CAT Tracks for March 19, 2002 SATURDAY, MONDAY I, MONDAY II

SATURDAY - MARCH 16TH

THIS "CAT" was not in attendance at the March 16th session due to a previous commitment at the IEA Representative Assembly in Chicago. However, as they say..."The Show Must Go On!" The two teams met for approximately three hours. Unfortunately, as in our previous session, there was a lot of talk but no action. Some of the remaining language items were discussed, but there were no TA's. Initial exploration of the district's finances was conducted, but no "firm" figures were agreed upon. There was some discussion concerning the new school bond referendum...the fate of which will be decided today.

MONDAY I - MARCH 18TH AT 2:30 P.M.

The two teams met for two hours in what was the 1st RIF Impact Bargaining Session. Most of the discussion focused on the Superintendent's projection of revenue losses by CSD #1 due to Governor Ryan's proposed budget.

The Governor's much publicized budget eliminates grants and adds that revenue to General State Aid. We went through the numbers several times, but they never came out the same. The Board insists that it MUST accept the projected grant cuts as FACT in making its hiring decisions for the 2002-03 School Year. BUT, the Board REFUSES to accept the projected increase in General State Aid which would reduce the size of any "needed" reduction in force (RIF).

The Board indicated that it was considering RIFing 27 people...including 12 certified. The CAT team objected strongly to such drastic action...citing a huge negative impact on education and test scores...but to no avail. The only positive indication coming from the Board team was that programs and personnel would be restored if/when official word was received that funding had been restored.

Unfortunately, the legislature will probably not make that decision until mid-May and (according to the Board) ISBE does not expect to know anything for certain until June 1st. The Board team indicated that ITS FINAL DECISION on RIFs - both certified and noncertified...tenured and nontenured - would be made at the Board's regular meeting this Thursday night (March 21st) at 5 p.m.

MONDAY II - MARCH 18TH AT 5:30 P.M.

The federal mediator (Richard Tygett out of the St. Louis office) introduced himself and defined his role...an observer...a facilitator when talks stall...but with no authority to impose his will.

The session began with the official TA of Section 4.3 (Payroll Installments). Attention then turned to Section 4.8 (Insurance). The CAT team reminded the Board (from the earlier RIF session) that it was "double dipping" - counting the projected 32% increase in BCBS health insurance premiums as a loss of revenue to the District for next year while proposing during negotiations to "pass it on" to employees.

Discussion then turned to Section 4.25 (Workshop Attendance). This new section was proposed by the CAT due to member complaints of being turned down for workshops when "others were allowed to go!" This issue takes on added importance now that proof of professional growth is required for certificate renewal. Progress was made, including a proposal that guidelines or "administrative procedures" be developed by June 30th and distributed to all members. However, the matter was tabled for further discussion.

Section 4.26 (E.R.O.) was discussed briefly. The CAT asked the Board team to reconsider offering some type of incentive for teachers who were eligible for the Early Retirement Option since the Board got no "takers" on the "March 8th" letters that went out to those eligible. The CAT reminded the Board that it offered the program last year because it was a "money saver". In this year of "budget crisis", surely the Board should consider all possible options. They said that they would "revisit" the item.

Discussion then turned to Section 5.1 (Sick Leave) and Section 5.8 (Pooling of Sick Leave). The CAT is trying to gain an increase in sick leave days while the Board is concerned about the "abuse" of sick leave by a few. According to the Board team, a few employees "use every sick day they have until they run out...then they don't get sick anymore." The CAT tried some creative language...a bonus system of extra sick days for individuals who used very few sick days during the preceding year...but no TA was forthcoming. On the topic of "pooling of sick leave", the Board asked for help in ending abuse...the "leaving" or "selling" of days to employees by employees leaving the District. This "loop hole" was created by the administration...when "friends" were allowed to do so...and word "leaked" to others. The Board team asked for our help in closing it. We did just that, with new language that restores the original intent of the language; namely, if a person runs out of sick days, another person can give them a day...on an "as needed basis"...one day at a time.

However, after closing that loop hole to Section 5.8, the Board team proposed dropping existing "prorated per diem" language which WOULD CREATE A NEW LOOP HOLE! The Board wants sick leave pooling to be "a day for a day". This would mean that if an employee who makes $200 a day gives an employee who makes $100 a day "a day"...that's it...even up...not two-for-one, as is the current practice. BUT, that also means that if a $200 employee needed a sick day, he/she could go out and "buy" a sick day from a $100 employee...say for $125. The $100 employee would make $25 (on "the deal") and the $200 employee would save $75. THE DISTRICT WOULD LOSE $100! Let the bidding begin! This is exactly the scenario which was presented by a previous Board and superintendent when THEY insisted on adding this language to the contract. The Board team said they would review their position.

Next negotiations session...Monday, March 25th.

THE PADUCAH SUN

On the front page of The Paducah Sun on March 18th, there was an article on the financial crisis facing Cairo Public Schools. The headline read: "Cairo schools feel helpless, tighten belt". The article began with: "Facing a bleak financial future, Cairo school officials are eyeing $1.5 million in cost-cutting measures that threaten 35 jobs and student services at its four schools."

The CAT objected to this article...questioning its motivation and timing. As most of you know, the District administration cries "BROKE" and "RIF" every year that contract negotiations take place. The District administration has a vested interest in creating "unease" among its employees as they bargain salary and benefits. This "track record" has destroyed the District's credibility. ALSO...Attempts to intimidate only anger those affected...and others who care! The massive RIF in March 1994 directly caused the 24-day strike which began in November 1994! What's that they say about not knowing/studying history?

On June 5th, the CAT and the Board agreed to keep negotiations out of the media...we signed on the dotted line! Yesterday, the District went VERY public! This does not bode well for the future...

GENERAL CAT MEMBERSHIP MEETING - NEXT WEEK - TBA - PLAN TO ATTEND!