Homestead High School - Retrospect Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

Page 31 text:

ZS an alternative to a sit-in planned by the student body to protest slow negotiations, student body president Thom Payne encouraged students to speak out at the community meeting. Here, Payne prepares a speech presenting the students point of view. Cphoto by: P. Seideli Tarents took advantage of the meeting to learn more about what was going on. The cafeteria was full enough that the teachers were asked to leave in order to let the parents have a seat. Cphoto by: P. Seidell Teacher Slowdown

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S L O W B O W N rowded Lot teachers work to Ietter ecmtraet ' UIQQQQYLVQM' ' . mgke millions. . Lrljgeighgngsg. Q -me u goreurfuiures. . -'SODHOITTOVS . . Natalie Stevens . The parking lot got a little bit crowded. Until 7:30 each morning, teachers never entered the school, and when they did, it was as a group. They waited by their cars until five minutes before the first bell. They left every day at three, all a part working by their contracts. In March, the Southwest Allen County teachers began a work slowdown after a mediator and fact-finder failed to solve salary negotiation problems between the Teachers' Association and the Board of Trustees. It's not technically a work slowdown, we're just working according to the letter of our contract. We HWEST Vg, Hens M Gr windows displayed signs showing the teachers viewpoints and demands in the contract dipute. They also had buttons made reading, 'Pay now, Work later.' fphoto by: S. Kanningl Teacher Slowdown At an open meeting, teachers' spokesman Mark Kornmann explains the details of the situation. Much of the time was spent answering questions and hearing various opinions. Cphoto by: P. Seidell come to school at 7:30 and leave at three. We don't do any volunteer work, go on field trips or take any work home, said Mark Kornmann, spokesman for the teachers' bargaining comittee. The board refused to comment on the issue. Parents also became concerned that stress on the teachers would harm the students. The teachers' work was piling upp the students were losing class time because the teachers had to get their work done, so students were getting behind, too, said parent Marsha Watson. Although they felt the effect of the slowdown, most students said they supported the teachers' efforts. lf I had my way they would be making millions because we're in their handsg they're educating us for our future, said sophomore Natalie Stevens. Although most students supported them, teachers met with parents and students at a public meeting to find out if the community supported their action. Every morning they would enter school together, making a statement to the system of the change they wanted to take place. It took that strong an action to give the issue the attention it deserved, and even then the negotation was a drawn- out process. I Meg a n Musgrave

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Walking the streets students head to the New York Times on 43rd street. Also on the journalism trip, students toured Rolling Stone magazine. Cphoto by: D. Douglas? Enjoying the nightlife in New York City, junior Aaron Couch joins a street musician outside the Empire State Building. The six-day trip was for students on the publications staffs. Cphoto by: M. Musgraveb fl IZJFP1 X ll t .. j M 5 Ih -f .AA .. ef fka I ipreparing to sail, seniors Sarah Hicks, Amy Menze, Betsy Weimer, juniors Erin Knee, Lisa Probst and the first mate hoist the boom. The trip was prior to the 87-88 school year. fphoto by: L. jamesl Field Trips Spanish students on a ten-day trip to Spain over spring break visited this Catholic monument in Segovia. Under the crucifix is a church built into the rocks. fphoto by: j. Cox?