PESPA Pride: May 15, 2008
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LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS
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Employees were surprised when Dr. Wilcox issued his budget cuts calling for a two percent reduction in pay. Subsequent to the announcement, Board members whittled the two percent down to one percent by dipping into reserves. In addition, Board members indicated their disfavor of reducing over 2,000 district hourly employees from eight to 7.5 hour days. The cost of health insurance and property-casualty insurance played a part in the size of the cuts. “We will continue to work with the district to eliminate the cuts and restore steps,” said PESPA Executive Director Jade Moore. “This is the least they can do.”
The Bargaining Leadership Team approved a series of short-term solutions to create more vacancies to accommodate the administrators and teachers on special assignment reduced due to budget cuts. Job Sharing will be extended beyond the four years maximum, provided participants are willing to forego benefits. Leaves for any reason will be granted to anyone (not subject to the ten year rule). It is hoped that the additional vacancies provided by these moves will allow the district to go ahead and appoint temporary and second semester teachers. The leave provisions apply to PESPA as well.
In an effort to avoid pay cuts, the bargaining team is considering changes to our health plans. Agreeing to maintain the current 80% - 20% Board, employee split will save about $2.7 million. While costing employees $5 more per pay starting in December, ($13 two person, $23 family), the district’s expense will be four times that. We will also eliminate the PLUS plan, saving those employees $25 per pay. (But costing them more in benefits.) We are anxious to hear from our members about these changes.
The School Board decided Tuesday, the 13th, on an interim replacement for Dr. Wilcox who is leaving June 3 for a job with Scholastic. Based upon two workshops held on the topic, the Board will hire the Florida School Board Association to carry out a national search for a permanent replacement. The search will cost $6,000 plus expenses. It is expected that local candidates will be eligible to apply. Dr. Julie Janssen, Deputy Superintendent, is expected to be named interim.
The Board of Directors of PCTA has approved a new position for an Administrative Assistant to assist the Presidents of PCTA and PESPA as well as the UniServ staff. This position is a technical position. Interested applicants may contact Bev Diaz for application and terms of employment. The position was created following a study by the Board of the short-term and long-term needs of the Association.
PESPA continues to collect ideas to help the Board with its budget shortfall. Ideas include going to a four day work week year round, to cutting back on text book adoptions. No matter how big or small, all ideas will be forwarded to the administration.
There is no time like the present to become a member of PESPA. From the little things like picking a Superintendent to the big things like assuring 3,000 employees that they have a job – PESPA is working for you. Now it’s time to do your part. Working together, we’ll get through this. Join today.