8/3/2019 Playwickian Article 11222011

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Page 2 News November 22, 2011The Playwickian

The Playwickian Staff created a list of questions students had regarding the contractnegotiations. The answers provided by Neshaminy Federation of Teachers PresidentLouise Boyd and Neshaminy School Board member William OConnor and the arepublished unedited as to clarify both views of the current contract disputes.

1. Where do the negotiations stand at this point?

NFT- After a break of two and one half months, NFT teachers and the School Boardrecently met to resume talks. Just weeks prior to that meeting, the School Board

shared current financial and personnel information, usually shared in the early weeksof the bargaining process to make sure both sides are basing proposals off of accurateinformation. NFT has offered our sixth proposal. In this newest offer, teachers havemade concessions that would mean millions in savings to the Neshaminy SchoolDistrict from the fourth contract proposal we presented earlier this year.

Neshaminy teachers have made massive salary concessions, and we have offeredto pay a significant portion of our health insurance premiums. In addition, we areoffering to accept a change in the Districts retirement benefit package that wouldresult in even more savings to the school system.

Teachers are now in the fourth school year of working without a new contract.We are looking forward to resolving our remaining differences and moving quicklytoward a final agreement. But the Board has failed to come to the bargaining tableprepared to negotiate in good faith. We are hopeful that is what will happen at ournext scheduled meeting on Dec. 6.

NSB- Regrettably there has been very little progress after four years of negotiations.Both sides remain far apart on all the key issues.

2. What changes are you looking for in the contract?

NFT- Teachers have been clear all along about what we want. We want to maintainour voice in the educational process and we want a contract that is fair to students,taxpayers and teachers. Contrary to the impression that has been created in theNeshaminy community by a small group of people, our contract is about much morethan salaries and benefits.

Neshaminy teachers have a history of working together with the school district todevelop and implement programs and policies that benefit the students in our classrooms.We have collaborated with school administrators on curriculum, class sizes, gradingpolicies and many other issues that have a direct impact on students. Through ourprevious contracts, teachers have had a voice on these and other classroom issues.We want an agreement that continues to allow us to be advocates for student needs.

NSB- The Board is looking to completely revamp the collective bargaining agreement(CBA) because the existing one is unaffordable and impractical. Our focus is on the

key cost drivers such as retirement benefi

ts, aggressive salary steps, and employeehealth care contributions.

3. Is there a possibility of a strike in the near future? How would a s trike bringboth sides closer to a settlement?

NFT- Nobody wants a strikenot one teacher. It is up to the School Board whetherthere is a strike. If they come to the bargaining table ready to negotiate a fair settlement,the possibility of a strike will disappear. Its truly in their hands now.

NFT, NSB comment on teachers contractNSB- Whether there is a strike or not is the NFTs choice to make. Not only would astrike not bring us closer, it would drive our two sides even further apart along with thecommunity. If the teachers union chooses to strike, it will not change Neshaminys orour taxpayers economic situation but create more of a financial hardship on Neshaminyfamilies. A strike does not create more money.

4. If you were to compromise on the opposing sides demands, how would thisimpact the budget in years to come?

NFT- At this point, it is very difficult to answer this question. For four years, theSchool Board has shown few, if any, signs of willingness to work with NFT towarda fair compromise. It is only in the last few weeks that we have received current andaccurate budget information that we hope will allow us to make the calculations onthe budgetary impact of any possible compromise.

NSB- Such concessions would save us many millions of dollars every year, allowing us toreinvest in our educational programs without placing a further burden on our tax payers.

5. What would you like to communicate to the other party?

NFT- It is time to bargain seriously. That is a message that NFT members haverepeated many times over the last four years of stalemate in negotiations. We wantBoard members and the entire community to value teachers and respect their rolein the classroom of shaping our childrens futures and preparing them for success.Further delays and stalling by the School Board in reaching an agreement only hurtsNeshaminy kids.

NSB- Despite what youve been told, the Board has taken a strong stand for one reason- to preserve the Neshaminy School district. This isnt about politics, and its not anattack on public unions. Its about our students, our tax payers, and our community.

6. What would you like to bring to the communitys attention?

NFT- We would hope that our neighbors throughout the community could understand thedistance that teachers have traveled in our contract talks. Over the course of four years,we have made six proposalseach one of them involving compromises and concessionsby teachers in wages, health care contributions, and retirement benefits. On the otherside there has been little or no movement by the School Board. We think that reasonablepeople in our community understand that compromise requires movement on both sides.

