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The Early Bird and Bluebag Media...Darke County’s most liked news outlet.
THE EARLY BIRD NEWSPAPER
WEEKEND EDITION - MARCH 4, 2018
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE GREAT DARKE COUNTY FAIR!
Greenville City Schools classiďŹ ed staff seek to form union SUSAN HARTLEY
STAFF WRITER shartley@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – Greenville City Schools classiďŹ ed employees have taken steps to unionize. According to a letter obtained by The Early Bird dated Jan. 9, and sent by Superintendent Doug Fries to all support staff, district administration has “agreed to allow the State Employment Relations Board to conduct the secret mail-in vote.â€?
In a statement to the newspaper on Wednesday, Fries said “In late fall we learned from the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) that a union was seeking to unionize and represent Greenville School’s classiďŹ ed employees. We want to make sure our classiďŹ ed employees get a secret ballet as to whether they want a union or not, and we are working through the SERB process to do that.â€? Employees who are involved in the action include secretarial, bus drivers,
First responders were called to the scene to help rescue a man trapped in the Greenville Creek. (Clinton Randall photo)
clerks, crossing guards, Education custodians, Management Information System (EMIS) employees, maintenance/maintenance assistant, paraprofessionals, and mechanics. The school’s food service employees opted not to join the effort, said Mark Herrington, the Ohio Association of Public School Employees coordinator of organizers representing Greenville’s classiďŹ ed staff. The Jan. 9 letter from Fries told classiďŹ ed staff “we will make sure to give you accurate factual information about what is going on and why we believe paying dues to a union is not in your best interest.â€? ClassiďŹ ed employees received at least two additional communications from Fries, which also were provided to The Early Bird. One outlines several points concerning job security, including that a union
cannot prevent the school district from ďŹ ring an employee who deserves to be ďŹ red; a union cannot force administrators not to consider subcontracting for needed services; and if the district were to experience a downturn in enrollment or funding; and a union cannot stop layoffs. Fries strongly encourages classiďŹ ed staff to vote no on unionizing, stating “Frankly, the union does not have a single thing to offer you in terms of job security that you don’t have now.â€? Another letter from Fries tells classiďŹ ed employees that “with the election only a few weeks off, it’s now time to remind ourselves that voting the union in here is not in your or the Board’s best interests.â€? According to Herrington, there are 104 support staff employees who will be eligible to vote in favor of unionizing. The votes will
be counted in Columbus on April 4. A 50-plus 1 is required for the vote to be successful. Herrington said OASPE was contacted earlier this school year by a group of Greenville City Schools’ support staff. “My duty is to help them get the recognition they want and ďŹ le with the state,â€? Herrington said, noting that according to Ohio Revised Code, school support staff have the right to have representation in the work place. “There’s been a group to ask for our assistance and upon success we would represent them as they sit down to negotiate a contract with Greenville City Schools,â€? he said. Efforts to speak with a local organizer/supporter were unsuccessful. “Due to potential retaliation,â€? Herrington said, “they would choose to remain nameless until the election
is done.â€? When asked what the group’s grievances may be, Herrington cited several “potentialâ€? issues, including wages, healthcare, adequate training opportunities and adequate equipment to do their job. Support staff members are not currently under contract, Herrington said, but are approved on a year-toyear basis. Upon a successful vote, Herrington said the next step would be for the union to assign a ďŹ eld representative, then set a meeting to elect local ofďŹ cers. “Then they would be willing to talk to (the media) and get community support,â€? Herrington said. Herrington also said if support staff vote in favor of unionizing, that it should be recognized during a regular monthly board of education meeting.
bring us out of a over the past six bad spot and Jeff years. has worked very When asked hard at that.â€? by former board Teacher Rick member Dean Ingold said, “For Thompson why close to a decade he was resignI’ve devoted a ing, Patrick revery signiďŹ cant sponded, “I was portion of my told on Friday, life to the sucFeb. 16 that my Jeff Patrick cess of our youth contract would both in and out not be renewed.â€? of the classroom. For much Pointing his comments toof that time, I’ve ďŹ rmly been ward the board, Thompson under the belief that our said, “It would have been district was a united front in better if he would have the quest for the betterment known it a year ahead, but of the students that walked you couldn’t even do that.â€? through our doors each and He continued, “I’ve heard every day. Unfortunately, I people say you don’t have to don’t believe that’s the case accept his resignation. I can any longer. I believe that say that, too. But what I’m petty squabbles and per- saying is Mr. Patrick, why sonal conicts have cloud- would you want to stay?â€? ed the view of our district Following the meeting leadership.â€? He called the Superintendent Patrick said “untimely departure of our he was encouraged by the superintendentâ€? an “injus- support he received from ticeâ€? that he cannot ignore. staff and students. “I hear it He called Patrick a positive on a daily basis and it means impact on the vision and di- a lot to hear it in a public forection of Franklin Monroe rum,â€? he said. He believes
because of his philosophy of putting the “kids ďŹ rstâ€? in every decision. Patrick is leaving his options open for his future, but is concerned with his children who are students at Franklin Monroe. Depending on where he lands, he may have to uproot his family and move them to a new school. “It angers me that I put them through that,â€? he said. He is proud of the progress Franklin Monroe has made under his leadership, especially when it comes to improved performance for elementary students. With an increase in state testing scores, he believes Franklin Monroe has the best elementary school in the county. Over the past six years he has also been able to add more college credit classes on, which means more students are staying at the school. “From year one to year six, we’ve done a heck of a lot,â€? he concluded.â€?
