For the protection of students and teachers, all interviewed for this story will remain anonymous. This story will be updated to accurately report on an ongoing event.
A “Work-to-Rule” action was called after members of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) voted down a draft of the new teacher contract. That was followed by around 200 teachers walking out of a school board meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12 after it was determined that there would be no speaking on teacher salary, as the board said it wasn’t on the agenda. Now, the bargaining over teacher contracts between HSEA and the Hamilton Southeastern School District has fallen into state mediation. Both parties had until Thursday, Nov. 13 to agree to a new draft of teacher salary, however, they could not reach a compromise.
A work-to-rule action is where teachers only work during their contract hours to highlight the overtime work that they do outside of school. This has led to changes in the classroom for some teachers.
“It is affecting our ability to grade things on time and hand them back with as much feedback,” said a HSEA member at Fishers High School. “We’re still trying to provide good quality instruction to the students because we don’t want them to suffer.”
The work-to-rule action may also mean that participating teachers cannot grade on weekends, or outside of school. It also may affect the ability for teachers to write recommendation letters for students if they cannot complete them during contract hours.
“I think it’s a hardship on the teachers,” said an HSEA member at Fishers high school. “But it’s one that we think is necessary to illustrate how much work we put in to keep the schools running.”
On Wednesday, Nov. 19 teachers from across the district met outside of the school district’s central office to picket and bring attention to the dispute. Many teachers, parents, students and community members showed up in support of the cause.
“I’m here to stand with my teachers because I would not be where I am today and have had the amazing opportunities I have had without the help of teachers,” said a local student in attendance Wednesday.
Many came with signs, banners, and noisemakers to use during chants. Cars driving by were seen honking to show support, which was met with whistling and cheering from the picketers.
One of the largest issues that teachers are voicing concern over is the lack of adjustment to teacher salary to match the increase in the cost of living, as well as the rise in insurance premiums.
“I think that teachers are not being shown respect,” said a teacher on Wednesday. “I want everyone to know how much work teachers put in every day, and that we’re not getting fairly compensated for what we actually do for our kids.”
