__________________________
ABCFT Week in Review – January 19, 2018
ABC FEDERATION OF TEACHERS THIS WEEK...
In case you’ve missed previous Weeks in Review, you can find all of them here: ABCTeachernews To find previous editions, just click on “Blog Archive” which is the menu on the right and click on the specific week.
______________________________
NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE : by Ray Gaer
On January 10th, Governor Brown released his proposed budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year. The state budget year covers July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Each year in January, the State Governor releases a preliminary proposal on the budget for the following year. This “Governor's Budget” is lobbied, modified, and the financial figures are updated after the state taxes are collected. In May, the state comes out with a revised budget which school districts use to create their fiscal budget for the coming fiscal school year which also begins on July 1, 2018. During the months of June and sometimes into July the CA State Legislators do last minute negotiations with the Governor about specifics of the fiscal budget. For the most part, the State budget for the year is finalized in the month of July for the coming year. If you ever wondered why ABCFT typically has negotiations in August prior to school starting, it is because the ABCFT team does not start negotiations until August to be aligned with the state budget timeline.
Meanwhile, while all of these timelines are moving along the ABC Heath Committee is negotiating our district health plans. We will have more details about health plan negotiations in the coming months but you should know the timeline so it makes sense in how it interacts with the ABC budget. In December, the health committee made up of representatives from all ABC employ groups (teachers have 3 reps) gets together to hear about our “usage rates.” Usage rates are how much and what services have been used over the year. The increase in health plans depend a lot on our usage rates. From January to June, the health committee negotiates with Kaiser and Blue Shield over how much our individual plans will cost. In most years, those increases are around 5-10 percent in “normal” years. If you think about these yearly increases over time, you can see the importance of having at least one health plan that doesn’t charge full time employees a monthly cost. Fewer and fewer school districts are offering free health plans these days in California. Most districts have a “cap” where the teacher pays the difference and the added negative amounts to that cap needs to be renegotiated regularly. However, once you have a cap on your benefits, it is a losing deal and eventually employees are getting less services for more cost.
The ABCFT Negotiating team next bargaining session with the District will be on Tuesday, January 23rd and Thursday, January 25th. ABCFT is hoping to complete negotiations for a 2017-2018 school year compensation package in the next 50 days. The team is also negotiating calendar and contract language changes to the Master Contract. Members of the ABCFT Negotiating team continue to visit school sites and programs to deliver a comprehensive presentation on the financial state of ABCUSD and how that impacts current negotiations.
Next week, we will walk you through a summary overview of the Governors preliminary budget for those of you interested in how budgets are created. The short answer…..like sausage.
______________________________
Urgent DACA Update
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that the agency is accepting DACA renewal applications from certain individuals at this time. Please pass this information on to students or those you know of those who this could impact.
______________________________
CURRICULUM LINK OF THE WEEK
One of ABC’s Transitional Kindergarten teachers wrote in and shared one of her favorite resources (your Starbucks card is on the way!)
She writes
“I love to utilize Cosmic Yoga on Youtube to give my students a fun brain break, morning work, or when it rains and we have an indoor recess! The yoga 'adventures' are fun and teaches students stretches and poses in an appropriate and fun way.” The videos introduce yoga routines by engaging kids in the poses found in yoga woven into stories, very cleaver. Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world. Check out the youtube page to watch, laugh, and get inspired to try out some yoga. Cosmic Yoga
Sharing resources and ideas are what keeps our classrooms innovative, interesting, and organized. Each week, ABCFT will highlight an education resource that we heard was great for teachers. If you have a website, book, or training that you found helpful in your classroom let us know at abcft@abcusd.us so we can share it with everyone. If you send an idea or link and we use it in the Review, we will send you a Starbucks gift card for the helpful hint.
______________________________
Monthly ABCFT Rep Council Talking Points
Each month the School Site Representatives meet during the first week to discuss union business and what is happening at school sites. At each rep council ABCFT equips the site reps with Talking Points to help facilitate their YOUnion meetings at your schools. In case you missed the YOUnion meeting or for some reason aren’t getting the information we have made the commitment to share the monthly Talking Points to keep you informed.
