Dear Members,

I am sure that you were as dismayed as we were this past Friday after receiving another “Friday Threat Letter”.

The most recent letter states that the Board is "committed to ensuring that our children learn". Apparently disrupting the learning process on a Friday afternoon is, in their mind, a good thing for our students and their education. Then they go on to threaten to fire the teachers that have helped our students achieve AYP in every building.

Such action is extremely disappointing since both sides agreed that last Wednesday’s bargaining session showed promise with the beginning of mediation and more October bargaining dates set. Considering the spirit of cooperation implied by Wednesday's result, we can't explain why the Board feels this harassment is necessary.

The HEA is filing a grievance on behalf of all HEA members against the Board for interfering with the educational process. At a meeting last night MEA legal counsel was advised of the situation. Their preliminary opinion was that this pattern of threats likely violates our contract as well as PERA. They will be amending our unfair labor practice complaint against the District today. Their official opinion will be delivered to the Board at tonight’s Special Board Meeting.

At tonight’s meeting a representative group of HEA members will be present to show support and monitor the Board’s actions. Members will also be making public comments. If you would like to attend please feel free. The meeting begins at 5:30pm at the East Middle School Cafeteria. Following the meeting the HEA phone tree will be activated to summarize any action by the Board.

Please remember that the scare tactics being employed by the Board and administration are to be expected as part of their attempt to divide and demoralize our ranks. Instead we should continue to be professionals in our classrooms and support each other through this difficult period.

Thanks for your continued support,

Jon Toppen, Chief Negotiator

Rick Slachta, Crisis Team Chairperson