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Friday, April 9, 2010 | 2:01 a.m.
Sun Archives
Clark County’s teachers, resisting calls for wage concessions, may now start feeling pressure to buckle from an unlikely source: their colleagues in Washoe County, home of the state’s second-largest teachers association.
The Washoe Education Association and other school district employee groups have agreed to salary freezes and furloughs of two professional days in the upcoming school year, saving the district $11 million and possibly avoiding layoffs.
The Clark County School District and its employees have yet to agree to wage concessions, and the Clark County Education Association is expected to declare an impasse on several sticking points and will ask for binding arbitration.
If Clark County worked out a similar deal to the one agreed to by Washoe’s teachers, it would go a long way toward saving jobs, district officials say.
“Hopefully we’ll come to some sort of accord soon,” said Ruben Murillo, president of the Clark County Education Association. “Our role is to protect teacher jobs and salaries to the best of our ability.”
When asked whether the local union would consider pay cuts or furlough days to help the district close its budget gap, Murillo said “everything is still on the table.”
But he said it’s premature for the union, which represents more than 18,000 licensed personnel, to make concessions.
“Washoe County is not Clark County,” Murillo said. “Not all of our issues, concerns and needs are the same.”
The School Board here on Wednesday approved a tentative operating budget with a $30 million shortfall, which would require cutting more than 1,000 positions to balance.
The district has notified 90 school-site administrators that their positions could be eliminated. Those cuts, along with about 20 central office administrative jobs, would save the district $11 million. Increasing class sizes in grades 1-3 would reduce teacher ranks by 540 positions and save another $30 million.
The teachers are not alone among beleaguered public employee unions. Public workers face increased scrutiny and pressure to make wage and benefit concessions while confronting a deteriorating political environment, with the fortunes of the less labor-friendly Republicans on the rise.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called on the local teacher unions to make wage concessions to avoid layoffs. Business groups from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce to large gaming companies have called for reforms of the collective-bargaining process, and have talked broadly about local government-employee pay. (This has led to countercharges from public employee groups that the business lobby is trying to change the subject from badly funded schools, health and social programs.)
The Nevada State Education Association — the umbrella organization for the county unions — has resisted wage concessions thus far.
As state and local governments have dealt with the budget crisis, some local government-employee groups have agreed to adjust their contracts. State lawmakers instituted a one-day-a-month furlough for state workers, who do not have collective bargaining, reducing their salaries by 4.6 percent.
Before February’s special legislative session, teachers union President Lynn Warne rejected the suggestion, calling on legislators to show “leadership and courage.” Legislators wound up cutting funding to education by 6.9 percent. Warne said each district must deal with budget shortfalls in its own way. Carson City teachers, she said, reached an agreement that did not require them to freeze teacher salaries or agree to furloughs.
The Washoe agreement, which was approved by the school board this week, would eliminate two professional development days. Also, so-called “step increases” — pay raises — for years of service will be suspended. Teachers would still get raises for gaining more education.
“To avoid literally hundreds of teacher and employee layoffs, we wanted to go toward salary freezes and furlough days,” said Steve Mulvenon, spokesman for the Washoe County School District. “We are very fortunate here to have much more of a collaborative relationship with those employee groups than lots of other districts around the country.”
Steve Hill, former chairman of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and a member of the group’s government affairs committee, praised the Washoe teachers for making wage concessions. The chamber has, for more than two years, loudly highlighted what it sees as outsized public employee wages in Nevada.
According to census data, Nevada’s teachers are the 19th highest paid in the country, but make 95 percent of the average.
“Saying teachers are overpaid would be misstating the issue,” Hill said. “On the other hand, we certainly feel like keeping employees we have, and adjusting contracts in place, makes more sense to us than layoffs.”
Murillo, with the Clark County teachers association, said that at this time last year the district was looking at a surplus of more than 400 teachers because of projected enrollment declines and a reduction in elective classes to meet a $135 million budget shortfall. But within a few months, nearly all of them had been reassigned, many into positions that opened as people voluntarily retired or resigned.
“Last year we waited and we were able to work through the whole process,” Murillo said. “We don’t want to have a knee-jerk reaction that the sky is falling. Yes, the sky is cloudy — but we survived last year, and we’ll survive this year.”
"with the fortunes of the less labor-friendly Republicans on the rise."
...this should be tattooed on the forehead of every union goon teacher.
Coming from a two teacher household, we would agree to the Washoe County concessions. Murillo needs to get with the program.
Oh, and remember teachers, there is a limited quit period for the CCEA...usually the first two weeks in July. Mark your calendars.
stevem,
Time to grow up.
