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A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
5
April 4, 2013
I
NKSTER
- W
AYNE
- W
ESTLAND
A contract with employees of the
Wayne Westland schools is expect-
ed to save the district an estimated
$11-$13 million during the next
three years and avoid a projected
budget deficit.
The various agreements are
extensions of current contracts,
which were approved by members
of the school board in a special ses-
sion last week. The new provisions
are effective for the remaining one
year of the contracts and then
extend through the 2014-2015
school year. School officials pre-
dicted the bulk of the savings
would come this year with some in
the 2014-2015 school year.
The new agreements, ratified
just prior to the implementation of
the newRight toWork legislation in
the state, include the Wayne-
Westland Education Association,
MEA Local 4, Wayne-Westland
Educational
Secretaries
Association, Brotherhood of
Specialized Skills, Wayne-Westland
Association of Paraprofessionals,
Wayne-Westland Central Office
Administrators Association, Wayne-
Westland Building Administrators
Association and Wayne-Westland
Central Office Administrators
Association and the Wayne-
Westland Education Association-
Adult and Community Education.,
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg
Baracy, Deputy Superintendent
James Larson-Shidler and Deputy
Superintendent for Instruction
Paul Salah also accepted conces-
sions.
Employees in the affected bar-
gaining groups have accepted
terms that will see reductions in
wages and an increase in their por-
tion of health care premiums and
deductibles. In most instances, the
wage cuts are about 5 percent over
the term of the extension. The
paraprofessionals and the adult
and community education group
reportedly met the amount of tar-
geted savings through other conces-
sions so will have their wages
frozen at the current rate through-
out the termof the agreement.
Wage step and salary scale
increases were frozen and the
expected 5 percent pay raise
replaced with the 5 percent cut in
the agreements. The district por-
tion of the cost of medical insur-
ance will be capped and all
employees will now have a
deductible of $1,250 for a single
person or $2,500 for a couple or
family.
Wayne resident Julie Golnick has a spe-
cial affection for themonthof April.
Not only is it officially spring, it's also
National Social Worker Month and Golnick
has been a social worker for more than 24
years. Things have changed a great deal
since she began her career, and the National
Association of Social Workers reports that
the field of social work has grown to 650,000
in the United States. By 2020, it is expected
to increase by another 25 percent according
to theBureauof Labor Statistics.
Golnick is one of about 100 social workers
at the Wayne based Community Living
Services, a non-profit organization providing
support and services to more than 4,000 peo-
ple with disabilities. Several of them, like
Golnick, have been working in the field for
decades.
“I worked as a teacher's aide at an institu-
tion in Gaylord back in the 80s and after
helping a young girl withdisabilities, I imme-
diately knew this was the type of work I was
meant to do,” said Golnick. “I love being
involved in the accomplishments of people
with disabilities. When you see them
achieve a goal or a dream it reminds you
why you're in social work.”
Dee McLaughlin, who lives in Canton
Township, has also been a social worker for
24 years. Her longevity is based on the rela-
tionships she has built over the years. “I
have become so close to the people I sup-
port,” said McLaughlin. “I truly care for
them and their families.” She is also close
with her co-workers. “Social workers are
good people, or else they wouldn't be in this
field. I really respect them, they're like fami-
ly.”
Community Living Services provides sup-
port and services to seniors, veterans and
people with developmental, physical and
intellectual disabilities living in Wayne,
Oakland andMacomb counties.
SS Simon and Jude Church, 32500 Palmer
Road in Westland will be the site of a garage
sale from9 a.m. until 4 p.m. April 5.
At 3 p.m., there will be a $2 bag sale.
During the bag sale, all large items left will
be priced at $2.
For more information, call Mae Bray at
(734) 722-8209.
Social worker celebrates
month dedicated to job
Church hosts annual garage sale tomorrow
An Inksterwomanwill face charges of
second-degree murder in the death of a
Westlandmother of four.
According to police reports of the
incident, Shannon Marie Gruden, 30,
and Amanda Marie Hall, 25, were
involved in a verbal altercation at about
4 p.m. March 21 near Manistee Court
and Grand Traverse in the Norwayne
section of Westland. The argument,
allegedly about the attention a Westland
man was paying to Hall, escalated and
Gruden is accused of deliberately driv-
ing her Jeep Cherokee intoHall at about
4:45 p.m.
Hall was transported from the street
where she was struck to Oakwood
Annapolis Hospital where she died of
her injuries.
Police said there were numerous wit-
nesses at the scene who saw and heard
the argument and Jeep Cherokee strike
Hall and then flee the area.
Gruden, arrested in Brighton, was
taken into custody by Westland police
March 25 and was arraigned on charges
of second-degree murder at the 18th
District Court inWestland.
Gruden also faces charges of reckless
driving causing death and failure to stop
at the scene of an accident resulting in
death, according to the office of the
WayneCounty Prosecutor.
Gruden's preliminary examination
on the charges was slated for 8:30 a.m.
today at the 18thDistrict Court.
Inkster woman facing 2nd-degree murder charge
The new provisions are effective for the remaining
one year of the contracts and then extend
through the 2014-2015 school year.
”
Teachers OK contract extension, wage cuts