NSB- We will continue to educate the community on the extremely high costsassociated with the current CBA. The public must understand that meeting in themiddle will result in drastic budget and program cuts.

7. What is your hope for the upcoming negotiation sessions in December?

NFT- We are nearly halfway through our fourth year of working without a newcontract. Our hope is that we can reach a settlement that is good for kids and fair tothe community, taxpayers and teachers. The clock is ticking on this process. SchoolBoard members hold the keys to bring this to a positive conclusion before they furtherhurt our students education.

NSB- Our greatest hope is that NFT leaders will stop protecting the status quo, andinstead try to understand the serious financial conditions surrounding us.

OCCUPY: Moving onContinued from page 1

who proposed a peaceful protestof Wall Street against corporate

influence on democracy.The Occupy protests started offmostly peaceful, but as of late haveturned violent.

Homeless people and squatterswho do not share the views of theprotesters have been infiltrating thecamps. There have been incidents ofrape, assault, and shootings as well.

As a result, city officials allaround the county have been crackingdown on the Occupy movement.

On Nov. 13, Occupy Oaklandprotesters were kicked out by policefor the second time. An Occupy campin Portland, Oregon was cleared outand protesters in Burlington, Vt.,

peacefully vacated their two-week-old camp after a man shot himself todeath inside a tent.

Despite the recent crackdown onthe Occupy movements, protests havespread all around the globe.

There have been protestsfrom Australia to South Koreato Switzerland to England, andeverywhere in between.

As of Oct. 9, protests had beentaking place in 95 cities across 82countries, but in the last month it hasspread to nearly 2,500 cities. Withthis democratic awakening so widereaching, there is no end in sight.

Blue Seniors Kate Gutherman and Sara Burns (l to r) face off with red Seniors Carly

Wallick and Hannah Sufrin (l to r). Photo Illustration/ Tyler Kitchenman

By Melanie MatyiNews Editor

Join the senior girls as they face off

in tonights annual Powder Puff footballgame. The girls, separated into twoteamsred and bluewill swap placeswith the guys, taking the field as has beenthe tradition since the mid-1980s.

Coached by various senior guys, thesenior girls have been practicing for thepast weeks. Its a lot of practices butits worth it, Marissa Pacitto stated. Theguys utilize their knowledge by helpingthe girls prepare for the big game.

Even if you dont know how toplay football, youll learn and have fun,Megan Romberger said. After their weeksof practicing, the girls have honed theirskills.

This is a privilege the senior girls

get, Pacitto said. They appreciate thetime the guys put in to coach them andaid them in becoming better.

It was so nice of our coaches to givetheir time to help us prepare for it; wevehad a lot of fun at practices, Laura Alvinostated.

Powder Puff is somewhat of amisnomer. Even though it is girls playingthe formidable game of football, a goodcompetitive game can be expected. LikeGym Night, this school event is taken veryseriouslyespecially with their colorsreputation on the line.

Red defense is menacing, AmberMiddleman said. We always bring it!

Not to leave the offense out, her twinsister, Brittany Middleman added, Redoffense is a good time. Im lookingforward to a hopeful red win.

Blue also has a strong defenseaccording to Sara Burns. Blue teamhas definitely stepped up our gameand were all really excited for gamenight and just focused on having funand hopefully leaving with a win, JillAmoroso stated.

Equally invigorated through theirhard work, both the red and blue teamsare waiting in anticipation for the face-off.Alvino agreed commenting, Everyone islooking forward to the game.

Not only a chance for the senior girlsto show off their brute strength beforedeparting from Neshaminy, the gamealso helps out a local cause. All of theticket proceeds from the game benefit the

Detective Chris Jones Foundation.

The girls are focused on the big gametonight and a looming victoryfor thetriumphant teambut are also savoringtheir last memories at Neshaminy.

Powder Puff is a lot of fun. Itsdefinitely a highlight of senior year. Imlooking forward to a competitive gameagainst blue,Ally Prencavage stated.

Win or lose, this annual tradition is afun way to participate in the school. HaleyBuxton exclaimed Powder Puff is so fun!Its great to be a part of a team! Shout outto b-squad! Agreeing, Burns said, Itsfun, I get to play with my friends.

Both teams have been working hardat tough but enjoyable practices for thelast several weeks just for this one night.

The showdown will occur tonight,Nov. 22 at Harry E. Franks Stadium.Admission to the game is $5 and pregameactivities start at 6:30 p.m. with kick off

following immediately after.

Seniors face-off at Powder Puff tonight