Chico Unified Teachers Association
Chico Unified Teachers Association Newsletter
Member Newsletter

December
January/February 2014
In This Issue
President's Message
Bargaining Update
Political Action Committee Update
Organizing Update
Health Benefits Update
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In this CUTA  newsletter we have:
  • A Message From Our  President Kevin Moretti--It's Time 
  • Bargaining Update--Working Toward a Fair Settlement  
  • Political Action Committee Update--Open Seats      
  • Health Benefits Update--  Health and Wellness Center Opening 
  • Organizing Update-- Bargaining/Organizing Survey a Success    

Help us keep our members informed by forwarding this email to your colleagues using the link & at the bottom of this page.

 

 President's Message Kevin Moretti

        

  Kevin
 
     At CUSD's School Board meeting January 22, 2014, the District upgraded their First Interim budget report from "Qualified" certification (when the three year projection predicts an ending balance below the 3% reserve required by the state. In other words. "we'll be broke in three years") to a positive certification ("we won't be broke in three years").  Although this would appear to be good news, the majority of the conversation and comments between the Board and District ran along the lines of "We still don't know what the future will hold."  "The economy could always take a down turn."  And "School Services (the company that advises school districts) recommends that any increases from the state be viewed as one time money".  I have a real problem with all these statements, especially the last.  This is the same rhetoric we have heard for forty years.         Every time the state sends big money to school districts, as they are doing now, CUSD sings the exact same song.  To us it sounds like "Gee, we can't give you money in bad times because we don't have the money, but we can't give you money in the good times either because the money might go away." The aforementioned scenario sure has the appearance of history repeating itself, over, and over, and over again.  
     While I understand  the District is required by the state to produce a three year projection, when we compared the three year projections to reality three years later, those projections turned out to be so inaccurate it makes them meaningless.  The three year projection first predicted in June 2010 for last year, 12/13, began as a negative $15.3 million. Remember when the state was coming in to take CUSD over?  When all was said and done, we ended last year with a positive $16.5 million.  That three year projection turned out to be $31.8 million off.  For fiscal years 9/10, 10/11, and 11/12 the district was off by $14.5 million, $17.5, and $28.3 million dollars respectively.  It doesn't really matter why they are so far off.  What's important to remember is that, for whatever reason, these projections do not turn out to be anywhere near reality.  
     In bargaining we will do what we said we will do.  Your bargaining team will look at how much new ongoing money the state is giving the District this year and next year.  We will determine  a  reasonable amount of that new ongoing money that should be applied to wages and benefits.  IF the District disagrees, we will ask you to do what it takes to obtain a fair settlement.  It's been six years since money was added to the salary schedule.  It's time.
Thank you
Kevin.

 

Bargaining Update: Merilee Anzalone       
     Six bargaining dates for 2014-2015 have been established for Spring: Feb. 13, 27, March 13,27, April 10, 24, May 8, 22. Results of the bargaining survey will determine the focus of bargaining for this year. There has been a strong response to our survey with over 470 members. This will provide a clear mandate of member concerns. CUTA will present our items of interest to the district at the end of January.                                                        
     Additionally, bargaining is tracking issues regarding Local Control Funding Formual (LCAP), transition to and professional development for Common Core, sixth grade transition to secondary sites, elementary report card and testing concerns, and improving the quality of district wide staff development days. Our team is open to developing younger members who are interested in previewing bargaining via alternate position. Any member interested may contact Kevin or any team member for details.
Regarding improving quality of district wide staff development days:
A)    Marlene Fong, CTA specialist has and will continue to deliver information regarding Common Core ELA strategies.  
B)    In January, the  CTA Good Teaching Conference in San Jose attended by 11 unit members will provide a variety of teacher lead in-service for the Feb 11 district staff development. CUTA and the District shared the cost of this seminar, doubled the number of unit member teachers able to attend, and will provide valuable teacher-lead in-service seminars. These events are a direct result of CUTA and the District working together, CUTA communicating our members' desires, taking risks to try something different, and has resulted in positive outcomes to enhance classroom instruction and transition to Common Core. An educational success for all!

Thank you

Merilee Anzalone  

Shasta Elementary 

 

Political Action Committee Update:Kelly Coombe and Chris Montgomery
    

           CUTA PAC met at Mondo's Cafe Wednesday,December 11th. There was a PAC training  January 15 provided by Susan Savage from CTA.  Three seats on the school board will be up for election in November. If you know someone who you  think would make a good school board member, contact Kelly and Chris.


 

Thank you.

Kelly Coombe

Chris Montgomery 

Organizing Update: Bill and Jenn Flory
 Organizing is happy to report that 470 surveys have been completed online!  Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to participate in the process.  Hard copies went out to sites for those folks who would rather complete a survey on paper.  The organizing team has reviewed individual responses and we are identifying common threads.  Organizing intends to use this information to make action plans that will value, accommodate, assist, motivate, and embrace union members.  
     Mike Huyck, Linda Elliot and the other representatives at PVHS have started  what is known as the "Union Minute" which will conclude every staff meeting.  It is a wonderful way for many people to carry the message of unity and support for one another and to receive important information firsthand.  Additionally, it provides an opportunity for encouraging people to become more involved and connected.  If you do something at your school or need assistance or ideas to make this happen at your school, please contact us.
     If you are interested in a custom CUTA shirt and are willing to purchase your own, Limey Tees at 730 W 9th Street (between Ivy and Cherry St), the makers of our CUTA shirts, have been contacted and are willing to take orders.  Shirts will still include the apple and the Chico Teachers Stand United message so that we continue to show our unity and resolve on bargaining days.

Thank you.
Jenn and Bill Flory
Pleasant Valley High School
Health Benefits Update: Rich Utterback/Susan Christensen
 

  The Health and Wellness Center is scheduled to open free for patients the week of January 27, 2014.  If members have not had a health risk assessment, they will be allowed to attend the clinic for two acute visits, before being required to get an assessment.  The assessments do not take very long, and provide good background information about the patient.
    Benefit plan designs and rates have not been finalized.  The BSSP JPA Board has narrowed its choices to four active member plans and two retirement plans.  Prescription plans remain similar, except that prescription costs (co-pays) will accumulate towards maximum out-of-pocket limits.  Also, copayments for asthma, diabetes and heart disease are decreased to $5/$20/$30 for mail orders and are free through the clinic.
    Members are reminded to educate themselves on their benefits and the clinic in order to utilize services economically.  Remember to request mammogram coupons, read the BSSP JPA newsletter and make any changes regarding spouses and children to your plans immediately.   We all have a responsibility in trying to keep costs down.

 

Thank you.
Rich Utterback/Susan Christensen
Pleasant Valley High School 
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Thank you for reading this and staying informed.

 

Kevin Moretti, President
Chico Unified Teachers AssociationBottom