PCTA Action May 14, 2008

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LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS 

Before they could do further damage to the state of Florida, the legislature ended its 60 day session on Friday May 2. Left in the detritus was the largest cut to public education in the state’s history, crippling cutbacks in health and human services, and, ironically, 300 million for new prisons. “Aside from some relaxing of the use of the FCAT, there was nothing to distinguish this session,” said PCTA President Kim Black. “Now it will fall to the District to implement the $40 million in budget reductions. Come November we need to remind our elected officials that education cuts don’t heal.”

 DISTRICT CONSIDERS BUDGET REDUCTIONS 

Teachers 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 PCTA Executive Director Jade Moore. “This is the least they can do.”

 BARGAINING TEAM APPROVES WAYS TO FACILITATE REASSIGNMENTS 

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.

 ANNUAL CONTRACT TEACHERS SCHEDULED FOR REAPPOINTMENT JUNE 10 

Despite the budget woes, the district is confident that it can reappoint all annual contract teachers as the year ends. This was made possible by the large number of retirements and leaves. Unlike prior years, the number of new teachers will be reduced to only the thirty advanced contracts for critical shortage teachers and minorities. With over 1,200 annual contract teachers, it was felt that they should be aware of their contract status prior to the end of the school year.

 BOARD TO DETERMINE DR. WILCOX’S REPLACEMENT 

The School Board will decide Tuesday, the 13th, on a 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. 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.

 PCTA HAS OPENING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 

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.

 HAVE AN IDEA FOR SAVING MONEY? SEND IT IN! 

PCTA continues to collect ideas to help the Board with its budget shortfall. Ideas include going to 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.

 NOW IS THE TIME WE NEED EACH OTHER 

There is no time like the present to become a member of PCTA. From the little things like picking a Superintendent to the big things like assuring 1,200 annual contract teachers that they have a job – PCTA is working for you. Now it’s time to do your part. Working together, we’ll get through this. Join today.