Read the article at http://www.knea.org/home/1118.htm for details about the KPERS Study Commission's recommendations for the future of the public employee retirement benefit.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Ratification Vote Passed; Upcoming Meetings
Ratification Vote
The school board voted to ratify the negotiated agreement at last week's board meeting, after teachers approved it. Look for the new language on the district site in the next few weeks, after both parties have gone over it carefully.
First Building Rep Meeting Tomorrow
The first Building Rep meeting for LNEA will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. in LHS room 206. Any member is welcome to attend.
KPERS Town Hall
We received notice today of a Town Hall meeting in Topeka tomorrow on the subject of KPERS. Details available by clicking here.
The school board voted to ratify the negotiated agreement at last week's board meeting, after teachers approved it. Look for the new language on the district site in the next few weeks, after both parties have gone over it carefully.
First Building Rep Meeting Tomorrow
The first Building Rep meeting for LNEA will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. in LHS room 206. Any member is welcome to attend.
KPERS Town Hall
We received notice today of a Town Hall meeting in Topeka tomorrow on the subject of KPERS. Details available by clicking here.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Clarification on "Early Retirement" and Notes on Filing a Grievance
This question came via email, and I want to share it here in case others are wondering the same thing.
Question: I read the proposed changes with our new contract. I am confused on this article for early retirement. Does this change apply more to newer folks? In our current contract it says if you work until 57 the district contributes to the health care. I assume that is the benefit amount, like $350? Does this still hold true? Please clarify.
Answer: After 2015, the district will pay only a health benefit of $350/month to early retirees (until they are eligible for medicare). Right now, the district also pays compensation of $8000 per year, but that ceases after 2015. In 2025, they will stop paying the health benefit, too.
The district’s rationale is that they would prefer to put their money toward people who are currently teaching their students. They also say that they want to keep their experienced teachers teaching instead of encouraging them to leave the profession early.
So, if you can put in your notice to retire by the end of 2014-15 (that is, you will be between 57 and 65 and have 15 years service with the district), you can get both the health benefit and the $8000/year until you reach medicare age. If you retire after that but before 2025, you will get only the health benefit. After 2025, there will be no early retirement option (now called a Resignation Incentive rather than Early Retirement).
Question: I read the proposed changes with our new contract. I am confused on this article for early retirement. Does this change apply more to newer folks? In our current contract it says if you work until 57 the district contributes to the health care. I assume that is the benefit amount, like $350? Does this still hold true? Please clarify.
Answer: After 2015, the district will pay only a health benefit of $350/month to early retirees (until they are eligible for medicare). Right now, the district also pays compensation of $8000 per year, but that ceases after 2015. In 2025, they will stop paying the health benefit, too.
The district’s rationale is that they would prefer to put their money toward people who are currently teaching their students. They also say that they want to keep their experienced teachers teaching instead of encouraging them to leave the profession early.
So, if you can put in your notice to retire by the end of 2014-15 (that is, you will be between 57 and 65 and have 15 years service with the district), you can get both the health benefit and the $8000/year until you reach medicare age. If you retire after that but before 2025, you will get only the health benefit. After 2025, there will be no early retirement option (now called a Resignation Incentive rather than Early Retirement).
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Negotiations team settles with board
Tentative Agreement Reached for 2011-12 Contract Year
Subject to Teacher Ratification
August 1, 2011
Representatives of Leavenworth-NEA and USD 453 Board of Education have reached an agreement regarding the terms and conditions of employment for teachers for the 2011-12 school year. Below are the changes to the negotiated agreement, subject to ratification. Articles from the negotiated agreement that are not mentioned here will remain unchanged.
Salary
Average increase of 1.785%.
In this proposal, vertical and lateral movement on the salary schedule will occur. It is also proposed that an additional $70 will be added to the “additional compensation” amount that is listed at the bottom of the salary schedule, bringing that amount to $2,260. This total amount, while not subject to the index increments as a teacher moves across the salary schedule, has been embedded in the chart to reveal your total proposed salary.
This proposal includes NO increase to fringe benefits. However, there will be a 4% drop in health insurance premiums--not something the teachers’ association negotiates, but still beneficial.
Significant decrease in stipend paid for more than three preparations at high school was proposed. That amount would be reduced from $2,915 to $1,527.
Article 6, Duty Day
Major change in secondary planning time (LHS and Warren) – Rather than guaranteeing one class period per day for planning, this proposal stipulates secondary teachers will have 225 minutes per week, with at least one 20-minute period scheduled per day.
