Teachers and secretaries are still working without an employment contract. Their old contract expired August 12.

The Board of Education and representatives from the teachers’ and secretaries’ unions are still negotiating over cost issues.

"We (the Board of Education) have the highest level of respect for our students and teachers," said School Superintendent Wanda Cook-Robinson. "We would like a contract for our employees, but it has to be a contract that the community can afford," the superintendent said.

The healthcare question

One issue that the two sides are discussing is healthcare coverage, Cook-Robinson said. At present, the teachers do not have to pay for their healthcare premiums though they do pay $10 to $20 for each prescription.

"Teachers just want a fair contract, and we want the whole contract issue to be resolved as quickly as possible," said math teacher and football coach Milton Jones.

"I think it’s terrible that the teachers still don’t have a contract," said junior Taylor Green. "They’ve been picketing since last year."

Another group of Southfield Public Schools employees without a contract is the para-professionals. Para-pros are instructors that help special needs students.

"I’m just thankful that I have a job, and I hope that the outcome of the contract negotiations will be good," said para-pro Lachana Lane.

Teachers’ union representative Robert MacFarland said he is hoping that contracts can be reached before the close of the 2008-2009 school year.

The pay raise question

The teachers and secretaries are asking for a three or four percent pay raise. Cook-Robinson said that with the economic state, there isn’t any money to give a raise.

"Asking for a pay raise in the economic condition that we are in right now seems a little inconsiderate," said junior Maria McCoy, "but at the same time, I understand that teachers need economic security, and they need a little more money to help get them through the tough times."

The tax base question

The school district receives a portion of its funding from the revenue of sales taxes, but record low sales this holiday season and beyond means less money for the district, the superintendent explained. The district also receives a portion of its funding from income taxes. Recently the taxes in Southfield were cut, which means that less money is being brought in by the City of Southfield, which means that there is even less money for the school district.

Even though the teachers haven’t had a contract since August, they haven’t had a pay cut and haven’t been denied a check. But with the cost of living going up, not having a pay raise is like having a pay cut. Teachers and secretaries received a 1 percent pay raise with the last contract two years ago.

With the snail pace of negotiations, shrinking board budget, and unwillingness for compromise, no one can predict when contracts will be issued.