GSCFT BREAKING NEWS

Board Authorizes Final Layoff Notices 5/7/08

Yesterday evening the school board met in special session to consider final notification for those served with preliminary layoff notices on March 15th. During the 15 minute session, board members voted unanimously to direct district officials to issue final layoff notices to 12 faculty representing a total of 9.5 FTE. The union view is that all or most of these final layoff notices will prove to be unnecessary as most, if not all of the layoffs will be rescinded due to additional resignations, retirements, and the need for additional sections due to conservative enrollment projections. Although we made that argument, the board voted to move forward with the layoffs citing the fact that we will rescind layoffs through the spring and summer, while ignoring the fact that these layoffs damage employee morale and disrupt the lives of valued employees unnecessarily.

GSCFT Officer to Serve on Wellness Committee 4/23/08

GSCFT members will be represented on the newly formed district Wellness Committee by new Elementary Co Vice-President Amariah Hernandez. The committee will examine and make recommendations concerning health and safety issues facing SCCS students and employees. Amariah will be making periodic reports on committee progress at our monthly council of representative meetings.

Green Schools Committee Reports to Board 4/23/08

The Green Schools Committe provided a report to the school board this evening outlining their accomplishments over the last year. If you would like to read a copy of the report, please follow the below link:

http://www.sccs.santacruz.k12.ca.us/files/GreenSchoolsReport_042308.pdf

Layoff Negotiations Successful 4/09/08

An all day negotiating session over the effect of district layoffs resulted in a successful outcome for 8 of our certificated employees totaling 3.3 FTE in rescinded layoffs. In addition to the layoff rescissions, the union was able to negotiate a continuation of district contributions toward health and welfare benefits through the summer months for employees still subject to layoff and the granting of first consideration for released temporary employees before those outside the district are considered for certificated vacancies as they occur. Permanent individuals still subject to layoff retain job rights for positions that they are credentialled for that open up due to vacancies for a 39 month period. The probationary individuals retain job rights for a 24 month period.

GSCFT Officers Election Results 4/7/08

The results of GSCFT Officer Elections are in! Results were announced and certified at the council of site representatives meeting today. Your union officers for the period starting July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2010 are:

President: Barry Kirschen - Teacher/SCHS

Elementary Co Vice Presidents: Michele Card and Amariah Hernandez - Teachers/Gault

Secondary Vice-President: George Martinez - Math Coach and Teacher on Assignment

Secretary: Helayne Ballaban - Teacher/BV

Treasurer: Mark McConnell - Teacher/SHS

Board Nixes Retirement Incentive 3/13/08

In a surprise move, the board reported last night that it had given direction to district administration in closed session to abandon talks on a possible retirement incentive for 2007-08. The board also added another full time administrator to the chopping block adding the Academic Intervention Coordinator position to the administrator layoff list. In keeping with its "green district" theme, the board also approved a retrofit project designed to save $120,000 per year by placing more energy efficient florescent tubes and ballasts in existing light fixtures districtwide.

Certificated Layoff Notices 3/11/08

Certificated layoff notices will be mailed by the district on Thursday to permanent and probationary bargaining unit members affected by the school board's 2/27/08 resolution to reduce particular types of program and services for the 2008-09 school year. It is still our hope that most, if not all of the certificated layoffs will be rescinded due to attrition or the possibility that the state budget for education will improve. Meanwhile, each bargaining unit member receiving a layoff notice should sign a Power of Representation Form immediately and bring it to the union office, attention: Kirschen. The union will then request a hearing on behalf of all bargaining unit members facing layoff. Getting the completed Power of Representation form to the union office immediately is important because if a hearing is not requested within seven (7) calendar days, the employee's right to one is lost. In addition to the Power of Representation form, bargaining unit members facing layoff should print, complete and send to the union office an Employment History/Data Form as well. The Employment History/Data Form is necessary so that we can identify irregularities in district records or procedure that could prove helpful in our representation and defense of those who face layoff.

Temporary certificated employees will be receiving release notices as well. As in years past, we intend to negotiate a side letter agreement assuring released temps the right to be considered for district job openings before the positions are made available to the general public.

