Teachers in Plainedge parade down Hicksville Road in Massapequa over the district's prolonged contract negotiations. Photos courtesy of the Plainedge Federation of Teachers

The current proposal put on the table as of April 29 has the school district asking for a two year salary freeze, an additional two days of classroom instruction and the addition of 2.5 hours of extra help time per week. The teacher's union rejects these positions and argues that a two year salary freeze is unreasonable.

The last contract expired on June 30, 1996.

According to union President Pauline Weissman, the union agreed to a one year salary freeze after meeting with a negotiator. "We've been reasonable," said Weissman, "they're being unreasonable."

"The bottom line is that they want more money," countered board President Josephine Reder, "Hiring more teachers gives more programs to kids... giving teachers more money doesn't."

Reder said that this year's budget provides money for hiring five new teachers.

The teachers union contends that the board of education has lost its focus on education and has become over-concerned with lowering the district's tax rate which, according to Reder, is the fourth highest rate in Nassau County.

As a result, the union says, the school board has "ruined" the district's programs in art, music, alternative assessment, and the secondary library program. "When their [the members of the board of education] kids were in school, all these programs were in place," said PFT Publicity Chairperson Bea Baaden, "but when their kids graduated, all they seemed to be concerned with was the tax rate."

"I really don't see how they can say that when you see the work that the board and the superintendent have done over the last three years," said Reder.

However, Reder said, because of the district's high tax rate, "we always look at what we're spending our money on."

Reder says that teachers in Plainedge are the highest paid in the Town of Oyster Bay. "They're paid well for what they do," said Reder.

But PFT leaders say that teachers are leaving the Plainedge School District for other areas because of the district's lack of focus on education. According to Weissman, three staff members left last year and four more are scheduled to leave this year. The PFT has approximately 220 members.

"I would take exception to that," said Reder, "we provide a wonderful work environment for our teachers."

"If people are leaving, it has to do more with the union not allowing them to continue as professionals," Reder added, "maybe they would rather give extra help than walk a picket line."

But Weisman said that at the union's last demonstration, held on Monday April 27, nearly all of the districts teachers participated.

"People have money for what they value," said Weisman, "and it saddens me that they don't value education."

"I think our community is behind us 100 percent," said Reder. "We're a district that has never had a failed budget in 23 years. I think that's a community that cares about education."