Decrease in elementary weekly planning time is also proposed, from 280 minutes per week to 260, with a minimum of one 20-minute period per day. The board’s negotiating team stated that they need to increase collaboration time by decreasing individual planning time.
Subject areas re-defined, for the purpose of paying a teacher assigned to teach in more than 2 separate subject areas. Proposed list combines Technical Education, Business, Family and Consumer Science, and Computer Studies into one subject area – Career and Technical Education (CTE). All other subject areas remain as previously defined.
Article 23, Lateral Movement
Significant change in what counts for lateral movement.
This proposal stipulates that beginning September 1, 2014, IDP points earned on contract time and/or at district expense will not count for lateral movement, unless administration requests a teacher participate in a particular training. Essentially, beginning 2014-15 school year, only those IDP points earned on teachers’ “own time, own dime” will count for lateral movement, as long as the appropriate steps have been taken in My Learning Plan.
Grandfather clause is in effect. IDP points earned previously and earmarked for lateral movement will be honored. Note that the agreement already stipulates that hours earned must be used within five years.
Article 30, Calendar
Non-working days for the 2011-12 school year were negotiated this time last year, and appear on the district calendar.
Proposed non-working days for the 2012-13 school year are as follows:
September 3 – Labor Day
November 12 – Veteran’s Day
November 21-23 – Thanksgiving Break
December 24-January 2 – Winter Break
January 21 – Martin Luther King Day
February 18 – Presidents’ Day
March 18-22 – Spring Break
March 29 – Non-Working Day (Good Friday)
April 29 – Off unless needed for snow makeup
May 27 – Memorial Day
Designated Teacher Work Days:
1.5 days before the start of classes
1 day at the end of the first quarter
1 day after the end of semester break (January 3)
1 day at the end of the third quarter
At least a half day at the end of the school year
The last Monday of April is a designated snow makeup day. This date will be used as makeup day in the event of inclement weather exceeding two days.
Article 31, Evaluation of Teacher Performance
Out of district SpEd teachers will be evaluated in home district.
For a pilot period of two school years, 2011-12 and 2012-13, it is proposed that Leavenworth County Special Education Cooperative teachers who are assigned full time to a district other than USD 453 will be evaluated by and use the evaluation instrument of the district to which they are assigned. Special Education teachers assigned to more than one district within the cooperative will be evaluated by and use USD 453’s evaluation instrument.
Article 33, Resignation Incentive Program (Early Retirement)
Significant changes in benefits coming in two years – entire benefit will not be available after 2025.
It is proposed that beginning June 30, 2015, the yearly cash stipend for early retirement will no longer be paid. This cash benefit is defined as the lesser of a factor of 15% or $8,000.
This proposal also stipulates that the health benefit will be made available from the date of early retirement until the retiree becomes eligible for Medicare, until the year 2025.
Subject to Teacher Ratification
August 1, 2011
Representatives of Leavenworth-NEA and USD 453 Board of Education have reached an agreement regarding the terms and conditions of employment for teachers for the 2011-12 school year. Below are the changes to the negotiated agreement, subject to ratification. Articles from the negotiated agreement that are not mentioned here will remain unchanged.
Salary
Average increase of 1.785%.
In this proposal, vertical and lateral movement on the salary schedule will occur. It is also proposed that an additional $70 will be added to the “additional compensation” amount that is listed at the bottom of the salary schedule, bringing that amount to $2,260. This total amount, while not subject to the index increments as a teacher moves across the salary schedule, has been embedded in the chart to reveal your total proposed salary.
This proposal includes NO increase to fringe benefits. However, there will be a 4% drop in health insurance premiums--not something the teachers’ association negotiates, but still beneficial.
Significant decrease in stipend paid for more than three preparations at high school was proposed. That amount would be reduced from $2,915 to $1,527.
Article 6, Duty Day
Major change in secondary planning time (LHS and Warren) – Rather than guaranteeing one class period per day for planning, this proposal stipulates secondary teachers will have 225 minutes per week, with at least one 20-minute period scheduled per day.
Decrease in elementary weekly planning time is also proposed, from 280 minutes per week to 260, with a minimum of one 20-minute period per day. The board’s negotiating team stated that they need to increase collaboration time by decreasing individual planning time.
Subject areas re-defined, for the purpose of paying a teacher assigned to teach in more than 2 separate subject areas. Proposed list combines Technical Education, Business, Family and Consumer Science, and Computer Studies into one subject area – Career and Technical Education (CTE). All other subject areas remain as previously defined.
Article 23, Lateral Movement
Significant change in what counts for lateral movement.
