Teachers frustrated with money being spent on Zimmerman buyoutby Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)
South Bend teachers oppose the money being spent on a buyout of Robert Zimmerman's contract when they are still working without one. (WSBT file photo) SOUTH BEND — South Bend’s former superintendent is examining his buyout proposal. A school board member says Robert Zimmerman has 21 days to respond to the offer. Multimedia Some teachers are frustrated with the money being spent on a buyout when they are still working without a contract. Teacher Kathy Bucher is looking into early retirement. “A month ago I wouldn't have thought about that, but I was real ill for a couple of weeks and had a lot of time to think, and I was basically very saddened by what they did with Dr. Zimmerman and I’m angry we don't have a contract," Bucher said. Teachers have shown their frustrations in the past by picketing outside school board meetings. According to the Department of Education, the average salary for a South Bend teacher last school year was $49,000, the highest in the area. Without a contract, however, the starting salary was one of the lowest. According to information from the Indiana’s Education Employment Relations Board, a starting teacher with a bachelor’s degree in South Bend made $30,806. In Elkhart, a teacher with the same made $34,440, in Goshen, $33,469 and in Penn Harris Madison, $32,855. In the John Glenn School Corporation, a starting teacher made $31,792. "If I was a teacher, I’d be upset too," said school board member Bill Sniadecki. Sniadecki could not give us any details about Zimmerman’s buyout proposal, but he admits there is money being used that could go elsewhere. "It’s probably going to be a quarter to half a million dollars,” Sniadecki said. “That’s money that could be used for salaries or kids programs." Kathy Bucher now looks to leave the school system, but she worries other teachers will feel the same. "Many teachers spend hours above and beyond on their job to help students,” Bucher said. “Many of us spend our own money on the students because the need is that great. I feel pretty saddened by the whole affair that we aren't treated with respect as teachers to even deserve a contract." Sniadecki told WSBT he does believe they will reach a contract agreement with the teachers before the next school year. Most PopularMore Good Stuff |
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