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H.E.A. Newsletter
H.E.A.is here for you because you deserve
the best.
Approved for publication by James Pace, HEA President, 10/20/02
Volume 2 - Issue 7 - October 2002
HEA/CTA/NEA
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Executive Board
Jim Pace
President
Gordon Williamson
Vice-President
Jose Madera
Treasurer
Betsy Patridge
Secretary
Vernon Johns
Secondary Director
Scott Johnson
Elementary Director
Jeanne Triska
Director At Large
Rep Council
Catherine Aure
Karen Barkley
Kathy Brauche
Joan Case
Pat Cook
Norma Egzer
Claudia Ethun
Jim Garrett
Susan Gaus
Valeria Gilmore
Darrin Grebel
Ralph Heller
Glenn Houston
Barbara Jacobs
Selena Kakuda
Margaret Kennedy
Jon Lee
Jackie Marsh
Terry McGrath
John Mchenry
Kathryn Mustain
Gwynneth Morin
Sara Pifer
Diana Pruiett
Linda Rector
Yolette Rios
Cheryl Roberts
Cheryl Rutledge
Deborah K. Thomas
Jeanne Triska
Mike Waterworth
Dick Westerhoff
Kathryn Wetsch
Membership Chair
Barbara Bailey
Grievance Co-Chairs
Jim Garrett
Dick Westerhoff
SCSEBA Labor Rep
Blair Thompson
Newsletter Editor
Fran McCullough
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Jim Pace, H.E.A President
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Dick Bray Wants To Cap Your Health Care Benefits Until June, 2005
Despite having a reserve which is almost 3 times more than the state requirement ($8,443,089.64*), Dick Bray wants to cap your insurance benefits until June of 2005. (This year's out of pocket expense would have cost the district only about five hundred thousand.) Over the last two years we have seen insurance benefit cost increase about 40%, and no one foresees a decrease in the out of pocket expense over the next 2.5 years. If Dick Bray gets his way, you will be responsible for every increase until June 2005.
Demonstrate unity by attending the Sultana Rally on October 29, at 4:00 PM. Show Dick Bray that we are upset about his contract proposal. Listen to California Teachers Association President Wayne Johnson's assessment of the situation and find out the latest update from the negotiation team. We highly encourage all members be informed and attend.
We must unite and organize to stop these draconian actions. Together we can make a difference!
*HUSD Unaudited Actuals 9/16/02
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UPDATE: Last August Dick Bray and HUSD hired attorneys, filed an unfair labor practice against Hesperia Education Association. Reason - because HEA leadership refused to sign an expired agreement which would allow HUSD to continue to subtract monies from the teacher buy back days. HEA is happy to announce that PERB has rejected Bray's unfair labor practice against HEA
When checking this section of the Newsletter for updates on line, remember to refresh the page each time you visit the page.
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CTA - NEA Link
By Scott Johnson
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CTA President Wayne Johnson will Rock the House
Wayne Johnson is, with out a doubt, one of the most powerful and dynamic speakers in the state. He is a teacher from the Los Angeles Unified School District that has seen all of the tricks district's can play. Wayne Johnson cares about teachers and their issues.
I have heard Wayne speak many times at State Council. He never fails to move the dialog forward on the issues at hand. Wayne's greatest talent is reminding teachers of how much power they really possess.
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We have overcome many obstacles as teachers. Please come to Sultana High School on October 29th, Tuesday, at 4:00 p.m. , to be a part of what we can do for the good of education in Hesperia.
CTA applications for 2003 Scholarships are now available through the CTA web site. There are twenty five $2000 scholarships available to members and their dependent children for a limited time.
To get more information go to www.cta.org
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SECRETARY'S REPORT
By Betsy Patridge
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There will be a very important General Membership meeting on October 29, 2002 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. in the Sultana High School Auditorium.
CTA President, Wayne Johnson will be our guest speaker.
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You will be able to hear Wayne Johnson's assessment of HUSD. This will be an informative presentation that all members should attend.
Sandwiches, chips and soft drinks will be served.
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CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS
By Vern Johns
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In last month's newsletter, Jim Pace reiterated the fact that our contract has expired. Because of this, there has been some question as to what it means to work without a contract.
According to Donna Jefferson at CTA, all terms and conditions of our last contract remain in force. All of the rights spelled out for teachers in the last contract and MOU's are still applicable.
| One issue that would be affected by not having a contract is binding arbitration - but we have not had binding arbitration.HEA has put out a tally sheet to keep track of extra duty hours. This will help you keep track of your over-contract hours - up to 30 hours. Check the contract, on line, to see what activities qualify for over-contract. If you have not received a form, check with your Site Rep to get one.
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DID YOU KNOW?
By Jeanne Triska
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Flu Vaccines
Loma Linda University Family Medical Group (LLUFMG) will provide flu vaccines on Monday, November 18, 2002 from 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the District Office Conference/Training Center. The cost of the vaccine will be $11.00. They would prefer payment in cash.
Insurance
Chiropractors are handled like any other doctor. Make sure to use a preferred provider for maximum benefits. Acupuncture is limited to 12 visits a year.
Do not use Desert Valley Hospital or services unless you want to pay high costs out-of-pocket. X-rays, lab work, etc., will also be costly with Desert Valley Medical Group. Desert Valley Hospital is no longer a Blue Cross preferred provider. "Some of Desert Valley doctors may be available through other medical groups. For a current list of Blue Cross network providers, please refer to Blue Cross of California website, www.bluecrossca.com, or call Member Services telephone number on the Blue Cross Identification Card." (Taken from Regarding Desert Valley Hospital and Desert Valley Group as of October 1, 2002).
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Retirement
There is a longevity bonus for teachers. AB 1933 "applies to those with 30+ years of service prior to 1/11/2011." The scale goes as follows: $200 (a month) at 30 years, $300 (a month) at 31 years, and $400(a month) at 32 years. In addition, if you teach more than 30 years there is a "0.2% career bonus added to your age factor." "Teaching longer and older increases your pension significantly."
The Rule of 85 never passed. That bill would have allowed teachers (with years of service and age equaling 85 or more) to get the maximum age factor. The state is concerned about teacher shortages and desires teacher to continue as long as possible.
CalSTRS can never go broke because it is vested. If the State of California decides to borrow from STRS, they would have to pay 8% interest plus a bonus.
Quotes are taken from "Don't Outlive Your Pension" by Bill Collins. If you have any questions about retirement, contact www.calstrs.ca.gov , www.cat.org, or bcollins@cta.org
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BY THE #'S
Jose Madera
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Editor's Note: In the September Newsletter Jose stated in his article about COLA that "The 'talk' has been around the 2% figure." He was right on target with that figure! Following is a reprint of how a 2% COLA would be calculated.
Our agreement with the district states that "For school year 2002-2003, effective July 1, 2002, increase the salary schedule by the percentage increase to the Funded Base Revenue Limit
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For example, if HUSD receives a 2 percent increase to the FBRL, the salary schedule will be increased by
2 x .89 = 1.78 percent. In other words, you are paying for the increase in your Medicare and STRS benefits out of your salary increase.
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