I?m not optimistic, I?m realistic. And I?m ready.

It was kind of like we were all preaching to the choir.

The board challenged us to vote on this. And over 95 percent of you said 'no' to that offer.

It?s primarily because the board has managed their money well. But it is also because they are only looking at day cuts as a way to survive.

A band with this many credentials is like a legacy fulfillment thing. I'm pretty surprised. I'm happy I'm doing so well.

No one wants to see this happen. But the bottom line is they are going to have to say to us ?you are a partner in this district.? The language that cuts days and the language that changes our (pay increases) must be changed.

We offered a process that could cut any amount of days they need, but they must show a need for each day cut.

We are not going to allow day cuts without a way to put days back in if they have the money.

That way we won?t be back here negotiating again next year.

Hopefully this will get resolved before our strike date.