Sign the petition urging President Obama and other world leaders meeting at the G8 & G20 joint summit to invest in education. Here is the letter you would be signing as endoprsed by the AFT:
Mr. President:
Remember the children of the world are the future. Their education is a right not a privilege. Do not leave them behind. Let us not look back on this global economic crisis as the reason that we lost a generation to despair. Use your leadership to persuade other world leaders that it is time to deliver on the promise of education for all by 2015. Only with U.S. leadership can we ensure that all 72 million children currently out of school gain access to quality basic education.
After many long days of frustrating negotiations our certificated team has now agreed with the District to bring in a mediator to help with negotiations.
The District is asking teachers for three furlough days plus the three buy-back days and is asking for an increase to 1:33 in class size averages. The District is not willing to give the teachers anything meaningful in return for these sacrifices. This is particularly troubling when all we are asking for is common sense improvements in discipline language, a traveling stipend for teachers working at more than one school, and a few other cosmetic language requests.
It is the GFCCE position that we should take the same level of cuts that management takes. The cuts management is taking are:
·3 furlough days at the cost saving of $26,000.
·The superintendent has not officially taken a furlough day from her $152,000 annual salary, though she has stated that she will offer her own three day furlough to the Board soon.
Our CSEA workers have also agreed to three furlough days.
The District is asking for the following from the certificated unit (costs savings are approximate):
·Three buy-back days (the District argues it can simply take these days away from teachers without going through negotiations). Cost savings: $120,000
·Three furlough days. Cost savings: $120,000
·Teachers laid off: Cost savings: $350,000
·Increase of average class size to 1:33. Cost savings: $225,000
·Non-renewal of travel stipend for teachers working at more than one site. Costs savings: $15,000
·Removal of Athletic director periods, activities coordinator periods, AVID & BTSA period and five AG project periods. Cost savings for these 13 periods: $130,000
Total Certificated Concessions asked for by the District: $960,000. This figure does not even include what our classified members will also be sacrificing.
Unfortunately, not only are the cuts unequal across the different employee groups but these cuts will have seriously detrimental consequences for the students we serve in a year when Galt High is likely to enter state sanctions.
Classified negotiations continue on June 21 with updates forthcoming.
Click on the title of this post for more information.
By now all members of DAEOE should have recieved their 2010 Health Benefits Package from DPS. If you have not received your package or have any questions please call: Ellen Griffin at 313-873-7298 or email her at: ellen.griffin@detroitk12.org.
The Colorado legeslature passed a law eliminating tenure and basing teacher preformance on student test scores. Many other states, including California, are considering similar pieces of legislation. Teachers are under attack from both the national government and various state governments. What becomes frustrating for those of us "in the trenches" working with students on a daily basis is that tenure is not the problem. First, there already exists ways to eliminate ineffective teachers. Adminstration simply needs to exercise those options more effectively. Second, evaluation systems that are used to measure teacher performance must also have importance to the student. The GFCCE is not against refroming the evaluation system of teachers, but the students must also have something at stake. States like Texas and New York require a minimum performance on their state tests in order for students to graduate. California should move in a similar direction.
Conservaticve education expert, Diane Ravtich, explains unions are not the problem. (Click on the title of this post for excerpts)
Academic –Administrative Personnel Federation – Local 3983
Your Negotiating Team continues to meet with the Administration of County College of Morris. Our most recent meetings were held May 26th & June 7th. Due to our confidentiality agreement, I cannot share specifics of the most recent offer, however, we do not feel the offer made was fair and equitable and did not accept it. I can share that you should not expect financial increases like you have received in the past, especially since all public sector contracts remain under the microscope in the Governor’s office. We are standing firm for a fair contract but also are striving to maintain as much of the contractual benefits we have experienced.
I am pleased to share that some language items have been agreed upon and are off the table. During these difficult times, negotiations can take longer than usual. I continue to ask for your patience.
Our next meeting with Administration is scheduled for June 16, 2010.
It is important to note, that regardless of the state of our contract, 1.5% of base pay for health care contribution becomes effective July 1st as legislated for members participating in our plan.
The Galt joint Union High School District Board of Trustees voted at its June 9 meeting to pay off the recently acquired CTE loan effective January 2011. The Distirct recently received the $2,035,000 it was owed by the state. Effectively, the loan cost the Distirct $101,991.21 for the one year we had the money. This is a steep price to pay in an era of tight fiscal budgets and laid off teachers.
Members completed 7,950 postcards addressed to the Governor and State Legislators calling for action to increase state revenue and the cessation of attacks on school employees. As part of our campaign Fighting for Michigan’s Future. It’s Dollars and Sense, postcards have arrived from throughout the state. AFT Michigan is sending their thanks to us as a local that participated in the campaign.
The GFCCE is a proud hole sponsor for the Eric Leeworthy Memorial Scholarship. The golf tournament and dinner is June 13 at Lockeford Springs. Put your foursomes together and join us.