Retirement Incentive Discussion to Begin 3/04/08

A date has been set for the start of negotiations over a possible retirement incentive. Although the first meeting has been set for next Thursday morning, faculty intending to retire this year need not wait for the incentive to be negotiated before formally notifying the District of their plans. Anyone formally notifiying the district of their intention to retire before the incentive is negotiated will be eligible for the incentive if we ae able to get one in place this year.

Certificated Lay-offs 2/27/08

At this evening's school board meeting, the board approved the following resolutions related to certificated employees:

The board's approval of including CLAD Certification or equivalent in the tie breaking criteria resolution (see above) will mean that those lacking this certificate will be more vulnerable to layoff than in the past.

In addition to the above resolutions, the board resolved to release or reassign 2.5 administrators including 1.3 AP's.

As in years past, we intend to negotiate a side letter agreement assuring released temps the right to be considered for district job openings before the positions are made available to the general public.

2008-2010 Calendar Approved 2/27/08

The calendars for 2008-09 and 2009-10 were approved by the school board at this evening's board meeting. The calendars are similar to this year's calendar and continue the elementary parent conference day before Thanksgiving and local holidays on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Friday before winter break. The calendars begin the year with two teacher workdays, end with a teacher workday and include a fourth teacher workday during the school year for elementary and secondary like our current calendar. A renewal of the Elementary Restructured Wednesday Side Letter of Agreement accompanies the calendars as does a new Elementary Conferences Side Letter of Agreement that was negotiated in order to comply with new school board demands. The Elementary Conferences side letter restates current policy, education code and contract language but does not impose additional duties. Although you might find the tone of the Elementary Conferences side letter insulting, please understand that your negotiating team agreed to the three parts of the side letter in order to comply with specific school board concerns pertaining to the placement of the elementary conference day before Thanksgiving break. Your negotiating team's priorities for calendar negotiations were based upon the results of the calendar survey conducted earlier this year. The results of the calendar survey made clear, a district-wide desire to continue the current calendar and an elementary faculty desire to continue with parent conferences before the Thanksgiving break. Interestingly, the calendar survey results point at an increasing interest in an early start calendar among high school faculty.

Adult Ed. Contract Approved 2/27/08

A completely revamped version of the Adult Education Contract covering the 2006-07 school year was approved by the school board this evening. Work on this revision has spanned over a year and most articles contain improved language. This huge undertaking could not have been accomplished without the many hours contributed by GSCFT Vice-President for Adult Ed. Lois Dickmann, Adult School principal Mary Powers and Hermanita Clark, Adult Education Administrative Assistant.

Board to Slash 1.55 Million 2/14/08

At Wednesday's school board meeting the board agreed to personnel reductions and cuts to supply budgets totaling 1.55 Million due to declining enrollment at the secondary level and the Governor's devastating 2008-09 budget proposal. We have encouraged the board to spend down reserves and cut "stuff" rather than people in order to end the District's practice of laying off educators each spring only to rehire twice the number by fall every year. Any specific cuts to certificated personnel will be approved at the February 27 school board meeting which will begin at 6:30pm and will be held at Soquel High School in the library.

Measure P Passes! 2/6/08

80% of Santa Cruz voters said yes to small elementary class size and quality elementary programs yesterday in a resounding show of support for children's public education. The coalition behind the campaign, including District administration, our school board, community volunteers, and our classified and certificated bargaining units deserves a lot of credit. Thank you Santa Cruz!!!

Don't Forget to Vote on 2/5/08

Besides votoing for one of the democratic candidates in the presidential primary election, the GSCFT is recommending a YES vote for Measure P which supports small class sizes in our elementary schools, a YES on Prop. 92 funding our community colleges, and a YES on Prop. 93 Term Limits keeping representative Laird in the Assembly. Absentee ballots not yet mailed should be dropped into the white mailbox at the County Government Center on Ocean Street or dropped off at any polling place on election day.

