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Week of Thursday, August 28, 2003Ypsilanti teacher By SHAUN GARTH WALKER The Ypsilanti School Board voted Monday to approve a new contract for district teachers, ending a process that has dragged on for more than a year. And while the Ypsilanti Education Association is happy to have a contract, they are still not satisfied with the treatment they received from the district. "The teachers have voted to ratify the contract, but this district remains in the bottom tier of the county," said Kelly Powers, YEA president. According to a release from the district, 287 teachers voted to approve the contract, with 10 voting against it. Powers added that 37 votes were spoiled, and so were not included in the totals. The new contract provides a 3 percent increase each year, retroactive to July 1, 2002. It also increases the health insurance co-pay for prescriptions from $2 to a $5 or $10 co-pay. "Health care was the downside of our contract," said Powers. Board President Diane Kerr was slightly more optimistic in her evaluation of the turn of events. "I’m pleased that we were able to take action for our teachers," Kerr said. "Good things are ahead for us." Superintendent David Zuhlke, while admitting his disappointment at Powers’ remarks, was also happy for the teachers. "I’m elated that our teachers ratified this tentative agreement," Zuhlke said. "I have been hoping all along that we could approve this contract for teachers prior to the start of school. Approval of this contract eliminated one distraction and will enable us all to focus on a great start to a new school year." Still, Powers remains unconvinced. She said that teachers are at the bottom of the district’s list of priorities, and that the Board of Education needs to take a look at itself to determine where its priorities lie. |
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