Neshaminy Info

Board president comments on teachers' strike

2012-01-06T16:43:00.006-05:00

Neshaminy School Board President, Ritchie Webb, issued the following statement in reaction to the strike declaration made today by the Neshaminy Federation of teachers:

“Earlier today, the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers (NFT) declared a strike beginning on Monday, January 9th.

By instituting a job action aimed at our children and their parents, the NFT’s actions are inflicting financial harm and inconvenience to families in our district. As school board president, I am also concerned that our teachers are causing irreparable harm to their reputation within the Neshaminy community.

Most of the issues in our contract dispute with the NFT concern money, but a strike won’t put a single dime into our coffers. The key to settling this impasse is not to deny our children their education. The answer lies in understanding the economic times in which we live, and having the willingness to negotiate an affordable contract.

The Neshaminy School Board will continue to negotiate in good faith with the NFT, however we will not tolerate any behavior which exploits our students. For now I have notified our attorney, Mr. Sweet, to immediately suspend any further negotiations with the NFT.

I urge all members of the Neshaminy community to stand with us during this difficult time. I ask that you call NFT headquarters to demand they end this strike immediately, and return to the bargaining table willing to negotiate an affordable contract.

The NFT’s phone number is 215-547-2001.”
.

STRIKE!

2012-01-06T13:01:00.005-05:00

Yes folks, believe it or not the NFT has once again raised the stakes in this high tension game of contract negotiations. Perpetrating a work-to-contract action against your children is no longer enough, so now Neshaminy's teachers are depriving children of their education by instituting a strike effective on Monday.

Make no mistake about it, this job action is aimed directly at YOU! But now is an opportunity for this community to draw a line in the sand. We can no longer remain quiet while the school board fights the battle to save our children's educational programs. It's time to stand up and vocally support our school board.

The school board is asking community members to call the NFT headquarters at 215-547-2001 demanding they end this strike immediately, and settle on an affordable contract.

Here is an announcement that was posted on the school board's website just a short time ago . . .

The Nesaminy Federation of Teachers (NFT) announced today that our teachers will be striking effective Monday, January 9th.

Please visit the school district website at http://www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us for important updates.

We urge every member of our community to contact NFT Headquarters at 215-547-2001 and demand that teachers immediately end this job action aimed at our children, and return to the bargaining table ready to negotiate an affordable contract.

NFT's scorched Earth strategy

2011-12-02T11:20:00.004-05:00

The ballot below was distributed by the NFT to teachers in at least one of our elementary schools recently. Although not a binding vote, this paper asks teachers if they should target a strike during our PSSA's.

Perhaps union officials see no harm in asking, but the Board finds it reprehensible that the NFT would even consider targeting our students and the educational well-being of the district as a form of intimidation.

NFT Strike Form 122011

Playwickian questions NSB, NFT on contract

2011-11-23T14:46:00.000-05:00

Playwickian Article 11222011

Thank you

2011-11-17T17:40:00.001-05:00

This Tuesday will be my final meeting as your representative to the Neshaminy School Board. It has been my honor and privilege to have served our community over the last four years, and I truly appreciate the support and confidence you have shown me during this time.

Unfortunately as my term ends, so does the Neshaminy Info blog and Facebook group page. While I have been pleased to share both news and my opinions via these resources, I can no longer devote the time necessary to maintaining them. I thank all of you who frequented these websites over the years.

Neshaminy is a very special place, full of very special people. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the members of this wonderful community.

Regards,

William O'Connor
Neshaminy School Board Director
.

Board doesn’t see any significant change in NFT offer

2011-11-01T20:32:00.003-04:00

Meeting #36 lasted 90 minutes, with the mediator spending the first 20 minutes with the NFT, and the final 70 minutes with the Board’s Negotiation Team.

The mediator presented the NFT’s counter proposal which included the following highlights:
• Full reinstatement of salary steps
• 80% of retroactive pay (instead of 100%)
• As of 7/1/2012, Masters Equivalency (MEQ’s) courses will be approved by joint committee equally represented by district staff and federation members

After flatly rejecting the offer for 80% of retro pay, the Board did agree to carefully review and consider the NFT counter proposal but noted they didn not see any significant change in the NFT’s position.

Both sides agreed to further talks on December 6th and December 14th.
.

NSB fires back at SLCS

2011-10-28T14:09:00.001-04:00

NSB Press Release SLCS 10282011

Board Prez: NFT claims of uncommitted funds are "numbers out of a hat"

2011-10-20T12:45:00.000-04:00

NSB Press Release Uncommitted Funds 10202011

New round of talks scheduled

2011-10-18T07:54:00.001-04:00

Representatives from the School Board and NFT will meet on Tuesday, November 1st at 6pm for further negotiations.
.

The $62 million ticking time bomb

2011-10-12T15:54:00.007-04:00

As the NSB and NFT continue negotiating salary and benefits, there is one not-so-little issue that everyone better keep an eye on – The Public School Employees Retirement System, or PSERS. With the long anticipated hike in employer contribution rates almost upon us, Pennsylvania school districts are looking at rate increases from the current 8.65% up to 12.19% next year, and as high as 26.26% in the 2020/2021 school year.

Just how bad can it get for tax payers? Well, if you gotta ask . . .

Our district’s annual payroll for teachers is $50,202,222. Multiplied by the current employer contribution rate of 8.65%, this means Neshaminy’s contribution for this year will be approximately $4,325,000.

Now let’s just assume teacher salaries remained exactly where they are for the following 9 school years. Even with a flat payroll in 2012/2013, the increase in the PSERS employer rate means that Neshaminy’s contribution will jump by a little under $1.8 million to $6,119,650. And it gets worse as the employer rate jumps. By the 2020/2021 school year, the 26.26% rate translates into a $13.2 million contribution, which is $8.8 million more than what we are contributing now.

When you add it all up, over the following 9 years Neshaminy tax payers will be fitting the bill for a staggering $62,608,994 in increased employer PSERS contributions. And that’s assuming teachers don’t get any salary hikes between now and then.

Of course we could pray that Harrisburg comes up with some magic bullet fix to PSERS without bankrupting tax payers, but we cannot plan on that. So for now, every contract offer that increases teacher salaries must also be viewed in light of its potential impact on our employer contribution.

And in the midst of all this, we still have a school district to run.

NFT claims credit for class size

2011-10-07T14:51:00.000-04:00

Soon after Ritchie Webb's Monday clarification on class size, the NFT stepped right in to take credit by telling Patch.com they were pleased to learn that the Board has taken the possibility of class size increases off of the table "following NFT leafleting and contacts with parents about the issue."

The NFT would have you believe that the pressure they applied somehow manipulated the Board into making a decision we didn't want to make, but nothing could be further from the truth. They've used far more aggressive tactics that have accomplished nothing, so it's ludicrous to believe their handing out of leaflets had anything to do with the Board's decision regarding class size.

In reality, credit for this decision rests with the Board's negotiation team and the Citizen's Advisory Panel. During their review of the collective bargaining agreement several months ago, it was agreed that nobody wanted to see an increase in class size and so this issue was removed from consideration.

Although some confusion was caused by the circulation of an incorrect version of the last offer to the NFT, it doesn't alter what the Board intended nor does it change who is responsible for the idea.

Let's give credit to where it is truly do in this case ... Thank you to the Citizen's Advisory Panel for putting the concerns of our students above of all else.
.

Playwickian earns award

2011-10-07T11:56:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to the 2010-2011 Neshaminy High School Playwickian editors and staff writers for receiving the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Medal Certificate of Excellence for High School Journalism.

The CSPA judges stated, “What a delightful read! Your coverage is fair and diverse and really covers all aspects of your school and community. Your paper is engaged in what is going on at school and around you.”

The CSPA has critiqued The Playwickian for the past 35 years and has received a Gold Medal for an outstanding 24 years.
.

Webb: Board won't increase class size

2011-10-03T14:20:00.002-04:00

In an effort to clarify the Board’s position on the issue of class size, Ritchie Webb today reaffirmed that the Neshaminy School Board has no intentions of increasing elementary or secondary school class sizes as outlined in the last teachers' contract. The only change sought by the board concerns adoption of the State Board/Department of Education recommendations as they relate to special education case loads.

Webb said, “at the very next issuance of a Board contract proposal to the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, we will include clear language that will put aside any concerns the public may have regarding elementary or secondary school class sizes.”

Webb added that he hopes this clarification will bring an end to those people trying to exploit the issue in an effort to draw attention away from the many key outstanding issues which are part of the current negotiations with the NFT.
.

Not nice in Neshaminy

2011-09-29T08:21:00.002-04:00

An editorial in today's Courier Times . . .

Not nice in Neshaminy

“Never let a crisis go to waste ...” That advice, famously offered by former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, seems to have resonated with the Neshaminy teachers union, whose leaders are getting lots of mileage out of a shoving incident at the high school.

Details are scarce, but the shoving match allegedly involved a high school secretary and a union leader. A criminal complaint was filed by the union.

We’re not dismissing the seriousness of the incident. If a union leader was shoved, as the union contends, it’s a serious infraction — if not criminal — and district officials are obliged to take disciplinary action if police determine that the secretary was the aggressor. That said, union officials are using the incident in an opportunistic way — to blame a school board member’s private blog as well as board inaction for inflaming the community.

This is what can happen, union Vice President Anne Schmidt said, if the school board allows “open season on teachers.” Schmidt was referring to comments on board member William O’Connor’s blog — some of them not very nice. She also referenced public comments at school board meetings, some of which union officials say are either false, inflammatory or both. They said that by letting the comments go unchallenged, the school board is allowing animosity to build up within the community regarding the district’s longstanding contract dispute with the teachers.

There’s some logic to Schmidt’s argument. But her charge against O’Connor and the board absolves the union of any responsibility for ill will. We’ll accept that there is ill will, because to deny it is to deny reality. After four years of acrimony between the union and the board — including two work slowdowns and a boycott of last year’s Back-to-School Nights — well, yeah, the community is a little ticked off. That residents are wearing T-shirts to board meetings in support of the board says something about the community’s feelings.

But let’s not forget that teachers clad in union T-shirts have been a regular part of meetings for some time now. And those union members are hardly silent. Likewise, the union has hardly been understanding of the difficult financial situation both the district and district families are in.
The “Great Recession” is taking its toll on the incomes of both. Yet the union’s demands reflect not today’s tough times, but the boom years of earlier decades. No wonder the community has gotten fed up and perhaps ill tempered.

Still, we’re not excusing bad behavior; it’s simply not acceptable. To that end, the board has a responsibility to address the inaccurate comments of misinformed citizens speaking at meetings. People need to know the truth so misinformation doesn’t unfairly bias anybody.

O’Connor’s situation is a little more dicey. Policing blog comments can be a time-consuming, frustrating and thankless task. We know of what we speak. But if you’re going to invite commentary, the least you should do is remove threatening and tasteless commentary. We trust O’Connor has the sensibility to know what’s acceptable and what’s not.

While we agree with O’Connor that “people are responsible for their own actions,” when people act irresponsibly, those in authority must step in. That goes for board members and union officials alike.
.

Miscellaneous musings

2011-09-28T09:15:00.029-04:00

Yesterday’s NFT press conference blamed the district, the board, and yours truly for “indirectly” causing “increasingly dangerous acts against members of the NFT.” Their evidence – several allegedly defaced lawn signs, and a shoving incident between a secretary and a teacher last week. Oddly enough, the only documented evidence of a problem between a teacher and a parent/tax payer occurred in Levittown, where the spouse of a teacher was observed removing a pro school board lawn sign from the resident’s lawn.

Undoubtedly union officials will blame this spouse's actions on reading my blog and Facebook page.

Patch.com has the NFT press conference posted on their website.

******************

Regarding last week’s shoving match, while I cannot comment on the specifics, I must say that I’m shocked the NFT will throw a member of their sister union, NESPA, under the bus publicly just so they can make a baseless accusation against the Board. Should the NFT ever go on strike, I wonder how many members of NESPA, if any, will stand by them on the picket line.

******************
The irony of this confrontation between secretary and teacher is that it has absolutely nothing to do with the school board or bloggers or the angry vocal minority. There is so much more going on here than meets the eye.

******************
And for today’s “REALLY?!?” award … To Anne Schmidt for even hinting that things could escalate to the point of what happened to US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

******************
During last night’s Board meeting, Kim Koutsouradis challenged the NFT leaders to allow a 3rd party to count the votes at the upcoming union elections. Excellent idea, and I hope union officials will take that idea and run with it.

Since there are many teachers at the upper end of our compensation scale who will want to protect those retirement perks, I do think current leaders will survive their election. But if they see a significant amount of discontent among the rank and file, perhaps that will alter their approach to negotiations.

******************
Yes, you heard right. The cost of NFT retirement perks, including the $27.5k payout and free insurance, have cost tax payers around $40 million since they were implemented. It's one thing to ask residents to share the financial burden of public education, but it's something entirely different when not one dime of that burden ever finds its way into the classroom to the benefit of children.

******************
Last night I incorrectly stated that an arbitrator concluded that harassment occurred in the case of a union official confronting another teacher regarding back to school night last year. In his ruling, the arbitrator reduced the 5-day suspension down to 1-day, and said that in his opinion this incident “was not harassment … because an ordinary person, although perhaps very annoyed, would not have found it harassing.” The arbitrator added his opinion that the union official did not intend to harass their colleague to the point they could not perform their job, and actually went to the classroom "for the exact opposite purpose." The arbitrator concluded that the District did have a right to “impose discipline for the Grievant’s unwelcome classroom visit.”

I regret the misstatement.

******************

To resident Lee Kirsh who last night stated that nice comments about teachers posted on my Facebook page seem to disappear - how about a little proof, please. Can you have someone contact me and provide details of any "nice" comments that were deleted? You see, I do not delete comments simply because they may come from someone who disagrees with me. And I certainly don't purge positive things said about teachers.

Perhaps Mr. Kirsh you didn't happen to notice the thread I posted in May honoring National Teacher's Week, and the 70 or so positive comments from readers that followed.

As you can see from the section above, if I make a mistake I am willing to acknowledge and correct it. Are you willing to do the same?

******************

In the midst of all the controversy, you should take a moment and enjoy humor when you can. During the second public comment last night, Steve Rodos had reached the 3 minute limit of his speech when he stated his feelings of something the Board could have been doing better. At that very second, Ritchie Webb interrupted him to say his time was up. Everyone started to laugh believing that Mr. Webb was just kidding, and so Mr. Rodos continued to speak. Then Webb jumped in again and said he wasn’t kidding at all and that Mr. Rodos’ time had truly expired.

The exchange between both gentlemen was purely coincidental yet perfectly timed, and it gave the audience a much-needed laugh.

******************
Did you see my picture with today’s Courier Times’ article? Do I always look that brooding? I need to cut back on the caffeine.

But I ask you ... what other elected official can pull off a purple shirt and matching tie like that? :-)

******************
I won't be at the October 11th meeting, so that leaves me with just three board meetings left before the end of my term, and it can't happen fast enough for some people, I'm sure.

Let the countdown begin!

Board issues clarification

2011-09-08T15:15:00.001-04:00

The following supplement to last night’s Board statement will provide clarification to the modified proposal put forth by the Board during yesterday’s meeting with the NFT.

After careful consideration of the cost factors involved, the Board offered to accept the insurance plan requested by the NFT, Customized PC-20/30/70, in exchange for a 15% premium contribution to be paid by the certified staff. The cost of this plan is actually less than the PC-20/30/70 plan the Board proposed on July 18th.

Assuming a 15% contribution by the teachers, the savings to the District is over $4 million for the first year, and will continue to yield significant savings every year thereafter. The 15% contribution would be consistent with the rate paid by all other district bargaining units, and existing retirees would be required to pay this contribution. Future retirees may obtain insurance coverage if they pay 100% of the premium.

