FLOW Area December 22, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Ramapo High students leave class, draw critics and for being spoiled by their �������������������� parents. They claimed the Ramapo Indian Hills Superintendent of Schools Dr. compensation package for teachers in places like Wayne Lauren Schoen confirmed that about 225 Ramapo High and Franklin Lakes are excessive and that when fringe ������������������� School students left their classes on Dec. 10 in support of benefits and the number of days worked each year are by Frank J. McMahon students for “not knowing a thing about paying taxes” their teachers, who have been working without a contract considered the teachers are overpaid. Others criticized since June. the students for driving luxury cars to school while The students walked out of their classes at about 8:45 asking the taxpayers to give more money to the teachers a.m. and assembled at the football field at the rear of the while social security recipients have not had a cost of school. They returned to their classes at about 10:15 a.m., living increase in two years. according to Schoen, who said the students did not carry Still other critics accused the teachers of using the any banners or make any statements. students whom they claim are too young to comprehend Ramapo High School Principal Louis Moore advised what their parents have to go through to pay the taxes that the students who participated in the walkout would to support the schools, while another complained there be marked as having unexcused absences, and they will were no consequences for the students’ action. not be allowed to make up the work that they missed The Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education and during the walkout, although they have received no other the Ramapo Indian Hills Employee Association reached � � ��� discipline for their participation in the walkout. an impasse in their contract negotiations. The previous ������������ Schoen said she is unaware if the parents�������� the three-year agreement expired June 30. A mediator has of one of leaders of the student action are teachers, and said she been assigned by the state’s Public Employment Rela����������������������������������� �������������� had no reason to believe that the protest was prompted by tions Commission, and a Feb. 7 session is scheduled. ������������������������������������������ the Ramapo Indian Hills Education Association, which The RIHEA is representing full- and part-time teachrepresents the teachers and other members of the staff ers and supplemental teachers, administrative assistants, in their ongoing negotiations with the regional board of technical assistants and special education teaching assiseducation. tants, and the custodial, maintenance, grounds, and secu�������������������� The walkout drew online criticism from bloggers who rity staff. ���������������������� read the first report of the walkout and who ridiculed the In July 2007, the school board and RIHEA agreed on ������������������������� �������������������� ����������� ��������� Hair Care ����� Family �� � �� two contracts for the district employees represented by the association. One of the contracts covered the 200607 school year, and a new three-year contract covered 2007 through June 30, 2010. In the one-year contract, the RIHEA received a 4.4 percent salary increase. The three-year contract included salary increases of 4.42 percent for 2007-08, 4.43 percent for 2008-09, and 4.44 percent for 2009-10. Those increases included increments in the salary guides for RIHEA members that have been mutually agreed upon by the RIHEA and the RIHBOE. The salary guide for the 2009-10 school year called for a starting salary of $46,419 for a beginning teacher with a bachelor’s degree. After 16 years, that teacher would earn $68,275 with the potential of reaching the top salary of $81,724. Those salary levels rise further when the teacher attains higher educational degrees to a potential maximum of $99,866 after 17 years with a master’s degree plus 30 credits plus $1,871 for a doctorate. AUSTRALIA �������������������� ������������������� ��� Available in Mahwah store only ������������������������� �������������������� ����������� ��������� � �������� Hair Care ����� Family ��������� ������������ ����������������������������������� �������������� ������������������������������������������ and Good Will to All Men Peace on Earth �������������������������������� Coupons not accepted for Ugg purchases ������ ���� ��������������� ������������ See our website for coupons-������������������������ ������������������������������� ������������������������������������ Merry Christmas ������������������������� and a Happy New Year ��������������������� from the crew! ������������� ���� ����� ��� ����� ������� ASE Certified 11 Crescent Ave., Waldwick • 201-445-2722 Randy’s Auto Repair