The contract settlement which brought closure to the Huber Heights teacher’s strike sounds like a big win for the Huber Heights Education Association. From the perspective of outside observers, it’s a little difficult to believe that Superintendent Kirby and the board permitted the situation to spiral out of control. When the heat kicked up in their self-imposed pressure chamber, Kirby and his board collapsed, and sounded rather off-key with their sour notes in the paper the next day. These off-pitch comments signaled that the teachers got a settlement which met their overall demands. While the HHEA clearly did not get everything that they wanted, they are to be congratulated on using their strength as a professional association to achieve a fair and equitable settlement for their members.
First and foremost, the teachers were able, with relative ease, to close school and bring attention to their plight. From the moment it began, this was a successful strike because Kirby closed school. The natural tension between schools being open with scab teachers means that teachers are loosing their pay for every day on the picket line. In Huber Heights, it is likely that all the school days will be made up, teachers lost no pay, and the teachers spent no days without their health-care. There wasn’t even time to cancel and reinstate the insurance by Friday. Kirby bungled his attempt to scare the teachers back to work. Even precious athletic programs were halted. For those who might be inclined to criticize the teachers in their efforts, one must remember that the Superintendent and the board have the obligation to settle a contract and have employees in place to operate school and all of the extra-curricular programs. Kirby failed in this obligation, and the students and the community suffered the consequences.
The unconfirmed settlement details reported by Scott at Get on the Bus, and sources from within the HHEA, indicate a nice financial deal for the teachers.
Apparently, the teachers will get raises of 3.5%, 3.5%, and 3.0% over the next three years. The teachers have minimal (very minimal) increases in their co-pays for some of the health-care benefits. There is no mention of any increases in their premium contributions. In today’s climate, this is a major win for the HHEA members. The teachers also got some language items that are needed in order for the school environment to remain productive and safe.
All of this leaves the lingering question of what was gained by the hapless Kirby and his board. The board allowed, even encouraged, public perceptions to develop that the Huber Heights schools do not and will not need more money to operate their district in the next few years. By allowing the situation to spiral out of control, Kirby and the ineffectual board brought a level of scrutiny and inquiry upon the board and their every expenditure. The strike highlighted the spectrum of administrative salaries-never a winner for any board. While teacher salaries are the source of public discontent, there is unanimous resentment of administrative salaries. Administrative salaries can provoke a public riot.
Kirby and his board placed their ineptitude from and center under the glare of the public spotlight. As the CEO of the district it is incumbent upon Kirby to have prevented the strike in the first place. Clearly, one day of mediation, and an undercurrent of strenuous public pressure, was enough to settle the issues. Kirby should have had the professionalism and personal integrity to bring closure to the matter in the hours immediately preceding the strike. In the days ahead, Kirby’s lack of good judgment, verbal clumsiness, lack of sophistication and outright intolerance will haunt him and the Huber Heights school district.
Kirby might consider marketing his “skills” in Labor/Management and dispute resolution to another district in the state where they desire an orchestrated public conflict with disastrous results for the school and the community.
On second thought, those skills aren’t really needed in Ohio any more. Huber Heights should kick Kirby to the curb and start over with someone more capable. Only qualified Superintendents with the dexterity, flexibility, and intellectual capacity to work collaboratively with teachers and the community need apply.
First and foremost, the teachers were able, with relative ease, to close school and bring attention to their plight. From the moment it began, this was a successful strike because Kirby closed school. The natural tension between schools being open with scab teachers means that teachers are loosing their pay for every day on the picket line. In Huber Heights, it is likely that all the school days will be made up, teachers lost no pay, and the teachers spent no days without their health-care. There wasn’t even time to cancel and reinstate the insurance by Friday. Kirby bungled his attempt to scare the teachers back to work. Even precious athletic programs were halted. For those who might be inclined to criticize the teachers in their efforts, one must remember that the Superintendent and the board have the obligation to settle a contract and have employees in place to operate school and all of the extra-curricular programs. Kirby failed in this obligation, and the students and the community suffered the consequences.
The unconfirmed settlement details reported by Scott at Get on the Bus, and sources from within the HHEA, indicate a nice financial deal for the teachers.
Apparently, the teachers will get raises of 3.5%, 3.5%, and 3.0% over the next three years. The teachers have minimal (very minimal) increases in their co-pays for some of the health-care benefits. There is no mention of any increases in their premium contributions. In today’s climate, this is a major win for the HHEA members. The teachers also got some language items that are needed in order for the school environment to remain productive and safe.
All of this leaves the lingering question of what was gained by the hapless Kirby and his board. The board allowed, even encouraged, public perceptions to develop that the Huber Heights schools do not and will not need more money to operate their district in the next few years. By allowing the situation to spiral out of control, Kirby and the ineffectual board brought a level of scrutiny and inquiry upon the board and their every expenditure. The strike highlighted the spectrum of administrative salaries-never a winner for any board. While teacher salaries are the source of public discontent, there is unanimous resentment of administrative salaries. Administrative salaries can provoke a public riot.
Kirby and his board placed their ineptitude from and center under the glare of the public spotlight. As the CEO of the district it is incumbent upon Kirby to have prevented the strike in the first place. Clearly, one day of mediation, and an undercurrent of strenuous public pressure, was enough to settle the issues. Kirby should have had the professionalism and personal integrity to bring closure to the matter in the hours immediately preceding the strike. In the days ahead, Kirby’s lack of good judgment, verbal clumsiness, lack of sophistication and outright intolerance will haunt him and the Huber Heights school district.
Kirby might consider marketing his “skills” in Labor/Management and dispute resolution to another district in the state where they desire an orchestrated public conflict with disastrous results for the school and the community.
On second thought, those skills aren’t really needed in Ohio any more. Huber Heights should kick Kirby to the curb and start over with someone more capable. Only qualified Superintendents with the dexterity, flexibility, and intellectual capacity to work collaboratively with teachers and the community need apply.
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