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LCEA representative urges support in upcoming PERC election; board members praise retiring educator
Summary
At public input April 28, a representative of the Lake County Education Association described an ongoing PERC election and asked instructional staff to vote; the meeting also included multiple board tributes to Kathy (Cathy) Smith on her retirement.
During the public-comment portion of the April 28 Lake County School Board meeting, a representative identifying herself as Cathy Smith of the LCEA addressed the board about teacher appreciation week and an ongoing PERC election that will determine the bargaining unit for instructional staff.
Smith said the district and union are marking 50 years of bargaining and that recent changes in state law require an election to confirm the bargaining unit. She told instructional staff they should have received ballots either by mail or at their work site and noted ballots must now be stamped before mailing to Tallahassee for tallying. “We have our fiftieth year of bargaining with Lake County Schools,” Smith said, and added that the election was required “due to some new laws from Tallahassee.”
Board members used the meeting to recognize Smith’s upcoming retirement. Mrs. Cunningham offered congratulations and recalled Smith’s long service in the district, including teaching and program work. Mr. Mathias praised Smith’s integrity and her leadership in the union: “You brought absolute integrity to your role,” he said. Other board members also offered congratulations and best wishes.
The remarks during public comment were informational; no board action was taken on the union or on retirement benefits during the meeting.
