Ambridge Connection
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Social Media
  • Calendar
  • Eat Local
  • Contact Us
  • AbbyDuncan
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Social Media
  • Calendar
  • Eat Local
  • Contact Us
  • AbbyDuncan

A message from AMBRIDGE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

12/9/2016

Comments

 
A message from AMBRIDGE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dear Ambridge Area Parents and Stakeholders:
On behalf of Ambridge Area School District, I want to update you on the bargaining impasse with Ambridge Area Education Association. The teachers’ union last week notified the Board of their intent to walk off the job beginning this Tuesday, December 13th, if we cannot resolve our impasse during Monday’s negotiating session. Let me be clear – the entire School Board and District leaders stand united: this contract must reflect the financial realities of this District.
We know that a strike would bring undue difficulty and stress to students and their families. If teachers walk off the job, the District will provide timely information through its website. On our website, http://www.ambridge.k12.pa.us/
, we have prepared answers to Frequently Asked Questions to guide parents and caregivers if there is a strike and schools are closed. We have also created a special email account for contacting the District with strike related questions: [email protected]

We are disappointed in the union’s demands which, if enacted, would set a dangerous precedent and put severe financial strain on our District and its taxpayers. Their bargaining position ignores financial realities and casts aside short- and long-term responsible financial planning. And perhaps most importantly, their bargaining position does not reflect a commitment to principled actions, the kind of actions that all parents expect from their children’s teachers. Our best teachers – and there are many in this District – share this sentiment.
It's imperative that everyone realize the facts relative to these contract talks. Key issues of dispute involve wage increases and benefits. Despite our effort to put forth creative solutions, months of collaborative talks have come to a standstill. Unfortunately, a state-appointed, independent Fact-Finder could not harmonize our positions. The teachers’ contract expired on June 30, 2015, and we met with the union more than 16 times. We reached tentative agreements on smaller issues, but could not agree on those that significantly impact the District’s budget.
To put this into perspective, the state’s highest performing and wealthiest districts are not granting increases even close to what the union proposed. Under their current contract, teachers got some of the largest raises in Beaver County. We have declining enrollment. Last year alone, the District lost over $1 million dollars as students left our District for charter schools. Although the District could have called for furloughs, we kept teacher staffing levels constant.
We have a flat tax base and our taxpayers are burdened with the highest millage rate in the County at 75.86. Our benefits, namely health insurance, are some of the best deals in the world. Today, our teachers pay only $25 a month for full family coverage. Medical insurance just for our teachers for 2016-17 will cost the District $2.8 million – a noteworthy line item in our $46 million operating budget.
Just as we balance our own family checkbooks, each of us on this Board believes we must stand as responsible stewards and make sure the District operates within its means. The Board cannot and will not bend to the union’s outrageous demands. We stand united. And we urge all of you to stand united with us. Please visit the District’s website to learn more.
Sincerely,
Scott Angus
President, 
Ambridge Area School Board
Print Friendly and PDF
Comments
    Picture
    Picture

    AC TEAM

    Alan Freed
    Felicia Mycyk

     Joshua Vucetich
    Larissa Dudkiewicz
    Musinga Bayingana

    ​Ryan Donnelly 
    ​

    Picture

    Archives

    May 2024
    February 2024
    March 2023
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    RSS Feed

_Home I  Disclaimer  I  Privacy  I  Contact Us  l  Advertise  l Donations I Live events
Copyright © 2013- 2017  Ambridge Connection. All Rights Reserved
​Website: Business Liaison
Copyright @ 2020 Business Liaison
Photos from garryknight, Predi, erix!, klestaaaaaa, Ravi_Shah, Baugher Webmaster Services, angeloangelo, antonekom, www.tOrange.biz, Fort Meade, Ruben™, mosaic36, janetmck, Sister72, Beverly & Pack, JeepersMedia, torbakhopper, Purple Sherbet Photography, soaringbird, clevercupcakes, slgckgc, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, stillriverside, JalilArfaoui, kennethkonica, Cláudia*~Assad, StockMonkeys.com, KathrynW1, slgckgc, amslerPIX, SonnyVisions Photography, Steven Vance, USDAgov, Accretion Disc, brizzle born and bred, ThoseGuys119, scoop1942, peasap, Vox Efx, blakespot, US Department of Education, StockMonkeys.com, SpecMode, steakpinball, menegue, One Way Stock