Fact Finder Hears Board's Budget Case

Fact finding in the contract negotiations between the Board of Education and the Ann Arbor Education Association will resume Nov. 29 with the AAEA presenting its case. The board and the association filed for a non-binding fact finding hearing on the issues of salary, insurance benefits, and class size. Failure to reach a contract resulted in a three-day teacher strike at the opening of school. Yesterday's session, which lasted about 15 hours, included 29 witnesses for the board, with each one discussing a specific budgeted program. "The issue is available funds, nothing more," said Terry Crane, the board's chief negotiator, during opening comments. "We will prove by raising class size, we can realize enough money to settle. Class size is solely a source of revenue, not an issue." Kirk Curtis, representing the AAEA, and executive director of the Jackson Michigan Education Association, said "We will prove you don't need to raise class size because of lost revenue. Class size is the primary issue. If it means a raise in class size to realize revenue for a settlement, we won't settle.' ' Keith Groty of the Michigan State University School of Labor and Industrial Relations and the appointed fact finder is examining the budget presentations to see if the money is available for a contract settlement. The tentative operating budget used by the board during the hearing estimated receipts of $24,754,802, which is $425,548 less than the Aug. 11 budget because of the state aid reduction. Last year's operating budget was $24.866,588. According to the AAEA, its last ] al for this year's salary schedule and fringe benefits can be met without increasing class size or program cuts, while the board and administration contend only a cut in program and services would pro vide any additional funds. In a statement, the AAEA said: "The cost (for salary increases) based on this year's staff distribution, including permanent substitutes, equals $511,041. The board's last offer without increase in class size or cuts was $630,980. The reason for this is the fact that the board has already increased class size over last year's average and this, coupled with a decrease in student enrollment, has resulted in fewer teaching staff being hired this year." According to the presentation during the hearing, the board budgeted $580,000 for salary increase and fringe benefits. "There appears to be no conceivable reason for not settling salary, maintaining class size and getting on with the business of running our school system for the students," said Anne Enderby, AAEA president. The AAEA has estimated that its portion of the hearing, which will convene in two weeks, will last about six hours. According to Crane, the 5.5 per cent pay increase ceiling imposed by the federal pay board may have some effect on the contract negotiations but at this time it isn't known what the position of the [board and administration will be.