Should teachers go on strike again? Will a second strike benefit teachers?

The NSB has insisted that there are insufficient funds to give the NFT what they want. The NFT does not trust the NSB numbers (of course they don't refute them specifically) or come up with their own exact numbers.

Will this strike create dollars or make the NSB more trustworthy in the eyes of the NFT?

yoh NFT, tell me how your 2nd strike will assist in resolving this impasse ? All it does is show your parasitic, greedy desire to continue to rape and pillage the Taxpayers of Neshaminy and that this is only about your self serving avarice... oh yesh, forgot Your total disrespect for our students

The second strike will only reinforce the resolve from the board, parents, and taxpayers of this community. We are so done with the NFT and wish we could fire them and start over.

Very sad that 2/3 of our teachers are greedy and selfish. Bravo to our school board
and the 1/3 who voted against the Boyd-ers. The most lucrative contract anywhere in the country and the greedy so-called teachers will give up virtually nothing compared to other districts. 2/3 of our teachers are NOT in favor of our students.
Just horrible and embarrassing.

Every single teacher who participates in a second strike should lose their job. It won't be hard to find decent replacements for them, seeing how many applicants there are (thousands) every time a position opens up. How the NFT can justify a second strike, given their A+ contract and C- performance is beyond me.

A message to all you pround NFT'ers. The community is sick of your BS. GFY, you shameless a-holes.

Why did they bring this to arbitration? I guess so the board could say that it was biased and not settle this contract. Who does not want to settle this contract?

I am glad there are teachers in other school districts that are showing that greed is not driving force for all teachers.

This is a attemtped to totally compromise the up coming negotiations by the NFT.

They will walk in on Mmay 31 tell the Board that they want the arbritartion award. The board will say no but we are willing to negotiate from what we can afford. Tthe NFt will get up and walk put and tell the public the board will not negotiate they have a take it or leave it position. We have no choice but to strike. To the NFT... there is always a choice you just have to make the right one. NFT if this is what you wanted by releceting this leadership good luck 4, 5, 7 yyears from now nothing wil change and there will never be retro pay. Young teacher sthis board has offerred you ed credits and movement and it is in the balance of what we can afford. Your senior members in solidarity have and continue to offer you up as bait to serve their needs. Isn't being in this union a fun ride?

Bill Smith, the Neshaminy teachers are the highest compensated in the state. Remember that this contract (now in status quo) is 10 years old!

Before you say one more word, PLEASE tell me what programs you want cut besides the cuts already proposed. Because to 'settle' with the findings of the arbitrator's report will take us $10+ million beyond the original $14 million gap.

Please show me you aren't an NFT shill who says that the boards numbers are wrong and won't show WHERE they are wrong.

We won't even go there - they SHOULD be? A state ranking of about 245 (down from mid 100s years ago, 4 years of working to contract).

The board has a legal fiduciary responsibility to keep their numbers in order. They conduct their own audits, the district finances are routinely audited by independent auditors. They have receive numerous awards for their accounting practices. These people could face criminal charges for lying about this stuff.

You can't just say they are lying without substance. Don't you see how ridiculous that sounds?

The money is not there. Don't believe the board? Please show everyone where this 'hidden' money is. The people involved with the TLC will probably erect a statue to you.

Unless you have some substance to your claim I hope you can see that you will lack credibility.

Bill Neshaminy School District does not have more money than any other district in the state. They are the highest paid be happy with that or do what any other self respecting person does that isn't happy with their job..go find another one. Stop beating down the taxpayers for some these are their neighbors. How do they look the kids in the eye every day knowing many of these kids parents have lost jobs and struggling to make ends meet. Seriously most money in the state.

I see things pretty clearly. This has gone on way to0 long and everyone suffers. The board is right. The teachers are right. The kids and community suffers. Bring in binding arbitration. Make a ruling and it is over. Who will not agree to binding arbitration? From what I know the board does not want this.

Who is in charge of arbitration? If they are a member of a Union I see clearly who that will favor. You know who isn't suffering the teachers that have paid nothing for their healthcare benefits and have been the highest paid teachers in the state.

Bill I voted for the school board to handle this. I don't want an outsider to tell me what I can afford.

The next time you buy a car, what would you think of a car salesman asking you what you earn and tell you the type of car you can afford? You could say you don't want to pay that much but the salesman will tell you?

Ok, the board agrees to the arbitrator's report - what then? PLEASE answer that question. If you hope to have any credibility at all, you will have to speak responsibily about the consequences of this. 1/2 of the retro and all the other parts of the arbitrator's report? That is at least another $10 million in money we don't have. You must have something more than 'this has gone on too long'

Btw, the ONLY reason the kids suffer is because the NFT has chosen to use the kids in their extortion.

Seriously Bill pay for some of their healthcare????? Teachers all over the state have been doing that for years. That is a no brainer. They should have been contributing to their healcare LONG before now. I cannot believe that is being viewed as a concession by the teachers. Ridiculous. Also it is not giving up to leave a job you are not happy with it is being an adult. Most adults do not have a Union fighting all their battles though.