The Board also offered to reinstate teachers for education credits not recognized over the past three years. The one-time cost of this expense will be approximately $2 million. Again, this is for education credits only, not service steps.

By recognizing education credits, the Board is looking to help the younger teachers in a way that will reaffirm our commitment to their valued service. Beyond this point, however, the Board will no longer recognize MEQ credits.

The combination of these two moves provides the NFT with some concessions they are looking for, and tax payers will benefit from the net-positive impact that will result from the much-needed savings from the high cost of health care premiums.

All other aspects of the Board's July 18th proposal remain in place.

This is just one step in the process to resolving this contract impasse, but it is an important development that we hope union leaders will share enthusiastically with their membership.
.

Board modifies proposal

2011-09-07T22:17:00.001-04:00

Meeting #35 lasted 3 hours, 5 minutes. The two parties did not meet face-to-face but instead the mediator acted as a go-between.

After confirming it could not accept the NFT’s recent proposal, the Board proposed to accept the NFT’s requested health plan of choice, Customized PC-20/30/70, provided the NFT members contribute 15% toward their premiums. The board also proposed to pay column movement (education credits, not retro pay) bringing the certified staff up-to-date. With the estimated cost of compensating the younger teachers to be $2 million, the Board would use savings from insurance contributions to subsidize this added expense.

The Board is continuing to negotiate from its 7/18/11 proposal and is using that as the basis for its ongoing negotiations.

Once again the NFT has questions regarding cost projections. The mediator will meet with finance representatives from both groups to qualify the numbers.

No new meeting has been set at this time but one will be scheduled following the meeting between the mediator and the finance representatives.
.

Board releases details of NFT verbal

2011-09-06T17:06:00.004-04:00

The Neshaminy School Board issued the following statement to the press a few moments ago . . .

Since the NFT was unable to live up to its own promise to submit a written version of their latest contract proposal to the Board, and in order to keep negotiations moving forward, the Board has chosen to release its own notes of the NFT's verbal proposal given during meeting #34, on August 29th, 2011.

As of the August 29, 2011, verbal offer the NFT is still demanding that all terms and conditions of the 2002 CBA be included as the basis in the next contract with no changes, unless otherwise proposed.

August 29th, 2011 NFT Verbal Proposal

Contract Term 6 Years

All Current Bargaining Unit Employees will be moved four years forward and placed on step, with educational credits; NFT estimated total costs $ 7.2 million dollars. The cost of step movement for school year 2008-2009/ 2009-2010/2010-2011 is estimated by the NFT to cost $5.3 million of the $7.2 million. The NFT is recommending that the District reimburse employees in 12 equal payments $ 441,666 or $1,766,664.00 per year for three years 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2011/2012.

The NFT proposes the following salary adjustments that would be additional to the above costs.

2008/2009 -0 %

2009/2010 -0 %

2010/2011 -1 % plus steps and education credits (Board analysis confirms this to translate to 3.1%)

2011/2012 - 2.75% plus steps and education credits (Board analysis confirms this to translate to 5.34%)

2012/2013 – 3% plus steps and education credits (Board analysis confirms this to translate to 5.30%)

2013/2014 – 3.50 % plus steps and education credits (Board confirms this to translate to 5.5%)

Early Retirement Incentive:

Retirement Health Insurance would only cover employee and spouse, no dependent coverage; this would require 15 years of service. Retirees will contribute same percentage toward health insurance cost as those currently working. The NFT wants to freeze contribution rate, flat rate at 8% of current costs, with no future increases.

The NFT wants to keep current health plan with a few modifications. Rx plan would be same as current with no single source clause. Self insurance would be acceptable to NFT.

Retirement cash payment, currently $27,500.00, with a ten year service requirement.

Retirement incentive changed to 20 year requirement to qualify. New amount $20,000.00 plus $ 1,000 each additional year of service past 20 years, but will max out at $ 25,000.00.
.

District puts a "chill" on NFT rights

2011-08-31T17:15:00.011-04:00

After being admonished for distributing union literature to parents at a school district event, the NFT once again files a legal challenge to the superintendent's authority

Not a day goes by that some frustrated parent or tax payer doesn’t blog a demand that administration does something to limit what many consider to be invasive tactics employed by the NFT. What they do not know is that administration does enforce district policies and practices on an ongoing basis, but their efforts are challenged regularly by union officials seeking to overturn whatever administration is trying to uphold.

Since July 2010, the NFT has filed 9 grievances and 5 unfair labor practices against Neshaminy, most recently in an appeal of Dr. Muenker’s order that the union refrain from disseminating their literature on district property during school-related events.

An unfair labor practice is filed with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board for alleged violation of the Public Employee Relations Act. A grievance is an appeal of an alleged contract violation, a past practice or a disciplinary action as governed by a collective bargaining agreement. It is filed first to a building principal, then appealed to the superintendent, then onto an arbitrator.

In this most recently filed ULP (see below), the NFT challenges the actions of our superintendent, saying that Dr. Muenker intended to “chill the exercise of the Union and teachers’ rights … to silence the Union …” (page 5, section 9, first sentence).

Every time the NFT files such a complaint, administration must exhaust their time and tax payer money for legal fees to defend their actions. So even though the public may believe our administration allows the union to go unchallenged, there are 14 examples filed in the preceding 13 months that prove just the opposite.

Post Script - Undoubtedly NFT leadership will consider this post to be nothing more than an effort to derail or distract negotiations. Mind you, they didn't concern themselves with starting a controversy by handing out unapproved literature in violation of district policy. And when confronted about the matter, they didn't hesitate to file an unfair labor practice. It appears that when the NFT takes an action, they call it communicating or standing up for union rights. But when anyone in the district, board or public speaks out against their actions, union leaders dismiss it as stirring the pot. How convenient. How chilly.

Unfair Labor Charge 8-26-11 NFT - School Property

Highlights of Meeting #34

2011-08-29T22:11:00.001-04:00

NFT offers revised verbal proposal

Meeting #34 began at 6:45pm and lasted 2-1/2 hours. At the request of the state mediator, Board President Ritchie Webb and NSB attorney Chuck Sweet met with union leader Louise Boyd and NFT attorney Tom Jennings to review the findings of the AFT’s Washington, DC-based Research and Information Director. As this portion of the meeting ended, Mr. Webb reviewed the data with the rest of the NSB negotiating team while the representatives from the NFT took a 50 minute caucus before returning with a revised verbal proposal.

Mr. Webb requested the revised proposal be put into writing so that the information could be shared with the rest of the school board. The NFT indicated they would submit a written proposal sometime this week.

As has been Board practice throughout these negotiations, details of the NFT revised proposal will be shared with the public once it has been formalized in writing, and after the details have been vetted by the Board. Until that time, the Board will not comment on the contents of the latest counter offer.

Both sides agreed to meet again on Wednesday, September 7th at 6pm.
.

NFT Roadshow coming to a school district near you!

2011-08-19T12:02:00.001-04:00

Interested in knowing where and when the NFT will show up next, and what they will say to you? More importantly, are you concerned where they obtained your home phone number from?

The NFT documents below are:

1 – “NFT Roadshow” tells you when and where they will appear
2 – “Parent Script” gives you the very words the teachers will use when they call your home phone (by the way, the author of this document is Dawn Le from the AFT)
3 – “How to Access E-school from Home” proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the NFT is using proprietary, confidential Neshaminy information for union purposes (this info has been sent to our solicitor for review)

With the assistance of the AFT, it seems the NFT will stop at nothing to protect the status quo.

Picketing … WTC … inappropriate use of confidential info … calling you at home. This is the NFT.

NFT Roadshow August 2011

Parent Script August 2011

How Access E-school From Home

Who's calling the shots?

2011-08-19T08:57:00.010-04:00

In recent weeks it has become clear the NFT has a new ally in the battle to protect the status quo as the Washington, DC-based American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has brought their considerable resources to Neshaminy. NFT press releases and media updates now filter through the AFT, and even last week’s infamous town hall style telecon with Louise Boyd originated from the 202 area code. This leaves residents wondering who is in charge of the NFT’s reinvigorated PR strategy.

If you are not familiar with the AFT, here are some eye-opening numbers for you . . .

According to AFT’s financial filings for 2010, they had net assets of just under $116 million, and they don’t mind putting that money to use either. Among their 2010 expenditures are:

Communications - $11.5 million
Organizing - $39 million
Strategic Support - $19.9 million
State federations’ solidarity funds - $5.2 million

According to OpenSecrets.org, the AFT and its affiliates doled out nearly $5.28 million in federal campaign donations and PAC money during the 2010 election cycle. In fact, since 1990 the AFT has written checks for more than $31 million in campaign donations and PAC contributions.

The Wall Street Journal reported that AFT president Randi Weingarten’s compensation in 2010 exceeded $600,000, which includes money from other sources beyond the AFT. Filings from the Department of Labor reveal that the American Federation of Teachers disbursed $428,284 to Weingarten last year. Her gross salary is $342,552, but benefits and other disbursements raise that number to almost half a million dollars.

The fact that Weingarten commands such a hefty salary doesn’t really concern me since she is free to make as much money as teachers unions are will to pay her. And to be fair to the AFT prez, I have read a number of positive comments about some of the humanitarian causes she supports. However those causes aren’t the reason for her coming to Neshaminy. Let’s face it, all Randi Weingarten knows about our community is that she drives through it when she travels the I-95 corridor from her NYC home down to the AFT offices in DC. She and the AFT are outsiders who were invited into our community by Louise Boyd and the NFT, and they’ve brought their powerful influence along for the ride.

Harrisburg has made sure that school boards have one hand tied behind their backs when it comes to dealing with teachers unions. Now our other hand must fend off a very powerful combination of adversaries. It’s impossible to know just how much control, if any, the AFT is exerting over the NFT. All we know is that they are here now, and the change is noticeable.
.

Talks continue but little progress reported

2011-08-15T22:26:00.005-04:00

The 33rd session between the NSB and NFT earlier this evening lasted 2-1/2 hours. Board representative Ritchie Webb and attorney Chuck Sweet spent most of the evening in face-to-face discussions with NFT president Louise Boyd and their attorney, Tom Jennings. The state mediator was not present for tonight’s meeting due to a prior commitment.

Although there isn’t much progress to report, the dialogue between both parties remained civil and direct. Once again the NFT had no counter to the Board’s July 18th proposal. No concessions were made by either side this evening and no tentative agreements were reached, but Mr. Webb did confirm the top priorities including reiteration of the Board’s position that there would be no retroactive pay.

Conversation focused on health care, contributions, retirement perks, longevity, and other financial issues. The union acknowledged they are now using the assistance of an AFT (American Federation of Teachers) representative from their research and information service department to help analyze the numbers. The NFT also acknowledged that the step costs reported by the Board at last week’s meeting were more accurate than theirs, but further refinement is necessary.

Another meeting has been set for Augst 29th, which allows the Board time to gather information requested by NFT relative to contract costs. The state mediator will be available for this meeting.
.

A "positive" development

2011-08-11T21:13:00.003-04:00

Update on tonight's negotiations with the NFT . . .

Meeting #32 lasted for 2 hours, 20 minutes, and although there were no major breakthroughs, Board President Ritchie Webb referred to the meeting as "positive."

The NFT did not offer a counter proposal at tonight’s meeting, so the Board’s negotiation team asked to review its last proposal of July 18th with an emphasis on the costs of the proposal and the savings that would be necessary to approach an agreement. Mr. Webb stressed that we do not want a contract we cannot afford.

The mediator indicated the NFT wanted to be placed on the salary steps they would have received in accordance with their previous proposal. The NFT believed the cost of this move would be $1.2 million. This differed significantly from the Board's estimate which placed the costs in excess of $4.8 million for the 2011-2012 school year. Further review of this topic is needed.

It is important to note that this was not a new proposal but rather a review of the Board’s previous offer.

Both sides agreed more meetings were warranted, and the next session has been scheduled for this Monday, August 15th.
.

Simon says

2011-08-09T09:04:00.004-04:00

In today’s Courier Times is a guest opinion from Pennsbury’s Simon Campbell who takes aim at Ritchie Webb and the Neshaminy School Board for being “tough but nice” in our teacher contract negotiations. I’m sure Louise Boyd would like a moment for rebuttal.

Mr. Campbell’s whole gig is based on his anti-union stance, and he feels we in Neshaminy just aren’t as tough as he is. While I respect Campbell’s views and his activism, I’m disappointed by his Michael Moore-like if you don’t believe as I do then you are wrong mentality.

Since Day 1, the Neshaminy Board has made it clear that our focus was on funding our children’s education in a way that won’t unfairly burden our tax payers. Our stand isn’t based on being anti-union, but it does pit us against the NFT and a burdensome, unaffordable contract. This very fact should put us on the same side of the field as Campbell, but he doesn’t see it that way.

All of us on the board have opinions about unions, certainly about Neshaminy’s if not all public unions. But that doesn’t mean that argument necessarily must be front and center in our philosophy when it comes to negotiating a new teacher’s contract. It’s perfectly ok for us to be focused first and foremost on our children’s education. It’s also perfectly ok that we don’t go around using tough anti-union speak all the time like Campbell does. It doesn’t mean that we are any less committed to our cause than Simon is to his.

Towards the end of his rant, Campbell questions if we are “scared of being labeled anti-union” as if that should be important to everyone. Hate to break the news to you Simon, but I don’t care if people think I’m anti-union or not. My primary concern is for the children of the Neshaminy School District. And I’ve never relied on nasty, hateful rhetoric to make my point. I prefer to stay on message using facts. But if anger and tough talk work for you, then go for it.

What Mr. Campbell fails to see is what we have accomplished in Neshaminy as a board, and perhaps he could learn a few lessons. Case in point: Immediately upon becoming board president a few years ago, Ritchie Webb’s very first action was to contact the minority board members (Bill Spitz and me) to bury the political hatchet and get us all focused on what really mattered to our students, parents and tax payers. Webb didn’t have to do that because he already had a solid board majority. He could have just ignored us but he didn’t. Instead Ritchie Webb saw the value in a board united, and the rest of us were more than willing to comply. No barging in on secret meetings, no in-fighting amongst board members.

Can you imagine Simon Campbell accomplishing anything like that?

But all this still leaves me mystified why Campbell would even bother to vent against the Neshaminy School Board. We shouldn’t even be a blip on his radar. Maybe the answer is found in the second sentence of this morning’s diatribe where he makes reference to the “editorial kudos” we’ve been getting. Is that it, Simon? Are you bothered by the positive press we are getting, and think maybe it’s taking the focus away from you? Are you upset that when people in this state talk about a board standing up to a union contract, the first word they utter is Neshaminy and not Pennsbury?

I sincerely wish Mr. Campbell and the entire Pennsbury Board well in their contract negotiations. I would prefer that this be a time that school boards across Pennsylvania would use this moment to come together in our common struggles rather than find opportunities to divide us. It’s unfortunate that Simon Campbell has chosen to do the latter.

But don’t worry yourself over what’s happening over here in Neshaminy, Simon. We’re getting along just fine without you.
.

Board issues proposed salary schedule

2011-08-01T16:31:00.004-04:00

Below is a salary schedule that Mr. Webb sent to the mediator, Mr. Cairns earlier today. This is a supplement to the July 18, 2011 proposal to the NFT which details the salary matrix through 2014. Although the Negotiation Team advised the NFT that the proposed salary increase was 1% across-the-board, the Board only provided the salary schedule numbers for the first year of the proposal and wanted to verify the last two years before issuing them.

The next negotiation session will take place on Thursday, August 11th.

Board Proposal 71811 - First Year 2011-12 Salary Schedule v2

New date set for talks

2011-07-28T15:02:00.006-04:00

The next negotiation meeting with the NFT will occur on Thursday, August 11th at 6pm.

In an email to the State Mediator, John Cairns, Neshaminy solicitor Chuck Sweet said that "In order for "meaningful negotiations" to occur, which both parties sincerely want, the Board and the community can only anticipate a meaningful response from the NFT to the comprehensive Board counterproposal of July 18, 2011. There will have been ample time for such a response to be developed."

