171 replies to this topic

[mac_convert]

FCUSD was one of a only a few districts that took furlough days voluntarily. I was told by an executive member that they were prepared to offer four furlough days and the district chose to keep the number three for an easy equal number.

I find it nice that administration took six days, but their work year is longer. I think the teachers should take the same percentage of time which wouldn't be six days. I think teachers need to give a little but we're already having to use more of our personal funds to keep up art projects, extra curricular projects, etc. I try not to rely on families for donations other than at the beginning of the year when school supplies are very inexpensive. I also stock up on the school supplies too!

I think many teachers who have taught longer than I have, currently I'm at 15 years, have watched FCUSD always at the bottom of salary and benefits. I understand that health benefits are increasing for all and I think it is in FCUSD's best interest to drop Health Net because they are increasing more dramatically each year. Almost all employees who use Health Net could switch to Western Health Advantage and would be able to keep their doctors and retain the same amount of coverage.

I really do try to keep an open mind, especially during these times but when people like EDF and StacyCam throw out generalizations about teachers it doesn't make teachers want to give more, but be defensive. I know many think this TA is the best that we can get right now. Even if the teachers were to agree to the districts initial request all teaching jobs would not be saved. I would enlighten a larger sacrifice if ALL my fellow colleagues jobs are saved! While I am a union member I am not a "gung-ho" left wing liberal who agrees with everything the union spits out. I use my brain and beliefs to form my own opinions.

P.S. I really love my job. It is difficult at times teaching in Folsom, but I chose teaching so I could help educate and raise up citizens of our next generation. I knew going into teaching I wouldn't "get rich" but that I would be relatively comfortable with wise spending choices and hard work!

Union reps only want to present 3 days of furlough, amounting to not much more than a 1.5% increase. They will not bring a 4, 5 or 6-day furlough nor salary schedule freezes to their members. All of those options were presented to the union. 3 days will almost save the middle school electives. Governor's May Budget revision is no worse or better than expected.



Yes, presented and not accepted for proposal to the union as a whole. Many teachers' unions in CA have agreed to 5-7 furlough days, but not FCUSD.

[rightwingknot]

Official response to Mr. Godwin's Budget Update:

On May 13, 2010, Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD) Superintendent Pat Godwin tried to influence the bargaining process between the district and the Folsom Cordova Education Association (FCEA). In essence, he asserts that the current tentative agreement will result in cutbacks in programs as a result of the teachers not accepting more than a three day reduction in work year.

In fact, the teachers, nurses, counselors, speech pathologists, and other certified staff of the Folsom Cordova Education Association have always believed in being a part of the solution during the current and past times of budgetary stress.

When FCUSD asked for help in 2003, we were the only district in the area, if not the state, to take a lifetime pay cut to save class size reduction.

In 2009, we were one of the few districts in the county to take “furlough” (reduction in work) days, and FCUSD was the only district that saw the need to do a second round of layoffs over the summer. Every member of FCEA sacrificed their portion of their salary, which for many impacted their retirement earnings.

In addition to reductions in pay, teachers have taken other steps to insure our district's fiscal health. We do not get lifetime health benefits or automatic increases in our coverage as compared to other districts. When health care costs go up, our contract does not provide for automatic coverage increases. Those increases are passed on by the school district directly onto the members of our association, and have been for quite some time.

No number of furlough days will restore the positions of those who received layoff notices. In fact, even the best offer from FCUSD would only restore only 35 of the 77 total numbers of teachers that would be laid off in July. It is highly disingenuous for FCUSD to accuse FCEA of not helping to save jobs when the fact is they [FCUSD] were only willing to restore half the RIFs in the first place.

A detailed survey of the FCEA membership, monthly leadership meetings, and feedback from various representative groups, provided the bargaining team to determine a set number of days which was determined to have the greatest chance of receiving ratification. The agreement was signed by the school district on Friday, May 7th. Yet, it appears, Mr. Godwin would like to influence the members of FCEA to reject the offer and return to the table to increase the number of days.

