We would like to thank those we represent for the outpouring of support you have given.Negotiations 2009 has been a difficult and challenging process.Much has been said and written and we will continue to do our best to inform those whom we represent.We encourage you to refer to the Stillwater Education Association’s (SEA) website at stwsea.org to receive notices and updates for negotiations 2010.
If you have not had the opportunity, go to the district’s website to read the entire report of the Fact-Finding Committee including the dissent report written by Bryan Drummond, a lawyer for Rosenstein, Fist, & Ringold.Also, be sure to read the first eight pages written by the neutral fact-finder, Charles Snyder, a bankruptcy lawyer.The following are three quotes from the report written by Mr. Snyder:
“Therefore, while it is a laudable goal for the Board to protect the general fund balance carryover, continuing to ‘grow’ the general fund balance carryover while your Association partner suffers salary degradation demonstrates a failure to appreciate the value of motivated teachers.”
“While the Association’s proposal is ambitious, it is at least partially justified by the apparent history of underestimated revenues.”
“The Association’s proposal, on the other hand, was partially justified by information indicating increased costs to its members, historical increase in district revenues and fund balance carryover.”
We believe in fiscal responsibility and understand the financial plight of the country and how it is beginning to impact the state.We believe that the financial picture for Stillwater and SPS is and will continue to be solid unless there is a major collapse of the economy which would necessitate drastic changes to all public schools.
It is important that you understand the facts we were working with during the negotiations and impasse process this year.
*We believe all SPS employees deserve a well-earned raise.
*25 veteran teachers with over 900 years of teaching experience--most of them in SPS--will not get a raise with the board’s proposal even though SPS will receive 164 of its 8,347 weighted ADM—over $500,000—from the teacher experience index.
*SPS has over 70 National Board Certified teachers.Stillwater students consistently outscore other districts in the state on standardized tests.SPS has been rated among the “Top 100” districts in the U.S. and Expansion Magazine gives SHS its highest “Gold Medal” rating for workforce preparation.We are not a state-minimum district and we should not be a state-minimum certified personnel staff.
*We believe our district is making financial decisions that spend resources further and further away from the school sites, particularly in the classrooms.SPS revenues and expenditures have increased yet we are not seeing the increase reflected at the school sites.We have already been asked to cut back on field trips and copying.
*Certified personnel raises have not kept up with increases in insurance premiums for those paying for spouses and/or dependents.
*Stillwater’s assessed valuation is estimated to grow by at least 7% this year.
*SPS changed its 2009-2010 calendar to start the school year a week later so that they could better report student information and receive at least $240,000 in additional funding from the state.
*SPS has an increase of at least 175 more students this year over last year resulting in approximately 250 weighted ADM, which should result in additional state funding.
*SPS has underestimated revenue projections by $1.1 million for the past 6 years, close to cost of our salary proposal.
*We question the board’s decision to give any SPS employee substantial guaranteed raises for three years during “financial uncertainties.”
*When the state agreed to accept federal stimulus money (ARRA), it agreed that funding for education would be at least the same as during 2009.
*SPS revenues have increased 32% in the past 6 years and certified salaries have only increased 17%, due in large part by the state-mandated $3,000 raise and increases in state-paid employee insurance premiums.
*The board’s policy is to have a minimum carry over of 5%.The state’s maximum carry over without a penalty for a district is 14%.SPS started the school year with a 12.2% carryover, stimulus money included.Without the stimulus funding, it was 10.2%.
*The board chose to go to impasse 12 days before it officially had to.The board chose not to use mediation which would have cost the district nothing and would have forced both parties to reach consensus.The board chose the third party fact-finder, a bankruptcy lawyer, and chose not to accept his findings and opinions.
*The board countered support personnel’s proposal on raises.They chose not to do so with us.
*The board has asked for concessions in our contract without offering anything in exchange during negotiations for the past 3 years.The board has brought to the table 27 proposals to our 10 proposals for the past 3 years.
*We have asked a board member to serve on the board’s negotiation team for the past 3 years to facilitate communication between the board and certified personnel.They have declined.There are other districts that do so and the state of Kansas mandates it.
Along with those whom we represent, we will continue to provide the outstanding quality of public education that Stillwater expects and deserves.
Your 2009 Certified Personnel Negotiations Team Members,
Dee Atkins, Doug Chesbro, Karen Cryer, Celeste Fox, Beth Shell, Melody Wright, and Mary Pratz, OEA Advocate