One man's trash is another man's fiscal restraint

2011-07-20T07:39:00.016-04:00

A piece of trash. That's how NFT negotiator Jeff Dunkley referred to the latest Board offer during last night's public meeting. Louise Boyd called it an insult, and on the NFT Facebook page urged "all media to conduct an independent analysis of of the two proposals." Be careful what you ask for.

The Courier Times editorial staff did assess the situation, and they heavily favored the Board's position in this morning's opinion, Neshaminy's new offer: Lessons learned. According to the Courier Times, "If the U.S. Congress handled its affairs in the manner of the Neshaminy school board, debt wouldn’t be an issue." After pointing out some of the more expensive, unaffordable aspects of the current CBA, the editor's conclude "Taxpayers should be pleased that the current board has learned a very expensive lesson."

It's all about perspective. As the NFT sees it, they are being asked to give up a significant amount of the benefits and prestige they achieved in previous contracts. From their point of view, this latest Board offer is so bad that it deserves to be called names. Then there is the public reaction, where people working in the private sector are struggling financially and feel little sympathy for our certified staff's desire to maintain expensive, almost unprecedented benefits that the district cannot afford to pay. And caught in the middle is the Board who strives to find a way to maintain the educational programs for Neshaminy's students.

The NFT is circling its wagons as they insist they are unified as one, and threaten the Board with picketing at their homes and businesses, and issue an ominous warning that they will respond "at an appropriate time and in an appropriate fashion." The Board hasn't flinched and we remain committed to the principles that we began with over 3 years ago. And the public is scratching their heads in disbelief as they see teachers holding up signs that say "negotiate" while their union leaders walked out of Monday's session failing to do just that.

It's unfortunate for our students that there doesn't seem to be an end in sight to this impasse. I think everyone would agree that they deserve better than this. We need to do something to kick start these negotiations and make them more productive. The second thing we should do is allow videotaping and reporting of the sessions.

The first thing we should do is agree that nobody should abandon talks by storming out of the room.

Neshaminy in the news

2011-07-19T08:27:00.002-04:00

After yesterday's NSB press conference followed by the NFT walking out of negotiations, it's easy to understand why there is no shortage of press coverage. News clips appeared last night on TV reports on CBS 3, NBC 10, and Fox 29. And if you haven't caught this morning's print/online media coverage, here are several reports from the locals . . .

Patch.com

Bucks County Courier Times

Philadelphia Inquirer
.

Board publishes latest offer to NFT

2011-07-18T20:22:00.000-04:00

Board Proposal to NFT - Final - July 18, 2011 (D549988)

NFT accuses Board of insulting teachers, refuses further negotiations

2011-07-18T19:38:00.002-04:00

Meeting #31 lasted little more than a few minutes as the NFT attorney, Tom Jennings, proclaimed that the Board's latest offer has "insulted every teacher," and he added that the union would respond in an "appropriate manner."

Board president Ritchie Webb asked to schedule additional dates for talks but the NFT refused to consider his request.

No further meetings are scheduled at this time.
.

Board unveils new proposal

2011-07-18T17:15:00.004-04:00

Prior to this evening's negotiation session with the NFT, the Board released the details of its latest contract proposal to the media. A copy of the new offer was sent to the NFT earlier in the day.

Below are the highlights of the new offer. A copy of the new proposal itself will be posted tomorrow.

Stay tuned for an update later this evening on the status of tonight's negotiation session.

Highlights of NSB Offer to NFT 07182011

NFT to harass board members at home, work

2011-07-01T13:04:00.006-04:00

During their May 31st meeting with the rank and file, NFT officials unveiled their plan to take the battle to Board members’ front doors – literally. As union leaders summarized their efforts to date, they revealed to membership their 4-step plan which includes:

* Phone connect system [robot dialing] with school board members
* Picketing board member homes/businesses

Here is an unedited copy of the NFT’s Future Actions . . .

NFT May 31 Presentation Page 29

In June 2010, teachers became upset when an unknown resident started circulating letters to select neighborhoods which contained names and salaries of teachers living around them. I had at least ten teachers who came to me out of concern about this action, one even showing up at my home. I agreed such an action was highly inappropriate in a 6/24/2010 blog post where I made such comments as:

“Letters have been mailed throughout the Neshaminy area that list the names and salaries of teachers in specific developments …”

“One thing it is for sure is gutless …”

“Discussions about the NFT contract should occur at Board meetings and other appropriate public venues. At no time should anyone take action that brings the debate to a person's front door …”

Apparently these same teachers who came to me for help back then have no problem with people being harassed at home now, just as long as it isn’t them. Gutless.

At the last board meeting, the NFT objected to statements that some parents feared retribution from teachers against their children and themselves, and they did not hesitate to yell over parents and board members to make their point. How ironic they decried such concerns when all along, unbeknownst to attendees of that meeting, retaliatory measures had already been planned against the Board.

Since day one of these negotiations, teachers have felt misunderstood and unappreciated as they followed their union leaders like lemmings to the sea. And when the public reacts angrily to this latest revelation, they’ll wonder why so many in our community continue to harbor frustration and resentment towards them.

If they don’t get it by now, I’m not sure they ever will.

June 28th Board meeting cancelled

2011-06-27T15:39:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow night's Board meeting to hear the charter school application is cancelled. No further details are available at this time.
.

Teachers rally as board passes budget

2011-06-22T03:26:00.002-04:00

Here is the Courier Times' recap of Tuesday nights rather eventful, volatile meeting . . .

For the second year in a row, the Neshaminy school board was able to pass a budget without extra help from taxpayers.

The board voted 8-1 to approve the final 2011-12 budget, with no tax increase, in front of a packed auditorium, including a vocal crowd of hundreds of teachers.

The $161,288,736 spending plan did, however, include several controversial cuts to educational programs including 10th-grade physical education and eighth-grade foreign language classes as well as staff reductions.

Board President Ritchie Webb said that about $2.8 million was taken from the district’s reserve fund to balance the budget with no additional burden to taxpayers.

This marks only the fifth time since 1994 that the district passed a budget without raising taxes.
Board member William O’Connor voted against the budget as he had previously promised to not approve any budget that did not include an updated computer program for district elementary schools. He added that he supports the budget otherwise.

Intramural activities and high school clubs, which had been on the chopping block, were preserved in the final budget.

Officials said they are still unsure how much the district will receive from state funding, which made the six-month budget develop process difficult.

Hundreds of teachers wearing navy blue NFT shirts lined up outside the two entrances of Maple Point Middle School before the meeting to bring attention to their cause.

Many held signs with a variety of messages like “Negotiate Now!” and “Neshaminy deserves better!”

Union official Jeff Dunkley said the display was meant to reinforce the message that the NFT leadership is not a separate group from the general membership.

“We are teachers speaking on behalf of teachers,” he added.

Webb said before the meeting that a potential strike or returning to working to contract were always options for the union but added that he didn’t think they would help resolve the impasse.

The teachers then packed the front sections of the auditorium and continued to hold up signs. Usually the NFT members who attend the public meetings relegate themselves to the back of the room.

As board members entered and approached the stage, the teachers chanted “negotiate!” in unison.

You can read the entire article by clicking here.
.

Teachers grant strike vote authority

2011-06-21T05:29:00.002-04:00

The subtitle on the NFT website headline says it all: NFT’S GENERAL MEMBERSHIP AUTHORIZES LEADERSHIP TO CALL A STRIKE OR WORK TO CONTRACT AT THEIR DISCRETION.

Whether the rank and file has intentions of striking if they don't get what they want from negotiations remains to be seen, but clearly this is a shot across the bow of the Board and public. According to a statement by Louise Boyd, "The certified staff spoke loud and clear this evening that they are fed up with the district’s failure to negotiate in good faith.”

On the NFT Facebook page one teacher said, "When sisters and brothers stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us?"

No doubt the teachers believe this will further their cause. I'm not here to say bring it on because this is a very serious matter and it should be treated accordingly, but I do question their wisdom in granting such dictatorial powers to a leadership that has so badly misread and mismanaged the situation since the very beginning.

I see this as another instance in a long line of regrettable decisions by the NFT.
.

Courier Eds off base on thumbs down

2011-06-17T08:49:00.006-04:00

The Courier Times Editorial staff gave the Neshaminy School Board a thumbs down in today's paper by saying . . .

To the Neshaminy school board for canceling Thursday’s negotiating session with the teachers union.

Negotiators met Monday for the first time since February. At that meeting, the union formally presented its latest proposal. Regardless of whether board members believe the proposal is still too costly, which they do, there would have been no harm in continuing to talk. Instead, members want time to meet with their newly formed citizens advisory committee before meeting again. They tentatively agreed to meet the third week of July.

We don’t doubt that the union’s latest offer won’t yield the kind of savings the board wants and taxpayers need. But the union did compromise on a key demand — continued free health benefits. Granted, what they said they’d contribute isn’t nearly enough. But it’s a starting point.
That said, commendations to the board for getting citizens involved in the process, and, prior to that, for keeping the public fully informed.

Most of what the Courier said this morning was actually complimentary of the Board, but they were mistaken in placing sole responsibility for cancellation of Thursday's meeting on us.

During Monday's negotiation session, the NFT made it very clear that they felt the Board was wasting their time by not presenting a counter proposal, and that there was no reason to meet Thursday if the Board could not provide an offer. The mediator agreed, and so did the Board since we are committed to meeting with our Citizens Committee before drafting a counter. That is why our Monday evening press release stated that both parties mutually agreed to cancel Thursday's session.

We appreciate the coverage and fair reporting given by the Courier Times throughout this impasse, but they should issue a retraction on today's thumbs down.
.

Board rejects latest NFT proposal as "too expensive"

2011-06-13T21:28:00.002-04:00

The following statement was posted to the Board's Negotiation Website a few moments ago . . .

Meeting #30 between the Board's Negotiation Team and representatives from the NFT lasted about 30 minutes this evening.

The Board formally rejected the NFT proposal of May 31, 2011, stating the proposal was too expensive. The Board asked for additional time to prepare a counter proposal with the assistance of the newly formed Neshaminy Citizens Contract Advisory Committee. It was mutually agreed by the NFT and the Board to cancel this Thursday's (June 16th) meeting and reschedule for either the 18th or 19th of July depending on availability of the Board's council.
.

Board members weigh in on NFT proposal

2011-06-02T08:34:00.015-04:00

From an article appearing in Patch.com . . .

Tuesday evening, the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers unveiled a new contract proposal to the public and members of the press.

Though the Neshaminy School Board members didn't get the contract proposal until this morning from the board's solicitor, they have been able to review changes made by the NFT in this proposal.

Board member William O'Connor said Wednesday that he is gratified that "for the first time in three years" the NFT has agreed to contribute toward health care.

School board President Ritchie Webb said that the NFT contract proposal agrees to pay a flat rate toward health care. NFT President Louis Boyd said Tuesday that the contribution is estimated at about 8 percent toward the current health care plan, but with a flat rate contribution Webb said that if the cost of the plan goes up the teachers will still be paying the same rate.

In addition, O'Connor said he is still concerned about retroactive pay.

Boyd said Tuesday that the NFT would like to have a contract by the end of the school year. O'Connor said he thinks that is "highly unlikely" because the board has already committed to having a resident advisory panel, meeting with the union on June 13 and there are "a great many issues that going to have to be worked on."

"I think it would be difficult, but I’m certainly willing to work toward that goal," Webb said of the NFT having a contract by the end of the school year.

You can read the entire article by clicking here.

NFT announces new offer

2011-06-01T12:14:00.002-04:00

Following an 8:30pm press conference last night, the NFT forwarded a copy of their new counter proposal to our attorney (see below). The Board is currently reviewing this document, and we will issue official comment after we have had a chance to assess the cost implications and educational impact this latest offer.

Nft Proposal 05312011

NFT to unveil new offer tonight

2011-05-31T09:22:00.003-04:00

The following press release was issued by the NFT over the weekend. No details of the latest proposal have been revealed to the Board.

NFT Media Advisory 05272011

Negotiation dates announced for June

2011-05-23T12:09:00.003-04:00

This information just posted to the Board's Negotiation Website . . .

Representatives from the Board's Negotiation Team and NFT leadership will continue talks on Monday, June 13th, and again on Thursday, June 16th. Both meetings will begin at 6pm.
.

Stalemate drags on

2011-05-23T11:07:00.010-04:00

For Neshaminy residents who have been paying attention to the contract impasse, there really isn't anything new in today's Philadelphia Inquirer article although there are a few interesting insights, most notably this from Louise Boyd:

Boyd, a biology teacher at the high school, said the union would agree to have teachers share health-care costs as part of a total package they could accept.

But every time it has informally signaled its willingness, she said, the board has backed away and pushed a broader set of demands that include a longer school year, changes in the grievance procedure, and mandatory drug testing. As the union has "inched in" toward common ground, Boyd said, the school board has "moved away."

I'm sure you're wondering what "signaled its willingness" means. To my knowledge, there has never been a direct signal or hint from the NFT to the Board in this regard. On one occasion the mediator, through an email, did ask our solicitor, Chuck Sweet, how flexible the Board might be on the contribution percentage, and Mr. Sweet replied quite appropriately that the Board will not bargain via email, especially when the NFT has never "given us a number" regarding health care contributions.

If this was the signal Ms. Boyd is referring to, it certainly is not quite as clear as her much more direct statement about concessions during a December 2010 interview with the Inquirer which said . . .

Boyd, the union leader in Neshaminy, said teachers merely wanted to maintain their standard of living, and she rejected the notion of giving back to help the community. "We're not doing that," she said. "I don't want to make less. I don't want to ask you to make less this year than last year."

Also interesting in today's article is a quote from a parent who believes WTC is still an active strategy in some cases as she points out, "I love my children's teachers." But one child, she said, is being told to do her homework in class, one of the things many teachers did during the work-to-contract period last year. "How is that a really great learning experience, if you're only doing what the minimum is?"

Two things haven't changed - There has been no progress in negotiations since day 1, and our financial picture in Neshaminy hasn't gotten any better. If there is any hope for a solution, we need to see it in the form of real concessions from the teachers union. We need action, not hints.

The Ultimate Sin

2011-05-20T08:47:00.017-04:00

A school district exists for the purpose of educating and preparing our children for the future, and yet here we are considering cuts to the very classes we should be protecting, never mind the fact that there are programs we should be augmenting, such as elementary computer education.

We didn't get here overnight. The seeds for this disaster were planted many, many years ago, and they were fed by ongoing neglect by past boards, administration, staff, parents and tax payers. This neglect wasn't caused by a lack of caring. I think it's safe to assume that all people involved do care about the children. And this is why we are struggling as a community as to which things should be sacrificed from the budget. We don't want to cut programs, we don't want people to lose jobs, we don't want taxes to increase. Yet all of these things are on the table because we (and I mean everyone) failed to make tough choices in years past. Life teaches us that procrastination and pain avoidance are never solutions. Our troubles only grow worse when we do that. Lesson learned, Neshaminy.

The article Teachers defend programs on chopping block, appearing in today's Courier Times, includes reaction from teachers about potential cuts to phys ed and foreign language classes. I can't blame them for wanting to keep these programs. Nobody can. These people are educators who believe in what they are doing, and they care about their students. Unfortunately for them, while phys ed and foreign language are important, this district has neglected the math. When your revenue can't support your expenses, you're in the red. Negative integers are not acceptable by today's economic standards.

That brings us to the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Our cost of labor is too high. There's a difference between proper compensation and unaffordable spending. Some years ago, Neshaminy chose the latter. We have made some strides in recent years - our Support Staff has made sacrifices. Our Administration has made sacrifices. And we can't even promise that more won't be necessary. This situation makes the contract impasse with the NFT all the more frustrating. And this situation will continue to get worse while some attempt to use strategies like "restructure costs" as a way to avoid the inevitable, and long overdue, conclusion that teachers must contribute towards their health care premiums. It's not the only issue, but it's an awfully big one.