Many districts have settled this using arbitration. I guess you recommend we keep going the way we are and this district really becomes a joke.

"SOME" Bill, are you aware of the 'me too' clause for the NESPA workers? If the NFT does not pay at least 15% of their premium (for the top of the line plan - they can opt for a less expensive plan and pay less) - then the 'me too' clause kicks in. This means that the district has to give the same thing to the NESPA workers as they would give the NFT, thereby causing more $$ to be paid by the NSD.
Bill, you aren't ignoring my questions are you? Where is the 'hidden money' that the NSB has squirreled away? What programs should be cut if we give the NFT what the arbitrators says we should?

We can go on and on about this. Why is binding arbitration not the answer? They come up the findings both parties agree and the contract is done. This is all forgotten. The economy improves and everyone is happy.

Bill this is not only about the board and teachers this is about the taxpayers too. Who is representing them in arbitration? Maybe there are teachers that are afraid to stand up to the NFT but the taxpayers are not afraid.

Former Teacher the NFT sends people to comment on the Patch and they never answer questions.

People are smart to not want to move into a District where the resolution to Teacher's contracts is "Take the report and sign it and move on. Cut the programs that need to be cut and raise taxes when needed" Spoken by someone that would most likely benefit from the report.

Actually I think property values sinking is a sign to all those watching just what the taxpayers of Neshaminy School District are dealing with regarding their teachers union. It isn't redeeming the union I can tell you that.

First Bill, let's stipulate that we haven't been going 'round and round'. I have tried to deal with each and every one of your points. You don't agree but I'm not dodging you.

You on the other hand refuse to respond to my questions. Please give it a shot.

I have tried to explain why arbitration of any kind is not acceptable to me. Let me try again.
First let's deal in theory - what makes an arbitrator an expert in these concepts? Just because a person passes the American Arbitration's academy doesn't mean he knows anything about Neshaminy School District. According to Brian Boland (attorney for the Pa School Bd Assoc) they have had to spend over a half-day just explaining to these people what Act 1 is all about

Is the arbitrator concerned about the public? If so, what public? I'm concerned about what happens within the district of Neshaminy. If another district is paying too much for a teacher conctract, why should we be bound by that?

Let's assume that a district has the financial ability to pay a union what they want. Why should they? They clearly don't pay teachers, they pay a union. Everyone is the same. No one is bad, no one is excellent. Therefore we deal with the entity. In NSD, the test scores have been plummeting. The teachers have behaved like children by attacking the kids. We should pay more for this? If the district had it, the NFT has clearly shown they don't deserve it.
Now the reality - there is no money to give the NFT what they want.

Bill the arbitration favors the Union why should taxpayers have to settle for that? Why do you think that they should settle for a contract that benefits only the teachers, taxes go up and programs are slashed? This is unreal. The teachers are benefiting period they are giving up nothing. Contributing to their benefits is ridiculous they should have been doing so for years and a lot more than they will be.

Bill the taxpayer should not give up this fight because if they do they will suffer for it.

Everyone show your support for the NSB. Our students are suffering from the NFT
actions. Taxpayers can not afford another increase, which will happen shortly if we give in to the NFT. Look around at other districts. Programs cut, teachers laid-off, tax increased. If the NFT is so unhappy like Ms. Boyd has stated in the past, go elsewhere. She has stated that she works in deplorable, horrible conditions. Let us put HELP WANTED TEACHER signs out during the strike. The ranking of Neshaminy School District has plummeted over the last few years. Does this justify a salary increase? Does this justify only a 15%pay toward health benefits? If this was a private company, they would be looking for new jobs.
OUR CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER.

Also, if you want "I support Neshaminy School Board Signs" you can send an e-mail to: schoolboardsigns@gmail.com. He has them available now in Middleton and said he will have them available in the Trevose/Feasterville are on Thursday.

I truly hope the community comes out in droves to protest on Thursday, May 31 at Maple Point from 4-7pm!

Bill my parents taught me that part of your "pay" was health benefits, pensions etc so keeping this in mind are they not one of the highest "Paid" teachers in the state? It is funny a Philadelphia teacher said Neshaminy teachers are acting like spoiled brats but other unions will back them because that is the union mentality.

Fine ... how about: go on strike again and you are FIRED.
Plenty of unemployed teachers that would be more than HAPPY to fill their jobs.

HEY EVERYONE FOR GET BILL, HE IS LOST IN A SEA OF STUPIDITY, BOTTOM LINE, GREED AND SELFISHNESS HAS RISEN TO THE TOP OF THE NFT PRIORITY LIST! MS. BOYD IS A POISION THAT MUST BE EXTRACTED AND THE NFT MUST BE SHOWN THE DOOR!!!!

Yay Frank!

