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September 2007
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Latest News....... |
The NEA Classroom SuperStore is the latest addition to the lineup of consumer discounts offered by NEA Member Benefits.
NEA members can now earn an additional 10% off already low pricing from Classroom Direct, an online discount supply store. As a bonus, Association members receive free shipping on any size order of an in-stock item.
A free 400-page catalog is available from Classroom Direct, describing the company’s offerings for classroom storage, incentives, room decorations, supplies, furnishings, games, and much more. One of the services provided is an online history of purchases to help individuals in their tax planning keep track of out-of-pocket
expenses.
To place an order, go to http://www.neamb.com/discount/classroom.jsp or call 1-800-248-9171 and mention the offer code “NEAMB.”
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November 9, 2006 - Resolution of Respect 
October 22, 2006 - Teaching Links Just added Teaching Links (www.capehenlopenea.org/links/teaching_links) Please suggest new links or report broken links (bmorris@cape.k12.de.us)! |
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Vision 2015 plan is out for public comment DSEA supports the
overall goal to improve public education, of course, but we have stated many times in multiple Vision 2015 meetings that we cannot support the plan as developed to date, for several reasons.
Today's News Journal misstated what President Barbara Grogg said at yesterdays two news conferences.
Click here to obtain:
- the correct information
- a copy of what President Grogg said
- important opportunities for your views to be heard
- a link to the full Vision 2015 initial plan
- DSEA's short-term strategy, and
- yet another reason to vote for DSEA's recommended candidates.
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October 3, 2006 - Meeting with DO Present at the meeting were Superintendent Dr. Stone, Director of Business Operations Dr. Seibert, Assistant Superintendent Janis Hanwell, and Director, Accountability & School Improvement Bob Fulton for
the district and for the Associations DSEA UniServ Director Charlie Shaffer, CHEA President Sarah Ross, CHEA Vice President John Dean, CHEA Treasurer Sydnye Andrews, CHSSA Vice President Ed Murauskas, CHSSA Treasurer Mary Beth D'Amico and CHSSA Negotiations Chair and past president Peggy Kirby.
Sarah had asked for a host of financial information, the bulk of which Dr. Seibert expected to have for the meeting, but, unfortunately was not compiled in time. He did provide copies of the preliminary budget which was passed at the 9/28/06 board meeting and of the Final Budget for FY2006. He also provided analyses of "Net
Assessed Valuations - Cape Henlopen School District" from 1989 through 2006 and "Division III Equalization Funding Trend Analysis FY02 - FY07." He has promised to forward additional financial information to Sarah which she will share with DSEA and CHSSA, including revenue and expenses for full-day kindergarten. Dr. Seibert did
also explain the huge increase (over $500,000) in the FY07 preliminary budget line for paraeducator salaries. Apparently last year the district used Title I and additional other federal funding including prior years' funds to reduce last year's amount.
Dr. Stone provided copies of the district's "Draft Process for Reducing Personnel Budget." (Below) This is the procedure the district plans to use if RIF's become necessary. The Associations supported Dr. Seibert's offer to conduct "retirement workshops" for all interested employees. He said some employees may find they would
make more money if they retire than if they continue to work. The Associations suggested and the district agreed to provide updated RIF lists at about the same time as any retirement/resignation incentive offer. Since there have been many hires and some retirements and resignations, the current RIF list (dated 3/27/06) really
is not accurate. Additionally, the administrators present agreed that IF RIF notices must be delivered, those deliveries will be done in person at the end of the school day - not during the day as has happened in the past.
Dr. Stone and Ms. Hanwell also cleared up some rumors regarding administrative salaries. Administrators received a 4% raise - not 8% as some have reported. There was also no administrative salary "bump" due to the hiring of the new high school principal, as had been reported in the newspapers.
Some dates for resuming CHSSA's negotiations were proffered; the negotiations committee will be notified as soon as agreement is reached.
CAPE HENLOPEN SCHOOL DISTRICT
DRAFT
PROCESS FOR REDUCING PERSONNEL BUDGET
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1. Verification of unit count and unit allocations per building (Oct)
2. Reduce local positions by increased district wide unit total (Oct)
3. Establish building level recommended reduction lists based on count (Oct)
4. Redistribute staff to positions created through attrition or DOE authorization (Oct)
5. Establish retirement and voluntary resignation incentives (Dec)
6. Determine list of non-renewals (April),
7. Evaluate reduced staffing at each school (April)
8. Determine any further reductions in staff as needed (April)
9. Notify staff if reductions are necessary (May)
10. Transfer personnel as appropriate (May)
11. Employ additional staff as needed (June) |
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September 14, 2006
Both CHSSA and CHEA
were well represented at the Cape Board meeting
tonight to hear the district's budget
presentation, including DSEA Vice President
Diane Donohue and our UniServ Director, Charlie
Shaffer. Dr. Seibert and Dr. Stone want the
public to know the district is solvent right
now. But in order to prevent future
difficulties, the budget must be reduced. The
"painful" cuts to which Dr. Stone and others
have been referring in the media recently will
affect our members who are paid on local funds.
The good news right now is that the district
does not expect to eliminate any positions this
year. However, about 33 paraprofessionals and 22
professionals are paid on local funds and
district administrators say the district budget
can no longer bear this expense for school year
07-08. Dr. Stone said he would like to see the
reductions come from attrition and retirements;
he even suggested creating some kind of
financial retirement incentive over and above
what is already offered. Is eliminating 55
people who work directly with students what's
best for Cape kids? Asked by a radio reporter
for his reaction, Charlie Shaffer said, "This is
only one blueprint. The associations will study
this picture and see what can be done to best
serve the interests of students."
Representatives from both associations will meet
with Dr. Stone to discuss the budget on October
3. We also hope to have dates for continuing
negotiations at that time. |
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