Comments on: MDUSD teachers’ union stands tough on demands

By: Flippin' Tired

Flippin' Tired — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:54:50 +0000

Anon @8,
Yes, there are annual step increases, until you reach the highest step, and then they stop. So if someone has been at the same job for 20 years, they have not received an increase in 10 years. CST, CSEA and M&O were not foolish enough to vote away medical coverage in lieu of cash in their paychecks. Teachers did that. They’ve received money to put towards medical, but the other unions received cuts to their hours. Teachers are not more deserving than the other workers in this district.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:11:42 +0000

The two SIG MOU’s with MDEA were negotiated in secrecy and not approved by the Board in a public meeting. The secret boundary change committee still hasn’t revealed the proposed changes for “Bay Point” and “Meadow Homes” areas which will “shuffle” students between schools so district won’t have to pay the bussing costs currently being incurred. As many as 1/3 of MH students will be switched to neighbor schools, and those schools will then in turn shuffle many of their students to outlying schools. So many issues concerning transportation, busy streets, and long distances, all of which Supt Lawrence and the consultants are unfamiliar with but make sense to save the “district” money and place the financial burden on low income families. Another “genius” idea by Lawrence to finance district raises on the backs of the poor.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:50:08 +0000

The San Lorenzo district used a portion of its SIG money for $1,000 stipends to SIG teachers. The WCCUSD exempted teachers at SIG schools from layoffs. I hear SFUSD is doing the same thing, but is being challenged.
Langley said MDUSD wanted to exempt SIG teachers from layoffs, but the union didn’t agree that SIG teachers had significantly more training than other elementary teachers, since they have all been trained in data analysis and many are part of Professional Learning Communities working collaboratively to plan lessons, etc.
Still, after writing my recent story about SIG schools, everyone seems to agree that it’s vital to have a cohesive staff with a common vision to really turnaround a school: http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_20072303/grants-make-big-difference-at-some-east-bay

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:19:56 +0000

@TH#15 There are a bunch of teachers opting out of the SIG schools because the extra $14 per day doesn’t compensate for the “extra” toil of an increased school day. With the large SIG grants unspent, MDEA should have negotiated a larger increase. They were suckered.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:42:16 +0000

Langley told me that the one-time payment would have amounted to about $5 million for all employees, which is doable given the district’s large reserve, which was built up in part from furlough days taken by employees last year.
He said he expected that the district would give the same percentage increases to classified staff as well.
He also said he expects that after fact-finding is over, the district will be told: You should have given staff these increases a long time ago.
He said he was especially frustrated by the fact that the teachers’ union “busted its butt” to agree to an MOU for SIG schools so the district could meet grant requirements, and is now being “treated like dirt” by the district.
However, he said if the union had it to do over again, it would still have agreed to the MOU, because it helps students through the SIGs.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:08:27 +0000

Here is the box that Eberhart/Lawrence have negotiated themselves into: Any raises given to teachers must also be given to Dent Center management ! This morning Lawrence in an emergency meeting with the DMA tried to gloss over that fact, but his dismissiveness was not persuasive — rarely has been, but he instills fear in those who would speak up against him. The DMA [Diablo Managers Association -- read that Dent Center and school administration] have an agreement with MDUSD that any raises or increase in benefits given to MDEA are also given to MDA. Of course, MDEA has never been “officially” advised of this so they ignore it and frankly could care less about it. In an election year to give Lawrence, Rolen, Browne, Lock, and Braun-Martin, along with all of SASS raises at their already skyscraper salaries, would be the kiss of death to the re-election of Eberhart and Whitmarsh. And lets not forget the Gang of Five raises which insulted not only DMA members who also took on “additional responsibilities” without increased pay, buy also insulted all of the MDEA employees who are being “burdened” with the pressure of all of the additional testing, data analysis, and pressure to perform. More straws are being added to the camels back as secret “boundary change” meetings continue to occur, along with the less-than-transparent “Bay Point Master Plan” ruse for which Pete Petersen is “running point”. Unless Eberhart/Lawrence “give in” pretty quickly to MDEA, and accept the DMA consequences, a nuclear reaction in the district is about to occur that could align MDEA and DMA together against Eberhart/Lawrence’s selfish positions. We are going to see some fireworks before the Fourth of July — no doubt about it.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:08:55 +0000

When we get all the data.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:02:44 +0000

When will MercuryNews Public Employee Database be updated to 2011 Salaries ?

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:27:31 +0000

Impasse is part of Eberhart’s re-election strategy — look tough against the unions to the general public and then cut a deal with the teacher’s for their support. He’s still angry at MDEA for holding Buttercupgate over his head.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:41:29 +0000

I have just posted an update regarding MDEA’s impasse announcement: http://bit.ly/wG5oUr