Sandusky teacher Janet Gleason gives a thumb's up as a motorist honks while driving through the main intersection in downtown Sandusky. Janet and fellow teacher Donna Foster (right) joined other members of the Sandusky Education Association on the picket line last Wednesday evening. Photo by Eric Levine

Teachers stood on the sidewalks at the downtown stoplight, and along M-19 near the entrance road to the high school prior to Wednesday evening's school board meeting, holding signs and seeking the public's support.

The instructors, whose union contract expired in July, then packed the board meeting, although there was little discussion about the issue during the session.

However, in a letter to a board member, the president of the Sandusky Education Association accused the board and its professional negotiator, Tom Basil, of attempting to "coerce" teachers into a settlement by withholding step raises. The Sept. 5 letter to Timothy Thomson was distributed to board members in their meeting packet but was not discussed.

In the letter, Brad Bays, president of the 62-member SEA, claimed the "negative cloud" hanging over the district will worsen because of the board's action.

"Our school district has decided to take a hard line during our current round of negotiations," said Bays, a teacher and varsity football coach. "I feel you are doing so mainly because our budget is tight due to declining enrollment and we have a very small fund balance. This coupled with the possible closure of our middle school and staff cuts which result in larger class size have resulted in a very negative cloud surrounding our school district. It would be a shame to create further unnecessary negativity in a district as historically successful as ours, but I fear some actions taken by the board, and their hired professional negotiator will do just that."

Bays continued, "From conversations with the superintendent and indications given by Mr. Basil at the negotiating table, I gather that steps are not being given in an effort to coerce the SEA to finish bargaining and reach a settlement. This effort, and the decision by the administration not to deduct our union dues, will in no way effect the SEA in the collective bargaining process. The only possible outcome of these decisions will be to cause more negativity in our school district."

Bays stated that the union was filing an unfair labor practice claim with the Michigan Department of Labor over the step increases.

"Many SEA members understand the district's financial position, but wonder why the district feels the need to approach our problems in this way. We especially wonder why the district is making such a blatant attack on its teachers when facts from the salary survey done by county superintendents indicate we are the sixth lowest paid teaching staff in the county. A small raise in the next contract will not bring our teacher pay up to the county average. It is one thing to negotiate and try to reach the best possible settlement for the district, but the attempts by the district to strong arm the SEA into a settlement are unprecedented, unnecessary, futile and unjust."

Although teachers have demonstrated their displeasure with pickets, classroom duties will not be neglected.

"We will continue to carry out our professional duties without change to our students, administration or community. We have not, and will not, make any attempt to take retaliatory measures against the district, even though we feel the district is (in) violation of our contract and Michigan labor law, in a combative effort aimed at the SEA," said Bays.

Superintendent Martha Essenmacher acknowledged the board's first contract proposal to the union, on Feb. 26, calls for a salary freeze that includes step raises. She said it is the board's position that the proposal does not violate collective bargaining rules.

"The initial proposal was wages would be the same dollar amount they received in 2007-08," said Essenmacher, "just like I froze my salary and the other administrators. We were willing to take that freeze."

Essenmacher added, "In his letter, he talks about the tight budget. That's exactly the point. We need cost containment because of our declining enrollment and the small fund balance."

According to Essenmacher, each step in the contract is the equivalent of a 2.2% raise, which would cost the district $69,271.

"Steps are real money to the district. We do need to discuss it," she said. "I'm sure with looking at insurance costs, and the whole picture, we'll be able to come to terms that are fair to everyone...(and) get this settled."

Essenmacher noted that a decision on the middle school won't be made until after the enrollment count on Sept. 24. She also said some class sizes are large, but none are over the limit.

She concluded, " We are really fortunate to have dedicated teachers who care tremendously about their students. The same can be said about our board of education. They're looking out for the best interests of our students."