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Collective bargaining info debated in SWCS
(by Andrea Cordle, Southwest Editor - February 01, 2010)
Union contracts do not expire until the end of the fiscal year (late June), but it was a hot topic at the recent South-Western City Schools District board meeting.
Steve Isaac, creator of an independent district community advisory group, encouraged the board of education to be open with the public regarding collective bargaining agreements. He said school leaders should help citizens understand the bargaining process. But should the contract information be readily available? Isaac said the advisory group thinks not.
Critics, who speak at regular board meetings, say the board gives into employee demands too easily. Some believe this is the reason the district had to go to the taxpayers for a tax levy. They feel the voters passed the November levy so the students could participate in sports, not to give employees raises.
Critics and members of a local watchdog group also believe the collective bargaining information should be easily accessible to the public, like posted on the district's Web site.
The community advisory group was formed in June 2009. They meet two times each month to discuss district issues and offer advice to the board. The group includes six community members.
Isaac said the district should focus on offering top quality education, which means rewarding the quality educators. He said the district has to remain competitive in its wages and benefits.
"The public should be involved in the strategy, not in collective bargaining," said Isaac.
New board member Jo Ellen Myers said the contracts should be available on the Web site to those interested.
"It is not our intent to hide the contracts," said Superintendent Bill Wise.
He said the information is available to those who request it.
The advisory group was formed to help the district increase awareness and understanding of the district's goals. It also provides the board with recommendations on ways to recruit educators, identify funding options and improve overall educational quality.
"We are not a watchdog group," said Isaac.
Contract negotiations usually begin in the spring.
Casino taxes
Since the announcement was made that Penn-National considered the former Delphi site, on Georgesville Road, as an alternative casino site, the school district has fielded calls as to how much money this would bring in.
If voters approve the casino issue in May and the company goes with the Delphi site, the property would be annexed into Columbus. It is now in Franklin Township. Due to the win-win agreement, South-Western would still collect taxes from the site because it is part of a protected territory.
"This would be additional money for the district, but how much is not clear," said Wise.
He explained many factors fall into how much the district could gain from this casino.
"It will not be a windfall for the district, but we would likely see some funds."
Wise also noted the taxes from this site would not roll in this year or even next year, but over time. He said the district just has to wait it out.
"It's up for the residents to decide at this point," Wise said.
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