Desert Area Teachers Association

October State Council

The news was dire in terms of the budget.

--$3 billion less than the workload budget

--$.8 billion less than Conference Committee

--$.3 billion more than the Governor's August Revision

We did receive a  partial COLA:

5.66% COLA was partially funded = .68%

No COLA for categoricals

No Equalization dollars

Individual District & COE Growth Funded, but with deficit applied

Special Education: No COLA, but no additional cuts

$4.52 ADA in the 8th year of 10 year ongoing payment from lawsuit settlement

Please email me for specific negotiations advice from State Council. I serve on the Negotiations Committee and would be glad to give CTA locals from Inyo, Kern, or Mono any information.

(b.wirtz@mchsi.com)

Note on 403Bs. Locals need to demand to bargain the TPAs. On January 1, 2009, new regulations take effect and a Third Party Administrator is used for compliance requirements. Some TPAs are better than others with cost differences.

CTA is exploring ways to be more effective in the political area. The budget was a tremendous disappointment. CTA did manage to bring awareness to the lack of funding in eduction and the need to increase revenue. CTA is exploring the development of initiatives for tax dollars for education, for redistricting legislative seats, and for decreasing the percentage needed to pass a budget. (We are one of the handful of states that requires 2/3 vote to pass).

SB 1303 (Runner) denies back pay for teachers who complete a drug diversion program and requires a teacher to use accrued paid leave to receive back pay---This passed and was signed by the Governor. Teachers may not seek much needed help because of this measure.

AB 1761 (our own Fuller) failed to pass. This extended the probationary period for teachers beyond two years.

A reminder to be very careful about MySpace and FaceBook.  Teachers are losing their jobs over inappropriate pictures and posts.

The Retirement Committee was thrilled to announc that the guaranteed purchasing power for the current retirees has been raised to 85% from 80% through leigslation, AB 1389.  The additional payment to current eligible retirees will begin immediately as of October 1, 2008.

The Governor was trying to change the formula for COLA. (It didn't work for Coca-Cola with that New Coke, and this doesn't work either). He wanted to base it on CPI, which would have resulted in a loss of 10%.

The Assessment and Testing Committee presented a proposal to the State Legislation Committee to sponsor legislation on the elimination of second grade testing.

The Student Support Services Committee discussed the increasing nurse to student ration in California.  40% of California schools do not have a licensed nurse on site.  California ranks 44th of 50 states in regards to nurse to student rations.  This is especially critical in light of the increasing numbers of students with severe health problems.

In Negotiations, we worked on developing policy and bargaining advisories regarding electronic learning. We are also looking to strengthen our charter school language.

Our legislative advocate briefed the committee on the passage of SB 1660 which will allow alternative compensation plans to be negotiatied to give higher pay to math, science and special education teachers.  CTA Negotiations strongly advises all lcoals to reject any proposals for such divisive, differential salary plans.