Membership and Board Ratify Agreement 1/30/08

The Adult Ed tentative agreement for the 2006-07 school year was ratifiied this evening by the school board. The agreement, provides a retroactive 5.5% salary increase dating back to July 1st, 2006 and reflects the increased contribution to the Adult Educator Benefits Package made by the District for the 2006-07 school year. In addition to salary and benefits, the agreement stipulates that the Adult School administration will end its practice of scheduling unpaid employee breaks into the class schedule. A major revision of the collective bargaining agreement is near completion and we look forward to posting it on the "contracts" page of this website in the near future. Also at the Wdnesday evening board meeting we "sunshined" a 2007-08 proposal for salary, benefits and additional "job rights" for part time employees . The retroactive payraise will appar in the February 29 paycheck.

Adult School Tentative Agreeement 12/19/07

A tentative agreement was reached between the District and your GSCFT Adult School Negotiating Team today for the 2006-07 school year. The agreement, when ratified, will provide a retroactive 5.5% salary increase dating back to July 1st, 2006 and reflects the increased contribution to the Adult Educator Benefits Package made by the District for the 2006-07 school year. In addition to salary and benefits, the agreement stipulates that the Adult School administration will end its practice of scheduling unpaid employee breaks into the class schedule. A major revision of your collective bargaining agreement is near completion and we a looking forward to posting the revision on the "contracts" page of this website in the near future. We will be "sunshining" a 2007-08 proposal for salary, benefits and additional "job rights" in January. Union members should watch for a ratification letter in their mailbox in January. Upon ratification, the retroactive payraise will appar in the February 29 paycheck.

3.81% - 11/15/07

Its final! The school board voted unanimously to approve the 2007-08 salary and duration agreement last night. Look for your retroactive salary adjustment in the November 30th paycheck. The formula has now produced 9.3% in salary increases over this year and last!

CFT Raoul Teilhet Scholarships - 11/14/07

Watch your site mailbox for a flyer detailing the availability of Raoul Teilhet, Robert G.Porter, Union Plus and Union Leaders of the Future Scholarships. The flyers contain instructions for obtaining applications. The scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors and continuing college students who are children and dependents of GSCFT members through our affiliation with the CFT and AFT. Also, watch for an announcement of our own Al Wright Memorial Scholarship in the near future!

2007-08 Formula Calculation - 10/31/07

Based upon today's calculation of our "Fair Share Formula" certificated employees will receive a 3.81% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2007. The school board is expected to ratify the agreement on November 14th and faculty can expect the November 30th pay check to reflect the increase. The salary formula has served certificated employees well for a second year applying a "fair share" of new ongoing funds received by the District to a salary adjustment and covering the District's share of increasing costs for the benefit package.

Federation Receives Notice - 10/31/07

The Federation received a written notice today of the district's intention to exercise its right to "discontinue the salary formula for 2008-09 and negotiate a change in the formula or renegotiate salary for next year, absent a formula". In a letter to membership, President Kirschen and Chief Negotiator McConnell wrote, "We are concerned that in a time of increasing District revenue flow and increasing reserves, the District appears to be less committed to providing employees with their “fair share” of future funding. We consider having to “negotiate a change in the formula or renegotiate salary absent a formula” a distraction from everyone's current focus - the great work you do at your sites. Please know that your negotiating team and your union officers appreciate the importance of continued incremental improvements to salary, benefits and working conditions. We will work to re-establish the salary formula so that you can continue your focus on exceptional teaching and be able to keep up with the escalating cost of living in Santa Cruz County". Watch for a "call to action" once negotiations begin in January for an opportunity to display your displeasure with the District's discontinuance of the salary formula.

Membership Ratifies 2007-08 Formula - 10/25/07

The salary formula and duration agreement ballot results are in and the vote was 171 for the agreement and 3 against.  This was not our largest election turnout but among our most positive results.  It is a vote of confidence in the formula and a resounding endorsement and recognition that faculty appreciate the concept of our "fair share" agreement.  "Fair Share" has brought us early salary settlements, meant that the District must plan for employee compensation at the beginning of their annual budgeting process, and has eliminated a major source of contention contributing to improved moral and greater productivity.  We should know next Wednesday what our retroactive payraise based upon the application of the 2007-08 formula will be.  We still expect for the November 30 paycheck to reflect the payraise and retroactive amount.  We expect that the school board will ratify the agreement at their next meeting on November 14.

