated!

Perhaps those Souderton Proud teachers need to take a good look at why they are proud? If the economy could not support salary increases would you leave? The reason I ask is because the economy may make it necessary for families to move out of Souderton and while everyone like to point out their Math, maybe 90 cents a day is nothing to some. 90 cents a day in taxes for schools, along with the increase to Gas, local taxes, groceries, and all the other bills we face all add up.

I am not asking anyone to support those who are facing hard times, but asking some members of the community to remember some of us didn't move out to Souderton so we could afford a bigger better house. In fact right now many of us are just trying to hold on to the one we have. Some of us moved her because of the community that is made up of the town homes, row homes, and single homes made for a good mix of experiences and talent. We see a community of single parent families, same sex families, and Grandparents raising their second family and who want what is best for their kids based on what they can afford.

Please note it is possible to be Souderton Proud and at the same time disappointed. Disappointed those households will struggle when you pile on an additional $200 - $500 a year in additional taxes to an already tight budget.

Community members, teachers, and board members we are not sides but a mixture of all of these things. We are parents, mentors, role models, and most of all friends. Please remember that what you do will affect your friends and that before you think about what is just going to benefit you, think also what that means to those families you know struggle each day just to stay in this school district.

Just to be fair- how about read for 'angry' and white for 'supportive'- that way you'll know which house to egg.

I just recently heard that the State of Pennsylvania may have given the SAEA Union permission to stay out on the picket lines until October 7th. I really hope this isn't true.

Why aren't the two sides negotiating today? Why aren't they negotiating right now?

Why are we allowing this to continue? Why haven't the citizens of this state done something to prevent this from happening?

If you haven't been concerned about this strike, you'd better listen up! Even if you're not in the Souderton School District, it's having an effect on you too! What occurs here will set the precedence for neighboring communities too!

In reponse to your other questions-
Would you honestly care about this issue if it didn't directly impact you in a way that you could see and feel? People say they would have supported us more had we continued to work without a contract, but it's very unlikely they would have. How many people even showed up at board meetings before the strike was looming? Our contract expired in June, and many of us worked during the summer without a contract. How many people went to the board meeting in July on our behalf? Even in August, on the day we announced our plan to strike, the small board room was able to accomodate hundreds of teachers because there weren't enough community members to make a difference. A strike is a nasty thing. I can honestly tell you that I hate everything about it, but there is one event that would scare me more. Suppose we never went out on strike. Eventually, over time, many great teachers would silently slipped through the doors without giving you the opportunity do something or to say you care. Striking has been a catalyst for the community to stand up and support the teachers, if they care. I love my job, and I put 200 percent into it, because I want to make a difference for the community I serve, but now I need to know the community cares back. It's easy to say you would do this, or you would do that, but the reality is that actions speak louder than words. Chances are if you aren't supporting us now, you probably wouldn't have stuck your neck out for us if we continued working without a contact.
I don't really know how to respond to your question about the students with special needs. If they have an IEP for extended school year, then maybe they could have called the district to advocate for services. It's a little late now, though, because we are likely to be back in school tomorrow or Monday now that both sides have agreed to non-binding arbitration.

A teacher wrote:
"(They have to estimate how many teachers will be at each step, and any overestimations could just be added to their already huge $17 million pot. What people don't understand is that much of that surplus money has come from what was promised to teachers in past contracts). "

Really? So there were teachers who didn't recieve the agreed upon amount in their pay checks?
So far your union president's "facts" have been neither completely accurate or factual regarding the $17 million "surplus". Specifically how the new high school was financed, and the situation with PSERS and the upcoming payment districts will be required to make .

The unions crdibility is gone. So as to what you've said, prove it, cite a reliable source.
That means a source other than the SAEA.

If you're really interested in understanding how 2.5 percent does NOT mean 2.5 percent raise for all teachers, go see the letter written on 9/9 in the Reporter called "Are we getting the strike facts?" It breaks it down clearly.

I'll explain a little here, though...The 2.5 percent is the amount that the BUDGET gets increased. Then that lump of money gets spread around to 512 teachers. It is NOT the amount EVERY teacher gets for a raise.

So...(We'll work with small #'s here just because it's easier to understand, in my opinion) If the school board's budget was $100, this 2.5 percent means the school board would now allocate $102.50 for per pupil spending. Then the additional $2.50 gets spread around to all of the teachers, each getting a tiny share.

In reality, our school board works in #'s WAY bigger than that, but hopefully that explains it clearly.

Of course, how far does your share of that 2.5 percent go when the school board is set on raising health care? I understand that we should contribute more to healthcare. But if it eats up your entire raise and then some, how is that a contract anyone would want?

Teachers have tried for YEARS to have the school board treat them respectfully, as the educated, dedicated professionals we are. Striking was a last resort, and though many of us are sorry it came to this, we WERE SUPPORTIVE of our union, not coerced.

Please honk as you drive by to show you understand that we TRIED to talk it out, but the board refused to negotiate with good faith and honest statistics.
A dedicated teacher, SASD

We have countered an offered. Unfortunately, the school board wants to talk about healthcare and pay independent of one another. They are not seperate entities. Higher premiums means higher pay for the negotiations. The work stoppage is to show the school board that we want a fair contract and that we won't just take the horrendous offer that they gave Sept 1 and continue to offer. We would be taking a paycut. Also, the board was not negotitating with us. If they had been negotiating in "good faith", we would have continued to work. Please read the info at www.saea.info. It explains what happens with the percent of increase. People seem to continue to believe that each and every teacher will get 8 percent. Not true. The budget would get 8 percent, then that is divided among the salary matrix. We need to get our lowest paid teachers (years 1-9 about) competitive with surrounding districts. As teachers, we too want the best colleagues and not the leftovers who couldn't land other higher paying jobs. Take the 2.5 that the school board offers, add a half hour a day, 8 days more a year and increased benefits, I just took a significant pay cut. I love Souderton. People keep asking me why I don't leave. I am still at the beginning of the pay scale where leaving would get me more money. I teach math. Math teachers aren't a dime a dozen. Most math grads are headed to the "real" worlds making hundreds of thousands. I am the sole money provider for my house as well. My paycheck keeps the electricity on and pays all the bills it can monthly. As for the special needs students, I don't know that answer. I wish I did. This strike is the last chance we have to stay competitive. If we took the contract offered on Sept. 1 Souderton would have a terrible contract, that teachers would not be trying to work here. The gap on every issue would be so huge that we could never close it. The school board continues to offer the same thing, OVER and OVER and OVER. They are not working towards that number in between. The school board wanted this strike. Why??? I have no idea. I don't know why, but I do know that there wasn't another option available. At least the public is aware that the board is sticking it to us. What's worst, the board posted a blog trashing teachers on their (SASD) website. How about that for respect??? How can we expect people to respect us, when the school board doesn't and that is obvious. I appreciate that you have questions and I respect that you want to base your opinion on the facts. Getting all the facts before making up your mind is a great quality. I applaud you for that. Thank you for taking time to get the facts, whether you support us or the board. On a side note, we have to stay out the entire time in order to have non-binding arbitration. We want that. Unless the board would agree to it before the Sept 24 date. Non-binding arbitration "should" get us a better contract than the boards last offer. I'm sure they won't agree to it until next Wed when it's mandated.

Does no one check www.saea.info???
Check it out!

Unfortunately, the numbers that are presented to the public are much more complex than they appear, and they have not been sufficiently explained to anyone. If the teachers were getting a real 2.5 percent raise, that would be enough, but what ever number the board gives will be a far cry from what teachers receive once it's worked into the matrix. (They have to estimate how many teachers will be at each step, and any overestimations could just be added to their already huge $17 million pot. What people don't understand is that much of that surplus money has come from what was promised to teachers in past contracts). The board initially offered a 2 percent increase, then they countered with a 2.5 percent increase. All the major proposals have essentially stayed the same. The union is more than willing to bargain fairly, but unfortunately we have learned the hard way not to trust the board. They have slit our throats several times already- benefits, failure to report the truth, failure to explain facts to the public in order to make us look bad, etc. We have to be careful when it comes to bargaining, because we could easily end up with much worse working conitions with worse pay and reduced benefits. (That is what they want for us. This isn't my opinion, but a real fact. Just check out their proposals and compare it to the contract we already have). For this reason, the teachers need to negociate important issues together, like salary and benefits, or we may get a salary increase that is completely depleted by increased medical contributions. The board is very smart. They refuse to do this, because the public doesn't see what they are doing, and they can still claim to be last ones with a figure on the table. That's if you can even call 2.5 percent a figure. (Has anyone noticed that Saucon Valley is on strike with 4.6 percent on the table?) It may seem we're being greedy, and I can honestly see how the community would think that, but unless you've been involved in the bargaining process- you wouldn't understand. I didn't understand all these numbers until just recently. When I first heard the numbers, I also questioned our ethics. The reality is that both sides always approach the table with the sun, the moon, and the stars. Neither side expects to get everything. The problem here is that the board isn't truely budging. They move just enough (.5- please!) to say they've done something when all they've really done is backed us into a corner. They know we can't negociate salary and benefits seperately, but they certainly don't mention that to you, the taxpayers.

The teachers are unhappy with what they are making . But thay should try to live on my income I make 860.00 A month and out of that money I have to pay rent and all of my other bills . I also have a specail needs grandson who is in Life Skills in Souderton. My grandson has been hear for years and at his age he still cannot read, writeor do math . Id say samething a teacher but she told me its not her JOB TO TEACH HIM ......

There was a fantastic post under Wednesday's sound-off column. In a nutshell, if you think the teachers were wrong in striking, put a red bow out in front of your home to show a child lives there and is not being educated due to the strike. I encourage you to read the posting.

The 2.5 percent raise the school board speaks of is not really 2.5 percent across the board raise. It is just adding 2.5 percent to the budget for slaries - this will result in LESS than 1 percent raise for many teachers. You said you were in support of a raise- think less than 1 percent is fair while at the same time adding almost 2 weeks of work and slashing medical benefits? I do not. The terms of the last contract were fulfilled by the teachers. They deserve a fair contract. Tell the school board to negotiate fairly as they have failed to do so yet.

I really want to be on your side but there are a few things I need help on here-when I read this site and the union site I hear nothing but nastiness toward the school board and the jerk has lap dogs and he can't spell and so on and so on. When I read the district's web site it tells me you haven't countered their offer and they want a resolution. IS THIS TRUE AND IF SO WHY HASN'T YOUR UNION COUNTERED? Instead of making fun of the old people on the board and their dogs and families answere that? Also what is the point of a work stoppage if you know you have to go back anyway on a certain date? Another one why do you need so much? I am all for you having a raise, I just think you are asking for too high of a jump. I think the 2.5 for 3 years is fair, with no added work days. Tell me why that isn't enough. People are losing their homes, their jobs, elderly residents are suffering and you want 38Òf that's true or not true tell me and tell me why. Also why can't the specail needs childrens getting services through Montco (not the teachers) have therapy????? I really hope that's not true. I have 3 kids, I want to respect the teachers and I want to teach my children too. I keep hearig it's not about money-what is it then, respect? sticking it to the board? Explain-ONLY ANSWER IF YOU ARE A TEACHER

At what point did you hear a SASD teacher say they would not give their all when we go back. I have been a special needs teacher for 10 years in your district and I can GUARANTEE that myself and my fellow teachers will given nothing less then 110 percent like we always have. Not one of us has ever said that we would not give our all and no matter what you think of us during this strike our work ethic in the classroom before the strike and now after will never be an issue. I just hope that you understand that once you get your lower taxes that the younger special needs teachers (who are in high demand by the surrounding districts we apparently do not compete against) will be the hardest to keep because of the fiasco Bernie Currie and his 8 lapdogs have created.

On behalf of all the teachers in the Souderton School District, I want to thank you for your message. It is parents like you who do make our job rewarding.

A Proud SASD teacher

My comment was not about what you said. WOW!! People on this blog are quite up in arms about anything said. I mentioned that the furniture was being used at the high school because Sultanik keeps referring to all this money from the surplus needs to go towards that. That's all. It wasn't in response to any other comment. Just pointing out another SKETCHY piece of info from the school board

I work for a pharmecutical company. I went to college for 4 years and only have my bachelor's degree. I haven't had an hour of education beyond that. I make 92,800 a year and I pay roughly 15f my benefits (which are better than soudertons). Does this change anything that you know this. I think not. You all talk about compare us to this school or that school. So I did. If you all did not want the comparision made, you should not have mentioned it. Sorry that comparision did not fuel the pro school board people. I have sided with the teachers. They deserve way more. Heck, I wouldn't do their job. I'm ready for my kids to go to school at the end of the summer. Stick me in a room all day with that many kids and I may just lose my mind. You teacher haters, go to college and make that kind of money. Then you can vent about how I make way more than you and leave the teachers alone. It's amazing where some of the resident's priorities are. I'm sorry that you did way more work than your colleagues and made less. If I was fresh out of college and a highly qualified candidate for a teaching position and Souderton offered 37g and QCSD offered 47g, where do you think I'd go??? Your school will be filled with the teachers that didn't land the higher paying jobs elsewhere. You let me know how that works out in the end.

Honking is wonderful! Contacting our board members is EVEN BETTER! :o)

Be proud, keep your heads up high and know that we are doing our best to spread the word that our teachers ROCK!!!! We are honking everyday and know that you all are important role models to our children lives. Thank you for choosing teaching as your careers. We love you!!

It is difficult to compare Quakertown and Souderton using millage rates because Bucks and Montgomery Counties use different formulas for assessing the value of a home. In addition, Quakertown SD imposes an extra half percent local income tax - 1.5 percent in total, with one percent going to the SD and the other half to the municipality. Souderton could have imposed such a tax in order reduce / offset reliance on property taxes. In my opinion, it is a good idea, as it taxes earned income: everyone who works pays, and retirees get a break. A good way to compare districts is to go to the Inquirer's reports on the schools at http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/school_report_card/17441504.html
To the post about "teachers at the top making 50 percent more than the average taxpayer" -- If they make twice as much, they're paying twice as much in local and state income taxes.

The Quakertown School District millage is: 125.5 not 1.625, I think you were looking at the millage for the municipality.

The most notable difference between SASD and the surrounding school districts is our lack of commercial/industrial real estate tax dollars.

And yes, I do agree that it's not the teachers fault... but it's not the boards fault either.

Modern cynics and skeptics... see no harm in paying those to whom they entrust the minds of their children a smaller wage than is paid to those to whom they entrust the care of their plumbing.
~John F. Kennedy

I hope the SASD teachers don't need to call a plumber. They won't be able to afford it. Let's go school board, you are not doing your job.

WOW! You are one bitter resident. I think it quite interesting that you blast all of the residential developments, as if the teachers have anything to do with them! You should be addressing your local municipalities and township governments about their continued approval of the construction of the developments, rather than exude bitterness at your fellow residents. Most people who are vested in a community and "do not wish to uproot their families " have a clear understanding of the important role that education has within a community. Your statements are puzzling.

We need collars of every color to make up a successul community. Your bark of bitterness has no place here. I too, am homegrown, Souderton educated and very excited and proud of the progress that has finally come to The Indian Valley.

The Souderton teachers deserve a fair contract.

Just to add to your figures about taxes...Don't forget that North Penn also pays a half percent Earned Income Tax to the district. I paid $3200 in school taxes last year plus another $675 in EIT. Souderton doesn't have an EIT but it could be implemented!

I have a specail needs son who can not receive services due to the strike, how am I not supposed to be angry, if you would have went back without a contract I would have been all over the board and you threaten to not give it your all if you work without a contract-and you care about the kids. Proverbs 28:25

You work 75 hours per/week? Here is the good news. You still have 93 hours left in the week to do your other favorite past times. Like hunting squirrels, whooping up on spouses, chewing tobacky, and placing gun-racks in your F150s. Heck YEAH! Let's rid our town of professionals! No more police, no more doctors! Heck, maybe next you can then get rid of people whose color you don't like. Here is some more good news. There IS a place like that you can go. It's a little place called Appalachia. Have fun, and don't let that confederate flag blind you while you're driving.

Just a note: The district had the teachers at SAHS take an exhaustive inventory of furniture to find out what would still be usable in the new building in an effort to cut costs. This included old student desks that may have had broken stabilization pieces, but could still hold kids and books. I don't mind using old furniture, though, if it means I have an HVAC unit that doesn't malfunction or break at least twice a year.

Are you kidding me? You said "The more you pay, the better the quality (mostly).". That is so untrue, where I peviously worked, I worked harder and took my job more seriously than others that were paid more than me. It depends on the person not the pay. My brother in law went to Quakertown school, hated it and refuses to move there even though they love a house for sale there. It's not the pay that determines the quality of a teacher.

Of course they would use some school equipment for the new school, why not if it's still good. Everyone is talking about numbers, well add up how much it cost for ALL NEW things(chairs, desks, computers, dry erase boards, etc..). How much does that come to? Obviously many of the people who are talking about numbers and budgets, haven't had to be the person who had to make it all work into a budget. Add it up and you will see, it adds up quickly.
What do you do? How much do you make and what are your benefits?

Well, here we are, 2 weeks into the strike and it is definitely apparent that neither side is going to give enough to put an end to this it. This strike has done nothing but tore this community apart as you can see by the comments below. I, for one, have read each and every post, and I to have formed my opinion in this matter and at this point, it is irrelevant.
Let's face it, both sides have viturally given up on finding a resolution to the strike and getting our teachers back to work before the state mandated date of September 24th.
What bothers me most of all, is that where have Sultanik, Lukridge, Currie etc been hiding the last couple of days. Why are they not meeting round the clock to try to reach some kind of resolution before it goes to the hands of the mediators ?
Everyone of us have lost out due to the strike and rest assured, once it goes to arbitration we all are going to lose even more. There will be NO winners. And most importantly, our children are the ones that have suffered the most. Yes, they are going to get their 180 days of learning in, but there is going to be so much animosty on both sides that they are not going to learn as much as they would have had the strike not occured.
We need to, as a community, find a way to turn this "black-eye" situation around and get back everything that we fought so hard for. Souderton is a GREAT place to live and raise a family. It is just a shame that we have had to endure this mess.

Let's get our kids back in school and return to normalcy !

"Those who are there 15 years or more are already making more than 50 percent of the entire population of the taxpaying citizens of the school district"

You make it seem like teachers aren't "taxpaying citizens" themselves. If a teacher has made it to the top of the pay scale in the district it means they have approximately 6-7 years of post high school education along with at least 15 years of service. Why should it be a problem if they make more than 50f the population? They are highly trained, highly dedicated, and highly qualified professionals who have more education and experience in their field than 90f the population. This should be rewarded, not punished.

The teachers are saying this is not just about the salaries, and I agree. The 37k starting salary is lower than other comparable school districts, but someone commented earlier that the teachers union voted that way previously because there fewer teachers that fell into that category, is that true.

If our teachers start at 37k and we also pay 12k a year for their insurance benefits thats 49k and others school district start at 42k and their insurance benefits are 6k (48k total) which is better? These numbers are just guesses, but my point is that we don't have all the facts from either side

Maybe the actual residents of SASD should be the only parties involved in this dispute. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the SASD residents could just meet with teachers and board members that are actually SASD residents and resolve this issue. I think we would be at a resolution in no time.

FYI: The bucks county tax page school millage rate for Quakertown is 1.625 while my Lower Salford school millage rate is at 24.46

Which Brainiac out there than tell me what this mean?
How are teachers paid in different districts, as far as where the money comes from?
Do we pay 100 percent of salaries and benefits for the teachers, clerical staff, etc?
Do other districts fund their schools in the same manner as SASD residents?
I think the issues are not as cut and dry as people would like them to be.

Also, earlier I indicated moving equipment (ie lockers, bookshelves, cafeteria bain maries) not FURNITURE.

Someone, please respond appropriately. Please don't just tell me I am stupid. After all I did graduate from SASD.

Ok. Teacher's Union: You want a "fair" contract? Ok then, let's be fair.

Yes, the "starting" salary for teachers in the Souderton District are obviously too low. In fact, the salaries for teachers in the district for their first 14 years of service are obviously too low. So, if you want to be "fair', let's give them "fair". Let's try a 6 percent increase for those in their first 4 years, a 5 percent increase for those in their 5th through 9th years, and a 4 percent increase for those in their 10th through 14th years. Those who are there 15 years or more are already making more than 50 percent of the entire population of the taxpaying citizens of the school district, and there needs to be an adjustment made to bring all the teacher's salaries back into alignment with each other.

I would also like to believe that the teachers union is not expecting annual increases in the range of 8 to 9 percent, and agree that both sides should be negotiating in good faith.

That being said, at this point, which side appears to be closer to what the actual number is going to be? The school board (2.5 percent) or the teachers union (8 percent). The simple fact that our school administrators received annual increases that average 4.1 percent, tells me that they will settle the union contract somewhere around 4 percent as well.

If that is the case, I would think that you would start to see some movement from the school board if the union would counter around 6 percent. Mr. Lukridge himself stated in the interview on this website, that the number was somewhere between 2.5 and 8 percent. He hasn't told us what he's doing to find that middle ground.

I don't think anyone would disagree that our country is not doing well economically. Many of you have said that the teachers should JUST SETTLE for what the board is offering. (which is going backwards) You have then suggested that maybe we will be in a better position to offer the teachers more money.

I can tell you that I have been involved in the district for 30 years. The public has never and will never say, "The economy is doing well. Let's reward our teachers"

Let's start putting our energy into getting this settled.

I am glad to see some real, factual numbers posted here. The bottom line is, there is a market value in this county for teachers. The Souderton school board can plug their ears, close their eyes and pretend it doesn't exist, but it does. To pay significantly less than the market is paying means you will attract less qualifiied candidates. Do not listen to Bernie Currie brag about all the applications they received--I've got news for you. The application process for teaching is pretty much all electronic, online. I know for a fact that young teachers apply to Souderton in droves only because they apply EVERYWHERE in droves. But, as one new teacher in a neighboring district told me (and this is an exact quote) "Of course I applied there, but there's no way I would work there. The salary is too low".

Think about it people...they are doubling the size of the current high school. So, being as you are doubling the size, you need to purchase furniture to put in the rooms. Try uisng logical thinking. I have a Souderton education. I guess all you other people do not, being as you are not thinking logical!

I took your advice and went to the Pennridge pay scale - seems there teachers make more (information was from 2006-7) and they were already at levels Souderton just reacher in 07-08). It also seems Souderton's administrators make more than Pennriodge. Just looking at facts.

Quakertown pays a teacher with a Bachelor's and 6 year experience 63,402, but at Souderton with a MASTER'S you could make 54,919. Wow more education equals 8,483 less. LUCKY!!!! Souderton pays 10,938 less to a teacher with a Master's and 8 years experience. Look around people!!!!! I'm glad I'm here in Quakertown and not listening to the people who want to pay their teachers dirt!!!! Any other districts you'd like to play the comparision game too??? I love numbers. They speak for themselves. The more you pay, the better the quality (mostly). Yeah, there will be some weak teachers mixed in, but with the Souderton salaries it will be a few strong ones mixed in with the majority of weak ones. That's what I would want for my children!!! Your fighting on this blog solves nothing. It keeps me entertained though. You should take all this effort and put it towards pressuring the board who won't negotiate. Try that.

Souderton pays teachers with 7 years experience and a Bachelor's Degree 10,638 less annually. With 13 years and a Master's, 20,311 less. With 6 years and a master's, 6,881. So there a few comparisions. Quit bashing teachers who just want equality and yell at the school board. In the "real" world that you all speak of, companies remain competitive with similar companies so that their employees don't jump ship. Why should it be different in the "pretend" world of teachers?????

You say that Souderton is most like Pennridge. Take a look!!!!! Compare away!!!
http://php.app.com/PAteachers0607/results.php?pageNum_Recordset1=0&totalRows_Recordset1=525&County=Bucks&LEAName=Pennridge SD&LastName=&FirstName=&CertificatedAssignment1Desc=%&EducationLevelDescription=%&Submit=Search

These certainly are challenging economic times for some in our district. Luckily, the school board can give the teachers a moderate raise without placing any of the burden on the tax payers. 17 million dollars in over tax surplus!!!!!

Also, I wasn't in the community in the 1990s when the economy was stronger. How many people back then were saying we should give the teachers a really good raise now that the economy is strong?

If the teachers agree to take the board's disrespectful proposal in deference to the tough economic conditions, what are the chances the board and the community would remember and reward the teachers in their next contract when the economy has hopefully improved?????

Here is some food for thought. The Merrill Lynch debacle has earned 3 employees $200 million for running the company into the ground. That is more than the entire budget for SASD. AIG's CEO will be walking away with a golden parachute after spending a whole 3 months on the job. You tell me whose priorities are screwed up.

"Merrill Lynch & Co. Chief Executive Officer John Thain and two former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. colleagues he recruited may reap almost $200 million for their year running Merrill if they leave or are given lesser roles after Bank of America Corp. buys the brokerage."

First, please, we covered the Reagan/Air Traffic Controllers already. Their strike in 1981 was illegal and that is why they were fired. The teachers have the right to strike and you cannot fire them. Nor would I want to--that's just the same, tired angry rhetoric that the school board delights in. Those men are enjoying their power and the way they are toying with us. Please continue to call and email, even though those arrogant board members will NOT ANSWER you. I know because I emailed all of them several times. They must be sitting at their desks laughing their butts off while they delete the opinions of the electorate. They hope you all forget how they treated you when they come up for re-election. They are bold faced liars who are absolutely bent on destroying public education. They forced this strike, they revel in it and they are hoping the community believes the lies.

By the way... for all of the people calling for the teachers to 'just go back to school without a contract.' There is another district in the area where the teachers have been working with an expired contract for 3 years. They show up exactly at the beginning of school. They leave promptly at the end of the school day. They do the absolute minimum required. Now, I ask you... would you rather have teachers working with a solid contract for the next four years or your children getting the absolute bare minimum? Striking, while you think it may be affecting you is not the only method of civil disobedience. Think about it.

I am so tired of hearing about other districts, I don't care about them, I care about MY tax bill, Souderton may not have raised it this year but they whacked us in the past, Pennridge is probably our closest school district, I bet there teachers are making less but the Teachers want to hang on to the Montco card! My taxes will be more than all those other districts if the teachers get their way.

"Too Dumb' I guess you still haven't figured out that teachers won't be able to afford counseling. By the way, how may times did you have to try to add the two flashing numbers before you were able to successfully submit your response?

A 2.5 percent raise along with twelve additional work days along with a half hour more added to 200 work days equals a HUGE pay cut. Really, it's not that hard. You just have to think about it. Add to that an increased contribution for medical coverage (from 10 percent to 25 percent) and you can see how insulting the offer must be. Many of the teachers I've talked to (have you tried that 'too dumb'- actually listening to a teacher?) say these issues are bigger to them than the salary. Please tell me you get it now.

I applaud those of you who see this is really not about the money, but rather the power. Mr. currie, et al, are upset that a new school was built against their wishes. They are determined to never spend another dime of the district's money. They have twisted and distorted information to demonstrate how poor we as a district really are. People have also complained about how tough things are. You know about the 17million surplus, and you know about the budget. Did you know the following? Montgomery County is the wealthiest county in the state and Souderton is financially in the top half of this county. Montgomery County avg. weekly salary is $1,200 per week and experienced raises of between 5 and 6.5rom 2004-06. The unemployment rate in the district is only 2à The avg. home value in franconia is over $700,000. (Approx. half the school board lives there.) The avg. family income in Montgomery County is over $90,000. Almost half of the homes in this district makes more than that. (BLS and BEA and SASD website) If you are upset about the economy, or your taxes or teachers' salaries in this district, remember this could be settled without any significant tax increase You may find it tough to afford this beautiful bedroom community, but many do not, and not surprisingly, I didn't see many of them at the last board meeting.
mc

I completely agree with listening! Many of you have no idea how controlling and degrading this board has been to school employees even long before the strike. A perfect example of this was when the board oftered the support staff an annual raise of 3 cents per year. That's right- three pennies for the entire year. That's not even enough to buy a gummy worm! Why not refuse to give a raise altogether? Because they have the power to insult. These staff members work with YOUR children. They are paid with YOUR money. It's time the board heard YOUR voice. Anyone with any thread of intelligence can see that this board is enjoying the game they are playing. The sad fact is that it hurts everyone but them. Take the power back people; it's time to claim our community back. Call the board members NOW and tell them you want a fair contract TODAY!

I really don't feel bad for the teachers if they are too loose money due to going out on stike. the 400 and some odd teachers who voted for the strike should have thought all this through before making your vote. Who cares that you will have to work almost the entire year with little to no breaks. It is a shame thought that you have robbed your students of their breaks after holding them hostage all this time as you were on the picket line, if that is what you want to call it. It is amazing how there are over 500 teachers in the District, yet you drive past the schools and there are only around a dozen teachers out front "picketing". If you wanted to strike, you should all be out there from 7am until 6pm daily making your stance. Real union workers would be doing that, but instead the teachers must be at their vacation homes in the mountains or down the shore. Get back to work and be the profesionals you say you are.

The Intelligencer published average tax bills for Souderton and surrounding areas, plus the tax increase for this year. Here are some examples, from highest to lowest, with the tax increase in parentheses: Central Bucks, 4,420 dollars (4.37 percent increase); New Hope-Solebury, 4,359 dollars (6.8 percent increase); Hatboro-Horsham, 4,181 dollars (3.2 percent increase); Souderton, 3,669 dollars (NO INCREASE); Quakertown, 3,614 dollars, (4.5 percent increase); Pennridge, 3,405 dollars, (4.4 percent increase); Palisades, 3,400 dollars (4.8 percent increase); and North Penn, 2,767 dollars (4.4 percent increase).
Since Souderton's average tax bill is clustered in the middle, you can hardly claim that the tax bills are outrageous. You should also consider that there was no increase this year, unlike neighboring districts.
As for healthcare, Souderton is self-insured and has a 1 million dollar limited lifetime benefit that was established 15 years ago. Most districts in the area utilize outside insurance (like Blue Cross/Blue Shield), which has no limit.
Two points to consider:
ONE: The school board was aware that the teacher's contract was expiring. People rarely ask for less money and benefits when negotiating. If the school board wants to leave the fund balance alone, why did they not raise taxes to cover a possible increase in salary costs?
TWO: In what economic bubble does Souderton exist, in which taxes do not need to be raised when all surrounding districts raised them by around 4 percent? Even the state would have allowed the SASB to raise taxes 4.4 percent under Act 1.

Remeber that the school board claims that part of the surplus is for new furniture for the high school!!!!!

I still ain't gettin it, I guess it's my Souderton education but if it's not about money you tell me what it's about, Pride? That's even more stupid. Don't waste too much time feeling bad for the teachers, after some counseling they will be okay

A PAY CUT? They were offered a 2.5aise over 3 years, pretty good in these times! I'm not on the side of the board but I'm tired hearing about the poor teachers, ALL THE TEACHERS ARE THINKING ABOUT IS MONEY!!! If you hate the board that bad run for the school board, I AM FOR WHOEVER WON'T RAISE MY TAXES!!!!! And to Steph, I'm not being smart this is the first I heard this but why does it matter if they take the old furniture to the new school, I think that's good. Save Money. Nicer furniture don't mean smarter kids.

Have you been paying attention? How can you think the board really cares about public education when some of them didn't even send their own kids to public school? They aren't volunteering because of some higher moral obligation. This position feeds a need for empowerment. They get to control millions of dollars that belong to YOU, and they can move your children, teachers, and everybody else in this community around like a bunch of pawns on a chessboard. THIS ISN"T JUST ABOUT MONEY. I'll say it again, just incase you still don't get it- IT"S NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY. Who in their right mind would expect their employees to take a pay cut along with an increased work load? That's what's happening here, folks. I don't blame the teachers at all. I actually feel really bad for them. Nobody would even be listening if they weren't out on strike. Even now, many of you are hearing but not listening!

My teacher friend from Souderton told me that the teachers will be taking their furniture from their current classrooms to furnish the high school. That's what she was told. She asked for different style desks and was informed that what she has is what it will be for the high school. So who is fibbing???

I see all the SASD teacher salaries vs. other district salaries and I see the benefits of SASD insurance coverage. Were can I see both comparisons and costs of salaries and benefits combined vs. other school districts. How can I take a side when I don't have all the details for an informed decision. Personally, I don't have dental insurance so I pay 100f my own costs in addition to copays and deductibles.
Additionally, I think the school district taxes are outrageous! How many of the teachers are living in SASD or are paying the same school tax rates as I pay. I don't think that we needed to spend the amount of money that we are spending on the new high school; I think that money could have been saved by moving some equipment from the current high school. The entire school district needs reform.

Boy, are you angry. "Who was here first"? I've got news for you, mister--there were Native Americans here long before your family came over. You are angry that professionals have moved into this area--professionals who earn a good living and pay a lot of taxes which you benefit from. What does it mean, to be "blue collar to the bone"? Sounds like you are trying to stir up some class resentment.

I'm sure that if the school board would have spent the time since February "negotiating" and not stalling, Souderton would not be in this position. If the teachers went back without a contract, what would make the board negotiate??? Obviously the school board meeting did nothing to put a fire under their butts and get a contract. If the teachers went back to school, would it matter to the parents of Souderton that they didn't have a contract?? No it wouldn't!!! Parents would live their lives as normal. Not caring that the teachers were without a contract. The Souderton school board planned on having a strike. WHY??? They cancelled insurance before negotiations on Labor Day. Jack Parry created a teacher bashing website on August 20. The board's last offer would have left the teacher worse off than their expired contract. The board knew the teachers would strike. They didn't even offer a fair contract. From what I've researched, this was the first time in PA history that a teacher's insurance was cancelled during a strike. Nothing is getting this board to negotiate. What now??? The only way that board is going to give the teachers a fair contract is from the pressure the public puts on them. Hold your own picket and let them know you want a contract. Whether you are pro teacher or board, you want a contract. I hope that each and every one of you moves beyond this, or you will have let this strike tear apart your wonderful community. Try to start school next week like you would have normally. I know it's not the same, but your reactions to the teachers will impact your child's receptiveness in the classroom. If you child knows you hate and disrespect the teachers, what do you think their year will be like. Make the board negotiate.

I found this interesting...Posted today on saea.info: "There has been a lot of confusion regarding teacher salaries after a work stoppage. Although a strike is an unfortunate and inconvenient situation, the teachers will experience a substantial financial penalty also. Based on Souderton's average salary and the present employment of 512 teachers, the district could choose to save nearly $1.5 million as a direct result of the work stoppage. If so, the average loss for the average teacher will likely be $2,800. The board may do this by eliminating all remaining teacher in-service days. Students are in classes for 180 days, and those days must all be taught; however, there are nine of the initial 12 in-service days remaining. The board could eliminate those nine days, thereby creating a net loss of teacher salaries totaling nearly $1.5 million. This $1.5 million alone is enough to close nearly the entire gap between the school board and union's health plans. The point is that these dollar amounts, though sounding astronomical, are actually just a drop in the bucket considering the resources available to the school district.

This brings up another important point. The new high school is to be opened in September 2009, and three in-service days were slated for the move. If the board chooses to eliminate those days, as they are entitled to do, the move to the new high school could be adversely affected. The removal of any in-service days also illuminates an interesting inconsistency in the board's proposal as they had initially proposed the addition of eight more in-service days above and beyond the twelve already in the present contract. The fact that the board feels the teachers need four weeks of in-service time beyond the actual teaching time, implies that the board feels that these days are extremely important."

Again, it seems the BOARD is sitting on OUR money that has already been collected. And now it has MORE money, from what it "saves" while our teachers are out. Whether you are pro-board or pro-teacher, aren't you PRO-MONEY?

Have you asked your school board member what they're doing with all of your money yet today????

April-The SCHOOL BOARD is responsible for setting the lowest salary (1st year of employment with only a Bachelor's Degree). From there, the union distributes what is left of the lump of $ . There are often times that some teachers BARELY GET A COST OF LIVING INCREASE, depending where they are on the scale. Before you blame the victim here for supposedly "voting to accept such a low starting salary", do some research. My understanding from talking to some teachers (have you tried that yet?There usually are 2 sides to each story.) is that they were basically told last time around to take what was offered b/c there wasn't going to be a better offer.

Here we sit again, with the board repeatedly offering the same amount, saying they have no more money. What about the $17 MILLION SURPLUS they have collected? Aren't our kids and their education more important than sparkling new furniture for an overpriced high school?

Another FACT: The 8 nd 9onstantly batted around is NOT THE AMOUNT OF A RAISE that every teacher is asking for. It is the INCREASE in the that section of the BUDGET to afford to give them fair raises.

If you're going to debate this issue, please try to bring factual information to the discussion. We only anger each other when false accusations fly. So many people have bashed teachers and asked what message they're sending because you teach your children to talk it out when something's wrong (and rightfully so!). But are we taking our own advice here? How many of you have stopped to TALK to a teacher? We've all heard the explanations/info from the board. Have you heard the info directly from the source...not the paper...a teacher?

Isn't that the message we'd like to send our children?

How can teachers be so selfish in these horrible economic times when they are clearly making plenty?!?!?! People are losing their homes. Why would the board just be out to screw you, they are working out of their own time as elected officials (for the community). You are doing this for YOURSELF

What you are going through is EXACTLY why you, as a teacher, need to support HB1369. You should not have to strike to get a fair contract. The problem is the system and the system is in place because the union won't let it change. All I hope is that some teachers realize this and move towards a more civilized process. We parents cannot know what is taking place in the negotiation room - we need transparency and public disclosure. That will also come with HB1369. But until you and your union support it, this mess created by the flawed system will continue to ruin communities.

You are also a little mistaken to think our children will receive the same education this year had you not gone on strike. It is impossible to compress the school year by 3.5 weeks and have the same success. You as a teacher know it takes time for lessons to sink in, and kids need breaks to refresh and continue to enjoy school. We parents know this too and it is precisely why we are so angered at the ENTIRE situation.

When you say you have no choice - is it because the current law does not allow you to go to arbitration until the maximum amount of strike days occur? If so, then isn't that a signal that Act 88 is flawed? And if not, then why couldn't you go back after one week and still maintain your refusal to the board thereby forcing arbitration? Please explain. We parents do not know the ins and outs of the law as it exists today. All we see is a union bullying our children and gambling with their emotional state of mind.

Can you blame us for wanting to make teacher strikes illegal? Please research it.

http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com/

I read your comments and I can't believe you would say you can't afford to rent an apartment in Souderton when your salary is listed above. What about the elderly retired residents who lived here all their lives who won't be able to afford the tax hike? What will you tell them? If things are this hard on you and your family why not go to another district. What if the district does like Reagan did to the air traffic controllers and fires you all-Where will your union be then? There's a lot of good hungry teachers coming out of college who would love to prove themselves. Maybe our taxes would go down if the board did that. By the way I am not on the side of the board but your comments are making it easier to be-I still don't understand why you need so much more money

Just be glad your not one of the 116 out of 217 people from Pilgrims Pride. Since they don't have a job now, will you be helping them to pay for your increase? Or help them out with their water bill? How many Souderton SD teachers actually live in the SASD? I would really like to know this.

