Dear Colleagues,
In the last week and a half the BOE president reached out to me indicating that the BOE wanted to commence negotiations, for the teachers' contract which expires on June 30, 2014, as soon as possible and hopes to reach some accord prior to 2014-2015 budget presentation in February. The BOE president and I had a frank discussion about our joint concerns over the continuing effects and implications of the Tax Cap in Herricks.
After receiving the Board's letter and a subsequent telephone conversation with the BOE president, I met with our HTA Executive Council, Professional Negotiations Committee and discussed these new developments and how to move forward. ( As per our HTA constitution, in the past the HTA sends a letter in January to the BOE indicating that we are ready to negotiate. We usually do not hear back from them until the spring.)
I sent a letter to the BOE president and all trustees indicating that we will expedite the process we are bound to follow under our HTA constitution and submit a letter to them at the earliest date possible, Jan. 2, 2014. I indicated that we will be ready to begin meeting on that date and hope to work intensely and seriously with them in January so as to attempt to come to a fair compromise that will help our students, maintain the quality of education and provide a fair agreement for our teachers and teaching assistants.
Please rest assured that the PNC, you elected as your representatives and negotiators, will work diligently to secure an agreement that is equitable and fair. We are aware of how hard previous HTA administrations and PNCs have worked to get us the many rights and working conditions that currently exist. Thanks for the confidence and trust that you place in us. I am confident that we will work together and keep everyone's interest in mind as we enter the upcoming difficult negotiations.
Grievance Update- I reached out to the superintendent several times to try to resolve the issue involving "a volunteer coach" being approved by the BOE this fall after some coaching positions were eliminated last spring and stated, "I believe it would be beneficial to have a meeting with Larry and Steve to see if we can work this issue out. This would enable both parties to avoid going to arbitration and incurring the costs involved." These attempts were not successful. Both parties have agreed on an arbitrator and we will go to arbitration on this grievance.
Below is a quick synopsis of Thurs., Nov. 7, 2013's BOE meeting.
*Board stated that they sent letters to both teachers' and administrators' union presidents stating that they were ready to begin negotiations on the contracts that expire on June 30, 2014. They have spent the last four months looking closely at the contracts. They received letters from both presidents and are "eager to get process started". They are "absolutely 100% confident good things will come from this."
*The teachers' union has put forth a grievance regarding a personnel matter and both parties have agreed to an arbitrator.
*Presentation by teacher on Compass Learning
*Discussion on Capital Plan -
1. Potential Bond Referendum (estimate $3,221,614):
- M.S. roof, Denton roof over gym, M.S. boiler
2. Network infrastructure upgrades (estimate $176,402)
- equipment needed and costs to upgrade each building to Gigibit connectivity
* Refinancing existing Bond through 2021(originally from 2005)
- Savings of $365,000 "Just saved 2 1/2 teachers' salaries"
*Preliminary Budget Projection for 2014-2015
- increase in health insurance premiums for 2014 is roughly 4%
. - TRS current rate is 16.25% 2014-2015 rate estimated to be 17.25- 17.75%
Estimated increases:
Retirement systems , health, salary, other
Total increases: 2,468,752 - 2,918,917
Allowable tax levy increases: 1,529,340
Shortfall: 939,412 - 1,388,857
*BOE stated, "Salary negotiations can impact these estimates - Under Triborough Law teachers will get step increases, but no yearly increase...Who knows what else we could open up when contract expires."
Hope you found this update enlightening.
In unity,
Nidya Degliomini
President
Herricks Teachers' Association