Despite the fact that the teachers, counselors, and nurses have stepped up to the plate in these difficult times time and again, we find it odd that the FCUSD would try to demonize the valued employees as the cause for the proposed cuts when it is they, the district, who make the proposals on what is to be cut, not the teachers. That notwithstanding, and even though some districts in our area are not making similar concessions, FCEA has signed an agreement to help and stand by it.

Signed, FCEA President Mark Schultz and President-Elect Michael Itkoff

The underlying assumption is that other districts are taking 5 & 6 day furloughs, so should FCEA teachers. What the district representatives are NOT saying is that those district didn't take ANY furlough days last year.

FCUSD teachers are good, fair-minded people. It's sad that district representative try to characterize them otherwise.

[stacycam]

mac_convert - wow, you know nothing about me. I guess it's good to know you aren't reading ALL of my posts. Up until recently I have supported the teachers and criticized the board - heavily. I purposely tried to avoid "generalizing" the teachers by asking for an explanation.

I do believe teachers are paid VERY well. To make around/over $60K for 10 months of work is pretty damned good. I love the teachers and I think their job is important. I help in the classroom and always donate supplies when needed. At this point, I don't necessarily think teachers are "overpaid", but they are not where they were 10 years ago when I was outraged at how low teachers' salaries were. I understand it SUCKS to take a pay cut, but during these times I think it might be necessary. I would disagree if teachers were the only ones to be cut. Everyone is feeling it.

Personally, coming from an HR background, the furloughs are the best deal for the teachers. You are not losing your base salary and once the furloughs are done, you will make your original pay. If you take a percentage paycut, you lose that forever.

I have to be honest that my kids come first. I want my kids to get the best education and when I see things like this, I get very frustrated. My daughter has had some excellent teachers, but if more teachers are laid off, the wonderful teacher she had this year will be gone. That will be a huge loss - along with the teachers that have been let go previously.

Ultimately, all I really care about are my kids. Period. I don't want my kids to exit the school system worse off than all the other kids going off to college. I want them to have a great education. The best teachers in the world will not be able to teach well if they are not given resources, and have 40 kids crammed into the classroom. The kids will not have anything to bring to colleges if we only have the core curriculum. College is extremely competitive - you have to have it all. Unfortunately, our schools are not providing that.

And, please, do not ever group me in with edf. We could not be more different.

[JoAnne Reinking]

I think it's important to note what 6 days could have restored (for example) the following positions
20 FTE of certificated staff for middle school electives
5 FTE of certificated high school staffing
3 FTE of counselors
6 FTE of grades 1 and 2 (class size of 25 not to exceed 27)
1 FTE of nurses


IMO people are hoping that the Federal Govt will send relief. Could happen. Why not agree to restore as many jobs as possible with any possible relief we get going back to the teachers. If we get enough to restore a day or two there is always a need for teacher in service or training days etc...days of this type do not have to effect the student calendar.
What would be best for our students?

[mac_convert]

Sorry Stacy. I too care about kids and I 100% agree with you that furloughs are the best way. Personally I am willing to take more furlough days, but I am not in favor AT ALL for a freeze in column and step.

I also think it is a shame that teachers have lost their jobs for three years in a row! Godwin's letter has created an Us vs. Them battle and this banter that I also got sucked into is just what he wants!

Ultimately I think it is a shame that prisoners receive more funds than the children in our schools. The percentages should be reversed! IMO.

mac_convert - wow, you know nothing about me. I guess it's good to know you aren't reading ALL of my posts. Up until recently I have supported the teachers and criticized the board - heavily. I purposely tried to avoid "generalizing" the teachers by asking for an explanation.

I do believe teachers are paid VERY well. To make around/over $60K for 10 months of work is pretty damned good. I love the teachers and I think their job is important. I help in the classroom and always donate supplies when needed. At this point, I don't necessarily think teachers are "overpaid", but they are not where they were 10 years ago when I was outraged at how low teachers' salaries were. I understand it SUCKS to take a pay cut, but during these times I think it might be necessary. I would disagree if teachers were the only ones to be cut. Everyone is feeling it.

Personally, coming from an HR background, the furloughs are the best deal for the teachers. You are not losing your base salary and once the furloughs are done, you will make your original pay. If you take a percentage paycut, you lose that forever.

