The SVVEA met with the board-appointed negotiation team for two days of intensive mediation with retired federal mediator Mike Johaneson. SVVEA and SVVSD remain at impasse. At issue is the SVVEA salary proposal which the board has rejected. SVVEA President Jerri Modrall said, “It is very frustrating. This entire bargaining process has been hampered by the board’s repeated back pedaling on the use of bond and mill monies. In addition the board has deceived the community about our proposals.”
Last fall teachers, parents and the community banded together to pass an historic Mill and Bond for the St. Vrain District. The School Board promised $6 million of the new funds would be used to increase the teacher base pay in order to make SVVSD more competitive in recruiting and retaining highly-qualified teachers.
According to Modrall, “The school board, led by Board President Sandi Searls, has abandoned its promise.” Searls says the ballot language is different from the booklet and they didn’t really mean $6 million to the base. There is only one way to describe it. “Bait and Switch!”
“SVVEA is acutely aware of the importance of fiscal responsibility”, says Modrall. Teachers took a 7% pay cut in addition to a salary freeze in 2002 and understand all too well tight budgets and lean times. However, the school district is doing quite well financially. With the recent passage of the Bond and Mill Levy override for the first time in the district’s history, a 4.9% increase in funding from the state and millions in stimulus money flowing into district coffers, the district finds itself in a very enviable position.
We are not asking for the Board to be irresponsible with the money they have, but to recognize and reward the significant contribution the teachers make to student achievement and success in this district as promised during the Bond and Mill campaign.
The money is there. It is meant to be spent to provide quality education for our students—not to be stashed away in some savings account.
“To do so shortchanges both our students and the people who have committed their professional lives to teaching those students. All of these additional funds, the flexibility to spend as the district sees fit, PLUS the passage of our Mill Levy and Bond, means the Board can be fiscally responsible and still pay for increased costs, maintain and enhance our quality student programs, and live up to the promises made,” Modrall asserted.
In light of the current situation, SVVEA will request that the Colorado Education Association begin preparations for a crisis assessment which will bring a team of members and staff from other local associations to St.Vrain to assess the situation and make recommendations for the future.
“The crisis assessment by our colleagues from around the state is an important step in the process. Their recommendations will guide us in the weeks ahead as we work towards a mutually acceptable settlement,” concluded Modrall.
Not to worry-no one is stashing away any money. It is being spent on numerous project managers, directors, an architect, an Internet communications specialist, all of their associated support staff, and loads of new high end computers–it is as if the folks at the ESC/LSC have won the lottery! The Mill Levy Override lottery that is. Most lottery winners spend themselves into the poor house. I wonder if this is where SVVSD is headed. Good luck with future negotiations!
By: Prefer Anonymity on August 28, 2009
at 2:00 am