They say that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. In similar fashion, the NFT leaders ignore the math as programs are cut and jobs are on the line. Sacrificing children, teachers and tax payers, not in hopes of making education better, but done solely to preserve the status quo. That is the greatest sin of all.

Neshaminy's NIMBY

2011-05-11T09:32:00.003-04:00

The phrase Not In My Backyard is usually associated with controversial land development projects or building new prisons, but it became quite apparent during last night's public meeting that NIMBY applies to our latest budget crisis. Everyone agrees that the budget deficit is unacceptable, but nobody wants to feel the impact of dealing with it.

Allow me to summarize based on public comments from last night . . .

* This $11 million deficit is unacceptable (on this, I think we all agree)
* We do not want a tax increase (quite understandable)
* But do not cut any programs, not even 8th grade foreign language or 10th grade phys ed (that's going to make it tougher so maybe we will eliminate some support staff jobs)
* Do not cut support staff jobs as they already gave at the office (oh, ok. Not sure what's left)
* The teachers put us into this situation so they should suffer (how do we do that? We can't cut their pay or benefits, not even for retirees. We can't lay off teachers unless we consolidate or eliminate student programs)
* We said do not cut programs (that leaves us with a single option of raising taxes)
* We said no tax increases (Is it November yet???)

So our marching orders are to eliminate the $11 million deficit without raising taxes, cutting programs, laying off support staff or violating the past practices of the expired NFT CBA. Got it! We'll get back to you.

In the meantime, you can read more about last night's meeting in this Courier Times article from Christian Menno, and below is a report from Fox 29 with the latest news on the ongoing teachers contract impasse.

Double Bad News For Neshaminy: MyFoxPHILLY.com

Board pulls offer

2011-05-10T09:05:00.007-04:00

The following press release was posted to the Board's Negotiation Website:

BOARD FORMALLY WITHDRAWS CONTRACT OFFER TO NFT

May 10, 2011 (Langhorne, PA)

Neshaminy School Board President, Ritchie Webb, announced today that the three year contract proposal to the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers (NFT), first offered in 2008, was being withdrawn. Webb stated that this action leaves the Board free to make a new proposal effective July 1, 2011 and thereafter.

Teams representing the Board and NFT have met 29 times since January 2008, with the most recent meeting being February 15, 2011. No progress has been made in reaching a new agreement.

“This is not a moment for rejoicing as it signifies that our negotiations with the Teachers’ Union have not progressed, but we must continue trying to move forward,” Webb said.

The Board President continued, “We cannot allow lack of progress to discourage us from talking with union leadership. Our students and tax payers are depending on us to negotiate a reasonable and affordable contract, and this Board remains committed to ongoing, good faith negotiations.”

The Board’s initial offer from 2008 was highlighted by an average 3.1% salary increase, employee health care contributions ranging from 10%-12%, elimination of Master’s Equivalency (MEQ) certificates, increasing the number of work days from 188.5 to 190.5, lengthening the work day from 7.0 hours to 7.5 hours, and removing the $27,500 retirement benefit.

The Board’s offer was later amended to include an increase in the health care contribution rate to 15% - 17% based on the NFT’s desire to maintain a high cost, top tier insurance plan.

Mr. Webb also confirmed the Board’s intention of seeking public input into the formation of the next contract offer. “The people have shown tremendous desire in helping the Board determine what is reasonable and affordable. Since they are the ones paying for all this, I see no reason why we shouldn’t consider their suggestions.”

The Neshaminy School District is facing an $11+ million deficit for the 2011/2012 school year as the Board considers cuts to student programs and staff layoffs to close the gap.

Webb restated his desire for transparent negotiations with the NFT moving forward, saying, “By videotaping our talks and allowing news reporters into the room, we can remove any and all doubt as to who said what. Maybe then some real progress can be made.”
.

Timeline reveals truth about “Anytime, Anywhere”

2011-05-09T09:36:00.008-04:00

Today’s front page article in the Courier Times is full of important information, including more accusations between the Board and NFT regarding the willingness of either side to meet. I’m sure the public cannot understand how two sides can’t even agree on setting a date. But if you look more closely at the emerging facts, there is contradictory information coming out of the NFT camp when it comes to meeting anytime, anywhere.

Readers of the NFT’s Facebook page are aware of Ms. Boyd’s claims that nobody had gotten back to her regarding another meeting, but that argument quickly fell apart with the revelation that the mediator had emailed the NFT’s attorney with potential meeting dates. Next Ms. Boyd said that they were awaiting an answer to a question before they would agree to another meeting. The problem with that defense is that the email exchanges between the mediator, NFT and the Board reveal that the question was asked and answered, yet the NFT still did not advise the mediator of date they were willing to meet.

So much for anytime, anywhere.

Still confused? Here is a timeline of the communications which should clear things up for you:

1) Thursday March 3rd (10:18am), Ritchie Webb emails Board solicitor, Chuck Sweet, asking that he contact the mediator to expedite another negotiation with the NFT

2) Thursday March 3rd (10:43am), Chuck Sweet contacts state mediator John Cairns via email to request a meeting be set up with the NFT. Mr. Sweet did not recommend any specific dates

3) Thursday March 3rd (12:11pm), Cairns emails NFT attorney Tom Jennings asking for a meeting on March 17th based on his own availability

4) Thursday March 3rd (12:28pm), Jennings responds to Cairns questioning if a health care contributions by the NFT will cause any movement by the Board

5) Thursday March 3rd (1:05pm), Cairns emails Sweet to see what the Board’s response is to Jennings’ question

6) Thursday March 3rd (3:32pm), Sweet responds to Cairns that the Board will not bargain via email, especially when the NFT has never “given us a number” regarding health care contributions

7) Thursday March 3rd (3:47pm), Cairns emails Jennings that the Board will not discuss a counter offer via email, then he proposes 5 dates in April for a meeting.

Keeping in mind that it was only recently that the Board learned of these email exchanges between the mediator and the NFT, and unless there are other emails not yet disclosed to the Board, there are no outstanding questions to be answered. The Board will not negotiate with the NFT through the mediator via emails. There is no legitimate reason for the NFT not to respond to the Board’s request for a meeting.

Today’s article also includes the NFT’s “proof” of the $2.8 million they claim to offer the District in savings. Of course they used the Board’s proposed self insured Rx plan to account for almost half of that savings. If we didn’t exist on Planet Neshaminy, we would simply implement that plan and begin saving money now. Instead the potential savings sits in budget purgatory so the NFT can lay claim to it as part of “their” offer.

There is one thing in the article which is not in dispute – more budget reductions will be unveiled at tomorrow’s Board meeting. Yet NFT leadership doesn’t appear fazed at the prospect of their colleagues facing layoffs as student programs are cut. Not even the loss of 3 years worth of retro pay has prompted the union chiefs to budge on the key issue of employee health care contributions.

There is some good news to report – Just yesterday the NFT finally agreed to meet with the Board, suggesting several upcoming dates. It’s a shame it took this long, especially when there was no good reason for the delay.

Does anyone out there aside from me believe that if our negotiations were attended by a Courier Times reporter and were videotaped for rebroadcast that this delay would never have gone on this long?

Just something to think about.

Redefining "Anytime, Anywhere"

2011-05-03T13:33:00.006-04:00

Just posted to the Board’s Negotiation Website is the revelation that recent requests for another round of talks were rejected by the NFT with no explanation given to the Board as to why.

Despite the fact that the mediator did in fact reach out to union leadership to set another meeting date, NFT President Louise Boyd continues to insist on her Facebook page that nobody, including the mediator, has contacted her. Why she continues this claim despite evidence to the contrary is not known, but it is mystifying why she would allow her rank and file to walk into neighborhoods as recently as this past weekend and unwittingly deceive the public by telling residents that nobody has contacted them regarding future negotiations.

Late last week Ms. Boyd did contact Mr. Webb offering to work directly with him on scheduling another meeting, but earlier today he confirmed to Ms. Boyd his intentions of continuing to schedule meetings through the mediator. The Board President also reiterated his desire to having open negotiations to include a reporter present at all future meetings, and to allow the proceedings to be videotaped and rebroadcast on Neshaminy TV.

Here is the update which was posted on the Board’s Negotiation Website:

NFT rejects meeting requests

Last week the Board learned that our recent requests for additional negotiations were rejected by the NFT for reasons not yet explained to us. Unfortunately the Board and the public have been kept in the dark about this.

We are making the public aware of this situation so that they may feel reassured that the Board is committed to ongoing dialogue with the leadership of the Teachers Union, and we will continue to make every effort to schedule further negotiations with them.

Below is an email from the Board’s attorney, Chuck Sweet, to the State-appointed mediator, John Cairns, stating our displeasure with this most recent development and also reasserting the Board’s position with respect to a new collective bargaining agreement.

From: [Chuck Sweet]
To: [John Cairns]
CC: [Ritchie Webb]
Date: Sun, 1 May 2011 21:38:19 -0400
Subject: NFT negotiations

John,

I just learned on Friday, April 29, 2011 that you had, on six (6) occasions since my letter to you of March 3, 2011, offered in writing to Tom Jennings and NFT specific bargaining dates, beginning with March 17, 2011 and continuing with five (5) additional dates in April, 2011. The most recent of those dates was April 27, 2011. Unfortunately, you did not copy me on any one of those e-mail messages. You have also not communicated with me by telephone or e-mail since March 3, 2011. Also unfortunately, the NFT did not accept any one of the dates that you offered.

The NFT President, Louise Boyd, makes a great show of saying that she and the NFT are available at any time and any date to negotiate with the Neshaminy School Board. That is obviously not a true statement.

We have been bargaining continuously with the NFT since January, 2008. We are well into our fourth year of negotiations. The three (3) year proposal made by the Board to the NFT in January, 2008 will expire soon. It was always, by its terms, not retroactive to any date prior to its mutual acceptance and ratification by both parties. That has always been quite clear to the NFT and to the taxpayers. Any future offer from the Board to the NFT will only be for a prospective term, that would be defined in a new written offer.

I am available to you for communication, whether by e-mail, telephone, or otherwise.

Chuck

NSD could have saved $4 million in 2011

2011-04-22T13:52:00.027-04:00

Just posted to the Board’s Negotiation Website is a presentation of health care insurance costs from the April 12th meeting along with some notes added to clarify the slides. There are a couple of rather startling numbers contained in this data, most notably:

* If the NFT had accepted the Board’s proposed insurance plan which included a 17% employee contribution and reduced opt-out benefit, the District would have realized a savings of just slightly under $4 million this year.

* The monthly contribution for each teacher under this plan would have ranged from $94 to $229.

At Tuesday’s Board meeting, Dr. Muenker is scheduled to present his proposed budget for next year. With millions of dollars in budget cuts looming, it will be difficult for the public to understand why the NFT leaders have refused to make the concessions necessary to keep Neshaminy’s public education financially viable. The union leaders may also have to explain to the younger teachers in the lower tiers why they had to lose thousands of dollars in raises over something as little as $94 a month.

Here is the update provided by the School Board:

Overview of Insurance Costs

During the April 12th public meeting, our insurance broker presented information regarding insurance costs for employee health care. Below is the unedited presentation from Mr. Gulla, and it is based on the information recently obtained from our insurance provider, International Blue Cross (IBC).

Before reading this presentation, please make note of the following:
* The plan noted on slides #3 and #4 (PC 15) is the current plan enjoyed by virtually all of our teachers
* The plan noted on slides #5 and #6 (PC 20/30/70) represents the Board’s proposed plan
* The plan noted on slides #7 and #8 (PC Customer 20/30/70) is an alternative plan suggested by IBC
* The first slide for each plan (slides 3, 5 and 7) are based on current costs, while the second slide for each plan (slides 4, 6 and 8) are based on our “first look” estimate on next year’s costs as provided by IBC
* The slide for each plan has five (5) columns representing:
* Tier (type of coverage)
*** # of Subscribers (current or retired teachers who have this coverage)
*** Board Cost (monthly cost of coverage at 100%, with no employee contribution)
*** 15% = 11.25% (What the monthly employee contribution would be at 15% if they were in the 25% income tax bracket, when you factor in the pre-tax value per IRS code)
*** 17% = 12.75% (What the monthly employee contribution would be at 17% if they were in the 25% income tax bracket, when you factor in the pre-tax value per IRS code)

* Not included in this presentation is the cost of the teacher opt-out benefit at 37%, which will total $1.34 million in 2011

* If the NFT had agreed to the Board’s proposal of 17% insurance premium contributions with the PC 20/30/70 plan along with a reduction in the opt-out benefit down to 25%, the District would have saved approximately $3.96 million this year

NSD Teacher Premiums and Contributions 4-12-11

MEQ course ripe for cheating

2011-04-20T08:44:00.016-04:00

The Facebook chat went like this . . .

From November 4, 2010

Teacher 1: Hey, are you taking this classes? I got an A on parent trap. I'm almost done the motivation one. If you want I can forward you what I handed in. Let me know. They are due on the 30th.

Teacher 2: You would be the biggest hero in the world! I signed up late and now I'm scrambling!!!! Did I tell you I love you...

Teacher 1: I'll send it to your home email.

Teacher 2: If I could reach you...I'd kiss you! Cyber kiss and hug!

Teacher 1: Just sent the parent trap. I should be able to finish 988 by the weekend.

After a parent emailed a screen print copy of this dialog to me, I immediately forwarded it to Dr. Muenker and asked that the work submitted by these teachers for this online course be checked for possible plagiarism. Seems like a reasonable request, right? Apparently the online course provider, Learner's Edge, didn't think so because they don't keep a record of any course work submitted.

The Learner's Edge president told the Courier Times "Our instructors look at every assignment in order to catch anything that may not be considered honorable," but they don't have the mechanisms in place to catch anything at all, which is why I asked Dr. Muenker not to approve any further requests for Learner's Edge courses. Unfortunately Muenker's hands may be tied because the course program meets the requirements set by the state and is allowed under the terms of the last teachers' contract.

Once again fairness and logic are thwarted by Harrisburg and our CBA.

If you're like me, you have a great respect for people who put in the time and effort to earn an accredited masters degree. But this masters equivalency offered in our state is not a true degree, and I suspect the idea was created long ago at a time when teachers were not well paid. Things are different now. Our teachers are fairly compensated, and it's time that the MEQ program goes away. We may not be able to control what Harrisburg does, but it's certainly something we can fix in our next teachers contract.

As for these teachers who conspired to cheat, what happened to them? Nothing, because all that is proven here is an intent to defraud the system. For all we know, Teacher 2 may have decided not to plagiarize from Teacher 1. We do know is this - Teacher 2 earned MEQ credits from this Learner's Edge course, and potentially that could be worth thousands of dollars in salary and also in pension.

Kind of makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it?

Here is a link to a Courier Times article on this matter.

Time for answers, time for transparency

2011-04-12T05:48:00.007-04:00

My Guest Opinion as printed in today's Courier Times . . .

More answers, less deception from Neshaminy teachers union

In the March 31 article entitled "Health plan numbers don't add up," Neshaminy Federation of Teachers (NFT) President Louise Boyd commented that during the last contract negotiation session, union reps "were willing to go point by point and were prepared for hard questions but ... were dismissed." After reading that statement, wouldn't you think that Ms. Boyd was saying that the board was responsible for their dismissal from this meeting? I'm sure that's exactly what she wants you to think, and this is symptomatic of the half truths and deception that has plagued the NFT negotiations from the very beginning.

The truth behind this particular incident is that the state-appointed mediator dismissed both negotiation teams as he had another meeting. So it was not board members who ended the meeting, as Ms. Boyd's comment suggests. Of course, she can say that she never stated it was the board who "dismissed" them, but why not make that clear up front?

