McCain pushes vouchers, merit pay to NAACP

John McCain is telling the NAACP he will expand education opportunities for children in failing schools.

McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, on Wednesday is addressing the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation's oldest civil rights organization.

In excerpts released in advance of the speech, McCain says that the worst educational problems in the country are often found in schools in black communities and that as president he will provide greater school choices and scholarships for such students.

McCain also asks the group to excuse his absence from their convention last year, saying he was "a bit distracted" dealing with his then-faltering presidential campaign.

"If I am elected president, school choice for all who want it, an expansion of opportunity scholarships and alternative certification for teachers will all be part of a serious agenda of education reform," McCain said in the excerpts.

"After decades of hearing the same big promises from the public education establishment, and seeing the same poor results, it is surely time to shake off old ways and to demand new reforms," he said. "That isn't just my opinion. It is the conviction of parents in poor neighborhoods across this nation who want better lives for their children."

Ahead of the speech, campaign aides expected the Arizona senator to touch on his support for expanding merit-pay programs for teachers who improve students' performance and more money for tutoring poor kids.

The national teachers' unions oppose linking student test scores to teacher pay. McCain's rival for the presidency, Democrat Barack Obama, supports the idea when teachers help negotiate and craft the merit-pay plans.

Last week, aides to McCain said he would increase the choices kids have when they are in schools that are failing to meet academic benchmarks and that he would support a school voucher program for poor children in failing schools under some circumstances.

Such vouchers are generally supported by conservatives and opposed by many Democrats.

Republicans have had a tough time winning the votes of African-Americans, and it is only getting tougher this year with Obama trying to become the first black president of the United States.

Obama spoke to the NAACP on Monday, saying he would push the government to provide more education and economic assistance, but he also urged blacks to demand more of themselves.

To read more, please click here.

Tell Congress: Time Has Run Out! Act Now to Save Rural Schools

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act , which provides guaranteed funding to rural, timber-dependent counties, has expired. Congress must act immediately to pass a reauthorization or an extension of the program. Failure to act now will be devastating for rural counties across the country. In fact, impacted counties have already sent out layoff notices to school staff and other public service employees.

Congress needs to pass an extension or reauthorization as part of any moving supplemental funding bill or economic stimulus package. If they don’t:

More than 4,400 rural schools in 800 forest counties in 42 states will face severe budget shortfalls.

Many rural schools in forest counties will cut back or eliminate essential educational services – some may even be forced to shut down.

Tens of thousands of county and school employees will lose their jobs, straining the already fragile economies of these rural areas to the breaking point.

Contact your representatives in Congress TODAY!

Tell Congress to act now to save rural schools.

You Made a Difference: Victories on Health Care! With your help, NEA has scored two important victories on health care:

Medicaid for Students with Special Needs: In June, President Bush signed a bill that includes an NEA-supported delay of scheduled Medicaid reimbursement cuts for school-based, transportation, and/or rehabilitation services. This hard-fought victory allows students with medical needs to keep getting the school-based services they need.

Medicare: This week, the House and Senate voted to override the President’s veto of the NEA-supported Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331). The bill will result in much improved access to affordable, high quality medical care and pharmaceutical services for Medicare beneficiaries in rural and urban areas. In particular, the bill delays a scheduled cut in doctor fees that would have likely caused many doctors to refuse to treat Medicare patients.

Early Paychecks Benefit Membership: IPERS Early Payment Benefits Employees and District

RETRACTION NOTICE: In an article dated June 27, 2008, the LCEA Insider published part II of an article, "Early IPERS Payment a 'No-No.'" In it was a correspondence suggesting that there was a potential problem with the early payment of IPERS contributions on behalf of the LC School District. This has been the district's practice for five years. After discussing the situation with several authorities (including John Phillips, Beth Frank & Art Hill), we need to let you know that you should not be concerned with this practice as it was done to benefit our teachers. The letter suggesting that this was not allowed or that the paychecks were post-dated was incorrect. Our apologies go out to Mr. Hill for this incorrect information and for any concerns that this has caused him.

We would like to take a moment to thank Art Hill for sending paychecks out early to our members. As the old saying goes, "no good deed goes unpunished." We hope he understands our need to verify if this practice would impact our member's IPERS contributions in any adverse manner as other school districts have made mistakes that have impacted the retirement of their educators. We're thankful that he thought about saving us and the school district some money.

And we are also sorry to discover that he is leaving the LC family. He certainly will be missed. It appears that he was strongly encouraged by the city of CB to apply for the head financial postion. He applied in May. Mayor Hanafan announced his selection last Wednesday.

We'd like to thank him for his dedication to students and his upbeat, caring demeanor with your co-workers. CB's gain will be our loss.

