Teachers dressed in red at Lexington’s Board of Education meeting on Wednesday evening, and they also brought in food for the district’s annual food drive – signifying support from the Lexington Teachers Association (LTA) for the ongoing negotiation process.
The teachers’ contracts, between the LTA, the Ohio Department of Education and the district’s Board of Education, expired on August 31, 2014.
“We’re looking for a fair contract,” said LTA President Rebecca Bigley. “Our focus is in recruiting new teachers, creating a livable income with a healthy teaching environment, and to retain teachers through being respected,” she added.
The negotiation process, which is a traditional bargaining process, has been ongoing since June. As a result of the ongoing process, some teachers are upset and concerned.
“The reason we’re upset is because we are not seeing a balanced negotiation and we feel we are not being respected,” said Bigley.
When Bigley made a presentation to the board during session, she stated that the food is a symbol of the community’s confidence and hope that the teacher’s association and Board of Education will reach a fair agreement. She also noted that since the teachers’ expired contract, the amount of hours worked outside of contract amounts to 15,347 hours.
“When you think of how much money that is … that’s a boat load of money, around $350,000. And that’s just base pay,” said Bigley in an interview after the meeting.
Mike Grady, a community member and parent of a senior at the high school, also approached the board, this time with a question. He wondered if the Ohio School Board Association provides services to the administration in negotiations?
His question alluded to the general concern that the current lawyer, William C. Pepple, would lead the educators to a strike.
Board member Jeff Heck responded, “Yes. They do, but for a price … Mr. Pepple is doing exactly what we’re asking him to do, which is to present our interest in those negotiations.”
As Heck continued to address Grady’s concern, he assured him, and the rest of the teachers and parents present at the meeting, that the negotiation process has the district’s best interest at the top priority.
“Just so you understand, it rubs me just a little bit the wrong way when somebody suggests that we would be led by a lawyer to a decision that wouldn’t be in the best interest of this district. Because I can assure you, knowing the people around the table as well as I do, all of us have that same interest,” said Heck.
The next regular board of education meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at 7 p.m. The negotiation process will continue with future meetings.