The NSB ( the taxpayers) MUST and WILL stand pat because the financial arm of this school district DEMANDS IT! We will not let 650 stubburn,out of touch with the REAL and NOW force the tax payers to accept the UNACCEPTABLE!! NO WAY, NO HOW!! If the members and the leadership of the NFT doesn't like it, QUIT!!! NSB will have ALL 650 positions filled in less than a week!!

As a Boro Councilman,Union member for over 30 years,a tax payer and parent of children in the NSD, I think I have a unique point of view that proves the NFT are DEAD WRONG and they just don't GET IT! The taxpayers say NO to new taxes, the tax payers ARE the NSB, The STATE has handcuffed the NSB, the union will now strike a finiancially strapped NSD for a SECOND TIME...and through all this Ms Boyd stands out front of the 650 selfish,greedy,OVER paid educators to lead them to what she thinks is the promised land!! The best this union can expect after a SECOND strike will be TOTAL CONTEMPT for the students,parents and THE TAX PAYERS who the OWE their very existence! The time has come to ACCEPT what is being offered by the NSB!!!!!!!

If the Neshaminy School Board is such an awful employer why aren't the teachers leaving in droves? If they strike again, fire them all. Spend the taxpayers' money on lawyers defending the firing and move forward hiring or re-hiring teachers who are willing to work for reasonable wages and benefits.

All these so called concerned parents are only complaining about salaries and benefits. That is all I can see in these rants. Do you really think your taxes will not be raised? The rest of our lives taxes will be raised for some reason or another. Why not now? I personally do not have the right to question what someone deserves. I hope all you whiners have people telling you that you don't deserve any increases and need to cut your benefits when you are up for these at your work.

Grow up in that case it would be Pot meet Kettle because whining has been going on from the NFT. Absolutely teachers deserve to be paid well I don't think anyone is questioning that. What is being questioned is aren't the NSD teachers already paid well with their salaries, benefits and pensions? Taxpayers have every right to say enough when people like you say that teachers have every right to demand more. Oh and I have been told MANY times that there is no money for increases and so no raise was given and my health benefit co pay went up significantly so YES I have been told that before. That is ridiculous to say when people all over have had their pay cut, people have lost jobs and again what people have to contribut to their health benefits. Are the NSD teachers being asked to do what most American citizens have not had to endure. This is not whining this is reality.

Grow up: Neshaminy District teachers are amoung the top paid teachers in PA. They have not had to pay for health care benefits ever. The pensions they get would put Wall Street to shame. I wouldn't mind any of that, except test scores have been steadily going down in the District over the past few years. The IEP program is a joke; the kids do homework during Resource and get reprimanded if they don't look busy. There is no help offered for any reason any of the kids are in IEP. That's just the tip of complaints parents have. The biggest whiners are the NFT who keep blaming everyone else and keep asking for more and more and more while giving less and less to the children. Work to Contract just proved how little they care about the kids. You are the one that needs to grow up if you think the parents and taxpayers haven't had to face job loss, forclosures, less benefits due to the economy. The NFT doesn't care about any of that, they say cut school programs, cut into emergency funds; just give us what we want and whine when the School Board says no because there IS no money. The last contract they signed gave them everything and was fiscally inappropriate for the District. Just look up all this information; it is readily available. We are already in danger of having to close schools and cut programs. This is not whining; this is telling the NFT if they don't get a clue about the reality of the situation they will lose their jobs due to lack of positions available!

Grow up: since your mind is made up, I won't spend the time responding. Basically people understand what they want to understand.

If all you see is talk about salary and benefits, you are missing a great deal. However, can you tell me why the NFT should get more in the way of salary and benefits? They are already the highest compensated teachers in the area if not the state.

Next, tell me WHY they deserve more. How would you measure this? By every yardstick I can find (PSSA, SATs, AP tests), the district has been sinking rapidly for the last 5 years or so.

But the part you haven't seen is the complaints about a number of issues: equal say, the shortest work day (7 hour day INCLUDING a 45 minute lunch break) in all of Bucks county, etc.

If you really want to educate yourself on the issue, go to neshaminytaxpayers.com. Don't worry, you can retain your own opinions but don't be afraid to think about these issues. They say the sign of an intelligent mind is one that can hold on to an idea and examine a completely different idea.

Is it true that there are alot of parents who will NOT be sending their kids back to school AFTER the strike?

Our number one concern is our children. As "former teacher" states, the PSSA, SATs, AP test scores have rapidly declined for the last few years. Job security and any monetary compensations should be based on job performance.