I have to be honest that my kids come first. I want my kids to get the best education and when I see things like this, I get very frustrated. My daughter has had some excellent teachers, but if more teachers are laid off, the wonderful teacher she had this year will be gone. That will be a huge loss - along with the teachers that have been let go previously.

Ultimately, all I really care about are my kids. Period. I don't want my kids to exit the school system worse off than all the other kids going off to college. I want them to have a great education. The best teachers in the world will not be able to teach well if they are not given resources, and have 40 kids crammed into the classroom. The kids will not have anything to bring to colleges if we only have the core curriculum. College is extremely competitive - you have to have it all. Unfortunately, our schools are not providing that.

And, please, do not ever group me in with edf. We could not be more different.

[Redone]

Furlough = 1 lost day of instruction , correct ?

[rightwingknot]

Furlough = 1 lost day of instruction , correct ?

Furlough = one less day to teach the same amount of material.

[AMETHYST PRODUCTIVITY]

Furlough = one less day to teach the same amount of material.

One less day of instruction isn't going to do any damage. My 7th grader has come home several times over the last 2 years and said that they watched a DVD instead of doing class work.

[rightwingknot]

One less day of instruction isn't going to do any damage. My 7th grader has come home several times over the last 2 years and said that they watched a DVD instead of doing class work.

I've always enjoyed "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" as a wonderful teaching tool to learn about history

[Redone]

One less day of instruction isn't going to do any damage. My 7th grader has come home several times over the last 2 years and said that they watched a DVD instead of doing class work.

I don't think it's damaging either.

My point was although the furlough saves money , it is also a lost day.

If we can afford so many lost days in the instructional calendar then maybe we should start school after Labor day.

[tessieca]

mac_convert - wow, you know nothing about me. I guess it's good to know you aren't reading ALL of my posts. Up until recently I have supported the teachers and criticized the board - heavily.

Ha! I'll vouch for that . If Stacycam wanted to throw anyone under the bus it would be the board, not the teachers.

I also think it is a shame that teachers have lost their jobs for three years in a row! Godwin's letter has created an Us vs. Them battle and this banter that I also got sucked into is just what he wants!

When I read the letter, I thought it was just a factual statement and not politicized. Mr. Schultz's letter kind of brought an us vs. them thing into it. Methinks he doth protest too much.

Furlough = 1 lost day of instruction , correct ?

First days to go would be the teacher workdays (training, orientation, etc.). If they were to furlough more than 3 days, it would reduce the student days. Gov's proposal was to continue to allow minimum at 175 days without penalty through the 2012-13 school year.

[rightwingknot]

First days to go would be the teacher workdays (training, orientation, etc.). If they were to furlough more than 3 days, it would reduce the student days. Gov's proposal was to continue to allow minimum at 175 days without penalty through the 2012-13 school year.

Might want to check the MOU again [Appendix E-4, signed 5/7/10]. The 3 days appear to be student days.

[JoAnne Reinking]

Sorry Stacy. I too care about kids and I 100% agree with you that furloughs are the best way. Personally I am willing to take more furlough days, but I am not in favor AT ALL for a freeze in column and step.

Based on your correspondence with me I know you care about our kids and community. To clarify ~ the 6 day option did not include freezing step and column.

[JoAnne Reinking]

Gov's proposal was to continue to allow minimum at 175 days without penalty through the 2012-13 school year.

He could have saved us all these problems by just out right reducing the school year to 175 days. Let the districts who could afford to negotiate up in days do so. Yes, I've been told that will never happen.

[sunnyCA]

Looking at what could have been saved by 3 more furlough days, I am disappointed that the union did not accept that offer. Those are a LOT of jobs saved, and the jobs saved definitely would improve education in this district. IMO, the middle school electives and CSR to 25 (instead of 32) would make a BIG difference in student learning--both performance and motivation.

I teach at Sac State and in the 09-10 school year we took 18 furlough days, which amounted to a 10% pay cut. We did it to improve the educational experience of the students we teach and to save colleagues' jobs. I am disappointed that our teachers' union did not step up on this one....they were asked to take 1/3 of what higher ed took and they still didn't budge. I'm sad and disappointed in their leadership.