Contract disputes are not unusual in workplaces. Affected employees may grumble more than usual, and they might perform their jobs half-heartedly, but this dissension rarely is seen outside of the company. But when the workplace is a school, employees' unhappiness can be seen -- and sometimes felt -- by many beyond the feuding parties.

Teachers in Lawrence Township and Carmel Clay Schools have recently been showing their displeasure with the lack of progress in their contract negotiations. Carmel teachers are seeking higher salaries, as are Lawrence Township teachers, who also want more preparation time during the school day. Both sets of teachers have expired contracts and have staged several "job actions," including working only the hours stipulated in the contracts and holding small protest rallies.

What effects have these acts had on students and their educations? Y-Press has members in both school districts, six of whom have offered to share their perspectives on the impact these disputes have had in their schools.

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Carmel students' views on contract

By Albert Chen, 16

This school year started off pretty much like any other, with boring classes, sunburned friends back from vacation, and tedious homework. But after a few days of classes, I began to notice that many of my teachers had the same poster on their walls. The poster reads "Support Carmel Teachers," and one of my teachers vaguely explained that they were working without a contract. I remember thinking that it seemed like a small disagreement that would be resolved after a few days, and I couldn't have cared less.

But as time went by and nothing was resolved, I saw more and more signs of dissension in our school. Many of the teachers began to wear green and orange ribbons and pins that showed their support for one another, and some took time out of their lessons to answer questions from students. To their credit, my teachers were never blatantly critical of the school board.

I sympathize with the teachers. Many of them put in long hours beyond the school day. I can understand that they might feel unappreciated and disrespected despite their hard work.

Since January, teachers have taken more steps to be heard, some that have negatively affected students. For example, many teachers began to work only the hours required by the previous contract instead of staying after hours grading papers, tutoring or sponsoring after-school activities and projects.

On top of that, some teachers decided to stop grading papers outside of class, because they are not paid to do so. While I haven't been affected, some of my peers have not received any grades for weeks and don't know how they are doing in a class. This could become a problem at the end of the grading period when report cards are issued.

The school board and administration will soon have to respond to angry mothers and fathers. Teachers show no signs of stopping their efforts, and it will be interesting to see how the school board responds if parents become involved.

By Chris Reissaus, 17

Carmel High School is huge, about 4,000 students and 250 teachers. Despite its size, when something happens, word gets around quickly. Last year a teacher was fired, and every student knew the story behind it by the end of the week.

This year, teachers at Carmel are in a difficult situation. This is unusual because Carmel rarely has problems with or relating to its teachers. It isn't uncommon for the school district to renegotiate teacher contracts when they are due to expire, and new contracts are usually determined through several meetings.

This time around, Carmel teachers have a problem: The pay increase proposed by the Carmel Clay School Board would be so small that it would not even cover the increase in their insurance costs. The issue exploded after the school board unanimously rejected the teachers' latest contract proposal in late January.

Since the school year started, teachers have posted signs in their classrooms and worn green and orange ribbons (the green, of course, signifying money) to publicize the situation. Since the contract rejection, the teachers have stepped up their efforts, and students have become more involved, asking questions, posting signs of their own supporting teachers and organizing a schoolwide sit-in during first period, which was broken up before it began.

CHS students care about the "teachers without a contract" problem for two reasons. First, some students know that without teachers, school would be meaningless. These students are trying to make a difference. Second, some students like wasting time during class, and asking questions about contract negotiations is one way to do so. Every teacher I have has talked about the situation in class.

This whole situation has gotten out of hand. Teachers are slowing down on grading papers and students are using the topic as a conversation starter to waste time. Carmel students are joining in on a battle that isn't theirs to fight. Even though the outcome is uncertain, teachers still have an obligation to do what their title implies: teach.

By Ali Rader, 16

Carmel has been getting a lot of publicity because our teachers want a new contract. The teachers haven't put any pressure on students, although sometimes they take time out of class to discuss any updates. However, that's usually because a student has asked a question.

Some students are concerned that teachers might not hold after- or before-school review sessions for Advanced Placement tests this year, which would make it tough to score well on the college-level exams. However, I haven't heard any teachers say that.

In general, I don't mind that teachers are standing up for themselves, as long as it doesn't affect my education. I was asked multiple times by other students to participate in a sit-in last month to support the teachers, but I didn't. I had heard many teachers say that their contract talks should not involve students, and I didn't want us to get in trouble. Administrators were upset when they saw the main hallway at our school packed with kids heading toward the gym, where the sit-in was to occur, but it was stopped before it even started.

I don't have enough information from either side of the issue to form an educated opinion. I guess it's really just about how much the city of Carmel thinks great education is worth, or how much residents are willing to pay to get it. So far, my experience at Carmel High School has been great. For the most part, I have had wonderful teachers who I feel are preparing me well for my future.