This proposal stipulates that beginning September 1, 2014, IDP points earned on contract time and/or at district expense will not count for lateral movement, unless administration requests a teacher participate in a particular training. Essentially, beginning 2014-15 school year, only those IDP points earned on teachers’ “own time, own dime” will count for lateral movement, as long as the appropriate steps have been taken in My Learning Plan.
Grandfather clause is in effect. IDP points earned previously and earmarked for lateral movement will be honored. Note that the agreement already stipulates that hours earned must be used within five years.
Article 30, Calendar
Non-working days for the 2011-12 school year were negotiated this time last year, and appear on the district calendar.
Proposed non-working days for the 2012-13 school year are as follows:
September 3 – Labor Day
November 12 – Veteran’s Day
November 21-23 – Thanksgiving Break
December 24-January 2 – Winter Break
January 21 – Martin Luther King Day
February 18 – Presidents’ Day
March 18-22 – Spring Break
March 29 – Non-Working Day (Good Friday)
April 29 – Off unless needed for snow makeup
May 27 – Memorial Day
Designated Teacher Work Days:
1.5 days before the start of classes
1 day at the end of the first quarter
1 day after the end of semester break (January 3)
1 day at the end of the third quarter
At least a half day at the end of the school year
The last Monday of April is a designated snow makeup day. This date will be used as makeup day in the event of inclement weather exceeding two days.
Article 31, Evaluation of Teacher Performance
Out of district SpEd teachers will be evaluated in home district.
For a pilot period of two school years, 2011-12 and 2012-13, it is proposed that Leavenworth County Special Education Cooperative teachers who are assigned full time to a district other than USD 453 will be evaluated by and use the evaluation instrument of the district to which they are assigned. Special Education teachers assigned to more than one district within the cooperative will be evaluated by and use USD 453’s evaluation instrument.
Article 33, Resignation Incentive Program (Early Retirement)
Significant changes in benefits coming in two years – entire benefit will not be available after 2025.
It is proposed that beginning June 30, 2015, the yearly cash stipend for early retirement will no longer be paid. This cash benefit is defined as the lesser of a factor of 15% or $8,000.
This proposal also stipulates that the health benefit will be made available from the date of early retirement until the retiree becomes eligible for Medicare, until the year 2025.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Congrats to new elected officers!
Congratulations to these teachers who have been elected as officers for 2011-12!
Co-Presidents: Robin Crim, Ruth Striggow, Ginger Riddle
President-Elect: Rex Loewen
Treasurer: Sue Robertson
Secretary: Sharon Mueller
Membership Chair: Kathy Zwahl
Delegates to KNEA Representative Assembly: Robin Crim, Dennis Dickson, Pat DiFonzo, Rex Loewen, Jessica McGovern, Sharon Mueller, Terry Nixon, Ginger Riddle, Linda Schukman, Cindy Scircle, Michelle Smalls, Ruth Striggow
Alternate Delegates: Jessica McGovern, Susan Lawson
Our thanks to these individuals for being willing to offer up their time and energy to serve the members of LNEA!
Co-Presidents: Robin Crim, Ruth Striggow, Ginger Riddle
President-Elect: Rex Loewen
Treasurer: Sue Robertson
Secretary: Sharon Mueller
Membership Chair: Kathy Zwahl
Delegates to KNEA Representative Assembly: Robin Crim, Dennis Dickson, Pat DiFonzo, Rex Loewen, Jessica McGovern, Sharon Mueller, Terry Nixon, Ginger Riddle, Linda Schukman, Cindy Scircle, Michelle Smalls, Ruth Striggow
Alternate Delegates: Jessica McGovern, Susan Lawson
Our thanks to these individuals for being willing to offer up their time and energy to serve the members of LNEA!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Local elections coming up
Soon it will be time to start planning for next year! LNEA needs energetic teachers with vision to volunteer their time and talents to make our organization and our district the best they can be. We will need officers, building representatives, representative assembly delegates, and people who are willing to help with various projects.
Please consider volunteering your time and expertise for one of the jobs described below. Contact us now or express interest when you receive your spring LNEA membership survey.
President-Elect. A president-elect works closely with the current co-presidents in order to take over for the next school year and should commit to several days of training over the summer. This position also requires active participation in at least three meetings per month and frequent communication by email and/or executive council meetings.
Recording Secretary. The recording secretary attends two meetings per month: executive council and building rep meetings, puts out reminders of the meetings, composes the agenda, and keeps minutes.
Treasurer. The treasurer prepares and administers a budget, writes reimbursement checks, and makes dues payments to KNEA on a monthly basis. The Treasurer also attends executive council and building rep meetings.
