....Community Relations....
Dear Community Member,
The labor problem in the Abington Heights School District is reaching a point where a disruption of educational services is probable. When discussing this problem with friends and school board members, please be aware of the following facts:
The Health Insurance Issue--The school board has not revealed the whole story when discussing this problem. What you have not been told is that the school district receives a sizeable premium rebate each year. According to district office records, this amount has totaled $322,833.49 over the past five years. What this means in reality is an increase of less than 1% per year, an amount well below the inflation rate.
The Teachers' Offer to Reduce Health Care Costs--The teachers offered the district a Benefit Cost Reduction of $79,000 for health insurance five years ago. The total savings to school district taxpayers would have been $395,000 if the school board had accepted our offer. In addition, the teachers' association provided the school board information relative to the formation of a Health Care Consortium three years ago. It was gratifying for us to read The Scranton Times editorial March 13, 1999, recommending the study of such a proposal. Had this information been acted upon by the school board $1,296,000 could have been saved over the past three years.
What are the consequences of a prolonged dispute? Despite what some school officials have said, it will become increasingly difficult to attract high-quality applicants. A prolonged labor dispute coupled with the lowest starting salary offered in the area will result in fewer good teachers coming to Abington Heights. Further, ultimately lower property values will follow. As you are aware communities are judged, in this case by future homeowners, by the schools they keep.
The teachers at Abington Heights provide the best education to children in Northeastern PA.--Statistics prove that our college placement is the highest in the area and our students' scores on the state assessment tests are the highest in the area. The musical, artistic and academic awards won by our students are numerous. The fact is student achievement demonstrates that we do a great job for the children of this community.
No one on the Abington Heights faculty wants to strike. We have worked two years without a contract and we have tried everything possible to avoid a work stoppage. Please help us avoid disruption to the educational program by attending school board meetings. The location will be announced in the newspaper. Ask the school board to end this labor dispute.
Sincerely,
The teachers of the Abington Heights School District
Other letters to the community
Talking Points #1
Talking Points #2
Talking Points #3
Vouchers #1
Vouchers #2
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