By Pat Doody
Tehachapi School Board Update
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It was standing room only at the March 28 School Board meeting as teachers turned out in support of a new contract.
The Tehachapi Unified School Board met in closed session with a labor negotiator for more than two hours prior to their regular Board meeting only to report that no action would be taken leaving the teachers without a new contract offer. The TAT had rejected the offer presented by the District in February which included a salary increase of 3.5 percent and increase in health benefits. It is the addition of 40 minutes to the school day for elementary teachers that the teachers say amounts to a pay cut.
During the closed session the teachers demonstrated and picketed outside the Wells Education Center. The meeting, that was supposed to start at 6 p.m. finally was brought to order at 7:45. During the Public Comments part of the meeting, 16 teachers, parents and students spoke concerning what they felt was a lack of respect for the teachers by the District and the Board. After about 45 minutes, President Leonard Evansic cut the comments, explaining that the Board needed to move on to the rest of the agenda. Unhappy, most of the teachers left the meeting at that point and expressed their displeasure by honking horns outside the building further delaying the meeting.
Following the meeting, Trustee Mary Graham expressed her displeasure at the commotion caused by the departing teachers. "I wouldn't go into a teacher's classroom and disturb them while they were teaching," said Graham.
"We just don't have the students for the grants other districts got," said Evansic referring to the U.S. Department of Education supplemental funding provided districts to meet the needs of at-risk and low income students. Districts like Arvin, Mojave and California City do receive that funding that can be used to supplement district expenses.
Graham and Evansic both stated that they are frustrated by the recent bashing of the District and the Superintendent. "The Board sets the direction of where the District goes and the Superintendent follows Board direction," said Graham. Evansic added that he wanted to set the record straight in defense of the Superintendent. "She is kind of held hostage to our whim,"he said.
