Script

for Neshaminy Parents

Hello, my name is NAME, and Im a teacher at NAME OF SCHOOL. May I speak to PARENT NAME? As you know, the first day of school is right around the corner. BE PERSONABLE, TALK ABOUT YOUR CLASSROOM (SUPPLIES, UPCOMING LESSONS, WHAT TO EXPECT, ETC)THIS SHOULD BE ABOUT 12 MINUTES. AND IF IT DOESNT COME UP NATURALLY IN THE CONVERSATION I know theres a lot in the news right now about the stalemate in our contract negotiations between teachers and the School Board. After four years of working without a contract, and despite teachers efforts to offset health care costs and find middle ground with the School Board, we are no closer to reaching a contract than we were last year. Its been hard for everyone involved. As teachers, we take our work very seriously, and our students education has always been a priority. The School Board has pitted teachers against the community, and I want to say it shouldnt be like that. Thats why Im calling you. Its important that teachers and parents keep open communication and that you should feel free to call me, and I hope you feel the same way since we all have a shared interest in the success of your child. As you may have heard, teachers voted to invoke a Work to the Contractto begin immediately. This time we will be communicating more with you and others in our community. Its vital that parents, residents of Neshaminy are involved. This time, teachers working to the contract will report the first day of school on Aug 29 for our inservice dayand everyday after 15 minutes before the first bell, and leave 15 minutes after the last bell. The School Board is the only one who can fix this. Teachers have been left with no other option. But we want to work together this time with you in our community to ensure our children have the education they deserve. I hope we can continue to keep an open dialogue between us so theres no misinformation or lies about how the School Board refuses to negotiate fairly toward a mutual settlement.

TAKE QUESTIONS: 1. How is this work-to-contract action different from what you did last year? The goal is the same as it was then. We want to raise community awareness of the need for compromise and good-faith bargaining to resolve the contract issues. And we want to work with parents and others in the community to find new ways to improve the education of our children and to build understanding of why a new contract is important to that shared goal. But what about Back to School nights and student orientation programs? Teachers will participate in regularly scheduled Back to School nights and orientation. Wherever students and parents are, we will be there. And sports or other extra-curricular activities? Teachers will continue to be involved in those activities if they are part of the contract, or if they involve duties for which they are paidsuch as coaching.

2. How long will this work-to-contract thing continue? That is really up to the School Board. We are doing this to illustrate the wide range of tasks that teachers are asked to complete every day that have nothing to do with contractual obligations. And we hope to make the point that everyone winsstudents, teachers, parents, taxpayersif the School Board is willing to consider compromise. We have outline the potential for savings on healthcare costs, and we have offered significant contributions to health insurance premiums. The School Board wouldnt even consider those proposals, even though they involved millions of dollars for the school district. Instead, they threw back a contract proposal that took a giant step away from compromise. If they can give up their strategy of negotiating by ultimatum, and bargain in good-faith, this work to contract will not last very long at all. But that is up to the Board members. The solution to our long stalemate is literally in their hands.

3. What should parents and others in the community who care about our schools be doing? Please continue to speak with teachers, and find out more about this situation and the truth about the contract talks over the last three years. There has been a lot of

misinformationsome would say deliberate liescirculating out there. Take the time to listen to both sides and learn the truth. Teachers have been ready throughout this process to work with the School Board to reach a contract that is good for students, and fair to teachers and taxpayers. But we cant bargain with ourselves, and the School Board has repeatedly shown that it is not serious about trying to reach a settlement through negotiations.

4. Is this work-to-contract action just a first step toward a strike? We absolutely hope not. That is not what teachers want. The School Board knows that. But for every step teachers have taken to find middle ground, the School Board has taken two steps in the opposite direction. Those are NOT the actions of reasonable people, or of people who are honestly engaged in bargaining. So we are hoping that those who care about our students and Neshaminy Public Schools will call Richie Webb and other School Board members and let them know that they are the key to a resolution. We can reach an agreement and end this divisive stalemate at any time the Board is willing to re-commit the honest bargaining. 5. If they start bitching at you. You need to call Ritchie Webb and the School Board and tell them exactly what you are saying to me. Its up to them. I wish it was up to us, then all of this would be over by now.