Union out of touch

In case you missed it, here is a Courier Times editorial from yesterday . . .

The performance of Neshaminy teachers union President Louise Boyd at Tuesday's school board meeting was worthy of some sort of Oscar or perhaps a Tony, given the live audience. Highly educated and holding an impressive leadership position, Boyd gave a convincing performance as clueless and out of touch.

Boyd seemed befuddled and insulted that negotiators hadn't met since January to work out a new contract. She acted like the ball is in the school board's court - which it isn't. "I haven't been hiding for the last two years," Boyd said, referring the teachers expired contract. "I'm ready to go."

From our perspective, the board has been both clear and upfront with its offer: annual 3 percent salary increases, including steps, and contributions of 15, 16 and 17 percent over three years toward health care premiums.

The union's counteroffer remains a secret of sorts; at least Boyd won't say what it is. She has denied the board's characterization that the union won't budge from its demand that teachers continue receiving free health benefits - apparently, the big sticking point. The union countered with a cheaper health insurance plan but, according to the board, remains opposed to teachers contributing to its cost.

You can read the entire editorial by clicking here.
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Officials trade barbs over teachers contract

I'm traveling out of town at the moment so I'll let the Courier Times update you on last night's meeting . . .

It's the most they've talked in months. That's what Louise Boyd, president of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, said of a brief banter between her and the board during Tuesday night's public school board meeting. Board President Ritchie Webb responded that Boyd's attitude was disrespectful and not constructive.

Board member William O'Connor said if the district doesn't make significant changes, especially to health care, there will be layoffs and programs cut. "It's not trickery," he said. "It's simple mathematics of the situation in a worldwide economy gone bad."

You can read the entire article by clicking here.
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District confirms intimidation probe

As if tensions aren't running high enough now comes this story from today's Courier Times . . .

Neshaminy School District administrators confirmed Monday that they are investigating a Middletown resident's claim that a support union member tried to intimidate him about speaking at a school board meeting. Superintendent Lou Muenker confirmed that Larry Pastor submitted what Muenker called a "letter of concern" that the district is looking into, but said no other information could be released.

The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching union President Mindy Anderson for comment Monday.

Pastor . . . alleges that a man followed him into the men's bathroom during the April 20 meeting. While in the facility, Pastor said the man told him he was a district custodian and a member of the Neshaminy Educational Support Professional Association. The man asked Pastor if he was going to say something nice about the union at the meeting.

When Pastor said he might speak during public comment later that evening, he said the man got in his face and began screaming at him. Pastor alleges the man followed him out of the bathroom into the hallway, where he continued to confront him, called him an advocate for outsourcing, yelled that the support staff would lose their jobs, and cursed at him.

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

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Support staff deserve a livable wage

Some excerpts from Mindy Anderson's letter which appeared in today's Courier Times . . .

"The savings board alleges while outsourcing some services is only on paper, it does not reflect a real savings because associated items such as increased unemployment costs, extenuating operational costs and the future real contract costs with these companies are absent."

"The Neshaminy support staff has agreed to many cost saving concessions, and even before fact finding began offered to negotiate a realistic co-payment of health benefits proportionate to support staff wages."

"Yes, Neshaminy administrators agreed to pay more; but they are making six-figure salaries; plus they received raises that will cover the cost of their insurance co-payment."

I will have a few thoughts in response to Ms. Anderson's later today, so check back after dinner. In the meantime you can feel free to add your comments.

Click here to read the letter in its entirety.
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What to expect on Tuesday night

On the agenda will be the "Proposed Final Budget" as required by the State, and this is supposed to be your first real glance at what next year's numbers are going to be. One problem . . . the numbers you see on Tuesday night will be nothing close to what reality will be.

Our deficit for next year, earlier reported at just under $7.7 million, will now be more in the $5 - $6 million range come Tuesday's meeting. That's a long way from the Act 1 limit of $3.36 million, not to mention not even being close to a flat budget. The budget will pass on Tuesday night as a matter of process, but it is far from being our "final" budget for 2010-2011. There are two key issues which remain a question at the moment, and they are the reason our deficit still looms so large.

First is the status of a labor agreement with our Support Staff (NESPA). The Board still needs to receive and digest the report from the State-appointed Fact Finder, then decide what path to pursue next. Obviously this will have a major impact on next year's budget, but we're probably about 2 weeks away from that decision.

Second is the cost of our health care benefits which are soaring 19% for next year. If our new insurance broker is doing his job that huge hike should come back down into single digits, and that will have a 7-digit impact on our budget. We are expecting a favorable update on this situation also within the next 2 weeks.

So the budget you see on Tuesday night will be nothing like the one which will replace it in a few weeks from now. And just to be on the safe side, the Board continues to examine other budget reduction opportunities by vetting the infamous LIST (see next post for an update on that).

When you open Wednesday's newspaper you will likely see that Neshaminy's Board has adopted a "proposed final" budget which promises significant tax hikes for residents, and you will hear gasps and screams from your neighbors. But I ask you to remain calm as this is just a picture in time, and the picture will change drastically in the very near future.

You're probably wondering what you should do next? Easy . . . be informed, remain vigilant, come to board meetings, and continue to make your feelings known. And please forward this post to your friends and neighbors so they understand what's going on.

Whatever you do, don't ignore the situation. Whether you are a parent, a tax payer, or both, you need to be involved. I'm asking you for your patience and a vote of confidence, but by no means should you sit at home and do nothing. This Board will have some difficult decisions to make over the next 6 weeks, and you need to be a part of it.

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The LIST . . . Part II

Below is the updated list of 31 potential budget reductions for the 2010-2011 school year. The Board has agreed to consider 15 of the 31 ideas more closely (highlighted in the attachment). The other 16 items not highlighted are not under consideration at this time.

Potential Budget Reductions 04302010

Good news, bad news

There is an article in today's Courier about an increase in the State Workers' Pension plan that raises the contribution rate to 5.64%. The good news is that this is not the same as the State pension plan for school workers, so our budget does not need to be adjusted.

The bad news is that while our rate for next year is unchanged, it remains at 8.22%.

Thanks for nothing, Harrisburg . . . literally, you've done nothing about this pending crisis except talk about it. This has earned you disapproval from both Angry Dog and Mr. Angry Eyes.

Come on people . . . you got us into this mess. Now it's time you got us out!

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