______________________________
ABCUSD School Board Meeting Report
Click Here ----> Link to the School Board Meeting Video
@ 39:00 - This past Tuesday was the first School Board meeting of 2018 and it was a long one. This meetings highlights were the recognition of the twelve ABC teachers who have recently completed their two year teacher induction program in ABC. Congratulations
@1:57 Dr. Sieu’s Superintendents Report.
@2:00 ABCFT - Retirees Report on activities/student scholarship/community outreach
______________________________
PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Ray Gaer
I hope you all had a good week. I seems like four day weeks are more punishing than a five day week. However, you can’t beat a three day weekend for finally getting around to putting away the holiday decorations and cleaning.
Over this past week I attended/worked with unit members in representations, contract resolutions, email/text/phone call questions, site concerns, and mediations. Here are a couple of highlights from my week:
On Monday ABCFT had an after school meeting for the ABCFT Convention Delegates for the California Federation of Teachers State Convention coming up in Costa Mesa in March. At this meeting we discussed schedules, logistics, expectations, fun activities, and just overall what to expect for those who have never attended. This year, we have almost a dozen of the forty delegates who have never attended this convention. It is exciting to see new faces getting involved in their YOUnion.
This Tuesday was the first school board meeting of the year and the tone of the past couple of school board meetings has been productive. I get the feeling that this board is more determined than ever to work together in the coming years to improve an already great school district. On Wednesday members of the negotiating team attended the Governor's’ Budget workshop to hear about the 2018-19 fiscal budget. On Thursday, the ABCFT Executive Board met and one of the major topics we discussed was the ABCFT YOUnion Campaign and how we can work to make sure people are aware of ABCFT’s activities. Our focus is about being transparent and providing improved communication and better delivery on how to get information when needed. We are working on supports to hope make ABCFT Union Bulletin Boards more uniform as well.
Friday and Saturday I am in Sacramento to attend meetings for the California Federation of Teachers. I am one of twenty-six Vice President for CFT representing ABCFT at the State level and I am also the committee chair for the CFT Calendar Committee helping to coordinate statewide meetings for CFT. I’ll have more to report next week but I did find out that the Janus Case addressing agency fees for unions across the nation will be heard by the Supreme Court on February 26th. A day of action for unions will happen on February 24th and the ABCFT Executive Board discussed ways in which ABC teachers and nurses can take part in these activities.
As always, have a great weekend and we will see you back here next week.
In Unity!
Ray Gaer
ABCFT President
or
(ABC Federation of Teachers)
Or
------------------------------
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
AFT's Weingarten on New Union Membership Data
|
WASHINGTON— AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement responding to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ release of 2017 union membership data:
“Workers are joining together in unions because they want a voice in an economy and political system that they understand is increasingly rigged against them. Unions give workers the power to negotiate for higher wages and better learning, working and safety conditions for our students, patients and communities, so they have the freedom and the clout to secure a better life.
“At the AFT, we’re growing, because we care, we fight and we show up—for our students, our patients, our members and our communities; for public education, good jobs and affordable healthcare; against hate and bigotry; and in defense of democracy and pluralism. In the face of historic disinvestment in public education and services, political turmoil, and coordinated efforts by conservatives to ‘defund and defang’ us, the AFT has grown to more than 1.7 million educators, higher education professionals, nurses and public employees.
“Our success stems from our union’s pursuit of a voice for our members, based on deeply held convictions and a concrete plan for an economy and society that works for all, not just corporations and the rich.”
Background
AFT membership has expanded by 17 percent, or more than a quarter of a million members, over the last decade—from 1,471,526 in July 2008, to 1,725,000 members by August 2017, when 40,000 educators in Puerto Rico joined the union
|
AFT President Randi Weingarten Condemns Creation of New Conscience and Religious Freedom Division in US Health and Human Services Department
|
WASHINGTON— Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ formation of a new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division in the HHS Office for Civil Rights:
“Our Constitution’s First Amendment works in tandem with the rights embedded in our other amendments; it should not be used to undermine those other rights, or the right to medical care.