People have tried to tell you over and over and over, but you don't get it. You are a SMARMY PUNK.
As to the business of the story;
I'd tell em' to go fish.
stevem is a complete fool.If he actually understood the facts he would know that Obama made a crucial recess appointment of labor friendly lawyer to the Nation Labor Relations Board last week. If infact this little jerk stevem actually had an encounter with Mr. Hoffa he may grown up on the spot and learned how to think before he wages his juvenile tongue.
How right you are with the crowd growing incresingly tired of his ridiculous rants.
On another issue the only answer to saving Nevadas and Americas schools is to have strict merit pay system for teachers and administration. Both of these unions are corrupt and so self serving they are bankrupting tax payers and more importantly jeopardizing our childrens and grandchildrens education. Is it no wonder Clark County schools rank behind Mississippi and Alabama, they now run even up with Guam.
Terri Jannison and her group of trustees must go. They have a dictatorship which serves only thier intersts.This coming from a union guy.
There is no point in CCEA making any decisions about negotiations until all of the information is in. Thank you, Ruben, for being professional and responsible regarding any changes to our contract.
Ruben Murillo, president of the Clark County Education Associations aid in this article:"Our role is to protect teacher jobs and salaries to the best of our ability."
Not likely Ruben and not true as you are obviously a pawn for the district trustees and administration hacks. You are more interested in paving a way for you to enter administration once you are no longer a CCEA officer; you want to follow Mary Beth Scow who as CCEA's last president got herself a cushy administration job at $70,000 + untold benefits. what's in it for you Reuben? What cushy job is waiting for you?
When have you ever voiced an objection to anything this district and its administrators have done to or against teachers? How about the constant harassment techniques that some of these punk administrators put upon teachers? Where is your demands for a 'Teachers Bill of Rights' as part of teacher negotiated contracts? Where is it Reuben? Huh, Reuben? Where, oh where is it?
Why don't you and the CCEA publish counter arguments in our local papers against the constant barage of teacher baiting, teacher hating comments that appear in the papers? Why don't you publish an ad showing an accounting of exactly what a typical teacher does in a typical day in a typical CCSD school? Show the public how the teachers hourly salary is a pittance compared to what they must accomplish at school and on their own time. ... You are a phony looking to pad your own pay check as a future administrator. You no more represent the interests of teachers than my dog would.
Why don't you and the CCEA stand up for what is really important in education instead of making teachers look like greedy, money mongering, run of the mill union lackies? The CCEA is nothing more than a company union run for and by the CCSD and you know it!
Sad thing is, when the economy gets better and there is enough money - the powers that be will still find an excuse to not fund education salaries.
So an average teacher makes, what, $48,748 a year. The older ones make mid $50s and the newer ones make $30+.
Consider their retirement (75% of the highest salary for life) is fully paid for by the district (you and me), plus medical care, plus life insurance, plus IRS deductions, plus home buying programs, plus sick leave, etc.
Oh, and they work 1,480 hours a year while you and I work about 2,080 hours (they get 75 more paid days off a year than us - pretty slick, huh?)
I don't know... it seems they have it pretty good, but all we ever hear is how under paid they are. Who do we believe?
TO LYUNSUN: You are absolutely correct. The excuse in better times that there are too many teachers and,"we can't afford to pay them more."
It has been that way here for decades. Only money for the administrators. Nothing changes and nothing will change until we clean house with the trustees and eliminate the 'good ole boy' network system in administation of the CCSD
"People have tried to tell you over and over and over, but you don't get it. You are a SMARMY PUNK."
and i've said over and over again that if you have to resort to name calling and have no factual way to argue with me...
i think you are the punk.
don't bring a knife to a gunfight.
NewSense,
Teachers get paid the more years they work (Which makes no sense because after 4 or 5 years teachers don't get any better.) They also get paid more for earning extra degrees (Which also doesn't make sense because most research shows that having a MA in Education doesn't make you any better). Teachers in Nevada can also earn tenure after just one year - and that doesn't make any sense either because the awarding of tenure isn't based on how good the teacher actually is. Furthermore tenure makes it very hard to remove bad teachers - that is why the vast majority of teachers receive satisfactory evaluations.
This all adds up to a very generous salary and benefits package. According to our own government estimates the average teacher in the Silver State makes about $73,000 a year in salary and benefits. Not a bad gig if you're the average teacher, not so good if you are a new teacher though.
"So an average teacher makes, what, $48,748 a year. The older ones make mid $50s and the newer ones make $30+.
Consider their retirement (75% of the highest salary for life) is fully paid for by the district (you and me), plus medical care, plus life insurance, plus IRS deductions, plus home buying programs, plus sick leave, etc.
