Northwest Indiana Districts Say They'll Keep Meeting Teacher Unions Despite New State Law

Several Northwest Indiana school leaders say they will keep talking with teachers about education issues, even though a new state law no longer obliges them to do so.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the measure, Senate Bill 486, on May 4. It was largely intended to cut back on regulations and mandates placed on schools. One section, however, drew objections from many educators: it removed the requirement that administrators discuss a set of 16 topics with union leaders during negotiations. Those subjects included class sizes, safety issues, student discipline, stipends from grants and teaching methods, along with 11 other items.

Teachers packed the Statehouse in April, partly to protest the bill. GlenEva Dunham, president of American Federation of Teachers Indiana and of the Gary Teachers Union, did not soften her criticism. "Make no mistake, that is a union busting bill," she said. Union members contend the change deregulates collective bargaining and confines talks with administrators to wages and benefits. Dunham said teachers had explained why the language needed to be removed, and added: "Did they listen? No, they did not."

Robert DeRuntz, a history teacher at Chesterton High School and co-president and negotiations chairman of the Duneland Teachers Association, said the discussions, now optional, are essential to improving the school climate. He said their purpose is to strengthen communication and collaboration and to find solutions to problems that hinder effective teaching. "The formal required discussion process is best practice. It keeps us all accountable to a professional standard," he said. DeRuntz described the change as politically motivated, saying Republicans who control the General Assembly wanted to weaken teacher unions, and warned it would cut teachers' expertise out of the process.

Kevin Trezak, superintendent of River Forest Community Schools and a member of the executive committee of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, said the group supported the legislation because it reduced mandates and regulation. A statement from the association said it could not oppose a bill containing so much language backing one of its priorities, even though it took a neutral position on the discussion provision. It also noted that the bill did not prohibit communication on any issue.

Trezak said the bill had merit but that the discussion change "is a potential issue for someone with bad intentions." He said he will continue meeting regularly with union leaders for as long as he is at River Forest.

Larry Veracco, superintendent of Lake Central School Corp., said his district will also continue the talks. He said the process has helped staff understand why certain protocols and procedures exist, and that the district often adjusts its practices based on information gathered along the way. According to Veracco, some lawmakers have said the change was meant to bring non-union members into the discussions, which previously involved only teacher union representatives. He said he expects clarification on that point soon and believes a more diverse group would generally produce stronger results.

Thomas Cripliver, superintendent of Lake Station Community Schools, said he has worked in three Indiana districts and never had a problem holding these discussions with teachers. He said they gave administrators and teachers a place to share concerns and suggestions and helped create a cooperative, positive working environment. "Lake Station Schools will continue to have discussions with the teachers," he said.