I haven't heard anyone say that teachers don't do alot, I really do think that they do. Many jobs require you to take your work home, most of them are salary paid not hourly. So.. if you want to be paid for the time you are at work go get an hourly paying job. Just imagine, if other people were to strike, think about the outcome. What if your trash company decided to strike, either you would get a new trash company or you would pile up your trash. The thing is with teachers it's not that simple, because this is your home, this is where you decided to raise your child. We don't have the option to pick new teachers and many of us can't just pick up and move. I feel for the teachers because they do alot of work but why do we (taxpayers, children, the community) have to suffer because of the choices you made. Noone told you that you had to become a teacher. Were you unaware of what goes into being a teacher? Geez, I have never been a teacher but I could have told you that there is alot of work involved. Lawyers, Doctors, Accountants, just about any job you can think of, there is alot of work involved-it's called LIFE. No, not all jobs are the same but every job has it's rewards and downfalls. There is no such thing as a PERFECT job. I am so tired of hearing how teachers have it sooo hard,come live a day in my shoes and tell me you have it hard. Many many people have to choose between food and oil to heat their homes and your complaining about the short amount of time you are on strike to worry about it. Are you for real? Geez, I wish I made the thirty some thousand dollars a year that you are making, the sad part is, I did go to school and graduated, I just can't find a job in my field. This month it's food or electric, which should I choose?

First of all, PLEASE understand that we are hurting ourselves more than the children in this community.

Sorry, I don't buy this for one minute. I'm left to explain daily, to my 1st grader why she isn't able to attend school, and I'm left to explain to her about the strike, in as few words as possible, since she's only 6. And in her 6 year old mind, she's fairly certain that the teachers would prefer to be outside walking around the schools, rather than inside them, teaching their students. There is no way to reconcile this to a child, no way, no how. The only thing that I'm glad about is that she has no idea (nor do I for that matter) what her teacher looks like, so at least as we drive in every morning to Kids Kare, she doesn't have to point out her teacher, walking on the picket line.
I have a hard time listening to professionals bemoan their loss of income, something that I assume you were fully aware of when you decided that striking was your only option. I do not honestly believe that was the best way nor the only way to make your point heard. Really, the only thing that has happened is that you've lost the respect of this community. I, myself, am going to try very hard to make sure my child has a good year in school. I will certainly try to volunteer my time, efforts and money to make sure that she has a good experience in this district. I can't speak for anybody else, but I have a feeling that many others do not feel the same.

The school board has made no movement on significant issues. The union is currently the only side that is prepared to negociate. The school board wanted a strike all along. It will save them money on teacher's salary this year and they are hoping it will get the community to turn against the teachers.

The union has been prepared to negociate since January and the board has repeatedly stalled and slowed the process. I agree there has to be a middle ground, but there needs to be movement on both sides in order to meet somewhere in the middle. Teachers do not expect a 9aise each year. This number is a starting point for bargaining purposes. Unfortunately, the school board is hoping if they continue to not negociate and only send one or two members of their team, the union will continue to negociate against itself and finally get to the school board's meager raise proposal of 2

People continue to say that teachers should just be happy to have a job during this tough economic turn. Lets look at it another way. What if teachers were laid off because times were tough and instead of having 500 teachers to serve our students, we only had 250? Your child would be one of 50 in their elementary classroom. What kind of an education do you think they would receive then? It is a good thing our teachers jobs have some protection and are not reflective of economic conditions because the product coming out of a situation like that would be deficient.

GB,

The teachers have the lowest starting pay thanks to the SAEA. The union voted to accept a lower pay for incoming teachers. How is this the publics and/or school boards fault?

Many salaried taxpayers also work long hours. My husband regularly puts in 55-60 hour work weeks without the benefit of nearly 3 months off in the summer.

I am glad to hear the you are fiscally prudent with your money yet you slam the school board for being fiscally responsible with the taxpayers money. How is that fair?

I know many good teachers but I also know of many bad ones such as the english teacher at Valley who regularly took phone calls from her daughter during class time. how is that fair to the students in the class?

There has to be a middle ground and from what I've read the board has started moving towards it but the union hasn't. In a perfect world everyone would get all the money they want but the world isn't perfect.

If no contract is negotiated between now and the September 23rd deadline very negative consequences for the students of the SASD will result. Most likely, the teachers will chose (rightly so) to work to the terms of the old contract which will be the modus operandi until a new contract is voted in. Working to the contract will be just that. No after school tutoring or teachers taking work home would likely result.
One can only imagine what else might result from that. And who can blame them?
Especially if the School Board would refuse to accept the Binding Arbitration decision if it goes in the teacher's favor. Please remember everything that has happened when you vote on Election Day. It is time to clean house. If you don't, you will only have yourself to blame.

Souderton is such a wonderful school district. I, like many others, moved here because of the reputation of the school district for my son. I have listened to my neighbors over the summer talk about the wonderful teachers at Lower Salford and I have to say, I am excited for my son to begin school there. Story after story was about the high expectations they hold for the students and the extra love and support provided for each child.
However, I am shocked at the lack of respect shining through this community. I recently read that someone is upset the teachers went on strike. That they should teach while negotiating. It seems to me they would have done that if the district started negotiating before the school year began. So, the district didn't and here we are. The children will still receive their 180 days and their education. But, what is going to happen to Souderton? Do we have a board that believes in public education? Are they going to continue to make Souderton attractive for others to move here? I think if the teachers do not receive a fair contract, it is going to change the community and not for the better.

This is for those of you who have lost respect for teachers and need to know why we support a strike...
First of all, PLEASE understand that we are hurting ourselves more than the children in this community. In the end, the kids will still get the full amount of school days as during any school year. The pay and insurance we have lost during the strike will not be made up, so picketing has been a huge financial burden for our families. We realize that some parents will give us a hard time. Many of us cannot eat or sleep, and we want to be in the classroom with your children more than anything. So why do we do it? Because we have no choice. As much as we would like to attempt contract negotiations while teaching, the board has refused to bargain in good faith time and time again. This isn't just about money, as many people seem to believe. We have families just like all of you. It's hard to justify adding days and hours to our contract with more health care contributions when we already give so much. This would be like taking a pay cut for additional work. I can't tell you how many times I've taken my own children into my classroom after school so I could get things done, but enough is enough. How can I justify this to my family when the salary I earn isn't even enough to rent an apartment in Souderton, let enough to save up for my children's future? I can't keep stealing time from my family, especially when it is obviously not appreciated. I have to tell you, this is the first time in my life that I have ever doubted my career choice. When my family watches a movie on the weekends, I grade papers. When everyone else is in bed, I plan lessons. When most of you thinking about what to make for dinner tomorrow night, I'm wondering how I can tactfully offer to donate clothing to little Sally's family, because I noticed that her pants are too small and her shoes have holes. Teaching is not a 7.5 hour a day job. It consumes your life. I always found this to be fulfilling, but the lashback from this strike might just be too much to swallow. This community really needs to see things for what they are. I'm just afraid that if some of you haven't caught on to the board's dictatorship by now, you may never see this for what it is. We have given so much to this community, but it's time we start putting our own families first. Souderton, please understand that your teachers DO care deeply about this community and your children. We just can't care more about your children than our own. Could you?

No, I am not exaggarating at all, I do work 75 hours a week and I own a business and a home in this school district and I am born and raised here and BLUE COLLAR TO THE BONE. It would be much easier to have a regular job than own a business but there's not choice unless I want to uproot my family. This area is not North Penn, it is founded on BLUE COLLAR BUSINESSES!!!! These butt ugly developments go up and people move in and they complain about the cow smell, the ugly Kingscote development actually tried to stop Godshall Meats from expanding-who was there first??!!! The Orchard Hill development in Franconia actually tried to stop tractor trailers from using Church Rd and it was a huge ordeal. WHO WAS HERE FIRST!!!?? The people born here are mostly blue collar and can't afford it anymore, the farms are GONE and we are left with ugly developments along our landscape, IT IS RUINED, and now the teachers want to cry they don't have enough money, UNBELIEVABLE, if you don't like it LEAVE!! AND NO I WILL NOT BE DONATING BATTERIES AND TISSUES AND CRAYONS TO THE CLASS ANYMORE-let the teachers pay for it. AND DON'T TELL ME IF I DON'T LIKE IT TO MOVE-I WAS BORN HERE, YOU WHITE COLLAR DEVELOPMENT EXCITED OVER A GREEN PARK PEOPLE LEAVE, INCLUDING THE TEACHERS. They don't teach anymore, they whine and run to the union. 90f the time the kids come home with homework they don't know how to do because they never went over it and class so besides working 75 hours a week I gotta teach them what the teachers couldn't. Furthermore I'm sick and tired of these unions, they are outdated, they are bullys.

I admit that I have mislead the teachers union in these negotiation and caused undue stress and anxiety for many taxpayers and parents. I now understand that my lust for power and control have lead to ruining a once great school district. It is with this knowledge that I must resign as the lead negotiator for the teachers union.

I get it, and I think you and your colleagues are absolutely right. I defend your right to strike because what other leverage do you have? The general public does not understand. You work many long hours, you do work over and above what is required. All you want is a little respect and a decent salary. I moved here because of the school district 10 years ago. We did not buy a house in Central Bucks, or Methacton, or North Penn. We wanted Souderton because it seemed like the best of all worlds--still a bit rural, with beautiful green spaces, and a growing professional class that would surely bring a first class spirit to the school district. Every penny my husband and I earn, I am careful with. We are saving money for college, for retirement, we pay lots of taxes. But the money for the schools is so important--not just for my child but the future students in this district. My older child has developmental delays. He is at Valley now, and he has been treated with such care, such professionalism, such love-at Vernfield and now Middle school which was a wonderful experience. I can never say a bad word about the teachers for all they have done for us. They are WORTH more than the lowest starting salary in the county. They are, you are, and don't believe all the bad stuff on this board. You are valued by many in this community. I am sorry that you had to strike to call attention to the horribly disrespectful, dishonest school board we have. Those men are a disgrace to the community. Keep your head up. The good guys always win in the end.

We (the taxpayers and parents) WILL NOT be held hostage by our selfish greedy school board. Their selfishness has already cost our children enough. Get back to work if and only if you get a fair contract. The school board has not offered you a fair deal. If you don't like it then by all means reject it and reject it now.

To the union - Hold firm in your resolve. Don't cave in and don't negotiate a deal that will embarass this community for years to come.

You sound like an honest teacher worthy of respect. You are trying to provide quality education. You deal with many issues above and beyond math. I'm sure many parents have no bone to pick with you or the job you do. But here's the problem - you've lost our respect by going on strike. With each passing day, you lose a little more respect. And should you go back without a contract, then strike again and then threaten to prevent the new high school and middle schools from opening, we will NEVER give you any of that respect back.

Had the teachers refused to sign a contract yet continued to negotiate while teaching, you would have earned respect two-fold. But you didn't. You've taken the hardnosed approach based on the agenda set forth by your union. And for that, I hate to say it, we all will suffer.

If you honestly believe the strike is necessary, please explain. Because their are many, many parents who believe otherwise. Do the laws need to be changed? Perhaps. But until the teachers in the union explain why they felt they had to deprive our children, we will continue believing YOU, the TEACHERS, don't get it.

I am a souderton teacher. I must be absolutely crazy to post on here because I am sure that many people are going to degrade me and attack me personally. I teach math. I decided to teach because I know how tough it can be in school for these kids. I want my students to realize that math doesn't always mean "hard". I have my masters degree plus 30 or more credits. I could have gone into many fields where the money is significantly higher, but I chose to teach. I have more years of education than most lawyers have. I have almost as many years of education as a doctor has. I make a quarter of what these other professionals make. I educate your children for their future. Whether they become electricians, dentists, lawyers, construction workers. For this I have been called greedy and overpaid. I am crushed that the public has trashed Souderton teachers. I came to this district and took a huge paycut. I knew what a great district this was. Now I don't know how I feel about this district. When school finally does start, I will have students who will be showing complete disrespect for me in my classroom because that's what they are seeing and hearing at home. You as a parent may not value education, but I do. Why are teachers considered overpaid by the public? You can't even imagine what goes on in a single day in my room. I have 138 students. Each student learns at a different pace and has different abilities. I have to teach them the same thing. I have to keep a decent pace in order to have them prepared for next year, all the while not leaving anyone behind. I deal with emotional meltdowns, bullying, broken homes, learning disabilities, friend issues, teacher issues and all the typical behaviors of an early adolescent. Try that sometime. Meanwhile, I have to try and get them to care that a b = c. Add on top of that absent parents and you have a real mess. But remember, we do nothing. Hence the overpaid babysitters. I put my own children to bed and spend hours grading papers, making worksheets, planning activites that will be "fun", writing curriculum, following state standards, finding a place to stick in some PSSA preparedness stuff, recording grades, writing notes home, sending emails, creating quizzes and tests, and getting some sleep. Please don't ever think that I do nothing. If teaching were so easy, everyone would do it. For those of you that criticize, go to college for 6-8 years, get your teaching degree and then come talk to me. When you walk a few days in my shoes, I guarantee no one will leave my classrom and say that teachers have it easy. I support my union. We want to keep quality teachers in our school. It takes more than just a good reputation of a school district to entice new teachers here. I jumped at the chance to get out of the "ghetto" and teach here. Unfortunately, our reputation in Souderton is going right down the tubes. Once teachers get a sense at the lack of respect that teachers get in this distrcit, the small starting salary, and a school board who could care less about us, no one's going to be standing in line for a job here. Many of you moved here for the good schools. Your property values are what they are because people want their children in these schools. I live in Quakertown. I pay a boat load of money towards my taxes. I know that Quakertown is attracting the best teachers here, not just the left overs. Do we want that for Souderton? The teachers that couldn't land a job anywhere else? That's what will start happening. That will really be awful for me. Teaching in a building will below average teachers. That sounds fun. I've said my peace. Everyone is titled to their opinion, but disrespect for what I do is horrendous.

We (the taxpayers and parents) WILL NOT be held hostage by your selfish greedy union. Your selfishness has already cost our children enough. Get back to work and quit your bellyaching. The board has offered you a fair deal. If you don't like it then by all means leave and leave now.

To the school board - Hold firm in your resolve. Don't cave in and don't negotiate a deal that will burden this community for years to come.

d-r-b - your probably right...that is only in the first year...after seeing such a depressing number (2.79) i did not even bother to go further...

To More than frustrated,
Wouldn't the current union salary demands require an additional $26.6 million in funding for payroll over the life of the four year contract?

Lets take a look at some more numbers and actually I am surprised that someone has not posted this before...Of 500 teachers salaries posted on here, there are 144 of them that are making the max of $89,363. That is roughly 25Àin addition there are 188 making over $80k, which equates to over 35î..on the bottom side, there are only 21 making the minimum salary of $37,323, which is 3.9f the total....and with those 21, there is only a total of 28 yrs experience....
Additionally, the total of the salaries presented is over $34 million, tack on the 8.2 he union is asking for, now you are talking about another 2.79 million that we the tax payers are going to have to foot the bill for...
Now, lets throw in the insurance, take a teacher making the $89,363 and ask them to pay the max insurance which is $127.20 a month, you are talking a measley 1.4f their annual salary....Me, personally, my insurance premium is 9f my salary...
Seems like what they have is pretty darn good....
I support the board for watching out for us taxpayers, however I don't know why only 1 or 2 members only show up for the negotiating sessions.
Also, I don't think we can put all of this blame on the teachers either, they are hard working and do deserve the best as they are the ones teaching our children, our future, but it seems as they are being controlled by one person. I would love to see some of the teachers post on here, show their true feelings from the heart, not what Mr. Lukridge says they should feel.
Both sides need to get off their high horses, swallow some pride and put an end to this nonsense...Our children are suffering over this and it is causing way to much tension in the district.

Reducing the years in the contract is a concession because it allows the union to open this can of worms that much sooner. The longer the term, the longer there can be no adjustment based on economic conditions. So if in 3 years, the economy has turned around and cash is flowing - the teachers would be able to receive a better contract. On the flip side, if the economy continues to decline - the increases can be toned down. This is why the union is fighting it - they know the economy is going nowhere yet refuse to acknowledge it in their negotiations.

I also thought the board originally offered 2.1 percent so their number has moved as well. Everyone who thinks the board should counter on medical - listen up. Both sides are in a catch-22. Lukridge said they won't counter the salary offer until the board counters their medical offer. The board won't counter the medical offer without knowing how much the union will counter on salary. I would think the mediator should be making an effort to unlock this situation, but I guess she's too busy until Friday.

the union first proposed the supposed 9.5 percent raise for 4 years. the board countered with 2.5 for 5 years. the union countered with 8.2 for 4 years. the board countered with 2.5 for 3 years. the union has moved their salary, but the board has not. the board is not negotiating. how is taking away the number of years considered "concessions?"

Am I the only one to notice this? How funny is it that on one side of the district's page, there are updates about all their supposed hard work on negotiations and on the other side of that page is a picture of TEACHERS doing WORK DURING SUMMER. Induction days take place BEFORE the start of the school year, right? Experienced mentor teachers and newbies, side by side...learning for the betterment of the district and its children.

I'm just saying...before we start jumping on teachers for how greedy we think they are, maybe we should realize how much they do for our children and families BEYOND the duties and hours listed in the contract.

See Arlene's post below for a starting point...

As I see it, the ball is in the School Board's court b/c, according to the info the union stated after yesterday's negotiations, "The school board knows that for movement on salary we require the condition that the school board moves on medical. We will not bargain against ourselves. "

The board KNOWS the union is willing to move, but they want to be reassured they are not going to have a huge pay CUT in paying for a horrible health plan. All the board has to do is show some movement in good faith, and the union has said they will follow suit.

Come on, people, in the end this hurts the kids.

Ok, so for anyone not sure of what's gone down so far, here's a recap:

Summer 2008:
Board: ok, we're going to offer you 2.5acrosss the salary matrix), increased health deductibles and worse health plan, an extra half hour on your day and that essentially results in a pay cut.
Union: No thank you.

Late summer 2008:
Board: ok, we're going to offer you 2.5acrosss the salary matrix), increased deductibles and worse health plan, an extra half hour on your day and that essentially results in a pay cut.
Union: No thank you. We really don't want to strike, but you keep offering the same thing and that's not competitive.

Labor Day 2008:
Board: ok, we're going to offer you 2.5acrosss the salary matrix), increased deductibles and worse health plan, an extra half hour on your day and that essentially results in a pay cut.
Union: Well, see, here's the thing. You keep offering the same proposal. We aren't actually going to take that just because you keep shoveling the same thing at us. NO THANK YOU, WE DESERVE BETTER.

Sept 12 and Sept 15:
Board: Um, yeah, here it is, take it or leave it... we're going to offer you 2.5acrosss the salary matrix), increased deductibles and worse health plan, an extra half hour on your day and that essentially results in a pay cut. Oh, and most of our negotiating team couldn't make it, so this is what you get. We really just lied to the public at the school board meeting on Thursday night, so they would actually believe we want to negotiate.
Union: NO THANK YOU- We've agreed all along we all need to make concessions, but you aren't making any. So, again, no thank you. For the record, our whole team continues to be at every negotiating session. If you aren't going to talk medical, we're not ready to talk salary, since it would involve a PAY CUT. NO THANK YOU.

So there you have it. Pretty much sums up what's gone down. Is that good enough for the students of Souderton? I think not! Is it good enough for our teachers? I think not! Get in there, ALL OF YOU from the board, and make this work. My 5 year old could be negotiating better than the board.

Ok, I'm REALLY confused now. I've read many commnents from those who complain about the School Board not making enough of an attempt to negotiate. However, I have yet to see any counter offer from the Teacher's Union? The most recent negotiation sessions seem to indicate some attempt from the School Board to make some consessions, in an attempt to encourage some progress, but where's the Union's consessions? Why hasn't the Teacher's Union come to the table with a salary counter offer? WHY?

A lot of numbers are flying around in the news and on these comment sites. We hear of a 2.5ncrease offering from the board and a 'hold out' figure of 8rom the teachers but did you ever stop to ask what these figures are a percentage of? If you are assuming it is a percentage of the teachers take home figure you would be mistaken. As I understand it (someone correct me if I'm wrong and quote your source) the percentage quotes we have been hearing are to the annual budget - not individual salariers. The board hasn't done much to dispell this widely reported misconception and I don't know why the teacher's union waited until today to set the record straight (http://www.saea.info/index.html#j).
Another FYI,I saw on the news tonight that Saucon Valley teachers are on strike and turned down their boards FIRST offer of 4.71 go figure...
the painter, Sellersville

To Enough is Enough
There are 2 sides to every argument. I guess it is Souderton teacher's union fault that there are economic issues? Give me a break. Teachers are never approached for a raise just because times are good, so don't use the same analogy here. Taxes in Souderton are far below New Jerseys - so maybe you should be thankful or move back to New Jersey. If you have issues, tell the school board to make a real proposal for our teachers that have always served us well in the past.
Linda T, Franconia, PA

D-r-b though he/she was being funny by posting a youtube video "from the union" that is rude and insulting. And "so sad it's funny" had to resort to including a profanity in his/her comments. No wonder this community is in this mess--we have people who think insults and profane comments can pass as discussion.

The school board has forbidden him to speak publicly about the strike and negotiations. I wouldn't be surprised if all "cabinet" level employees were given the same directive.

My daughter teaches in Pittsburg, and we talk about her work often. The truth is that most people have no idea what kind of work goes into being a teacher. How many of you have gotten a call from a teacher later in the evening? on a weekend? How many of you have attended meetings that lasted well beyond the teacher's 7.5 hour day? How many times have you heard your kids talk about a really cool (well planned) activity they did at school? How many of you have kids who have gone on field trips that start before school hours or last into the evening? The teacher bashers out there better start thinking about all this. If I were a teacher serving this community, I sure wouldn't feel appreciated. How many of you would keep dumping 20 hours into your job a week without compensation just to hear your boss (taxpayers) cut you down in a most unappreciative way? I'm not saying you have to agree with the strike or even with their requests, but don't bite the hand that feeds your child's education. The fact is these teachers DO go above and beyond, as many of you have already pointed out. The least you could do is show some respect. You're probably the same families who teachers buy gift for at Christmas time, who don't support learning by making your kids do homework, etc. SHAME ON US SOUDERTON!!!

Are you serious? When I took those I didn't take them seriously. I didn't like being judged as a group as apposed to an individual. It didn't grade how smart I was. It didn't help or hurt me. This whole "no child left behind" is a bad idea. Sure lets just push these kids through, who cares if they are understanding what is going on, as long as they graduate right. But anyways, the kids are still going to have their mandatory number of days, they just have less days off during the year. Which may or may not hurt the PSSA scores that some of you are soo worried about. It could help because they don't have so many days in between to forget what they are learning or it could hurt because kids need time off just like we all do. C'mon, how many of you have taken off of work just because you "felt like it"? Kids don't get to choose which days they can and can't have off, unfortunately. So get these teachers back in school so the kids can have some days to enjoy the holidays. You see it, as the holidays get closer they get all excited and is harder to concentrate. Now you just took away some of their days off which will probably hurt them more then help. We all would like an increase in pay but unfortunately we can't all decide to step outside with signs and demand a pay raise. Of course, I do my job because I love it. I actually took a $2.50/hour pay cut because I would rather do something I love. Maybe one day others will do the same. Yeah it's tough at times but hey, welcome to life. It doesn't matter what you make you base your life around your pay. More money=more bills(higher standard of living). C'mon it's common sense.
What are the teachers teaching our kids? That if they don't get what they want, waa waa let's cry about it and pout until we get what we want. I don't know about you but I am always telling my kids that if they aren't happy with something they should talk about it and we will work to come up with a solution. I also teach them that they can't always get what they want. How many times do you tell your kids no? Alot probably because there are always wants and desires, too bad everyone can't always get what they want or we would all be millionaires then billionaires then.....

That's all the time that was given to negotiating today? It took me longer to get my grocery shopping done.

I have been wondering why this strike makes me feel so sad and frustrated (other than being a taxpayer and a parent of school-aged children enrolled in SASD). It reminds me of my parents' bitter divorce and us kids being caught in the middle of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKThkNrz070&feature=related

I know one man who would have never allowed the school board to do what it is doing right now....Mr. Tinner. He'd fix this situation right away.

Also, Common Man....do you really think a teacher does 7.5 hours per day? The school I drive by on my way to work is half-full at 8AM and still full at 4PM. Plus, with all those little homework assignments, they end up taking them home to grade. If each child has a 15 minute homework assignment and it takes the teacher 5 minutes to grade each assignment; a class of 20 would take 100 minutes (1 hour and 40 minutes). Most, if not all, teachers put in more than 8 hours per day. If a teacher puts in an average of 1 hour extra per day, that's 180 extra hours....about 22.5 (8 hour day) to 24 (7.5 hour day) extra days. That's 4-5 extra weeks of school, taking them into mid to late July. I'm sure there are more teachers out there who put in more than 1 hour extra per day.

Since I'm going....School Board....Do you want the teacher's union to act like a union? My dad was a union man. I can't speak for all unions, but one thing that I noticed about his union....when it was quitting time, IT WAS QUITTING TIME. Any extra time was overtime at time-and-a-half. The extra work these teachers put in to their job needs to be taken into consideration.

Or do you want to treat them like professionals? My mom is the head of the nursing department. She has a Bachelor's, plus 2 Master's Degrees. She's been working at the hospital for almost 30 years and has received a raise every year. Now, she's making more than most of our administrators.

What I'm saying is you have a union who puts in more time than they are required too and they have nothing to show for it but grief from this school board.

These teachers worked hard for their education. At least you should recognize that like the other school districts posted in Monday's paper.

A lot of numbers are flying around in the news and on these comment sites. We hear of a 2.5ncrease offering from the board and a 'hold out' figure of 8rom the teachers but did you ever stop to ask what these figures are a percentage of? If you are assuming it is a percentage of the teachers take home figure you would be mistaken. As I understand it (someone correct me if I'm wrong and quote your source) the percentage quotes we have been hearing are to the annual budget - not individual salariers. The board hasn't done much to dispell this widely reported misconception and I don't know why the teacher's union waited until today to set the record straight (http://www.saea.info/index.html#j).
Another FYI,I saw on the news tonight that Saucon Valley teachers are on strike and turned down their boards FIRST offer of 4.71 go figure...

Finally! And wouldn't it be nice if we heard from R. Bradley Clemens, Asst. Superintendent & Director of Human Resources, and Brenda Jones Bray, Director of Business Affairs too? Glad to know that I am not the only one who thinks its time we demand answers and resolution from the people we are actually PAYING TO RUN THE DISTRICT rather than a group of volunteers who obviously don't care enough to show up to the table?

So Bill has informed us that PSSA scores are important and illustrated how devastiting it will be if they drop. Doom, Doom and more DOOM!

So I guess compressing the school year by 3.5 weeks won't adversely impact them? I guess alienating some portion of the parent volunteers who assist in the schools won't impact them? I guess telling the kids that their school days aren't really that important won't make an impression on their value of learning and will have no impact?

You've made Frustrated's point. Our children need to be in school learning NOW. I don't care who is right or wrong in this dispute between people with too much power. And if the teacher's REALLY CARED ABOUT THE PSSA TEST SCORES THEN THE SCHOOLS WOULD NOT BE EMPTY!!!

Do you have any idea how much public opinion would sway on the side of the teachers if they voluntarily went back to work while refusing to settle? Bill Lukridge is no leader - it's a shame the teachers can't see that.

Dr. Amuso did try and speak up but was told by Mr. Currie to 'be quiet - we don't need your opinion. I also heard that Mr. Sultanik (the board's advocate) told the board to offer the teacher a 4.5 raise and again good old Bernie said NO WAY!!! This could ghave been solved long ago!!

I think that you are obviously right about wanting Dr. Amuso to step up and get this done. For years, the district had Dr. Grande and others who would step forward and say take care of business, obviously before the deadline and it did not get out of control. I'm not certain what Dr. Amuso's stand is, but at the very least he should be pulling the two sides together and calling for negotiations, until the contracts are signed. When day 12 is done, perhaps after the board feels they have saved the community $1.? million, then maybe they will step forward and all be at the meetings that have been scheduled. Until then, we should all be calling for someone to keep them all accountable! Let's face it, they aren't having to explain to their children why school isn't in session. Nor are they paying $15/day per child. The contract MUST be negotiated, so get in there and negotiate!

So, let's do some math. There are 168 hours in a week. Let's assume you sleep 7 hours a night. That's 49 your 85 working hours. That's 134 hours. 168 - 134 = 34 hours left. Divided by 7, that leaves you 4.85 hours each day of personal time. Optimally, it takes you 2 hours to eat your 3 meals a day. That means you have 2 hours a day for travel, basic hygiene. And that is assuming you work 7 days. Do you think you might be exaggerating just a little bit?

To your other point... don't volunteer, don't participate in your kid's school. Who does that hurt? Duh.

If there is one person who might be able to bring the opposing sides together it should be Dr. Amuso. Where is he and what is he doing to get our district out of this mess?
This is really the time for him to earn his high salary since his job description requires him to deal with both teachers and Board Members. It is time for him to put his secure position at risk and sit both sides down and demand a settlement. He can be a hero or he can be a simple pawn of the School Board and sit back collecting his salary on a par with surrounding districts. Time to get the lead out!

There are several companies that have tried to take up shop in the Souderton Area, but were turned away in order to keep it "a bedroom community." Why don't you ask the board why a major pharmaceutical company in the heart of the district does not have to pay taxes for 10 years? 10 YEARS!

ARe you out of your mind? Do you have any understanding of what failing PSSA scores can do to your child's education? If a school is not proficient on the PSSAs the school is pretty much in "time out" from the DOE. WHen this happens, many students who score low will be in remedial reading and math programs in order to find out where and why they are unable to be proficient. Do you want children who may be proficient to jeopardize their entire educational process because of your encouragement to fail the test? What kind of parent would do that to their child??? PSSA scores are a rating of the school, but at the core of it they affect the individual student who fails to score proficient on the test. THAT specific child's entire schedule, their ability to participate in the regular ed. program, and their "Track" for many of their courses would be entirely altered. Many 11th grade students who are not proficient may not graduate until they can pass the test or prove their ability to master PA's standards in a different way. WOuld you enjoy seeing your child jump through a myriad of red tape and extensive extra work just to graduate because of your revenge tactic??
IF you don't care about your kids, then what about your house? Want a quick way to lower your property value??? Live in a school district that is on the DOE's "warning" list - not many buyers with kids will be interested.
Please educate yourself on what the PSSA test means to you and your child before you comment - and encourage only more ridiculous ideas that fuel ignorance in this community.

Its getting more and more challenging to find empathy with either side as I watch my 1st grader lose precious school days as his cousins in other area districts are into the comfort of being 2 weeks down and onto the third week of the school year.

To the teacher's union and board members, why not start negotiations at 9 a.m. and continue until its resolved???? Stop the stubborn - We're right - NO We're right fight that is clearly occuring. Try opening up to the possibility that neither side is being realistic. It seems easy enough to me. Bring the starting salaries up to what the Methacton SD pays their starting teachers as Methacton might be the only district in the area to which Souderton could fairly and realistically be compared. Then make the salaries a flat 4ncrease per year for the next few years. The inflation rate is about 2.5o SERIOUSLY Board members - get it together - 2.5s NOT Fair. However, teachers GET IT TOGETHER - 9 er year for the next 5 years is as unrealistic as the gas price going back to under $3 per gallon ever again. Additionally, the health plan contributions should stay as is. I WISH I only paid 10nto my health care plan. Sorry Teachers - this is REALITY! Get used to it. Years ago, I paid only $30 per month for my 3 person family health plan but now I'm paying more than $200 per month which I know is still incredibly cheap. ALMOST everyone of us pay for health benefits nowadays and your amount of contribution IS fair.

Please get to the table and please get this worked out. You are adults and examples to our children. We try to teach our children the importance of working out problems and by leaving the table after 2 hrs after 3 days or 1 week between the last negoitation is not a good example. Two years ago, I convinced my family to move into Souderton Area SD because of the excellent reputation of the teachers, the administration, and the community. This is getting ridiculously embarrassing that two intelligent respectable groups of ADULTS cannot take the adequate time and effort to work out this issue.

We all know that no matter what, the tax payers are going to end up with an increase in our bills. So just get it done and get the teachers back to work please.

Shame on the school board for once again convincing us that they would be available to negotiate! They showed up with an incomplete team (again!) and then refused to talk about the larger issues (salary and healthcare).

Is anyone else out there starting to feel lied to?

They have the power to get this done, to meet halfway as a true negotiation does. Yet they seem to think they can speak out of both sides of their mouths!

Heaven help us all for how their irresponsible actions are tearing apart this community and impacting our children's education...not just by delaying the start of this school year but by not getting the continuation of quality, dedicated teachers for years to come!

Shame on you, school board! Shame on you all!

It should be clear to everyone by now that it is the School Board who are keeping our children out of school. They are the ones who refused to negotiate for months, and even now do not show up for meetings. Couldn't they take a day off for their most important duty - the welfare of the children! How insulting to the teachers who are willing to meet anytime - if only the school board knew what 'negotiate' meant.

Many of my friends and neighbors miss the point - the school board has run this show simultaneously insulting and badmouthing the teacher. They have the power to get the kids to school. They could bargain in good faith, offer a contract extension, or at least tell the truth. Please check out SAEA.info if you are unaware of 'the other side.'

The teachers hands are tied - after the school board turns down the final offer of the state mediator, they will return to work under their old contract - which is better than anything the board has offered so far.

And to those threatening a state takeover of our schools - the teachers would most likely be retained and receive better salaries and benefits than the school board would ever offer.

Who's up to run against these jokers - then maybe we have a chance of compromise in the NEXT round of negotiations.

Mr. Leer skipped today's session too. Why do people continue to support a school board that lies, that breaks promises and can't even come to what is probably the most important meeting I can think of, the meeting designed to get our kids back in school?

Remember this in Nov 09 when four of these board members are up for re-election. You might even agree with their position (I do not) but you cannot justify a negotiations team member who skips the negotiations!

Please, school board, let the only member with contract negotiations experience, Eric MacDougall, try. You three have only proven that you are total failures and it is YOUR fault that my kids are not in school!!!!!!!!

I just found out that today's negotiations meeting lasted a little over an hour. I just found out that once again the whole team from the board was not present (2 showed up this time). I just found out that the next meeting is not scheduled until Friday. Where is the commitment to solve this? C'mon now get to it!

I will ask all those who support the increase for all teacher levels and just give them the money so they can increase per pupil spending, to please now go out and recruit the additional fortune 500 companies that the surrounding districts have.

With the ever shrinking middle class, until we pull in the industrial and commercial tax bases Methacton, Quakertown, North Penn, Council Rock, and the other Big Dollar Schools have, we are going to be bleeding ourselves dry and while we will then be spending what other schools do, we will go broke because the residents will need to move to a school district they can afford.

So before you just settle for what seems easy or what sounds good when you hear clips...try looking at the numbers and all sides. Then do the calculations of the increases on your assessed home value to get your tax increase. Remember that after school taxes increase, you still have to worry about the municipality. We may not need to worry about more space, the families moving out to find affordable housing will make space open up inth classrooms. Good news is we will have newly highly qualified and highly paid teachers teaching them all.

No matter who you agree with the teachers don't have to strike, they could go back to teaching without signing the contract, they are going to have to anyway, there is no reason to screw up the everyone else's lives. When your children go back to school don't do any fundraisers or give any donations of art supplies, etc. for the classroom. They are making plenty, they can afford it. I will never do another fundraiser or donate ever again. I will donate to the christian schools where the teachers make next to nothing but are doing it for a higher purpose. I have to go now, I only have 5 minutes to sit down because I have to work 85 hours a week to make my tax bill. ANYONE NOTICE THE ECONOMIC NEWS TODAY?????

To Gail:
I have that article in Philadelphia Magazine to which you referred right here in front of me. According to MY copy of Philly Magazine, Souderton Area School District AS A WHOLE ranks 40 out of 100. The high school by itself was ranked 60. The elementary schools were ranked 23, and the middle schools 44. All of these numbers are out of 105 school districts in the greater Philadelphia area, including many in NJ. It is interesting to note that SASD is also listed as a "Bang for your Buck" district. Hmmmm, seems even Philly Magazine thinks we are getting away pretty cheap out here.

Teachers prove themselves everyday! Haven't you heard that the PSSA scores keep going up and up!? Teachers have the tough job of getting students proficient despite that fact that they may be reading ona first grade level or how about all of our ESL students whos peak another language at home? They ALL have to be proficient by 2014! Do you want that responsibility? If the students don't make progress then the school is in danger of being taken over and all of the teachers could lose their jobs. Talk about pressure! But you know, they aren't in the 'real world'!

As the Stock Market continues to get battered, where will the lost money from the PSERS come from? Please see information below taken from Philadelphia Business news last week.
My point, this money will come from the taxpayers. So be very careful as the Board has been very mindful of the looming expense.

"The $63 billion Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System lost nearly 3 percent on its investments in the year ended June 30, spokeswoman Evelyn Tatkovski said. The smaller State Employees' Retirement System reported similar losses for the first half of 2008 yesterday.
PSERS says it made money on bonds, commodities and private-equity investments, but lost on stocks and real estate. Private-equity and real estate profits (losses) are hard to independently verify, since the state doesn't identify those investments, they're often illiquid, and actual returns aren't reported until they're sold.
The system has plenty of money to pay pensions to 100,000 retired teachers for years to come, but it'll have to increase future subsidies from state and school-district taxpayers to meet long-term goals, unless investment returns recover strongly."

When the school district scores higher then 60 something on the top school list in PA (Phila. magazine) then they can waste everyones time and money by striking. What ever happened to proving yourself first and then being rewarded for a job well done.
I don't care how much money you spend on schooling, that doesn't make you a good teacher. I know from personal experience that in Souderton School District it's not your references or your grades from college that get you a position, it's who you know.

I have to echo an earlier comment--I've tried hard to contact the school board and these "gentlemen" just do not respond, except for Mr. Currie. It makes me angry that they do not even bother to reply. I also tried calling and all I get are answering machines, although my neighbor called Mr. Leer on Saturday to ask him why he didn't attend Friday's negotiations session and Mr. Leer said he went to work instead. So do you think they just hit the delete button? Are any of you neighbors or friends of board members? I also looked to see where they live and none of them live in the part of the district i live in so my chance to run into them seems low. Are they just deleting our messages?

I want a fair contract. I do think the teachers are right to expect to be paid more, and I never, ever believed that the 8umber was correct. There is a number that everyone can live with--whether it's 3.5À4À5 don't know. Why is the school board dragging it's feet?

