Did+You+Know?

** METHACTON TEACHERS CARE > ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN ** > > The Methacton teachers do not want to strike. We are committed to our 5,300 students, the Methacton School District, and our primary mission – to provide the best possible education for our students. We have done everything possible to prevent a strike. We have been bargaining and working without a contract throughout 2009-2010 and into the current school year. We have done so without interruption to your children’s education, sports, and co-curricular activities. The MEA will negotiate around the clock in order to avoid a strike and to get our students back to school as soon as possible should one occur. While many issues have been resolved, the major issues of work day, work year, salary, benefits, tuition reimbursement, and the early retirement incentive remain unresolved. > **Why Methacton Teachers do not have a contract?** > •The District has proposed a freeze in salary for 2009-10 for its teachers while teachers at Colonial, North Penn, Abington, Lower Merion, Upper Merion, Upper Perkiomen, Upper Dublin, Owen J. Roberts, and Methacton’s own administrative staff, as well as the Superintendent, have all settled contracts without a freeze in salary. > •The District’s proposal will move Methacton teachers to among the lowest paid in Montgomery County. This will severely inhibit the district’s ability to retain and recruit the best teachers for your children. This will begin to affect home values in the district. > •The District refuses to acknowledge the reality of turnover savings. > •The District is seeking to increase the teacher’s contribution to their medical insurance, while the District did not to increase the contribution for the administrators, their highest paid employees. > •The District wants to remove the early retirement incentive, which is financially beneficial to the School District. This incentive was retained for the administrators. > **What can you do to help?** > •Call your School Board members. > •Tell your School Board members that you support a settlement that treats teachers fairly and equitably so Methacton can continue to attract and retain highly qualified teachers. > •Tell your School Board that you want to retain the teachers who are responsible for the District’s high educational ranking and the resulting positive effect on your property values. > ** Did you know? ** >> [] FACT: Methacton students score on average 37 points higher on the SAT verbal section than the national average and 45 points higher than the state average.
 * FACT: In 2008, Philadelphia Magazine had Methacton the 9th best district in the area. This link shows the rankings from that year as well as the average teacher salaries. Of the top 25 school districts on this list, Methacton was 21st in average teacher salaries.
 * FACT: Methacton students score on average 52 points higher on the SAT math section than the national average and 66 points higher than the state average.
 * FACT: Methacton alumni reported in a District survey that: • Their teachers were interesting, prepared, and demanding. • They were included and welcome while at Methacton. • Overall, their high school experience was positive. • They were treated fairly and equally by the teachers. • The atmosphere was positive at Methacton. • Their education prepared them for what they are doing now.