Hebron Dollars & Sense

I appreciate this thoughtful analysis of the situation. Since I can't get the site to allow me to post directly under budget issues, I wanted to address a couple of the points brought up under this issue here.

4– The teachers are doing a great job

Yes, they are. But there are teachers in much less hospitable environments who would love to take over a position in Hebron. These teachers are equally as dedicated as the ones currently under our employ, I'd imagine. I'm certain, with an unemployment rate hovering under 9%, that there are good teachers out there looking for work as well. They are doing a great job, but they are not irreplacable.

5 – There is the possibility that the majority of the citizens in Hebron CAN afford to pay the contracted amount

Even if there is the possibility that the majority can afford it, is it humane/responsible to ignore those who clearly cannot afford it?

6 – According to the Superintendent, we are giving teachers (at a rate of 38%) unprepared children

Hmmm...unprepared in what way? Are we talking readiness for kindergarten here, or in some other way? I'm not sure what portion of the superintendent's rhetoric is being referred to here.


8 - We will have less of a chance to permanently fix the system if we use this "band-aid" for the current fiscal year

Permanently fix which part of the system? I'm unclear on the meaning of this particular point. Are you referring to the fact that teachers in Hebron are receving, according to the supt., less than teachers in surrounding towns? Or some other issue/s?

(item 6): I believe they are trying to "educate" 38% of the group that are still babies who are more interested in socializing, playing and napping. (That was suppose to be funny ...)

(item 8): We cannot control salaries because of the "binding arbitration" - not sure what that means exactly but others in the past have suggested school budgets would never be controlled because the unions, the contracts, binding arbitration all come into play.

I need to educate myself and look up "binding arbitration" for CT teachers. Thanks for reminding me....

NOW I remember ... we had a vote a couple years back to allow the public to amend the state constitution. Unfortunately folks did not support that issue. IF they had ... maybe, we could have rid ourselves of "binding arbitration"

Know this linked info is old but it will inform and educate all of us. Click here for link

A quote from that link is EXCELLENT and still is valid today:
"Binding arbitration nearly always is bad for cities. It takes control of the budget away from elected representatives and hands it to an independent arbitrator, who looks at numbers but not the broader good of a community."

Excellent article, Mombert. Can someone refresh my memory regarding the currentl teachers' contract, its details, and how it came to be? Was it arbitrated or agreed upon between the union and the board? I know there was a vote re the RHAM teachers (with Marlborough the single municipality supporting increases), but he Hebron teachers are separate, no?