We can ask that same hard question of so many questionable things the NFT has done to this point. For example:

* Why does the NFT report a $2.8 million annual savings in one portion of their last offer when less than $900,000 has been identified?
* Why does the NFT report any kind of savings at all when the bottom line offer is actually more expensive than their original proposal?
* How is it possible that after three years of negotiations, the NFT has still not put employee health care contributions on the table?
* Why hasn't the NFT allowed the board to freely implement a cost savings measure of a self-insured prescription plan that has no negative impact on the teachers?

The NFT leadership wants you to know that they still have more questions, even after three years of negotiations. What the NFT leaders fail to recognize is that the public views this strategy as a stall tactic. Members of the public doesn't want more questions, they want answers. And the biggest question of all is which side is truly inhibiting the progress of our negotiations?

In a Jan. 6 article, I told the Courier Times that in order to avoid further instances of he said/she said, I wanted to allow public observers in future negotiations. This was supported by my fellow board members including board President and lead negotiator Ritchie Webb, who in a March 6 article was quoted as saying, "the union should agree to allow a Courier Times reporter to sit in on all future negotiating sessions." You would think the NFT would jump at this idea considering that they have accused the board of sending "conflicting messages" and using "fuzzy math." Instead, the NFT has soundly rejected this idea as exemplified by the following Facebook comment made by NFT negotiator Jeff Dunkley on Jan. 7: "At best, having 'observers' present would do nothing to aid the process. At worst, it would complicate and prolong the process. Moreover, how could anyone actually believe the BCCT would serve as an 'impartial [sic] observer?' REALLY?"

Yes, Mr. Dunkley, after three years, the negotiation process is going so swimmingly, let's not jeopardize the proceedings by letting the public or the Courier muck things up.

Representatives from the NFT will be meeting with the Courier Times Editorial Board on April 13 to share their side of things. I hope the Courier will ask the NFT why it won't agree to allowing some sort of public observation at future negotiations. Another plus would be if the NFT will actually bring some provable data to this meeting. It would be nice to address facts and figures for a change rather than dealing with an ongoing barrage of unsubstantiated accusations.

Each and every time the NFT has challenged the board on its numbers, we have responded not with nasty rhetoric, but with verifiable information. When we ask the NFT for proof of their data, all we receive in return is another Friday afternoon press release that attempts to change the conversation away from the unaffordability of their contract demands.

Plato once said, "They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth." Treating the board and public as the enemy must come to an end. Union leaders can no longer rely on their misleading information and discreet conversations, or dismissing disgruntled parents as a vocal minority hell-bent on union busting. It is time for the NFT to begin answering questions instead of asking them. Transparency would be a good place to start. .

The hard questions

2011-03-31T08:26:00.004-04:00

If you read today's Courier Times article entitled Health plan numbers don't add up, undoubtedly you caught Louise Boyd's comment that during the last negotiation session, the NFT reps "were willing to go point by point and were prepared for hard questions but ... were dismissed." After reading that statement, wouldn't you think that Ms. Boyd was saying that the Board was responsible for their dismissal from this meeting? I'm sure that's exactly what she wants you to think, and this is symptomatic of the half truths and deception that has plagued the NFT negotiations from the very beginning.

The truth behind this particular incident is that the mediator dismissed the parties as he had another meeting. So it was not the Board who ended the meeting as Ms. Boyd's comment suggests. Of course she can later say that she never stated it was the Board who "dismissed" them, but why not make that clear up front?

We can ask that same hard question of so many things the NFT has done to this point. For example:

* Why does the NFT report a $2.8 million annual savings in their last offer when less than $900k has been identified?

* Why does the NFT report any kind of savings at all when the bottom line offer is actually more expensive than their original proposal? (Repeat after me, there is no NET savings ... there is no NET savings ... )

* How is it possible that after three years of negotiations, the NFT has still not put employee health care contributions on the table?

* Why hasn't the NFT allowed the Board to freely implement a cost savings measure of self insured Rx that has no negative impact on the teachers?

The NFT leadership wants you to know that they still have more questions, even after three years of negotiations. What the NFT leaders fail to recognize is that the public views this strategy as a stall tactic. The public doesn't want more questions, they want answers. And they deserve that.

It appears that the NFT will be meeting with the Courier Times Editorial staff sometime in April to share their side of things. Hopefully they will actually bring some numbers and verifiable data with them. It would be nice to address facts and figures for a change rather than dealing with an ongoing barrage of unsubstantiated accusations.

Until the NFT can prove otherwise ... there is NO NET SAVINGS in their offer.

Board president considers seeking public's help in contract talks

2011-03-27T07:18:00.014-04:00

From today's Courier Times . . .

NESHAMINY SCHOOLS

Frustrated with the lack of progress in contract negotiations with the teachers union, Neshaminy school board President Ritchie Webb said he might want the public's help to help craft the next teacher contract offer from the district. The board's current proposal to the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers expires in June. If that happens and if there are no counteroffers on the table, Webb said the plan is to start from scratch creating a brand new offer.

"This is just my personal thought and there is nothing definitive on this yet, as it would require board approval, but I do feel the community itself should be involved," Webb said Friday. "It all depends on how many people volunteer (to help). If there is a high number then we could hold interviews and make selections based on that."

Webb said an ideal candidate would be a "reasonable person without an agenda" and one who is interested solely in working toward coming to terms on a contract.

If his plan comes to fruition, he said, the board would begin soliciting volunteers in early May so there would be no down time.

Board member William O'Connor said Thursday that one area in which the public input could be useful is in sculpting the wording of the job description for teachers.

O'Connor said the vague wording about the duties teachers were required to fulfill in the last contract allowed for the work-to-contract directive implemented by the NFT last year.

The school board has already included a provision in its latest offer that would force teachers to work three evenings during the school year. The mandate was added to assure that teachers participate in back-to-school nights, which most elected not to attend during the work-to-contract period in September.

Other aspects of the teachers duties that were not spelled out in the last agreement - and were affected by the work-to-contract - include decorating bulletin boards and holding holiday parties for younger students.

Webb agreed this could be an area that could benefit from residents' input, but cautioned that it is difficult to spell out every duty in a contract.

"Usually, there needs to be some sort of caveat in there that reads something like 'and other duties assigned,' " he said.

While both sides have said they want to get back to the bargaining table as soon as possible, NFT President Louise Boyd said the latest comments from the board are another example of a stall tactic.

"Over more than three years, this (Neshaminy school board) has made every gesture possible to communicate to our teachers that a negotiated settlement is NOT their end goal," Boyd said in an email to the newspaper Friday. "Mr. Webb knows we would meet at any time to discuss his specific questions, at the bargaining table. This board and administration are clearly waiting - hoping - that our membership will completely capitulate. We simply cannot allow the NSB to treat teachers this way."

Webb said he has contacted mediator John Cairns, who has been involved in negotiations, to set up a meeting but hasn't heard back him.

Boyd said Friday that "the teachers' elected officers will meet with the board anytime, any place."

"It is time to get this done," she added. "It requires time at the bargaining table - not time wasted on blogs dedicated to a small audience and manipulated by a few self-serving individuals, not from the stage at public meetings that provide no context and not from gaming the media to see who gets quoted. As for Mr. Webb's comment that the board's 'offer' will expire in June; how is that good faith bargaining?"

Christian Menno can be reached at 215-269-5081 or cmenno@phillyBurbs.com Follow Christian on Twitter at Twitter.com/cmenno_courier.

One reason to read Sunday's Courier Times

2011-03-25T17:39:00.002-04:00

By: Christian Menno, Calkins Media, Inc.

School board president Ritchie Webb said he is considering bringing in members from the public - frustrated with the lack of progress in negotiations - to help craft the next teacher contract offer from the district.

The board's latest proposal to the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers expires in June and, at that point, if there are no counteroffers on the table, Webb said the plan is to start from scratch with a brand new offer that features suggestions from residents.

"This is just my personal thought and there is nothing definitive on this yet, as it would require board approval, but I do feel the community itself should be involved," Webb added Friday. "It all depends on how many people volunteer. If there is a high number then we could hold interviews and make selections based on that."

According to Webb, an ideal candidate would be a "reasonable person without an agenda" that is interested solely in working towards coming to terms on a contract.

For more details, including comments from NFT President Louise Boyd, check Sunday's Courier Times or log onto Phillyburbs.com.

Board to teachers: Push union on contract

2011-03-25T07:45:00.002-04:00

From the Courier Times . . .

NESHAMINY SCHOOLS - Teachers union President Louise Boyd said the union leadership and the members are one and the same.

The Neshaminy school board directly addressed the district's teachers, skirting union representatives, in an open letter Thursday.

The letter asked the rank and file to help push negotiations in a "realistic and positive direction."
Board members have said recently that the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers leadership group is prolonging the contract dispute, which has lasted more than three years.

However, NFT President Louise Boyd, in response to the board's letter, said that the union leadership and the teachers that make up its membership are one and the same.

"There are no union bosses, so to speak," Boyd said. "These are teachers representing teachers. This is something that (board President Ritchie) Webb needs to understand. When you talk to the teachers or about the teachers, you are talking about the NFT. When you talk about the NFT, you are talking about the teachers."

Later, in a statement released by the union, Boyd again blasted the tactic by the school board.

"Once again, the board fails to understand that the certified staff of the district is unified and steadfast in its resolve to negotiate a fair and equitable contract," Boyd said. "This letter is a clear attempt to divide our membership by subverting the bargaining process. It is a failed strategy. They would be better off directing their time and energy towards finding creative solutions to reach a fair settlement."

You can read the rest of the article by clicking here.
.

NSB asks teachers for help

2011-03-24T16:42:00.003-04:00

The following open letter to the teachers was just issued by the Neshaminy School Board . . .

Cyberbullying to be discussed

2011-03-19T13:46:00.002-04:00

On behalf of the Neshaminy High School SPIN (Student Parent Information Network) Group, we would like to invite parents to a district-wide Cyberbullying Presentation being held in the Neshaminy High School Auditorium on Wednesday, March 23rd beginning at 7 p.m. Nationally acclaimed speaker, Tina Meier, will speak to parents of Neshaminy School District students regarding Cyberbullying and Internet Safety.

Ms. Meier began speaking to parent and student groups following the tragic loss of her daughter to suicide as a result of cyberbullying. Ms. Meier will cover topics such as, cyberbullying, bullying, bystanders and sexting and sharing with parents her own personal story.

Based on limited seating, community members should pre-register by calling 215-809-6100 between 7 AM and 3 PM. Students should not attend this presentation.

On the morning of Thursday, March 24th, Ms. Meier will speak to the entire Freshman Class at NHS then meet with a small group of Student Leaders across all grades.
.

Is anyone out there buying this?

2011-03-18T11:49:00.002-04:00

If you keep saying it enough, maybe people will believe you. Fortunately the Neshaminy community is a little too smart for that.

The NFT released another press release today insisting their last contract proposal offers $2.8 million in savings. Obviously the concept of NET savings (you know, the actual bottom line) still hasn't sunk in with Ms. Boyd, so she still refuses to accept that their most recent proposal is more expensive than their original.

But wait ... the NFT has dug deep into their 1970's playbook to pull out another gem ... the Board is trying to undermine teachers!!! How do they know this? Do they finally have something concrete and verifiable to base this accusation on??? Nope ... according to Ms. Boyd, "Based on discreet conversations, we've learned that offering any percentage toward healthcare will not result in a contract . . ."

Great, another mystery source of information courtesy of the NFT. If you want to read the full press release for yourself, click here.
.

PSEA: Teachers should accept pay freeze

2011-03-16T13:20:00.003-04:00

In a surprise announcement today, the President of the PA State Education Association (PSEA), Jim Testerman, said that while he was concerned about many of the budget cuts that affect education, he said that “… we want to do our part to ensure that our students' education does not suffer as a result of the worst recession since the Depression.”

Testerman went on to say, "As part of his budget proposal, the governor requested that education employees accept a one-year pay freeze. The governor stated that this decision is 'determined at a local level and arrived at by contract and collective bargaining.' As president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, I concur.”

There is no word yet from the NFT as to whether or not they will drop or reduce their demands for retropay as a result of Testerman’s recommendation.

You can read the entire press release by clicking here.

NFT accuses Board of failing the students

2011-03-11T11:43:00.002-05:00

A press release from the NFT website:

NFT March 11

Board trims $2 million from proposed budget

2011-03-09T08:42:00.002-05:00

Christian Menno's summary of last night's Board meeting . . .

NESHAMINY SCHOOLS - But Gov. Corbett's budget could cut even more in state funding for the district.

What started as a projected $11.2 million deficit in the Neshaminy School District's 2011-12 preliminary budget is now at about $9 million.

At Tuesday's school board work session, business manager Barbara Markowitz said that review of numerous line items and certain cuts has allowed officials to trim the deficit by about $2 million.

The district is required by the state to submit a balanced budget by June, she added.

Talk then shifted to Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget for the state that was unveiled Tuesday and calls for about $550 million in cuts to the Education Department.

According to Markowitz, Neshaminy's share of state funding will see about a $1.2 million decrease from the current school year.

Board President Ritchie Webb said this equates to about a 9.5 percent reduction.

District officials said they anticipated these cuts and budgeted accordingly. Neshaminy expects to receive a little more than $12 million from the state, which is comparable to the funding level of the 2008-09 school year.

Superintendent Lou Muenker said officials will have to "make some prudent decisions" as the budget process moves toward the June deadline.

"(The cuts from the governor) were not a surprise but are definitely a disappointment," Muenker said, adding that Corbett's budget has not been finalized and changes could still be made. "We need to move forward with the anticipation that those monies will not be there. But if something happens (with the governor's plan) and we get additional money then that will be a bonus."

Corbett's proposed budget, Webb said, would also eliminate the partial reimbursements from the state to school districts that allow charter schools to operate within their boundaries.

"Under this proposal we would not get anything back," he added.

The majority of the board last month denied an application from School Lane Charter School-Neshaminy for a K-12 school in Neshaminy. The refusal to grant a charter cannot be based on financial concerns, according to state law. The board pointed to what some saw as a lack of community support as a major factor in issuing the denial.

Officials from School Lane Charter School said Monday that they plan to resubmit an application to the board by the end of the month.

Christian Menno can be reached at 215-269-5081 or cmenno@phillyBurbs.com Follow Christian on Twitter at Twitter.com/cmenno_courier

Follow us on Facebook

2011-03-07T10:50:00.006-05:00

Just click here and join the conversation!
.

Union: District sends conflicting messages

2011-03-06T07:06:00.003-05:00

From today's Courier Times . . .

By CHRISTIAN MENNO Staff Writer Calkins Media, Inc.

NESHAMINY SCHOOLS

In a statement released Saturday, the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers is again accusing the district of sending conflicting messages regarding its projected financial situation.

The latest foray from the NFT led school board member William O'Connor to state that he "can see no end in sight" to the labor dispute while the teachers are represented by the current NFT leadership team - who he said has "mismanaged these negotiations from the very beginning."

The teachers union first questioned the school board's claim that the 2011-2012 preliminary budget features an $11.2 million deficit in a flier that was distributed to area homes last week.

That issue was brought up again Saturday, with the NFT stating that the board posted a revised budget projection dated Jan. 19 on its website that shows no deficit.

While the NFT contends that this should give the school board the ability to settle the longstanding contract impasse with the district's educators, board President Ritchie Webb said this claim shows a lack of understanding of the budgeting process on the part of the union and its public relations firm.

Teachers have asked for retroactive pay dating back to 2008 when the previous contract expired. The board has said it does not have the funds to agree to this and wants teachers to begin contributing to monthly health care premiums.

"To be clear, we are not suggesting the district ignore its planned long-range capital improvement projects," the NFT statement reads. "Nor do we advocate short-changing the educational programs that directly affect the lives of our students. What we are saying is that it is disingenuous of the (school board) to assert that it literally cannot afford to meet us at the bargaining table without depleting its reserves, raising taxes beyond Act 1 limits or cutting educational programs."