After looking over neighboring districts, this is my fair evaluation of the situation:
Souderton needs to increase their Graduate level status. The other local districts go to Master's plus 30, 42 and even 78 (plus a doctorate). Souderton stops at 24. Why not create another 2 columns for Souderton - Master's plus 36 and 48. Then pay those teachers the highest. Looking at the other districts, it looks like the top of the Souderton teachers should make between 92,000 and 93,500 - about a 3.5 percent increase for gis year. Starting teachers should make between 41,000 and 42,000 or a little over 8 percent for this year. Surely the district can come up with a plan to make this happen. It is not rocket science. Take the grid that district use and change the numbers and get our kids in school. I think my numbers are in line with what the business world does in order to keep competitive. Embarrasing that Souderton spends approximately 4500 dollars less on average than other local districts.

I was told by a teacher that the strike isn't personal, it's just "civil disobedience" for the teachers to show their displeasure.

So why don't the parents and students have their own civil disobedience to show OUR displeasure? Is there a way for us to directly impact the school district and put them on notice?

If the teachers don't get back in the classroom tomorrow regardless of a contract resolution this afternoon, maybe the community should think about the PSSAs. Maybe, instead of worrying how much they will be affected by the strike, we should SHOW how much they were affected by the strike. Maybe, just maybe, those PSSA scores should take a big hit. That would put everyone on notice, wouldn't it?

"What was that lady in the video on? For crying out loud, it's not like someone's getting crucified. Was she auditioning?"

No, she was asking that the community rally around the football team. To give the community something to unite over. No matter what a person may feel about sports going on during the strike or the issues at hand that are tearing us apart, it was a chance to get people to agree on one thing for the 2 hours the game was going on for.

Nice work BIG RED! We will get them next time!

My frustration is not affecting my ability to reason. I would be as equally frustrated if the SAEA team had not shown up. The members of the school board were elected to do a job. The members of their team were appointed to do a job. Being able to be reached by phone or email is not doing the job. A person must be able to hear the tone of negotiations, feel the vibe in the room and discuss with their own mind, not the impression Mr. Currie would give them over the phone or in a message. That is why there is a team of negotiators, not just one on each side. All members of each team must attend the sessions - and both teams need to address why there were no meetings over the weekend. It seems no one wants this to end.

What was that lady in the video on? For crying out loud, it's not like someone's getting crucified. Was she auditioning?

"A Souderton teacher's wife went to the hospital with an obstetrical emergency not knowing that Curry, the School Board and Amuso cancelled the teachers' health insurance. Now they are bankrupted with a $150,000 medical bill.
Curry is in fact Satan himself. How could he do this to an innocent mother?"

Apparently she is the only union member without COBRA coverage. Please make sure Grandview or CMMC that she has COBRA coverage.

Okay, so I (like most of you) have read every post, article, mailing, and handout. I've attended the board meetings with an open mind and have tried hard to balance all the information in an attempt to draw a logical conclusion. Here it is: THERE ARE TIMES TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE (a.k.a. "CHEAP") and there are times when being frugal will cost you more in the long run. I personnally would never buy single-ply toilet paper depite the added cost of the two-ply version for obvious reasons. It makes sense to spend a little more to get the good stuff. The school district spent a great deal of money breaking down the tax burden if teachers were to be paid according to their seemingly outrageous request. (This information can be found on Jack Parry's (former board member) wesite sasdcontractinfo.com). If you own a $150,000 home, your taxes would increase from $3,669 to $3,863 annually. That's $194. That's 14 cents an hour, a dollar a day, five bucks a week. Surely you spend more on toilet paper than that. Isn't making sure that our district attracts and retains the best and the brightest worth five bucks a week. That's not even enough to buy a happymeal! I wouldn't want to shake the hand of anyone who says they can't afford the tax increase!!!

By the way, if you own a $400,000 home the tax burden would be equal to about 2.5 happy meals a week, or roughly 12 bucks.

I have a challenge to all members of each negotiation team. Go home and pack a bag. It can be an overnight back, a carry on or a steamer trunk which ever you decide is best. Then everyone check into a local hotel with meeting room facilities, maybe the Best Western in Towamencin. Start tonight and from the moment you arrive no one leaves and no one else gets in until an agreement is reached. In previous school board meetings speakers have offer brownies and coffee to the negotiation teams as they met. I am offering the padlock Because as sure as we are sitting here as both sides refuse to negotiate we all know we will see another strike in the spring and a summer full of propaganda and we will all be here next September as our schools are closed by another prolonged strike.

Enough is enough. Mr. Currie and other members of the school board do the job you were elected to do. Mr. Luckeridge do the job your fellow teachers elected you to do. Mr Smith do the job the teachers union pays you to do. Negotiate a settlement that is fair and equitable to both sides.

Any intelligent person can see through the bogus rhetoric continuously being fed to the media by the districts PR Squadron. All it takes is a small portion of the community to become indoctrinated into this cycle of misinformation, and the next thing you know, everything the district says is gospel. Of course, any intelligent person can also tell you that neither side has been completely forthwith during the strike, but heyat least the SAEA has based all of their statistics distributed to the community on real factual information that is publicly available from valid sources. What can the average Souderton taxpayer learn from the school board? Heres a scenario for ya: Youre not gonna believe this: I read somewhere that the Souderton teachers are demanding a 78.6 per cent salary increase over the next four years! Where did I see that number? Well, my school boards $350 an hour lawyer made it up and reported it in the newspaper. Since they printed it, it must be true! Everyone knows that once something is printed in the newspaper, it automatically becomes a fact. Those of you who cant seem to grasp the basics of statictics, economics, and common sense (Dave, LT, another frustrated parent, et al, Im looking in your direction) are probably going to start quoting that fictional number as the salary demand now. Seems like your kind of "logic." Or maybe I should post a little chart of salaries that I calculated based on numbers I made up, too.

Year 1 = 157.2 Million increase in payroll over current payroll
Year 2 = 416.58 Million increase in payroll over current payroll
Year 3 = 636.66 Million increase in payroll over current payroll
Year 4 = 864.6 Million increase in payroll over current payroll.

Total additional money needed to fund this contract proposal = 2.08 BILLION!!!
Wow, what a powerful feeling it is to type such big numbers thinking I have even the slightest clue what Im talking about!

How many of you sheep actually believed that line about a 48 per cent salary increase printed in the districts original propaganda mailing? Youre the ones Im talking to here. Incredibly naïve!!! Deal with facts, please.

It's amusing (for me at least, but for the teachers, Im sure its more aggravating than funny) to watch all of the school boards sheep posting your opinions based entirely on falsified and/or misconstrued data. Too bad; I bet a lot of you are good people when there's nothing to argue about. Ah, so gullible, so sad. Baaah on, people.

I think that your frustration may be affecting your ability to reason. Just because all three members of the school boards negotiating team weren't in the building, doesn't mean that they weren't available by phone or email at a moments notice should there be reason to think that a settlement is within reach.

Another union supporter suggested that it was a waste of taxpayer money to have the boards lead negotiator Jeffrey Sultanik at the negotiations because they were all "just sitting around". Which is it? Do the negotiators need to be there or not?

I to was at the meeting Thursday, until the very last speaker was finished. I did then and still believe that our board is ready negotiate in good faith and put this entire issue to rest. I keep hearing from the union supporters that they're demands for large increases are being distorted by the school board and the media, "stop and talk to the teachers they will tell you themselves", I've been told. Well I haven't talked to any of the teachers, but I have read the direct quotes from Mr. Lukridge in the newspaper and he's pretty much confirmed that they are in-fact looking for salary increases in the 8 percent range. That's too much... 3.5, 4, 4.5 percent escalating over the life of the contract, now that makes sense to me.

BTW... A teachers union supporter at Thursdays meeting, was outraged that our administrators received salary increases that totaled 4.1 percent over the last three years. 4.1 percent, that's a far cry from 8 percent.

A Souderton teacher's wife went to the hospital with an obstetrical emergency not knowing that Curry, the School Board and Amuso cancelled the teachers' health insurance. Now they are bankrupted with a $150,000 medical bill.
Curry is in fact Satan himself. How could he do this to an innocent mother?

Lukridge needs to read this before he gives another video interview. Specifically numbers 1 and 3. LOL

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/06/29/the-top-seven-signs-that-someone-is-lying-to-you.htm

Lisa is MR. Jelenski's wife. That is comforting that a school board members wife would write that. She at least signed her name on Mr. Parry's blog. Lisa you obviosly understand the situation as well as your husband. Time for the other 7 minus MR. J who is obviously a lapdog of currie to get it together and finish this thing.

It is not good when you have spoken more then your husband about this sitation

She had very valid points. I do believe it was " We are Big Red!" You did not follow the video very well. She spoke from her heart. It is more than I can say about your remarks. I agree with A-Friend! You are nasty!

So two board members missed the meeting. True. I don't know why, but I DO know the meeting still took place and lasted at least 5 hours. So obviously they were willing to let those who COULD attend do so on their behalf. If they are in agreement, does it matter whether 1 or 11 attended?

Move on and look at the new meeting schedule. Why the delay? Please explain, I'm all ears. I don't have blinders on, I want to know why meetings are not happening around the clock, don't you?

I also still want to know how often the union leaders take a vote from the 512 teachers to see if they want to get back in the classroom and teach while still negotiating their contract. Their point has been made, hasn't it?

Mr. Sultanik needs a math lesson. Compounded pay raises of 5.98, 9.4, 7.14 and 6.94 percent is an average of 7.3 percent increase per year. He should use the same math techniques that banks use when they compound interest on savings or loans. If the raise was truly 8.2 percent per year, it would be 8.2 per cent raised to the power of four (meaning 8.2 times 8.2 times 8.2 times 8.2), which would result in a pay raise greater than 32.78 per cent over 4 years...it would be 37.1 per cent over four years. I think Mr. Sultanik knows this and dodged the true meaning of the question posed to him by The Reporter. Not a good thing.

John from Upper Salford wrote:
"The mediator can surely call the meetings off once scheduled, but it is apparent that SOMEONE is unavailable Tuesday through Thursday. Don't tell me it is the board, they've said over and over they will meet whenever the meetings are set. It must therefore be the unavailability of the PSEA rep to attend that is the issue. So basically, as was said, the union just wants to drag this out for the full duration."
You are right the whole board stated at Thursday's meeting that they are willing to meet whenever. But then they had to live up to what they said. If the board is truly willing to meet whenever meetings are set - why didn't the whole team show up Friday? The entire SAEA team showed up. You, John, are falling right into the hands of the board. They say one thing but do another. It is they who are not willing to sit and get this done. Take your blinders off.
As to all who are calling for the firing of all teachers - do you realize how ridiculous that is? Have you given a thought as to the chaos that would happen in your child's classroom with all brand new teachers trying to learn the curriculum, the ways of each school, and the needs of the students? Do you truly believe that test scores would not plummet? And with that so would housing values. No one on the board or in the administration or any parent who has children they want educated, would go along with such a ludicrous idea. You need to start focusing on a realistic solution.
Board members need to be contacted - day and night - this needs to be settled.

Im tired of reading references to Ronald Reagan or Reaganomics. The insistence of some community members to relate whats going on now to the air traffic controllers strike is part of the problem herethis is 2008, not the 1980s. Once again, SASD is stuck back in time referring to a 70 year-old former actor who faced a crisis early in his administration and wanted to make a statement. The difference is the air-traffic controllers violated a regulation that forbade government unions from striking. Maybe its the laws relating to teachers strikes that need to change (feel free to debate that with No More Strikes from Harleysville) but to suggest that firing everyone is the answer that will solve this mess is not accurate or realistic. Read more about it on Wikipediaif you know what that is.

There are many posters who keep ranting about the teachers striking and how the school board should fire them. They also talk about the "real world." Let's talk about the "real law."
1: It does not matter that teacher strikes are illegal in other states. They are legal in Pennsylvania.
2: It does not matter that there is a bill - HB 1369 - that would outlaw teacher strikes. It is not the law, and if it were passed this minute it could not be applied because the US Constitution prohibits ex post facto laws.
3: The school board cannot fire the teachers... if they had the power to do so, they would have tried it. Again, striking is legal in this state and a teacher cannot be fired for doing something legal.
Let's stop the riduculous posts stating that this or that SHOULD be done, and concentrate on what CAN be done. Telephone or email the school board and tell them to show up and settle this contract.

There are many posters who keep ranting about the teachers striking and how the school board should fire them. They also talk about the "real world." Let's talk about the "real law."
1: It does not matter that teacher strikes are illegal in other states. They are legal in Pennsylvania.
2: It does not matter that there is a bill - HB 1369 - that would outlaw teacher strikes. It is not the law, and if it were passed this minute it could not be applied because the US Constitution prohibits ex post facto laws.
3: The school board cannot fire the teachers... if they had the power to do so, they would have tried it. Again, striking is legal in this state and a teacher cannot be fired for doing something legal.
Let's stop the riduculous posts stating that this or that SHOULD be done, and concentrate on what CAN be done. Telephone or email the school board and tell them to show up and settle this contract.

"This state needs to get rid of teachers union and not allow them to strike like the 38 other states in this country. Fire every one of the teachers who waked out on strike and hire news who want to work."
There are 50 states - not 39. People walk - not "wake" - Go back to school

It was two of three of the Souderton Board members who skipped yesterdays session, not the teachers!!

HOW DARE HE REFER TO OUR SCHOOLS AS "PLANTS." See Reporter interview - his response to use of the seventeen million dollar surplus.

Question: Explain your understanding of the reserve fund - how much is in it, what it can and cannot be used for, how this could or could not fund salary increases for the teachers.

Sultanik: "The reserve fund is composed of a number of different components. Currently $4.2 million of the fund is marked for Capital Reserve; for needed capital programs like new roofs, fixing heaters, upgrades on buildings. We have lots of plants, and we need to have that money reserved to care for that. It's been in place for a long time now, and we draw upon that on an as-needed basis.

PLANTS? Does this out of touch solicitor simply think of our schools as factories?

I guess he will continue to keep doing what he does best - billable hours at the taxpayers expense. So tell us Mr. Sultanik, do you ever think about the production that is going in the factories while you are sailing the high seas? Check out the link where he admits he was spoiled:

http://cruisereviews.com/CunardLine/QueenMary9.htm

This state needs to get rid of teachers union and not allow them to strike like the 38 other states in this country. Fire every one of the teachers who waked out on strike and hire news who want to work.

GB,

The union is playing games. Just like a spoiled brat they didn't get their way so they took their ball and went home. They refuse to budge from their unrealistic demands so why should the school board move from their offer?

It's a fact of life that medical costs go up and salary increases have been moving downward. Contrary to what they believe, the teachers don't live in some kind of buble insulated from the real world. We hear them cry that it doesn't matter what the "real world " faces, we just want what we want or we'll hold your childrens education hostage. You cannot reason with unreasonable people such as the union leadership.

The school board needs to take a page from Ronald Regan when he fired the air traffic controllers. They need to finish out the school year after the union is forced back to work and then in late spring start hiring non-union teachers for the fall. Let the teachers negotiate their own individual salaries and not hide behind the the unions apron strings. If they don't want to work here then they can sell their house in a "real world" depressed housing market, take their losses and move on to supposedly greener pastures.

Isn't anyone outraged over the negotiation schedule? They skip the weekend and don't start until 2:30 Monday afternoon? Then when that ends with little accomplished since it starts so late in the day, the next isn't until FRIDAY? The teachers will be forced back to the classrooms on Wed.

The mediator can surely call the meetings off once scheduled, but it is apparent that SOMEONE is unavailable Tuesday through Thursday. Don't tell me it is the board, they've said over and over they will meet whenever the meetings are set. It must therefore be the unavailability of the PSEA rep to attend that is the issue. So basically, as was said, the union just wants to drag this out for the full duration.

Our teachers will be back and teaching but without a contract, disgruntled and with another strike threat looming over everyone's head. The script is going exactly as the PSEA planned, isn't it? I'm really beginning to believe they want to disrupt the opening of the high school next year.

Would a teacher care to inform the public how often they are asked to vote on if they want to head back into the classroom or remain out on strike?

So each side was asked the same questions and the answers were very telling. One dealt with facts, one continued to gloss over the facts and whine.

Here is some more math using the union's current proposal that is on the table:
Year 1 = 2 Million increase in payroll over current payroll
Year 2 = 5.3 Million increase in payroll over current payroll
Year 3 = 8.1 Million increase in payroll over current payroll
Year 4 = 11 Million increase in payroll over current payroll.

Total additional money needed to fund this contract proposal = 26.4 MILLION.

Even draining the entire 17 million fund would not provide that much money. And once the fund was drained and the contract was over - the new contract will need to increase on this one and there is no fund to drain. Where does all the money come from then? This proposal is not sustainable no matter how you look at it.

So Bill says they have their numbers and so on. Why not start moving towards those numbers Bill? Get the obviously outrageous offer out of the spotlight and NEGOTIATE. Stop whining.

As union president, shouldn't Bill have made the teachers aware they were at risk of losing their existing benefits and would need to move to Cobra? He's their leader, isn't that his responsibility? Stop whining because you don't like the way your were treated - you failed your teachers in not explaining this simple fact to them. But again, he just wants to whine and blame everyone else for his failures.

If I was in the union, I would demand he step down. He is a detriment to their cause. Or maybe it isn't really Bill's fault - perhaps he is given poor guidance from the PSEA. "Sure, let's set the local guy up to take the hit as long as we stir the pot, show our power and get our way, haha" Hmmm.

Maybe I need new glasses. As I looked at the published salaries I saw that the administrators are fairing quite well. Why aren't any of these men and women stepping in to make a difference? They too, sat up on stage Thursday night. Sat silently, I might add. So not only are we paying the solicitors salary to speak for the district, along with a PR firm that cannot even distribute timely information, we are also paying one hundred and thirty five thousand dollars (yea, that's real close to the value of my home) to an HR guy who hasn't said a word through this entire process. What's up with that? Is the administration the school board? Is the school board the administration? It's just a little blurry from this viewers end. I think Smokesceen is right. Someone is hiding behind their school board.

The comment "real world" has been tossed around probably more than any other in regards to this teachers strike. Comparisons constantly being made to your job or someone else you know, who works in the "real world". And if the teachers only knew what it was like in the "real world", well then maybe they would wake up.

I think the real waking up needs to occur on the part of this community. Try as you may, you cannot compare a teachers job to a job in the "real world." Or at least not the "real world" as most of us know it. The educational environment as you might remember it has changed drastically. Albeit, Souderton has a lot to be proud of and I for one, am glad that my family is here. But it is not a utopia. You may go to your "real world" job everyday and think how easy the teachers have it. Well, a few questions for you ...

Are your "co-workers" (students) so distraught over their parents divorce, or a relationship that has gone so bad that they break down in uncontrollable tears? Are your co-workers asking to borrow money for lunch because their Mom forgot to give them some? Are your co-workers trying to concentrate on the task at hand, but having a hard time because they are worried about living in a shelter and that their friends might find out about it? Are your co-workers cutting themselves because their self esteem is so low and they are crying out for help? Are your co-workers hanging out just a little bit longer with you, because they are scared and afraid to go home? Are your co-workers confused about exactly where Daddy is and if he is coming home? Do your co-workers deface the public restrooms and vandalize your work place? Do your co-workers curse and spit at you? I don't think I need to go on.

The intent is not to paint a Souderton in a bad light - but a realisitc one. So answer the question, now that you are informed about the teachers world, would you be prepared to come in each day, enthusiastic and ready to teach? And don't forget you have to make sure that each and every ("co-worker") student that you are responsible for, can take a test to prove to their parents and your principal that you are doing your job!

The Souderton teachers deserve a fair contract. And shame on us if we don't give it to them.

So Mr. Sultanik and Mr Currie (the only two members of the board to actually show up and negotiate this Friday) spent 5.5 hours. That's almost ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS for Mr. Sultanik. Must be nice to do nothing for 5.5 hours and get paid that kind of money. The Souderton Community better wake up. Your home values are going to plummet. You won't get a family to move in here for the next 10 years after this media circus is over. Get in a room, negotiate fairly and get your kids in school.

I was at the Thursday evening board meeting. I heard 9 men up on a stage solemnly promise the audience that NOTHING was more important to them than getting a settlement and having the kids in school on Monday. Hundreds heard it; many more of you can watch the meeting on tape. Despite this, two of the three board members did not bother to show up on Friday, mere hours later, to the negotiations session! The entire union side was there! So people, who is playing games with your kids? The board members made a promise! Well, now I hope you all realize that the word of the Souderton School board means nothing.

I am sorry. I was not clear. On Tuesday of last week, it was decided that on Friday, Sept. 12th, the teachers would have mass picketing and then attend a meeting.
As far as last Tuesday? Hopefully, you wouldn't need to be told to go inside during a storm with lightning. Obviously, our teachers did!

SAEA 2007-08 Salary Schedule


Steps: 1 thru 5 Average Annual Salary Increase: 2.55 percent

6 thru 10 Average Annual Salary Increase: 2.78 percent

11 thru 15 Average Annual Salary Increase: 6.73 percent


Now I ask you, does it appear that the SAEA has designed a salary matrix that values the contributions of young and aspiring teachers? Dont blame our school board members this is the value that your union leaders have placed on your services.

When an agreement is reached, I would suspect that you'll receive annual increases somewhere between 3 and 4 percent. Let "Bill" know that steps 1 through 10 will need that entire increase just to be average with steps 11 through 15. That is after all what this is about, right, being average?

Somethings to keep in the back of your minds when talking about compromising with the union
-Tax increases
-The ACT 1 index
-The ACT1 referendum requirement.

Think hard, it will come to you.

"On Tuesday of this week, the teachers had planned to mass picket on ONE shift. (9:00 - 11:30) They were then asked to attend a meeting.
So, as far as disappearing in the rain, this was planned before the 5 day forecast."
And on Friday ???

Let me guess, the Board spoke of how they supported Bernie Currie last night. I am just wondering, maybe Bernie doesn't really have the Boards support? Could it be that they were sending him a message to negotiate NOW and stop stone walling by the action of the two school board members not showing up? Well to everyone this might sound uncaring. It might be the only way the Board can get Bernie Currie to listen. We find ourselves in a position where he is the President and that gives him the right to be in on the contract negotiation. If he is making it impossible to negotiate, what choices are the rest of the School Board given? If that is not the case, boy are we in trouble!!! They must not care about the children.

The melodramatic lady at the school board meeting in the Reporter video certainly has some issues. I bet she lives in a THP development.

How in the world could you write something like that - how nasty! Her message was about the community and how the children are being hurt. It is clear that she was correct in her statement that the community is taking a hit. That is evident by your nasty remarks! Why do you care where she lives. In fact Lisa Gallagher is the kindest and most giving person - how dare you be so nasty!

Maybe for the next round Bernie could get a building principal to come with him. Better yet how about two life size cutouts of the other two members who should be there. This is about a board not one man and has turned into a complete dog and pony show.

For all you apologist I hope you get exactly what you want (low taxes and great schools)but remember that Souderton ceased to be a small farming community a while back and while most of you do not want to look at reality, I guess you will reep what you sow. Nothing is free.

I was encouraged when I heard about the negotiations session set for Friday morning. I was skeptical, but encouraged, when I heard Mr. Currie say that the board was willing to negotiate all weekend so that the students could be in school Monday. I was encouraged when the entire board said they were behind their team. Now we find out that the only member of the board's team to show up at negotiations Friday was Mr. Currie and that new meetings are scheduled for this coming Monday and Friday. So much for getting the students back in school, so much for listening to the public who wanted the teams to meet until this was resolved, so much for the board being behind the team. Shame on the school board for saying one thing and doing another. Both sides need to settle this - and the only way for the board's team to show up!!!! Contact all the school board members - let them know this has to end.
taxpayer in Upper Salford

Union Rhetoric: We made our initial contract proposal to the school board in March 2008, and did not receive a response until June 2008.

Fact: In the May 15, 2008 issue of the Reporter, Mr. Lukridge stated: "All I can tell you is we are looking into employee-employer contributions to healthcare," Lukridge said. " So far, we've met, offered them our proposal, met again where they offered theirs, and we really haven't had a chance to get back and forth and have a discussion."

Carolyn176 wrote:
"only one member of the school board bothered to show up today at negotiations. guess who...Bernie Currie. He is in there alone with Mr. Sultanik. Where is the loyalty? I guess they really don't want this settled. Was last night's words from the board all a lie???"


We are hoping to meet face-to-face with union officials and thoroughly assess the issues in dispute so we can, at a minimum, make sure that both sides are working with accurate, up-to-date information, said Jeffrey Sultanik, chief negotiator for the district. But what we are really anxious to see is whether or not the union will present us with a counterproposal. We tried to give some momentum to this process by presenting a new salary offer on Labor Day. Since that time, the union has refused to budge. For this process to move forward, we need to see the union make some concessions just as we did.
http://www.intelligencernow.com/category/souderton-school-strike.

We could not make another offer at the Sept. 5 meeting since ours was the last offer put on the table . If we had put another offer on the table, we would have been negotiating against ourselves.- Bernie Currie 9/11/08 Board meeting.

"We expected the union negotiator to counter our last proposal of Labor Day. That is how negotiations work. One side offers, the other side counters," Currie said. "The union negotiator did not counter, stating that we knew their bottom line. That is a tactic for delaying negotiations, not negotiating."
http://www.thereporteronline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20096861&BRD=2275&PAG=461&dept_id=466404&rfi=6



And while both sides will meet today, Gary Smith, the teachers union representative, didnt sound overly optimistic when contacted by phone before the board meeting.
The offer they made on Labor Day wasnt anywhere where it needed to be. We have no intention of making a formal offer tomorrow. I am not anticipating anything, Smith said.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-09122008-1589748.html

Despite Progress on Small Issues, $10 Million Chasm Keeps Souderton School Board and Teachers Union away from a Settlement
Next Negotiation Sessions Slated for Sept. 15 and Sept. 19
The Souderton Area School Board and the Souderton Area Education Association met in a negotiation session today which yielded progress on small items, but failed to bridge a gap on positions regarding salary and benefits. According to district calculations, the difference between the School Board's proposal and the union's proposal on these two key issues is in excess of $10 million.
"What we have here is a gap that the community cannot afford to close and the union is unwilling to close. It is truly disheartening," stressed Bernie Currie, School Board President.
During the 5.5 hour negotiation session, progress did occur in smaller areas. The board agreed to modify its proposals regarding length of the work year, unused personal days and timelines for grievance filing. The teacher's union withdrew its request for classroom coverage compensation and a sick day bank.
The chasm between salary and benefit proposals, however, still remained with no new counterproposals being presented by the teacher's union.
Two new negotiation sessions have been scheduled for September 15 and September 19 and, despite requests by parents at last night's board meeting, teachers have not announced plans to resume work on Monday.
"The union's negotiator made it clear that he plans to exhaust the process," explained Currie. "We can only assume this means he has no intention of recommending teachers go back to school until required to by state law on September 24. This is most unfortunate for the students and the teachers."
http://www.soudertonsd.org/community/relations/news/contract-negotiations/9-12-08pressRelease.cfm

Why, again, are there conflicting reports about what transpired at todays negotiation session? The SASD website (www.soudertonsd.org) reports that The chasm between salary and benefit proposals, however, still remained with no new counterproposals being presented by the teacher's union.
However, the SAEA website (www.saea.info) maintains this position: SAEA arrived at the negotiating table with a revised salary and healthcare offer. SAEA attempted to find middle ground, proposing a lower salary increase for a lower healthcare premium share. The school board rejected these attempts at compromise, refusing to make any concessions on medical.
Here is a compromise: A standard blue cross 10/20/70 plan, employees pay 10-12f the premium, a 2ncrease to advance the teachers to their next earned step (assuming satisfactory evaluation in previous year), and a 2.5-3ncrease towards cost of living.
Neither side wins, and we can start to talk about something else.

Unbelievable! After promising the public to negotiate in good faith the school board has once again failed. I can't believe that 2 of their 3 member negotiating team didn't even bother to show up for this very important session. I also love the spin the board put on their site. They must really think the public is stupid. All I have to say is cut the act - we know the district has the money to get a fair contract funded. They just refuse to do what it will take to get all of our children back to school. Wake up public - this school board is full of empty promises.

I was encouraged that both sides were going into negotiations Friday morning. I was skeptical, yet encouraged, by Mr. Currie's promise to negotiate throughout the weekend to get the schools open on Monday. I heard that the entire board supported their negotiation team. Then reality hit! Only Mr. Currie showed up at the meeting Friday and despite his word to negotiate throughout the weekend, meetings are now scheduled for Monday and Friday - all this despite the pleas from the people at the board meeting that both sides hash this out until it is solved. All school board members should be contacted, the SAEA should be contacted - this lack of respect for the students is getting worse. Stick by your words SASD school board and Mr. Currie.
taxpayer in Upper Salford

I'm wondering what kind of negotiations and compromise the board had in mind when they offered it last night. Two out of three board members did NOT see fit to even show up today? I guess it wasn't important enough. I'm not surprised when it was not important to KEEP their word last June when they also said they would negotiate in good faith. Now that the district can pocket how much money from the salaries? The board is calling for the teachers to go back to work WHILE negotiating. Why would they dare to go back, when YOU aren't negotiating before they even go! Who needs to be held accountable?

The melodramatic lady at the school board meeting in the Reporter video certainly has some issues. I bet she lives in a THP development.

Before you write or speak, why don't you get the facts right? On Tuesday of this week, the teachers had planned to mass picket on ONE shift. (9:00 - 11:30) They were then asked to attend a meeting.
So, as far as disappearing in the rain, this was planned before the 5 day forecast.

Suzanne

I've updated my blog - I have a new question for the strike proponents since no one has yet debated me on HB1369.

http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com/

FYI- 38,960 -that is the mean annual salary according to the May 2007 State occupational employment and wage estimates of Pennsylvania. www.bls.gov . Bureau of labor statistics. That includes EVERYONE.

Negotiations Update - 9/12/08


Talks between the Souderton Area School Board and Souderton Area Education Association began at 10:30 am today and broke down after 5 hours at 3:30 pm.

SAEA arrived at the negotiating table with a revised salary and healthcare offer. SAEA attempted to find middle ground, proposing a lower salary increase for a lower healthcare premium share. The school board rejected these attempts at compromise, refusing to make any concessions on medical.

Unfortunately, of the three board members on its team, two failed to show up and only one member, Bernie Currie, was in attendance. It is unclear how much could have been accomplished if the other school board members were present at the negotiations.

Although some progress was made on contract language and development was made on some non-monetary issues, the school board continues to offer proposals that would fail to make Souderton competitive with other school districts in the Montgomery County area. Though it promised to negotiate in good faith at last nights school board meeting, the school board has again failed to deliver on its promise to the public.

SAEA cannot negotiate when the other side refuses to compromise. SAEA continues to work towards a resolution. We want to be back in the classroom teaching your children. A new negotiation session is set for Monday, September 15.

Please check out...
www.saea.info

for an update on the session today. Not promising, only 1 of 3 negotiators from the Board even bothered showing up. All members of the SAEA group were there with bells on. That's not looking like good faith to me as PROMISED AGAIN by the board last night.

According to this: http://www.soudertonsd.org/district/finance/budget/08-09finalBudgetSummary-ExpendRev.pdf , the school district is increasing its administration expenses by 5.68r $251,368. What does this actually mean for each administrator? Guess well find out when the dust settles since in years past the increases have already been publicized by now. Oh, and they also retroactively apply the salary increase to July 1st, the day the fiscal year begins.

YOU ARE CORRECT!

If the 2008-2009 budget raises for the administrators are granted and approved like last year, once the dust settles and we are all busy getting our children acclimated back in school, these raises will be tucked into the agenda somewhere between field trips and personnel changes. Its just about time for them to appear. Last year it was on September 13 - page 63.

The people who are in the classrooms each and everyday deserve these pay increases.

I learned that while I enjoy volunteering in my children's schools - I need to channel my efforts in a different direction. Instead of baking brownies, planning a back to school bash, selling entertainment books and coordinating market day pick ups, I need to tune into the activities of my school board. This group has so much more power than I ever realized, over my children's education.

LT is right. I should have been at the school board meetings.

My parents always taught me you don't walk out on a disagreement. You sit and talk it out.

Our community is in a disagreement between Union and School board, but between neighbor to neighbor also. While many know that shortly after the strike is settled, things will get back to normal; but today it seems far away.

Dont believe me, go to NPSD and see how many people in NPSD forget all about the 1995 strike or how man were not even in the district at the time. I was a junior in high school then and remember the picket lines, the canceled sports, the student protests, student walkout, and angry community members. I worked for the Television Station as a Student Volunteer and sat through meetings where people yelled and hollered and insulted each other. Then when community members were done talking to each other, they turned to the board, union and teacher. It got ugly and it did rip NPSD apart for months afterwards.

People may not agree and want to stick it to the UNION, but the teachers are our neighbors, family, friends, and community partners. We may disagree with figures and facts, but there will be an increase and we can either spend time fighting in the community about it or unite. Each of us will need to decide for ourselves, but ask yourself, in 3 years will this matter as much as what your children learned?

People can jump on me if they wish, but at the end of the day, there will be a middle point found and this too shall pass.

only one member of the school board bothered to show up today at negotiations. guess who...Bernie Currie. He is in there alone with Mr. Sultanik. Where is the loyalty? I guess they really don't want this settled. Was last night's words from the board all a lie???

These teachers must be under paid. Every time it rains the picketing stops. These people cant even afford umbrellas.

1. Most people overlook how they would feel to be the lowest paid employees in their area of work. If you would be in such a position what would your attitude be?
2. The Souderton School Board needs to seriously assess the value of Mr. Sultanek
and stop wasting money that should go to pay teachers.
3. The School Board has no problem paying it's administrators a fair average wage or better compared to surrounding districts. Why not it's teachers as well?
4. Individual School Board members have their own personal agendas that can conflict with or be opposed to the public good.
Hopefully, today's negotiations will bear fruit to end this debacle.

Precisely why we need HB1369. The board would not have been able to stall in spring nor the union drag it's feet as it did since June once the strike was authorized. It makes the process a whole lot better and open to the general public. Educate yourself and you will find the blame can be spread on both sides.

Do not try to frame me as a supporter of the board. Nor do I support the union. I'm speaking for the children who want to be in school and are being sacrificed while the adults refuse to work together for the benefit of all. Our legislation allows this bad behavior and I find it unacceptable.

http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com

Ginny - Keep the focus where it belongs. If you want to start a cop-bashing blog, do it elsewhere.

Sarah Kahn - School choice has nothing to do with the fact that homeowners in the SASD still pay taxes, regardless of where their children attend school. I knew a good number of people who lare homeowners in the district, but send their kids to Christian school or homeschool. The outcome of this strike affects them as they still pay into the school tax fund. They do enroll their children elsewhere, but still have the right to be angry about what is going on.

If you're unhappy about the timeline of the strike unfolding, as one poster mentioned, perhaps you should check out the timeline of the teacher's informational flyer yesterday. Apparently, they were ready to enter negotiations 9 months ago and our board stalled until June. Had their voices been heard earlier, had a compromise been made, perhaps they wouldn't have felt the need to take such drastic measures. Striking--or preventing strikes--doesn't control a renegade board who believes they can treat our dedicated teachers like toddlers. Come on, people, Bernie's working by his own "rules". Time to contact him and tell him to move toward a compromise and get this taken care of for our KIDS' sake!

I did my research, thank you. Teachers cannot be considered in the same category as police and firefighters without a constituional ammendment. That will never happen. I'm trying to find a better way for the contract negotiation process to unfold. In case you haven't noticed, the current one isn't working so well.

To all you "No Teacher Strike" folks, please do a little research before you scream to outlaw teacher's strikes. Police by law cannot strike, so please go and read a local muncipal police labor contract. In addition to being well paid, some police have contract language that allows them to receive pension benifits while still working (DROP). Also, some contracts provide post retirement medical care (ask Lansdale Boro). By law Police are entitled to go to binding artibration if a negotiated settlement cannot be reached with the muncipality. What the arbitrator rules is what goes into the contract. Police have pretty sweet and expensive deals. Be careful what you wish for.

I am also a teacher in the SASD. I have also been walking the line for the last 9 days. However, I have not heard even one teacher say they are not in support of the union and our position that the contract the board has proposed is completely inadequate. In addition, I find it incredible that somsome would claim that Mr. Lukridge is threatening anyone with "serious repercussions". This is a completely false claim. If such threats were being made the teachers would be outraged, the stories would quickly circulate and Mr. Lukridge would quickly lose his support. The vote the teachers took in June say it all. 448-17. The post claiming that the union will punish teachers must have been planted by someone other than a teacher to discredit us.

Since we are more than half way through the alloted time for the teachers to strike, let's start asking the questions for after the strike is over. I'm interested to see what others think.

1) We all know that Jeffrey Sultanik will make a killing on this strike. Will anyone care enough to follow up on how much he bills the taxpayers for his "service"? Will Jack Parry start another (awfully built) web site to address this waste of taxpayer money?

2) Will it be difficult for parents to get back into the classrooms with teachers when they know their exact salary? (I can't figure out why my little Billy is doing so poorly in math, you make $90,000 a year!)

3) Will Parry Physical Group go under due to the rift that its owner Jack Parry has created in the community?

4) Can we see at least one news article about a person who will be starving to death from being overwhelmed by a supposed increase in property tax? Everyone mentions that they are one step away from financial ruin, I would just like to see one person.

5) What will LT and Frank Dowd do with all of their free time from not having to post on this blog? :-)

What other post-strike questions will need to be answered?

I just finished looking over the salary chart for Souderton teachers and must say - I don't see what all the hubbub is... I found their salaries to be on the low end compared to the general public. I'd like to challenge anyone who feels differently to teach school for a year. A teachers day does not end when they leave school. There is a lot of after hours planning and paperwork going on. Not to mention the mental stress of having to keep up with a class full of students all day. I'd like to compare the teacher salaries to the salaries of the school board members, as well as most of the general public in the Souderton District. How long have you been at your job? How much do you make? How much continuing education classes do you have to take every year just to stay employed? These teachers are educating our future generation. Our CHILDREN! I think we want the best for these kids. Let's pay them what they're worth so we don't end up losing them to surrounding school districts.

Ok, Phughs. You obviously have no sympathy for a fellow teacher and you obviously believe the strike is a good thing. You are against personal opinion and feel the power of the union is required to bolster you own voice. You are a perfect example of what this wrongful legislation has created.

So come enter the debate on HB1369.

http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com

From what I read, there were only 17 teachers who voted against the teachers going out on strike, that means that you are one of 17, not one of an arbitary number. You are part of an association and that means you reap all the benefits of representation if needed, salary increases and benefits. No one is forced to walk a picket line, the Reporter has written that some people are working in the office and bringing messages/information to those on the lines. No one is forced to belong to an association, you have the option of paying a fair share but not being a full fledged member. No one is happy or comfortable walking on a picket line, but it is necessary. If many of you disagree with Mr. Lukridge and the leadership and feel that they are not speaking for you, feel free to meet with your school board and negotiate your own personal contracts - without the support of the rest of your fellow educators. Not every teacher is going to agree with everything that happens during negotiations, but to imply that you are better than the those walking on the picket lines is not going to solve anything, especially since you did not sign your name to let the community know just who you are.
a teacher who has been there

If you don't like the right of teachers to strike against negligent and abusive school boards such as Souderton, then exercize your right to school choice and enroll your offspring into a charter school or a cyber charter school.

