Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter



CAT Tracks for November 7, 1997
School Board Election & Negotiations Update


Cairo School Board Election (11/4/97):

Four seats were to be filled. Two incumbents (Kenneth "Duke" Jones and Joseph "Jay" Holder) chose not to run. Two incumbents (Julian Howard and Tim Pierce) did seek re-election.

Unofficial results:


A Special Meeting of the Cairo Board of Education has been called for 6:15 pm on Monday, November 10, 1997 to canvass the election returns, seat the newly elected Board members, and to reorganize the Board.

Hopefully, this election will mark the beginning of a new era in the (often strained) relationship between the Cairo Board of Education and the Cairo Association of Teachers. Events of the past two years have made it painfully obvious that certain individuals have not been able to put personal animosity aside and "get on with business" following the 24-day strike of 1994.

The CAT leadership and membership would welcome the opportunity to WORK WITH, RATHER THAN FIGHT AGAINST, the Board and administration. Too much precious time--and money--has been wasted in dwelling on the past and attempting to settle old scores. It is time-- way past time --to face forward and BUILD FOR THE FUTURE--BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

Negotiations Update:

Bargaining teams for the Cairo Board of Education and the Cairo Association of Teachers met for approximately 2 hours last night. The Superintendent did not attend due to a previous commitment and one member of the Board team had to leave early.

As some of you may have noticed, the Board did advertise in this week's Cairo Citizen for bids for a group term life insurance program for Cairo School District Number One. The two teams continued to explore the viability of such a program and prospects appear good that $20,000 of term life insurance will be provided for ALL employees, with an option for purchasing coverage for your spouse and dependent children.

The remainder of the session consisted of yet another attempt to package some of the remaining language items--dropping several items in return for some movement on the monetary package. Continued hesitancy on the part of the Board prompted the Association to present some possible alternatives in hopes of a breakthrough.

Following a caucus, the Board team indicated that it needed to first meet with the full Board--especially in light of the election of 3 new members. Following the aforementioned reorganization, the Board team will notify us of possible dates for our next negotiations session.