Oh, and they work 1,480 hours a year while you and I work about 2,080 hours (they get 75 more paid days off a year than us - pretty slick, huh?)
I don't know... it seems they have it pretty good, but all we ever hear is how under paid they are. Who do we believe?"
How often do you have to purchase items out of your own pocket for the workplace?
memo to self;
you can't argue with stupid.
a note to chupy...
Well said. Sanity.
A shout out to the depths of Pat's think tank:
Hellllooooooo dooooown theeeeeeeere!
You little teacher basher, you!
stevem:
Glad you have shown your true colors here, that you are an advocate of anti-unionism and forcing people into have "scarlet letters" tattooed so that you teabagger types can terrorize other people who legally choose to be represented by a union.
ShannonK:
You are free to give back any of your salary you feel you are overpaid to Governor Potato Heads "teacher tip jar". There were only 4 donations adding up to $216 bucks. You may also tutor your students all summer during summer break on your time off too. Of course you cannot charge for this, you make too much already.
mwh710:
Find a way to unload a bill or two, the odds of no sacrifice are slim. It is beginning to appear that because of the cowardice of Nevada politicians a reduction may be imminent. I wish you well and you are in my prayers.
Vsestini:
Amazing post. I hope some of the union leaders get their act together and get a bit more of an in your face attitude. Good on ya! Are you a teacher here?
Wizard of oz:
YOUR TYPING IN ONLY LARGE FONTS IS ANNOYING, your positions are knee jerk and are very teabaggerish in content. Try the library. You need a few refresher courses.
Patrick:
Good morning, your first sentence makes no rational sense. Do you advocate full pay the day you are hired? Or is another cowardly right wing attempt at reducing teacher wages?
Extra Degrees make teachers able to teach more classes, it also keeps their knives sharp. This is arguing over pennies and nickles. And you know it.
If you started treating teacher with respect rather than contempt I guarantee they will help you remove "bad" teachers.
I think that most teachers in the CCSD made a bad career choice. They should have become firefighters. Even at your imputed value of 73k I think in the current economy that the citizens of the state of Nevada get a bargain for what they do.
"Hopefully we'll come to some sort of accord soon," said Ruben Murillo, president of the Clark County Education Association. "Our role is to protect teacher jobs and salaries to the best of our ability."
Please keep this comment in mind when union reps propose ideas to improve the education system. Their sole purpose is to protect teacher's jobs, regardless of how effective a teacher is. That often conflicts with some positive ideas to improve our system.
That's not a knock on the teachers' union, it's just pointing out the facts. Parents can not rely on them to look out for their kids or to find ways to improve our failing education system, that's not their job.
I don't feel any peer pressure. I work hard for my salary. I am still paying for my Masters Degree in Education and additional education which is required by the district.
I have bills and responsibilities just like everyone else.
Let the District show the community the books-let us see the budget. Show the union where the money is spent. Then I would be glad to consider "shared sacrifice"-until then, I choose to keep my salary. Once relinquished, you can bet there is no going back.
Those who comment here trashing teachers haven't a clue how many personal dollars teachers spend on their studetns and classrooms, how many additional hours teachers work. Funny, I have't met too many of the teachers those who comment so negatively about in my profession. Why would we stay with all the abuse the public heaps on ?
Maybe we like what we do!
cnev, I certainly hope you didn't think my earlier post was bashing teachers. I have a ton of respect for the profession. I think the effective teachers should be paid A LOT more and the ineffective teachers should be shown the door, not just reassigned to a different area.
Just want to make sure you weren't referencing my post.
cnev - I'm with you. I want to see the bank statements!
The Chamber of Commerce wants all employees in Nevada to make minimum wage,(not Nevada minimum wage with an extra dollar, the absolute lowest minimum wage possible) no benefits, no insurance, no retirement so they can maximize their profits. But no limit on CEO or executive bonuses (right, Sue Lowden?).
I'm fresh out of sympathy for teachers. My car registration has a $341 'Government Use Tax' added to the DMV registration fee of $46 for a total of $387.
The Government Use Tax gets paid to the county and they turn around and pay 100% of that to:
The school district.
50% of your boat registration fee goes to:
The school district.
More than 50% of every sales tax dollar goes to:
The school districts. Yes, Martha, even the sales tax on your car.
Oh, and more than 50% of our property tax goes to:
Yep, the school district.
And then the schools districts bellow that they have no money to pay for supplies. Or band. Or football. Or phys ed. Why? Because if they did come clean and fund these sore spots, there would be no screams for more money. There are always crys to help the schools get more money. Why? Don't you ever want to know what they do with it all?