The district, however, is required by state law to eventually report a balanced budget, Webb said.

"It's not just Neshaminy," he added. "Several area districts are projecting large deficits and all have fund balances. (Acting business manager) Barbara Markowitz is prudently freezing all expenditures in order to do this. Exceptions can be granted but only with the approval of a supervisor. This is the procedure we have followed for many years and is nothing new."

This spending freeze, according to the NFT's statement, will deny this year's class of students "the materials and supplies they need to have a fair opportunity to learn and the staff resources needed to meet their students' needs."

Webb said that the union's claim that the district has more than $13 million in savings is inaccurate and that fund actually stands at $11 million, after $2 million was put in reserve to pay for the teachers' pension fund which he described as "nearly broke."

"The rate that our district must pay (to the pension fund) has increased almost on a yearly basis," he added. "Again, we go back to the state's recommendation that 5 percent of a school district's budget be held in a savings account and $8.3 million is that 5-percent for Neshaminy. That leaves about $3 million that we can spend on our children, contracts, building repairs and so on."

The union's statement concludes by urging the public to contact district officials and tell them that it is time for an end to the "take it or leave it" negotiating practice it says the school board is using.

Webb said that the union should agree to allow a Courier Times reporter to sit in on all future negotiating sessions.

"The board conducts all its business in the public and we are audited by an independent firm as well as the state and we operate in public," he added. "Why not the NFT?"

Christian Menno can be reached at 215-269-5081 or cmenno@phillyBurbs.com Follow Christian on Twitter atTwitter.com/cmenno_courier.
.

NFT wants district to tap into savings

2011-03-05T10:08:00.008-05:00

Proving once again they lack any sense of business acumen, the NFT has issued a press release doubting the gravity of our financial situation. In a nutshell they are challenging the district to deplete its reserves in order to meet their demands, yet they believe there is still sufficient room for us to meet our long range goals for education and facilities improvement.

After setting aside $2 million for the pending teacher's pension crisis, the district finally built its fund balance (savings account) above the minimally recommended 5% of expenses, or roughly about $8 million. Currently sitting at $11+ million, our savings account should be up for grabs according to the NFT, and yet we can still have enough for everything else. Talk about your new math!

We don't want to reduce our fund balance below the $8 million mark, so for argument's sake let's say that leaves us with $3+ million of fund balance money to play with. How are we to pay for $40 million in building repairs, continue to set aside money for the looming pension crisis AND also give the NFT the $11+ million in retro pay they demand? That's a long stretch for $3 million, isn't it?

And let's not forget that the NFT still insists on its contribution-free, Rolls Royce health care plan, $30k retirement perk, free benefits for retired teachers, shorter work day, etc.

What NFT leadership fails to comprehend is there is a difference between your savings account and your annual operating expenses. It is true we finally have regained strength in our fund balance, but the last thing we want to do is spend that money because we are living beyond our means. In the business world, you reduce expenses so you do not deplete reserves. Instead of dealing with the reality of an unaffordable contract, the NFT wants to treat our savings as if this was Wheel of Fortune.

Our fund balance was rebuilt through a number of cost savings measures such as closing buildings, laying off staff, reducing bus stops and eliminating the midday Kindergarten bus run, and restructuring our labor agreements with NESPA and Administration. But our annual operating expenses remain high largely due to the high cost of our labor. If that issue isn't dealt with effectively, Neshaminy residents will continue to be threatened with deficits year after year. And that leaves us with two choices: Reduce expenses, or cut student programs while raising taxes.

The math doesn't seem to concern the NFT. All they know is there is money in savings and they feel entitled to some of it, as if a few million dollars is all that separates the two sides. Our financial difficulties go way deeper than that. If we don't fix it, and fix it soon, our students will be the ones to suffer.

On a last note to NFT PR guru Bob Schiers, who attempted to use my own words against me . . . sorry Bob, but you didn't even come close to proving anything other than your own lack of understanding. Any time you and the NFT leaders want to come out and do this in the light of day, in full view of the public, my fellow board members and I will be more than happy to debate the facts with you. Until then, enjoy the safety of the darkness.

Courier editorial: Flier is confusing

2011-03-04T08:47:00.013-05:00

From today's Courier Times editorial page . . .

Thumbs Down

To the Neshaminy teachers union for the confusing flier it circulated to homes in the school district.

The flier claims that the union has "offered to contribute to teacher health care plans," saving the district "$2.8 million annually." This is either a "major step" forward, according to the school board president, or "designed to confuse the public."

We don't know which because our reporter has been unable to get a clarification from the union, despite repeated attempts.

As far as we know, the union negotiators have not budged from their insistence on continued free health insurance for its members. If they have, as the board president said, it's a "major step." We implore the union to explain.

Don't hold your breath Mr. Petroziello. We've been waiting for an explanation for 3 years now. .

Go Skins!

2011-03-01T16:52:00.001-05:00

Good luck to Neshaminy High School’s Men’s Basketball team as they play perhaps their biggest game ever tonight at Villanova in a AAAA District 1 semi-final match-up against Chester High School.

Go get 'em, guys!
.

Keyboarding pilot program a success

2011-03-01T16:49:00.003-05:00

During last night’s Education Development meeting, BCIT Lead Teacher Jerry Abramson along with Karen Richmond and Mary Cwiklinski updated the Committee on the Keyboarding pilot program being tested on two 4th grade classes from Ferderbar. Since our district lacks an elementary computer curriculum, this recently completed pilot program is being used to assess if we can provide our younger students with a more effective computer curriculum that will educate and inspire them. Based on the written comments from the students, I think we can safely declare the test a huge success.

One student stated “The first thing I like about keyboard class is it made me faster at it so when I went on my computer I typed faster than I would usually.”

Another student said “I liked that we got to learn how to change the font color and we also learned what was inside of the computer.”

And my favorite comment . . . “I can rub it in my brother’s face that I know how [to properly keyboard] and he does not.”

Phase II of the pilot program will hopefully expand this test into all the 4th grades in elementary school next school year. However if Phase II is equally as successful next year, then our Curriculum Instruction team will be challenged to come up with a comprehensive computer education program for our elementary schools. And that will be a real challenge because up until now we have been able to accomplish this pilot with existing staff and equipment. But if we are to offer a truly robust computer curriculum for our students, it will require a financial investment. Too early to say yet just how much that will be, but let’s keep watching our pennies wisely now so we can invest in our children’s future.

Special thanks to Jerry, Karen, Mary, and everyone else involved in the pilot. You guys rock!

Left with no forwarding address

2011-03-01T13:49:00.000-05:00

Important Note - The Courier Times changed their website but did not redirect URL's for previous articles, so any links to Courier Times articles below will no longer work. Please make note of the Courier's new web address at:

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/

Fuzzy Math? How about FUZZY ENGLISH???

2011-03-01T07:41:00.000-05:00

It didn't take long for the confusion set in. As members of the NFT began handing out their fliers this past week (see below), residents questioned a union proposal which according to the flier would "contribute to teacher health care plans that would have saved the District $2.8 million annually." One tax payer wrote to me saying that this was wonderful news, and wanted to know why the Board hadn't publicized the fact that teachers were willing to contribute towards their health care premiums.

Yes, it is wonderful news. If only it were true.

Funny how in the midst of attemting to discredit the reputation of the school board, the NFT turned the tables on themselves by using such misleading words.

In today's Courier Times, Ritchie Webb expresses his surprise at the alleged NFT offer to contribute to health care and also explains how their recent flier fails to properly understand the budgeting process. He also makes it very clear that while the district has diligently worked to build our fund balance (savings account) back up to a safe level, the money isn't just sitting there waiting for the NFT to do a cash grab.

Fox 29 News carried this report yesterday which confirmed the public's skepticism of the NFT's flier . . .

While we are on the subject of fuzzy math, how about the NFT finally explain its numbers that never seem to add up. Where did they get the $2.8 million from? I've explained previously that the most we can find is $1.9 million, and the bulk of that comes from the Board's proposed self insured Rx plan. Can the union for once, really JUST ONCE, actually prove their numbers on paper for everyone to see?

And don't forget that whether their savings is $1.9 or $2.8 million, the cost increases throughout their offer far exceeds any savings. THERE IS NO NET SAVINGS IN ANY OF THE NFT OFFERS!

The NFT is heavy on accusations but light on facts. Most of us would call that fuzzy logic.

NFT Lit Piece 02262011

Thumbs up to the teachers

2011-02-25T08:33:00.012-05:00

But who do we believe?

From today's Courier Times editorial page . . .

Thumbs Up: To Neshaminy School District teachers for minding their manners amid labor turmoil.

Hundreds of teachers met with union leaders this week for an update on stalled contract negotiations. While the meeting turned into a bit of a pep rally, it's encouraging that the morale-booster didn't include strike threats or talk of a work slowdown.

Parents should appreciate the teachers' apparent desire to avoid disrupting the school year -perhaps a lesson learned from an earlier slowdown that did little but cast a pall over the school environment and turn parents against them.

If only teachers and their union leaders could learn as much about district finances. Fact is, the numbers are compellingly against the union's contract proposal. They've got to give a lot more than they've offered; maybe then the school board would find ways, if there are any, to up its offer.

The Courier Times' Ed staff is basing this on comments from a teacher who attended Tuesday night's rally and was willing to speak with reporter Rachel Canelli under the condition of anonymity. But anyone who watched the Fox 29 interview with Louise Boyd might have a different view of what happened on Tuesday night. The union president kept repeating the same answer that "we discussed everything," suggesting that a strike vote and/or WTC might still be under consideration.

So who should we believe? An anonymous teacher who provided information to a reliable news reporter, or the NFT President with a history of making accusations but offering no proof to support her claims.

I'll go with the anonymous source.

Righting a wrong

2011-02-23T12:44:00.003-05:00

When you get into politics, you soon learn that to the victor go the spoils.

Translation: the controlling political party on a board gets to choose which professional service vendors (solicitors, insurance brokers, etc.) will get a contract from the district. Both parties do it, so all you can hope for is that whichever vendor is selected is qualified for the job and can render services at a fair price. Unfortunately that isn’t always the case.

Let’s rewind to December 2009 when the Board made a controversial appointment of an insurance broker who was neither qualified nor fairly priced. I won’t rehash all the details here but you can read up on what happened last year by following this link.

Throughout 2010, we received less than stellar service from our broker, who was compensated by my estimation around $330,000. To put that in perspective, we could have hired the top three bidders from our last round of RFQ’s for less money than what this broker received. That’s a lot of cabbage for disappointing service, don’t ya think?

Fast forward to last night . . . the Board appointed a new insurance broker, WRG Insurance Group. Mr. Gulla’s firm will not accept commissions from our insurance carrier but will instead turn that money over to Neshaminy in exchange for a flat fee of $7,700 per month. This means that Neshaminy should receive a greater level of service AND reduce its bottom line by more than $200k each year.

Maybe not a fairy tale ending, but it proves that it’s never too late to do the right thing.
.

Teachers hold rally

2011-02-23T12:18:00.002-05:00

The NFT's new math

2011-02-22T06:00:00.004-05:00

According to today's Courier Times article, NFT President Louise Boyd insists the union's proposals offer "substantial savings," and she adds that the teachers are "growing somewhat impatient" with the Board's "take it or leave it" approach.

One problem - there is NO NET SAVINGS to the district in any of the NFT's offers. And yes, we have a take it or leave it mentality here . . . We will not cut vital student programs to subsidize a new contract. Our students our not negotiable.

The Board will soon release an analysis of the insurance details from last Tuesday's negotiation meeting which will once again show the NFT's proposals only drive costs higher during these difficult economic times.

Here is the Courier Times article in its entirety:

Teachers to meet tonight over contract

Discussions could include going back to working to the contract and/or voting to authorize a strike.

A "rally and informational meeting" of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers will convene tonight and could include discussions of going back to working to the contract and/or voting to authorize a strike, according to union President Louise Boyd.

That doesn't mean the union will strike, but it would give Boyd the authority to call a strike.
The rally - which isn't open to the public - will go on as scheduled despite a canceled appearance by the leader of the American Federation of Teachers, according to various officials.

AFT President Randi Weingarten was supposed to speak at the 7:30 p.m. meeting at Carl Sandburg Middle School, but an AFT spokeswoman said the speech was canceled due to a scheduling conflict.

According to union spokeswoman Janet Bass, there is a chance that Weingarten will send a personal message to the more than 600 NFT members who have been embroiled in a labor contract dispute with the school district since 2008. Bass noted Weingarten will "definitely be there in spirit."

"Trying to make informed negotiations didn't work," said Boyd. "We're growing somewhat impatient. Somehow, we have to get this thing started. We need the board to come towards the middle and they just haven't. It still is take it or leave it. They have taken (none of their 56 items) off the table, nothing. The teachers are together on this. We believe there's huge support from them and other certified staff."

Boyd said the union has made two offers. The second one includes a significant reduction in their health insurance plan that would provide substantial savings, she said, adding that the teachers also pulled off the table topics like class size.

"We have been trying to do this at the table to the best of our ability without affecting anyone in the community, but we do have to have a real serious conversation tomorrow night and the teachers are ready for that," said Boyd.

District officials said the teachers union has the ability to hold private meetings at school district facilities as provided in the union's last, expired contract, which both sides continue to honor.

Charles Alfonso, a Neshaminy parent who has been a frequent public critic of teachers unions, said he plans to stand outside the meeting and voice his opinions.

Alfonso said it is more important than ever to get involved in the Neshaminy contract impasse, with the current situation unfolding in Wisconsin. Thousands there have gathered to express opposition or support for the governor's proposed Budget Repair Bill, which calls for restrictions on unions' collective bargaining rules.

"I am not about to let (the NFT) have the spotlight and make it appear they don't have any opposition here," Alfonso said Monday. He vowed to arrive outside the meeting site around 6 p.m. "Even if it's just me, standing outside with a sign, I'll be there to show the media where we stand," he said.

Alfonso called the debate generated by the contract dispute a "wildfire that has spread across the Neshaminy Prairie" and "has become an inferno across the country," with the Wisconsin situation.

"It's all related," he said, adding that he supports Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's bill. "The issues are the same."

The issues in Wisconsin have escalated to the point where 14 Democratic state senators left the state to prevent a needed quorum to pass Walker's bill, which critics say is more about breaking the unions than fixing a state budget. In addition to changing collective bargaining rules, the bill would mandate increased union contributions to pensions and health insurance plans.

The Neshaminy union's most recent offer to the school board is a five-year deal that includes 2.75 percent annual salary increases for the first two years, a 3 percent increase in the third and fourth years, and a 3.5 percent increase in the final year. That would be in addition to about 2 percent stepped increases for longevity and educational credits, district administrators said.

The proposed contract would be retroactive to July 1, 2008, and end June 30, 2013, with teachers not contributing to health insurance premiums. School board members have said the district doesn't have the money to pay for retroactive pay raises.

The district's latest counteroffer was for a one-year contract, which included a 1 percent annual raise, plus an average of 2 percent in step salary increases. That offer also would require teachers to contribute 17 percent toward their health care premiums, and work three extra nights to ensure attendance at back-to-school nights, officials said.

Board President Ritchie Webb said Monday the school board respects the union and the contract dispute is purely "an economic issue."

"We are not anti-union in any way," he added. "This is about what we can and can't afford."

Christian Menno can be reached at 215-269-5081 or cmenno@phillyBurbs.com. Follow Christian on Twitter at Twitter.com/cmenno_courier. Rachel Canelli can be reached at 215-949-4191 or rcanelli@phillyburbs.com. Follow Rachel on Twitter at Twitter.com/buzz_in_bucks.

So much for civility

2011-02-21T18:55:00.002-05:00

The following was just posted to the Courier Times Now.