Citizen helps rescue man FM superintendent not renewed; resignation approved you hired him to trapped in Greenville Creek School District he has received that support RYAN CLINTON RANDALL
CORRESPONDENT crandall@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – A citizen helped rescue a man that was trapped in the rising waters of the Greenville Creek Sunday afternoon, near the East Fourth St. Bridge. At approximately 1:30 p.m., dispatch received a report of a man yelling for help while hanging on to a tree after being trapped in the high water of the creek. According to the Greenville Police Department, a nearby neighbor of the bridge tossed out a garden hose
which the man caught and was able to escape the frigid water. Reports also indicate the neighbor jumped into the water to help the trapped man while another neighbor stood on the banks holding the water hose. CareFlight then transported the man to Miami Valley Hospital. After further investigation, it was discovered the man suffers from mental illness and may have possibly jumped into the water with intention to harm himself. At last check, the man was being held for mental evaluation and possible treatment for his condition.
New leadership at Greenville plant Manager, and GREENOperations DiVILLE – Whirlrector at both pool CorporaClyde and tion recently Findlay Operaannounced tions. Hossler changes to their has been plant manufacturlead for Greening leadership. ville Operations Greenville’s since 2012. Ken plant lead, Ken enjoys spending Hossler will be time with his assuming the family, includPlant Lead poJenni Hanna ing his wife of sition in their Marion, Ohio operations, 29 years, Jill and his two reporting to Byron Green, sons. Hanna has been with Vice President of North American Region manufac- Whirlpool since 1991. She turing beginning March 1, started in Whirlpool Corpo2018. The opening created ration’s Findlay, Ohio facilby Hossler’s move will be ity as an hourly employee ďŹ lled by Ottawa Operations in assembly. Jenni also had Plant Lead, Jenni Hanna. several roles with increasing Hanna’s move is effective responsibility including Director of Human Resources, March 1, 2018. Hossler has been with Director of Operations and Whirlpool since 1986 when most recently, the Plant he started at the Clyde, Ohio Lead at the company’s Otfacility as an hourly employ- tawa facility. Hanna enjoys ee in assembly and support spending time with her famoperations. Hossler has had ily and friends and is lookseveral roles with increas- ing forward to exploring and ing responsibilities includ- learning about Greenville ing Production Supervisor and the surrounding areas. Assembly, Assembly Shift
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MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
PITSBURG – The Franklin Monroe Board of Education voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Superintendent Jeff Patrick at its regular meeting on Feb. 26. However, the decision to accept the resignation was met with objections from several educators and community members. Patrick’s current contract will end on Aug. 1 and the board has not tendered a renewal. Some of those speaking felt the board should have informed the superintendent a year ago as to whether or not he would be renewed. Board members sat silent and listened to each speaker for nearly 25-minutes. Brett Tillman called Patrick an “outstanding member of the community.� Denise Hangen, FM treasurer assistant, said, “He saved our district a lot of money that’s never been done before. I know
Commissioners approve several county requests SUSAN HARTLEY
STAFF WRITER shartley@earlybirdpaper.com
DARKE COUNTY – Darke County has received a Homeland Security grant in the amount of $37,300, which will most likely go toward the purchase of handheld radios. The radios, said Comissioner Mike Rhoades would be used by Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies with the county’s new MARCS communication system, scheduled to go online next month. Commissioners accepted the grant on Monday during their regular bi-weekly session, giving credit to the county’s Emergency Management Director Mindy Saylor for applying for the
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monies. During their Wednesday meeting, commission approved a resolution allowing Jim Surber, county engineer to apply and submit an application for Ohio Public Works funds. During 2017, Surber reported, 15 miles of county roads and nearly 15 miles of roads in 10 of the county’s townships were paved using a $777,000 grant. Surber said he’s planning on applying for $800,000 “give or take� to use toward paving projects to be split between the county and the remaining 10 townships during 2019. Last year, Surber said, the grant money allowed the townships to pave at “10 to 12-year-old prices It’s been a tremendous help to the
townships,â€? he said. Commission also approved a quote for Foster’s Tree Landscaping for tree clearing at the Darke County Airport. The quote for $18,800 includes taking the identiďŹ ed trees down, as well as chipping. The project will be paid for using the 2017 FAA grant and must be completed prior to renovation work, which is expected to be started in the near future. Rhoades announced a meeting will be held between commissioners and the airport project contractors on March 23 to determine the airport project timeline. Work will include a runway extension, a turn-around at the west end of the runway, lighting, and grading. The tree clearing is
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mandated by the FAA to meet ight requirements, Rhoades said. Commission also gave approval to Susan Laux, consultant, to write a letter to the FAA requesting the county be permitted to carryover $150,000 from the ďŹ scal year 2018 Entitlement Grant to ďŹ scal year 2019. The $300,000 total could be used for a more extensive project at the airport, Laux said. Also on Wednesday, commission accepted the recommendation from Matt Staugler, executive director for Darke County Visitor’s Bureau to replace Tracy Tryon with Jeff Whitaker as the Greenville City Council’s representative on the visitor’s bureau board.
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