Art Hill to Leave Lewis Central

Reprinted from the July 15, 2008 Non-Pareil
Art Hill attended one of his last board meetings as the business and finance director for the Lewis Central School District on Monday, and said the decision to resign was a tough one.

"Ultimately, it was a fiscal decision. The city gave me a good offer, and my daughter's going to Creighton University," he said. "I had planned to stay here, and I can't stress enough how great the people at Lewis Central are."

Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan announced last Wednesday that Hill will become the city's next finance department director and the Council Bluffs City Council voted Monday to approve the choice.

Hill has been the head of the Lewis Central business and finance department since July 2006. He said he formally applied for the city position, which had been vacant since Scott Sanders resigned last summer to take a job in West Des Moines in May after months of deliberation. Hill found out last Wednesday that he had been chosen for the post.

"I woke up a couple of times over the weekend wondering if I did the right thing," he admitted, "but everyone here has been decent and supportive."

He will be present for the Aug. 4 school board meeting, but his last day will be either Friday, Aug. 15, or Monday, Aug 18.

"We're very sorry to see him go," school Superintendent Mark Schweer said. "He's done an exceptional job. His accounting and CPA background has brought an added dimension and a great deal of expertise to the position."

Works for Me Starting School Tips by Teachers for Teachers

To view the Web version, follow this link.

Managing Student Work and Notes
From Kathleen Marshall (kmarshall@lwsd.org), a second grade teacher at Juanita Elementary School in Kirkland, Washington:

"Several years ago I saw a great idea to use multiple pocket folders to manage homework and home/school notes. I checked the price of these folders, and they were $2.99 each, which didn't fit my budget. I created the same kind of folders using cheap pocket folders when they hit the before-school sales at 10 cents each. Here are my directions: I use our school binding machine to cut the slots for the cover of the folder on the fold. I take a second folder, usually a different color, and turn it inside out so the pockets are on the outside. Then I take the two open sides and cut them on the binding machine. When I put one inside the other, the cuts line up, and I can attach the plastic binding. Now I have a book that has four pockets. I create labels for each pocket, such as ‘homework to do,’ ‘finished homework,’ ‘notes for home’ and ‘notes for school‘. Parents know to look for their child's student planner with homework assignments written inside the folder every night. Additional folders can be added if more pockets are needed. These folders cost 20 cents per child, plus the time and plastic binder. They seem to last most of the year but are inexpensive enough to replace mid-year. Laminating the covers does extend their life but isn't necessary. It makes life much easier for children and parents to see work arrive at home and school safely."

Comment on This Tip

More Organizing Paperwork Tips

More Organizing Paperwork Tips

Answer to Teacher Interruptions
From Kathy Johnson (kathyo_j@bellsouth.net):

"The Daily 5- Fostering Literacy Independence" in the Elementary Grades by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser outlines the answer to teacher interruptions. The book explains how to teach students to work independently allowing the teacher time to work with individual students or small groups. The authors give specific instructions on how to begin and manage their system. I’m so glad I came across this book this summer, because I'll be implementing this plan for the upcoming school year and have high hopes!"

Comment on This Tip More Organizing Paperwork Tips

Question of the Week: Teaching Time
From the Works4Me Worker Bees:
"Telling time is an essential, real-life skill, but it’s often addressed only when teachers can make some spare time for it. What strategies do you use to teach and reinforce this skill?"
Send Us Your Answer
View Replies & Post Your Tip

Group Math Projects
Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge:

"I need ideas for group math projects in grades eight through twelve. Please share your ideas with me. I am really new at creating group math projects."

Comment on This Tip More Classroom Management Tips

Submit a Tip

We couldn't do it without you! Click here to submit a tip or reply to this email. Please contribute your own brief, practical, broadly applicable classroom tip to Works4Me. When submitting a tip, please include your full name, school, specific assignment (grade/subject), city and state. This newsletter is only as good as the tips we receive, so send your ideas today.

Previous NewslettersCatch up on the ones you missed. Tips LibraryBrowse hundreds of tips we've gathered over the years. Works4Me LoungeMeet other teachers and share classroom tips on our online discussion board Send Us Your TipsWe couldn't do it without you! DISCLAIMER Works4Me is a vehicle for instructional staff to share their ideas with other instructional staff. As such, it does not constitute an endorsement of any particular curriculum or teaching method by the National Education Association or any of its affiliates.