Still waiting for the reveal wrote:
"A comment to LT - why is it you only chime in to teacher bash? As a regular contributor, have you nothing positive or informative to add to this community?

By all appearances of your postings, you are siding with your school board. So please answer how can your school board can continue to give raises to their administrators and leave their teachers without a fair contract? How did your school board approve their 2008/2009 budget without contracts in place?

We will all be waiting for your response"

Reveal,
Where were you when this stuff was being discussed and voted on?
The budget was being worked on and discussed for months before it was voted on. In fact, the proposed final budget was availible for public inspection 30 days before it was voted on. Where were you and the rest that are now complaining?

Just a comment about the teacher being forced to picket. First of all, you might not even be a teacher. Second of all, from all the teachers I have talked to there are a few teachers not striking. No reprecussions. Third, if you dislike the union so much, why did you join? From what I understand you can choose not to be part of the union every year. So, please don't put down all the teachers out there who are also want to be in the classroom teaching the children.

A comment to LT - why is it you only chime in to teacher bash? As a regular contributor, have you nothing positive or informative to add to this community?

By all appearances of your postings, you are siding with your school board. So please answer how can your school board can continue to give raises to their administrators and leave their teachers without a fair contract? How did your school board approve their 2008/2009 budget without contracts in place?

We will all be waiting for your response.

'State Senator Wonderling Says Lukridge Full of Dooty on PSERS.'

I really believe you and feel terrible about your predicament. I'm sure you are not alone, either. I know that there are teachers that do not believe in the strike and are being forced to join in. As I've said from the beginning, no good can come from this strike. Thank you for your message, I was not aware you were forced to picket in addition to the other sacrifices you are making for "the union".

I've been asking the people that believe this strike is beneficial to debate HB1369 with me. I've yet to have any takers. I really just think we need to find a better way for public teachers to negotiate a fair contract without resorting to a virtual war in our community. If there are flaws in HB1369, lets find them. Our legislators need our support if they are going to stand up for what is right. We can no longer allow the few powerful "leaders" to continue to hold our community hostage and sacrifice our children's education for the sake of their own hidden agendas. The students, the parents and some of our most caring teachers are all forced into this mess without a choice and it should just no longer be something our society allows. 37 other states have figured this out, why can't ours?

http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com

Well said, Rob E. I love how Sultanic was questioned on his fees and what he has charged the district, but has not billed the district yet for August! How convenient! He still hasn't billed the district for his fees a whole month ago, but made sure the teachers' insurance was canceled a day before they went to strike! Something seems fishy!
From the news story:
Aside from the amounts spent on an outside public relations firm, the district is paying its school board attorney and lead negotiator Jeffrey Sultanik around $22,500 in a retainer fee. In addition, Sultanik said he charges $175 an hour, not including bargaining.
The bargaining price per hour, he said, is around $175."

Around $175 - come on! It is not $175, so what is it? Does he forget?????

"He said he has been involved in bargaining talks since Aug. 25.
The $175 per hour charge, he said, is part of the flat retainer fee per year."

Again, not making sense.

"When asked how many hours he has charged thus far, Sultanik said there is no calculation for hours.

Huh! No calculation? Seriously!

"There are no billings out for August," he said. "It won't be out until the end of the month."

Uhhhhh, August is over, dude!

Well said, Rob E. I love how Sultanic was questioned on his fees and what he has charged the district, but has not billed the district yet for August! How convenient! He still hasn't billed the district for his fees a whole month ago, but made sure the teachers' insurance was canceled a day before they went to strike! Something seems fishy!
From the news story:
Aside from the amounts spent on an outside public relations firm, the district is paying its school board attorney and lead negotiator Jeffrey Sultanik around $22,500 in a retainer fee. In addition, Sultanik said he charges $175 an hour, not including bargaining.
The bargaining price per hour, he said, is around $175."

Around $175 - come on! It is not $175, so what is it? Does he forget?????

"He said he has been involved in bargaining talks since Aug. 25.
The $175 per hour charge, he said, is part of the flat retainer fee per year."

Again, not making sense.

"When asked how many hours he has charged thus far, Sultanik said there is no calculation for hours.

Huh! No calculation? Seriously!

"There are no billings out for August," he said. "It won't be out until the end of the month."

Uhhhhh, August is over, dude!

Thanks for your concern, but I am a small business owner and I plan to retire quite comfortably at some point. And by the way... it won't cost the tax payers a dime.

Tell me that teachers pensions are a non-issue when we're paying for all of the retirement fund losses in three or four years. I think it's great that they have such a good pension plan, the union leadership never mentions that benefit when they're trying to convince us how bad they have it.

It's not poor me Annette, but the teachers aren't doing bad either. After listening to you... you'd think that they're only a few steps from "skid row".

It sounds to me like this Sultanik guy is making out like a bandit and laughing all the way. If you want to compare salaries, let's look at his compensation is and what the district has paid so far. I believe that the district could have given the teachers a reasonable raise and still save money had they got rid of the leech a long time ago. Is it coincidence that all the districts that use this slug, go into gridlock during negotiations?
And why is it you have the school board running for these positions and not doing the jobs they were elected for? Why arent they negotiating with the teachers?

Sounds to me that this school board likes to spend money on all the wrong 120 million dollar things. Your best asset in any business or industry is your EMPLOYEES!!!!!

Remember parents, its your teachers that help your children learn, not the desk, chalkboard or computer.

How ironic that the board notifies everyone about Friday's negotiations RIGHT BEFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT. I'm sure they're just hoping to avoid the angry mob.

Now, repeat after me..."Negotiating means that someone starts high, someone starts low, and then they ALL COMPROMISE UNTIL SOME COMMON MIDDLE GROUND IS MET!"

SASB-Compromise will only occur if you promise to come to the talks with a NEW, FAIR, and REASONABLE offer for our children's teachers. You cannot keep plunking down the same old documents expecting qualified, dedicated professionals to suddenly cave in. They deserve pay commensurate with their qualifications, and our kids deserve to be back in school!

Have you seen this yet? On the saea.info site there is a link for high school students who need help with the college process right now. http://sahsguidance.wikispaces.com/
Wow... teachers never stop thinking about the students.
Way to go guidance counselors!!

I would like you all to know that I voted against the strike and I dont want to be walking the picket lines. When you see me out there I hope that you will understand that its not my choice. Mr. Lukridge and our union leadership have made it very clear that everyone will contribute to the strike or there will be serious repercussions.

There are a number of my fellow teachers who share my view that Mr. Lukridge should not be speaking for us and is destroying the credibility and goodwill many of us have built with the community over the years. I am very appreciative of the working conditions in Souderton and feel very fortunate to be working here. The thing I hate most about this strike is that it keeps me from doing what I love which is teaching children.

Please pray that our union leadership will set their egos aside and accept a contract which will be fair to the taxpayers and allow us teachers to get back in the classroom where we belong.

teachers on strike are not allowed to enter any buildings of the district....fact. Did the board arrive in their security vans? Who were they afraid of? Did the teachers also have security and protection? I'm not there myself, my husband is representing our family. Is there to be a real negotiation tomorrow? Wouldn't that be nice if the two met together and put an end to this!

I do have real pity for you Frank. You certainly have a bleak outlook for the future. I was stunned by your revelation that "unless you are a teacher you probably won't have one", a pension , that is. You say you have nothing against the educators in this district, but what kind of a "poor me, I'll never get to have what you have" kind of comment is that? I have famiily members that worked hard for many years. They were not teachers. I know many different retirees from many vocations and walks of life. Many folks I know have pensions. If you are without one and you are at this stage of life, then I truly do have compassion for you. Please don't muddy the waters and pretend this is another issue that the public needs to address. The key issue is two groups of people need to negotiate and put an end to this strike! Our children need to start school tomorrow!

A family member, who is a teacher in another state, pointed this out to me when I was complaining about the teachers being on strike.

($15.00/day what most are paying for strike daycare if not more) X (180 days)
X (25 children per class) = $67,500.

This is what we are paying people to babysit but not EDUCATE our children.
The Board needs to stop stalling and to do something tomorrow.

I cant believe this Board. They wait until 4:18 to send out an e-mail and you know what it is all about. They need cover tonight. I was hoping for answers tonight and I can see it already, the board was willing to negotiate, but was waiting on the union. The funny thing is they knew the union was not going to be at the meeting tonight. Well if you think you are going to get answers, forget about it. My kids will wait and wait while the board plays their games. I will be looking at the board tonight because I will be taking notes. I will not vote or associate with people who don't care about my children's education.

As a Souderton taxpayer I was thrilled to receive the SASB's negotiation update from their personal Sultanik linked public relations firm. Incidentally they are paid for with our tax money. It is filled with old information (and outdated info. too!- August 25th?)
A few thoughts: If part of the 17 million FUND BALANCE is to be used for capital projects, then why was this item deleted from this year's budget? If the money is for if the PSER's contribution rate increases, why is it not mentioned that if that happens the state will increase their own contribution amount to the SASD? And if furniture needs to be budgeted for in savings, then how in the world were we ever able to furnish the schools in the past without doing this? This fund balance IS Available for use as SASD's revenue has exceeded expenditures for almost the last 10 years and the fund balance has more than doubled in the last three years.
The AID RATIO does rank SASD at 16/22 but if you only include market value of real estate we rank quite well (thanks to a beautiful new school!). When you add in personal income (including all those retirees Bernie represents, than the our ratio does rise. Of course the higher the ratio, the more money the state kicks in.
Finally, the 2004-06 2.18

LT, I believe the point that Bill B. was trying to make was this. SASD has maintained the stance that it will only hire teachers at Step 1 on the salary schedule. Most districts do this, which is why teachers cannot easily move between districts as you say. It is curious b/c the board found a reason to hire this guy and place him at a (deserved) step. Once again, the board does what it wants for certain people but not others.

So, you're right. And gosh, really funny too. Football was bery bery gud to hem.
Haha. I am still laughing when you spelled those words wrong. Like he is a dumb jock. That is so funny. How you just spelled those words to make like he couldn't spell. OMG! To, like, make fun of him. Amazing. And well thought out.

Aaron I assure you that I have used my real name on all of my posts. I have nothing against our teachers, in-fact, the ones that I have met in parent/teacher meetings and other school functions over the years are fine people.

I did however grow up in a household where my father was a union official in a large philadelphia labor union for many years, and I know how the games are played. (by both sides) Emotions are running high on both sides of the argument and that's just the way that the parties want it. Are all of our teachers uderpaid, "all" 515 of them? maybe, but I doubt it. Should there be give and take and some improvements made to their expired contract? Probably, but if the union thinks that all of their inequities are going to be corrected with one contract... I believe they are mistaken.

The fact of the matter is, that even if you give them everything on their "wish list" under the new contract... three, four or five years from now you'll still be hearing about how their contract is the worst in the area based upon what other districts are likely to agree to in future negotiaons. The answer isn't just to keep throwing money at the problem until it goes away. I don't accept the argument that... "that's the way it's always been with teachers and their salaries". No, it hasn't always been that way, maybe it has been for the last thirty years or so but it is time for a change.

The teacher unions have entirely too much power and it's time to get some sanity back in the system. I've heard next to nothing about the job security and outstanding pension plans that teachers in Pennsylvania enjoy. They also need to be taken into consideration. For those of you who are too young to know what a pension is... don't worry about it, unless you become a teacher you'll probably never have one.

The time has come for the parents of this community to stand up, join together, and demand a quality education for their children. if parents don't do it, who will? This school board is squandering the resources, and they are vast, that should be spent to not only build a multi-million $$ high school, but to staff our schools with the best teachers money can buy. If we do not advocate for a top-notch education for our children, no one else will. Yes, the teachers are trying to stand-up for what is right, but we, the parents, need to unite and demand that our tax $ be appropriated properly. This does not include wasting money on body guards for a mean-spirited bunch of old men who do not like schools or teachers. Go to the web-site and read the list of school board members' responsibilities. They are clearly not doing their job. Wasting tax dollars on a legal advisor who is only out to divide our community while stealing money that should be spent on education is a dangerous tactic. Demand quality education. Go to the meeting and stand up. Talk to your neighbors and let's join together and get back to school.

Found this interesting article on AOL today:
"What jobs pay makes a statement about what we value. As a culture, these disparities make shocking statements about which human activities are more valuable to us," says Dr. Al Lee, PayScale.com's director of quantitative analysis.
This was the example provided:
Let's do the math and see if Dr. Lee's statement holds true
Ellen Pompeo, Acting as a doctor on 'Grey's Anatomy', this television star earns:
$4 Million/Year (approx) or $33/Minute*
Comparatively, while Pompeo pretends to be a doctor on TV at $33/minute, the person actually saving lives in real life is making:
$183,518/Year or $1.53/Minute

The same can be said for our athletes and musicians...
People have argued that teachers should not complain about their salaries because they went into the profession for the love of teaching. Well, the same can be said about athletes, they went into it for the love of the game. And the same can be said for musicians and actors....they did it for the love of music or the love of acting.

Yet, people spend billions of dollars a year, buying these athletes' jerseys, paying high fees to attend games, downloading songs, going to concerts, attending movies etc. Some ague, well, it's entertainment. Yes, it is.

BUT it's the same people that put their money into these things that are now complaining about putting some money into our teachers. Besides a small percentage of athletes and celebrities who actually give back to their community and society as a whole, there isn't a whole lot that to me justifies those sort of salaries. But as you can see, they make a ton more money (33 TIMES the amount) than the actual folks they represent on screen. I don't think Dr. Lee's statement could have been any more true.

Don't let Souderton become a place that doesn't value what humans should innately value. Put your game money and your movie money where your mouth is and value the work that the teachers do in preparing the youth of tomorrow. Althletes come and go, so do actors, but your children are the legacy that will take care of our future. You can bank on that.
Al P, Lansdale, PA

Bill B., Harleysville, PA wrote:
"Also, I was looking over the list of teachers salaries that was printed yesterday. How is it that the head football coach who has only been with the SASD for a few years if making one of the top salaries? I thought that if you come to the Souderton School District you loose your seniority and have to start at a lower spot on the pay scale. Something sure is a little fishy!"

Maybe cause he coach da foootball.
Foootball bin bery bery good to him.

We may disagree how we got here, but we can all agree enough already. Time to put the past behind us, and demand from both sides what should have been done months ago: NEGOTIATION! Time for school to start people!

Let us remember that a 2.5 percent increase in salary - the board's offer - is a 2.5 percent increase in the whole payroll budget, not a 2.5 percent increase per teacher salary.
I hope all of you who have posted come to the board meeting tonight. I look forward to hearing from Frank Dowd and Mrs. Franklin Dogood... are you the same person? You share the initials F. D., which undoubtedly stands for "Fact Distorter."

According to this: http://www.soudertonsd.org/district/finance/budget/08-09finalBudgetSummary-ExpendRev.pdf , the school district is increasing its administration expenses by 5.68r $251,368. What does this actually mean for each administrator? Guess well find out when the dust settles since in years past the increases have already been publicized by now. Oh, and they also retroactively apply the salary increase to July 1st, the day the fiscal year begins.

Thanks for stroking my ego, for backing me, for twisting truth and conjuring lies. Stick with me. I will carry all of you on my back into a place full of evil and darkness, but the good news is we'll have LOTS OF MONEY!!!

You can ask the admiinistration what their salaries and increases are for the 2008-2009 as well as what their cost of health insurance is, but you know that they will not tell you until the teachers contract is final. They are too ashamed to let you know how large of an increase they will give themselves because you know how little they pay their professional and supprort staff. Also, if they let you know now how big of a raise they get then they would have to give all the employees a decent raise.

Also, I was looking over the list of teachers salaries that was printed yesterday. How is it that the head football coach who has only been with the SASD for a few years if making one of the top salaries? I thought that if you come to the Souderton School District you loose your seniority and have to start at a lower spot on the pay scale. Something sure is a little fishy!

I was almost rolling on the floor laughing when I read the comment from the Electrician that said he won't see the kind of money that a teacher makes. Since when did Souderton become Communist Russia? A large number of comments in this paper have waxed poetically about how their own situation compares to the teachers. Let me explain something. There is nothing written in the Constitution that says "Life Is Fair." There is nothing in the Constitution that says "You will keep your job and/or live in your house for your entire life." There is nothing in the Constitution that says "all workers should receive a salary conducive to the amount of physical labor they do." There is nothing in the Constitution that says that you are even entitled to be happy (pursuit of happiness is permitted). If you do not like your situation, then do something about it for goodness sakes! If you think teachers make such great money and such, then please be my guest. I wouldn't want to do it. But, that's me. Where are the true Republicans in this community that are with me? No wonder taxes are so high. It's not because of the teachers. It's everyone sitting around on their duff waiting for their handout. Stop the whining, come up with a reasonable contract so we can all get on with our lives and get back to complaining about people driving 15 mph under the speed limit!

Are you kidding me??? Did you really believe that our distrist wouldn't incurr any legal fees negotiating this contract?

While you were focused on the fact that the taxpayers actually have to pay for legal services, I noticed that at the end of the article the union president disclosed that it would take 2.5 percent plus 5.5 percent to meet the unions demands. If my math is correct that's 8 percent. Is that per year? Is the 5.5 percent a one time increase for each step and then 2.5 percent annually?

I keep hearing that I don't have all of the facts and that the teachers demands are being distorted by the media and school board. The union leader has now entered into the public forum with his views, I think it's time for him to add some clarity.

Sounds Unconstitutional wrote:
"I just spoke to a SASD teacher who told me the board is banning all teachers from tomorrow nights' meeting. I can't believe that it is legal to ban them from it. Also the board has requested police escorts due to their fear of harrassment from the public."

Where do you people keep dredging up this kind of crap. Your own union rep said it's the unions policy not to enter a building when they're on strike.

"Smith said teachers plan to make their presence felt outside Thursday's school board meeting, but none would attend the meeting. Moved to accommodate a larger crowd possibly similar to the one that filled the administration building to its gills just after the strike vote was announced Aug. 28 it will be held in the auditorium of the Indian Crest Junior High School, at 139 Harleysville Pike in Souderton.
We won't have anyone in there, Smith said. We will not enter any school grounds during this strike. That is our policy.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-09092008-1587986.html

To the Reporter - please post the current 2008-2009 salaries for the school distrcit administrators. What you posted is from 2007-2008. Let's see what types of raises the Administration received this year, and that should give some type of starting point for negotiations with the teachers. Call the district administrative office and get the current numbers. Then post them in the paper for us to look at. While you are at it, post the administrative health care plan - let's see how hard they were asked to "give back" on their contract - then we should apply a similar idea to the teacher contract. Thank you.

"Sultanik said the real issue isn't the money the district has available to pay for each teacher, but rather what is a fair increase for teachers."
Quoted from the Reporter.
Now, tell me what the board's real agenda is... not the children, teachers, education or taxpayers. It is about power. Power to control the education system. Power to say we were the ones that ruined public education. Make no mistake, that is the agenda of this school board. This school board will never be forgotten.

Come out to the school board meeting tonight. Speak your mind there. Let them know how you feel about our children. I think the board needs a reminder about the children and how this situation could have been avoided. But I don't think the board wanted this situation to be avoided. It is just so sad that our community is torn apart. I agree with the Quakertown parent. They have a strong community because their school board respects its children and knows they deserve a quality education. Can we say the same for our board? So, come out tonight, whatever side you are on but make a point to mention the children in your speech to the board.

A story with facts about where this money IS and IS NOT going. Hey, Jeffrey, YOU'RE WELCOME!

"I just spoke to a SASD teacher who told me the board is banning all teachers from tomorrow nights' meeting. I can't believe that it is legal to ban them from it. Also the board has requested police escorts due to their fear of harassment from the public."

If they are residents and tax payers, they can not bar them. But this is not a forum for teachers to come have their voices heard. This is a time for business regarding the strike.

If you live and teach in Souderton, then come out. If you live somewhere else and just want to come in to be a distraction. Stay home. You can walk your 3 hour shift on the picket line tomorrow to show your tepid support.

The duties/responsibilities of School Board members are to:

- Profess a deep desire to serve children and a strong belief in the values of public schools and local control of public education

Is that happening here? I would honestly like to know. You have Mr. Jelinski's wife on the Jack Parry bulletin board railing to have a clean sweep of all teachers. Now, that sounds like an educated person.

I would like to have each board member finish this sentence.

I believe in the public education system and the education of our children because...

That can be your homework while you are sitting around not negotiating and not doing anything to move these negotiations forward.

Also, to the Reporter folks. Can you please get a better bulletin board system? This blog setup just isn't cutting it. It would be nice if you could see posts that are responses to other posts rather than this flat structure.

Ok, so the board gets security tonight for the meeting, but they refuse to consider a clause in the contract that helps to protect teachers if they should get physically assaulted during the school day.
Just another example of how the board only cares about themselves and not the teachers and professional staff.

In refrence to the article in the Intelligencer. You are right that teacher deserve a fair contract, but when a teacher stands in front of a class and tells them they will never amount to anything and will never go to college, I have a problem with that. Also when you have teachers calling out every other week sick, I have a problem with that. When spring comes and teachers call out because they are opening their summer home, I have a real problem with that. Maybe if they hire teacher that really want the job and are qualified, instead of the friend of a friend, we may have teachers that stay and take pride in our district.

Waiting for the reveal wrote:
"Why is it that the administration feels the need to communicate through a legal mouth piece and a hired PR firm while our teacher spokesperson continues to speak personally? "

Why is it that your teacher spokesperson continues to speak, yet says nothing?

Let's not forget the cost of security bodyguards when we're talking about the cost of this strike adding up. How ridiculous! The School Board is spending taxpayers money to be escorted into tonight's meeting supposedly! I've had enough of this...spending $ on lawyers and security but not on my KIDS!

How is it that our Souderton administration cajoled our school board into giving them 3 to 11 percent raises but cannot do the same for our teachers? Why is it that the administration feels the need to communicate through a legal mouth piece and a hired PR firm while our teacher spokesperson continues to speak personally?

Who is hiding behind the smokesceen?

To whomever it was that said SASD teachers are some of the lowest paid teachers in Mont. county. I looked and they look about the same. Though if they weren't I wouldn't be surprised. North Penn is a much larger school district which means more kids. Some Philadelphia schools have worse conditions, so I would hope they get paid more. I wouldn't want to work there after hearing some horror stories from a teacher that has. You cannot compare salaries from county to county, just like you can't compare salaries from state to state. Different cost of living and conditions.

RJS wrote:
"P.S. Why don't you criticize auto mechanics who charge you an arm and a leg? Why don't you criticize people who work for Merck, have had no college education, and make more money changing light bulbs than a teacher does"

How much money does a teacher make for changing light bulbs?
A better question is, how many teachers does it take to change a light bulb?

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!

C'mon now, why are we all fighting like children? The teachers want to take too much and the school board doesn't want to give enough. Though if you do look at what the teachers make it IS alot, not all of them but many. Many make within 89,000! Maybe the lower paid teachers should get a raise but why should everyone? I know when I go to work and someone gets a raise I don't go in thinking I will too. That's just a warped way of thinking. I am an individual, with individual strengths. Why should I be paid the same as everyone else, when I work harder than some others? Why doesn't the community vote? Why is it the teachers vs the school board when it effects the whole community? Maybe one day....

P.S. Why don't you criticize auto mechanics who charge you an arm and a leg? Why don't you criticize people who work for Merck, have had no college education, and make more money changing light bulbs than a teacher does.

Because the above mentioned professions are not currently disrupting an entire community by striking. Surely, if it were to occur, you'd hear the same outrage & indignation that you're hearing right now. All professions have unsavory aspects to it, unfortunately, there is no cushy job out there with countless free perks & benefits. Many persons have to continue their education once they've graudated. Doctors need to keep abreast of changing medical procedures & technologies. Laywers need to be aware of changes in the laws that govern our societies. People in business go for an MBA or specialized certifications (CPA, CFA, licensed to sell securities, etc) because advancement in their field hinges on that. It doesn't seem unreasonable to me to expect people to push harder in order to achieve their goals. The last thing I want is for my kids to be taught by people who DON'T want to push harder, who are ok with resting on their laurels. I'm not suggesting that is the case here, I'm simply just not seeing why teachers believe their job is any more difficult than the next person's.

I think that must be the most ignorant statement that I have read on this site and some of the other sites. Yes, you can hire many teachers right out of college. Some will be energetic, creative, and be able to coach a sport in the district. Every new teacher is taken under the wing of an experienced teacher for some of the ins and outs of lessons, discipline, curriculum, and any other issue that one learns about in a classroom but can't always put to the real test until you are actually doing the job. We have some wonderful teachers in this district. Yes, you could pay them any wage you please, apparently. But after a few years of working hard and continuing their education for your suggested wage or benefit, even those starting teachers might think they are worthy of a raise. I can't imagine why would anyone look at "fire them all" as a real option? Many of our teachers have 8 years of education and are experts in many different areas. Do we really want to give all of them up for recent graduates, or people who haven't cut the "interview" process at other times? Now that we are going to make ourselves desperate, we will just hire anyone that applies? If that is the position that our school board is going to take and their wives are going to suggest, are the rest of us going to just sit back and watch? I do not want to lose the teachers in this district to selfish board members who aren't even educating their children in this district and aren't willing to negotiate to settle this issue. Key word: negotiate. Put an end to this nonsense.

I would be curious to know how many of the "teacher bashers" who are complaining about their horrific jobs and their terrible salaries, have received a college degree, a Master's degree and continue to take college courses in their field of work?
Education is valued - maybe not in Souderton, though.

Whose eyes do you think I am using? I am one of you.. I pay taxes just like you do. In fact, more teachers than you think live in the district and pay taxes. They also have children who are not going to school.
Yes, I do work and make almost 3 times what a teacher makes at the top. I started out as a teacher and couldn't handle it.
I also want to say that your reading comprehension needs improving. In my post, I mentioned that teachers DON'T get the summers off as many think. They are taking courses. They work many more than 7 1/2 hours. Why do you think it is so hard to get into Merck? Do you think it is because of the pay & benefits????---Hello????
You mentioned you went to school for many years and have to put up with rude comments. Does that make it right for our children to hear that? One last thing, when you went to your school for many years, did they teach you that meat is something you eat and when one needs to work hard to make ends MEET, it is spelled differently. I guess you wouldn't get merit pay at SASD.

Regarding the PSSA scores.
If you claim to be responsible for the successes,
be prepared to be held responsible for the failures.

Disgusted wrote:
"One more thing. I think it is pretty telling when the wife of a school board member advocates firing all teachers on a public forum. Mr. Jelenski you just lost one vote next time."

Are you sure that was his wife?
I suggest that unless you know for certain, you shouldn't accuse someone. However if you continue doing so, may I suggest that you consider changing your name from Disgusted to Du-mass.

I have read these comments for days now. It's like an addiction. The fact that everyone feels as though fighting back and forth between one another will solve anything had been my entertainment. No one is going to change how they feel about the strike. People are only going to believe what they want to believe. The people that actually believe that each individual teacher will get an 8.5ncrease are naive. The people that can't see the lies that Sultanik is spinning need to look a bit closer. I am not for or against, but I do think that it's terribly sad that this has torn a fantastic community apart at the seems. The school board has hired security to take them to the meeting. Do you think they are feeling the pressure yet? I pay huge taxes here in Quakertown, but at least I know that they are attracting some of the most qualified teachers with their large salaries. My children will reap the benefits. I am quite excited to read what everyone has to say after the school board meeting. Nothing will be solved and no one will have any more answers. Just more confusion. I am almost tempted to go, to see for myself, how far apart this community has become. As your schools attract less qualified teachers, everything about Souderton will go down the tubes. The desireability will disappear. Those of you that want to pay good money for good teachers, come on up to Quakertown, where the property taxes are huge!!!!

Um...I do have my masters and still only make 43,000. So now what's your arguement? And I give plenty, believe me. Have you seen the PSSA scores?

Talk to your school board if you want this fixed. When the dust clears you and your teacher haters will see them for what they are. They have created this mess and now are paying PR firms to get them out of it. Why would a school board get security for a meeting? The time has come and all the Johnny come lately's are going to see what Bernie is about and I can guarentee it is not your two kids.

Also, how can you compare education to private industry? I bet everyone of these teachers would do great if they got to hire only the best and brightest students. Then when they fail or ask for something of the teacher they will be told to get lost. Teachers teach anyone and not just the most qualified and some of our best teachers work with our most at risk students. You will chase them right out of the district becuase they are the most needed comodidty in public education.

Lastly, I hope there is a mass exodus of teachers in this district becuase then you will all get what you wished for. Maybe they will replace them with all of you, given how easy they have it? You should all quit the jobs you hate so much and get ready to apply becuase it is that easy. Paying what this board is offering will haunt this system forever. You can not be behind the rest of Buck/Mont and still expect to be competitive.

One more thing. I think it is pretty telling when the wife of a school board member advocates firing all teachers on a public forum. Mr. Jelenski you just lost one vote next time.

I just spoke to a SASD teacher who told me the board is banning all teachers from tomorrow nights' meeting. I can't believe that it is legal to ban them from it. Also the board has requested police escorts due to their fear of harrassment from the public.

I wanted to comment on your post regarding merit pay. How exactly is one to measure how "good" a teacher does their job? A teacher gets new students every year. Some who are gifted, some who are average, and some who have learning disablities. Not to mention special teachers and the teachers who work with children that have severe disabilites. These teachers are not making a "product" to measure success. There hasn't been a way to incorporate merit pay successfully in the past with other districts. It is inevitable that merit pay will fail.

This is in reference to RJS from Franconia:
I too have been reading the good and the bad reader comments over the past seven days. I am not a teacher, but I am friends with many teachers in the Souderton Area School District. I am sick and tired of hearing people bash these good, hard working educated people. Yes, some of these people may not be great teachers, yes some of these people make way too much money for doing a lousy job - and please let me repeat the word SOME - because there are so many wonderful teachers in this District who deserve every dime they earn and deserve a decent contract from our Board. Their contract might say in black in white that they are to put in a seven and a half hour day. The District would like them to put in an eight hour day...but drive past any school building at 7:00am and you will see cars in the parking lot, drive past any school building as you are coming home from your job in the private sector and you will see cars in the parking lot. These cars are the cars of the teachers. They are in the building way before or after their contracted working hours working hard to educate your children, grandchildren, neighbor, etc. You can even drive past a school building on a weekend and you will see cars in the parking lot. Yes, there might be a basketball game or a church service going on in the building, but I bet a half dozen of the cars in the lot at that time are the cars of teachers who are in their classroom working on student records, learning a new curriculum, etc. So now that you know that these teachers are hard workers, maybe you can stop bashing them and maybe start bashing the School Board.

That brings me onto my next comment. What is up with this School Board. We have a School Board of NINE men, however it seems like as though there is only ONE man (if that is what you want to call him) who seems to be dictating what is to be done. Why is it that the other eight Board members do not speak in regards to anything that is going on at meetings? I have seen a few times when a Board member must have spoke about something that was not on the scrip that "Dictator Curry" wrote for the meeting and the look on Curry's face was as though he wanted to take that member out back and hang him. To you the other eight members of the Board, PLEASE speak up at the meeting tomorrow night. We want to hear what your thoughts on this whole process is. I sure hope that your Dictator, Mr. Curry will let you speak. Also, did you as a Board approve the hiring of this PR firm that is putting out false information or did your Dictator Mr. Curry go ahead and do that so he could get more TV time. Maybe you Dictator will let you all be interviewed by the PR firm that is wasting our tax dollars so we can hear and see what your views are.

Thankyou all for your time and may a fair contract be brought to the teachers soon so the children can get back to school - yes the children. I think Mr. Curry forgot about them.

You are completely, 100

As residents, taxpayers and parents, we have been venting this issue in an open forum, that for whatever our reasons, allows us to remain anonymous. It has been an outlet as well as an informative source. Naturally, the opinions run the course, some of us in favor of teacher increases and some of us not. The common thread is we are all feeling something. The time has come that we take all of these feelings to the school board meeting tomorrow night. We are entitled to some answers. Until this stike, many of us, myself included, may have ignored the operations of this school board? For those of you who have been following them, thank you. Lesson learned -we really need to tune in to what is happening at our school board meetings. Not just now, but the weeks, months and for some, years ahead. These elected officials hold the public education of our community in their hands.

We can pick apart and compare the published salaries and the benefit packages to our own and those of our neighbors, all to no avail. We can dispute the use of the solicitor and the hiring of a public relations firm to perpetuate the spin. It's too late, our school board already approved both. I use the term our, very loosely. If they are indeed our school board, working on our behalf, then we must demand the truth - not the spin. We are entitled to it.

This school district is growing and while it may have wealth it also has average. To paraphrase from someone else's post - the have's, the have not's and the somewhere in between's, are all living in the Souderton Area School District. There are also diverse feelings placed on the value of education and those who are doing the educating. That too, varies depending upon our place in life. Irregardless, an educational system is in place and right now it is failing. I am not exactly sure how we have reached this desperate place and frankly, it doesn't matter. The students are not in school and our teachers are walking the picket line. However, now is not the time to debate and have discussion about stopping teachers strikes. Save that argument for later date. Keep the passion (and/or frustration) about it, but research it and share it when people are more receptive. It's too late to close that proverbial gate.

Tomorrow's nights meeting has the potential to go awry. If even a handful of us show up there, carrying our burning torches -- nothing will be accomplished. The venting has occured. It's been occuring now for 7 days. It is time for the next step in the process. We need to attend the school board meeting tomorrow night and ask the questions that really need to be asked. Exactly how and why has our school board brought us to this broken place?

You can bet that the school board will be prepared. We should be too.

I guess you're right Aaron??? It makes more sense to put the "hammer" in the hands of organized labor. We tried that in the 70's... it didn't work for the average taxpayer then, and it certainly won't work now.

Make sure that everyone uses their online "handle" at tomorrow nights meeting. I'm interested putting the names and the faces together.

Regardless of which side of this debate that you're on, we'll accomplish much more if the "bashers" leave the hotilities at home.

LT wrote:

Please let me know if I can do the same with public education

Yeah, that makes a whole lot of sense. Let's stop subsidizing public education! I guess we should stop subsidizing post-high school too? Then, we will really lose out on the global race for a good education. I hope you are well-armed to deal with the fallout of a highly uneducated workforce living by your house. Oh, that's what you want anyway... entice teachers with low pay. What then? Souderton will no longer have "good" (read smart) teachers to draw in high-income families looking for good schools with good scores. Then, well-to-do families move out to go to better schools. And what is left... a new era of low-income and a bunch of dopes that weren't smart enough to get out while the getting was good. Can't imagine that? Try looking at places like York, PA or Reading, PA. But, you'll still have your low property taxes. You won't be able to walk down the street at night, but hey... those nasty teachers are gone! Good luck with that strategy.

What was your daughters reason for becoming a teacher? For the kids? Then why isn't she teaching? You act as if teachers are the only ones who have it tough. I went to school for many years, work most weekends and have customers constant complaining which isn't only rude remarks but also direct insults. Most parents do care about thier children's education but many people have to work more than 40 hours a week just to make ends meat. It's not that they don't care, it's just thats what has to be done to keep thier heads above water. I don't remember anyone saying it was an easy job, just that a middle ground needs to be met. Their demands are too high. Do you work? Go to your boss tomorrow and demand a 8.2ncrease in the next 3 years, you only want to work 7!/2 hours/day, you want summers off AND you only want to pay 10' medical. I am thinking he/she will probably laugh in your face.
By the way-people do criticize mechanics and the like all the time. Also try getting into Merck-it's not as easy as you think.

Have you done all your research? Aren't you questioning what this Board is doing with your tax dollars? Also, do you understand how a salary matrix works? I think you need to do a little more research before you continue to post, or just be honest about the fact that you hate teachers. Remember, communities that value education prosper.

Teachers shouldn't be unionized. If a teacher becomes a teacher for the pay, summer offs, and the minimal if any contribution to medical than they shouldn't be teachers, you arent doing it for the kids. If you decided to teach for the kids then why are you on the lines? The kids are the ones who suffer, though my kids are enjoying the days off. During the year is when they will feel the effcts, when our nephews, nieces, friends, etc.. are enjoying the holidays, my kids will be in school. Attendance will probably decrease around that time as well considering many people have already made plans. kids need days off to avoid being overstressed. MY ADVISE-if your not happy with your pay/benefits then GET A NEW JOB!!!!! That is what most people do when they are unhappy with thier pay/benefits. Groceries, gas, oil, and many other thing have gone up in price EXCEPT my husbands and my pay. Quit putting your hands out and trying to take something for nothing. If you get your pay increase I expect you to be that much of a better teacher. I myself went to NP and was in school during thier strike and we, the kids, suffered the consequences. So thanks for choosing to make the children pay for your greed. I do say greed because that is what it is. You want more money go get your masters. Stop half butting it. More education or get a new job. Problem solved.

As a long term resident of the Souderton Area School District I am vehemently opposed to the unfair and outrageous demands of the teachers union. Please see my comments below.
SALARY:
The teachers union seeks 9.5ach year for five years, nearly a 50ncrease in salary. The School Board counter-offered with a salary increase of more than 2 er year, a figure that is consistent with the district's taxpayers' experience over the last three years.
The School Board's offer is more than fair. The increase should absolutely be no more than the cost of living. It is absolutely unheard of in Corporate America for an employee of any company or organization to seek a raise of 9.5 year, let alone a 9.5ncrease each and every year for the next five years. I would suggest that any teacher who thinks they can do better to go out in the real business world and see how their demands are met.
The School Board is proposing a performance-based pay plan - a true measure of accountability in the private sector. The teacher's union rejects this proposal.
This is outrageous that a group of employees would reject a pay plan that is based on performance. Again, let any teacher go out into the real business world and try to survive in any company or organization where they're not evaluated and measured on performance.
BENEFITS:
Teachers have received the same healthcare plan for the past 15 years, with no changes in co-pays, deductibles, or premium sharing. This is virtually unheard of. The School Board is trying to lessen the burden of this plan on taxpayers by offering two health insurance plan options: a core plan with a 4ontribution and a higher level plan with a 10ontribution.
The teachers should realize that they're been extremely lucky that their healthcare plan has not seen an increase in 15 years. It's a fact of life that health care costs and the associated premiums / fees are going to rise. Again, let any teacher go out into the real business world and demand multi- year healthcare coverage with no changes or increases. They won't find it.
However, the teachers union wants no increased contribution and, in fact, has proposed a plan which is even more costly than the current plan.
Please see the above.
TIME TO EDUCATE:
Understanding the critical importance of having teachers in the classroom in order to educate students, the School Board has proposed an 8-hour work day - common in the private sector. The teachers union, however, wishes to maintain a 7.5 hour work day.
A 7.5 hour day? How about the eight, nine, ten plus hour days that most people in the real business world work everyday? And that doesn't include weekends. To top it all off they have the entire summer off. There's no industry in the world that provides the practically part- time schedule teachers enjoy today.
More importantly, the teachers union also seeks 21 early dismissal days at the elementary school level and a general reduction in class coverage responsibilities.
What's the deal with wanting a general reduction in responsbilities? They should be given more responsibilities to ensure every child is well educated and can meet the demands of the real world once they graduate.
As you can probably tell I'm mad as hell that a group of individuals can make unheard of demands and hold thousands of parents and children hostage, and if those demands are not met will threaten to strike. The union should be abolished and any teacher who won't agree to work for fair wages and compensation should be released.