I hope a good compromise can be reached soon so that both sides are satisfied, because what kind of example are they setting for students if neither can give a little? All the taxpayers, students, parents, teachers and board members should be able to look at the final contract and say, "It's not exactly what I wanted, but it's fair."

After all, the ability to compromise is one of the most valuable skills a person can possess. In families, careers, friendships and relationships, it's essential.

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Lawrence students' views on contract

By Jennifer Maberto, 17

The teacher contract debates are definitely being felt at Lawrence North High School. Although most teachers seem to love working with students every day, many feel that they don't have enough time to do their jobs well.

During the week of Jan. 30, LN teachers tried to make a statement by working the contract, which requires them to be at school 7.75 hours a day. It doesn't include any extra time to help students or grade papers before or after school.

The effects of this were soon felt by students. Kids who usually go to the classroom before school starts either for help or simply to put their stuff down weren't able to because the classrooms were locked until the teachers arrived.

Another action that the teachers took was the Friday of that week. A large group of teachers met out at the flagpole before school, and all came into the school together, in a show of solidarity. This made an impact on students because there were very few teachers in the building before school started that day.

The contract dispute is not the only thing troubling teachers. Starting this school year, teachers have only 45 minutes of preparation time, reduced from 90 minutes, with the extra 45 minutes spent either in a study hall or monitoring the hallways. Many teachers have said this does not allow them enough time to create lesson plans and get all of their tests and homework graded.

Making this situation more difficult are increasingly lopsided student-teacher ratios, especially at Lawrence North. Despite having about 3,000 students, the township has continued to cut LN teachers, and classes that used to have 20 to 25 students now have 30 to 40.

Throughout recent years, Lawrence Township teachers have faced many changes but are now given less time to do more work. This not only has frustrated teachers, especially those who have been with the township for many years, but also affects students, who are finding teachers less accessible because their open class periods have been cut.

By Olivia Mozzi, 18

Teachers in Lawrence Township have replaced ribbons backing breast cancer research or the troops in Iraq with ones in support of their own jobs. They have been working without a renewed contract since August, which means the majority of them are dealing with a larger student body but without a raise. In the midst of negotiations, they implemented a job action to further demonstrate their unhappiness. For a week, teachers worked only contract hours, from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coaches and teachers who receive compensation for extra rehearsals continued as usual, but other club meetings were canceled. The goal was for teachers to not take home papers to grade or other work.

Lawrence North teachers have been frank during discussions with students about the job action. However, I noticed no significant change in the amount of graded papers I received or the teachers' preparedness for class.

Many teachers found it difficult to go along with the plan, as they felt an obligation to their students and knew the work would just pile up if left unattended, even temporarily.

I have never seen my teachers more stressed. It takes an enormous amount of work for them to cater to the needs of each student. School populations increase each year, while the amount of time teachers are given to accommodate those students is taken away.

The fact that their daily preparation time at school was slashed in half beginning this school year is shocking enough. The idea that teachers' salaries currently do not reflect the extra work they now must do at home is appalling.

Yes, raising teachers' salaries will be expensive, particularly during Lawrence Township's current budget crisis. But giving teachers the resources, monetary or otherwise, they need to do their jobs properly is priceless.

Teachers already make daily sacrifices to make sure children have a positive and successful school experience. The least we can do is give something back.

By Nicole Alabi, 18

While teachers at Lawrence Central High School have shown their displeasure with the progress of contract talks, it is not an unpleasant place to learn. However, their job actions don't seem to be having much of an impact.

Earlier this year, LC teachers participated in a "work-the-contract" week. The week before, two of my teachers discussed what was going to happen.

On a Monday, several teachers who normally come to school early were not there, and their rooms were locked. In addition, my first-period teacher did not arrive until right before the bell rang. It was weird because I am so used to having my teachers at school early in the morning.

I didn't really notice any other changes that week, except that teachers wore pins with orange and green ribbons. Several teachers stated that they would be even more behind in grading our homework and tests because of their shortened work hours, but I didn't really notice a difference because we don't usually receive our grades that quickly.

The actions of the teachers did not affect me much, but I agree with what they are doing. I have always felt that teachers should be paid more for all their hard work, because many of them have had such a positive impact on my life. They have read my college essays, written recommendations for me and in general have really helped me when I was unsure about something we learned in class.

I wish that more had come out of the "work-the-contract" week. I don't believe students have suffered because of the contract dispute, but the teachers have. They were discouraged that the week didn't cause the school board to do anything.

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Who we are

Y-Press is a nonprofit news organization with offices in The Indianapolis Star building. Stories are researched, reported and written by teams of young people ages 10 to 18. For more information, call (317) 444-2010 or send an e-mail to ypress@in.net.