Teachers I am sorry my pockets are empty . My thoughts are all the signs that support the teachers are great . You have no one stopping you sending in extra money go ahead make my day just send it in . Lets see if we get the 50 people that want the teachers to get more to send it in more then we will split it up evenly .
Lets set up donation boxes at each school for teachers and they get to keep 100 percent of all monies put in . WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF THAT NO ONE WILL PUT IN DONATION THATS RIGHT BECAUSE THERE IS NO MONEY LEFT WE ALL ALL BROKE .WE ARE SORRY BUT YOU HAVE A REALITY CHECK . HEALTH BENFITS I PAY 100 PERCENT YOU SHOULD BE PAYING AT LEAST 50 PERCENT . Please come back down to earth really please or vget another job in another field ,

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE NSB. The board members have the best interest in mind for the students as well as the taxpayers. They see the fiscal responsibility that the NFT does not. These economical times see everyone needing to cut back. NFT are you different than any one of us? I own a business and pay my employees based on job performance. They are all an asset to my organization. I have taken a pay cut. My employees have not seen a raise in a couple of years. I have had to ask them to contribute to their health care costs, expenses have increased while income has decreased. These are the times. We all need to adjust. With that said, I pay over $16k in school taxes. I can not afford another tax increase.
Many homeowners are foreclosing, abandoning their properties, businesses are closing, etc... ergo, tax incomes are decreasing. Who is going to make-up the short fall? Then the NFT wants more??????? Get a grip before it is too late.

Join a peaceful Neshaminy community protest on
Thursday, May 31, 2012 from 4-7pm.
Gather at either of the 2 entrances to Maple Point Middle School.
Come and go as your schedule allows.
BUT JUST COME!
Just stand with us to show your support.
This is the evening of next Negotiating Board meeting which meets at 7pm!
Let the School Board know that you support them!

Visible community involvement will let EVERYONE know that we
don’t appreciate our students being held hostage
and used as a part of the NFT’s negotiating tactics.
Education should come first, NOT teacher salaries and benefits.

Make and bring a sign if you want to.
Voice your opinion.
Tell it like it is, yet keep it clean.
It’s time to take back our schools!
Do it for the children.
Bring back quality education to Neshaminy.

The Neshaminy School Board is a far-right tea party organization, their far-right cronie Gov. Corbett is slashing education funds across the state. The tea part school board wants you to believe that teachers are to blame, meanwhile Gov. Corbett refuses to tax natural gas frackers who are making billions in profit each year. Whose our real enemy-hard working teachers giving our kids a good education or corporations and the politicians they hire to do their bidding?

Sophi I live where they are drilling for Natural Gas and there has been impact fees levied agains the gas companies. Trust me PA is making a ton of money off the natural gas companies with royalities that are being passed along to those in ALL of PA not just where the drilling is going on. Also the NSB hasn't brainwashed any of us taxpayers (and yes I own property there) we can see for ourselves what is going on. Hell a blind person could.

sophi, was it an error in typing or your true feelings coming through
enemy-hard working teachers
lol

sophi, that was a comical post
where does the NSB blame the teachers. They are just stating the facts that we can not afford what the NFT wants. Cuts are being made through out the country, not just Pennsylvania. Gas companies are being taxed. Which will end up causing us to be taxed. Same as NFT wanting increases, who pays for it? we do.
Natural gas frackers are being taxed.

Sophi!
Thanks for that post! I haven't laughed that hard in ages.
That was a joke, right?

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TONIGHT FOR THE NSB. We are our children's advocates.
As taxpayers, we can not shoulder another school tax increase which will occur in the near future if the budget is not balanced.

Here's something to mull over.

How many current and immediate past NSB board members are employees of public school districts enjoying the benefits of working for a public school district while working feverishly against others who have the same benefits?

Let's start with Richie Webb. What is his salary and benefits with neighboring Bristol Township School District? Same goes for Frank Koziol, overheard saying they will have to carry him out of his job because he enjoys the benefits so much.

Shakespeare's "thou doth protest too much" applies here or in the modern vernacular, "I got mine, go get yours".

Perhaps this issue impedes negotiations. You think?????

There are school districts who, very recently, laid off 13 teachers to put Astroturf on their athletic fields. Districts play with funny money. Don't be deceived.

So that should be addressed that Astroturf was picked over teachers I do not agree with that at all. Still that doesn't excuse a teacher's union of demanding beyond what a community can afford and that in today's world is excessive beyond measure. Maybe if the teachers had been contributing to their health care all these years the teachers would not have been laid off. Don't be deceived Feodor.

Districts play with funny money????? If we don't address the deficit now, when will we? Programs will be cut, teachers will be cut, repairs will not be made, and/or our taxes will be increased. Simple math. Then who will suffer??? The students and the taxpayers.
We are not deceived but I believe you are delusional.

The NFT needs to concede paid health benefits for future retirees. That's unheard of and unsustainable. Give them a window of one year if they want to retire early to keep the benefits.

Then see how many teachers retire, saving the school district the future cost of benefits plus the savings realized by replacing retiring teachers with new teachers at the bottom of the pay scale.

Let's stop name calling and start problem solving.

The cost savings I suggested above is huge. There is also additional savings of future millions if Neshaminy participates in the health insurance consortium that many other Pennsylvania school districts participate in.

I'm not avoiding the question. The retirees health insurance cost is the single largest place for cost savings.

For many this issue is about punishing the teachers' union and the teachers rather than coming up with suggestions for cost savings.