The Neshaminy Federation of Teachers will hold a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Carl Sandburg Middle School.

According to NFT President Louise Boyd, members could discuss the possibility of returning to working to contract and/or voting to authorize a strike.

This doesn't mean the union will definitely strike, but would give Boyd the power to call for a strike.

While the meeting is closed to the public, some parents have said they will stand outside the facility to express their views regarding the ongoing contract dispute.

A scheduled appearance by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict, an AFT spokesperson said.

More details in tomorrow’s paper.
.

It's déjà vu all over again

2011-02-17T13:42:00.011-05:00

Maybe we need to hire Yogi Berra to be our mediator.

The following statement was just posted to the Board's negotiation website:

Representatives from the NFT and Board met for negotiating meeting #29 this past Tuesday to discuss the health care plan information obtained from our insurance provider by the solicitors representing each side. Since our provider, International Blue Cross (IBX), did not supply us with the information until Monday evening, both parties require additional time to review the data.

It is worth mentioning that nothing provided by IBX contradicts what was reported by the Board during previous discussions, and this should serve as validation that the Board has been completely transparent with the NFT throughout these negotiations.

Before the meeting concluded, Board President Ritchie Webb reaffirmed the Board's position that teachers must contribute no less than 17% towards monthly health care premiums at this time in order for the district to confront its financial and educational challenges. Since health care/benefit costs are our single greatest expense, the Board is unable to consider other aspects of the collective bargaining agreement until this issue is addressed.

The NFT offered no concessions regarding health care premiums during this meeting, nor did they give approval for the Board's proposed self insured Rx plan which would offer substantial annual savings to the district with no benefit impact to our employees.

The State mediator will be contacting both sides to schedule another meeting in the near future.

Here we are, three years later, and the NFT still has not demonstrated any understanding that health care costs are the linchpin issue to these negotiations. Despite the impression she would put insurance plans and premium contributions on the table for discussion, NFT President Louise Boyd seems more concerned with avoiding these issues than addressing them. I fear she still holds out hope that the NFT can somehow maintain its current Rolls Royce health care plan with no employee contributions. I hope I'm wrong.

And just so we can avoid any accusations, this is not an uncivil personal attack on the NFT's leader. I am stating my assessment of the situation based on her actions to date, including this past Tuesday when she told Fox 29 (see video clip below) "The Union is very disappointed ... It is the School District who is not budging from its original offer while the Union has already moved twice." Her statement is not only misleading, it is flat out wrong.

The Board's original offer to the NFT included employee contributions of 10%-12% over three years for a reduced-cost health care plan. The NFT said they wanted to maintain its Rolls Royce plan and so the Board did in fact amend its offer ... the NFT could keep its plan BUT they were going to have to pay for it, and that is why the employee contribution rate was increased to 15% - 17% over the three year agreement. Ok, ok - I know what teachers will say to this . . . how can you call that a concession when it will cost us more? I will answer that question with another question . . . how can the NFT insist it has offered concessions when the bottom line costs of the counterproposals are more expensive than their original offer?

Ms. Boyd's claims that the last NFT proposal will save the district millions, but only the opposite is true - it will cost us millions of dollars more. This past Tuesday's meeting proved that the $3-$4 million savings she previously touted were not realistic. At best, the NFT's offer includes initial reductions of about $2 million BUT most of that would be the result of implementing the Board's proposal for self insured Rx. And what little savings the NFT did offer is gobbled up by other aspects of their proposal.

Let me bottom line this for you ... There is no NET savings in any of the NFT's proposals to date. And that brings us back to issue #1: Health care.

Since Ms. Boyd has stated that health care cannot be resolved independently of all other issues, I have a suggestion: Negotiate health care issues and reach a tentative offer solely on that topic that is subject to change depending on the other aspects of the CBA. Perhaps both parties can agree to keep those details confidential until the full contract is ready for public vetting. By doing this, the Board will be able to assess its financial position to determine if there are areas in which concessions can be considered.

Or the NFT can continue down the same path as it has for the past three years of negotiations. How's that been working out so far?

So let's maintain civility - absolutely! Let's focus on issues, not the people involved - no question! But while we engage in the usual rules of healthy debate, let's not overlook REALISM. The facts are unavoidable - We have an unsustainable economic model in the midst of a struggling economy. If concessions aren't made that will substantially reduce our expenses, student programs will eventually be cut. And while we're at it, can we all agree that is not a realistic solution to anyone???

Neshaminy arts on display

2011-02-07T14:51:00.001-05:00

Congratulation’s to the following students from Mr. Bursk’s, Mrs. Troxell’s, and Mrs. O’Neill’s art classes for their acceptance into the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s 24th Annual Touch the Future Student Art Exhibit:

Michelle Kopena
Sarah McGowen
Braden Kelner
Lorraine Hughes
Chelsea Kearns
Shannon Ryan
Laura Zakowski
Kelly Gilbert
Maggie Martin
Jeff Hackett
Molly Lichtner
Natalie Kizewski
Allison Bretzel
Hayley Rippert
Shannon Jones

1200 students applied to this juried show and 314 were accepted. The show runs now until February 27, 2011 at the Abington Art Center, 515 Meetinghouse Rd. Jenkintown, PA 19046. For more information on gallery hours and special receptions go to abingtonartcenter.org.
.

On to the State Finals!

2011-02-07T10:21:00.003-05:00

And we're not talking about sports . . .

On Wednesday, February 2, 2011 five students from the Business, Computer and Information Technology Department’s Finance classes earned the distinction to represent Neshaminy High School and the Neshaminy School District in the Pennsylvania’s LifeSmarts Challenge State Finals. The student competitors, Brian Chatot, Mary Clarke, Alex McCaulley, Scott Morantz and Ryan Rebea, will travel to Harrisburg on February 24 to compete against nine other high school teams from Pennsylvania. The first place winner of the Pennsylvania competition will earn the right to compete at the national challenge in California.

LifeSmarts, the ultimate consumer challenge, is an educational program that develops the consumer and marketplace skills of teenagers across the United States. The LifeSmarts program is run by the National Consumers League and supported by Pennsylvania’s Office of the Attorney General.

State-mandated ignorance

2011-02-07T08:03:00.003-05:00

If you were a school board member considering how to vote on a charter school application, you would weigh the financial impact on your public schools, wouldn't you? Nope, not in Pennsylvania you wouldn't.

In its infinite wisdom, Harrisburg does not allow finances to enter into the equation despite the existence of an imperfect funding formula which pulls money from the public schools within a district even though its costs may not decrease with each student who attends a charter school. And if your school board revokes a charter school application based on the financial impact, the Pennsylvania Charter School Appeal Board will reverse the decision.

I shook my head in disbelief when I heard this, so I contacted the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) who confirmed what I was told is absolutely correct.

It doesn't make sense to me that when we consider expanding (or even saving) programs in our district, we must weigh the educational benefits against the costs. Yet when it comes to voting on a charter school, the state says we must enter into the debate with one eye closed.

Note to self: Stay away from Harrisburg . . . ignorance is contagious, and they're a carrier.

NBC 10 visits NHS

2011-02-03T15:03:00.003-05:00

NBC News 10’s Aditi Roy visited Cheryl Soltis and her Digital Electronic Arts classes at Neshaminy High School to film “The Teacher Says,” segment. Twelfth grade student, Linda Mikulasko submitted the story about the Electronic Arts project where students incorporated their digital photography and PhotoShop skills to create mini animations using Animoto.com.

They combined images, music and video into the Animoto program to create an animated film that promoted positive school climate. Many students chose topics that were related to Neshaminy “Takes Pride.” Takes Pride is a district initiative with roots in Social and Emotional Learning. Students also developed their creativity, communication, teamwork and problem solving skills as they worked in small groups to create their finished project.

The Neshaminy Electronic Arts “The Teachers Says” segment will air Monday, February 7th at 5:45 and 6:45 AM.

Healthcare remains a major issue

2011-02-02T21:44:00.002-05:00

The following meeting summary was posted on the Board's Negotiation Website:

Negotiation meeting #28 took place earlier today as Ritchie Webb and solicitor Charles Sweet met with Louise Boyd and NFT attorney Tom Jennings. The state mediator, Mr. Cairns, was also present for this meeting that lasted approximately 90 minutes.

Healthcare continues to be one of the major issues that separates the two sides. Mr. Sweet and Mr. Jennings agreed to jointly meet with our healthcare providers to obtain specific financial information. Hopefully this will clarify our costs and coverages, and will help bridge the gap that divides us.

Mr. Cairns requested that we meet again on February 15th, using the same format to review Mr. Sweet's and Mr. Jennings' findings.

Announcement

2011-01-29T21:20:00.002-05:00

All,

After much consideration, I have chosen not to run for re-election to the Neshaminy School Board.

I truly appreciate the support and encouragement you have given me throughout the past three years. I will continue to work diligently over the remaining ten months of my term to serve the students, parents and tax payers of the Neshaminy community.

Sincerely,

William O'Connor
.

Initial budget shows $11.2 million gap

2011-01-28T09:43:00.003-05:00

Don't panic yet. It's early in the process, and the Board will work with district administration to find ways of reducing the gap. Our goal is to get the budget increase down to or below the Act 1 inflationary limit while protecting all of our vital student programs.

Proposed Preliminary Budget 01112011

Talks rescheduled

2011-01-27T15:54:00.000-05:00

Today's negotiation session has been rescheduled to next Wednesday, February 2nd.
.

Civility, MEQ's, and testing the waters

2011-01-23T13:41:00.012-05:00

These are the themes of today's Courier Times editorial page. First comes an interesting Courier editorial entitled Let's give it a try in which the Ed board states, "Parents call for a time out when kids lose the ability to reason. Therapists likewise advocate timeouts as a means of restoring order when tempers flare . . . And so let us suggest a cooling off - and a renewed effort by negotiators on both sides to work in an amicable way toward an agreement that both sides can live with. Folks on the sidelines, including those who attend meetings, can help foster a new spirit of cooperation and respect by softening their approach as well."

Further down the same page Feasterville resident Robert Lanhan wants to let them (teachers) test the waters elsewhere if they do not think the community is not treating them fairly.

And finally, one page over is a guest opinion from Louise Boyd defending that a certified master's program is nationally recognized, in which she states that "Neshaminy students are the beneficiaries of improved instruction by teachers who are adapting the latest practices and the most up-to-date knowledge to their classrooms."

It's not a bad idea if we can dial down the angry rhetoric a notch, but we cannot lose sight of the financial reality we find ourselves in. And any positive, feel-good emotions we can bring to the negotiations can only last as long as progress is made. Remember, it is three years of an impasse that has brought about community frustration, not the other way around.

In the meantime all eyes look ahead to this Thursday's meeting between Ritchie Webb and Louise Boyd. Let us all take a breath and cross our fingers, and hope for the best. But both sides should keep one important thing in mind . . . renewed public anger is just one bad negotiation session away.

New meeting, new format

2011-01-20T22:57:00.003-05:00

The following statement was posted on the Board's negotiation website . . .

After having separate meetings with the state mediator, both the Board and NFT have agreed to another negotiation session on Thursday, January 27th. In an effort to facilitate open dialogue, each side will be represented only by their respective president and attorney along with the mediator.

Hopefully this smaller group exercise will allow Mr. Webb and Ms. Boyd an opportunity to speak freely and kick start the negotiations into a positive direction.
.

Neshaminy looks to trim tax hike

2011-01-20T07:52:00.002-05:00

From an article appearing in today's Courier Times . . .

Closing a projected $11.2 million budget deficit strictly with a tax increase of roughly 10 percent would require $403 more in 2011-12 from the average Neshaminy School District property owner.

However, before residents get too alarmed, school board President Ritchie Webb said a tax increase that high is very unlikely. He said hiking taxes by the projected rate would require voter approval in a referendum and it's highly doubtful the matter would get that far.

Instead, school board members and others will look at all possible ways to close the deficit without a huge tax hike before a final budget is passed sometime prior to June 30, Webb said.
The district's 2011-12 proposed preliminary budget is available online at www.neshaminy.org.

The $11.2 million figure represents 14.6 mills of property taxes, or $403 for a resident with a property assessed at the school district average of $27,626.

"The state's Act 1 limitations would make it impossible for us to raise taxes that high, even if we wanted to," said Webb. "This is the worst economy we've had in 75 years, so we'll look at everything short of hurting our children to balance this budget and get this thing down."

One thing that could change the numbers before a final budget is passed is if the school board and teachers reach agreement on a new contract.

Teachers have been working under a contract that expired June 30, 2008, and their salaries have been frozen since that date, said Webb. The proposed preliminary budget has teacher salaries remaining where they are but also includes a $1.9 million increase in health insurance costs for all employees.

You can read the article in its entirety by clicking here.
.

Neshaminy faces $11.2 million deficit

2011-01-13T07:14:00.004-05:00

From today's Courier Times . . .

The deficit would double if the district agrees to retroactive pay sought by the teachers union in its latest contract offer, according to the school board president.

Neshaminy School District faces an $11.2 million deficit, according to an outline of the 2011-12 proposed preliminary budget presented to the school board Tuesday. Board President Ritchie Webb said the proposal includes about $11.2 million more in expenditures than in revenues.

"The bottom line is that the projected expenditures are roughly $10 million above the current year's budget," he added during the board's work session.

Expenditures are projected to total about $166 million, according to Webb.

The board will reveal the entire proposed preliminary budget to the public Wednesday.
Webb said because it is so early in the process, it remains to be seen how the board will attempt to balance the budget.

"There are a lot of 'ifs' at the moment," he added. "We are not sure about how much we will get in reimbursements from the state."

Because of Act 1, which limits how much a school district can raise taxes each year, Webb said a lot of factors have to be projected far in advance so the actual bottom line is difficult to pinpoint.

"Last year, we balanced the budget by using roughly $2 million in federal stimulus money," he added. "Obviously that money is gone, so basically we are starting this year in the hole by $2 million. We are going to have to take a hard look at everything, including using some of our reserve funds."

The 2010-11 budget included a $7.3 million deficit.

According to Webb, the $11.2 million budget gap would balloon to more than $22 million if the district agreed to the retroactive pay sought by the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers in the union's latest contract offer.

"At this point in time, this makes agreeing to retro pay almost impossible," he added.
NFT President Louise Boyd declined to comment on this story Wednesday.

NHS students recognized in FBLA challenge

2011-01-05T14:44:00.002-05:00

In December, Neshaminy High School's FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Club competed in the 2010 Region 12 FBLA Competition at Bucks County Community College. Neshaminy High School's FBLA Club is proud to announce the names of 22 students who won or placed in various business and computer application events. This competition was attended by numerous Bucks County high schools.

On April 4, 5 and 6, Neshaminy will attend the FBLA State Competition at the Hershey Lodge, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Business, Computer and Information Technology Department will be attending with 18 of the regional winners. We wish them success as they compete at the state level. State winners will have the opportunity to compete at the National level, in Florida this summer. FBLA is a nationally recognized organization that promotes business leadership in high schools across the United States.

1st Place Winners
Scott Crisenbery - Database Design & Applications; Ashna Patel and Shradha Patel - Desktop Publishing; Ashka Patel, Evan Pascucci and Ryan Rabea - Entrepreneurship; Ryan Craig - Networking Concepts; Yashmeet Kaur – Public Speaking

2nd Place Winners
Allie Berue and Priyanka Patel - Business Ethics; Brittany Jones and Srinidhi Rajput - Global Business; John Thomas - Word Processing 1

3rd Place Winners
Kara Weiner - Computer Applications; Alyssa D’lorio - Job Interview; Aiden Coleman - Marketing

4th Place Winners
Lindsay Hyndman - Accounting II; Rebecca Johnson - Help Desk

5th Place Winners
Nick Maher - Accounting 1; Keri Morozin and Steve Spadaccino - Desktop Publishing; Matthew Sweetser - Sports Management

Union PR campaign doesn't change Neshaminy's reality

2011-01-04T08:20:00.003-05:00

Here are some excerpts from Ritchie Webb's guest opinion appearing in today's Courier Times . . .