“Like the Supreme Court in the Hobby Lobby decision, the administration seems intent on using the Constitution’s free exercise of religion protections as a means to undermine other people’s civil rights and to allow people to be turned away when they need lifesaving care. How terrible to be deprived of needed medical attention and care because of gender or sexual orientation. How terrible to have that discrimination sanctioned by our government. This is turning back the clock on liberty and should not be countenanced.”
|
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
School funding inequalities affecting Black, Latino students, report finds
A new report by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has found that that low-income, black and Latino students too often end up in schools with crumbling walls, old textbooks and unqualified teachers and has called for a boost in federal education spending, a change in school funding models and investment in housing. “Low-income students and students of color are often relegated to low-quality school facilities that lack equitable access to teachers, instructional materials, technology and technology support, critical facilities, and physical maintenance,” chair Catherine Lhamon said. In response, Education Department spokeswoman Liz Hill said the findings underscore the need for reform through the promotion of charter schools, voucher programs and other forms of school choice.
DeVos slams previous Democrat and Republican education policy
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has criticized previous Democrat and Republican administrations for taking a too heavy-handed an approach in driving education policy, resulting in stagnant academic achievement despite billions of federal dollars spent. "Politicians from both parties just can't help themselves," DeVos said. "They have talked about painting education in new colors and even broader strokes. But each time, reform has not fundamentally changed the system. Each attempt has really just been a new coat of paint on the same old wall." Speaking at an event hosted by the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DeVos went on to say: "We saw two presidents from different political parties and philosophies take two different approaches. All originated in Washington, and none solved the problem. Too many of America's students are still unprepared."
Public school spending on the rise
Recent federal data shows a significant upsurge in state and local education spending in the 2014-15 school year – one that, if it persists, could eventually restore four earlier years of deep budget cuts. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), an arm of the U.S. Department of Education, reported that local, state and federal governments had collectively spent 2.8% more on public schools during the 2014-15 school year than in the previous year - the second consecutive year of spending increases, following the first post-recessionary spending rise of 1.2% during the 2013-14 school year.
----- STATE NEWS -----
Teacher’s lawsuit put DACA repeal on hold
Last week, a federal judge in California issued a temporary injunction ordering the Trump administration to keep DACA benefits in place, saying the government must “maintain the DACA program on a nationwide basis.” Reacting to the news, state educators praised the ruling but maintained a call for comprehensive immigration reform as Congress and the president debate a permanent fix. “When I read the email from the legal team, I couldn’t believe it,” said Miriam Gonzalez Avila, a Teach for America corps member whose suit against the federal government alleges the DACA repeal represents a “bait and switch” by the government that encouraged young undocumented immigrants to out themselves for the DACA program and later revoked those protections. “For me personally, this is a victory that should be celebrated, but I myself will continue to put pressure for a more permanent solution.”
Juvenile arrests continue decline
According to a new report from the Center for Juvenile and Criminal Justice, since 2007, juvenile arrests have reached record lows statewide and across the Santa Clarita Valley, following a pattern of steady decline. The report found that total arrests of California youth declined by 13%, or by 9,180 arrests, in 2015 compared to 2016. “These findings show each generation of California youth, from Generation X onward, has lowered the state’s rate of youth arrest and contributed to increased public safety,” said senior research fellow Mike Males.
No oversight for private schools like Perris home
It has emerged that there is just one requirement to open a school such as Sandcastle Day School , the private school that shares an address with the Perris home where 13 people were found allegedly held captive by their parents. An operator simply needs to register with the California Department of Education and after that, there’s no oversight by any agency. “When they become a private school, they’re out of the school realm,” said David Long, a former state education secretary and Riverside County superintendent of schools.
