PCTA Action June 3, 2008
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BOARD TAKES PAY CUT OFF TABLE (FOR THE TIME BEING)
The Pinellas School Board was able to take the issue of pay cuts off the table at a workshop Thursday, May 29. The casualty of this decision was a return to the current busing schedule rather than the two tiered busing plan that had been advanced. Nevertheless, the savings of more than three million dollars was sufficient to cover the pay cuts. This was the latest stop in the agonizing process of trying to find money to cover the 30+ million dollar hole put in the budget by the
At present, the cuts fall heaviest on non-FTE generating employees with nearly 28 million being excised there. Included in this list are 105 teachers on assignment including most trainers and site resource people. Also 24 assistant principals are being reassigned. Areas already hard-pressed like maintenance will be further reduced. “There is no one who works in the district who doesn’t feel their job is necessary, said PCTA Executive Director Jade Moore. “However, the decision was made not to affect the classroom, although many of these cuts will have an effect.”
AND NOW THE GOOD NEWS
Every annual contract employee will be reappointed June 10. This contrasts with Districts throughout
The health insurance premium increase that was $11.5 million is now $6.5 million. The bargaining committee responsible for insurance has agreed to the changes in plan design necessary to reduce the cost of the renewal. Maintaining the 80-20 (Board-employee) split, this means that the typical employee will have a premium increase of only $5 per pay (individual) with the Board paying an additional $20 per pay. Here are the actual amounts:
Health Fund – No increase
Basic HMO Employee $5; Employee + 1 $13; Family $24. Increases are the same for Choice. The Plus plan is eliminated. Emergency Room Co-Pay increases from $150 to $200. MRI/CAT/PET will go from $35 to $100. Non-formulary prescriptions go from $50 to $60. Mandatory generic unless Dispense as Written is specified.
One final factor – the referendum. Only one other
Put together, it was a major accomplishment. In the face of losing some 30+ million dollars, NO employee lost his or her job; INSURANCE benefits were maintained; SALARIES were not cut. No other
BARGAINING PUT ON HOLD UNTIL FUNDING PICTURE CLEARS
Contract negotiations between the Board and the Association are on hold until the District closes out its books June 30. Association leaders are hopeful that balances and reduced worker’s comp premiums might provide sufficient funds to provide step increases and a small raise for all employees. “We recognize the budget problems the Board faces and the sacrifices that have already been made,” said PCTA President Kim Black. “However, a raise will offset the insurance increase. In addition, losing a step is forever and we really don’t want that to happen.” We anticipate negotiations being completed when teachers return in the fall.
At the last Faculty Representative Council meeting, Reps typically honor retiring Committee Chairs and award scholarships to aspiring teachers. This year, the Doug Jamerson scholarship was awarded to Elizbeth Brumer, a senior at St. Petersburg High and the Christa McAuliffe scholarship to Sarah Maslar, a senior at Pinellas Park High. Both scholarships are for $1,000.
The Jamerson Scholarship was endowed in 2001 by a $25,000 gift from the Kraf-Custer bequest. It honors Doug Jamerson, a PCTA member, who was the first African-American elected to the legislature. Mr. Jamerson went on to become Commissioner of Education and Secretary of Labor. He died of cancer in 2001. This year’s recipient overcame a number of challenges to attend the
The McAuliffe scholarship honors the
PCTA Faculty Reps voted last Thursday to ask the School Board to postpone middle school redesign for one year. This would allow schools time to plan for the change. In addition, the motion asks the Administration to not pressure teachers to approve schedules which are violative of the agreement.
Make plans now to attend the Faculty Rep School of Instruction, Saturday, August 16. A special feature of the meeting will be the 75th anniversary of PCTA. The Belleview was 35 when PCTA was born! In addition, Reps will receive the latest contract information. There will be special seminars for new reps and “breakout” sessions on everything from politics to representing members. All Reps will receive an invitation this summer and should plan to attend.
The Pinellas Education Employees retired (PEER) will be holding their new teacher flea market Saturday, August 23. PEER takes donations from retiring teachers and “recycles” them for new teachers. Any employee wishing to donate to the market should bring the donations to the office.
SUMMER HOURS: PCTA will be open all summer long from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. We will be closed on July 4th .
The following ad was inadvertently left out of the last Educator:
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