NEA Unveils Education Plan to Reshape Federal Role in Education

Presidential election could bring a new direction for public education

WASHINGTON-After six years of treating children as no more than test scores, No Child Left Behind has not lived up to its promise. Education policy needs a new direction. Today, the National Education Association unveiled a plan to transform all public schools by the year 2020 through redefining the federal role in education.
"Federal education policy needs more than a legislative tweak here and there," said Reg Weaver, NEA president. "A change in the White House must bring fundamental changes in how the federal government treats public education. The government must move beyond testing, labeling and punishing, and begin partnering with states to close achievement gaps for all students."
As reauthorization of NCLB stalls in Congress, and as opposition to the law continues to grow, it is clear that NCLB has failed. The law judges children based solely on standardized test scores at the expense of preparing them for the real world. And the law's obsessive focus on testing, without providing basic resources, has narrowed the curriculum.
NEA calls for a new federal role in education, with the government embracing its role as a supporter-not a manager-of state and district responsibilities. The federal government should support public schools by:

• 
  
  Strengthening enforcement of civil rights laws to promote access and opportunity;
• 
  
  Funding past congressional actions and current federal mandates; and
• 
  
  Helping create the capacity at the local and state levels for school transformation.

"The federal government has a critical role in public education, and should focus on equity, opportunity and targeted assistance to underserved communities," Weaver said. "At the same time, the government must respect the role of states and school districts as the primary providers of education services."
NEA's recommendations echo new policy proposals by groups such as the Economic Policy Institute, the Forum on Educational Accountability, and the American Association of School Administrators. NEA will use its role as a leader and advocate in bringing together organizations and coalitions to work with the new administration and the next Congress.
Senator Barack Obama sent a letter to NEA members supporting the policy proposals on transforming public education.
"I applaud the NEA for its efforts to frame the agenda outlined in Great Public Schools for Every Student by 2020," Obama said. "This document provides a roadmap for educators, elected officials, policymakers, and all who care deeply about the future of our children to consider and debate in the days ahead. And it provides critical starting points for a new educational compact."

For more information, please visit:
nea.org/lac/federalrole.html

A Letter from Barack Obama to the NEA Membership

July 1, 2008
Members of the National Education Association
c/o Reginald Weaver, President
Dear Friends,
I firmly believe that teachers and education support professionals are the heartbeat of our public education system, and that the tremendous effort you've made in partnership with parents has improved and expanded children's knowledge of math and reading, writing and science but also character and confidence, curiosity and creativity. Indeed, teaching is the most important profession in our society because it is the profession on which all others depend.
I thank you for your commitment to our children and your determination to improve our nation's schools. Together we can transform our public education system and ensure that all students in this nation receive the world-class education to which each is entitled.
The agenda for a stronger America starts with education. Democrats and Republicans, liberals and. conservatives, economists and educators all agree that in this digital age, a highly-educated and skilled workforce will be the key not only to individual opportunity, but to the overall success of our economy as well. We cannot be satisfied until every child in America has the same chances for a good education that we want for our own children.
I applaud the NEA for its efforts to frame the agenda outlined in Great Public Schools for Every Student by 2020. This document provides a roadmap for educators, elected officials, policymakers, and all who care deeply about the future of our children to consider and debate in the days ahead. And it provides critical starting points for a new educational compact.
The first point is that the status quo is not acceptable. There are enormous educational and fiscal inequities among public schools. A few years ago, I visited a high school outside Chicago. The number one concern I heard from those students was that the school district couldn't afford to keep teachers for a full day, so school let out at 1:30 every afternoon. That cut out critical classes like science. These students knew they were being short-changed, like others in poor communities across America who lack the programs, textbooks, computers, science labs, and qualified teachers they need.
Second, although No Child Left Behind had the right goals - raising achievement for all students - it has not solved the problems we face. States and districts continue to struggle with how best to help lowperforming students. High-quality professional development for educators and staff has often been lacking. The focus on a single, high stakes standardized test too often distorts how eductors teach.
We can fix the failures of No Child Left Behind while focusing on accountability. We must provide the funding that was promised, give our states the resources they need, and finally meet our commitment to special education. We must ensure that the federal government provides a helping hand in enabling schools to improve, rather than a heavy hand that deflects attention from delivering great educational programs for every student in our public schools.
But, as you well know, fixing the problems of No Child Left Behind is not an education policy on its own. It's just a starting point. A truly historic commitment to education - a real commitment - will require new resources and new reforms. It will require a willingness to move beyond the stale debates that have paralyzed Washington for decades. It will require leaders in Washington who are willing to learn a lesson from students and teachers in local communities about what actually works.
Real reform begins with the understanding that from the moment our children step into a classroom, the single most important factor in determining their achievement is their educator. It's the person who stays past the last bell and spends his or her own money on books and supplies. It's all of you who go beyond the call of duty because you believe that's what makes the extra difference. And it does.
That is why the third critical point is that we must invest in educators. The federal government must support access to high-quality education and professional development for educators, as well as research and resources for obtaining additional skills that contribute to improved teaching practices. We need to collaborate with states on policies that help attract and retain qualified educators to high-poverty and hard-to-staff schools. My plan includes service scholarships to underwrite preparation for those who will teach in high-need fields and locations, new investments to ensure mentoring for all beginning educators, effective training through residency programs for teaching urban districts, and models to attract and retain diverse and talented educators to the profession. And when our educators succeed, I will not simply talk about how great they are; I will reward their greatness with better pay and more support.
Transforming our education system will require sustained effort from all of us - educators and parents; federal, state and local governments. I look forward to joining hands with you in this critically important work.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama

Contracts with a Typographical Error Have Been Issued: Please Correct & Initial Mistake

As you are probably aware, contracts have been sent to all licensed Lewis Central staff members. These contracts reflect the decision from the Interest Based Arbitration hearing.

