There Is No Ball - This Is Not A Game!

On October 9th, 2009, the Maine Teachers’ Association (MTA) was presented with a formal request from the Board of Education of Maine Township District 207 to reopen the 2007-2012 Collective Bargaining Agreement. This Agreement spells out the procedures, working conditions, and salaries for District 207 teachers, teacher assistants, nurses, school counselors and school psychologists. Currently, this Agreement expires August, 2012. The Board of Education gave MTA 10 working days to respond.

At the October 15th, MTA Representative Council meeting, the Council voted overwhelmingly to table a decision about opening the contract until the November Council meeting. This response was not intended to avoid the subject, but rather to allow time for the MTA to carry out due diligence in researching the facts, figures and educational impact of the District’s proposed staffing cuts. MTA Leadership feels it would be a disservice to students, Association members, and District tax payers to make decisions based upon incomplete information.

The MTA appreciates the long term concerns and financial projections presented by the Administration and Board of Education; however, even the finest economic minds in the nation cannot predict what will happen with the CPI in 12 months. We believe the tax dollars you have contributed in previous years provides a cushion for a difficult economic period. This cushion will allow the community, Board of Education, Administration and teachers to make gradual steps toward a solution that meets the needs of Maine Township students, yet shows fiscal responsibility.

Our primary concern is the quality of education in District 207.