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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, 1/20/03
Volume 3 - Issue 1 - January 2003
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
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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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By Jim Pace, H.E.A President
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ONLY THE TEACHERS HAVE TO ABIDE BY CONTRACT!
As of this writing, Hesperia Education Association has sent the school board members over 25 certified letters asking them to hold grievance hearings. So far, Tim Hawk has been the only board member that contacted me about this issue. Tim has given us his full support and is more than willing to let the teachers present their grievances to the board. All other board members have ignored our letters and requests.
By not holding grievance hearings, the school board has allowed Superintendent Richard Bray to continue taking actions that teachers feel violate our contract. By taking the path of least resistance, school board members have abandoned accountability.
Because of this, more than ever, we need binding arbitration. We need our grievances to be heard by an arbitrator and his/her decisions to be binding. We cannot understand why other board members would not agree with binding arbitration. Maybe they like the fact that currently only the teachers have to abide by the contract. Some board members say that binding arbitration takes away their freedom to act. Binding arbitration takes away nothing but their ability to violate their word.
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UPDATE: When checking the Newsletter for updates on line, remember to refresh the page.
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CTA - NEA Link
By Scott Johnson
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TEACHERS TELL SACRAMENTO "PROTECT CLASSROOM FUNDING"
The following article, dated January 15, appeared in part in the CTA Website.
SACRAMENTO - More than 300 classroom teachers from across California descended on the state Capitol today, telling their local lawmakers to find a state budget solution that protects classroom funding and keeps our schools improving.
"We want the Governor and the Legislature to know that cutting $2.7 billion from our public schools in the middle of the current school year will devastate our classrooms," said Wayne Johnson, president of the 330,000-member California Teachers Association. "It's a matter of priorities, and it appears in the Governor's budget that students rank behind prisons."
"Rather than increasing class sizes and laying off teachers - two proposed cuts that directly impact students - let's look at eliminating unnecessary, administrative bureaucracy, starting with the Office of the Secretary of Education," said Johnson. "In addition, we should streamline our testing system.
| There are too many tests and some of them, like the High School Exit Exam, are seriously flawed and should be eliminated."
Johnson also outlined four specific areas that should be protected from any budget reductions: Base revenue limit dollars, which are the core of education funding for all schools and colleges; funding for the state's effective Class Size Reduction Program; resources for the state's schools of greatest need, which educate our neediest children; and funding for Special Education.
"Students and teachers in those schools that have been labeled 'low performing' are working very hard and as a result test scores have increased. Taking resources away from these schools now will set those kids up to fail," said Terri Jackson, president of the United Teachers of Richmond.
To get more information go to www.cta.org
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SECRETARY'S REPORT
By Betsy Patridge
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If you are interested in making your voice heard concerning the proposed cuts to education, Fax Governor Davis at (916)-445-4633. You can also write or e-mail Governor Davis at the following address:
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Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-mail:governor@governor.ca.gov
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CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS
By Vern Johns
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The contract addresses transfers and reassignments. This information is found under Article 16. A transfer is the movement from one work site
(or other geographic location) to another work site.
A reassignment is a change of assignment at the same school site from one grade level to another, one subject to another, or the change from one department to another.
Transfers are considered on the basis of educational qualifications, experience teaching in that field, and seniority. These factors are considered as they relate "to the needs of the school".
| Transfers can be voluntary or involuntary - when they are "in the best interest of the school's educational programs".
Reassignments can occur after the first year assignment by the District. At the end of the first year, teachers file individual preference forms with their school site. Department heads and site administrators determine their needs in conjunction with their master schedule. District seniority, experience, and special certification along with the basic teaching credential are all components of the decision on reassignment.
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DID YOU KNOW?
By Jeanne Triska
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What Is a Defined Benefit Supplement?
You can qualify for retirement benefits from summer school and overtime teaching. "You and your employer each contribute the regular rate of 16.25% of salary which goes into a Defined Benefit Supplement. STRS gives a guaranteed rate of return. You can cash out of your DBS account without affecting your regular pension. Such overtime does NOT build up your regular STRS pension for those already working full time."
For more information contact: http://www.calstrs.ca.gov
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What is a 403(b)?
Money that you put into a 403(b) fund is a "tax-deferred investment." "You contribute income before it is taxed and your money grows tax-deferred." If you take money out after your retire, it is usually at a lower tax rate based on your retirement income. Make sure to research the company ahead of time. Look out for loads, annual operating expenses, and other expenses that may be taken directly out of your account. Contact the District Office for a list of approved companies.
*Taken from Don't Outlive Your Pension!, Bill Collins, Asilomar 2002 |
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BY THE #'S
IT'S CLEAR. IBB WORKED. - FOR HUSD!
by Jose Madera, HEA Treasurer
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Under IBB: Salary
The following are CTA's compounded* cost of living adjustments (COLA) for the school years 1995-1996 through 2001-2002. This data is from 69 school districts in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. They include the deficit reduction monies for, 2001-2002, when combined with the statutory COLA for that year equaled at least 10%.
· The average 7 year compounded COLA that
teachers received in the 69 school districts = 31.16%.
| · The average 7 year compounded COLA
from the state = 31.09%.
· The average 7 year compounded COLA
from HUSD = 28.74%.
* Compounded interest is the interest paid on both the principal (salary) and the accrued interest (COLA).
If you're going to spend your career with HUSD, compounding will have a significant impact on your future earnings and retirement.
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