I feel both the teachers and the school board are being very inflexible in not proposing any new suggestions that could lead to a compromise in salary and benefits at the last negotiation meeting. The one hour of negotiation shows that both groups are not considering the students point of view, let alone the opposing party. They can't even debate for more than an hour without getting offended and angry. At this point, to spare families' (and teachers') breaks, and to come to a quick agreement, each of them need to inch toward a compromise. It seems like both groups see the debate going on until it is resolved, as long as it is on or before the September 23 cutoff date. Instead, they should focus on finding a solution as SOON as possible. One or both of the parties won't be happy, but that is inevitable. Stretching out the strike will not make for a better resolution, necessarily. The time last week was not used effectively. There were only two negotiation meetings, and little effort was made from both parties. Many states in the U.S. do not allow teachers' strikes, and Pennsylvania is the source of 60f the nations teachers strikes. If they wish to exercise their right to strike, they should not abuse this power by stalling, refusing to put in a full effort to compromise, and sacrificing childrens educations. Children are the future. Will they still have respect for their teachers when they go back to school? Hopefully, they will not use their teachers and the school boards current behavior as models for effective problem solving.
Teachers are succumbing to what they warn kids not to fall for: peer pressure. The 17 to 448 vote for the strike proves that teachers are as easily persuaded as students are. Many of the teachers probably feel negatively about the strike, because their own kids will be affected, they do not want to disrupt students educations, and now possibly they will not be able to move into the new Souderton High School next year if a suitable contract is not found. But unfortunately, the Pennsylvania State Education Association targeted Souderton as a district with underpaid teachers, and the teachers followed the PSEAs lead, and began to work at recruiting more teachers for the cause.
The Souderton School District emphasizes the pillars of "character counts": honesty, responsibility and caring. The teachers and boards lack of negotiation do not very well implement these characteristics. Neither party is HONEST with themselves, that their suggestion for the teachers raise is unrealistic. The teachers dont realize that most people with other jobs do not get 9.5aises as they originally proposed. If the private sector cannot afford to give their workers raises this significant, then public servants should not expect an amount this large, especially considering the current economic situation. Both groups need to realize that it is their RESPONSIBILITY to take the first steps toward middle ground. They also need to start CARING about parents who have no arrangements for their children, students who are becoming bored and want to learn, athletics and activities which are interrupted and familys whose breaks and summer will be interrupted by school.
Stubborn kids are bad. Stubborn teachers and board members are worse. When kids refuse to stop fighting, they might affect a few students in the class, and risk a trip to the principal's. When teachers and board members refuse to stop bickering, they impact an entire community.

I believe the teacher bashing website www.sasdcontractinfo.com was started by Jack Parry. He referenced the start of this site in the editoral he wrote in August. Everyone knows the Board has put him up to bashing the teachers in public. I find it very interesting that he seems to know EVERYTHING about the negotiations that have gone on in private. Also, he seems to have influenced the Board to change their decision about the "Vernfield Triangle." What kind of Board gets a guy like Jack Parry to do their dirty work?

Apparently, since SASD is sitting on $17 million, including $5 million in unreserved funds, there is no raise in taxes. And these teachers only want to be AVERAGE in Bucks and Montgomery County. What is the problem? Oh yeah. Bernard M. Currie. The guy who votes NO on FREE GRANTS from the state. You're right, this strike needs to stop. Who is going to stand up to this guy? THERE MUST BE A BOARD MEMBER WHO IS NOT AFRAID OF HIM!

The teachers as a whole are NOT asking for 8à They want their 100 teachers in the bottom 10 yrs or less to get a raise in the next few years that would make SASD competitive with other districts. No one is asking for an 8aise in one year. Do your homework folks. Stop repeating the info heard from Mr. S mouth. Sorry to say, his words are not true and not worth repeating. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH! I find it frustrating that folks out there are putting all teachers in one grouping. In any profession you can find those that should not be a part of it. That does not excuse the slandering and bashing of the professionals in this district. People are worried about making strikes illegal? The kind of negotiating that our school board and Mr. Saltanik are doing should also be made illegal. This community should be ashamed of how we are following their fine leadership. Get in the room and NEGOTIATE, stop slandering and demeaning the work of the fine teachers of SASD.

My daughther is a teacher in the SASD. I have kept my comments to myself for the last 9 days. However, I can no longer do that. I am shocked bysome of the rude, insulting, and ignorant comments. Is it any wonder my daughter has rude, insulting, and ignorant students in her class? Hmmm, wonder where they learned that!!!
There are many people who have commented they WISH they could make what teachers make. They WISH they had the hours teachers had. They WISH they could have every summer off. I wonder if these same people WISH they would be REQUIRED to continue their education immediately after college. I wonder if these same people WISH they would be REQUIRED to continue to take 180 of continuing education every 5 years and then start over again for the next 5 years. (I am not saying that is a bad thing) I am wondering if these same people would like to spend time in the evening with angry parents. I wonder if these same people would want to turn down invitations to go away for the weekend because they have "too much school work". I wonder if these same people would want to go to work on a Sunday if their principal was there to let them in. I wonder if these same people would like to try to educate a child whose parent/parents don't care or are too busy criticizing the people who work a whole lot more than you will ever know.
If you think that teachers have it so easy, why didn't you choose to go into education? If you think it is such an easy job, I suggest you take some time to shadow a teacher for a day or an evening, or a weekend. You may just change your comments.

P.S. Why don't you criticize auto mechanics who charge you an arm and a leg? Why don't you criticize people who work for Merck, have had no college education, and make more money changing light bulbs than a teacher does.
I think it is time we all look at our priorities!

Perhaps they just don't want their cars to get trashed by the union goons.

gb in Harleysville wrote - "that I am willing to shoulder the costs for a good education"

It's strange that you automatically think that by increasing taxes and paying teachers more, that you are suddenly going to get a quality education.

Personally, if I knew all I had to do was go on strike to get a raise, I would take my new contract, relax, kick my feet up, and wait until the next strike so that I could get even more money! More money does not guarantee better results, and, with the current state of the economy I don't want to see my taxes raised to take that gamble.

I don't mind seeing the teachers get something, but it's got to be in the reasonable 3-5 percent range.

"I love SASD", you quote a statement that I already explained was false.

EMPLOYERS MUST MATCH SS AND MEDICARE! The same amount that comes out of your paycheck is also contributed by your employer. In reality, you only pay half, the employer pays the other half, then the employer submits the whole payment to the SSA.

The numbers are indeed the payroll expenses incurred for each employee. You may not like it, but it is true. Stop perpetuating false information!

Taxpayers... just heard that the members will be meeting at an undisclosed location and then shuttled to the meeting at indian crest. They are 'afraid of the reaction of parents to the board's position.'

More money well spent.

OTHER districts do publish what Jeff Sultanik makes. Springford SD - $22,500/year (just as a retatiner) and $175.00/hour to work. Now, be aware, that is not what he is paid to bargain. That is more. Let's see. I make a lot more money to bargain, so it would be in my best interest to??? STRIKE AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. 8/11 last teacher strikes in southeastern PA... Jeffrey Sultanik Esq.

Once again, REAL facts from REAL sources, not Bernard M. Currie's warped perception of reality. Remember, this is a guy who voted DOWN A GRANT... FREE MONEY for technology for students! Hate teachers or not, how do you people defend the board? And make no mistakes, he IS the board. PLEASE MEMBERS... STAND UP TO THIS TYRANT! You aren't ALL bad people, now it is time to show it.

Once again, take some time to volunteer in a school or anywhere else in the community, instead of being an anonymous coward. The district has posted what every teacher makes. Teachers who spend their lives teaching your future.

This strike could last a loooooooong time. I sure hope not, but it could because our school board is stubborn and cheap. But could the opening of the new high school be affected? Yes, it certainly could. The current law in PA never forces the sides to come to an agreement. They could be out until Sept 23, go back, go through the non-binding arbitration which surely our board will reject, in the Spring the teachers can strike again for a week, our kids will be in school until June 30th, then next fall with no agreement the association would be free to strike again. Frankly, I don't blame them one bit because they have been treated shabbiily. Our board is a disaster. So, all the good things in our community, our growing reputation, our state of the art high school, all of it is being destroyed by a handful of board members who detest public education and are trying to ruin a wonderful district.

Someone posted a link to the above website. I was curious that the author of the website did not proudly display his/her name on their wonderful site. So, I used the resource whois.com to discover that this site was activated on Aug 20, 2008. Isn't that interesting? Someone perhaps KNEW that the school board was going to be unreasonable and just in case they set up a teacher bashing site? Almost two weeks before the strike? And, why not tell us who you are? The registration was done "by proxy" so I guess you wanted to put up your sneaky little website and allow comments to be posted without being discovered.

Do all of the teachers make more money than your husband and you combined or just a top earning teacher? I noticed that many of the teachers make considerably less than the $61,000 average salary previously quoted. Furthermore, the SAEA has stated that a contract could be funded using the HUGE surplus the Board has accumulated over the last three years, Does that GREED make you angry too? I find it frustrating that the Board is wasting taxpayer money on mass mailings, ridiculous TV programming and a high priced solicitor instead of spending the money on the children of the district. In my opinion, teachers are caring individuals who dedicate their lives to improving our community. Communities that value education prosper in the long run. I don't think it is the teachers that are being greedy. In this case, the School Board is GREEDY because they won't use taxpayer money to improve the educational system of this community. Get the facts at www.saea.info

"The Stop teachers strike website does have information. Some of it is very skewed however. Anyone who gets a paycheck knows that Social secuirty should be SUBTRACTED from Salary, as should medicare and retirement. I can't imagine how mortified I would be if my salary were published for the world to see. Can you?"
Let's see some other figures from the school board like Jeffrey Sultanik. He is known for driving districts to strike... more money for him. UGH!
Let's stop this strike by having the two sides meet and come to a middle ground which is obviously what will happen in the future.
I love SASD but I've had it with teacher bashing and salary comparisons. Everyone's salary in a community is going to be different. OBVIOUSLY!! You will have some making less and some making more. But what is best for the children? Qualified teachers who are compensated for their education and work and qualified educators who are attracted to our district. I want what is best for my children and the children of SASD>

Hey district... tell the taxpayers how much Sultanik is taking from us. Why isn't that public knowledge? It is our money he is being paid with... right?

Doesn't everyone want a pay raise & cheap health benefits that are excellent. Of course!!! The company I work for barely handed out raises this year....then our health insurance went up so there went the raise! And those who didn't get a pay raise lost some of their salary due to the increasing insurace. Welcome to the real world!!! Many souderton school district residents have all the same issues as these teachers do but we must work and if we don't like it go find another job!!! Let our children go back to school and hash it out on your own time.

Thanks to our teachers union we now have our own page on the stopteacherstrikes.org website which details some little know facts of how our tax dollars are being exploited by the union. The site can be accessed at:

http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=Souderton

Contact your school board to let them we are behind them in the fight against the union. Then contact your state representative and ask them to support house bill HB1369 which would outlaw teachers strike like 37 other states have done.

After seeing the paper this morning and the published salaries of the teachers and especially the administration of the SASD, I am outraged and apalled that the teachers are even on strike! One of the teachers' salary alone is more than what my husband and I make. We even pay more per month for our health insurance. So what do they want? Maybe they should change their standard of living so they wouldn't be sucking the taxpayers dry. Do they really care about the children? Obviously, not! I agree with the school board, I would hold my ground too. I think a teacher should be payed based on their ability, not on the extent of their education. The most educated teacher could be the worst teacher. I'm glad my children are now grown and out of this greedy school system.

Now that the school board has opened up this can of worms, when will we know the rest of the public servant's salaries and benefits? I'd like to know what our township supervisors, tax collector, and anyone else who serves this community and are paid with my taxpayer money. And I'd like a list of hours spent and list of responsibilities. Maybe we will think they are paid too much money too.

I'm glad some posters brought up the Middle School issue. I was at the last school board meeting on Aug 28th and the board discussed this non-voting issue about the "Vernfield Triangle", as one person noted, for well over one hour. No offense to the affected families, but there were several hundred people in attendance who wanted to concentrate on negotiations and what was still only a threatened strike. It was clear to me that several board members deliberately dragged out the discussion in order to irritate and bore the audience. In the end, nothing was changed. However I found it very telling that several board members--Mr. Verbake, Mr. Brong and Mr. Jelinski especially--kept stating how important this issue was because parents had contacted them and their duty was to help the parents with this problem. But, I have called and emailed these same gentlemen letting them know that I want the district to settle, to offer a fair contract that pays the teachers better, that I am willing to shoulder the costs for a good education--and do you know how responsive they have been to me? Take a guess--No returned phone calls, no emails back. Cowards! Yes, and like some of you I am VERY interested in knowing how much money Mr. Sultanik is racking up from our tax dollars.

Why would you assume it's not necessary to know the other side of a matter? Is that how you live your life, assuming one side can only be correct? Hopefully, you are not a person that I come into contact in my daily life. That is a close-minded way to live my friend. I'm not a teacher, but I do think we have the obligation to know both sides of the story! And when you do know both sides, you can see the whole picture.

JD, you're correct. The devil is in the details such as the specific benefits, deductibles and percentages of coverage. So if it wants public support, I challenge the union to do this. Post the Summary of Benefits for each of the medical plans that teachers can chose from. It will only be about 2 pages for each one.
Then the public will be able to see how bad the teachers supposedly have it. But I doubt the union would get much sympathy from the public once they get a look at it.
Which is probably why the union isn't too specific beyond the 'it's not as good as other teachers in the county' complaint.

The association's facts are all based from PDE on info provided by the district. Tho board's facts are Currie/Sultanik. And sometimes Parry. And their 'boiler room' is on Camp Wawa Rd, but you'll never find it.

HB1369 would have required the negotiations to start last September. By the time the budget was approved in June, we would have been through most of the process and already had full public disclosure of negotiations, neutral fact finding reports and into town hall style meetings over the contract. Don't you see the power that gives the teachers and taxpayers to make sure budgets aren't passed knowing a contract is expiring? We certainly wouldn't be where we are today.

The surplus fund is a non-issue. You take money from that now to pay the salaries for a few years, then what? You do realize the amount they can raise taxes is limited unless approved during an election. So when the fund runs dry and we still have to pay these salaries, what gets sacrificed? The fund is also going to feed the teacher's pension. It isn't prudent to use savings funds for ongoing expenses, that's common sense but many just don't seem to get it. The only thing I could say about the fund is that money that went into it from unspent PAYROLL expenses should be returned to the PAYROLL. I don't know what that number is, do you?

Read up on HB1369, you don't really seem to understand how it HELPS the teachers and would only eliminate the strike that was caused not by the board, but by the union as a result of a poor legislation designed to keep unions in power.

As reported in the paper-""Other teachers are performing non-picketing tasks, such as communications. We have a task force committee that has multiple jobs in it, and some of our members who are not out on the strike lines are members of our settlement task force, who are trying to get information out to people," Lukridge said."


Given that, it's not suprising that forums heat up only during the hours the teachers are picketing. So I just have one question for some of the concerned residents presenting the unions "facts" on here.
Does the union have you set up in a "boiler room" type configuration or are you working from home?

I agree with the reader talking about the boundary lines for the Vernfield children. Mr. Jelinski presented a 2 or 3 year plan which showed that no additional costs would happen if the VF kids go to Indian Valley. The plan made sense, 6 of the school board members agreed with it but yet Mr. Brong still went with the first scenario. He was nervous... you could tell. I don't know for sure but it did look like he was pressured into making his decision. Now that I read the other comment... Jack Parry... I should have known. Well, thanks to Jack Parry, Mr. Brong and Mr. MacDougall, some VF kids will spend 5th grade thinking about how they will be separated from their friends next year. What a great way to spend your last year of VF (and this is the 1st class to go K-5 at Vernfield). This school board is not pro children... it is pro power!

Lt. It is easy just too base insurance on co-pays, but with insurance you need to know a whole lot more. One being what is covered and not covered under that plan. How about the deductable, which is how much do you pay before the insurance even pays one dime. DO they pay for routine test like x-rays, mammography and blood work, etc? What does it cost to see a doctor? Are there any doctors willing to accept that plan?
It also looks like they offer a plan to the administration called "cabinet level benefits" that is a different plan than the teachers get. My experience tells me the teachers plan must not be that good for them to have to make a better plan available to administration. The plans are self insured and the true cost for the coverage is not clear as glass. Insurance rates like in home, auto and health, it always falls on the details of the coverage. What seems to be a good deal for the teachers might only be a bare bones in coverage and a very poor plan for them or anyone else. Just a thought!!

saea.info. Look under district statistics. Look under home. All of this, and NO TAX INCREASE DUE TO DAVE's MONEY THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE. THEY HAVE THE MONEY. YOUR MONEY. AND MORE OF IT THAN ANYONE ELSE? Paying the teachers or not, how does that not make you sick?

I am beginning to question the impartiality of this newspaper. The decision of The Reporter to publish the salaries of all teachers and administrators in the SASD was timed perfectly... right before what will be the most emotionally-charged school board meeting the district has seen in recent memory. I wonder why The Reporter did not ask the school district what Mr. Sultanik's retainer is, or how much they pay him per hour? He is being paid with taxpayer funds, too. That should be public knowledge.

Also, to those of you who seem so intent on banning teacher strikes (HB 1369):
Over the past year we have seen a school board that knew three contracts were expiring, yet decided not to raise taxes or budget for possible increases in payroll costs. We have seen this school board squirrel away 17 million dollars of taxpayer money, yet it refuses to tap into it so that the contracts can be settled. We have seen this school board state that they have negotiated in good faith, yet it canceled the health insurance the day before the teachers walked out on strike. We have seen a school board of NINE men turn a community of over 40,000 people inside out. Why would anyone support a bill (HB 1369) that would outlaw teacher strikes and give the school board MORE POWER?

Rumor on the street. Last school board meeting, the board went back and forth on the issue of about 17 kids split from Vernfield when the transition occurs. The board, after 1h 15m, finally decided to go with the original plan as proposed. This means those kids were going to be split from the rest of Vernfield and go to Crest. ENTER THE PARRY FACTOR. Parry was directly affected by this, did not want it, and now... DECISION CHANGED. Hmm, maybe that was a thanks for dishing out propaganda and teacher hatred on your blog. Good thing that after months and months of investigating and researching, a final decision(again) by 'quick-thinking' Bill Brong, a simple pohone call from Parry gets things reversed. Ugh. See these people for who they are. OPEN YOUR EYES!

6th in taxes, 6th in revenue, LAST IN PUPIL SPENDING. Facts. PDE. Indisputable. No one wants a strike, but the Bernie better start spending the money he took from me. $5 million, unreserved. How much will Sultanic get? Currie does NOT want this to end. Sultanik is still cheaper than paying all of the teachers, so Bernie's Bucks are growing! How do you not see this? Well, just you, Dave. Are you glad that they have the largest surplus in the area, yet give the students the least? No... This is you. TAKE MY MONEY...NAH, JUST KEEP IT... LET IT MAKE YOU SOME INTEREST... Dave, come out of the closet and follow a first grade teacher for a day. Clear 730 am-5, than a few more hours that evening.

In case you were unaware, the employer pays an equal amount of SS and Medicaire. So while you see that subtracted from YOUR paycheck, know that the employer also pays that exact same amount on top of what you see as gross salary. So yes, those numbers are legitimate expenses to the school district that are above and beyond the base salary rate.

They do have a website however that tells me next to nothing. They (the union) would be better served saving the postage and posting their proposal on the website.

Better yet... you seem to have all of the details, why don't you "lay it out" for us.

Regarding the newer teachers being underpaid. If my memory serves me, the teachers union made the decision to give the majority of the salary increases to the the teachers with more seniority under the terms of their last contract. The district did not create this inequity.

Residents can also comment on current negotiations here-

http://www.sasdcontractinfo.com/

The Reporter posted a list of the teachers salaries on this site, at the bottom of it is a chart showing the monthly premiums for each of the plans and the amount of the employee contribution. It appears that the most expensive family coverage would cost an employee $127 a month.
That's 10f the premium, the taxpayers are picking up the tab for the rest of the $1200. And the union is complaining. These people need to get their arse out into the private sector, then they would have something to really complain about. lol

http://www3.allaroundphilly.com/reporter/sasdsalarychart2.html

The Stop teachers strike website does have information. Some of it is very skewed however. Anyone who gets a paycheck knows that Social secuirty should be SUBTRACTED from Salary, as should medicare and retirement. I can also bet that the Medical, Dental, and vision is has not calculated the 10ontribution. People with health insurance get that benefit above salary. I can't imagine how mortified I would be if my salary were published for the world to see. Can You?

Shocked in Souderton wrote:
"When you don't have medical insurance, it is not wise to stand outside against the advisement of the meteorologists, during violent thunderstorms!"

As if having insurance would make it wise to do so. lol

Thanks to our teachers union we now have our own page on the stopteacherstrikes.org website which details some little know facts of how our tax dollars are being exploited by the union. The site can be accessed at:

http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=Souderton

Contact your school board to let them we are behind them in the fight against the union. Then contact your state representative and ask them to support house bill HB1369 which would outlaw teachers strike like 37 other states have done.

Meteorologists were warning of violent storms in the area, to take cover and stay on the ground floor of their buildings, but you want to still see the teachers (whose medical insurance was dropped) walking the lines? Get real.

Mrs. Dogood says, "Oh and if the issues are that serious folks, I hope your not going to continue to stop picketing just because a little rain comes your way."

If your medical coverage was dropped, it is not a good idea to be walking outside during violent thunderstorms, against the suggestions of meteorologists who are advising people to take cover in the first floor of a building!

See for yourself.

http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=Souderton

"Oh and if the issues are that serious folks, I hope your not going to continue to stop picketing just because a little rain comes your way. Maybe you shouldn't worry so much about getting wet, considering the tax payers are going to spend the next 8 years drowning to make ends meet."

When you don't have medical insurance, it is not wise to stand outside against the advisement of the meteorologists, during violent thunderstorms!

The SAEA does have a website that provides information. Here's the link.
http://saeapa.psealocals.org/

Unfortunitely the union does not provide an e-mail or phone contact for questions. So you'll just have to accept the information it posts as fact. You could verify the unions info. with the teachers on the picket line, they can tell you what the union says.

A simple solution to this whole mess would be to enter into binding arbitration. Each side submits its final best offer and the offers are presented to a 3-person panel. The panel, made up of a rep. from both the union and school district side, and then a (supposedly) neutral 3rd party, would take various factors into consideration (revenue, ability of the district to pay its teacher, previous contracts, etc.) and hammer out a fair proposal to which both sides would have to agree. It would bypass the next phase of this strike (non-binding arbitration and another possible strike later in the year). Problem solved. A local districts education association offered to enter into binding arbitration. The district didnt agree. Why? Jeff Sultanik refused. They then offered to go to non-binding arbitration which was initially refused but eventually agreed to, and they settled before it actually got to that. Their strike was slightly different as it occurred in the middle of the year and had a different timetable than the Souderton strike.

Thanks for asking...there is over 100 teachers in the SASD that need a boost. They aren't asking for it all in one shot. I don't know the exact amount, have just been trying to understand it all myself. As for the reason that you aren't receiving anything in the mail from the teachers? The district won't allow the teachers to use the mailing lists to get info out to us. We really need to question why they would object to sharing the list. If their demands are truly so outrageous, wouldn't that just verify what they have been reporting? We cannot make an informed, intelligent decision without knowing the truth on both sides of this issue. We have heard the strike attorney's side, now we need to hear from our teachers. Until they are able to put a list of addresses together, people need to stop and chat with the teacher reps. Knowledge is power, my friend. Do the research. Until then, I'm slow to give my allegiance to Mr. Sultanik, strike attorney in 8 out 11 negotiating districts.

In response to Aaron's, I understand what you mean by the teacher's losing ground with small pay increases and larger insurance contributions. Unfortunately, most families have been losing ground in the same such way for years. Sadly, their plight is not unique...it's all too common.

It isn't just about the salary increase, it is about merit pay and health care and being treated with respect. If teachers weren't allowed to strike, then your teacher-hating school board would be given free reign to offer us nothing. Take it or leave it. Boy, there's a lot of respect there! How about going to the meeting on Thursday and asking them how they plan on putting merit pay into effect! They have NO clue! Dogood, you want a plan, ask the board what they plan on doing!!

As it was explained to me, the 2.5 percent increase offered by the board was for the total teacher payroll, not on each individual teacher salary. Therefore, the 34 million dollar payroll would increase 850,000 dollars next year. That sounds like a lot of money, but 850,000 divided by 512 teachers is a 1660 dollar raise for the entire year (it isn't divided evenly, but that gives an idea of how far 2.5 percent would go).
The teacher I spoke with currently contributes 10 percent of the insurance premium, but said the board wants to raise the contribution rate to 25 percent. So between the small raise and the increased contribution, many, if not most teachers would be taking a pay cut.
I want to thank the citizen who posted the duties and responsibilities of school board members. Please read that posting, reflect on how the school board has acted, attend the meeting on September 11th, and let your voice be heard. It is amazing that 9 men and a lawyer have the power to polarize a community this way.

What? So that the self serving School Board can continue to give raises to its administrators and not to its teachers? So that pupil spending can remain at an all time low, while the district sits on a 10 million dollar surplus? Have you just tuned in?

I too, went to the website and read exactly what you posted. I agree wih you 100 the Souderton Area School Board are not fulfilling their responsibilities.

Can anyone out there provide me an explanation as to how and why how these 8 elected unpaid positions can hold so much power over our school district?

This is the first I am reading and frankly Im disgusted. The teacher bashing, the same people that spend a majority of time with our children.

I have spent a lot of time reading through the facts. And with the current board, nothing seems to be getting done. How the heck can a guy be president of the school board when he clearly doesnt like public education.....and sends his children elswhere???? That doesnt make sense....It also doesnt make sense that Souderton children have the lowest amount of money spent on them!! That infuriates me as a parent....I want the guy out....

Do you think the teachers will accept a 4.5ncrease??? I bet they would....



The

In a response I've gotten from Robert Godshall (PA House of representatives), he indicates that this bill is essentially dead as it has been sitting in the House Labor Relations Committee since 7/25/07. With the Democrats controlling the house, it is unlikely they will bring it up anytime soon.

As others had pointed out in their comments, no one wins in a strike, so why do it. It hurts all sides, including the kids. Do we want to enter the death spiral of these teacher stikes every year? It has worked effectively in 37 other states, what makes PA so different that it can not get done?

Funny how you worked in such a fine place like NYC and decided to move back to this community for your children--this area is that good huh?

Many teachers have spouses who also work---to enable them to drive such fine automobiles. Maybe they are good at budgeting their money? Who knows, the point is I don' t think the vehicles they drive are really an issue here.

The board has failed to negotiate in good faith, and are using your tax money to pay for the attorney, who doesn't give a crap if this gets resolved. The longer this goes on the more money he collects. The board claims, the teachers are asking for a huge increase, even if the 8.2s accurate (which the union has never confirmed) that is how negotiating works. You start high and settle somewhere in the middle. The board has failed to bargain.

You really should read both sides of the story and attend the upcoming board meeting....to see how this dysfunctional board works.

What does everyone say; we all just give in and hope for the best?

That is what a lot of people here posting are saying. Hey we have teachers coming on to try and prove their point and making the teachers look worse. We are Souderton, not Council Rock or North Penn or Central Bucks. We do not have booming industrial tax contributors. Merck has no campus here; we have no mall in the district. We have small retail and some industrial, but statistics are just numbers that can be manipulated. You may say the district doesn't have to increase taxes to cover that...Well show us how. Don't try to double talk. Put it on paper and show your work. The answer is not always as important as how you got there.

I am glad the board is being a bit stubborn.

Look you give into demands no, you telling me in 5 years they will not come back looking for more. Why not offer a 10 year contract then. Meet in the middle for 5 and then during the 10 years you offer increases. Not just all at once. If teachers are saying they want to stay and teach...then stay and teach over the life of the contract and understand we will not be held at the mercy of a 3 week work stoppage. You want to stop working, we will stop paying you and offering you any benefits that employees willing to work get.

I remember when teaching was a profession you went into because you wanted to make a difference in people's lives, not because you wanted to ride on the backs of the families in your town. Make all teachers move into the district and pay Taxes. Then let's see how much of a salary increase they ask for.

Oh and if the issues are that serious folks, I hope your not going to continue to stop picketing just because a little rain comes your way. Maybe you shouldn't worry so much about getting wet, considering the tax payers are going to spend the next 8 years drowning to make ends meet.

If you go to the district website you will find the following information regarding the role of the School board

The duties/responsibilities of School Board members are to:

Profess a deep desire to serve children and a strong belief in the values of public schools and local control of public education.
Use their vested authority to establish, equip, furnish, operate and maintain the public schools.
Establish policies necessary for the governing of the school district, its employees, pupils and all persons entering school grounds or premises.
Ensure educational opportunities for all students of the school district.
Appoint a superintendent of schools and invest such powers in the superintendency as may be legally delegated.
Elect a treasurer and a secretary.
Act on personnel and related matters as recommended by the superintendent of schools.
Approve the annual budget.
Adopt a master calendar annually.
Enter into contracts with all personnel in the manner required by Pennsylvania law.
Levy taxes to maintain the schools and the educational system.

Now, YOU DECIDE. Is the board fulfilling it's duty? They are a joke. Their first duty is to the kids, and they are not even trying to talk to the teachers and get the kids back in school. Don't vote for any of them again!!

Except for new teachers and teachers with more than ten years experience, they're being more than reasonable. Okay now I get it... and what percentage of teachers overall would that be???

If the teachers proposal is as reasonable as you suggest, I think they should deliver their message to the taxpayers. It shouldn't be my responsibility to locate the union leadership in an attempt to try and figure out what the membership is asking for. Last time I checked the teachers website they offered NO specifics. The message was that the school district could meet all of their demands virtually without raising taxes.

Without specifics, that information is useless.

Here is a letter Keith Moyer wrote to the Reporter. Yes, both sides can use #'s to skew the facts and "prove" they're right. But if you crunch the #'s, you'll see, it's truly not an 8, 9, or 10 percent raise for every teacher. Many wouldn't even see a 1 percent increase. Most of Keith's letter and conclusions are reprinted here. For the purpose of saving space, I didn't print it all, but you can find it online. It's called "Are we getting the strike facts?"

We need to realize that "negotiations" means one side bids high, one side bids low, and a compromise is found in the middle. It's time to compromise, to truly negotiate and allow our children to head back to school.

Keith Moyer Writes:
I have received very little information from the teachers' perspective, the people we trust our children to 180 days a year (and in whom I have a great deal for trust and respect). So I did some homework...

The school board is saying that they are offering a 2.5 percent raise to teachers and that the teachers are asking for an 8 to 9 percent raise each year. But what I have come to discover is that the 2.5 percent increase that the school board is referring to is not a raise for each teacher, rather the amount of money the school board is willing to increase the payroll portion of the school district budget.

Which, when it is worked into the pay scale for teachers, amounts to an actual 0.37 to 0.88 percent increase each year for any step on the pay scale hardly 2.5 percent or even 8 percent, like the school board is reporting. So what is it - a 2.5 percent raise for each teacher, an 8 percent raise or really less than a percentage point for each teacher?

In talking with the teachers, they are saying they are willing to contribute to their own health-care costs, and currently do contribute to their premiums. They are saying they do not want to increase their premium co-pay percentage rate.

Apparently, there has also been no solid proposal by the board on an actual health plan. Again, which is it?

And how much is the school board spending on money to discredit the teachers through costly mailings, produced TV interviews, health-care consultant fees and a lawyer who somehow ends up on the school board side of most local strikes Jeffery Sultanik.

I am sure his services are not gratis for Souderton, and that the longer the strike continues, the more money he makes on all of the taxpayers.

As I have done my homework, I would encourage all parents to do the same. It appears that the Souderton Area Education Association is not looking for ridiculous raises (in actual "real" numbers, roughly 3 percent per year per teacher); does in fact want to contribute to their own benefits; and apparently this can be done without raising taxes.

Maybe the truly accountable thing to do is settle this strike and stop hiding behind a high-priced lawyer and PR campaign in your attempt to stranglehold the teachers, students and all taxpayers of this community, so our children can go back to school. Our teachers do deserve a fair contract unlike the smoke and mirrors version the board has proposed.

Keith Moyer is a resident of Souderton.

You have to be kidding me, posting here from SC to badmouth someone personally? Why don't you come to my blog and debate me about HB1369? So far, I have not received an intelligent (or any for that matter) reason why we need to keep teacher strikes integral to contract negotiations.

You must enjoy sacrificing innocent people to get your way, is that it? Don't give me that nonsense about "society inconvenience", what a cowardly thing to say - these are CHILDREN for god's sake!

http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com/

You absolutely do not know the 'ins and outs,' an obvious fact from your post. If you read previous posts, you would see that there are many facts that have been cited. These are facts from PDE, not the school board. I was formerly against the teachers, but after watching the board in action at meetings, I am changed. The president is a tyrant and most of the men up there have no idea what even basic educational terms mean, yet they run our school district These people are sitting on my money. The part that gets my neighbors and I the most? THEY ARE SITTING ON SUCH A SURPLUS! Our taxes do not have to be raised. No matter what Sultanik says, they have the money. Last in pupil spending, yet 6th in taxation? OW! If you are taking my money, at least use iot for the students. Look at (www saea info) as well as the district site. Everything is there.

Whatever Jerry Mc. I'm a 1996 alumna (and proud of it) of Lansdale Catholic High School, perhaps a school that does in fact have underpaid teachers, yet finer educated ones than you'll find in the public schools, but I digress. I'm a 1998 alumna of the Culinary Institute of America and I spent nearly 10 years baking professionally in some of New York City's finest restaurants before moving back to my hometown to raise my children. I've had the unique privilege/advantage of working in both unionized & non-unionized shops, as well as having been a manager for unionized staff. So trust me, I know the ins and the outs, and how the weaker employees use the union to cover their a$$e$ and get away with any number of outrageous demands. Demands like holding thousands of kids hostage while the teachers park their Lincolns and their BMWs on W.Broad Street, right at the CURVE, so that it makes it an already tight spot even tighter. I happen to have plenty to live for thank you very much. Yet I wonder about your education however, when all you can do is sputter back some lame-o insult instead of comment with facts. Guess that COBRA bill came in the mail eh? Tough pill to swallow.

I would ask you to stop and talk to the teacher representatives, if you have not. You would find out that they are not asking for the raise that Mr. Sultanik is reporting. They do want their starting teachers and those with experience up to 10 years or so to be better compensated, but I think you would find their requests to be more reasonable than you have been led to believe. Please SASD go to the teacher reps and listen to their side of the story. Don't we to teach our children to hear a whole matter before making a decision? If you want to get the students and teachers back to school, do your research before the meeting Sept. 11th at Indian Crest. They all need to negotiate with accountability!

To the teachers: First off think of the children, you are only hurting them. Second think of the taxpayers. A 40 aise over 5 years is crazy. Normal working people never get that kind of raise and most working people have to pay hundreds a month for all the benfits you recieve.
I think you are very good teachers.I have had my children in this district for 17 yrs and have been very pleased with the teaching, but be reasonable.

To the Board:
First off Think of the chilrdren. You are hurting the children too by not bargining in good faith. I think that 2s unreasonable considering the job the teachers do and the economy.

To both sides: Why not meet around 4-5aise a year plus some health plan adjustments. If you both want what is best for the children then either settle this or submit to binding arbitration.

My wife and I have two daughters in the Souderton School District, one in junior high and one in elementary school. We have a great deal of respect for both the teachers as well as our school board members who volunteer their time to serve our community.

I agree with you 100egarding the personal attacks and the disrespect that is being directed at our teachers, administrators and school board members. There really isn't any place for this sort of behavior so far as I'm concerned.

Although I disagree with the teachers union with regard to their contract demands, and believe that our schoolboard should continue to hold the line when it comes to increases in salary and health care costs that do not reflect 2008 economic conditions. I do respect you, all of you, but couldn't disagree with you more on what I feel are unreasonable contract demands.

If the membership would like an improved health care plan, they should be prepared to incurr higher monthly premiums. So far as salaries are concerned, annual increases in the neighborhood of 3eem to be more than reasonable to me.

See you at the board meeting.

Mr. Campbell,
Please stop the self-promotion. HB 1369 can do nothing for this situation. In fact, banning teacher strikes will not solve the problems of the collective bargaining process. Your approach to this matter is both simplistic and naive.

I understanding that you are against unions and that your grandfather tore up his union card. I am also positive that he did not tear up his National Health Service card. After all, that would be one part of socialism from which he would have unequivocally benefit.

Sometimes society has to endure a little inconvenience while the established, legal process works - even if it does at a slow pace.

I, too, am Souderton Proud: the proud parent of two Souderton graduates. During the late eighties to mid-nineties, I was a member of the high school's parents advisory board, the district transition team, and the AIDS curriculum committee. After one of these meetings, I asked a SASD principal why talented college grads from great schools would choose to accept a contract to teach in Souderton, rather than in a neighboring district offering a 25igher starting salary. He replied, "because of the caring and dedicated teachers here, staff that goes above and beyond, and the ability to really make a difference."
"And," he continued, "things will get better; we'll catch up."
Well, Souderton, you haven't.
But you can move forward now.
The time is now to move these salaries to a competitive level.
The time is now for the board to present a reasonable offer to the teachers; they are ready and willing to accept a fair settlement. Now.
Joanna Hogan

You wrote:
"let me ask... when they raise the price of milk, do you go in and complain to the store owner or send nasty-grams to your local dairy farmers?"

No, I just refuse to purchase it. Please let me know if I can do the same with public education. When I can, I'll stop complaining and sending "nasty-grams".

Your comment makes no sense. I was following you about the groceries, but then your story stopped. Did I miss something?

Anyway, for all the people that keep making the point that you will:

a) die from no food because of tax hikes
b) will lose your house from tax hikes
c) know your mother/father/sibling/some guy down the street that will die from tax hikes

let me ask... when they raise the price of milk, do you go in and complain to the store owner or send nasty-grams to your local dairy farmers? The price of everything is going up. If this amount will seriously "push you over the edge" I would suggest that you possibly make a change in lifestyle. I'm not saying that you can't fight the tax increase, but stop the hyperbole. I will be in the same boat as everyone else. But, nothing in life is guaranteed and I don't expect everything to stay the same forever. It's called planning people.

