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
Karen Barkley
Steve Brenner
Sandy Brower
Doug Coombs
Pat Cook
Claudia Ethun
Jim Garrett
Daren Grebel
D.J. Gregory
Dorrie Hall
Ralph Heller
Margaret Kennedy
Jon Lee
Patty Liggett
Ozzie Maenpaca
Ron Magoun
Jackie Marsh
Terry McGrath
John McHenry
Kathryn Mustain
Linda Picht
Chris Pierce
Sara Pifer
Diana Pruiett
Yolette Rios
Cheryl Roberts
Cheryl Rutledge
Lee Samuels
Rebekah Swanson
Mike Waterworth
Membership Chair
Barbara Bailey
Grievance Co-Chairs
Jim Garrett
Dick Westerhoff
SCSEBA Labor Rep
Blair Thompson
Newsletter Editor
Fran McCullough
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TEACHERS WANT A FAIR SETTLEMENT!!
A lot has been said recently about The District's Financial Balances. I thought that it would be helpful to examine these records. As of September 16, 2002 HUSD Unaudited Actuals reveal the following balances:
HUSD Account Ending Balances
1 General Fund $ 8,443,089
2 Adult Education $132,747
3 Cafeteria $ 2,132,885
4 Deferred Maintenance $ 1,341,064
5 Capital Facilities $ 2,478,357
6 State School Building Lease-Purchase Fund $ 836,399
7 Tax Override Fund $ 111
8 Retiree Benefits Fund $ 302,721
Total Account Funds $ 15,667,373
The General Fund alone has almost three times more than the State requirement.
It would have cost the district about $500,000 to pay our health care increase this year.
Mr. Bray and his negotiation team wants you to pay for all the health care increases over the next 2 years.
Come to the December 9, 2002, School board meeting and demonstrate to Bray and his negotiation team that you want a fair settlement.
We need a salary schedule and benefits that will attract the best teachers. Not one that drives them away.
Thanks for all your support,
JIM Pace, HEA President
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CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS
By Vern Johns
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When the contract expired in June of 1999, it was assumed that all terms and conditions would remain in force until another one was negotiated.
However, the district has said it can deny one issue - the grievance process. The district says that all other parts of the contract remain in force, but that it would no longer process grievances. Donna Jefferson of CTA says that most districts don't choose to do this.
This is a critical issue. Once a procedure is practiced that is different than those guaranteed
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This is a procedure that has been accepted in the past, and seen as accepted in the future because teachers did not voice their concerns. One example of this is the reference to "past practice" on the contract schedule.
Grievances continue to be presented to the Board for their review. When they are not processed because the contract expired in 1999, they will then be filed with PERB (Public Employees Relations Board).
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CTA - NEA Link
By Scott Johnson
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CTA has begun to draft legislation to change the high school exit exam. CTA will sponsor legislation in the 2003 Legislation session to amend the high school exit exam to remove it as the sole condition for graduation.
CTA will also develop legislation to amend the Public School Accountability Act
to remove the sanctions and rewards components.
According to an article in the CTA INSIDER, Wayne Johnson, CTA President, stated
"One of the casualties of this year's budget
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compromise was the Teacher Retention Tax Credit Program. This program provided from $250 up to $1500 in state tax credits for teachers based on years of service." Johnson further states "teachers may now claim a new Federal tax deduction of up to $250 for qualified expenses related to teaching without itemizing.
Members should be encouraged to contact their tax professional about these issues."
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VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
By Gordon Williamson
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On November 6, Mr. Challinor sent a letter to Jim Pace informing him that a 5 year student calendar would be presented to the School Board at the December 9 meeting. The proposed new calendar is virtually identical to the current calendar. On November 18, following up on Mr. Challinor's invitation, Jim Pace and Gordon Williamson met with Mr. Challinor to discuss the calendar. However, the discussion turned out to be no more than a description of what was already a done deal. No input had been sought from HEA and none would be sought.
When Mr. Pace asked if classified and certificated personnel and parents and students had been surveyed, he was told that it was unnecessary because it had been done three years ago. Mr. Williamson then reminded the committee that when the calendar was presented three years ago we were all told that it was set in concrete for three years, but at the end of three years it would be evaluated. He was told no commitment to seek input had been made and that more input was unnecessary because the
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calendar was working so well, and again, because input had been sought three years ago.
Nine reasons were provided for continuing the current calendar for five more years. Clearly, the decision to continue the current calendar stemmed from reflection on the past three years. It is unfortunate that HEA and other constituencies were not involved in these reflections. Although our district calls itself collaborative, when it comes to important decisions that have an effect on us all, only the voice of one small district office constituency matters.
Continue to organize at your sites to get beyond the district's, "We know what's best for you," policies and to make collaboration mean more than, "Do what you're told!"
We are asking all members to attend the Board Meeting on December 9 at Sultana High School at 5:45 p.m. to show support for your negotiators. The following day, December 10, there will be a Mediation Meeting at the District office.
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UPDATE: Wear your button to show unity and support for HEA's efforts to gain a contract. All HEA unit members are protected under the Educational Employment Relations Act to participate in association activities (Section 3543.1.b). You may wear your button on site during contractual hours. However, do not discuss the labor dispute at all with students. .
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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DID YOU KNOW?
By Jeanne Triska
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Purchasing Additional Service Years
You can purchase up to 5 years additional service. For more information contact:
California State Teachers' Retirement System, Public Service Office, MS 86
7667 Folsom Boulevard, Post Office Box 15275
Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
AB2506 is the bill about 403(b)
STRS explains this on their web site.
www.calstrs.ca.gov
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HR 2638 (McKeon) Social Security
Congressman Buck McKeon's HR 2638 would help public service people who now lose most of their Social Security benefits.
Insurance
Remember that Desert Valley Hospitals and Physicians in most cases are not on the Preferred Provider list.
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BY THE #'S
Jose Madera
DISTRICT EXPECTS 20% INCREASE IN INSURANCE COST
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HUSD in its negotiations update on 10/22/02 stated that the average district contribution for health and welfare benefits was $7,878. If you look at your paycheck and add up the numbers for Blue Cross, Delta Dental, Medical Eye Services, and Tramsamerica Life you get $7870.92. This is the correct amount per insured participant. But this is not the cost per employee.
The cost to the district is $7,200.
What the district failed to report was that there are *55 employees who receive $2,000 instead of the $7870.92.
They are the opt-outs. They save the district 55 x ($7,871-$2,000) = $322,905.
In addition, there are also part-time employees that do not receive health and welfare benefits unless they pay the difference between their pro rata share and the cost to the district (Article Ten, E7). We have no information regarding how many part-timers are currently not paying; and hence, saving the district money.
There was also an equity distribution (savings)
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to the district in the amount of $27,831* from SCSEBA - Southern California Schools Employee Benefits Association.
Lastly, HEA saved the district $175,496* in 2001-2002 due to the fact that we were under the $7200 cap. The district kept 50% of the $175,496 and the other 50% went to offset premiums for 2002-2003 (Tentative Agrement 6/13/00 Section 2.b.4).
FUI: According to one of those district "Quickfact" leaflets that gets stapled to your pay warrant, CalPERS raised PPO rates 20% and HMO rates 25%. If our rates increase by 20% next year, we could pay as much as $178.05 out-of-pocket. If Mr. Bray gets his way, you will be responsible for the full amount each month. .20 x $533.90(current Blue Cross premium on your paycheck)= $106.78 + $71.27(current out of pocket) = $178.05 per month???
Support your HEA negotiators by showing up to the December 9th HUSD Board Meeting.
*Last figures provided to HEA
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