Batesville Herald Tribune, Batesville, Indiana

Local News

February 24, 2009

1,058 petition trustees

Over 70 teachers, parents and community members attended the Feb. 19 Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corp. meeting, most in support of the educators who have been without a contract for over three years.

Cindy Hilty, New Alsace, read a petition signed by 1,058 teachers, parents and/or taxpayers, asking trustees to drop a lawsuit recently filed against teachers who called in sick Nov. 14, 2008.

“We .... request that the school board stop using our tax dollars to sue our teachers. We believe that anything the board might intend to gain from this suit will be overshadowed by the bitter and long-lasting negative effect it will have on the morale of our teachers.

“We further believe that sending our teachers into the classroom with this dark cloud over their heads cannot be in the best interest of the children they teach.”

Immediately following the speech, applause resonated throughout the room and in the hallway, where an overflow of attendees stood.

Sandy Eppert, Guilford, told the board, stating, “The teachers’ contracts allow for sick days, personal days .... It should make no difference if teachers take their sick days piecemeal or all on the same day.

“This lawsuit will take tax dollars you say you don’t have .... where is the money coming from? .... You are failing to represent the constituents who elected you. The only ones who will benefit (from the lawsuit) ... are the lawyers.

“Regarding stalled contract negotiations, have you asked the administration to give up anything? .... Historically, administrators have always been given higher raises than teachers.”

Ken Wilson, teachers’ union president, asked trustees to “find a better place to have this (monthly) meeting .... some place we can all .... sit down.”

Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.

Text Only
Local News
Featured Ads
AP Video
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48 Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party 79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Seasonal Content
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.