ROARING SPRING - A proposal to settle the long-disputed teachers contract in the Spring Cove School District failed by the smallest of margins at a special board meeting Thursday evening.
''We're going back to the classroom without a contract,'' Spring Cove Education Association President John Fitzpatrick said.
By a vote of 5 to 4, the school board refused the report offered to them by a state-appointed fact-finder and approved by the SCEA Tuesday. The SCEA represents the district's 133 teachers, who have been working under an expired contract since July, the first time in two decades that teachers in this Cove community have worked without current terms.
Because the proposal still is up for discussion, details of the settlement could not be discussed Thursday.
The 7 p.m. meeting got off to a late start as board members entered the room and announced they needed more time for executive session to discuss the matter. When they returned more than 30 minutes later, one board member began discussion on the proposal with a lengthy letter about her experience with the negotiation process.
With a shaking voice, Charlene Dodson read her statement aloud.
''My intent in the negotiations process was to have an agreement that focused on what was best for the various stakeholders in the Spring Cove School District,'' she said. ''I have to admit, it is not always easy to keep focused because the process is sometimes both mentally and emotionally draining. I, however, intend to stay true to my commitment to look at what I believe to be best long term.''
Dodson also said while both sides acted professionally and amicably, the process itself was ''asinine and archaic.''
''It is sterile and only offers a one-dimensional perspective on a subject that is very complex and multi-faceted.''
Dodson said the idea of returning to business as usual would only breed complacency, which is unacceptable in public education and a reason for her to vote no.
''I did not join the board to perpetuate the status quo, and that's what this report represents,'' she said.
Board member William Replogle also voted no, based on current economic times that he said were not taken into consideration by the fact finder.
''I think that asking our taxpayers to give quite a bit more money when they're losing money, I don't think is fair,'' he said.
Fitzpatrick said that the community has escaped a lot of the financial woes going on nationwide.
''A lot of the things that are happening are not affecting this area as bad as others,'' he said.
In addition to Dodson and Replogle, dissenting votes were cast by Gretchen Metzler, Jennifer Murnyack-Garner and John Biddle, who hesitated before casting his vote in the roll call.
Julie Mills, Amy Acker-Knisely, Harold Lloy Blattenberger and James Butler voted in favor of the proposal.
After the votes were cast, the dozen or so faculty members in attendance were taken back, holding their hands to their faces or shaking their heads.
''We're definitely disappointed,'' Fitzpatrick said. ''We had hoped the board would see it as a compromise. We felt it gave the board some things they wanted.''
The board now has a five-day consideration period. A second vote will take place in 6 to 10 days.
''One person could change their vote and it could be our contract,'' Fitzpatrick said.
If the proposal does not pass a second time, the two sides are back to square one, a place that could mean a possible strike.
Mirror Staff Writer Wendy McCardle is at 946-7520.