After more than two years of failed strategies, the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers recently sought to improve its image with the help of a public relations expert. The NFT changed the conversation away from contractual issues and told the public its only priority was the good of our children's education, and that it wanted civility with the school board as we worked toward a middle ground in the ongoing impasse. But as was demonstrated by last Tuesday's negotiation meeting, there is no middle ground with the NFT. There never was.

The board's negotiation team headed into Tuesday's talks expecting to discuss health care, and we fully anticipated the NFT was open to the idea. After all, union President Louise Boyd told the editors of this very newspaper in a face-to-face meeting that the union was now willing to discuss health care. It took only about 20 minutes for us to learn that the NFT had no intentions of talking about this issue, and the negotiation session quickly fell apart.

Though this most recent development is disappointing, it is not surprising as NFT leadership has a history of saying one thing but doing another. Case in point is the NFT's insistence that it wants civility in our negotiations, yet dealing with them has been anything but civil when you consider the work-to-contract action perpetrated against our students. And let's not forget the full page advertisement from the NFT in which union President Louise Boyd said Neshaminy school boards have been lying for 35 years without offering a single shred of proof. Yes, there is civility at its finest.

To read the rest of Mr. Webb's letter, click here.

Committee Assignments for 2011

2011-01-03T14:23:00.002-05:00

School Board Committees 2011

Mediator hoping to meet union, district

2010-12-31T11:52:00.002-05:00

According to the Courier Times, state mediator John Cairns is intending to set up separate meetings with the Board's negotiation team and representatives from the NFT. The article noted that "Board President Ritchie Webb said that Cairns' intention is to discuss the economy and the district's ability to pay for a contract. After Cairns meets with the union and the board, he could call for another joint bargaining session, Webb said."

In previous statements to the newspaper, Louise Boyd claimed that the board's proposal has remained unchanged for more than two years, while the teachers have offered compromises, including narrowing talking points to exclude issues like class size and considering the board's suggested money-saving, self-insured prescription plan.

Ritchie Webb has countered by saying the board doesn't see those issues as concessions.

To see Mr. Webb's entire response to the Courier Times, visit the board's negotiation website.
.

He said/she said, and a modest proposal

2010-12-30T16:22:00.014-05:00

It must be confusing to Neshaminy residents to figure out exactly what happened Tuesday night. School Board president Ritchie Webb says that, according to the state appointed mediator, the NFT was not willing to discuss health care. Teacher's union boss Louise Boyd says they were ready to discuss anything and everything. Yet no meeting took place.

It's hard to imagine how two sides can say they are ready to talk about the same things but somehow Tuesday's negotiation meeting never took place. Quoting from a famous movie, an editorial in today's Courier Times refers to it as a failure to communicate. Any way you look at it, this isn't the first time that both sides have had different stories about the exact same meeting. There is a possible solution to this, but I'll save that for later in this post.

Yesterday the NFT's PR firm issued a press release saying that one of the contributors to Tuesday's debacle was a "Blogosphere Sideshow" (sounds suspiciously like "freak show" to me), and that the board is being “Egged on by the teacher-bashing crowd whose venom up to now has been confined to blogs and websites" and that "the district’s negotiators conjured a confrontation that didn't exist, suggesting that teachers are unwilling to compromise.” Ms. Boyd then insisted that their history of negotiations demonstrates their willingness to compromise.

The press release also attempted to explain Boyd's comment to the Inquirer where she said the NFT would not be making concessions as a give-back to the community. According to their PR guru, "Boyd merely stated the belief of NFT members that it is not fair or equitable for the school district to expect teachers to take a cut in overall compensation when their duties and responsibilities are expanding."

But isn't a net reduction in overall compensation exactly what the board and community are looking for? Teachers haven't been asked to take a pay cut or freeze, but they have been asked to start kicking in for health care premiums, and to give up some of the exorbitant benefits they've enjoyed like a $27.5k retirement perk or a very liberal salary step plan. The NFT sees these as cuts while the board/public view it as bringing our costs into line with other districts.

Next year's Act 1 inflationary limit is 1.4%, which means roughly $1.6 million to our budget - that is how much we can increase tax millage in Neshaminy next school year without a referendum. I seriously doubt a referendum would pass, so that doesn't leave us with many options. Either we find ways to reduce our greatest cost driver - labor, or we start cutting student programs. And as you've heard me say time and time again, I am not prepared to do the latter.

So where do we go from here? My suggestion is that we schedule another meeting but let's agree on the agenda prior to the meeting. The agenda should be an official document that is made available to the public so there can be no doubt what is to be discussed. And that leads me to the last point I want to make - how to avoid any more he said/she said incidents . . .

Up until now, I believed that negotiations should take place in private with public updates following afterwards. It's been nearly three years and that hasn't worked, not at all. So now I believe it is time we open up negotiations to the public. I would like to see a small group of observers, including 3 random members of the public and a Courier Times reporter, be invited to all future negotiations. The panel can only observe the proceedings and are not allowed to comment during. However, all are free to speak publicly about what they observed.

Don't get too excited about this idea because it won't likely happen. Even if my fellow board members liked the concept, I'm not so sure that the state mediator or NFT would agree.

So 2010 will end the same way the previous two years did - no progress. Maybe if both sides can agree to change how we negotiate, perhaps 2011 might hold a chance for change.

Talks break down

2010-12-28T22:04:00.007-05:00

The following statement was just issued on the Neshaminy School Board's Negotiation Website . . .

Tonight’s 27th meeting between the Board and NFT negotiation teams ended before it began as representatives from the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers refused to discuss the subject of health care, despite recent comments by NFT President Louise Boyd to the contrary

According to School Board President Ritchie Webb, the meeting started out with both parties in separate rooms as is always the case, and the Board directed the State-appointed mediator to ask the NFT to enter the meeting to discuss health care and retro pay. Neshaminy’s solicitor, Chuck Sweet, also asked the mediator to seek clarification from Ms. Boyd on her recent quote to the Philadelphia Inquirer in which she stated that the NFT would not make any concessions.

The mediator left the room and met with the NFT team to propose the Board’s agenda. A few minutes later, the mediator returned and told the Board the NFT did not want to discuss any of those issues, and the mediator said that there was no reason to stay. No meeting was going to take place.

Earlier this evening the NFT, through its PR firm, issued a statement that the Board cancelled tonight’s meeting. Mr. Webb insisted that is completely untrue. “We only proposed a couple of discussion items through the mediator, and we expected the NFT would comply given Ms. Boyd’s recent statements,” Webb said. “I am at a loss to explain why the NFT would say they were open to discussing health care, only to refuse to talk about it tonight, and then blame the meeting cancellation on the Board,” he said.

No new talks have been scheduled.

“The Board remains open to negotiations with the teachers,” Webb continued, “but at some point we have to discuss the issues that the NFT doesn’t seem to want to talk about.”
.

Students get head start in a digital art world

2010-12-23T12:10:00.002-05:00

From an article appearing in today's Courier Times . . .

Whoa!

That's the first word that came out of Neshaminy High School senior Natalie Tocatlian's mouth when she walked into the revamped digital art computer lab in September.

Twenty-eight brand new, state-of-the-art Apple iMac computers - each containing software designed for digital photo editing, illustration, filmmaking, Web design and 2D and 3D animation - were at her disposal as well as the rest of her classmates.

For the 17-year-old who plans to apply to Drexel University to study computer science, it was like coming downstairs on Christmas morning.

"They are just so nice and smooth and they run real easy," she said last week. "They really help me, program-wise. With the old PCs there were viruses and a lot of restrictions. I can tell they will give me a head start for when I get to college."

You can read the rest of the article by clicking here.
.

Boyd on concessions: "We're not doing that"

2010-12-20T08:20:00.005-05:00

Still hoping that the NFT will make concessions? Here is what Louise Boyd had to say about that in a recent Philadelphia Inquirer article . . .

Not much I can add to that.

Lots of talk, no concessions

2010-12-10T15:21:00.002-05:00

School Board Prez Ritchie Webb just issued this statement about Thursday's meeting with the NFT . . .

"Negotiating session #26 took place last night and lasted about two hours. The main agenda item was the Board's proposal for self insurance, which the NFT did not yet agree to but said they will consider. They did not indicate when they will render a decision on the Board's proposal that will offer the district significant savings.

The major issues have not changed. Health care plan options, employee contributions to health care premiums, retro pay, and salary increases were discussed but neither side made concessions.

Both agreed to meet again on December 28, 2010, 6pm at Maple Point."

Maybe I should be happy that both sides continue to talk, but talks without progress translate into a waste of time in my book. Maybe I'm disappointed that Louise Boyd didn't make at least some token gesture to show that employee health care contributions were truly on the bargaining table. Yes, I naïvely hoped she might throw out some sort of lowball number, like 5%-7%, just to inject some life into these stalled negotiations. But alas, that was not to be. And it looks like my cautious optimism will remain just that - cautious, perhaps with the growing sentiment of skepticism mixed in.

A quick note of thanks to all of you who continue to write emails of support to me and my fellow board members. Your kind words of praise have helped us maintain our focus during these lengthy, exhaustive negotiations.
.

Board, NFT review self insurance proposal

2010-12-02T22:24:00.004-05:00

The following statement was just posted on the Board's Negotiation Website . . .

Negotiation teams from both the Board and NFT met for 3-1/2 hours this evening to discuss the Board's self insurance proposal which would maintain the teachers' prescription benefits while significantly reducing costs. Following presentations from two vendors, both sides had questions which required further research.

Confident that the answers would be available next week, the Board and NFT agreed to meet again on Thursday, December 9th at 6pm.
.

NFT is on the air

2010-12-02T12:36:00.002-05:00

Earlier today, the NFT unveiled some new wrinkles in their PR campaign. A radio commercial has been playing throughout the day on NJ101.5, and a new website has merged onto the information highway.

The message follows suit to what we've been hearing over the past couple of weeks - the NFT is confident that the Neshaminy community will reunite ... the NFT is proposing solutions to the challenges our schools face ... the NFT calls upon the Board to support their proposed solutions.

First it was a full page Ad in the Courier, then hiring a PR advisor, and now it's a new website and radio commercials. Must be nice to have all that money.

Despite the efforts of an expensive and impressive PR campaign, it's too little, too late. Had the NFT used this tactic 2+ years ago, it might have deflected public attention away from the unaffordable costs of the teachers contract. But the public has become informed and involved, and there's nothing that the PR guy can do to spin that.

You can change the conversation, but you can't change reality.

Pardon their spin

2010-12-02T08:32:00.007-05:00

From the movie Shrek . . .

Princess Fiona (referring to Donkey): It talks!

Shrek: Yeah, it's getting him to shut up that's the trick!

For more than two years, residents of Neshaminy anxiously awaited an explanation from the NFT of its contract demands. Now with a hired spin doctor on their payroll, the NFT has suddenly become quite talkative. Unfortunately for the public, the NFT's newly-found verbosity offers little more than fluff and smokescreens.

On Tuesday afternoon the NFT issued a highly critical press release which accused District Administration of not wanting to bother making time to discuss educational priorities. Then just yesterday, another NFT statement called on the District to "bring the spirit of compromise" to tonight's negotiation session. First they slap us in the face, and now they want to be friends. A rather curious tactic heading into this evening's meeting, don't you think?

In response to Tuesday's press release, the always-eloquent Dr. Muenker made several very important points . . .

1) The District had already begun work on a strategic plan prior to the NFT calling for one

2) If not for the WTC distraction, the strategic plan might have already been completed

3) Educational priorities should have nothing to do with contract negotiations

Board President Ritchie Webb was less diplomatic in his reply, referring to the NFT's sudden concern about educational priorities as a "stunt."

You can see more reaction to this NFT press release by reading today's Courier Times.

On the heels of Tuesday's statement came another one last night as the NFT challenged the District to come up with another offer. According to NFT President Louise Boyd, "Teachers have already offered two counter-proposals that have included significant compromises ... If school district officials are serious about reaching an agreement, the next proposal needs to come from them."

Ms. Boyd then lists all the NFT's concessions from their counter proposals including:

1) Reducing the cost of the salary proposal, shifting from 4 percent annual raises throughout the term of the contract to a staggered schedule beginning at 2.75 percent.
2) Withdrawing a teacher scheduling proposal, limiting back-to-back-to-back classes.
3) Withdrawing a proposal to embed professional development programs into the job site.
4) Withdrawing a proposal to implement full-day kindergarten, which would be a significant cost saving for the district.
5) Withdrawing a proposal to require reductions in class sizes, saving certified personnel costs.
6) Withdrawing a proposal for co-teaching planning periods, saving certified personnel costs.
7) Withdrawing a proposal to hire additional certified technology teachers.
8) Withdrawing proposed increases in vision care benefits.
9) Proposing increases in employee co-payments for nearly all medical services.

Should I even bother pointing out the fallacies of this argument? Oh heck, why not?

Regarding #1: 2.75% doesn't equal 2.75% - remember the steps? The NFT salary proposal will cost tax payers $11 million just for retro pay, and it will give teachers a 35% pay hike by the 5th year of the agreement. It's completely unaffordable and therefore is no more palatable than their original offer.

Regarding #'s 2, and 4-8: In most of these the NFT has either proposed things that will only inflate the costs of an already expensive contract, or they are asking for things they really have no business asking for in the first place (like Full Day Kindergarten should be a contract issue?).

Regarding #9: This is the one true concession made by the NFT. But what they fail to mention is that due to the implications of the "me too" clauses in the agreements we have with the other labor groups, any cost savings is more than lost. So in essence, this small concession in combination with keeping the Rolls Royce plan will actually cost tax payers more money.

This leaves us with #3, professional development. I actually think ongoing training is a worthy idea. However, training needs are ultimately determined by District Administration, and they can only happen when there is money in the budget to pay for them. So unfortunately for the NFT, this really cannot be a contractual item either, but at least it has some merit.

You can read yesterday's NFT statement by clicking here.

I didn't know what to expect going into tonight's negotiation session, but I was remaining cautiously optimistic given Louise Boyd's recent statements that the NFT was willing to discuss health care. But now reading her latest decree that the next offer must come the Board tells me she has little intention of driving this issue further. She'd rather wait to see if the Board will flinch. I can't wait to read what the NFT spin doctor says about that.

NFT press release criticizes district administration

2010-11-30T22:59:00.003-05:00

The NFT issued the following press release earlier this evening . . .

Neshaminy School Administration Can't Find Time To Discuss Education Priorities With Teachers

LANGHORNE, Pa., Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- As teachers prepare for their next contract negotiating session with the school district on Thursday, leaders of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers today said they are disappointed that administrators so far have refused to meet with them to discuss the school system's educational priorities.

"Teachers are dismayed that the school administration can't seem to find time for this important discussion," said Louise Boyd, president of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers. "Setting educational priorities is crucial to improving student achievement and making sure Neshaminy kids get the best education possible. We have made three requests for a meeting and have offered to meet on any day that works for the administrators involved. So far, they only have said that they are working on a document that will address the district's priorities."

Throughout the contract talks, Neshaminy teachers have repeatedly said it is essential that the school board and administrators identify their educational priorities and fully inform teachers and the community of those goals. With goals in place, teachers believe both sides will be able to focus on the education agenda in negotiations and make the current talks an opportunity to work together to define the steps needed to achieve those goals.

"That is the spirit of collaboration that we will bring to the next bargaining session on Thursday," Boyd said. "Teachers have indicated our willingness to make compromises that are fair. We want Neshaminy schools to be a great place to learn and to work. We hope that the school district's bargaining team comes to the table prepared to negotiate. If they do that, we are ready to make progress together."

Neshaminy teachers have been working under a contract that expired in July 2008.

SOURCE: PR Newswire
.