November 26th, 2024

Strike day 14

Panelists listen to Shana Hains, West Albany science teacher, respond to a question during the first of two forums Monday evening at LBCC. From left are Mike Garnier, West science teacher; David Tracy, Liberty second-grade teacher; Hains; Jadie Wright, South Shore 2nd grade self contained dual immersion teacher; Trevor Hast, Memorial Middle School alternative education teacher; Dori Podrabsky, Timber Ridge math teacher; Sandi Washburn, behavior school support specialist; Katy Kelly, North Albany Middle School science teacher; and Chelsea Yurchenko, NAMS special programs teacher.

Teachers field questions at community forums

The crowd awaits the start of the first of two community forums Monday.

 Wide-ranging questions about the ongoing strike were fielded by panels of Albany teachers Monday evening during two community forums at Linn-Benton Community College.
  Hundreds of people attended the forums that ran from 5:30 to 6:30 and 7 to 8. The panelists answered written questions from the audience, and the final 20 minutes of each forum offered the opportunity for small group and one-on-one conversations, as well as time to eat burritos from Taco El Machin.
  Monday marked Day 14 of the strike and a pause in mediation. Class size and compensation are the remaining issues.
  At the earlier forum, West Albany science teacher Mike Garnier took the first question, about class size. “The (cap) number is not the most important thing,” he said, but “how the problem is dealt with when it comes up.” He emphasized that it’s a process requiring leadership accountability.
  Shana Hains, West Albany science teacher, said, “we can manage (large numbers of) kids … but to teach kids well we need smaller classes.”
  Another question was about what happens to TAG (talented and gifted) students. Katy Kelly, North Albany Middle School science teacher, said that when class sizes are smaller she can more effectively teach students who are on individual education plans (IEPs), students who are at grade level and TAG students, all of whom she has in her classes. “I can do it, really,” she said.
  School has been canceled nine days so far during the strike, and one teacher said no one knows for sure what the post-strike end of the school year will look like. Kelly said there may be some wiggle room because GAPS is over the number of student contact days the state requires. “Hopefully it won’t go into summer,” she said.
  Trevor Hast, Memorial Middle School alternative education teacher, said the plan is to keep mediating until there’s a settlement.
  Mediation is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning, when there will also be picketing in front of the district office. The GAEA plans no picketing or rallies Wednesday through Sunday.
 Are teachers worried about potential layoffs after the strike?  “I don’t think it’s going to be a huge issue.” said Dori Podrabsky, Timber Ridge math teacher. “I’m sad we’re not there (in the classroom), but this (strike) is the right thing to help kids.”
 Responding to a comment that some community members think chanting has been divisive, Garnier said, “Not everything we’ve said is right. .. We’ve lost some trust. We’re going to work really hard to get that back. We want our community to be whole.”
  David Tracy, Liberty Elementary second grade teacher, described as “amazing” the support teachers have received from the community. “Thank you for the support,” he said. “It can be so uplifting.”
  Garnier noted people from organizations around town to have stepped up with support.
  “Be curious and ask us questions,” added Sandi Washburn, behavior school support specialist. “Keep reaching out and asking questions.”
—— Graham Kislingbury, Linn County Democrats

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