Trenton Education Association Passes Out Flier Regarding Negotiations

The Trenton Education Association (TEA) passed out a flier over the weekend to members of the community bringing to light several items of negotiation that are typically reserved for private discussion between district officials and the TEA.

When asked why the TEA had decided to go public with specific negotiations Mark Hoffman, district director of the TEA, said district officials had decided to bargain regressively, which breaks a "cardinal rule of negotiating." 

"Both sides are supposed to start in a certain place, then move to an acceptable compromise," Hoffman said. "The TEA has done that all along, but the district, out of nowhere, went way off in the other direction. They can claim that made them do that, but they definitely don't need to be as extreme as their current position is in order to make a reasonable deal."

The flier passed out by the TEA said:

Did you know?

The Trenton Education Association has offered proposals to the school district that could save teachers and money for the district.

The proposals include:

• In August 2010, the TEA proposed a switch from a Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO1 to a MESSA program that would have saved the district more than $400,000.

• The TEA proposed 6 furlough days with no pay for teachers over 3 school years that would save approximately $660,000.

But there’s more …

Go to www.teachtrenton.org for more information that further explains proposals from the teachers and the school board. 

Ask the Board:

•  Why haven’t you accepted the teachers’ proposals?

• Why is a fund balance more important than lower class sizes?

More teachers = smaller class sizes & quality education

Let your voice be heard at the next Board of Education Meeting!

Monday, May 23rd @ 6:30 pm

Trenton Education Association

Hoffman said he did not know how many fliers were passed out.

He added the point of the flier was to educate the public about the district's dire financial situation.

"Afterwards (after the flier was distributed), articulate and passionate community members offered valuable suggestions and insights," Hoffman said. "They confirmed what we knew all along—that the district has to put its priorities on taking care of its teachers as best as it possibly can, or it will fail us all."