January 27, 2014

Legislative Hearing Results

A Legislative Hearing was held on Thursday, January 23, from 5:00 – 9:30 pm at the Stuart Middle School Cafetorium to decide unresolved negotiation issues between the MCEA and District. Both sides presented evidence and testimony to the School Board. The Board, acting in the capacity of a "neutral" legislative body, imposed both compensation and language items to bring all disputed issues for 2013-2014 contract negotiations to resolution. These imposed items must now be reduced to writing and signed by the MCEA and District. The MCEA’s signature on the agreement indicates only that it agrees that the language accurately reflects the School Board’s resolution of the impasse issues. It does not indicate that the MCEA agrees with the School Board’s decision. The imposed items, along with all other items that have been tentatively agreed to between the parties at the negotiations table, will be placed before the bargaining unit for a ratification vote.

The purpose of this communication is to give you a very brief summary of the imposed items. Within the next week or so the MCEA will send out more detailed information, along with exact language, for the bargaining unit to consider prior to conducting a ratification vote.

COMPENSATION ISSUES

Salary schedule

The Board imposed the Superintendent’s salary schedule proposal. Assuming ratification, each teacher should receive a pay increase of approximately $2,200 this year. Beginning next year an algebraic formula will be used to determine each individual’s salary. There will no longer be a "regular" salary schedule. Each teacher will have his or her own individual schedule. It will be contingent upon teachers to keep careful track of their compensation from year to year to make sure they are receiving the correct raise and total salary amounts.

Placement schedule for new hires

The Board imposed the Superintendent’s "launching pad" for assigning salary amounts for new hires to the District. According to MCEA calculations, the District’s placement schedule will pay new hires with 4 – 21 years of experience anywhere from $569 to $1,707 more than current teachers with equal years of experience. Teachers with more than 22 years of experience will be paid significantly less than current teachers with equal years of experience.

Advanced Degree Supplements

The Board imposed the Superintendent’s recommendation for these supplements. All teachers receiving advanced degree supplements will have their current supplement amount frozen; it will no longer increase from year to year as salary increases. Beginning on July 1, 2014, all new hires with advanced degrees will be paid the following: $1,800 for a Master’s degree; $2,100 for a Specialist’s degree; $3,600 for a Doctorate degree. These advanced degree supplement amounts are considerably lower that what is being paid to teachers in like-size and surrounding counties.

Western Zone Supplements

The Board rejected the Superintendent’s recommendations for WZS. The Superintendent recommended immediate deletion of all current WZS and a flat rate of $2,000 paid per teacher. This would have resulted in a significant salary loss to these teachers. The Board wisely decided that all teachers receiving a WZS would continue to receive their current supplement amount. These amounts will not increase in the future. New hires to Indiantown Middle School or Warfield Elementary School will receive a flat rate supplement of $2,000.

Retirement Supplement

Effective July 1, 2014 new hires to the District will no longer be eligible to receive a 15% retirement supplement. Only current employees of the District or those hired by June 30, 2014 will be eligible to receive this supplement amount.

Athletic and Academic Supplements

The Board froze these supplements at their current rate of pay. These supplements will not increase in the future and are calculated on a base salary of $37,000.

LANGUAGE ISSUES

Performance Salary Language

The MCEA proposed performance salary language that would have guaranteed an annual increase in salary for teachers on the grandfathered schedule receiving a satisfactory annual summative evaluation or for teachers on the performance pay schedule receiving an Effective or Highly Effective annual summative evaluation rating. The Board rejected this language in its entirety.

Flex Day Language

MCEA proposed language that teachers be permitted to "flex" one of their teacher workdays during the school year for a day worked in their classroom just prior to the official start of preschool. Following presentation by MCEA to the Board, the Superintendent’s representative claimed to have misunderstood the MCEA proposal. The Superintendent agreed to MCEA’s flex language and it has been signed off between the parties.

Proportional splitting of supplements with work load

The Board modified and then imposed an MCEA language proposal, opposed by the Superintendent, requiring that the work load for a split supplement be proportionately reduced to reflect the division of the supplement amount.

MCEA is disappointed in the pattern the Board has demonstrated in its actions of taking back money at every possible opportunity. MCEA believes that rewarding teachers for their loyalty to the district and their willingness to perform additional work in challenging environments should be a higher priority for the District. Obviously, the School Board disagrees.