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CAT Tracks for June 16, 2015
PUBLIC HEARING & REGULAR BOE MEETING |
The Cairo Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2015, at 6:00 p.m.
Prior to that meeting, the BOE conducted a Public Hearing on the amended budget (2014-2015) for Cairo School District Number One.
Notices and AMENDED agendas follow...
...along with other relevant documents.
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
What was listed on the agendas happened. There were a lot of announcements made (including a Health Fair at CJSHS tomorrow/Friday) and information disseminated, some of which I caught, some of which I didn't. So as not to discriminate, I shall not present a recap. (BTW: BOE Members McBride, Harris, Stubblefield, Nelson, Burris, and Gooden attended this meeting. The Closed Session was from 6:31 p.m. until 7:50 p.m. Adjournment was at 7:55 p.m.)
The only thing I shall add...
...is a comment about the one thing added to the AMENDED agenda, namely, the ratification of the Teacher Contract for July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2017.
The BOE did vote to ratify, to the literal applause of everyone.
I would like to add my personal congratulations to the CAT negotiations team of De De O'Shea, Mary Beth Goff, Ronnie Woods, and IEA Region 2 UniServ Director Matthew Johansson.
A new 3-year contract (after years in limbo)...
...and they did it in only three meetings!!!
I mean...
...the last time the two parties negotiated, it took something like 25 meetings.
Your team protected the employment rights that had taken the blood, sweat, and tears of five work stoppages (aka strikes) to gain...
...except those taken away by statute...
...and got money too!
But, in no way, did they break the bank...
...the District still maintains a $4 million plus "rainy day fund" at the First National Bank. So, as the State of Illinois goes through its self-made financial crisis and political warfare, Cairo School District Number One has a cushion with which to weather the storm.
The CAT has always taken the financial status of the District seriously...
...knowing full well that a hefty raise couldn't/wouldn't be paid by a District forced into bankruptcy.
So, as noted by Superintendent Andrea Evers, this round of negotiations made everyone a winner.
Bears repeating:
Congratulations to one and all!!!