As a Souderton Area School District school teacher, I have routinely read all of the posts on this and many other blogs online over the past grueling week. I have kept my comments to myself as have all of the other teachers in the Souderton Area School District. We have not commented to the many passersby who have blown smoke in our faces, spat at us, threatened us via email, thrown rocks at us, and have posted inappropriate signs and comments about us online, in the newspapers, on the radio, and on TV. Instead of posting acomment or reaction to the comments that continue to tarnish our fine District, I implore you...all of you... please attend the Souderton Area School District Board Meeting this Thursday, September 11th at Indian Crest Junior High School.

Don't kid yourselves....SASD has plenty of problems...but it is still safer than the city.....regardless, I am so glad we homeschool!

37 states current ban teacher strikes. PA is in the minority which allows teacher strikes. The people who are hurt the most are the kids.

There is a group that is trying to organize to get HB 1369 moving (a bill to ban teach strikes in PA).

Check out the website

www stopteachstrikes org (replace the blanks with periods)

I wonder how many people are going to go to the board meeting to throw the rest of their community members under the bus? As taxpayers I would hope we'd all stand together, but I'm sure the "haves" will be there fighting for the teachers. I sure hope that if their voice wins out that they'll offer to pick up the tax bill for the rest of the district residents.

Keep the Peace.

I think both sides would rather us fight amongst ourselves or we may educate ourselves to the real issues and see the fault in each side.

We may have recieved a good education, but those who do not study the past are doomed to repeat it.

In case you folks are wondering why the board is stating they cannot use the $17 million surplus because of this reason and that reason, one of the reasons stated is that there are so many teachers retiring and they must contribute to the retirement fund. Approx. 2f the teachers retire every year. Do you know or care why? The reason that is that the school board in the last 5 or so years chose to defer their payments into the fund (that all employers must pay) . Now time is of the essence and instead of being truthful with the public that there are some issues that need reconciling and that someone from the last years(Jack Parry group, perhaps) was robbing Peter to pay Paul. Now that's another issue they are trying to blame on the teachers, union, etc...anyone else except possibly the folks that were part of the planning. In case you are planning to call me a teacher LT, let me just say a little research can go a long way. BOARD MEETING Sept.11th people!

I think it is truly a shame how this community is attacking each other in this comment section. I think everyone needs to turn their anger into action, positive action. There are many constructive suggestions in these postings (i.e making your voices heard at board meetings and by phoning/emailing the appropriate parties. There is enough animosity in the world without a community turning against each other.

No Fool ,Telford wrote:
"Hey LT
Sure hope those SASD retirement benefits are serving you well. Your thorough understanding of school board meetings gave you away ..."

Sorry, not getting anything from SASD. All you have to do to understand how school board meetings work is to attend the meetings or read the district policies which are posted on the district website.

By the way, how does commenting on something of which you possess scant knowledge make you "No Fool" ?

Sure hope those SASD retirement benefits are serving you well. Your thorough understanding of school board meetings gave you away ...

It might sound easy to base teachers pay on their performance. Be quite frankly it is impossible to have merit pay in the teaching field. A child might respond to one teacher while another child doesn't respond to that teacher at all. Students are individuals and respond to other individuals differently. Your child may love Mrs. X but your other child may have them the next year and not like them at all.

You have teachers who teach special ed, gifted, regular ed. If we based their pay on student performance, well the gifted teachers are going to make out great! How would you propose an art teacher be paid, or any of the specials? Merit pay will fail. No one has come up with a good system for it.

I did do my research thank you. We moved here despite the high taxes because we finally found a house that we liked. Obviously taxes are going to go up, especially with the new high school being built. Now add on the salaries of how many teachers getting raises and just imagine how much a 8.2'crease would do.


In reference to the person who said they emailed President Bernard S. Currie with no response back. I email him late last night and received a message back early this morning. Maybe he never got yours. Try again.

John, Telford wrote:
"Rose,
Thankyou for your comments on the school board and how they like to control their meeting like dictators! It is soo wrong that these people limit your comments to three minutes and that you can only comment on agenda items at the beginning of the meeting and not at the end."

The comment period at the begining is to recieve public imput on agenda items that the board will be taking action on.
When you go to a meeting, you are provided with a copy of the agenda. Also, the meeting agenda is posted on the district website the day before the meeting. It affords you plenty of time to prepare any comments.
So why would you want to wait until after the board votes on an item to comment on it?

The three minute time limit insures that everyone will have an opportunity to be heard. If you have more to say just sign up on the list to speak again, it's never been an issue before.

The teachers are upset about covering their insurance during the strike? Well let's see how many people will be unable to cover their own medications and insurance if the teachers are granted their 8 percent raises!

The union needs to realize that this is a 2-way street. If you get the raises you desire it's going to put a HUGE burden on everyone in the community. I guess the best example I can think of would be if I just offered to buy a teacher their groceries out of my own pocket, since essentially that's what they want. Of course it would mean less food for my own family, but, at least that teacher would have their food.

The SASB isn't perfect, but neither is the Union. Let's think of the teachers AND the taxpayers and find a contract that works...most likely in the range of a 4 to 5 percent salary increase.

Rose,
Thankyou for your comments on the school board and how they like to control their meeting like dictators! It is soo wrong that these people limit your comments to three minutes and that you can only comment on agenda items at the beginning of the meeting and not at the end. I'm sure that if people were to speak on agenda items at the end of the meeting that the HUGE pay raises that the administrators get EVERY YEAR would be discussed and that maybe, just maybe instead of getting a 13ncrease they would get much less because these people do not deserve it. Maybe the Board should make them get merit pay and see how much their raises would be.

"Boo hoo" How old are you? You really must be an angry person with nothing to live for. What's wrong - still trying to pass the test gfor your GED? Teacher yell at you when you were a kid? Couldn't cut it to become a teacher? "Ye shall..." Who cares what you think.

Tammy, you mentioned that you thought taxes were high when you moved here two years ago. So why did you not find a school district with lower property taxes? Every real estate listing tells you what the taxes are on the property. The school district also lists the historical increases in the property tax for the last ten years. Did you do your research? I doubt it. It is easier to complain after the fact than to do research ahead of time.
It is unreasonable to expect a group of people to ask for a less-than-inflation wage increase to keep your taxes level. No one buys a house thinking the taxes will stay the same. No one takes a job thinking the salary will stay the same, either.

I think the teachers are being greedy. My husband makes more than some of those teachers, but he has been with his company for 10 years. We also pay alomst a hundred dollars A WEEK for health insurance. Most full time people have to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and ALL YEAR LONG. So, what's the problem here? If I were the school board I would hold my ground too. 8.2ncrease, that's absurd. When we moved her 2 years ago we commented on how high the taxes were here, and to think of them raising, wouldn't be good. Teachers should not be unionized. Pay should be based on the teacher and the ability of the teachers not how long or how much education. You could have a teacher that has been around for years and a teacher that is new, the teacher that is new may be a better teacher, one that the KIDS respond to better. Shouldn't it be about the kids?

THE 17 Millions surplus is not available to just use as the district wants. The LAW does not allow it.

Not to mention what happens when that money is gone. The tax increase was held down this year. If we give away the surplus, what do we do in 5 years when the teachers come back and claim they are still under paid and it will happen.

Negotiation is about finding middle ground and give and take. It just seems like neither side wants to give, just take. Not to mention the anonymous posting allows for teachers and union officials to come and add comments, just like tax payers.

"add in the money teachers will have to pay for the cobra insurance"
Boo hoo hoo. When you stop working for whatever reason, laid off, quit, fired, maternity leave, strike, personal leave, etc. you lose your coverage, either permanently if you aren't returning to your job, or temporarily if you plan to return to work. That's just how it is. It may seem unfair, and it's certainly not a cheap alternative, BUT, the teachers could have continued to work instead of walking the picket lines and retained not only their medical benefits but also would be earning an income. How dare you come here and complain about how the teachers will be effected fiscally by their work stoppage. Ye shall reap what ye sews . . . .

We all post based on our own experiences. I had many years, over a decade in fact, of attending every school board meeting in another Montgomery county district. There, the policy was, EVERY single question posed by a community member was answered at the meeting. If the board president could not ascertain an answer, he directed a member of the administration to be sure to answer the question. They had no time limit either, and one night I remember vividly, an upset parent came with a novel in hand and he proceeded to read from it for over 10 minutes, making a point that was important to him. So, please understand my surprise after so many years of seeing a truly interactive and interested board, which deeply cared about everything the community had to say at a board meeting, I found the Souderton policy to be quite restrictive. Oh, and at the other district they also had two separate times for input but they did not limit "non-agenda" items to the end like we do in Souderton. So, if the board cared what the community thought, they would welcome the input and try to respond in some way.

Why not? Do you know how much he gets paid to bargain? The districts are happy to pay him though, because it is his job to twist and lie in favor of them. "Misunderstandings" and biased stats are all a game that sucks in the uneducated taxpayer. He refers to the elderly taxpayers as 'sheep' and teachers 'pigs.' Well, guess what? We are all the j.a. for buying into it, making him rich and tearing apart our community. Save the Community!!!

Teachers will not ge their "full salary" back if they only work for 180 days - the 180 days is all the kids need to be there for. Teachers will lose over 2 weeks of salary which they will not get back. Just anopther reason for the school board NOT to negotiate. They look at it as just money they won't pay the teachers. Take that money away, add in the money teachers will have to pay for the cobra insurance, and even if they get a 5aise, they will only break even. Once again People of Souderton - this board has NO intention of negotiating. This strike will be going on next year when school attempts to open. Mr. Currie, Sultanik and a majority of the other board members do not care about kids or this community. Mr. Currie wants to destroy the community and our fine schools. I guess we will just sit by and watch as we become the laughing stock of Montgomery County. This contract should take about 25 minutes to reach a fair agreement. It will never happen because the board does not WANT it to.

I am with you Ted. When can I expect my rebate check? I paid my taxes on time - why didn't school start on time?

Tax rebate?
If the school board collected a surplus of 17 million dollars (supposedly to run the district) and it is not willing to spend it to negotiate a contract, when will I be getting my Tax Rebate Check?? If you're not going to send it to me, negotiate a contract and get my kids in school.

To all you teachers on here, which most of you complainnig probably are. If your union leadership were negotiating for the benefit of it's SAEA members, instead of advancing the agenda of the PSEA and the NEA. You most likely wouldn't be pounding the pavement. Tell Lukridge to stop being a tool for the PSEA.

I think it's ok to call and e-mail, maybe it will become annoying. Repeated calls to the administration building should be fine since they are not "administrating" our schools yet! If we all call daily for an update of the meeting schedule, they certainly would get a taste of our demands. There has to be scheduled meetings to negotiate! SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SEPT 11! Everyone must be there! Let's HOLD our school board and administrators to their "contract of accountability", Until then, do your research!

Read the bios - these are the people we are paying to use the School Board as a smokescreen: www.soudertonsd.org/district/about/admin.cfm
Notice how many actually mention the word student in their bios. It is time to turn the lights on in the ivory tower!

I certainly hope the Souderton administrators posses the intelligence not to participate in the golf benefit tomorrow. They need to be at the negotiating table not on the links.

Albeit it sounds like a viable option to call and e-mail your School Board - do you really believe that an inbox filled with e-mails or an answering machine that is not listened to will result in resolution? It is time for the Souderton Area Taxpayers who are genuinely concerned about their childrens' education to realize that the 8 volunteers are not the sole driving force that has your teachers on strike.

The Souderton Area School Finance department presented a 2008/2009 schooll budget to their school board knowing full well it had very minimal inclusion for salary increases. The Souderton Area administration was wrong to send a budget for review without staff contracts in place, and the School Board simply took their bait. Now both the administration and the board are scrambling to try and uphold their reckless decision making. And who better to help them scramble - the district paid solicitor. Your tax dollars are actually funding his retainer! Smell the stink yet?

Fellow taxpayers, residents and parents, ... the volunteers (School Board) are not making the decisions about your children. It is the well paid administrators, none of whom have any children in this district that have chosen to rip this community apart, only to bolster their own egos.

That Character Counts initiative isn't looking so good now is it?

Can anyone find Sultanik's salary/wage on any of the board minutes?
I'd LOVE to know just how much he's costing the taxpayers....

To ROSE and others:

The Sunshine Act ensures your right to be at open school board meetings.
It does not require school boards to allow unlimited public participataion or for members to hold a public form. Indeed school boards are allowed to make whatever rules that want for this optional public participation. Most school boards allow two or three minutes per speaker (often with a 15 or 30 minute grand total limit) either at the beginning or the end of their regular meeting. That is SOP, and usually there is a written policy that is often appended to the meeting agenda or to the public speaking sign up sheet. School board meetings are for conducting the business of the district.

CARELESSFILLS

"Board Meeting
To answer the question, I have been to Souderton Board meetings. Mr. Currie, the president, does not allow the board members to answer questions. In fact, the agenda says in writing that community members are not to ask board members questions. So, I have emailed all 9 board members and I have left phone messages which were NOT RETURNED. I have tried to express my opinion to my elected representatives. Only two of the board members even answered and that was on email. I think they must be afraid to speak to their constituents. Anyone in the community who wishes to talk to a member of the SAEA need only drive by a district school during the day. The board members are hiding and refusing to acknowledge the public. I urge EVERYONE, no matter which side you favor, to PLEASE attend the meeting on Thursday night. We can fire these board members by not voting for them. Please, come and see for yourself how they treat the public and the employees of the district.
Rose, Harleysville

First of all, the Board Meeting is Sept. 11th. Sept 13th is a Saturday.
Second of all, ask Jeffrey & Bernie where they sent their children to school. I will give you 2 guesses and one of them is NOT public schools. Needless to say, they had enough extra money to send their children to PRIVATE school. Neither one of them are supporters of public education.

Did you know the School Board hired Jeffrey Sultanik to represent them, even though 67f all school districts that went out on strike over the past 4 years have been represented by Mr. Sutlanik? He has knack for causing strikes. Its my way or the strike line mentality.

Here are some points regarding your opinion.

Under HB1369, the negotiations would start in September of the year PRIOR to the contract expiration. It requires the initial proposals to be made within 30 days, so the negotiations will start quickly and no one can drag their feet (like happened this year).

When an impasse is reached by January during the closed negotiations, a mediator is assigned to the process. In February, we enter fact finding with full reports made public. This continues until April. At that time both sides head to non-binding arbitration. (That is where we will be in a few weeks, but half a year later).

From that point, the process opens up to arbitration and both sides submit their last, best offer. A neutral arbitrator will research the offers and choose the last best offer from one side that they feel is most fair. The other side must then take that offer to a FULL VOTE. This removes the pettiness that is occuring when only a select few review and determine whether they should take the offer back.

If rejected, we have mandatory town hall meetings for both sides to present their case. Public pressure, once the public has full disclosure, will not allow a school board to stonewall the teachers unfairly. It would be to blatant if the teachers were not being treated fairly. If the board is just outright planning to do nothing, school continues under the conditions of the previous contract, month to month. You know the school board would then be voted out of office if the public believed their schools were being destroyed by a select few. Similar legislation works in many other states and it will work here.

As an alternate, we could simply force the non-binding arbitration phase that is next on the agenda to occur at the start of the school year. Then have binding arbitration should that fail. I prefer the solution offered in HB1369, but I still don't see why we must endure 3.5 weeks of a strike if neither side is willing to move. What purpose does it serve when no one can hear the true facts and both sides just "go to war" with each other thowing propoganda out left and right? The innocent are stuck and can do nothing. That is wrong.

There is no need for a strike.

"We need to make a commitment to call the school board members and highly compensated administrators every single day until this contract is settled. They must be willing to negotiate the contract with our teachers."
I thought this comment was so true, I quoted it from another reader. The public can make a difference. Go to the school board meeting, let them know we want a fair contract for our teachers and we want them back in school. My neighbors and I sat around the other day telling stories about the wonderful teachers our children have had over the years at Lower Salford. They deserve the best... they are more than educators to our children.
Please, contact the school board members... YOUR voice needs to be heard.

The teachers' union ALSO needs to come down from their demand/request of 8àThere's a lot of room between 2.5 nd 8Àbut movement HAS to be in both directions from both sides. Frankly, the school board needs to stand their ground and not give in to the completely unrelastic demand of 8 er year for 5 years. That amounts to something like a 53ncrease in payroll. It should be fairly obvious to anybody with half a brain that a business could not take on that large of a payroll expense increase and continue to be solvent & sustainable for the future. The only people being harmed by all this are the kids. The teachers will still make their full salary once they go back to school (even if it is on 9/24 and under non-binding arbitration), because they will still legally need to be able to complet 180 days of school. The school district employees are working, and therefore drawing a check. Yet my child is in a district-subsidized program run by the YMCA at her elementary school, and though I'm sure she's happy enough to be doing arts & crafts and playing games with the other kids there, they really ought to be in their respective classrooms at this point in the year. So let's go board & teachers. Roll up those sleeves, put on a pot of coffee and get your respective acts together, because the children of this community need and want for you to get back into your classrooms.

To repeat myself again, the ONLY winner in this mess is the non-negotiating chief negotiator that the school board has hired. He will do all he can to prolong this mess and feed it as best he can. It is his job...save the school board money so they can add to their surplus. After three weeks, on Sept. 24, he can take his big fat check and smile all the way to the bank! He does not care what damage to this community he leaves behind him. He is doing what the board hired him to do and that is to slander and defame the teachers in this community. Now that's a job one can feel good about!
We need to make a commitment to call the school board members and highly compensated administrators every single day until this contract is settled. They must be willing to negotiate the contract with our teachers.

Please do some research on Jeff Sultanik. His game is the same for every school district, his ultimate goal... to bill as many hours as possible while creating a rift in the community. Read the comments from the articles you find in your research. They are identical to what we are reading here about Souderton! Jeff Sultanik does NOT want this negotiation to end quickly because he will lose money from US, the taxpayers! Downingtown, West Chester, Council Rock, Colonial, Pottsgrove... the list goes on. He is worse than an ambulance chaser because he messes with the education of children and destroys communities in his wake without blinking an eyelash. Do NOT believe the propoganda that is being spewed by this spindoctor. His only agenda is to make more money for himself. A quick resolution will not benefit his bank account, therefore, he continues to lie to the media and pushes his twisted version of the truth. How can this community stand by and allow their tax dollars to continue to bleed into this man's wallet? Stop the infighting and DEMAND the school board who works for US fire Sultanik, settle a fair contract for our valued teachers, and get on with the education of our children.

None of the members of the SASD school board are up for election this year (their terms are listed on the district website). However, Bernie Curry's term as president is up in December. The members of the board vote for board president. Call, write, e-mail the other board members and express your dissatisfaction with Mr. Curry's performance as board president. Ask them to vote for another member for board president. Mr. Curry has no vested interest in maintaining the high quality school district we now have. He is only interested in making sure he doesn't have to pay for it. Make your voices heard! Let's make sure our teachers are never treated so disgracefully again!

The correct date of the school board meeting is Thursday September 13th. I incorrectly stated the date in an early post. Just make sure you are there. Tell both sides to negiate and settle this mess.

I respect your opinion but disagree.

Of 116 school districts that had to negotiate contracts this year, only two are on strike. That means that the current system of collective bargaining which includes the right to strike is working so far for 98.3 percent of the districts negotiating contracts this year.

Lets suppose HB 1369 is the law and we apply it to this situation. Both sides began negotiating last September according to the timetable set forth in the bill. It is September and there is still an impasse between the district and the teachers. The teachers must return to work. They are paid on a month-to-month contract under the last years pay scale. Where is the incentive for the district to settle the contract? They can procrastinate for years and in essence teacher salaries would be frozen. HB 1369 also forbids paying salaries retroactively, so it is the districts advantage to drag out the negotiations process as long as possible.

In addition, HB 1369 outlaws two things: strikes by teachers and lockouts by districts. That appears to be fair because each side is prohibited from doing something against the other. Teachers and organizers are penalized with specific fines two days pay per day of strike and $5000 for individuals inciting a strike. Those are hefty, specific fines. The districts would pay to the teachers a fine equal to the financial benefit the district derives from the lockout. That is open to interpretation- is it the money they save by not paying the teachers? Is it the interest on unpaid salaries? Do they derive any financial benefit at all from a lockout? It could be the money they saved by procrastinating and having salaries frozen but wait! They cannot pay salaries retroactively! Under this bill, there is no real penalty assessed on a board that is not negotiating in good faith.

For those reasons alone, I feel HB 1369 is bad legislation.

Back to the situation as it stands: a strike is the last legal recourse that teachers can take against an unfair contract offer from the board. It is a reaction taken against the boards inaction. You claim that you are neutral in this matter, yet your efforts are only directed at the teachers and their right to strike. You have never stated your opinion of the districts role in the matter.

The quickest way to end this scenario and get all of our children back in school is to contact the school board and ask them to improve their offer. There is a lot of room between 2.5 percent and 8.2 percent. In theory, it will be easier for you to influence nine local elected officials than the entire Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Rendell.

Great - she will work for $34,000 and then what? Is she supposed to never negotiate for a decent pay raise again? Teachers at Souderton started for low salaries as well - and then 15 years of being the lowest paid teachers on average in Montco, along with a Master's degree and 24 more graduate credits they have earned over several more years of schooling, they will peak for the rest of their career in what they can earn. So please do not try to paint your daughter as someone special. People work and they ask to be paid more money - that is what you do in America.

Check out the first 20 or so names and see how many millions are being spent for the people who never enter a classroom - go ahead and check out the MILLIONS! Oh right - these stats are 2 years old - add some double digit pay increaes (to adjust to competitive market of other local school districts) You would think with all of this money being spent - someone could negotiate a simple contract - will the real Superintendent please stand up...Click on the "salary" link to put them in order from top to bottom - http://php.app.com/PAteachers0607/results.php?County=Montgomery&LEAName=Souderton Area SD&LastName=&FirstName=&CertificatedAssignment1Desc=%&EducationLevelDescription=%&tfm_order=DESC&tfm_orderby=Salary

http://www.soudertonsd.org/district/board/BoardMinutes/SBMinutes11-8-07.pdf

Parents
Read page 10 of this PDF link from the SASD Website and the11/8/2007 Board minutes.

Classroom For the Future Grant-$415,000 in free technology (Laptops, smartboards, and LCD Projhectors) for the high school from the state of Pennsylvania and the vote was 7-1 to accept it. The only person to vote against was Benard Currie because the equipment would eventually be outdated and would have to be replaced. I did not believe it until I looked for myself and for that alone I lost all respect for him as a leasder in my child's school. I do not feel this man cares about my child and his rants about accountability hold no water. He is not accountable to all and for that I support my child's teachers. THey were going against a loaded gun from the start and I do not think Bernie cares how long it takes. I PLEAD WITH THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELVES AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT. This is a fiasco that you other 8 have the chance to fix. Cutting the insurance was deplorable and those of you with families have to think about the long term effects of this district. Negotiate in GOOD FAITH!! He is an ideologue who is willing to take you all down with him in his quest to cheapen public education in Souderton. Stand up already

Did your daughter apply to Souderton? My neighbor's daughter applied and was interviewed 3 times. She said the interviews are grueling. They want the BEST, demand the BEST, but aren't willng to pay their beginning teachers the BEST!!

Rose, read the long standing district policies. All questions must be directed to the president. That policy has been in effect since at least 1985.
It is a meeting held in public, not a public meeting. There is a difference.

If the SAEA is so open, why is there no way to contact them shown on their website, and why isn't the home phone number listed for the SAEA president as it is for the board members.

Quote whatever "Act" you choose ... something still stinks in Souderton! As long as our children aren't in class, the entire school district remains under a dark gray cloud.

I have been reading about the timeline of negotiations. I have read and heard comment regarding the way the SASB does not respect the mediator enough to "negotiate in good faith". At this point I do not believe that the SASB would have met any of the benchmarks in a no strike situation. The more I read the more I understand that the SASB is using the strike to save money. The insurance issue (or non-issue depending on your point of view) is a very strong indicator that the board has no intention of negotiating in good faith.

In a situation like this, did the Teachers have a choice? The public sounds like they have been trying to talk to the SASB, they aren't listening. There is money being spent by the SASB for a high priced solicitor and PR firm. Does this sound like a system of "accountability"?

The Teachers and the parents are being held hostage by the SASB, not the other way around. I can understand your frustration with the strike. I just don't think any reasonable method would work to move the SASB away from the personal agenda of Mr. Currie. In my opinion, the teachers are following the "no bullying" policy that seems to be in every school around the state How do we teach our children to stop a bully? Stand up to them.

To answer the question, I have been to Souderton Board meetings. Mr. Currie, the president, does not allow the board members to answer questions. In fact, the agenda says in writing that community members are not to ask board members questions. So, I have emailed all 9 board members and I have left phone messages which were NOT RETURNED. I have tried to express my opinion to my elected representatives. Only two of the board members even answered and that was on email. I think they must be afraid to speak to their constituents. Anyone in the community who wishes to talk to a member of the SAEA need only drive by a district school during the day. The board members are hiding and refusing to acknowledge the public. I urge EVERYONE, no matter which side you favor, to PLEASE attend the meeting on Thursday night. We can fire these board members by not voting for them. Please, come and see for yourself how they treat the public and the employees of the district.

Unfortunately, the coaches contract and the teacher's contract are two separate agreements. This was explained in a recent article. Our children would be back in school if the board would deny access to the practice fields. Instead, they are too busy planning on how to make the teachers look bad and make Sultanik richer

My daughter is a recent college graduate. She holds a bachelors degree in elementary education and special education. She cannot find employment in the public school sector. My daughter will be more than willing to take that $37,000 a year job.....as a matter of fact, she will do it for $34,000! Now how's that for negotiating

Of course we know they will get the same amount of days in school. Do you understand that to accomplish this calendar after losing 3 weeks, the students will have the absolute minimum breaks through their school year? Everyone needs breaks to re-energize. If your employer told you that due to someone else's dispute, you could no longer take vacations and holidays and had to work straight through for 9 months, would that be OK? Some of the days off were to be for parent-teacher conferences, how do we make that up? Force the teachers to work at night? What about election day when we keep the schools closed for security reasons? Now the schools will be in session with doors open to the general public to vote? These are all ramifications that some of you just haven't considered. It's another reason why strikes should be illegal and HB1369 should be passed.

http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com

I did not post to the school board, my intent is not to pick sides in THIS strike. I just want to hear from teachers as to why they believe a teacher strike is a necessary part of the process. If you took the time to read through HB1369, then you would have seen that they do not give up any of their other negotiation rights. The negotiation is open to the public with a specified timeline including milestones to be met by both sides. It simply makes STRIKES illegal and in doing so makes the whole process fairer to the teachers AND the taxpayers AND those who are most innocent - the children.

I'm resigned to the fact that this strike will not end until it goes to arbitration. I just cannot fathom why we must endure a 3 week strike just to check a box and enter the next stage.

Please, comment and explain to me why this legislation is bad?

http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com

To Taxpayer, Souderton- Suggest you read about The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.

Does everyone know that it is against the law for a hospital to deny "critical" treatment to anyone based on their ability to pay?
I guarantee the hospitals know it.
I'm afraid I have to call bullsh*t to that urban legend.

People in this section have been commenting about the teachers "stealing" their kids education. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania guarantees children 180 days. No matter how long the strike lasts or how late school starts, your child will get EXACTLY THE SAME amount of education that he/she is entitled too. If you don't believe this, call the Superintendent he can verify. A delay does not equal less!

I respect your point of view. The teachers have been on strike for four days. The strike is a reaction to the school board not negotiating in good faith for ninth months. Why did you not post an "open letter to the school board" and ask the nine members to do their job? Why not have a law in Pennsylvania that requires both sides to start talking a year before the contract expires, with critical deadlines that must be met before the situation gets this far?
It is frustrating that our children are not in school. Outlawing the ability to strike would not eliminate the core issue: the contract negotiations process. That is problem, not the right to strike.
BTW: The reason that Pennsylvania is the "strike capital" of the US is due to the way in which school districts are organized. There are 13,500 school districts in the US, 501 of which are in Pennsylvania. In Hawaii, the entire state is one school district. There was a strike there in 2001. It represented less the 1f the strikes in the US between 2000 and 2007, but affected 183,000 students- more than all the strikes in Pennsylvania combined.

I respect your point of view. The teachers have been on strike for four days. The strike is a reaction to the school board not negotiating in good faith for ninth months. Why did you not post an "open letter to the school board" and ask them to do their job? Why not have a law in Pennsylvania that requires both sides to start talking a year before the contract expires, with critical deadlines that must be met before the situation gets this far?
It is frustrating that our children are not in school. Outlawing the ability to strike would not eliminate the core issue: the contract negotiations process. That is problem, not the right to strike.
BTW: The reason that Pennsylvania is the "strike capital" of the US is due to the way in which school districts are organized. There are 13,500 school districts in the US, 501 of which are in Pennsylvania. In Hawaii, the entire state is one school district. There was a strike there in 2001. It represented less the 1f the strikes in the US between 2000 and 2007, but affected 183,000 students- more than all the strikes in Pennsylvania combined.

We can all disagree on this very sensitive issue...but one thing is certain: there is no reason Bill Curry and his school board had to terminate the teachers' health care benefits, thus putting teachers' children in danger.

Teachers can only strike for a few weeks. This will be resolved...most school districts choose not punish teachers' children in such a manner....this will only create years of resentment and cause more harm to the educational process than it had to.

I am against this strike, but I am now very much against Curry. He has to go.

Amount the board holds in reserve/surplus above what is required: >11 million dollars
The increase in your taxes needed to support a decent salary increase for teachers: $0
A fair and equitable contract for the good teachers of SASD and an end to this strike: PRICELESS.

Wow, looks like the good people from SASD have been pretty much fooled by their elected school board and non-negotiating "chief" negotiator! While your dedicated teachers were at school the last week of August working and preparing to teach your children (go check their rooms), assuming that the promised "good faith"negotiating was going to happen. This promise was given at a board meeting in front of teachers and community members. However, your school board was not in negotiation meetings but instead "planning and preparing" daycare for your children at $15/day per child! But hey, their kicking in an afternoon snack so your getting off cheap. Your trusted school board who obviously had no intent of "good faith" NEGOTIATING, decided it was time for their "chief" negotiator to do his best negotiating and it is not in a room sitting at a table with the teacher representatives. It is taking place in the media using his best smear tactics, as he spoon feeds the public slanderous lies about their teachers and their demands. It's laughable that he says he has never seen teachers want such a raise. Does anyone think his fees have gone up since his last negotiating visit to a school district? Do you think he is charging the district, you the taxpayers "a less than average" rate per hour? Do some research, you will find these same tactics and non-sense used in other districts who wanted to degrade and defame the character of their teachers, oh sorry, i meant "negotiate" with them. Wake up good people of Souderton! You are spending how much a day for childcare the school board "arranged" for you? The teachers are losing money each day and HAVE lost their insurance (canceled by your school board as of Sept.1 without required 30 day notice)again, DO THE RESEARCH! Go to www.saea.info! Your school board is adding big money to their $17 million surplus, and Mr. S is laughing all the way to the bank with his big fat check. You people are losing money, your blood pressure is rising, instead of teaching your children about "negotiations", your community is teaching them to disrespect and slander the teachers because they want an average starting salary for those coming in and a fair raise for the rest of them. Pray to God your child doesn't want to be a teacher. Wouldn't you hate for a community to turn on your own child the way you have treated these teachers! And the winner is? Mr. Jeffrey S! If you really want school to start, you would be calling your school board members, newly contracted (check out their raises)administrators, and demanding they not just keep putting the same offer on the table but actually NEGOTIATE with your teachers! SASD show some class!

Rest assured - the meeting will be moved. Maybe it can be held in the Indian Stadium? Oops, I forgot, that might interfere with a game practice. Teachers, while I support you - it is deplorable that you are continuing to coach and not teach! This muddies your waters.

The Souderton Area Education Foundation is holding their annual golf tournament on Monday. A just cause, undoubtedly. But what about a "Mulligan" for our children who are still waiting to start their first day of school.

Do you know that the Souderton School Board meets regularly in what they call an Exectuive Session to discuss personnel items? Behind closed doors. Smells a little bit like Upper Salford Township.

Please read. Visit http://nomoreteacherstrikes.blogspot.com/

I agree! The September 11th School Board Meeting should take place in an area that has sufficient parking and seating for all attendees. By the way, do the Board Members ever answer the questions they are asked during the public comments section of the meeting? I want to know when we will be getting answers to the questions that have been asked, starting with "How much taxpayer money is being wasted on Sultanik, who has no reason to present a fair contract proposal because if he ended the strike early, he would not get to charge the district for all of his stalling, I mean overtime?"

I heard the negotiations only lasted an hour. That didn't effect the sports did it?

RJ

I'm not saying that a teacher couldnt make more in the city. I know they could. My sons father works for a public school in Brooklyn. He also said that he would seriously not mind taking a pay cut to be in the suburbs not having to deal with the things that go on in the inner city. He spends more time being a babysitter, stopping fights that break out then actually being a teacher. Thats what I meant by my "going to work for a school in the city" comment, they dont have to deal with that stuff in Souderton, When was the last time there was a drive by at any of our schools. Or gang violence. And how is that sad that the city pays more? Last time I checked there is a thing called "city tax" taken out of your pay when you work in Philly.

But really RJ congrats on the new job!

I am glad you have a good job. I am sorry you don't make what a starting teacher does. Clearly, I can tell you two things. First of all , you don't know what you are talking about when it comes to tenure. A teacher does not lose their tenure when they move to another district. Second of all if you have your degree, you could have become a teacher. However, you would never have passed the writing assessment the district gives their teachers because I quickly counted at least 18 mistakes in your short, but incorrect comment. I am glad your company doesn't pay you MERIT PAY!

I strongly suggest that the school board find a larger venue for the September 11th school board meeting. There is now way the administration building will hold the number of upset parents, students yes they should be heard from, and tax payers that will attend and voice their opinions of the lack of true effort on either side to resolve the issues that have led to the division of this community. People we all need to be there and let each side know where you stand. You pay the taxes, your children attend these schools, you elected the school board, and you pay the teachers. Be there tell them in person what you have said here. Better yet camp out the night before at the administration building otherwise you may not get in.

I am so discouraged by the lack of effort on both sides to end the strike. At this point, our children need to come first. How do you explain this situation to a 7 year old boy who cries because he wants to be at his elementary school and not at a strike day camp at another school. There are always 2 sides to a story, but I can honestly say in my 14 years as a RN, BSN in a specialty unit I have on occasion received some 3.6-4aises but more frequently received 2.2-3.2aises- this past year 1.8à Two years ago, my health care cost went from $100 biweekly with a $20 copay to $138 biweekly with a $5000 deduction. My patient load increased, paperwork has increased all while upper management received far more of a raise then staff nurses (I work for a for profit company). I stay at my job because I like the patient's I care for and I like being part of this community. I hope that both sides can come to terms, just visit a household with some elementary school kids and you will know how wrong all of this is. Once again, how do you explain this to the tearful face of a 7 year old?

Nicole,

I thought you might like to know that an experienced teacher left Souderton this year because he could make more money in Philly. He is actually making about $15,000 more in Philly than in Souderton. That is just plain sad! So how much do you really know?

I dont give a damn that your the "lowest" paid in montgomery county. Out of 747 school districts you are the 55th HIGHEST PAID in the ENTIRE STATE OF PA. Seriously. 37k to start out with your first year is not bad. I have my degree. I'm in insurance, I have a really good job, but I don't come near that.

And your picketting teachers is a joke. You can tell that your the 55th highest paid teachers, because the teachers on the lower end of that pay scale WOULD BE out there day and night for their cause not at 230 on the dot when the 10 of you out there decide to go home.

And the working conditions? YOUR IN SOUDERTON. How bad can it be really. What is a cow from Mopac, or whatever its called now, going to get lose and give you Mad Cow disease? Go to a school in Philly, Camden, New York and see how GREAT you have it. Oh but you can't because you will lose your tenure and have to start at the low end of the pay scale. Hmm sounds like when I took a lower paying job (by $10,000) to actually improve my life in the ways that matter most, being home for my son at night. YOUR SICKENING.

Wendy, let me take a wild guess... you were once a member of the "Drama Club".

The Board has stated their current proposal includes a salary increase of 2.5 percent per year for 3 years. This only differs from their initial 5 year proposal in the length of the contract. Another issue that no one seems to be addressing is how the "working conditions," meaning the length of school day and number of days per year, also impacts the salaries. The teachers currently work 192 days that are 7.5 hours long. That comes to 1440 hours per year or 4320 hours over 3 years. Along with the 2.5 percent salary increase each year, the Board is asking the teachers to work 1560 hours in year one (195 x 8 hours), 1576 hours in year 2 (197 x 8 hours), and 1584 hours in year 3 (198 x 8 hours). That comes to a total of 4720 hours over 3 years or a 9.3 percent increase in hours worked. Bottom line the Boards current proposal of 2.5 percent increases each year, in combination with the increased hours that are part of their proposal, is actually a pay cut at the hourly wage rate for most of the teachers. How many of us would accept a wage cut lying down? Both sides need to get back to the table and work things out. If neither side is willing to move, then why wait for the strike to end on Sep 23? Lets just go to arbitration now and get an independent opinion. Although neither side will have to accept it, maybe it will bring them both closer to reality a little quicker.

As a resident and parent in the SASD, I am embarassed that our teachers are on strike. Many families move into this district because of the fine public education that is available here. This fine reputation is now hanging in jeopardy because a group of volunteer individuals (read School Board) have chosen not to negotiate fairly with their teachers. At what point in this process do the well-paid SASD administrators support their educators and tell the School Board they want their teachers back in the classooms?

I read all these comments and I just don't know how anyone could be on the side of the teachers. I'm sorry but the product the teachers are producing today has a lot to be desired, have you listened to our younger generation speak, I think the word "Like" is the only word in their vocabulary and from an experience a few years ago at an open house, if the teacher I listened to said "UM" one time, she said it no less than 50...I was astonished that this woman was teaching my child then to find out that she is making almost $60K...sorry, but I just can't say I'm on the teachers side on this one. How do the teachers think the parents are supposed to pay for their 8.2

I have a child with special needs. He has an IEP which is a legal contract with the SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district is not providing my son with his services. Why the heck can't I sue them for neglecting my child?

His teachers are wonderful. My son works hard but some things are hard for him to do. We work with him at home too. He has been treated with dignity, respect, humor and love by the special education staff. I love his teachers and they are like family. To see the way this district is treating its employees is SHAMEFUL. Shame on you, Bernie Currie! Shame on you, Jeffrey Sultanik! My son deserves better and you have let him down.

