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District 299 board, teachers: THANK YOU!
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 When I got to work Friday, Jan. 15, I did what I usually do every work day…I go through the two to three dozen emails that are waiting for me. While there were the run-of-the-mill “junk” emails I immediately delete, there was one in particular I was looking for. Yes, it was there.
Freelance writer Craig Moorhead, who does an excellent job covering the Caledonia Area School Board for The Argus, had sent me a story about the special meeting District 299 held the previous night. I exhaled a breath of relief, as I read the headline, “Teachers’ contract ratified one day before the deadline.”
I quickly read the story, did a little editing and posted the first few paragraphs on our website. This was big news, and I wanted our readers, many of whom access our website on a daily basis, to know what was going on. The entire article was our lead story in last week’s print edition.
First of all, I want to commend the Caledonia Education Association and the District 299 Board of Education for coming to terms before the deadline. By agreeing on a compromise, the two groups not only saved the school district approximately $23,000 in fines (figured at $25 per student) that would have been leveled by the state, but it also is an example of how people can work together during very difficult times.
During the 25-plus years I have worked as a journalist, I have covered nearly a dozen different school districts. When one walks down the halls and interacts with the students, teachers, staff, coaches and administration on nearly a daily basis, you really get a feel for the school. I can honestly say that Caledonia has one of the top public schools I have covered during my journalistic career.
Ratifying the contract before the deadline, even though it amounted to just less than a one percent increase in salaries over a two-year period, indicates just how dedicated these teachers are. Before the recession and the very difficult times all forms of local governments are facing, this would have been a slap in the face to the teachers. But we’re not living normal times. As Dorothy said to Toto, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas!”
About a month ago Craig Moorhead reported that District 299 will be forced to make between $400,000 and $500,000 in cuts in their operating budget for one year. That is an incredible amount of money to cut from a budget in the school district of this size. Entire programs may have to be slashed. And with the cuts in programs the “pink slips” will be handed out.
I’m sure it’s not a fun time to be on a school board that will be forced to make cuts that deep. We’re talking about friends and neighbors…good, quality teachers who have put their all into providing an excellent educational experience for the kids of the Caledonia area.
People should thank the teachers of District 299 for agreeing to this contract. While I know there are folks out there who feel teachers only work “part-time” and are overpaid, I totally disagree. These are the people who are molding and shaping our children who will be the leaders of tomorrow. Being a school teacher is a challenging, time-consuming and also a rewarding occupation. I should know. My mother, grandmother and my three sisters were or are teachers. I spent one winter serving as a substitute teacher for several school districts in Fillmore County years ago when I was in the building trades. That short stint in the classroom gave me a much greater appreciation for the teaching profession.
According to news reports, there were 28 school districts that did not ratify contracts with their teachers’ unions before the Jan. 15 deadline. Two school districts to our north, Houston and Winona were among the 28. The Winona teachers’ union voted 3-1 to reject their contract.
The Winona teachers’ union would not provide specifics as far as what they brought to the table, but did say they wanted to bring the payscale in line with other districts.
In an editorial published in the Jan. 16 issue of The Winona Daily News, editor Darrell Ehrlick wrote:
“The district will likely have $100,000 less to offer the teachers now. And its next offer might be a lot worse than what was rejected Thursday. In all likelihood, the district will have to make do with fewer teachers…
“The real tragedy - which few seem to bring up in this conversation - is the damage this does. Community relations worsen as its esteem for the teachers dwindles - which is sad, because we have so many excellent teachers in the district. A fine from the state only robs the district of more money it needs. And most important, fewer teachers in the classrooms mean our district cannot reach as many students or reach as high when it comes time to set goals and standards.
“No one wins, but everyone seems to be losing.”
I’m glad I didn’t have to pen an editorial like the one Darrell Ehrlick wrote. Thanks again Caledonia teachers and to the District 299 Board of Education. You all need to be commended!!
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