SCCS Goes Green - 10/24/07

The Santa Cruz City Schools board of trustees approved 3 power generating contracts that will create a 1.7 mega watt roof-mounted solar system, spread over 9 school campuses, that will produce 90% of the district's electricity needs over the next 20 years.  The contracts were awarded to Generating Assets, Solar Power Partners and UPC Solar. Thanks to eligibility for $4.4 million in rebates from PG&E, the district will have zero cash outlay for the system.  Savings to the district over the 20-year period will be $2 million and 12,000,000 pounds of carbon.  In addition, the school district retains the right to share in any future economic gain that results from the carbon savings.

The agreement is also aligned to be consistent with the district's 2007 Green Schools Resolution that calls for increasing “green” curriculum in classes Pre-K through 12th grade.  Students will be able to monitor the solar system from classrooms and the solar providers will assist the district in developing additional solar learning opportunities such as a “green-themed” Career Technology program.

The project was led by Chief Financial officer Dick Moss and Power Economics consultant Carl Pechman. The comittee also included the work of 3 board Trustees, Ken Wagman, Don Maxwell, and Cynthia Hawthorne.

 School campuses involved include Harbor High, Santa Cruz High, Soquel High, Branciforte Middle School, Mission Hill Middle School, Bay View Elementary, DeLaveaga Elementary, Westlake Elementary and Branciforte Small Schools.  The project will be completed by October 2008.

Board Places Parcel Tax on Ballot - 10/24/07

Our school board members voted unanimously this evening to place on the February 5, 2008 ballot a parcel tax measure that will extend the expiring Measure Bl for 9 years at a flat rate of $105 per year for each assessor's parcel within the Elementary District. When passed, the measure will continue funding for K-3 class size reduction, retain credentialed librarians, library assistants, arts education teachers and supplies, and will leverage funding for class size reductions in grades 4-5, hands on elementary science instruction, and pre-k programs. Your council of reps will have an opportunity to vote on Federation support for and involvement in the parcel tax renewal campaign at their November 5th meeting.

"Hours of Employment" Ratified by Membership - 9/25/07

A final count of votes this morning reflects districtwide faculty approval of the "Hours of Employment" tentative agreement with more than 90% voicing acceptance. We expect that the school board will give their approval at the Wednesday, October 10 meeting at which point the agreemnet will become effective.

Ballot materials for the "2007-08 Salary Formula Tentative Agreement" will be distributed October 1st to your Site Representative at our regular first Monday Rep's Meeting for voting next week.

2007-08 Salary Formula Tentative Agreement - 9/17/07

A tentative agreement was signed today extending the collective bargaining agreement to the 2007-08 school year. The agreement renews our salary formula with minor changes and moves forward contract proposal date deadlines for the 2008-09 school year to November of this year. Moving sunshine dates forward will enable us to negotiate a contract for 2008-09 before the 2007-08 contract expires - a first for SCCS and the GSCFT!

A ratification vote will be held next week.

Guest Teacher 2006-07 Contract Ratified - 8/8/07

Negotiated inprovements to the Guest Teacher contract were ratified by membership on July 20th and by the School Board on August 8th. The agreement provides for further increases to the daily and long term rates. The daily rate is now $100.00 and the long term rate is now $140.00. Improvements to the evaluation process and form were part of this agreement as well. The entire agreement is posted tothe GSCFT website "contracts" page.

