Teachers protest at board meeting

Terry Webster

Friday, Nov. 9, 2001 | 9:25 a.m.

Overcrowded classrooms. Paltry pay. Rising health insurance costs. Inadequate supplies.

Those concerns were aired Thursday by more than 100 teachers who protested outside the Clark County School District education center.

The increasing demands that come with large class sizes, coupled with insignificant pay increases, are causing frustration, teachers said.

Robert Bertolani, an O'Callaghan Middle School teacher, said he is responsible for a total of 195 students this year.

"I have about 33 students per class and no prep time," he said.

April Barr, an O'Callaghan Middle School teacher, said rising health insurance costs will actually leave her with a reduction in pay.

"I'm upset because my health insurance is going to go up by $75 a month," Barr said. "That's money that's coming out of my paycheck. I'm actually getting a pay cut this year."

The teachers' health trust, which is overseen by a board of teachers, an attorney and an accountant, is several million dollars in debt. As a result, teachers are voting on their health care options this month. They have to decide on whether to keep the health trust or have Sierra Health handle their health insurance.

Teacher pay, a hotly debated issue during the 2001 Legislature, remains a top concern.

Risa Shapiro, a teacher at Bass Elementary, said she has to work two jobs to make ends meet.

"I work part-time at the Stratosphere dealing cards," Shapiro said. "Every weekend I'm there, and while I'm on break, I'm grading papers."

Steve Horner, a teacher at Sewell Elementary in Henderson, said that he recently received notice that his rent is going up -- by $100 a month.

"I really feel sorry for these young teachers," he said. "They start out at about $26,000 a year. Some of them are single parents and have children. They actually qualify for food stamps."

After marching up and down the sidewalk, teachers took their issues inside -- to the School Board meeting.

Clark County Education Association President Mary Ella Holloway said she plans to bring a group of teachers to every School Board meeting.

Board members and Superintendent Carlos Garcia told the teachers not to be angry at them; that everyone must work together.