Don’t be fooled by Ms. Minnaar’s statements Monday night (January 16, 2006) about scheduling bargaining dates, insurance, or anything else. At our last bargaining session, both parties agreed that the CAC decisions and recommendations could have vast financial ramifications. It was also agreed that bargaining sessions would not be as productive as they might be if major changes to the district were soon to be announced. And that is what apparently is happening Thursday afternoon.
Your bargaining team determined long ago that each team member’s contribution is vital, and that we would not schedule bargaining sessions when all members could not be present. Many of their proposed dates were during our holiday break. Team members were out of town to be with their families or were serving jury duty during the holidays. Other dates proposed by the board’s attorney required team members to miss school. As a team, we long ago told the board’s bargaining team that missing school was to be avoided. We believe in what we do and don’t want to miss school to bargain unless we are close to a possible settlement. Obviously, we’re not close to a possible settlement - especially since recent communication from the board’s attorney stated that the board has not changed it’s proposal.
Be careful about what you believe with respect to statements from Washington. Trusted principals have voiced displeasure with the benefit plan that was forced on them. Their experience with this plan is far different than Ms. Minnaar’s characterization of it.
Remember, as another West Michigan school district’s board member stated about our superintendent in the Grand Rapids Press on October 4, 2005, “Holland has someone who is engaged in open warfare with his employees.” Obviously, this statement can be expanded to include the board and other Washington administrators. Their goal is to take as much as they can from us.
The board illegally imposed their will on us, and recent actions taken by us are showing the board that we are united and unhappy with the next phase of the “Ruga Plan” to destroy our district.