Neshaminy School District is one of the largest employers around and the salaries of the teachers get poured back into the community, which produces other jobs.

To reduce this to spending less and less at all cost serves no other purpose to create conflict.

Richie Webb for his part needs to keep a much lower profile. More contracts get resolved behind closed doors than in front of cameras and microphones, and in newsprint.

Harmony between admin and teachers is essential to the district, to the community and most importantly the kids.

The NSB has come-up with suggestions for cost savings. We are not punishing the teachers. Who or what gave you that ideas? We need to balance the budget. It is totally unfathomable to believe that you want contracts resolved behind closed doors.
You must not have a child in Neshaminy. Foremost, being a parent I want to know exactly what is going on concerning my children's education. Secondly, as a taxpayer, I want to know how and why my money is being spent.
If you think it is I who is calling names, you are mistaken. Look at the facts, look at the reality, look at the math.??????
On my way to support the NSB at Maple Point.

Thanks so much VALORIE SCHUBERT for your post! I'll be at Field Day tomorrow and get that form filled out. Should be interesting with the parents and teachers together the school day before they all go on strike - and it's field day. Soooo tacky. I have no intention of being a phony and acting like everything is ok. The teachers should be mortified in front of the parents. I think it's all going to be uncomfortable. Field Day at Ferderbar tomorrow couldn't be on a worse day. Oh well! It's the teachers fault. Field Day is for the kids. Play ball!!

Well, it's clear from Richie Webb's comments tonight that the core issue is teacher's retirees benefits, which is exactly what I have said teachers' need to concede.

However the ignorant attackees among you have simply not acquainted yourselves with the core issues or don't have the intellectual capacity to do so. Richie's comments tonight clearly indicate that the issue NFT needs to concede is the retirees benefits.

Therefore I will no longer engage disucssions about issue ignorance. Ignorance is ingorance. That is at the expense of Neshaminy's taxpayers.

Watch what this winds up costing you.

The core issue may be teacher's retirees benefits and salaries, but issues contested also include: Mandatory Drug Testing for teachers; "Equal Say" (where the teachers have equal say in any innovative educational change in the curriculum and have consistently vetoed same. Neshaminy test scores in all areas have consistenly been dropping over the past few years. This and other items are part of the contract in dispute. You might want to research both what both the NFT and the NSB have proposed in their contracts on all issues. It seems you do not have a child in the District. If you did you would be aware of and as appalled as most parents are at the lack of education the kids are receiving and how far behind Neshaminy is compared to other local Districts. You would be aware of how many parents have pulled out their kids and have sent them to private schools, where they are getting a much better education. I will no longer engage in discussions with someone who obvioulsy has no idea complicated the contract issues are and obvioulsy has never read the NFT or NSD's proposals - or how the last contract was financially harmful in the long run. this is about money, yes, but is also about our children's futures and education. You are right, ignorance is ignorance.

http://www.nsdboard.blogspot.com/2012/05/special-guest-mediator-has-little.html
Here's one link you might want to look at, Feodor Tiorlenko. It shows what happened at "Negotiations" tonight, as well as links to both sides of the contract issue. You might want to read up on it. And, I stand corrected (by myself!) Ignorance is not just "ignorance" it is lack of knowledge and facts and research used to base an educated opinion on. (my definition, anyway).

Feodor Tiorlenko this is America and perception is everything. What may seem like ignorance to you is someone else's perception of what is right.

Sorry to bust your bubble Colleen S. but Valorie is not speaking for all of the NSD parents. Just looking at the comments tells you that. He is not spot on. Far from it.
Read and inform yourself of the issues. Then see if you still think he is spot on.
Doubt it.

Since you think Valorie is so wrong why don't you step up and explain why. I have been trying to be informed. I read the paper, internet and talk to other parents. I'm about as informed as I can be without being on the school board. Don't make such strong accusations about someone being wrong and then not explain why. Do you really believe that because you (who remains unnamed) say someone is wrong I am just supposed to believe you? Because I am informed that's why I know Valorie is spot on. If not I wouldn't have even bothered to take the time to leave a message. Are you a teacher or spouse of a teacher? If so, say so. Be proud. Name yourself. I would leave my last name except that my husband works for the township (not a teacher) and unfortunately we can't say to much. Otherwise I would leave my last name.

Lets see, according to the online data available Neshaminy has 826 employees, obviously not all teachers. Of those employees, 383 (46%) make $95,923 or more, which seems to be a cap on Teachers. Keep going, 541 (65%) make over $70,000. We have part-time teachers making over $100,000??? I am pretty sure there are plenty of out of work teacher sitting around collecting unemployment that would jump at teh opportunity to get back into the workforce and teach our children. How are we the taxpayers and parents supposed to feel when financial gain is more important to teachers than doing their job and working with our kids. I have not received a raise in more than 4 years either, but I still go to work everyday so I can pay my bills and pay my taxes so the teachers can be paid. How can the people responsible for the education of our children be so short sighted? Are we to believe that with all this going on that the teachers are currently giving 100% effort to our children??? Are they still getting 100% of their salary? Are they still receiving their "taxpayer funded health insurance??