Legislation proposed for private schools like Perris home
It has emerged that there is just one requirement to open a school such as Sandcastle Day School , the private school that shares an address with the Perris home where 13 people were found allegedly held captive by their parents. An operator simply needs to register with the California Department of Education , after which there is no oversight by any agency. "I am extremely concerned about the lack of oversight the state of California currently has in monitoring private and home schools," Assemblyman Jose Medina, a Democrat who represents the area, said. "We need to designate someone with government authority to physically visit the sites. We make sure that restaurants that serve the public are healthy and the environment it's prepared is clean. If we can do that for restaurants, we can do that for schools.”
No substantial changes to ESSA compliance
California will likely make clarifications but no substantial changes to the state’s plan for complying with the Every Student Succeeds Act, despite significant criticisms last month by the U.S. Department of Education, with the California State Board of Education expected to adopt wording changes while keeping most of the 100-plus page document intact at its meeting this week. David Sapp, deputy policy director for the board, acknowledged that federal reviewers’ questions had led staff to provide “more context” to the state’s “minimalist” approach to writing the plan, but he and others are confident the plan would be approved after submitting more details, perhaps with more back and forth with the U.S. Department of Education in coming months.
Some districts could miss put on state support
As part of the new California School Dashboard, one in four school districts will receive assistance from county offices of education and the state to help improve the performance of groups of students who have done particularly poorly on criteria set by the state. However, EdSource has found that 561 additional districts are not targeted for formal state support, despite large and persistent achievement gaps between African-American, Latino and low-income students and white and Asian students in those districts. “The dashboard data will be quite valuable for districts to address highest-need kids,” said Julie Marsh, from the Rossier School of Education at USC . “But the state has never fully invested in district capacity - the knowledge, expertise and good working relationships you need for different outcomes. So it is not fair to expect immediate improvement.”
|
----- DISTRICTS -----
Los Angeles offers support in wave of crackdown on Salvadoran students
Following a Department of Homeland Security announcement that it was ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Salvadorans who fled the country after a pair of major earthquakes in 2001, Los Angeles USD , where thousands of Salvadoran students are enrolled, has tried to reassure students and families. “The president’s recent announcement is misguided and below the dignity of our democracy,” board president Monica Garcia said. “L.A. Unified is part of the resistance to this administration’s inhumane actions, and we will continue to embrace every learner, family and staff member, regardless of their citizenship status.”
----- CLASSROOM -----
Teaching Reconstruction championed
The Post's Avis Thomas-Lester profiles Michigan history teacher James Gorman's use of a curriculum called “Teach Reconstruction”, a collaboration between social justice education nonprofits Teaching for Change and Rethinking Schools, who campaign for the inclusion of lessons about Reconstruction in history and social studies classes. The 150th anniversary of the Reconstruction era has gone largely unheralded, laments Deborah Menkart, executive director of Teaching for Change and co-director of the Zinn Education Project: “As a colleague said, it is the only period in U.S. history when black lives mattered,” she says.
----- TECHNOLOGY -----
School buses going electric
School buses running on nothing but battery packs are now shuttling students to schools in northern Sacramento and the neighboring suburbs. “It really fits for school districts, with the way we operate,” said Timothy Shannon, director of transportation for Twin Rivers USD . “The kids are excited about riding them, because they’re electric and they’re new.” Many school districts across California are now experimenting with electric buses and are partnering with state and local government agencies to share the high upfront cost while hoping to recoup some of the money through lower maintenance and fuel bills.
----- HIGHER EDUCATION -----
UC says education budget increase not enough
The University of California (UC) Office of the President has said that that the 3% increase in the education budget that Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed in the 2018 California state budget plan is less than expected. “This 3% increase…is less than we anticipated under the framework we established with the governor,” a press release said. According to the statement, the university was expecting “ongoing (and) predictable” funding in order to “maintain UC quality and access while requiring the university to lower its cost structure.”
Income not the main factor in student success
A study by Stanford’s Graduate School of Education has found that socioeconomic status in U.S. public school districts only faintly correlated with growth in a student’s average test scores over time. “There are many relatively high-poverty school districts where students appear to be learning at a faster rate than kids in other, less poor districts,” the report’s author, Sean F. Reardon, said. “Poverty clearly does not determine the quality of a school system.”
----- OTHER -----
No comments:
Post a Comment