[Editor’s Note: Yesterday’s letter from the President of the Teachers Union to his 350 members and Interim Supt. Patti Jaffe.]
Hello again —
As you know, last year we bargained that CCUSD would complete an analysis of early retirement incentive programs to determine whether such a program could save money here and help us through this financial crisis.
I picked up the “report” today.
As teachers, we all know the feeling of assigning a major project, giving the students months to complete it, and then getting something handed in that was done the night before.
That was my experience picking up this “report” today. What we were expecting was a detailed analysis of how many veteran employees would qualify for such a program, the “critical mass” of how many employees would need to participate for the program to save money, and a projection of savings as the years go by.
The theory here is simple. A veteran teacher at the top of the salary schedule goes out and is replaced by a newer teacher near the bottom of the schedule.
Well, the “analysis” we received today was a one-page document showing the cost of the program for one year! Even a layperson would understand that the cost-benefit analysis would have to be extended out beyond one year!
CCUSD’s “report” showed that it would cost the District money in the first year. No kidding! That's to be expected because the costs of these programs occur at the beginning. The savings, of course, show up over several years. And the “report” did not even include our Adult School teachers or those working at our Office of Child Development!
Had this been a semester project turned in by a student, I would have given it back.
In fact, the District may be open to another “unfair labor practice” charge here. We bargained in good faith last year, and part of last year's settlement included the provision that CCUSD would complete this analysis.
I suppose CCUSD’s high-priced lawyers would make the case that this document is that analysis — in the same way that your lazy student argues that he did, in fact, hand in the assignment.
Retirement is a huge step.
Teachers thinking about it need time and information to make this decision. An incomplete report slows everything down — and it lowers the participation rate just because of the time crunch.
This “report” from CCUSD did give us some helpful information.
There are 77 of us who would qualify, given that we are 55 years of age or older. In a district with just over 300 teachers, this is a significant portion of our work force. If even half of those teachers were to retire, it would seem likely (although without an analysis, we can’t know for sure) that CCUSD could save money and avoid layoffs and cuts.
The teams meet again next week. We’ll keep you posted.
dave
P.S.: All the news so far from the state is bad, and CCUSD will probably send out “precautionary” layoff notices again this year.
Please return (with corrections, if needed) the data form Human Resources sent out this week. CCUSD has done a good job of maintaining an accurate seniority list. So if you believe the credential information for you is incorrect, please let them know. In other districts, unions bring in their attorneys to double-check the district’s seniority list. Once Mrs. Jaffe moved into the Human Resources position a few years ago, we told our lawyers that, in most cases, we didn't need them. Double-check that info and send it back pronto.
P.P.S.: CCUSD is completing its superintendent interviews. The School Board has agreed to let Debbie Hamme, President of the Classified Union, and me meet the candidates on Thursday night. Many of us were disappointed that Mrs. Jaffe was not even allowed to apply for the position. The union, not yet knowing the other candidates, has not made an official endorsement. Teachers, though, have been asking me how they can, individually, show support for Mrs. Jaffe, who, as you may know, has given her best to CCUSD for her entire career. Board members can be contacted at boardmembers@ccusd.org.
Mr. Mielke may be contacted at davidmielke@ccusd.org
