UEA-RA Highlights - February 8, 2010
There have been rampant rumors about possible cuts being considered by the District. Please check your home emails for information and directions as to how to submit your questions to the Member Information Network "Rumor" blog on ueaonline.org. All rumors/questions should be forwarded to David Kenewell or via the email address on the rumor link.
The leaders from each of the District’s unions were called to a meeting last Thursday to see a PowerPoint presentation on the budget for next school year. It was no surprise that the projections were bleak. The presentation can be viewed on the UCS homepage. The district anticipates an 18.4% increase in insurance premiums in this presentation. Insurance costs for our members actually went down last year. David and Curt will be meeting with Stephanie Eagan on February 22 to clarify the District’s projections for the budget.
There will be some possible school closings next year. Information could be available as soon as next month’s board meeting 3/22/10. The estimate is that each building cut represents $750,000 in savings to the district. The foundation allowance will decrease from $7,807 to $7,564 next year and this combined with a 36% devaluation of property values has led the district to project a 31 million shortfall for 2010-2011. It is important to note that the FUND EQUITY will be 21 million at year’s end. Areas being considered for cuts include: Transportation, Athletics and Elementary programs. Some parts of the secondary program cuts were announced at the CLC meeting last week.
The bargaining team has attended several training/planning sessions and will be prepared to meet formally on March 2, 2010. The bargaining team for the administration has not been announced yet.
The state is considering an increase of 1% on the multiplier for the pension. This will amount to approximately $2,700 (27 years service credit) additional per year or the equivalent of having worked 2 additional years. However, if passed in its current form, districts will have to pay the additional money for the life of each of it's retirees and those not yet eligible to retire would have to pay an additional 3% of their retirement out-of-pocket.
Any member that has had a split lunch shift (involuntarily) for 2 or more years please contact your reps.
Nominations were made for the upcoming elections. Nominations will close at the March RA. Any member seeking nomination can email Maria Peters at maria.peters@UticaK12.org.