Colleen, mea culpa i was referring to Feodors comments.I completely agree with Valerie. i own a business in the area, ergo, my name not being used. I have heard from customers about the supposed retaliation from the NFT. I have had signs repeatedly taken from in front of my business endorsing the NSB. I read you blog too quickly and noticed Valorie thinking Feodor (dyslexic).
One thing I do want to put out there is that I have spoken to a few teachers that are truly an asset to their profession. They do not agree with Boyd and the NFT but are afraid they will be shunned if they speak-up. Sad, they feel bullied by Boyd and the NFT. I am sure there are more that feel this way but stay silent. Disgusting...,,,

Feasterville that made me laugh I thought you were getting Colleen's comments mixed up lol. Just shows the stress of this situation. I also personally know teachers that spoke out regardless of being shunned and having their tires slashed. That is what you do not allow bullying.

My daughter just got home from NHS and told me 15 teachers were laid off and from what I understand there were layoffs at many of the schools. She sais a lot of the teachers were good teachers and cared about the kids. I am so frustrated and angry myself right now I am crying. If she were still in Elementary or Middle I'd pull her out, but she's going into Senior and only has one more horrible, strike ridden year to go and she's going to need to be with her friends.

Truly a sad state of affairs.

Honestly Lori things around Feasterville haven't been good for awhile. So many people are out of work - including myself. People are taking pay cuts and are uninsured. I don't know anyone who isn't struggling. So when people who are making over $80,000 a year complain when they are told they need to pay towards their health insurance like everyone else has to - it just makes you sick and mad. Because those people are teachers that are teaching our kids. The community has zero sympathy for these teachers who are completely out of touch with the reality of their situation. They want what they can't have so they throw temper tantrums in the form of work-to-contract & striking. This could go on & on as long as the teachers continue to believe in that nitwit Louise & her knucklehead atty(s). The teachers are not going to get what they want. They will eventually accept what we want them to. If not then they can get a job somewhere else. It's really simple actually. Unfortunately and until things are settled us parents will just have to assume there will be 2 strikes per school year.

The teachers don't realize themselves that there will be additional lay-offs. It's unfortunate that the tenured teachers will be saved. They are sacrificing the newly graduated, eager, not jaded by the union, true professionals for the union cronies. Dedicated teachers are hard to find anymore with the Boyd regime.
Just to fantasize for a moment: It would be great if the parents, the students, the taxpayer vote on which teachers would stay and which would be laid-off based on job performance, not tenure. We know, as do our children, which teachers put forth extreme effort and which are slackers. We know who are the bullies and who are not. Retain the 1/3 and hire anew.

I will never understand the want more mentality in today's economic climate. Furthermore, I will never understand how educators that are suppose to be teaching kids to stand up to bullies are following like sheep and shunning teachers that are not agreeing with Louise. Sickens me.

This is from the NFT web page:
Louise Boyd: We, the members of the NFT will attend Tuesday’s Board meeting and will be anxious to see what the Board intends to do. The full Board (all nine of them) is willing to cut these essential programs to demonstrate that they” can” and that raising taxes will not occur for any reason; to maintain programs or settle a four year contract dispute with the NFT. It is a shorted sighted way to run a school system but they have the right to do as they choose. Right now they truly believe this is what the Neshaminy community wants...
Talk about short sighted. I cannot go to the Board Meeting, I will be working, but I so wish I could! Does she honestly belive NDS residents want taxes raised when they some of the highest in the state, while test scores continue to plummet? I would be happy to pay more in taxes, if it meant I was still living in one of the best School Districts. When I moved here over 17 years ago it was one of the reasons we bought a house here. Now? My daughter and her friends are so impacted by this over the past few years they won't talk about it. They are sick of it. They hear about it every day at school; gossip and teacher speak. She liked most of the teachers that got laid off at NHS. The kids believe that the layoffs and cutting programs was on purpose by the NSB to prove power. I tried to explain. The kids don't care. They are pissed the adults are acting like kids and ruining HS for them.

Sorry about the misspellings. I am just so upset by this whole thing. I am so sad for my daughter and I can't fix it and that hurts. If you have kids; then you know. I am glad she's strong and wants to learn and does her best with what NHS gives her. I just hope it's enough (with Boyd and her minions and the worst IEP I have ever seen) to get through college with.

An electorate poorly educated and trained, under-employed and unemployed, struggling and frustrated, are taking out that frusration on those who can help raise the economic and social status of their children.

A lot of misdirected anger by a people who chose to live in a community supported in greatest part by homeowners rather than business.

The teachers evidently made the same mistake.

Thank God for the Patch, which provides a forum for the frustrated. It's cheaper than a therapist and probably just as effective.

At the end of the day, it will still cost you to educate your children.