K-12 Tentative Agreement on Hours of Employment - 7/25/2007

Your negotiating team was able to enter into a tentative agreement today which will revise contract Article VII.F - Hours of Employment. The agreement is a good one as it limits monthly faculty meetings to a maximum of two. Second monthly faculty meetings will be calendared at the beginning of the year with proposed agendas for any such meeting to be reviewed with a democratically selected site based faculty leadership team for "collaborative input and review". Second monthly faculty meetings are further limited by the agreement to administrative briefing "primarily on business matters such as communication of policy, procedure, and regulation". All faculty meetings will be limited to an hour and fifteen minutes in duration. A ratification vote will be held during the week of 9/16/07

07-08 Restructured Wednesday Agreement Ratified - 5/30/07

GSCFT Negotiators were directed to renew the Elementary Restructured Wednesday Side Letter of Agreement (RW) for the 2007-08 school year by elementary school staff in a spring survey. The survey results affirmed that elementary faculty wished to continue with the current RW terms but were unwilling to concede further control of Wednesday afternoon agendas to district administration. The new agreement providing essentially the same terms as the 2006-07 side letter was ratified by the school board without discussion Wednesday night. The negotiating team attributes this successful result to the clear direction that they received from the elementary faculty survey.

Monterey Bay Central Labor Council Honors GSCFT

Michele Card was recognized yesterday evening (Friday May 4th) at the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council's 7th Annual Labor Awards Dinner. The award noted Michele's thorough research and persistence in alerting SCCS administration of state compliance issues and their potential adverse financial consequences. We can count on Michele to show discretion and finesse when handling delicate issues. Casey Evans was given the coveted Irene Agosta "Women in Labor Award" and the GSCFT was given a "Workers political power Award" for our work in the November 2006 elections where we secured all four available seats in our school board race. Speakers at the event included US Congressman Sam Farr, California Assemblymember John Laird and Los Angeles broadcaster and author, Jackie Guerra.

Board Adopts "Green Schools" Resolution - 4/18/07

Our school board set policy this evening in passing the Santa Cruz Green Schools resolution calling for the formation of a new committee charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the board concerning all things "green". The text of the resolution can be found at: Santa Cruz Green Schools

GSCFT Member Recognized at State Convention

Photo by: Sharon Beals

Malcolm Terence was given the Pride of the Union Award for Union Activism at the CFT State Convention. The award listed among his accomplishments, his tenure as building representative and union officer in which he distinguished himself as a dedicated union activist, his work during numerous political actions which strengthened Local 2030's political standing in Santa Cruz, his organizing efforts through which he signed up numerous new members to Local 2030, his effort organizing against the war in which he worked to keep military recruiters away from our high school campuses, the critical role he played on the negotiating team when Local 2030 was on the verge of a strike in 2005, and his member to member campaign resulting in significant growth of our local's COPE fund. Although Malcolm has retired, the effects of his union work will have a continuing impact on the SCCS community.

Convention Highlights - 3/18/07

With over 500 members in attendance, CFT delegates to the convention adopted policies that endorse single-payer health care (SB 840), providing incentives to retain quaility faculty at low-performing schools, inproving professional development for preschool educators, and called for reform of the No Child Left Behind Act. Keynote speakers were Raquel Cruz Manwano, a leader of the Oaxaca teachers union, Senator Gilbert Cedillo, US Representative Lynn Woolsey and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The convention yielded a field of new top officers as well. Martin Hittelman was elected to the office of CFT State President, Dennis Smith was elected to the office of Secretary-Treasurer and Sue Westbrook was elected to the office of ECK-12 President. Many thanks go to Mary Bergan, Mike Nye, and George Martinez for their years of service to CFT. Robert Chacanaca was re-elected Classified State President. A Per-Capita membership Dues increase of $4.43 was passed for members earning $26,000 per year or more. Members will see the special $3.00 Education Defense Fund per capita payroll deduction sunset on August 31, 2007. For more detailed convention informaton point your browser at the CFT Website.

Free at Last, Free at Last - 3/14/07

The school board unanimously approved the union supported proposal this evening to give final notice to the JPA. After roughly 45 minutes of discussion the board approved the motion to leave the SCCHIG and join SISC. SISC is a huge JPA run by the Kern County Office of Education with almost 350 member districts. With this move we will have more stability, and greater choice over plan design. We will be able to transition to a Blue Cross or Blue Shield PPO and will have a choice of sticking with the HealthNet HMO or considering a switch to a PacifiCare HMO on July 1st. Many of the details will be hashed out over the next couple of weeks and more info will follow. Many thanks to the Santa Cruz City Schools Benefits Study Committee (Alan Pagano, Dick Moss, Lupe Rodriguez, Nancy Tocchini, Mary Powers, Robert Chacanaca, and Barry Kirschen) for their thorough examination of our alternatives.

