Knoch Rally
JEFFERSON TWP — It was shake, shiver and shout on Wednesday night at the Heal Our Community rally, which was held in the South Butler Primary School parking lot from 6:30 p.m. until dark.
With icy winds blowing and 100 district parents, current and former students, taxpayers and teachers bundled up from head to toe, several impromptu speakers took a turn at the microphone.
The rally occurred the night before teachers in the district will strike. The teacher's union representative and district negotiator met inside in a last-ditch effort to hammer out a contract and avoid a strike.
Heather Helsel, founder of the South Butler School Action Committee, organized the rally. She was surprised and delighted that so many people turned out on such a frigid evening to support the district's teachers.
“It's fantastic,” Helsel said. “It's definitely a strong showing.”
She said in addition to listening to the speakers, those in attendance had the opportunity to talk with each other regarding the four-year contract standoff between the district and its teachers.
“The time has come. Enough is enough,” Helsel said of the stalemate that has prevented the teachers from getting a raise since their last contract expired on June 30, 2014.
“The time has come to get together and resolve a contract.”
Ian Babb, president of the South Butler Education Association and a teacher at the primary center and intermediate high school, said a few words to thunderous applause before heading inside to the final negotiating session before the strike date Thursday.
Babb said he and his teachers are “heartbroken” about the strike, but were facing dwindling options on Wednesday night.
“Don't believe that the teachers have been unwilling to compromise,” said Babb, who said that useful and productive talks have been had with the district negotiator, in which teachers offered many compromises.
He also bemoaned divisions in the community, and said a pay increase for teachers does not automatically mean a tax increase.
“Our goal is a contract that's competitive with our surrounding schools,” Babb said.
He also said he appreciated the support shown for teachers at the rally.“Our parents are top-notch,” Babb said. “We are dedicated to our parents and they are dedicated to us.”Emma Federkeil, a 2016 Knoch High School graduate, recalled her high school years as a shy young woman.“It was the teachers who helped me find myself and be who I am today,” Federkeil said. “I felt that I was loved and cared for by every single teacher I had.”She said her teachers encouraged her to pursue her passion of filmmaking and photography.“High school was so great for me and I wouldn't change any of it because of the teachers,” Federkeil said.Patrick Smith, a senior at Knoch High School, said it hurt him to discover how poorly teachers are being treated in the district.“I have been here for four years, and there have been multiple teachers who have actually changed my life,” Smith said. “There are lots of students who are behind (the teachers.)”He said even though a strike would impact his last year of high school, he still supports his teachers.“It interferes with my tennis season and graduation,” Smith said, “and I'm willing to sacrifice them for you.”Parent Amy Butler, whose husband is a math teacher in the district, said she is embarrassed at how teachers are being treated at South Butler.“I can't fathom that the teachers have shown up for four years without a contract and keep doing what they are doing even when they are asked to do more,” Butler said.Parent Dave McCool said he appreciates that his school district has instructors who are educated and certified and care for the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of his children.“There is a component of the community who do not appreciate you,” McCool said. “I definitely appreciate you.”The rally wrapped up around nightfall with negotiations ongoing in the school building.
