Caledonia Argus

District settles contract with CEA

Posted: 8/20/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Board ratifies new contract

Board members unanimously approved a new teacher contract settlement that would pay teachers a 1.75% increase or an average of $690 for the 2001-2002 year, and 3.5% or an average of $1,425 for the 2002-2003 school year.

According to a joint press release from the CEA and ISD #299, ìThe settlement compares to statewide average increases for schools similar in size to Caledonia of 3.04% the first year and 3.64% for the second year.î

The CEA voted 40-4 to approve the contract.

The press release further stated, ìThe increase will partially offset the increasing payroll deductions for health insurance costs paid by individual teachers. For a full family policy, this deduction has increased from $3,630 in 1999-2000 to $10,363 for 2002-2003.î

Board member Chuck Schulte abstained from the vote because his wife, Sharon Schulte, is a teacher. He also commented that he does not feel comfortable approving a contract that he does not have before him.

Interim Superintendent Jim Tool explained to board members that the final language of the settlement is not prepared until both sides agree to it. He said, ìItís subject to a number of punctual changes. Iím essentially asking you to approve it before a final typing.î

Whitesitt noted that this process could take several weeks.

Band director resigns, asks board to waive $1,000 fee

With a teacherís settlement minutes from being approved by ISD #299 Monday night, August 19, former Caledonia High School band instructor, Kevin Ryan, pled for board members to consider not assessing a new $1,000 fee for his late resignation.

Part of the teacher contract settlement accepted by the CEA (Caledonia Education Association) includes language that a $1,000 late fee be assessed for resignations received after July 15. Ryan said when he resigned last week he was under the terms of the old contract, which did not assess a fee. The districtís teachers have been operating without a contract for the past 13 months.

Board Chair Cheryl Whitesitt pointed out that approving a retroactive contract with the CEA for the 2001-2002 school year not only includes the retroactive pay increase, but everything else.

Ryan explained to board members that two weeks ago, he was planning to return for the 2002-2003 school year, but changed his mind last week and decided to resign. His position was then offered to Richard Daily, whose 2001-2002 contract had not been renewed. Daily had worked alongside Ryan last year with band students.

Ryan said he feels betrayed by the district because he was assessed the fee before the settlement was ratified. ìMy concern is a question about principal, about justice. If you wish to thank me for my services that Iíve done for you, then fine me $1,000. The thanks rings hollow,î he said.

Whitesitt asserted that the agreement was reached as a whole with the CEA. ìThis was a team situation,î she said.

Board member Dave Klinski added that the fee was not brought up to be a penalty, but as a way to cover the expenses of finding a replacement for late resignations. ì$1,000 was a random figure in order to cover expenses,î he explained.

Ryan also voiced his concern about the agenda being changed to allow the master agreement to be ratified first and then the resignations approved. The agenda had originally scheduled resignations to be accepted before the teacherís master agreement.

Board member Suzanne Roesler said she did not feel it made a difference what went first because accepting the contract meant accepting all of its new retroactive terms.

The board did not say if they would assess Ryan the $1,000 fee because of his late resignation.

It was noted that Jean Kronebusch, EBD teacher, is also subject to being assessed $1,000 for her late resignation, which the board accepted.

The board also accepted Ryanís resignation.

District and city wait for construction on Esch Drive

The district and City of Caledonia are waiting for Ma Cal Developers to approve an agreement that would allow construction to begin for a gravel road on Esch Drive. The road would provide access to the school from Highway 44/76. Currently, the only access is from West Main onto Gjere Avenue, which turns into the recently named Warrior Avenue.

It is hoped that an agreement would be reached within the next two weeks so that a construction crew that is already on site can be utilized.

The city of Caledonia met with ISD #299 in a joint meeting Monday, August 14, to discuss the eminent domain situation.

An eminent domain hearing was held Wednesday, August 14. At that time, parties for both sides agreed on two commissioners who will assess the property, Ken Visger and Ross Phelps, and a third was to be named by Monday.

At the hearing, the attorney for Ma Cal Developers, Kenneth Moen of Rochester, raised no objections to the public purpose or necessity of the project.

The city and school district were represented in court by James Koby and Michelle Guillien of the Parke OíFlaherty Law Firm.

After the land is appraised, tan amount equal to the appraisal is deposited and a committee is formed to determine the extent of any damages to be paid the developers.

According to the ìquick takeî procedure that the city and district are using to gain control of Esch Drive, construction can begin on the land 90 days after eminent domain proceedings have begun, which will be September 24. Actual ownership of the land occurs after the land is paid for.

District wants gravel road

The school board also approved installing a basic gravel road on Esch Drive, measuring approximately 700 feet long and 55 feet wide with an approximate cost of $30,000 to be shared with the city, contingent on Ma Cal Developers allowing the construction on their land.

It was noted that of the 55 foot gravel road, 10 feet would be dedicated to a walking path which would be separated from the main road by fence posts and reflective signs.

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