Board Approves Temp Layoff Side Letter - 3/14/07

The school board approved a negotiatied agreement this evening providing first consideration when filling vacancies for the 2007-08 school year to released temporary certificated faculty. Details of the agreement can be found on our Contracts page or viewed by clicking the following link:

2007-08 Layoff Side Letter of Agreement

Board Says No To Layoff Resolution - 2/28/07

In a five to two vote this evening the school board voted against a resolution to dismiss permanent certificated employees for the 2007-08 school year. The resolution came from Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Tanya Krause through Superintendent Alan Pagano with a recommendation to the board for approval. Robles moved for approval and Collins seconded the motion. Board members Rachel Dewey Thorsett, Ken Wagman, Don Maxwell, Wendy Strimling and Cynthia Hawthorne expressed their belief that the March 15 layoff would send the wrong message to employees and to the community. In voting against the resolution, the five demonstrated their commitment to maintaining the comprehensive nature of our educational programs in the face of declining enrollment. In addition to the above action the board resolved to examine the current practice of laying off all temps on an annual basis.

Negotiations Update

The negotiating team reached a tentative agreement on Friday February 16 concerning the 2007-08 Calendar and staff development schedule. Here are the details:

Staff Development

Based upon the results of faculty evaluations of current staff development and because research points to a continuing and sustained staff development program being the most effective, we have tentatively agreed to continue two hour staff development sessions scheduled on 8 minimum day first Wednesdays beginning on October 3, 2007 and continuing through May 7, 2008. This schedule trims two traditional full days of staff development off of our calendar and places staff development onto minimum days effectively compressing 187 working days into 185 calendar days.

2007-08 Calendar

We now have an approved calendar for next year. It can be accessed by following the links for our Ele.and Sec. Calendar

Restructured 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays

Negotiations concerning the continuation of 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th restructured Wednesdays will follow a survey of elementary faculty. Your input on the upcoming survey is of critical importance as it will guide the negotiating team.

Faculty Meetings

We are also currently negotiating the consult contract language which enabled the district to schedule 2nd monthly faculty meetings at the elementary and middle school sites this year. We have proposed new contract language that would require negotiation and agreement before faculty meetings are scheduled beyond the workday.

Binding Arbitration

We have proposed changes to the grievance procedure which would provide for binding arbitration for all disputes that arise over interpretation, implementation and enforcement of contract language. We believe that adherence to the decision of an impartial third party is both cost effective and expedient compared to the filing of Unfair Labor Practice Charges and Superior Court cases.

Guest Teacher Contract Improvements Approved - 01/24/07

The Guest Teacher bargaining unit membership ratified the January 10 Tentative Agreement on January 18. The school board approved the agreement on January 24th. The agreement bumps the daily rate to $95.00, the half day rate to $60.00 and the long term rates to $115.00 and $130.00 respectively. The new salary schedule is slated to be effective and retroactive to June 30, 2006. A new automated calling system will be implemented over spring break that will provide preferential assignment to bargaining unit members. Because there have been human errors resulting in more than one guest teacher reporting for a single assignment, the agreement specifies that only the guest teacher with the job number need be retained. Because of this change, guest teachers should always check the automated system to make sure that they have been assigned the job before reporting to work. The evaluation section of the agreement includes enhancements to due process rights for guest teachers.

Endorsed Board Candidates Sweep Election - 11/7/06

Wendy Strimling, Don Maxwell, Cynthia Hawthorn, and Rachel Dewey Thorsett all won their respective seats in the Santa Cruz City Schools Board race. Rachel will continue on the board for another four years and the others will begin their four year terms on December 13th. The board will meet at Westlake that night.

Please come to the board meeting on December 13 at 6:00 pm to give the new board members a warm welcome!

Thanks to everyone who helped with and who contributed to the campaign. Because of each of you it was a tremendous success.