With negotiations for a new teachers’ contract still ongoing, representatives of the Brandywine District Education Association handed out a letter containing information about district funding to people at Thursday’s home Brandywine football game.

The letter essentially asserts that the district is not providing teachers ample compensation for their work and that the district can afford to pay teachers more.

The teachers’ last contract expired at the end of June. Thus far, both sides have been unable to come to terms on a new agreement. The last negotiation session took place Wednesday afternoon with both sides saying they are close to an agreement.

Supt. John Jarpe, a negotiator on behalf of the school board, had this to say about the letter:

“As I’ve indicated before, I prefer and hope to discuss bargaining issues at the bargaining table with the teachers’ bargaining team and not through the media,” he said via email. “I also believe that the main reason for attending a Brandywine sports event is to support our teams, our band, and our cheerleaders, and enjoy the game. I hope people enjoyed last night’s game. Go Cats!”

Below is a transcript of the letter:

Did you know?

Brandywine has one of the, if not the highest, fund surplus in Berrien County at 32 percent.

The state of Michigan recommends a 15 percent surplus to be considered in good financial condition.

That much fund surplus means that there is over $54,000 per class (70 classes) just sitting around in savings not being used to help our students.

Brandywine will be receiving $90 more per student this year. If we have 1,300 students this will be $117,000 more this year.

Many of Brandywine teachers have a master’s degree or higher. Those teachers rank in the bottom 25 percent in pay for teachers with advanced degrees in our area.

For the past nine years, Brandywine teachers haven’t received average cost of living raises. (Cost of living average: 2.2 percent. Brandywine teachers’ raises: 1.1 percent). During this same nine to 10 years the school’s fund equity has doubled from 16 percent to 32 percent.

For the past five years, Brandywine has only allocated an average of 53 percent of its budget for teacher salaries and benefits. Most districts in Michigan use an average of 56 to 57 percent of their revenue for teacher salaries and benefits.

The money the school is given is for them to spend for our students. Who or what else has the biggest impact on our students but their teachers and other people who support them at the school?

If you think it is about time Brandywine uses more of the tax dollars they are given to benefit their students by paying the employees fairly for their hard work, then please let a board member know that the people who serve your community deserve better.

You could also come to the next board meeting Sept. 14 and let the district know that: Brandywine employees are worthy of better, Brandywine students are worthy of better and the Brandywine community is worthy of better.