If they fixed their leaky roofs or bought proper books or supplies, there would be no pleas from squeeky PTA parents for just a little more. Instead, the districts hire grant writers to secure funds so they can add more project staff and administrators. More staff = bigger salaries and more executive benefits.
PhDs run the school districts and they aren't dumb by any means. They know just how to work the system (and you) and we're just suckers for buying their tall tales of deprivity.
NewSense, we still fall below the national average in per pupil expenditures (as far as instruction/staff is concerned), so even though more than half of our budget goes towards education, we just don't generate enough tax revenue. I think the state just wants to market itself as having no state income tax, so they hide it in all of these other areas.
Regardless, money alone is not going to solve the problem. I think they need a completely new strategy to be more efficient/effective. Those ideas are not going to come from unions, and likely aren't going to come from the majority of politicians (who pander to the unions), because many of the good ideas (in my opinion) involve pay for performance, and the ability to fire ineffective teachers/administrators, and really evaluating the jobs that are being done.
School district does NOT mean just teachers. Don't hate on them because of the administrators that fail to make proper budgets.
jbonello, of course. Based on the results of the survey that the school distict did a few weeks ago, I think most people think there's FAR more waste at the administrative level. Unfortunately, it sounds like the admin positions that are cut could result in those people going back to being teachers, and the existing teachers getting the boot.
JeffFromVegas:
I'm not sure why you have chosen to personally attack me. Must be because you really don't have anything relevant to say.
If teachers are going to be forced to take some sort of cut, I am all for furlough days because at least teachers aren't expected to work more for less...they actually get that day off.
If teachers are going to be forced to take some sort of cut, I'd prefer to waive the step raise for years worked, but at least be able to keep the one for education attained...that way teachers who have spent the money to receive that particular raise actually get that raise to be able to start paying off the student loans.
Do I like the idea of cuts for teachers? Absolutely not. I was there when times were great and everyone was rolling in the dough, but teachers were told, "Oh, but there's not enough for you this year."
Say what? Didnt the police get a 7% raise over 3 years? And the CCEA and NSEA is doing what? Sounds like the teacher's union blows! Don't teachers have families to support like policemen do? Wake up you dumb teachers and don't back down for anything. Why do police get a raise and you do not?
Tell those worthless firefighters who have children and families to stop raping the system so they can live fat off the hog while others pay through the nose. Oh yeah, Nevadans, you can thank Rory the governor candidate for that. He cant even manage clark county and he wants to be governor. In my day people like him were given no attention and for good reason.
Studies have shown unions have lost their effectiveness and still cost those in the union dues monthly. Without unions our country wouldn't have grown to what it was and might still be, but common sense tells one that this is a dinosaur and has outlived its usefulness like the typewriter.
In other government sectors non-union formulas have worked, there are more $100K jobs in government in some states than in private.
I am not against anyone making money, but it seems that some feel they have entitlement. If I were in a job where I had to scracth to make a living I'd go back to school or trade and move onto something else.
The problem as I see it is government once again over promised, and needs to cut. They can shave teachers off their payroll as growth has reversed but they are trying to be civil to protect jobs because its socially just.
I know I'd be p!$4ed if I were a teacher, but I'd also see the writing on the wall and start looking for something else, maybe a private school or even another line of work.
Hill said: "On the other hand, we certainly feel like keeping employees we have, and adjusting contracts in place, makes more sense to us than layoffs."
Yeah, it is nice to reduce payroll without reducing workforce. Nice for the employer.
Again, the politicians holding the purse strings always cut the wrong string. Cut admin and support, leave the teachers in the classroom alone, and you solve 1/2 the problem. The other half of the problem can only be solved by funding Nevada education other ways beside the business tax on casinos.
I'm glad that no matter what happens, there are going to be more colossal budget cuts to LAUSD, UNLV, and UCLA. School don't deserve a blank check.
vsastini wrote -- "you want to follow Mary Beth Scow who as CCEA's last president got herself a cushy administration job at $70,000 + untold benefits. what's in it for you Reuben? What cushy job is waiting for you?"
The past president of CCEA who received a cushy job with CCSD was NOT Mary Beth Scow.... It was Mary Ella Scamaway.... excuse me, Holloway. But you are absolutely correct regarding Murillo. He will NEVER push too hard against CCSD. He is praying for a cushy, rewarding job with CCSD. Of course, he now says.... "Oh, no.... I am fighting for teachers." Of course, he has to say that.
Remember teachers the ONLY time to opt out of CCEA is the first two weeks in July. Drop CCEA before they DROP you and your benefits.....