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West Bend Teachers’ Contract Negotiations Continue

Yeah, just remember this when we’re being asked to tax to the max (again) because of overcrowding and poor facilities.

Bracken said the West Bend district is asking its teachers for a reprieve to get through tough times. The district’s offer would raise pay for teachers about 2% in 2009-‘10 and 3.7% in the second year, he said. The district also is proposing that teachers pick up more of their health insurance costs starting in 2011.

The teachers, meanwhile, are seeking what amounts to a 13% increase in pay over the next three years, he said. The only change to health benefits proposed by the union is for the district to pay $100 to employees’ flexible spending accounts if their spouses complete wellness surveys and screenings.

Posted by Owen at 1449 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

1. 132 words… OK, Back to you.  Some assumptions here: 13% assumes that all the staff employed on April 1, 2009 are still employed on July 1, 2009, July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011.  It does not reflect the retirement of about 10% of the veteran/highest paid staff.  It assumes that none of the staff will be laid off or reduced in contract time between April 1, 2009 and July 1, 2011.  It assumes no teacher resignations or deaths or hiring lower paid staff to replace retiring staff or drops in health insurance costs. 

   These assumptions further poison the credibility of a school district that has been challenged about its data and transparency, challenges that repeatedly wither away or are regurgitated, but are never addressed through litigation.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 06, 2010 at 1753 hrs
   
   
   

2. When was the last time you saw a DROP in health insurance costs??

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 06, 2010 at 1818 hrs
   
   
   

3. Deaths?

   

   Posted by GAMazy on February 06, 2010 at 2224 hrs
   
   
   

4. drop in health insurance costs…
   when hell froze over?
   actually they remained quite steady, though I recall reading a lot of media buzz about drug companies raising their prices in anticipation of Obama’s reforms (I don’t want to get into that under this particular thread, Thanks.).

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 06, 2010 at 2321 hrs
   
   
   

5. If retirees or workers die before they get picked up by Medicare, there is a notable cost savings.  Massive heart attack; massive stroke; and incurable, aggressive cancer save the insurance company money.  The stats exist.  Health insurance reps who research this data have spoken to the teachers.  Frankly, to play the devil’s advocate, it would be profitable to encourage insured people to drink, smoke, and eat the worst foods with a stick of butter on top 24/7.  Retire at 55…60…65, out in a flash in 5.  Grim but true, there’s savings.

   It’s the health nuts that give insurance a bad name Satire…

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 06, 2010 at 2332 hrs
   
   
   

6. Why is it West Bend schools are always the first to close at the drop of a snow flake? Look at today 2-9-10. Mps, Ozakee,Waukasha all open. West bend closed. How does that figure in to the teachers per hour pay?

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 09, 2010 at 0634 hrs
   
   
   

7. Hartford Schools closed last night - they were the first, not West Bend. 

   Lots of schools closed in Ozaukee Co, but mostly the parochials.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 09, 2010 at 0725 hrs
   
   
   

8. The WB district superintendent or assist. communicate by phone with Hartford’s admin, Slinger’s, Kewaskum’s and one or two other school districts until they reach agreement in phone conversations that take up to 90 minutes.  I know nothing of weather-related parochial school closing decisions except that they don’t run if the buses can’t run.

   Teachers are paid on a full or part time one-year contract.  Cutting days from the curriculum does offer more homework time (Teachers have home work), but curriculum, evaluations and projects have to be re-examined to coordinate logistics and priorities (A headache when one desires to pack as much learning and practice in in the time provided).

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 09, 2010 at 0804 hrs
   
   
   

9. Its a good call keeping them home nobody quite knows what the storm will bring in later on. Things are fine here in town street wise but you have to take into account the rural areas as well.
   Worse case you extend the year by a day or shorten Easter break, could there be snow days factored in the schedule already?
   Safe is good when children are involved.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 09, 2010 at 0909 hrs
   
   
   

10. You do have a point here. I have read a lot about this on other articles written by other people, but I must admit that you have proved your point here! Will be back to read more of your quality information!
    auto insurance company directory

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 09, 2010 at 1126 hrs
    
    
    

11. I think there are 2 days built in; after this, if there are snow days, the district will turn in-service days/times into student contacts and/or lengthen the day a bit and/or eliminate the HS Tues. early release. 

    Experienced teachers brought work home and are getting in some family time.

    It is about safety, avoiding moving the graduation dates, and the total minutes of student contact time: The Dept. of Public Instruction starts withholding funding to schools if they come up short (“Can’t Wisconsin schools count?”).
    http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/54407442.html

    Check out the article, one school’s fine is a slap on the wrist. 
    I hope DPI has become far more fierce.

    In line with Crusher, this storm is going to get nasty: 15-30mph winds later on in the countryside.  ...back to work.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 09, 2010 at 1201 hrs
    
    
    

12. With West Bend having the third highest unemployment rate in the state at 12.4 percent,
    Nonprofit representatives largely attribute the need to joblessness and the recession.
    “There are quite a few people unemployed,” said Liz Paasch, the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program coordinator at Youth and family Project, the program’s lead agency in the county.

    Hey Teachers!! Look, were only the 3rd highest Unemployed!! Kind of like one of the lowest spending.
    Now would be a great time for you to get a Big Juicy Raise, and have us pay more of your Bennys!! It’s all for the kids, Kick us good when were down!!

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 12, 2010 at 0955 hrs
    
    
    

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