Dear EAA Membership,
Well, so many issues, so little time. I will try and give you the highlights and tell you where we are.
1) The Superintendent’s newest plan for the daily addition of 30 minutes
Again, Dr. Sherman had no conversation with us about his newest plan. The email that came out from him this weekend was the first official word that your Association received. I had heard from school board members that he had been lobbying for this latest plan last week with school board members and PTAs. The school board does support this plan, and the PTAs are looking for more information, which we will provide to them.
The increased time will result in a 7% increase in our work day, which he is only funding at 2%. Like it or not, this increased time means a decrease in per diem. This does not begin to cover the 7%-20% increase in health insurance premiums or the devastating increase in supplemental retirement. It is a shell game designed to keep us in school longer and to prepare staff for the 30 minutes that will be added to the student day in 2012-2013.
2) The budget overall has very few surprises
We knew about the VRS for new employees’ situation, the STEP increase and the health insurance changes were coming. We have several concerns about the reduction in SPED staffing. There are some bright spots. There are many new positions that will be created in this budget process. The placement of this staff is unsure. Other positions may be added, as well. The lesson learned here is that enrollment is GROWING like crazy!
3) The calendar is the last challenge
Again, two more teacher days being added that are not being fully funded. We see through the deflection that has been offered as the reason for us not being paid for the additional work time. While we did receive STEP increases over the past two years, we are working ourselves to death trying to meet the new programmatic demands brought in by the current Superintendant. Please look over the calendars that are posted on the EAA blog and make comments. The more information we have from you in the schools, the better job I can do representing you!
WE NEED YOU TO DO TWO THINGS! First, please go our blog (http://eaavea.blogspot.com) and, in the Comments section after this posting, add the things you already do after school that are unpaid, such as one-on-one, etc.
Second, PLEASE attend the school board meetings! The more EAA speakers, the better! Lisa Staib and I can help you craft the words, but seeing other faces at the meetings will make a difference! Please try and come to, at least, one of the following meetings:
-February 1st Budget work session (7pm)
-February 7th Budget work session and regular meeting (7pm)
-February 10th Board meeting (7:30pm)
-February 17th Budget work session and add/delete (7pm)
-February 23rd Final add/delete (7pm)
Watch for an EAA survey in early February! I look forward to hearing what you care about!
Let me know if you have any questions! Contact me at mailto:ginaEAA@gmail.com
Take care and stay warm!
Gina
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