TROY, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — Teachers in the Troy School District are fighting for higher wages. Since February 1, the teachers have been working without a contract.
Teachers and community members gathered ahead of Tuesday night’s Troy School District Board of Education meeting. They held picket signs and demanded new contracts with better wages.
“It’s about respect. Troy teachers provide world-class education every day. And we believe we deserve a contract that reflects that,” said high school history teacher Alex Benitez.
They ask for contracts that retain teachers and recruit new talent.
“We are in the middle of hiring season and it will be difficult to fill these positions before the fall. We don’t want empty classrooms,” said Jason Cichowicz, president of the Troy Education Association.
They said their contracts are simply not competitive with surrounding school districts.
“Oh yeah, teachers are starting to leave. I’m sure teachers are starting to look,” said high school math teacher Jennifer Smith. “They knew for three years that our contract was about to expire. We were ready, and we don’t have a contract.”
Teachers and community members attended the board of education meeting. Board Chairman Karl Schmidt said the root problem is inadequate funding for public education.
“As we work on this particular contract resolution and try to make sure that we don’t put ourselves in financial uncertainty as we do that,” Schmidt said.
The Troy Education Association represents approximately 800 district employees. They say the district is hoarding $32 million in reserves, money they say should be used to pay teachers.
“Troy is normally fiscally conservative, and they try to do a good job of being good stewards of their finances, which we appreciate,” Smith said. “But we also have needs as teachers, and we deserve a fair contract.”
The district has said they will use a portion of the fund balance to complete the contract. The school district and TEA have had four bargaining sessions in the past month, with 15 of those so far. Both parties have agreed to engage a mediator to settle the contract. The first mediation session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22.
Kelly Vaughen