IT TRULY WILL COST TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN BUT DAM THE NFT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DEMAND AND RECEIVE!! TAXPAYERS,NSB AND THE SCHOOL DISRTICT AT LARGE DESERVE BETTER!!!!!

NFT needs to start by conceding funding for retirees health benefits. Second, NFT needs to contribute a percentage of the cost of health benefits. Third, NFT needs to give something back to the community as a matter of good faith.

The community needs to support their educators, stop the bashing and acknowledge the need for public education.

Both sides are in a bad place from which neither can rise unless someone becomes the bigger person.

Don't cut off your nose to spite your face, either side.

Feodor, of course there is a need for public education. How can I support educators that are "shunning" my brother because he does not agree with all the Union is asking for? How can I support people that do not want to hear anything but their wants? I have absolutely nothing against teachers my nephew and two brothers are teachers. What I am against is the entitlement aspect that some have shown. I don't know what bashing has been done but I cannot see how the taxpayer saying no more is bashing. While the police cannot prove it my brother has had his tires punctured twice and slashed once. Coincidence? I think not. Educators that are suppose to set an example against bullying but are shunning teachers that do not agree with the Union is very scary to me that they are teaching kids. Believe me the kids know it by the way they are not stupid they are very aware of what is going on in fact some of their teachers have talked to them about "Working to Contract". Sure you can blame the community all you want but how can they be the bigger persons?

Feodor, Shouldn't pay = job performance? Feodor, do you believe that the taxpayer can shoulder another tax increase? Who doesnt know the need for public education?
Feodor, do you believe there should be a balanced budget? Feodor, do you balance your budget? Some of your ideas are great but other statements you make are ??????

The fact is taxpayers will pay more, much more in real estate taxes to fund public education. If you want to know why, read these responses and these pages. An ignorant, ill informed electorate, content to masturbate on these pages about their ignorance will wind up with a huge tax increase. So while your busy diddling yourselves over firing the teachers, and hiring dolts at $4 an hour, you will insure at least two things, increased taxes and guaranteeing your children will be even more ignorant and ill informed than you are. Good luck with your diddling.

BTW with retired teacher. That person whoever he is has proposed nothing. Retired teacher has no ideas, no solutions, only more diddling. I have proposed very specific areas of cuts, the largest areas of savings as clearly identified by Richie Webb and NSB, while the retired one exemplifies why, exactly, we need more qualified teachers than the ones who have ill-served us in the past. So Retired Teacher, dig deep, and come up with at least one proposal or solution before you talk about someone who deals with "innuendo". BTW, look up the word "innuendo" and tell us what it means. Then, relate it to yourself.

Feodor have you seen the test scores lately? No one has a problem paying more money for the kids. What is giving the teachers more money going to improve? They want a cap at 8% contribution no matter what the insurance premium goes to in the future. Everything they want benefits them and only them. How can they say we are for the community? They have had a brilliant contract for the last 10 years and are so so sad that the taxpayer is saying sorry that ride is over and want more? Enough it is plain and simple here is what the community can afford and take it or find another job. ENOUGH.

Another thought, Fedor. The bashing to which you refer? From my standpoint I don't bash teachers. I bash teachers who think it is ok to WTC and to strike. Both are harmful to the education of our children. To me there is a difference. People didn't wake up one day and say, "Hey, let's call the teachers of NSD names. Let's really show that we don't like them." The NFT decided to get attention by WTC and short changing kids. This lasted a period of over 3 years. Then they went on strike and now they are doing it again. So, yes, I bash this kind of behavior.

Feodor, if your comments weren't so comical, I would have thought you a complete moron (dolt) using the English language in a George Carlin act. Too hysterical. I believe that you really think you know the solution. Does it give you a rush to bash people's opinions? Bottom line, taxpayers can not afford any more increases. I have looked over the financial statements, the NSB is justified with the offer that they proposed to the NFT. By the way, I am a graduate of Wharton, just in case you bash my credentials.

bill smith, you are very condescending. I agree with Former Teacher. My mother and daughter are teachers. My mother was voted by faculty and students "Teacher of the Year" in Pennsylvania. I have cousins that are teachers and one a principal in the public school system. Teachers, parents and students do know what teachers are qualified as well as those who should find another profession. It is true that the teachers who are below standard, are not terminated. If an egregious act is committed then a dismissal would be implemented. Otherwise, they just float until retirement.

bill, this is a forum concerning NSD, ergo, statements concerning educational field. Otherwise, this pertains to the government as well as most unions.

This would never occur in the private sector. There is no such thing as tenure = job performance.

Bill, in the private sector, people who WTC would be fired. People who didn't measure up via regular performance evaluations would be fired. In the private sector when the budget came in as $14 million more than funds comining into the company, people would be downsized. None of this happens here in NSD.

I'm not sure it is a fair comparison between the private and public sector.

You can call it politics. I'm saying there are limited dollars. The NSB doesn't want to spend beyond that. The NFT wants more.