I am tired of reading that the Souderton School District doesn't have money. It appears they have money for want they want. Yes, I agree it was time for a new high school, but in a community that is described as "not having a tax base", did we have to spend 125 million dollars? In a district that is described as "not having a tax base, 98,000 dollars was found for our top administrators over the last 3 years. In a district that is described as "not having a tax base", we probably have the largest, fanciest, and most beautiful DISTRICT OFFICE. (with open office space)
Does the public know this same "poor district" has the money to hire a consultant to advise them how to schedule? It seems we need to start questioning their priorities!
Do you also realize the longer this strike goes on, the more bank deposits Mr. (I use that term loosely) Sultanic gets to make in his account. Hmmm....how quickly do you think he is to help get this settled.----not quickly---just look at his record.
We need to ban together and get the board to really look at what is important---OUR CHILDREN and the professionals who spend the most time with them.

As a parent of two children enrolled to be attending Oak Ridge Elementary in Souderton School district, I am beside my self that yet again negotiations between the teachers union and district school board has yielded no results. Meanwhile I scramble to find child care for my children who should be in school receiving what they are entitled to--an education. My taxes are paid for this year. I have to contribute toward my health insurance and my salary is less than the salaries of the teachers in the district. I am sure that my story is the same as other readers. The state of our economy is to blame for the inability for any employer to take a chance and provide employees with large cost of living increases. The teacher's union declined performance raises and with my experience with SASD teachers, the performance has be excellent--so what is the problem. I'll tell you. You are all dragging your feet and my sons are being shipped here and there and not receiving anything of what they are entitled to--an education. Please end the strike now!

If you want to talk about Amuso Does everyone know his contract terminates after this year? He works less than 4 years here and they are giving him health benefits until 2015. Make that Cabinet level Benefits!! I bet the teachers dont get that type of health coverage that they need to offer a better health plan. Can anyone tell me why the School Board is so generous to him and cant find any money for the teachers?!!! I guess the School Board needed a puppet until this contract is settled.

Another taxpayer,

How kind of you to want to put word in my mouth. Thanks, but no thanks. I have never said that I was against public education and I don't believe that I have ever mentioned the new high school in any of my posts. In fact, my children do attend public school so I guess that blows that theory out of the water.

The facts I present are exactly that, facts. Just because you don't agree with the information doesn't make it less true. A strike is a very emotional time for all parties involved but you need to control the emotion in order to look at the situation with clarity. The Strike-Free Education Act (HB 1369) is important as it will outlaw the type of action that is currently being forced upon the parents and taxpayers by the teachers union.

I feel that the boards offer is fair in light of the current economic situation and the information they have provided about aid ratios and ability to pay. If you can't see that the teachers demands are totally unrealistic for our community and the taxpayers in it, then I guess we agree to disagree.

I blame the school board, I really do. You don't have to sympathize with the teachers (which I do) to realize that certain members of this board have been deliberately provocative and downright nasty since this situation began. And, make no mistake, this began months ago. They passed a budget that would not allow them to pay even modest raises, the board broke their word and leaked negotiations details to the public, the board cancelled insurance, they refuse to acknowledge quality work their teachers give them. They are causing a rift in this community. If our schools perform better than average then why do we pay our teachers lower than average? Am I the ONLY one who has looked on the district's webpage and seen the Strike Updates juxtaposed with the outstanding PSSA results?

If the Board took a small amount of the reserve money--MY MONEY, YOUR MONEY--that they already took from us, and spent it on teachers instead of an attorney, there would be no strike. It never would have happened. And, so far the Board has remained silent behind the President. Do all 8 of the others really want to tear this community apart? They are so arrogant--I have called each one once and left messages, and I have emailed each one twice--and out of 24 contacts with my elected public officials, do you know how many responses I got? Three (and two were from the same board member). That's a LOUSY response rate--3/24. which is a 12.5í
DON'T VOTE FOR ANY OF THESE INCUMBENTS WHEN THEY RUN AGAIN.

Without fail, the tactics Mr. Sultanik has advised the Souderton Area School District to employ are following the same blueprints he has used in other school districts for which he acts as solicitor. The medical insurance was terminated, the school board has offered a fair proposal that suits the needs of the community, the union leadership has not done a good job of informing its members..blah, blah, blah. This is a systemic attempt to kill the teachers in the court of public opinion and it seems to be working very well thus far. Well surly hear of another contentious issue in the next few daysmaybe about the sports teams, maybe a threat to terminate positions, who knows. In any case, a contract has yet to be reached even though they started this process in January. Isnt one of the jobs for which this man is retained by the district to negotiate a contract? After 9 months? Id ask for my retainer fee to be refunded. Instead of fooling around, posturing, executing scare tactics, and giving cute names to the contract (LadiesandgentlemenI give you.The SASD Contract of Accountabilityta-da.give me a breakthis is also know simply as a contract) perhaps Mr. Sultanik should advise this school board tonegotiate. Please realize this man is very, very good at what he does. Unfortunately, hes a professional jerk.
Jane, Lower Salford

IT IS TIME THE TEACHERS STOP STEALING OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND GET BACK TO WORK. ASK FOR A REASONABLE CONTRACT AND STOP TRYING TO RIP OFF THE TAX PAYERS

Once again, the SASD website offers its intentionally inflammatory recount of what transpired at today's negotiations. The website refers to the School Board's proposal and the union's demands. This is nothing but a tactic used to fan the flames. Both the union and the school board have demands, or the union and the school board offer proposals. In any case, this may speak to the district's continued vilifications of its teachers and will forever change the way these teachers will interact with this administration. This situation is a community-wide embarrassment for all parties involved--teachers, administration, school board, parents, students....everyone. Although not one of us knows the real particulars of this situation (unless you are a board member, teacher, or district office employee), this seems to be a management (school district) problem indicated by the overwhelming vote to strike. No offense intended, but I doubt the SAEA president swayed that many members of the union to strike. These teachers willingly surrendered their paychecks (no--teachers do not get paid for the days they are not in school), have had their health insurance terminated (although it was spun differently, these teachers are not theoretically insured at this moment--a technicality, but uninsured is uninsured regardless of how Mr. Sultanik spins it), and have publicized themselves on the picket line. Should they be allowed to strike? That's open to opinion, but until legislation changes, they are within their right to do so. Instead of viciously attacking either or both sides, maintain your civility, educate yourselves with parties' propaganda, and encourage both sides to negotiate a contract that will entail concessions on both sides so the children and teachers can return to school and we can finally focus our attention other community events worthy of our attention.
Dave in Franconia
12

Even though I have a senior, it doesnt bother me that he is out of school for another 2 weeks, by law they have to go back to work if they like it or not. I don't agree with the (greedy) union's demands and I'm happy that the Board stood there ground. Keep up the good work Board members. The union and its members will eventually come down to Earth! If not, maybe they should go to work on another planet!

Reporter, HOW DARE YOU run that picture. That is an underage girl who is writing that on her windshield. I understand that it is opinion and open to interpretation. Please explain what a feacher is? If you print this, what else will you print? What else is open to interpretation? What if I write nuck figgers? How about puck the folice? When I get pulled over, will you help me explain? Maybe I could put it on my child's shirt and send her to school. My argument could be that it is simply open to interpretation. Is that all right? How would people interpret this? I would take a huge offense to that as well.

The information concerning COBRA can be found at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/cobraemployee.pdf.

COBRA states that the employer must inform the insurance company about an employee's status of employment within a 30-day period AFTER the qualifying event (in this case, the strike).

The union was set to strike at 7:00 AM on September 2nd (the first day of classes for students) IF there was no progress made at the September 1st bargaining session. The talks were fruitless and the teachers went on strike September 2nd. However, the insurance was canceled as of September 1st, one full day before the strike. The teachers were not on strike September 1st, therefore the earliest the insurance could have been canceled was the 2nd. Obviously, the district had no intention of negotiating in good faith, knew that they would not settle on the 1st, and canceled the insurance.

Teachers union members in Bristol will earn annual salary increases of 3.5 percent, 3.5 percent, 3 percent, and 3.5 percent between now and 2012, according to a contract the Bristol school board approved.
The labor agreement also calls for Bristol Borough Education Association members to increase their contribution to their health benefits

If we fight among ourselves, how will the board or teachers ever get anything done.

It is just as bad as Tracey Cole getting up to support the teachers because she is no longer a board member. I use to have more respect for her, before she became a lapdog for a public cause that will allow her a platform to run for reelection in the next election she has a seat open.

Get a hotel room and work like other UNIONS do. Lock them together till they work it out, not till you get annoyed. If teachers want to be in the classroom and the administors want to do what is in the community and taxpayers best intrest, sit there and work.

IF THIS MEDIATOR WAS WORTH A DAMN, THEY WOULD FIND SOME MIDDLE GROUND ON SOME PORTION OF THE CONTRACT.

Hell at this point you wait till September 23rd and we can continue to pay them at the same rate. People like to point out 80 some people were offered jobs and only 42 said yes? Wow, how wierd people took other jobs, I mean that never happens in any other job segment. I mean imagine people apply or interview for more then one teaching job.

One may ask why the SASD was able to find teachers to fill the vacancies this summer. The school board claims it is not a problem. Maybe the reason for that is a rather good reimbursement policy for people seeking certification and advanced degrees. This may be the best part of the old contract and the only part that compares
favorably with the top paid school districts. What happens when teachers have attained the certification and degrees? Do they seek positions in other districts?
Just another unanswered question among many others such as why are the administration pay raises always compared by the school board to other districts to rationalize their outlandish increases yet to do so for teachers is out of the question -
a dispicable double-standard!

The Souderton School Board cut the teachers' health care to strong arm the teachers. Apparently, a teacher's child needed critical medical services and was turned away by the hospital...and now the District will be facing a huge civil lawsuit.

I want accountability (ironic that I am posting this anonymously) from the district on who puts out these e-mail messages. All it does is further enrages the parents and taxpayers of the district. If you are going to put a slant on every single piece of correspondence, I would like to at least know who it's coming from.

Cut the crap and freakin' negotiate people. My kids are growing tired of their endless summer!

P.S. How do Charlie and Bernie stay awake during these meetings? I have never seen/heard anyone with such low energy before. I'm not just talking negotiation time either. This is for all of the board meetings. Show some enthusiasm man!

As a former student of the Souderton Area School District, I fully support the teachers as they attempt to get a fair and competitive contract. I had the most wonderful experiences and teachers through my thirteen years in the district. It has certainly not been the pay that has kept the staff here; it is their dedication to educating our future and seeing us grown into adults. I am proud to say that I am a well educated and successful young adult that attended the Souderton Area School District. I know that I would not be the person I am today without these amazing teachers.

Unfortunately the School Board did not deliver anything new to the teachers on Friday. In today's economy with inflation running at approximately 6 hus far this year, why would the teachers accept a 2.5ncrease? Their salaries should be compared to neighboring districts of similar size based upon both the residential and commercial growth that the SASD has seen over the past few years and the starting salaries are not in line. The brand new high school is testament to that growth. The initial salary should be increased by more than the average just to bring it in line with their peers (equity increase) of the same caliber and this will require roughly a 10ncrease BUT leave the higher salaries for more experienced teachers somewhere around 3Õange to keep with inflation. The area will not attract good teachers if it is not brought in line and that's what we require, or should demand, as a community. A comment was made that there is "little turnover" and this can be a two-edged sword. On one hand, we have experienced teachers (maybe) on the other hand we are continuing to employ teachers that may be just "settling and waiting tenure/retirement". It's the same dilemma all businesses face. None of this should come without accountability; however, and PSSA scores should not be the primary measurement. Some SASD scores have fallen but the school district hasn't done much to find out why. Perhaps more focus should be brought to learning styles and the teachers should be expected to teach to all styles. In the end, we want the best for the future of the Souderton Community and, unfortunately, everything has a cost.

Many of the comments here dealt with comparison of the teachers job to the real world. So I decided to compare my job to that of the teachers. I work in an office the a few years ago had a staff of eight to handle the workload, today there are three of us, and the workload has increased. This makes for a times a very stressful environment. The teachers face the stress of the requirements of the failed No Child Left Behind Act. My day starts at 6:30 AM and I usually do not get back home until 5:30 or 6:00 PM. There are many nights that I then log back on from home and do additional work. Teachers spend many nights performing additional work, grading papers, developing lessons plans. I deal with, customers, vendors, management and co-workers. Teachers deal with the diverse abilities and personalities of their students. I work with executives whose only concern is the bottom line, not the feasibility of the implementation. The teachers have to deal with a school president who seems to have forgotten that the seat he holds is an elected seat not a throne of royal bloodline. Seeing the many parallels I decided to inform my manager that I wanted a 9ncrease each of the next 4 years. As I said earlier the job is very stressful at times. So when I asked for this increase at least the rolling on the floor laughing relieved someones stress level.

One hour of talks since this strike started ! Just enough time for a cold drink after hours of picketing and for the other side a drink from the carafe of Bernies Kool-Aid. Teachers get you demands on a level of feasibility and reality ! School Board negotiate in good faith and both of you get our kids back in school.

GIVE US A BREAK UNION & BOARD. YOU'VE HAD 3 1/2 DAYS TO COME UP WITH SOME NEW FIGURES IN THIS "NEGOTIATION" PROCESS. THE MEDIATOR MIGHT AS WELL PULL SOME NUMBERS OUT OF A HAT. IT WOULD DEFINATELY BE MORE PRODUCTIVE.
ALL STUDENTS, BUT ESPECIALLY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, NEED TO GET BACK INTO SCHOOL NOT ONLY FOR ACADEMICS BUT FOR THEIR SPEECH, OT & PT THERAPIES THEY ARE MISSING.
IS THIS THE LONGEST SUMMER EVER!!!!!!!!

Remember when you were a teacher? I do. You were great. Now you have sold your soul and are destroying the district and community. You don't need the money, but many of us do. Stop pleasing the Board and stand up. Lord knows Charlie is sitting back waiting to retire. That's another thing... after a "nationwide" search, we hire a superintendent from Boyertown in the twilight of his career. A puppet.

Jeffrey Sultanik works for at least 10 districts. $25,000 a year strictly as a retainer fee plus 175-225 per hour to bargain, etc... Wow, 25k just to have you show up for 2 meetings a month and answer a few questions here and there. Oh yeah, selling your soul. Enjoy the afterlife Jeffrey!

It starts with Board President Bernie Currie. As a resident of this community I am pleading with the other members of the board to stand up and do what is right by the students of this district!!!! You were elected too and the sooner you go around Mr. Currie to get this done then the sooner we can have our community back. He is destroying our district and I for one will not forget this at election time.

Are you kidding...they met for one hour, then the meeting was suspended...what, was it lunchtime ? It would be nice to know that our children are worth an hour when it comes to settling this fiasco....

Local Board Procedures, Membership, Section 2 "Qualifications," point a: "S/He shall be of good, moral character....."
Does every member who sits on the board meet this qualification? If not, regardless of their public election to the board, their status as a board member is in direct violation of board policy. Who evaluates this? What is the criteria? Perhaps an immediate removal of anyone who is not of good moral character is necessary to solve the contract situation that has gripped this community. It's time to negotiate a fair contract with both sides willing to give and take and engage in true bargaining.

Barbara C and Darth Nancy

I agree with both of you and I think it's wonderful that you are voicing your opinions on this site. It is my hope that you are also letting the SASD board and adminstrators know your thoughts. They need to hear from all of us. So, if you have not yet let your opinions be told to them, I encourage you to do so and do so today. We need to continue to support our teachers and stand up for ourselves as residents of this fine community.

As a teacher in another district, we hope that you get what you deserve. As a taxpayer in Souderton, I DEMAND that the Board spend money on my child. As of right now, in this economic 'clutch,' our Board has raked in 3, 5, and 7 MILLION DOLLARS over a 3 year span. And that is after buying a high school. My money and your money are sitting in their bank account, doing nothing (except collecting interest). You may not agree with either side, but to me, this is the largest problem. YOU HAVE MY MONEY. SPEND IT ON OUR CHILDREN OR GIVE IT BACK!

I have an admission. When I first began hearing about all of this, I was purely against the teacher's union. Another strike in the news, another bunch of greedy teachers. I read the board's information and it made me even more angry. I have children in school now and one who passed through SASD. We had some amazing teachers, including my child's fourth grade teacher who really turned his shy and meek personality and taught him to laugh at himself. He is now assertive and confident, and you ask him, and he always gives credit to Mr. ---. That being said, I bgean to wonder. Maybe they aren't so bad. Maybe the teachers have a point.

I did some research. I attended the last board meeting. I began to read both sides. I can honestly say, do not believe the news and propaganda. I do not believe everything from either side. But I am swayed towards the teachers. Look at both sides. Make a real decision. But let me say this. The information that the teachers are providing is directly from pde.org. The information from the Board is from the Board. You do the math. The website provided by the association is www.saea.info. The board is www.soudertonsd.org.

Dave, your rants are second only to republican_bob. I love reading what you write. Maybe you and I could get together and put together a gun rack, or maybe I could help you get the Confederate flag across your pickup truck's window. Hopefully, it has a bench seat so I can sit right next to you. I want to look through your scrapbook which chronicles the rise and many victories of George Bush. I happen to know a lot of great Spam recipes, some call for chewing tobacoo and Pabst Blue Ribbon, so we are good to go.

You blog. A lot. Enough is enough. Why not spend some time volunteering in your community? Try volunteering in a school. You are an awful person. Just the worst kind. We can only hope that the next time you and Bernie are making out that a meteor crushes both of you.

Dave- I know for a fact it was 45 new teachers signing contracts. 45 new teachers who are union members that are getting that awful starting salary after putting out for Praxis tests, Clearances, FBI checks, and continuing credits that all together costs them between 1000-5000 dollars in expenses. But the real fun comes here, listen closely Dave cause I've checked my facts. They actually told 85 teachers at some point this summer that they had a job in the district. 40 OF THEM SAID NO THANKS, I'll go elsewhere. Dave you are correct that some of the teachers in the district changed responsibilities but get a clue, the teachers we have in this district are folks that come and stay because they love the community and the kids. They've dealt with terrible pay year in and year out, for the kids. Now finally something is being done about it. Show your support for our teachers Dave instead of your support for the weasel SULTANIC and the board he represents.
You and the rest of the community are being duped by him and it's sad to see. This whole insurance thing is the weasel at work. They cut the insurance on MONDAY. MONDAY folks. Terminated, FINISHED, no more. How did the teachers find out? When they went to the doctor and were told theyre uninsured!! That shows good faith bargaining. The DISTRICT really expected to come out of Monday with a contract agreement? No they didn't it was another Sultanic lie. Don't hold your breath that anything would come out of today, because with him running the show, there is no compromise! And my bet is it will be spun in the media something like, the teachers brought a proposal that was completely out of the question, unconscionable, and we could not accept their proposal. LIES.
Support your teachers. They are the finest group of hardworking, enthusiastic and loving individuals. Realize how lucky you are to have this group that worked for less for so many years. I know they're great because I live with one. I see what she goes through day in and day out. Work comes home with you. SUPPORT YOUR TEACERS!

40 positions were filled. That is not the same as earning tenure. Mr. Currie will do anything to advance his agenda and teh minute he is gone then this mess will get settled. He does not care about this community and accountable is code for only people with no children. THe other 8 members are even more shameful for not standing up to him. Think for yourselves and this will get DONE!!!

You will get second best in this community if you keep pretending that you can get something for nothing. This is not 1987 and the sooner this community sees Mr. Curries motives (blasting us back to the stone age) the sooner these two sides will talk. Mr. Currie needs to be removed from the table or this will drag int o next year becuase the other members are scared of him.

If the schools are shut down right now, and there doesn't seem to be much going on with any real negotiating - what are all of the $100,000 plus administrators doing right now? Tell them to go home until this is settled. Why should we be wasting any of our tax dollars? We are probably spending over $30,000 a day to have them sit around and talk? What are secretaries doing? send them home to. If we did all this we could probably lower our taxes.

Jobless rate soars to 6.1ÚUnemployment surges to 5-year high as employers cut workers for eighth straight month, bringing '08 job losses to 605,000.
AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO STRIKE........

Every teacher has a contract. Whether it is for a year or the term of the entire contract. Regardless, why did Souderton have 42 contracts to offer?

Perhaps the reason that the SASD listed Saturdays, Sundays, and the 4th of July is because they wanted to avoid people starting rumors. I wouldn't put it past someone to start a rumor that the kids may have to go to schools on Saturdays & the 4th of July. So, instead of having to fight those rumors, the SASD put out a statement saying that in no way would those days be used for make-up days.

Steph, Youll have to double check but I thought that some, if not most of those contracts were for teachers who had completed a sort of probationary period. And they were now receiving regular contracts.

"Despite rumors to the contrary, no members of the Souderton Area Education Association (SAEA) have lost or will lose their health insurance coverage during the current work stoppage, school district negotiator Jeffrey Sultanik said Thursday."

VS

"Even though the insurance plan has technically been terminated"

WHICH IS IT? You say the teachers have insurance and then later in the article you are stating that their insurance has been terminated. It is my understanding that employees are to be given written notification prior to termination. Was that done? NO. Shame on the board, the administration and Mr. Sultanik. Stop playing dirty and stand up and bargain in good faith. You've had since January to fix this mess and yet look where things are. The children of SASD deserve the best in education. The teachers in the district are outstanding. The district needs to stand up for their teachers and treat them fairly. Stop making everything into a publicity stunt and get out there and get the job done!

Careful reader, is telling the truth is a lie?
Prior to the article, how many people in the district knew that those days couldnt be used to make up school?

I find it sickening that the school board and teacher's union are allowing ANY sports to continue in the Souderton district. Is Souderton an athletic club or a school district supposedly educating our children? If there is no school, then there should be nothing taking place at the schools. Get the school board and union in a room somewhere and do not come out until there is an agreement. Shame on Dr. Amuso and the school board for allowing sports to continue in the light of this situation. Kids belong in school, not playing sports. Please get this contract settled today.
-Mother of 2 in Telford

I wonder why someone chastised a post about lies--the school board certainly did lie, if you consider a deliberate deception a lie, which i do. See, they tell everyone they won't hold school on Sat or Sun, or the 4th of July, and there was no reason to include those days/date because it is ILLEGAL to have school on them. They are inflaming and deceiving, which to me is a lie so I agree with the lady who posted.

If Souderton has no problem retaining teachers (Curry's words), why did he have to sign 42 new contracts????

The Intelligencer reflection of seven teachers at the bottom is incorrect. The school board president himself stated that he just signed 42 new contracts. Over 360 teachers employed in the district are below the top step, and therefore earning the lowest salary--at their step--in Montgomery County. You can see in their old contract--it's floating around somewhere on the internet--it takes a teacher nine years of service, plus a Master's degree, PLUS 24 post graduate credits to even break $60,000.

Dave,

Thank you for clarifying that you are clearly against publically educating my child. All of you taking this kooks advice just read what he wrote. This is nothing more then him hating public education and that new high school. Instead of you long winded comparisions how about you just say I am angry over the new school and I feel that since I cannot fight a big hulking building that the next best thing is your kid's teacher.

Jim,

Did you know that Pennsylvania is tops in the country? Thats right, we are number one!! Thanks to teachers who have lost sight of the true goal of our education system, Pennsylvania leads the country in teachers strikes. from 2000 to 2007, the PSEA has been responsible for 60 percent of all strikes nationwide. In the past two years alone over 70,000 Pennsylvania students have been affected by strikes. Doesn't that just make you proud? (not)

You obviously haven't been listening or reading anything from the school board so I understand if you views are a bit one sided. I grew up in a family of teachers so I know boths sides of the fence.

As the school board has stated, aid ratios plays a big part of a school districts ability to pay teachers salaries. Souderton doesn't have the luxury of having a huge corporation such as Merke residing in it's district to help lessen the tax burden placed on homeowners. Comparable school districts by aid ratio are Perkiomen Valley and Spring-Ford, which pay maximum teacher salaries of $86,090 and $89,100 respectively. Based on these comparisons, our teachers are paid accordingly.

You must remember that by paying taxes to fund their salaries, the taxpayers are the the teachers employers. Closed door negotiations that conceal information from the taxpayers do no good for any of the parties involved and that is why the Strike-Free Education Act (HB 1369) is being sponsered by state representative Todd Rock. This bill would makes strikes illegal in the state of Pennsylvania just as they is in 37 other states. If would also facilitate getting contract completed which are fair to all parties involved.

Contrary to what many teachers think, public education does not exist for the benefit of PSEA and SAEA union members or school boards. It exists for the benefit of our children. (a fact that the teachers union forgot some time ago)

I urge all concerned taxpayers to learn how they can support this bill by viewing information found at http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=New_Legislation

No, I'm not a member of the board. my name is Dave and I live in Telford. I do however support this board because, unlike the old board which is responsable for the new school, they have stated that they have a responsibilty to ALL residents. Not just the ones that are part of the "school community". Which is nice since the opinions of those without children in school had been dismissed by some of the old board.

If the board did something illegal in regards to the insurance, please cite a reference were I can find the law on it and if you're right i won't defend them. It's not enough evidence for me if the accusation is only based on what the union says.
I have no reason to believe the union has been honest with the residents on other issues. Take the $17 million in the Fund Balance for example. When the union first mentioned this it was done as though they had discovered money that the board was hiding. Anyone who has attended meetings regularly has known this existed as it has come up in discussions. The intended purposes have also been known. It was no big secret.
The union first claimed that this was a "surplus" and also claimed that "The teachers proposal does not require an increase in taxes."
That was false, look at the first proposal,48ver five years. If you just do a basic number crunching of the specific percentages for each year, it would require about $46 million to fund the increases over the five years. That's a little bit more than 17.
Even the current proposal 8.2 er year for four years would require over $26 million in addtiional funding. Again, more than 17.
The union is still claiming that this could be used without raising taxes. At the same time on its website it claims that to pay for the other projects " The board can raise more than enough money through the issuance of debt, like a mortgage."
Well that would mean a tax increase, would it not?
It's just robbing Peter to pay Paul. And then having a tax increase to pay Peter.


Another thing, the union also complains about the raises the Administration recieved. I didn't agree with it either, but where were a couple of hundred teachers the night the board voted on it. I was at that meeting and I didn't see them there as concerned members of the public. In fact there were only a few members of the public there.

I've read complaints from the union about not having enough teaching supplies in the classrooms. Where was the union when the old board was spending millions on the extras for the new school. For example $220,000 to make the windows "operable". Even though the HVAC design was such that they served no practical purpose. I'd bet $220,000 would have bought a lot of stuff for the classrooms. So where were the teachers?
Here's the real kick in the pants. One way the old board supported it design of the school was with the results of 2 surveys. One a community and the other a staff survey. The results of the staff survey showed much support for the old boards ideas.
And it also showed that 60f the respondents didn't even reside in the district.
So they weren't even paying for it, just helping to stick us with big tax bills.

Personally, I think this "school community" (Boards, administrators, teachers and small special interest groups) have plundered the taxpayers enough. And I'm sure that many taxpayers in the district, who's universe doesn't revolve around the school system, have basic needs that they are struggling to meet.
So those in the "school community" can just suck it up for awhile as far as I'm concerned.

According to the Intelligencer, only about seven teachers in the SASD are making the starting salary at the low end of the pay scale. Seven. And somewhere in the neighborhood of two-hundred teachers in the SASD are making the salary at the high end of the pay scale. That tells me that the SASD has a great retention rate, and clearly, it must be an ok place to work, since educators are hanging in there, and working their way up the educational totem pole. Here's the deal folks, you have to start somewhere, and $36K 90f your benefits paid for you right out of college isn't such a bad deal, and if you stick around, you'll see your salary increase. You can make a nice life for yourself in Souderton on $36K! If this strike continues until September 23rd, I will have spent over $260 on childcare for my oldest. $260 that this single, working mom can surely use for groceries, bills and gas. We're all feeling the squeeze, but some of us much more than others. And another thing, there are hardly any teachers walking the picket lines in the afternoon. Where y'all going? Sun too hot? You'd be nice & comfortable in your air conditioned classrooms if you'd just take the 2 1/2 nd get back to work as soon as possible.
www.thepiesafe.blogspot.com

Dear Dave in Souderton and Others,

Here are some facts. The school board, school district, and Jeff Sultanik did in fact break a federal law when they terminated the teachers' health insurance without notification. Under federal law, employers must give 30 days notice to employees of the termination. The teachers were NOT notified and only found out about the lack of coverage when a chronically ill teacher sought treatment. Mr. Sultanik clearly knows his way around the law, and is now trying to cover up the facts. How the school board members can sleep at night with that blood on their hands is beyond me.

Further--Yes, it is true that the teacher's low starting salary is low because of the union dispersement over the last contract. However, imagine if the starting salary were higher, and the salary scale were smoothed out with no large jump step. You and your school board friends would be unable to state that the top salary was one of the highest in the area. Souderton teachers at the top would be way below other school districts. Souderton teachers at the top are only asking for cost of living raise. The rest of percentage raise would be dedicated to raising the starting salary and helping to begin smooth out the salary schedule. The fact remains that Souderton teachers are underpaid. Not compared to blue collar workers. Not compared to other industry. Compared to other TEACHERS. That is the way of the world. We compare our salaries to others in our profession.

Thought we might like to know some FACTS. Thank you for your time.

Dave,

You are either a member of the board being dishonest or a hatchetman for Bernie (because the rest of the elcted board obviously cannot or will not think for themselves. What is it? Let the negotiations go on fairly if at all (depending on your people) or come out with your real name. They cut their benefits before the strike and that is fact. 9/1/2008 is the date Ameri-health is giving the people as the cut off and you can pose no possible defense for that.

Hey "Bored with Souderton" watch your time. You've got to be on the picket line bright and early tomorrow.

Mr. Lee,

My post was in fact accurate and made to drive home the point that the teachers cannnot complain about the low starting salaries when they in fact were the reason the starting salaries are so low.

My friend that works in Souderton just told me that there insurance was terminated before the negotiations even started on Monday. Hmmmm??? Do you think that the school board knew there Monday offer would be rejected??? How can they terminate insurance before the union even had a chance to negotiate? Pretty sketchy stuff!?!?!?!

Hey Dave (in Telford)...
Do Bernie and Mr. Sultanik like to spoon you in bed? Can't wait to see how your negotiations turn out tomorrow.

I am the mother of a special needs child with an educational diagnosis of autism/pervasive developmental disorder. The skyâs the limit when they receive therapies/education in a continuous, predictable and structured environment. These same kids often qualify for extended school years because, without the constant reinforcement of skills received in the school environment, they may lose those skills they worked on (this is also called regressing).

These kids are striving to someday lead an independent life. They are some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community. For their sakes, I ask the board and the union to please be civil and negotiate.

Thank you.

The school board DID cut teachers' benefits yesterday. I read a pregant teacher with complications couldn't get care because the school board cut her insurance.

I seriously doubt Mr. Sultanik would allow the district to do anything illegal.
As far as "immoral, unethical, and irresponsible" goes, it can't be any worse than screwing over the kids in a strike over outragous demands made on the taxpayers.
Quit crying and get back to work.

First, read the update to this ongoing story about the insurance issue. No one is losing anything. Second, how can you say the teacher's knew their medical coverage would not continue during the strike but say they were not told it was going to terminate? They knew they were striking, therefore they knew their coverage was going to be affected. The strike notification was given on Friday August 29. The union SAID THEY WOULD STRIKE if settlement was not reached at the Sept 1 meeting. So obviously, after the meeting concluded, the strike was on and the coverage as it existed was terminated.

So did the union explain this ramification prior to taking the strike vote? If they did, then the teachers knew it would happen. If they did not, who's fault is it?

And again, the insurance is CHANGED, not TERMINATED. Really, people, read before posting rumors generated from either side. The only thing immoral, unethical and irresponsible is the strike itself - and for that we need to blame Harrisburg. Yes, Harrisburg including Gov Rendell and the political party that will not make teacher strikes illegal.

It's not the no insurance that is the problem. The teachers fully understand that while they are not working, their medical coverage would not continue. The problem is that the district terminated the health care coverage September 1. For those of you keeping up with this situation, you realize that September 1 was the last day of negotiations - the day BEFORE the strike went into effect. The problem is that the district provided NO notice to the teachers that termination occurred, and in doing so, broke federal law. Not only is it illegal, it is immoral, unethical, and irresponsible. That alone is a clear sign as to the school board's intentions throughout this unfortunate matter. They have lied to the public from the beginning and will continue to do so.

So the Board announcing that Sat./ Sun. will not be used for make-up days, makes them "liars" exactly how?

I'm begining to think that some of you people are taking advantage of the strike, making political hay by blaming everything on Mr.Currie. You're not friends of a certain "former" school board member are you?

You are a monster along with Bernie and his lap dogs. They have not put your kids in any physical danger. The other members of this board with families should look at this mess with their eyes and not Bernie's. You we ELECTED TOO!!!!!

I dont feel sorry for them dropping the coverage at all. They are not doing there job! If i dont go to work for 3 days I'm not only fired but I lose my health insurance. What really makes them better? The minute they put 6900 kids hostage to their antics I gave up caring about their families. The minute I have to reach in my pocket to find emergency daycare for my son based on their actions is the minute I dont care if they have to reach in their pocket for emergency doctors visits.

The school board just announced which days will NOT be used as makeup days. They list on their website "Saturdays and Sundays" and "July 4th". Parents, they are trying to scare you by lying! State Law FORBIDS districts from having classes on sat/sun, and also state law requires the school year to end by June 30th. Those lies are so obvious and easy to prove, it just shows me what I have felt all along--this strike is the fault of Bernie Currie and the Board, who do not care that they are destroying a wonderful school district. That information is a flat out LIE meant to scare you--but then, Republicans are the masters of scare tactics.

This entire situation is entirely the fault of the School Board. They are the body that voted in a 0udget last spring when they had three new contracts to negotiate. Plus, they refused to bargain in good faith. If you are as frustrated as I am, remember, it's easy to say "let's fire all the teachers" but in reality, we CAN FIRE THE SCHOOL BOARD! Email them, call them, let them know you will not vote for anyone who doesn't work hard on BEHALF of the STUDENTS and get down to work and settle this contract!!

Oh, and to clarify, it is not true that the union hires the mediator. The state employs the mediator and she was not hired by the SAEA.

Say what you will but what the district did was illegal and benefits had to be reinstated right away or this mess was going to Federal Court. I do not see how that helps the siutation between the two sides and furthermore why not tell them and their families? That could have led to some major liability issues which would have inflamed this mess more, I do not see the point.
I

Where are all the teachers???? Hmmm, shouldn't everyone of them be out there picketing if they believe in the cause. How many teachers are there...close to 500...driving by I certainly don't see 500 teachers out there picketing. Each and every one of them should be out there from 7 am until 4:30 pm if they don't want to be in school teaching our kids. Oh and by the way...how many teachers fear the fact of losing their job by having it sent off shore...the rest of live with that everyday in today's economy, I guess that's the difference between the teachers and the rest of us, we're just grateful for whatever we're given because at least we have a job. It's sad that the teachers are only thinking about themselves and not about the kids and the parents.

Yes, it is a terrible hardship to not have insurance. But is there a signed contract somewhere that I don't know about? The union chose NOT to extend the contract and work while negotiating. To me, that means they are so sure of their position they are willing to sacrifice to get it. But what sacrifice are they making? They will still get paid for these days and I guess the labor laws designed to keep the unions in power force the district to pay for their benefits even out of contract. Nope, they just want the parents and students to do all the sacrificing. How fair is that?

Bottom line - the teacher's should not be striking, but our laws let them do it and tear apart our community without any sacrifice on their part. Vote for leaders that will make teacher strikes illegal next time you visit the election booth. That's the only way to end this nonsense.

Come on folks we all know the deal ask for the 9 percent pay raise, but hoping for to settle for 5 percent. People do it all the time ask for more than negotiate for middle ground. I think the strike is a disgrace, and I think the union is offbase. I am glad that not all the teachers voted to strike. Look at some of the union salaries and for what?

http://stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=Union_Golf

They dropped the insurance without telling people. There are people with babies and children. Regardless of what you think of their parents this is not legal let alone moral. There is nothing more disgusting that they could have done and I am ashamed.Call them what you will for their demands, but their well being should never be put into question. Thank you Mr. Currie for letting some of us see the light, your actions are dispicable.

To STOP PENNSYLVANIA TEACHES FROM EVER HOLDING STUDENTS AND PARENTS HOSTAGE AGAIN CLICK HERE....http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=120,000_Salaries#faq0

http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=120,000_Salaries#faq0

To resolve the issue of Teachers striking inn PA once and for all click here!
http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=120,000_Salaries#faq0

The school board broke a federal labor law late yesterday and dropped all the teachers from their health coverage. Of course, almost immediately, attorneys got involved and forced the district to reinstate it, but this gives you some insight into just how cutthroat this board is. Please keep in mind, these teachers have families. They have husbands, wives, and children. Some of them are sick and need a doctor's care. It's sad that the school board is willing to actually play with people's lives on DAY 2 of this strike.

The School Board has canceled teachers' health care insurance, putting those with children needing medical attention in grave danger.

I am all for paying teachers well. My kids have had some of the best teachers. I think that their are very few thinking of the kids, simply they just want to be in school. This issue should of been taken care long ago. With the prices of everything going, loss of jobs. If you have a job I think you should count yourselves lucky. A teacher becomes a teacher because they have a love for teaching children ok lets go and get back to what is really important!!!!

as a tax payer i must say this is crazy. souderton high's school teachers have it pretty well. $37000 to start for working less then 10 months with paid holidays, sick time, vaca, and insurance. i should have been a teacher! welcome to the real world.

Al P.,
If you would like me to believe that the union is being accurate about things please explain this. Regarding the first union salary demand. The SAEA Community Information flyer stated "The teacher's proposal does not require an increase in taxes".
If so, how was it to be funded?

The union leadership directed the teachers to work in good faith this summer.
Dave, as I have said before, it's not the union that's stalling, it's the board.
The union has wanted to serve the community since the beginning.
They have been begging for a contract since January, or even before.

I like how many people on here can honestly say that this board cares about students. Bernie Currie has been waiting for this day for 20 years and he has no problem tearing this great school district to pieces. He fought as a citizen for a new school 20 years ago only to have to build a 125 million school now. He has no dog in this fight other then he feels public education is a drain on society and the other 8 members should be ashamed that they are following his lead. Remember this is the same man who voted against smart boards, laptops, and projectors for the high school that were part of a state grant. Yes grant meaning FREE..his reason the technology would have to be replaced in the future??? What is that? That is far from accountable. Read November 8th minutes http://www.soudertonsd.org/district/board/BoardMinutes/SBMinutes11-8-07.pdf

With that being said this fiasco needs to be settled. Mr. Currie, the union, and the 8 other suppossed members of this board. Negotiate!!!! To those of you who want to fire all the teachers...I dare you because these "monsters" are the ones who helped build this district along with great students and families and the harm that would do would haunt this district forever. Both sides sound unreasonable because they are not talking and the sooner they get down to it the better off this whole community will be.

