Union OKs contract for Brewer teachers
10/30/09 | 6 comments

Union OKs contract for Brewer teachers


By Nok-Noi Ricker
BDN Staff

BREWER, Maine — With an uncertain economic future, Brewer school leaders decided they only wanted to look one year into the future when negotiating teacher contracts, which the teachers union endorsed resoundingly on Wednesday.

Teachers have a new one-year contract that includes a 1 percent raise, Amy Reif, Brewer Education Association president and third-grade teacher at Washington Street School, said Thursday.

The vote “wasn’t unanimous, but it was fairly overwhelming,” she said. “The large majority were in favor of it.”

Teachers understand that these are trying times, she said. Superintendent Daniel Lee, who was in Augusta last week at the annual superintendents and school board conference, said the news is not good for school systems statewide.

“There is a lot of financial uncertainly,” Lee said. “We just don’t know.”

With huge state budget shortfalls in Augusta, and projected cuts in local education funding, school leaders are glad they were able to provide a raise, he said.

“We think is this best we can do at this point in time,” Lee said. “We have great teachers and wanted to do something, but the future is so uncertain.”

The Brewer School Committee endorsed the teachers contract at a special meeting Monday, contingent on the BEA endorsing it.

Teacher contracts for Brewer, which recently have been for three years, expired at the end of August. Negotiations for the new contract endorsed this week began in February.

“Unfortunately, we’ll be back in the spring” for the next round of contract negotiations, Reif said.

nricker@bangordailynews.net

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Comments
6 comments on this item
On 10/30/09 at 3:51 AM, Kevin_of_Bangor wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This is only a test

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On 10/30/09 at 6:46 AM, ChrisCookson wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Of course they voted for a 1-year deal..they will be back for a 5% raise next time.

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On 10/30/09 at 10:39 AM, Larryt39 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hello Chris. Why the school committee voted for even the 1% for a year's contract is baffling. Just to have a nice job, with good bennies should make one very happy. Just consider those citizen's who are without a job, or income. Money is very tight for education, and it is going to be much, much worse next time around. Governor Baldacci is really cutting back on funds for local education. That is, undoubtedly going to mean cut in teachers at our school system's throughout the State of Maine, count it folks. Larry T. Doughty, South Brewer, larrytdoughty@yahoo.com, www.ourstory.com/larrytdoughty/

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On 10/30/09 at 12:47 PM, BangorInsider wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Cut teachers Larry? We all know that won’t happen. Education is the sacred cow not to be toyed with. Everyone knows cuts begin at the bottom of the pile. Lay off the plow truck drivers and firefighter because who cares if it snows or you’re having a heart attack. We also can’t touch cops, because anyone could get raped any second. Then at the very top above Jesus Christ himself, is the education budget. Elected officials would sooner swallow shards of glass then lay off a teacher. No, you will put out your own fires, catch your own criminals and shovel your own roads before that will happen.

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On 10/30/09 at 2:48 PM, Larryt39 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I hear you, loud and strong BangorInsider. Frankly, it irks me to think that a contract for one year gives the personnel a 1% raise. Unfortunate, as many have no jobs, and if TABOR passes, along with the EXCISE TAX item, then not only will Education be in serious jeopardy, but also all municipal services will be right there also. Not a pretty picture..Larry T. Doughty, South Brewer

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On 10/31/09 at 3:08 AM, wollydevil wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Let me ask you this . How many teachers buy school supplies out of there own pocket for the kids? So you want to complain about them then what would you do if the teachers stopped buying school supplies? Now what would you do if the teachers JUST went by there contrack known as if they dont get paid for it they dont do it like other union contracks. How much free time do the teachers give to the school. So you half to look at the big pitcher on what they do an no im not a teacher or have i ever been one. I retired from BIW.

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