FLINT, MI (WNEM) – Flint Community Schools teachers attended a school board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 14, to resolve their grievances.
Members of the Flint Teachers Union voted “no confidence” at the board meeting. Its members unanimously rejected a settlement agreement reached last month between teachers and school district officials.
“More than a decade ago, we took a huge pay cut. We bailed out the district and were there for them. And they were able to give back what was taken from us. “They're not doing it,” said education expert Sherry Mockles.
“What's happening right now is heartbreaking for us. We just want answers,” said high school teacher Trishanda Williams. “And we want to come to some kind of conclusion that is a fair solution for everyone.”
The vote also approved employment actions, including strikes. Members said the vote was taken because the board had not yet explained why it rejected the settlement agreement. The agreement addressed important issues such as teacher recruitment and retention and salary increases.
“We have to do something and we have to stand up for the children of Flint because the board is not doing it. We have to do it for them. No,” Mockles said. “Every year, in classrooms without certified teachers, there are students who move from grade to grade without ever having sat in front of a certified teacher. It's not okay.”
Teachers said they were hurt and had lost faith in the board to do what was right for the district, students and them.
“We trusted the board. We trusted everyone who was making sound decisions with us, and we would sit at the table together. And what happened , you can see what's not happening,” Williams said. “It affected us a lot, and we thought you cared about us because we support every action you impose on us. Many of us were devastated. Many of us were angry, hurt and emotionally affected.”
The union filed an unfair labor practice charge against the board with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.
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