I'm sure they did, but it's something they might want to take up with their leadership.
The union had no problems before June. Both sides were awaiting the report on health care insurance.
It was at the June 5 board meeting, after it recieved the report, that the union complained about problems with the way negotiations were going.
Remember, the union hired a Uniserv rep to negotiate for them, but Uniserv reportedly won't meet without the state mediator. There's one for the county. So negotiations have to be worked around the schedules of the Uniserv rep and the state mediator.
There seems to be a lot of questionable info comming from the union.
I think the teachers need to start asking questions of their union leadership. Just to insure that it is their interests being served here. And that they're not withholding education from the children and pounding the pavement in order to advance someone's state wide agenda.

The idea that Souderton's veteran teachers took the money in the last contract rather than boost the starting salary is probably true BUT ,if they didn't,try to imagine what the argument would now be. The veteran teachers would all be the lowest paid in the area (possibly with the exception of Perk Valley?). The bottom line is that more money must be spent to give the SASD teachers a mid range salary with neighboring districts. More money and a higher han was given in the past is the only way to fix the "problem." If administrators receive big aises to keep pace with surrounding districts, why not teachers? An answer from the School Board on this question would be greatly appreciated.

Always haul out the kids. You can't discuss this like adults. You bring out the kids who understand nothing about taxes and what this does to the taxpayers. You went out on strike. You want and want more. Where do I go to get your kind of raises. You deserve no respect. You don't respect the children to be there to teach them. You get all of your pay when this is over. You don't lose one single penny. Don't like the pay move to another district. Oh that's right teachers jobs are hard to find. Because they get the jobs and never quit.

for those of you who may have forgotten...
At the end of the school year, the board PROMISED to negotiate all summer and in turn, the teachers and professional staff worked all summer (summer camps, extended school year services, evaluations). The board lied.
So, to those of you who think the teachers walked out on the kids, it's not the teachers. It's the board. The teachers tried to work in good faith for the children of the community ALL summer long. See how far that got them.
You need to rally around the teachers and help get them back to work. They've tried to get a contract since January, January folks.

WHY IS IT THAT ADULTS ALWAYS END UP HURTING THE KIDS! THEY HAD ALL SUMMER ! NOW KINDERGARTEN KIDS DON'T UNDERSTAND ,SENIORS ARE DENIED A GREAT YEAR, SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITYS TO ATHLETES OUT THE DOOR, I SAY TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET NOW, OVER THE YEARS DISCUSS OTHER OPTIONS WHEN ECONOMIC TIMES GET BETTER THATS A COMPROMISE NOT A PUNISHMENT TO THE KIDS THERES ALOT OF COLLEGE GRADS OUT THERE IN EDUCATION LOOKING FOR JOBS. SO BE GRATEFUL YOU HAVE ONE!!!!

The negotiations can now only be set by the state mediator. Guess who hired the state mediator? The union.

The board wanted to meet over the entire labor day weekend, but could not. We are now at the mercy of the state mediator's schedule. This strike has been targetted by the union (and the state teacher's union) since spring. Make no mistake, we are victims of the strongest union in PA.

Why can't we make it illegal for strikes in PA? Because the bills that would prevent it are not allowed out of committee meetings in the legislature. Ask yourself who controls the legislature and the governor's seat. Remember this at election time if you think teacher strikes should be illegal.

Wouldn't it be nice to force both sides to arbitration now since they are so far apart? Well, the existing law says you have to let the union go on strike and destroy the community first then the DOE will step in. Who thinks that's OK?

We reap what we sow. Remember this at election time, I will.

So I guess we want to pay what Council Rock and North Penn earn, not because we can afford to, but because the union demands it.

I don't know about anyone else, but if the teachers continue to just let the Union speak for them, they may continue to lose face. Releasing the Unions contract details does nothing more then show the 9 percent increase is only 1 year. The others are just 5 percent and 6 percent. That is obviously so much better, right?

By the way...Is Souderton hiring teachers? I mean with the job force the way it is, maybe some of those with experience training, or teaching in the business world maybe able to use the work offered by the school district. With the medical and salary of 37,000 a year to start is a pretty nice salary for a college grad starting out. No wonder their counterparts in the business world have no concept of starting salaries in a regular business market.

So day 2 of the three week strike. It looks like we are in for the long haul, so along with the kids enjoying the extended summer, I expect each teacher will walk those picket lines 7.5 hours a day... I mean we know 8 hours is too demanding.

Everyone should watch SATV Channel 28 to see the latest edition of Negotiation Update.
It is shown daily at 6:45am, 11:45am, 1:45pm, 4:45pm and 9:45pm.
You'll learn about that $17 million "surplus" the union has been cranking about. Along with other information you might find interesting.
I think the union may have been a little less than accurate with info it's been presenting to the public.

Ted,

Here is your answer which was explained by the school board.

Aid ratios are used to determine a districts ability to fund education costs from local taxes. This ratio is determined using a formula that takes into account a districts real estate values and the personal incomes of its residents.

Souderton ranks 16th out of 22 districts in Montgomery County that is the lower third in terms of ability to pay teachers salaries and benefits. Souderton lacks significant commercial and industrial properties prevalent in neighboring districts. Therefore, the burden of paying salaries and benefits falls on home owners to a much greater extent. When comparing salaries at Souderton to those of other districts, it is imperative to compare them by similar aid ratio, but not by geographic proximity, Currie stressed.

The highest paid teachers in Souderton earn salary of $89,363. Comparable school districts by aid ratio are Perkiomen Valley and Spring-Ford, which pay maximum teacher salaries of $86,090 and $89,100 respectively.

Here's a novel idea. Instead of fighting back and forth on The Reporter website, where nothing can happen anyway, why don't we actually make our voices heard. Call up Bernard Currie and let him know that the teachers should be paid more, or that all our teachers suck. Whatever you want. But dividing ourselves by fighting online, in the media and everywhere else isn't good for anyone, ESPECIALLY our children. What are you teaching your kids when they do have to go back to school with these teachers? " Daddy says your greedy and I don't have to listen to you." " You made mommy cry because she didn't know what to do with us."

I'm not gonna plug for one side or the other, but I'll tell you this much. Either way BERNIE needs to hear your thoughts. No one else in this awful battle matters. Because EVERYONE is hurting the kids, until something changes.

I have been reading information on the Websites of both sides and two quesitons come to mind: 1) why is the District hiring a PR firm when they have a PR person on their payroll? What is this person doing? 2) why is the Director of Human Resources who got a $13,000 raise not negotating this contract? One would think that if the District did not hire a PR firm to fabricate the information and a lawer that is getting no where in negotiations that they would have the money to pay the teachers a decent salary.

Lisa - please read the next few lines very carefully as I am sick of repeating them.

The Teachers union voted in the last contract to lower the starting salary of incoming teachers so they could get more money for themselves. That's right, THE TEACHERS UNION is responsible for the low starting salaries, not the school board.

Yet the teachers still try and complain about something they brought upon themselves. This lack of character speaks volumes about the union and its leadership.

Yea, I also saw that on the union web-site. But if you access the entire list- 2007 Best Performing Schools as researched by the Pittsburg Business Times, it's unclear the point the union is trying to make.
When you compare the average teacher salaries of the 53 school districts which ranked higher than Souderton, 32 of those districts pay their teachers less.
Also, the school district with the highest average salaries in the state, Council Rock, ranked # 19 .
So does better pay equal better performance?
The #1 best performing school has lower salaries than Souderton.

It really saddens me to see all this anger toward teachers on here. Yes the kids being out of school does not benefit anyone, I think everyone can agree on that. But, I think it's extremely unfair to call the teachers greedy for this. SASD was ranked 54th out of 500 schools in Pennsylvania last year, which is very impressive. But SASD is 1 of only 3 districts in all of southeastern PA that has a starting salary of under $40,000. As with any profession, a teacher's salary should be based on the competition in the area, and SASD is not keeping up with the competition.

For those who say teachers are free to leave whenever they want...they're really not. If a teacher left a district in which they taught for 15 years to work for another district, they would be bumped down to the salary of a much less experienced teacher, and have to work their way up all over again.

And for those who are looking at that database and saying teachers are paid too much, take a look at how many years of experience these people have. The ones who make the most have given 30 years to teaching your children, and most of them are very good at it.

Just a few years ago the SASD board was in the same situation with its administrators. How about taking a look at what they did for the cabinet members (from http://saeapa.psealocals.org/):

*Each cabinet member averaged a salary increase of $3,584.04 per year since the 2005/2006 school year.

*In 2005, Dr. Amuso recommended to the board that the salaries be increased to be in line with the surrounding school districts. (Souderton Independent).

*It was cited that resident wage-earners have experienced a 2.25ncrease total over the last 3 years. The administrators averaged over 10except for Brads 17

They'll go to the mattresses for their board members (some of whom have children in private school, can anyone say "conflict of interest"?) But they won't do the same for the people who drive this district's success?

I grew up in SASD and I have the utmost respect for the teachers there. I wouldn't be where I am today without their dedication and passion for what they do. All they're asking for is to be paid like the districts that surround them (many of whom they out perform).

Why is fair for the community to compare teachers with workers in corporate America , but unfair for teachers to compare themselves to other teachers in neighboring districts in Montgomery County?

At least teachers are comparing apples to apples... the public school system and corporate America are apples and oranges.

Based on your comments, you have to be a teacher or are married to one...there is not one person that I've talked to either in or out of the school district that feels these teachers are being reasonable. The average person in today's economy is getting a 1-2 percent raise, where do the teachers get off thinking they are better than the average person that they deserve more. Everyone wants a nice raise but in case they don't know it, you don't always get what you want so suck it up and get back to work. How do the teachers propose that this raise is paid for...let's see the average person gets 2

The teachers better find a new leader. Every time Bill Lukridge opens his mouth, I'm pushed further to the board's side. The latest joke is the leading story at the SAEA's website. On the first day of the strike, the best he can do is make fun of a spelling error on a press release? Are you kidding me? How about more facts about what they want and how it supports his constant claim "they only want average". Statistics are easily manipulated and both sides are doing it. Give us some facts for once, give us the median salaries instead of averages. Tell us what you did between June and last week if the school board is the one supposedly dragging it's feet. Your propaganda is no better than the school board's.

And by the way Bill, you've misspelled "article" on your own webpage - it isn't spelled "artilcle" - why don't you check your OWN website? You ARE an educator, right?

I NEVER find fault when I see spelling errors and I see them often (including from Souderton teachers). Bill is obviously in over his head and now nit picking, find a replacement if you really believe in your cause and really want to get back in school. He's not helping the situation at all.

On one of the many TV spots and also on thereporteronline.com video Mr. Sultanek is shown stating that the figures used by the teacher's union are all wrong. Why should anyone believe him? The facts are that from the starting point through 14 steps the SASD teachers are the lowest paid. If you average the teachers pay from the 15th step(top amount earned by longest serving teachers) it may slightly skew the figures and give a false sense that so many of the district's teachers are actually well paid.
The truth is obvious. Souderton taxpayers have had a real bargain paying for teachers for years. Residents do not live in North Central PA or the coal regions where
teachers earn appreciably less. This is Montgomery County with a stonger economy and considerable wealth. There is no way the district lacks money to pay the teachers. It certainly always has the money to pay for a bloated administration with little question when granting them raises. A 17 million dollar surplus in rediculous. Either spend it on the teachers or refund it now to the taxpayers. The district cannot have it both ways.

As a parent of a 5th grader who wants to go back to school & a tax payer, I really can't afford to pay more. Our taxes will be going up because of the new high school, how much more do we need to pay. I am all for a pay raise but what the teachers want is unheard of. The kids are the only ones being hurt in all this. They want to learn, they want to be taught & they don't understand why the teachers don't want to teach. Life is hard for everyone right now. I don't have health insurance because my husbands job does not offer it & we can not afford to pay out of our pockets. Am I asking others for help. NO! Lets get our kids back to the books! PLEASE!!!!!

I have a 4 year old son who has a severe disability and can't speak one word, he finally was to be started this week for speech through Montgomery County but due to the teachers strike they can't start because they can't use Vernfield as their site now.It's not just the current students affected. Way to think of the kids, especially the ones with specail needs who will all suffer

KUDOS TO THE 17 TEACHERS WHO TRIED TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY VOTING "NO" TO THE STRIKE VOTE. THANKS FOR THINKING OF THE CHILDREN FIRST.

TO RJ FROM LANSDALE, WE'RE ALSO GLAD YOU DON'T LIVE IN SOUDERTON.

I agree with you "CC", what a terrible lesson to be teaching our kids, our future. But i don't think we can blame it all on the teachers...alot of the blame has to be put on the union and their outrageous demands. If it weren't for the union, the teachers wouldn't be strking. I know if i went in and "demanded" that kind of raise, i would be sent packing. One of my kids actually cried last night when he found out that he wasn't going back to school today. But hey, the kids aren't important here, atleast that is what it appears....stop thinking about yourselves (both sides), come to an agreement and get back to work !!!!!

Lets blame teachers for wanting more money to be average.....give me a break...you want the best for your children and your town, yet people always bash teachers. What other profession gets bashed like this?? for wanting an average pay scale and health insurance...give me a break.....Who will cry to the teachers when their child isnt learning....you....I dont know a teacher who has the summers off.....All the teachers I know work another job in the summer or have side businesses because the teaching salary doesnt foot the bills....
Your school board dont give a rats ass about your children...they only care about money.....the people of Souderton should ask where their refund checks are for the 17 million surplus they have in the bank that they dont plan on paying teachers for....
Get a grip people.....stop the fighting...stop the bashing...get the balls rolling and get these kids in school

As I sat here and read this article, I just started to laugh. It seems to me the teachers are teaching a true lesson to our kids, that is if you do not get what you want wine and cry about it while you walk out. SASD teachers should be ashamed of themselves. If I wanted a raise at work I just can not walk out and cry like a child. Hey teachers remember you are trying to teach our kids NOT to be greedy and act like this.

It sickens me every September to hear the same thing in our local communities - "teachers are greedy" because they want a pay raise. Who in America doesn't want a pay raise? This is what America is all about. How many paople on this board that bash teachers turn down pay raises? NONE! The goal in America is to work and make as much money as possible. How does this make a teacher greedy? How about this, Souderton Community is "cheap". There are a lot of people who write in here say "go work in another district if not happy..." Well, it works 2 ways - "Go move to another community if you don't think you can afford to live here..." All I know is I'm glad I don't live in Souderton.

If the school board collected a surplus of 17 million dollars (supposedly to run the district) and it is not willing to spend it to negotiate a contract, when will I be getting my Tax Rebate Check?? If you're not going to send it to me, negotiate a contract and get my kids in school.

The average American worker receives maybe a 3-5 ay increase each year, 1-4 weeks vacation depending on length of service, and works at least 8 hours a day 11 months of the year (only if they qualify for that coveted 4 weeks vacay). It is obscene and shameful how greedy these teachers have become. They are holding the taxpayers and children hostage and offer very little return on investment - wouldn't we all like to work less than 8 hours/day, have 3 month summer vacations, and week long Christmas and Spring breaks, along with all the other extra days off for the minor "holidays". Get real, get some gratitude, and GET BACK TO WORK!!!

I was disappointed and even more disgusted that the Teacher's Union decided to strike. Stop comparing your salaries to other districts. You are all paid very well for what you do. If you don't like your salaries, do what they rest of the working public does and go elsewhere. You complain that SASD is last in student spending. Well if the students SAT scores are so high, limited spending per student is not really a problem now is it? Students do so well on their SAT's because that is the majority of what is being taught in schools these days, SAT prep. Salary demands are unrealistic in todays economic conditions. If teaching is truly your 'call in life' that you should be in school today doing just that. It is obvious to all taxpayers, parents, and even students, that your first priority is monetary. Maybe now that teachers have an extended summer vacation, they can all pick up a newspaper and do a reality check on the current economic situations that face not only our county and state, but the U.S as a whole. You're acting like children who don't get there way.

Look.... Here are the FACTS. Check out this link, it lists ALL teachers in the state
of PA's salary. Want to know how badly that favorite teacher of yours is paid ?
Look it up. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT UNDER PAID !

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08087/868425-100.stm

Get rid of the union, they are bullys, if the teachers aren't happy go to another district.

75 hours a week my husband works, I work 25 and raise 3 kids all to pay that tax bill and the gas bill and the teachers aren't happy, isn't that a shame, They knew this was coming, they stopped talking in June so they could get their 8 weeks vacations. I got one week, funny how when I was away they opened day camp registration and now that I'm home they are full so here I sit at 11:00 p.m. after finding out 4 hours ago there's no school as I scramble to find childcare. If the teachers aren't happy about how poor it is in Souderton then go elsewhere. If you are so great and Souderton is so rough GOODBYE! Or are you not good enough? Shouldn't a job be based on merits instead of what some union is saying you should make? My daughter had a teacher in Souderton last year consantly talking about how great Hatboro-Horsham is and how poor Souderton is-well what are you doing here? They claim to love our kids??!!! They love the dollar

I am a United Steel Workers union member. I work for the massive pharmaceutical company in the North Penn district. I have lived in Souderton going on 10 years. In order for the School Board to even listen to the demads of the teachers, they have to set realistic demands. I've gone through a few contract negotiations myself, and every time the employer tightens the belt. There is absolutely a time to stand up for what you deserve, but being realistic is also part of that equation as well. Try negotiating with a global multi-billion dollar company with the demands set on the table here. If these facts presented are true I can understand why the School Board isn't even listening. GET REAL! The economy is not good. Take 4 er year and run. That is a fair and realistic raise on the lines of inflation and the economy.

How do I explain this to my son who is supposed to be starting 1st grade tomorrow?

Why are there not even any other negotiations scheduled?

Is your current contract so bad that you can't continue to work until an agreement is made?

GET NEGOTIATING!!!!!!

How many taxpayers is the SASD routinely get 8aises??? Teachers need to get real...and thanks for putting the children first - NOT!!

When you have school board president who does not have a student attending school in the district and apparently has no vested interest in any item other then tax dollars it makes negotiation difficult. When you have teachers fighting for pay raises with seemingly no concerns how their demands may impact the wallets of a tax base that lives in difficult economical times it makes negotiation difficult. Since both sides have held only two bargaining sessions since August 25th and none scheduled it makes negotiation none existent. If you cant or wont negotiate bring it is time binding arbitration. Settle this and educate our children, it is the job you were elected to do or are paid to do.

I have never seen such a greed stingy school board in my life. Apparently, the board cares nothing about our children...it would rather pay the lowest salary possible at the risk of losing our best teachers and replacing them with anyone who'll take a teaching job. This is a horrible smack in the face to our children!

Here are the contracts the two sides are proposing, now who really thinks the union demands are fair in this economy?

The teacher's union made salary demands with increases of 5.98À9.4À7.14 nd 6.9n each year of a four-year contract.

According to the School Board, the union's proposal will result in a 32.8ncrease in payroll over four years, or an average of 8.2 er year for each year of the contact.

At the time negotiations ceased, the School Board made concessions on its salary proposal which provided teachers with salary increases of 2.5 er year over three years

It's official - the strike is on. And to add insult to the taxpayers and parents, no further negotiation sessions are even planned at this time.

If the Philadelphia teachers can agree to extend their current contract for a month or two and continue to negotiate, why can't the SASE do the same?

Just go to binding arbitration and let a neutral party resolve it NOW. Stop the nonsense, ALL OF YOU! It sickens me.

Outraged- you are totally correct! I remember reading the article in this very paper when the SASD Cabinet was awarded huge, gigantic pay increases last year around this time. Dr. Amuso's direct quote was that he wanted to bring his staff up to par with surrounding districts. Funny how the board isn't interested in bringing his teachers to the same standard.

And dave, for the record, tenure does not protect people who are not doing their jobs. You can still get fired, just as in the "real world" of which you speak. Please.

With so much concern about teacher pay and benefits one needs to look at the compensation given to principals and upper level administrators as well. I wonder if these educational leaders are paid less than their counterparts in surrounding districts?
If they are then the low comparative pay permiates the entire SASD. If they are paid equally or more than surrounding districts then there is a real issue to consider. Does the district single out teachers as a second class entity? It would be tragic to think that but it really is important to see whether there is consistancy in comparative pay with other districts througout the Souderton workforce. I challenge the school board to deliver those figures. I believe teachers actually deserve more pay than administrators since they are the real stars in educating today's youth.

The issues with starting salaries is that the teachers union sold all new hires down the river in the last contract negotiations. In exchange for better increases for current union members, the union agreed to a lower starting salary for incoming teachers. The fault with the lower starting salaries has to be laid directly at the feet of the teachers who ratified that deal. I guess that any of the bucks county districts should be taken out of the equation as Souderton is in Montgomery county.

While I understand your comparison about a teacher with 13 years experience and a masters I realize that the database is missing one important piece of information for an apples to apples comparison. It doesn't show how many credits above a masters the teacher has accumulated. These credits (in addition to years in the district) are crutial in determining a teachers pay. I can only assume that the 66K is a teacher that has not made the effort to accumulate any additional credits above the Masters as there was also a Souderton teacher with just 13 years experience that was making 71.5K. While still slightly lower than North Penn, it is not the huge discrepancy you were coming up with. The North Penn district also encompasses a much larger tax base than Souderton which included many more busniesses that help to take the burden off of homeowers.

A study done by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy back in August of 2007 noted that Pennsylvania is responsible for over 60 percent of all teachers strikes in the country from 2000-2007. Pennsylvania teachers are ranked #4 in the nation in average salary when adjusted for cost of living.

As anyone in the working world will tell you, there is always someone making more than you for doing the same job. No one says that you have be at exactly the same pay rate as all your peers. Pennsylvania is an at will employment state and no one is forcing the teachers to work in what they call unfair conditions. Souderton teachers are well compensated for their work and enjoy many other perks. They receive 2.5 months vacation, minimal copay for insurance premiums in an era when premiums have skyrocketed for the public, tenure which gaurantees they cannot be let go from their positions even if they are not meeting standards and a pension plan that allows them to retire at or near full salary.

If they teachers are not happy then they have every right to leave yet here they still are trying to force feed the taxpayers their outragous and unrealistics demands.

RJ,
BRAVO for bringing up the fact the the administrators each year get a HUGE raise the the School Board never debates as to why they are entitled to receiving it. If I remember correctly though, when the Superintendent makes his plea to the Board for the increases he states that it brings them in line with the surrounding districts. If they can bring the administrators in line in terms of pay and other perks, why can't they bring the teachers and support staff in line as well.

I re-read Act 88 and it is non-binding arbitration; I was mistaken. I was correct in stating that a fact finder would consider the board's ability to pay (i.e., the 17 million dollars) in the fact finding report. The fact finder may also consider the cost of living.

I doubt a local texpayer could have any legal recourse against the union, since it is legal for teachers to strike. Act 88 regulates how the teachers may strike, but does not outlaw strikes completely. Act 88 also requires both sides to negotiate in good faith. Since it appears that the school board is holding up the negotiations, I wonder if the union would have any legal recourse against the board?

As for salary comparison, I looked at the Asbury Park Press database. A teacher in SASD with a BA and 4 years' experience earned $40K in 2006-07. In Pennridge (one word), a teacher with the same degree and experience: $43K. For North Penn it was $44K, for Perkiomen Valley, $45 and Quakertown, $50K.

For a teacher with a Master's degree and 13 years' experience, the figures were: $66K for Souderton, $75K for North Penn, $78K for Perkiomen Valley, $77K for Pennridge, and $89K for Quakertown. In that case, a Souderton teacher made $9000 less than a similar one in North Penn, which was the next lowest salary.

I just checked the database for both the North Penn and Penn Ridge school districts (which are contiguous) and the top salary for teachers was within $200 dollars of Soudertons. So how can Souderton be underpaid??? From my understanding any arbitration would be non-binding.

The teachers union is by far the biggest of the three unions so the board is right in starting with them first.

Since you are a law student maybe you could answer a question. If the union continues to strike and doesn't budge from their ridiculous demands, do the taxpayers have legal recourse against the union?

First of all, if the teachers are being unreasonable and the board is negotiating in good faith, why has the board failed to reach settlements with the other two groups whose contracts also expired in June? No agreements have been reached with the secretaries or the support staff.

Secondly, in regards to the 17 million dollars. Whether you call it a surplus or a balance, it's there. If this situation ends up in binding arbitration, it will be considered an asset that the board has available to pay teachers. Legally, the money is not encumbered for a specific purpose. And in arbitration salaries of teachers in contiguous districts, not the median income of the community, will be considered.

RJ,

The large surplus that the greedy union talks about is a combination of a rainy day fund for repairs, etc. and millions of dollars that the school district will have to pay into the PSEA retirement fund in the future due to some really bad legislation that was passed in Harrisburg. (btw - the PSEA is spends millions hoping to effecively buy politicians by contributing to their campaigns)

Let me ask you a question. What type of pension are you or most of the tax paying base looking at when you retire? My guess is not a very good one. The teachers get to average the last three years of their earnings (the highest years of pay) and then they receive 90 to 100 percent of that average. That is a huge cost and totally unheard of in todays environment where most companies are doing away with pensions altogether.

The union wants the taxpayers to give and give regardless of the fact that their demands are totally outragous and out of touch with the world and economic reality we live in.

To the 17 members of the union that voted not to strike, I applaud you. To all the rest of the teachers that choose to strike, you should be ashamed to show your faces in public.

Anonymous Coward is an endearing term used on many other forums throughout the Internet. I am not related in any way, shape or form to the SASD (except my kids go to school here), but I don't want a potential "real-world" employer taking objections to posts expressing my political views. Perhaps "Greg," you would like to share your mailing address and phone number with the forum? I care to be more personal. BTW, using only your first name is just as anonymous as using anonymous coward "Greg."

I am a parent of a first grader at Lower Salford Elementary School. First of all, I want to know why the district is funding child care at the YMCA during the strike, rather than giving the teachers a fair and competitive salary within the county? The teachers are highly educated professionals who are given the responsibility of teaching all of our children day after day, year after year. I want the school board to stop dragging their feet on this contract. If the school board was so committed to reaching a contract, why didn't they start those daily 24 hour negotiation sessions in January when the teachers started negotiating? Let's get a quick, fair and competitive contract so our children can start school on time and receive the high level of education we have come to expect.

Okay, I keep hearing that teachers are a bunch of greedy people. Do any of us know for sure that they asked for 9 How many of us have been sitting in on these negotiation sessions? Instead, I like listening to the facts...
The Souderton Area SD collects the 7th highest taxes but spends the least on students!
Wow! What are they doing with all the money? Apparently they aren't paying their teachers, secretaries or support staff.
A 9aise is a lot but the board approved larger raises for the cabinet members of the district. The school board states that it is illogical to compare teacher salaries to surrounding districts, but they did just that when they approved these large raises for the administrators.
The district has the money to pay the teachers. They have 17 million dollars in a surplus fund. They need to use that money to better the school district not just build pretty buildings.

As expected, the bitter whine-and-complain teachers' union members come out in force once the taxpayers start voicing their opinions. The status quo in these posting thus far has been to sign with your name and municipality. To add an extra layer of credibility and prevent anonymous signatures such as COWARD..., I recommend the union supporters start by posting their full names, school they work in, and subject/grade they teach (or floor they sweep/lunch they serve). I suspect the union has rules against accountability and the whining will dissapate. Lets get real here. Most members of the union live outside the district. It's much easier to criticize your employer when you're not footing the bill. I support the efforts of the school board and I praise them for not backing down.

Only the board dragged its feet. Where are the proposals, counter-proposals, exchanges, negotiations, offers?
Tell the board to end these stall tactics now, and give everyone a reason to celebrate Labor Day this year. Increase the starting salary, iron out the bumps in the scale, offer reasonable medical, and let's open the doors to our schools next week.

Why drag your feet NOW? Why go through all the motions NOW? The teacher's contract expired in June. Why weren't better & stronger efforts to resolve the sticking points made? The teachers call themselves professionals, but I find striking, effectively holding thousands of students and their parents hostage highly unprofessional.

Oh great, here we are on the eve of the teacher's strike and the rocket scientists are coming out of the woodwork to give their opinion on the teacher's contract. In the August 29th edition of The Reporter, we have two more people calling for the ouster of all teachers if they don't like it here. That really makes a lot of sense. Yes, let's be known as the school district that tosses out all of our teachers because they are demanding an increase in salary. They would, no doubtedly be replaced by teachers that were far superior in abilities and have even better morale because a) they are making less money b) they are paying more for health care and c) if they demand more salary, then we will just throw the bums out. Wow, that sounds great. Let me quit my job to become a teacher in Souderton!

I am not a teacher but just a concerned parent in SASD. Here is what I know. My kids are excited to start their school year. I blame the union and school board for dragging their feet on this contract and I blame both for the strike. I read the other day how the school board was committed to reaching a contract if it meant working on the negotiations 24 hours. Well, why didn't you start those negotiations 24 hours on June 15th if you were so concerned? Then, you would have all been done negotiating by the end of the month and you could all take your little vacations with school starting next week.

So, let's get a move on with this contract. I know Bernie Currie and his ilk came onto this school board with the sole intent of decreasing property taxes for senior citizens, but let's be fair. The teachers are highly-educated professionals and are given the responsibility of dealing with all of our children. In case you missed it, teachers are in fact required to do more in the classroom... deal with part-time parents, deal with increasing ADHD and special needs and tap-dancing around a lawsuit-happy society.

I did. I witnessed an overhwleming show of suuport for a group of dedicated faculty who gathered in a respectful fashion to show that this time, things need to change.
And I also listened intently to those who voiced concern, those who bashed, and those who see themselves on "middle gorund." I saw friends, family, co-workers and neighbors coming out because they want a resolution...now.
I learned that has been no salary proposal from the borad since the end of spring. The teachers' negotiating team has come with proposal after proposal...and nothing. The board needs to sit down and NEGOTIATE: discuss, agree, disagree, exchenge ideas, examine proposals and possibilities.
I ask that everyone involved step back for a moment and realize that the teachers are trying to get to the AVERAGE. Let's get there now. And that, readers, is the bottom line.

While I respect the teachers and their efforts to educate, I find their demands completely unreasonable. In the private sector, if we were to approach our employers during a period of financial turmoil (or any period) and demand an over 9early increase in our salaries, better benefits, and a shorter work day - we'd be fired or laid off shorlty after. I don't know if I want people who think like this teaching my children. Thanks for your service, but that's the way it is. Please go find employment elsewhere if that's how you feel.

I love reading the comments about the "real world" of work, from which teachers seem to be divorced. However:
1) In the real world, people don't have to negotiate their salaries in public and submit to public comment on them. Paying $4 per gallon of gas gives you no control over oil company salaries, and eating in a fancy restaurant does not give you the right to dictate the chef's monetary compensation or his health coverage.
2) Teachers unions must sign a contract that locks in salaries for a long term - four of five years. Does that happen in the real world? Can you negotiate with your doctor, plumber, or grocery store and lock in your costs for the next five years, and limit them to a 2ncrease per year?
3) Merit pay is in place. If I understand correctly, a teacher with a Master's degree makes more than one with a Bachelor's degree, just as a doctor or dentist with specializations makes more money than someone who is a GP or practices general dentistry. In industries that work with people - education, medicine, dentistry, psychology, etc. - salaries are based on training and preparation. What doctor would attempt an operation if there was a chance that he would not be paid if the patient died?
4) Pennsylvania, not the teachers, sets the school year at 180 days. Even if the teachers would work 240 days a year at the same salary, your taxes would go up. That's because you'd have to fund two more months of transportation, electricity, supplies, wages for bus drivers, etc.
Let's hope that the recalcitrant school board presents an offer that is fair to both parties. Don't allow this tension to ruin the good name of the SASD.

Board Bashing. Thats what I witness last night at the Souderton Board meeting, As a taxpayer and mother of two children, one who is a senior this year, I was embarrassed at the conduct of the teachers. As I was trying to listen to what Board had to say, I could only hear the teachers talking in disagreement, unable to hear what was being said, was this done on purpose? Is this what they would expect in their classroom? I dont think so. I was extremely disturbed by the fact that a parent took the position of speaking for me, saying that ALL PARENTS WILL AGREE TO PAYING HIGHER TAXES, well not this one. I work a 10 hour day, holding down 3 jobs just to keep my son in this school distrist. I dont have a husband to support me (my sons father passed away). I will be hit with a bill to pay for the new high school, hook up sewer and water and now the teacher want 9.5 ay increase and better benefits. Will you please tell me where Im going to get this money? While this parent also offered to make the board brownies, I will be working my (you fill in the blank) off to pay my bills. Is she saying these things to get brownie points with the teachers? I grew up in this district, Im no transplant from another district coming her demanding that we foot the bill no matter what the cost. Lets be real here, based on the the Souderton Area report card, you dont deserve it. Just like in any job you are held accountable for your performance and it just doesnt warrant such an increase. I do believe being a Teacher is a very rewarding job and also a challenging one, but does this request really think of the students or does it just fuel an echo? I agree with the offer the School Board has purposed, it just looks like the Teachers want to get paid no matter what students education they produce.

THE SCHOOL BOARD NEED TO HOLD THERE GROUND. Every body wants a raise but what the world gets is higher insurance costs. These teachers need to go there should not be a union for this WHITE COLLAR job. Get in the real world. If you are that unhappy with your pay, health care & working conditions go try and find another job.
GOOD LUCK DOING THAT. Tired of being held for Ransom by these teachers.
Schoold board members DO NOT GIVE IN.

Isn't it funny how Mr. Currie shot down every excuse the union voiced for wanting to strike. God Bless him and the other members of the school board for finally standing up to the greedy teachers union.

Teachers with any number of years in our school system are not going to leave as the would have to give up years of tenure or service which would put them in a lower pay scale at the new school. I guess losing one teacher a year is really opening the floodgates.

During the last contract the union voted to lower starting salaries so all current members could bet a bigger piece of the pie. Gee, I guess that must be the school boards fault too...

The teachers unions in this area try to play a game with the local communities that goes something like this:

Souderton says Pennridge and Quakertown makes more than us so we deserve more. Pennridge says that North Penn makes more so we need a raise. North Penn says the other school districts all got more so why shouldn't we. it's a vicious circle that is perpetuated by the PSEA and the unions and it has worked for many years.

Now is the time to get mad and do something. Go to http://stopteacherstrikes.org and find out how you, the taxpaying public, can put an end to this disgracefully display of greed by the teachers unions.

1. The teachers union hasn't had an increase in medical premiums, copay or a reduction in benefits in over 15 years!!!
2. Over 140 staff teacher (25f total teachers) make over $87,000/year
3. Pa teachers are ranked 9th in average pay and when that pay is adjusted for cost of living they are ranked #4 out of 50 states. hardly in the bottom of the national averages.
4. Pennsylvania is responsilbe for over 60f all teacher strikes due to the irresponsible and misguided actions of the PSEA and it's unions.
5. Souderton teachers union voted to lower starting salaries in the last contract so that current union members could get bigger increases. This is a classic example of the greed that unions bring out in it's members.

Educate yourself about the facts before you start to lambast our school board for not meeting the totaly unrealistic demands of the teachers union.

I urge all concerned taxpayers to go to http://stopteacherstrikes.org to find out what you can to to avoid being held hostage by the teachers unions in the future.

Teachers make $50-$70k a year. It takes me almost two and a half years to make that kind of money. AND DO YOU SEE ME GOING ON STRIKE?!?!?!?!?!?!?! NO!!! So stop complaining and give the children an education. After all...they will be caring for us when we are older. Keep that in mind you cry-babies!!!!

Dear Harleysville Taxpayer: I think your comments are quite short-sighted. Perhaps you should consider your added tax dollars as an investment in your future? Do you understand that we live in a top district that pays its teachers the lowest of low wages? Do you realize that our top students NEED top teachers to succeed? Can you imagine what it would be like if we could not produce top students in our community? Will we ever evolve??? We are no longer a small farm community. We need to produce students who will stay in our community. Perhaps you should consider what it would actually mean if our highly qualified teachers left the district. Would you want to live in a community of young adults who don't care about the future? Would you want to live in a community where our children are not sufficiently educated to take care of YOU when you are old? Would you want to live in a community where the value of our homes would be reduced because our school has a poor rating? Would you want to live in a community where young families stop moving in and you can't sell your house because our schools are not up to par? Perhaps we should all be thinking about change. It is not easy to deal with rising costs and change in our economy but we should all remember that without change, we cannot have progress. I have a child who is about to start her senior year. Of course we would prefer the school year not be disrupted by a strike but we remain steadfast in our confidence in the teachers who have educated her over the years. We are thankful for all they have contributed to who she is. She is a spectacular kid as a result of her dedicated teachers and the values she has learned as a citizen of our great community.

I'm a taxpayer and resident of Franconia and I'm apalled that the Souderton School teachers have been seduced by their own greed to ask for 9 percent a year for the next couple of years for their proposed contract. Who in their right mind would ask for a 9 percent raise?!? We are living through tough times and struggling to make ends meet but our Souderton School teachers have been convinced that they're at the bottom of the barrel on the pay scale. Why do the teacher's and their union propose such unrealistic pay raise? They're not thinking about the children on this one, it's just plain old selfcenteredness and greed. Will they get away with it? The teacher's union is very strong, united, and powerful and they just might get away with it unless people wake up! If we're going to pay through the nose by having it twisted then we might as well have a say as to who keeps their job through a review process. Get rid of the teachers who are coasting and have a history of poor performance and hire some more ambitious ones. The teachers should do a little self reflecting and be reasonable with a pay raise, not greedy!

It's a sad day when grown adults have to resort to playing chess with children and their right to an education.

Shame on the union, the teachers that lock step with it, and the school board for letting it go this far.

Governor Rendell, I call on you to guide PA away from teacher strikes and find a better way to reach a fair compromise. Enough is enough.

Teachers are overpaid, have better benefits than average working people and don't care if the tax payer has to foot the bill! Maybe they should live in the school district and pay the increase in tax's their greed will cause.

When people, their friends and neighbors, are being laid off across america and homes are being foreclosed upon, the teachers union in Souderton has the audacity to ask for 9 percent a year. Who gets 9 percent a year? What was the US average last year ~2.5 percent. When everyone in america is struggling to pay medical deductibles, copays and contribute to their insurance coverage the teachers union feels they are owed a free pass? Why? How about contributing like eveyone else? How about all those half days? If I just requested from my CEO 21 half days a year of work, his or her answer would be fine, just work 12 hour days to make up the time. Will the teachers agree to that? Lastly, what is the teachers union afraid of with performance based pay. Poor performers should be removed from the financial burden of the tax payers and good performers should be rewarded, not just mandatory increases. The Board of Ed should continue to represent the taxpayers justly and the teachers fairly. Maybe if the teachers were required to live in the school system they would think differently.

Typically, I'm against teacher strikes, but not this time. The Souderton School board is the most pathetic entity of government that ever existed...it continues to leave all Souderton SD employees near the bottom of the NATIONAL pay scale. This nasty, stingy school board is actually harming our children's education by providing good teachers with every incentive to leave the district to teach elsewhere. When that happens, we'll attract low-grade teachers who will have no probably taking rock bottom salary. For our children's sake, it's time to dump this entire school board, pay our teachers what they deserve, and move on.