9/6/13 - A peaceful protest is reportedly planned outside of a Howell school board memberâs home later this evening due to the continued lack of a teacher contract. The Howell Education Association consists of approximately 400 full time and part time teachers in the district and the protest is expected to take place in front of the home of Trustee Mike Moloney. Moloney, along with fellow Trustee Deb McCormick and Board Treasurer Doug Moore, was instrumental in voting down a proposed teacher contract back in March recommended by Superintendent Ron Wilson and the districtâs bargaining team. Union President Jay McDowell didnât confirm or deny whether the protest was taking place, but was clear about who the teachers blame for the stalemate. "Teachers are very upset at what Moloney, McCormick and Moore have done that they're now made to feel uncomfortable within this community, the teachers are, because they have less money than they did before...I know many teachers feel that Moloney and McCormick, especially those two, because they send their kids to other schools, should feel some of that pain also." For his part, Moloney called the planned protest a standard tactic from the MEA playbook, adding that, âbullying tactics like this don't change the numbers.â Moloney says the district is projecting an operating deficit for the third year in a row and the need for a responsible contract hasn't changed. McDowell says a responsible contract was offered up to the board in March, but rejected by Moloney, McCormick and Moore to satisfy a political agenda, a move he says has cost the district $500,000 in savings. (JK)
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