Membership Chairman and Assistants. This officer works closely with executive council (especially the treasurer), handles all membership paperwork required by KNEA, is responsible for getting membership forms sent to the state office, for maintaining accurate membership rolls, and for working closely with central office staff regarding payroll deduction. We will also need teachers to help with the fall membership drive by spending a morning or afternoon with teachers new to the district during one of their preservice days (right before the rest of the teachers start back to work), and to work at the LNEA table at the district benefits fair.
Negotiations Committee "Member in Training". The team is in need of middle school representatives, especially! Without them, the true balance of interests and concerns may not be present. Negotiators in training must commit to a series of bargaining training workshops during the summer and also to some weekends during the school year. Most workshops are held in Topeka, but may be in other locations that require overnight stays and more travel time (costs are reimbursed).
Building Representative. There should be one representative for each 25 members in a building. Building reps attend monthly LNEA meetings, disseminate information, answer questions from building faculty, and/or refer them on to teacher rights or Uniserv personnel. These are the folks who make sure LNEA leadership knows what issues you have in your building, so they can be communicated to district administration.
Delegate to the KNEA Representative Assembly. We are badly in need of delegates and alternates for 2011-12. Delegates attend one regional meeting in February (a weekday evening) and one weekend-long meeting in Topeka (April) to represent the Leavenworth teachers' association at KNEA. They vote to help direct KNEA policy, which drives lobbying efforts, etc. They also approve the KNEA budget and dues changes.
Please consider volunteering your time and expertise for one of the jobs described below. Contact us now or express interest when you receive your spring LNEA membership survey.
President-Elect. A president-elect works closely with the current co-presidents in order to take over for the next school year and should commit to several days of training over the summer. This position also requires active participation in at least three meetings per month and frequent communication by email and/or executive council meetings.
Recording Secretary. The recording secretary attends two meetings per month: executive council and building rep meetings, puts out reminders of the meetings, composes the agenda, and keeps minutes.
Treasurer. The treasurer prepares and administers a budget, writes reimbursement checks, and makes dues payments to KNEA on a monthly basis. The Treasurer also attends executive council and building rep meetings.
Membership Chairman and Assistants. This officer works closely with executive council (especially the treasurer), handles all membership paperwork required by KNEA, is responsible for getting membership forms sent to the state office, for maintaining accurate membership rolls, and for working closely with central office staff regarding payroll deduction. We will also need teachers to help with the fall membership drive by spending a morning or afternoon with teachers new to the district during one of their preservice days (right before the rest of the teachers start back to work), and to work at the LNEA table at the district benefits fair.
Negotiations Committee "Member in Training". The team is in need of middle school representatives, especially! Without them, the true balance of interests and concerns may not be present. Negotiators in training must commit to a series of bargaining training workshops during the summer and also to some weekends during the school year. Most workshops are held in Topeka, but may be in other locations that require overnight stays and more travel time (costs are reimbursed).
Building Representative. There should be one representative for each 25 members in a building. Building reps attend monthly LNEA meetings, disseminate information, answer questions from building faculty, and/or refer them on to teacher rights or Uniserv personnel. These are the folks who make sure LNEA leadership knows what issues you have in your building, so they can be communicated to district administration.
Delegate to the KNEA Representative Assembly. We are badly in need of delegates and alternates for 2011-12. Delegates attend one regional meeting in February (a weekday evening) and one weekend-long meeting in Topeka (April) to represent the Leavenworth teachers' association at KNEA. They vote to help direct KNEA policy, which drives lobbying efforts, etc. They also approve the KNEA budget and dues changes.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Nominate Friends of Education
The Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force is accepting nominations for its Friends of Education Awards through January 31, 2011. Find all you need to make a nomination at www.ksconfidencetaskforce.org. If you'd like a proofreader, email us; there are several English teachers on our executive board and among our building reps!
One Award of Excellence and up to four Merit Awards are presented in each of the five categories.
One Award of Excellence and up to four Merit Awards are presented in each of the five categories.
- School Volunteer: An individual or couple who provides volunteer services in a public school.
- Community Leader: An individual who has made a significant contribution to public education while serving in a leadership capacity.
- Partner Activity: A business, company or agency that has provided an on-going partner activity over an extended period of time (three-year minimum), by means of volunteer time, services, finances or other types of support, in an amount that exceeds typical collaboration from a private or public institution.
- Private or Public Institution: A profit or nonprofit company, business or agency that has made a significant contribution to public education.
- Community/Civic Organization: A club, organization, committee or task force that has made a significant contribution to public education.
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