Bill, here I go again being repetitive. I find myself repeating the question because you are 1) missing the question or 2) evading it. I promise I'll stop repeating myself as soon as you answer the question:

Just one simple question: should the NFT accept a CBA that is equal to/less than the current amount of tax dollars coming into the district?

Bill, trying to have a conversation with you is like trying to nail jello to a tree. It's messy, frustrating and lacks rewards. No matter who you are a fan of, it is fine.

What if the 'courts' decided that the NSD should pay the teachers more than we can afford?

In a prior life I taught Social Studies. My understanding is that the legislative branch of the government determines what the electorate will spend. In this case, the elected entity is the school board. They were voted in to office to handle this. Like you I would like to see an end to this mess. However, I'm not so impatient that I'm willing to have an end at any price.

Why won't you answer my question?

Forgive the frustrated comment.
Yes, the prior board put us into this financial mess. And the electorate responded by voting in people that represent the will of the majority at this time.

I would prefer that our government continue to operate as it has for a few hundred years. It is far from perfect. In any event, this discussion isn't useful. There is no binding arbitration in the state of PA. Until there is, can we stick with the reality of the situation?

Care to answer my question yet?

Thanks for that, Bill. Now we are back at square one. The employer has only 'x' dollars to spend. The employee wants more than 'x'. Originally they asked for X+30. Then they moved toward the 'middle' and asked for X+20. Then they moved again and are asking for X+10.

Every offer is more than the district can afford according to the NSB.

I agree with you. If the NFT is not happy with the offer, they should not sign. If the district can't get the NFT to deal with the reality of what is available, they should not sign an agreement that exceeds income.
See we can agree!

When the time comes that enough max teachers have retired/rolled off and enough less than max teacher outnumber the max teachers, then maybe a deal will work. (Or maybe income to the district will go up.)

It could take years given the stance of both sides. That is the reality.

Bill SMith, If you read my posting you would have seen that I did not say older teachers are not good. I said

" In some cases the older teachers dont keep current and end up just going through the motions of teaching".

That comment was from past experiences (my own and my childrens) with teachers that went through the motions and did not seem to have their heart in it anymore.

Valerie Schubert
If you are referring to me you need to look up further and see that was my response to Feodor Tiorlenko and I just used his word "diddling".

Oh, I did not realize just going through the motions is maybe a compliment. They are required to take continuing education classes. I know of many older people that for example do not use computers very well. Are they just going through the motions of their job because everyone uses computers well.

It appears to me that when a teacher is older and maybe does not have the newest skills they should get rid of them. They cannot perform and cost to much money. Is that what you are saying. You want to bash teachers and it seems you prefer to bash older teachers. I do not know your age and occupation but I hope you do not run into someone like you down the road when you are older and maybe cannot perform the way you did when you were young.

Not matching my point of view just commenting on your post. I have answered all the questions that I was asked. " In some cases the older teachers dont keep current and end up just going through the motions of teaching".
That comment was from past experiences (my own and my childrens) with teachers that went through the motions and did not seem to have their heart in it anymore.

I think we can all agree that the last contract should never have happened it was not fiscally responsible. This one needs to be teachers pay a chunk of their health care premiums knowing their contributions will go up when the premiums go up and retirement needs to be decreased. All of this would be keeping with what is going on for the majority in our country today.

PART ONE:
Has anyone read the Courier Times today? There were several good articles about the strike, The Learning Center and The Instructional Opportunity Period. Also the Courier's editoral section called "The View" used their space to comment on the NSD as it pertains to the school board NOT having the tools it needs to develop the lean budgets that hard times demand and us taxpayers can afford. The Courier firmly believes that, "Mandating balanced school budgets without giving school boards the authority to trim staff makes no sense ....whatsoever. This comment stems from Pennsylvania schools being banned from laying off teachers. Teachers can be furloughed; which means they can't be laid off for economic reasons. In other words, because a school district needs to cut expenses teachers can only be laid off if educational programs are cut." So the school boards are forced to cut programs in order to lay off teachers. So we are always going to hurt the kids it seems as long as our state legistature does nothing to change/modify how the school boards get their budgets balanced. So cudos to our local State Rep. FRANK FARRY (a Neshaminy HS graduate) for co-sponsoring House Bill 1369 that would effectively outlaw teacher strikes in Penna.

PART 2:
The Bill is in committee waiting action. Also there is an "Open Letter" on page A6 of the Courier to the parents and the taxpayers of the NSB laying out the is-what-it-is as to exactly what is at issue. I threw up in my mouth a little after I read it. These teachers (in my humble little opinion) are out of their f-ing minds! The NSB must hold firm as I know the taxpayers want and need them to. Taxpayers will not be made to feel hostage to anyone or any organization basically disguised as thugs belonging to a gang disguised as the NFT.

I am a graduate from Neshaminy High School, and my heart goes out to the children and parents being impacted by the ongoing issues surrounding the contract dispute.
I no longer live in the township, but have been following this, and the NFT demands seem so out of line with what their counterparts get in other area districts.