There is a mistake in the contract in how "number of days" is listed. The contract now reads that there are 192 contract days with 192 of these days being teaching days. This is not correct. The contract should read 192 days with 180 teaching days.

YOU SHOULD CORRECT THIS AND INITIAL THE CORRECTION ON YOUR CONTRACT.

Also, you will note that we received a mailing from Mr. Hill informing us that our checks are being issued to us early. This is to avoid paying the new "additional" IPERS contribution fees. We have a call into the ISEA Regional Office in Red Oak (a.k.a. SWUU) who is checking into this on our behalf. Although we are reasonably certain that this will have no impact on our IPERS contributions, we want to make sure that we are not adversely impacting anyone's IPERS contributions. Look for an addition to this blog post on 6/27 with clarification.

NEA President to Recommend Senator Obama in General Election

originally posted June 3, 2008
NEA RA Delegates to Decide on Presidential Recommendation
9000 of the Nation's Education Leaders Will Debate & Decide at the NEA Representative Assembly in Washington, DC

Washington- National Education Association President Reg Weaver announced today that he will ask the 9,000 locally elected delegates to the Association's Representative Assembly to take a formal vote to recommend that NEA's 3.2 million members support Barack Obama in his bid to become President of the United States. NEA delegates will hold their annual meeting in Washington, D.C., over the 4th of July holiday.

"Ideally, NEA would have endorsed a candidate during the primaries, but our members were like voters everywhere," said Weaver. "They were split between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. But it's now apparent that Senator Obama has secured the necessary number of delegates to win the Democratic nomination. With such a clear picture of what Senator Obama will do for public education and his commitment to partner with NEA on issues that affect our members across the country, every public school employee needs to get squarely behind the Obama candidacy."

Presidential candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties worked to get the NEA's recommendation and access to its seasoned army of political member activists

"Senator Clinton has an outstanding record of support for children and public education," said Weaver. "As long as she was a viable candidate in the Democratic nomination process, many of our members felt a passionate need to return the loyalty she has earned over decades of support."

The contrast between Obama and McCain on issues that matter most to NEA members - the economy, education and health care - is indeed stark. Obama opposes using public tax dollars to provide financial support to private schools. McCain is already on record with votes supporting vouchers.

Obama has made it clear that the Bush Administration's No Child Left Behind law must be changed. McCain has been crossing the country saying he'll expand the very provisions of NCLB that the nation's educators cite as its greatest flaws, most especially its one-size-fits-all high-stakes testing provisions.

Obama supports making health care available to every American child. McCain has voted against expansion of existing federal programs designed to provide health care for the nation's neediest children.

Obama has said repeatedly that, while teachers need to be held accountable for what goes on in the classroom, every teacher deserves a living wage. McCain has called for paying teachers based on student test scores.

Obama supports reducing class size to improve student achievement. McCain has already voted against attempts to reduce class size.

"You can go down any list of what public school employees believe they need to truly help every child be successful, and you'll see that Senator Obama supports that list and that Senator McCain not only opposes it, but has probably already voted against it," said Weaver. "There are big and important issues in this campaign, but none is more important to the long-term future of America than public education. And there's a clear choice in 2008. I will be asking our members to make the right choice for public education and to support Senator Obama."

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional organization, representing

3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.

Voting for Iowa's 5th Congressional District:

June 23, 2008

Voting for Iowa's 5th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes -
Senate: Cloture Motion; Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008
Senate: Overriding the Veto of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
House: Overriding the Veto of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
House: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008
House: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act
House: Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008
House: FISA Amendments Act of 2008

Upcoming Congressional Bills -
Senate: FISA Amendments Act of 2008
Senate: Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008
House: The Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008
House: ADA Restoration Act
House: The Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008
---------------------------------------------------------
Recent Senate Votes

Cloture Motion; Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 - Vote Rejected (52-44, 4 Not Voting)

The Senate again failed to reach the 60 votes necessary to proceed to debate on this bill that extends a series of tax provisions.

Sen. Charles Grassley voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Tom Harkin voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
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Overriding the Veto of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Vote Passed (80-14, 6 Not Voting)

The Senate again voted to override the President’s veto of the farm bill, as a second veto was necessary because of a print error in the first version of the bill sent to the President.

Sen. Charles Grassley voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Tom Harkin voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

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Recent House Votes

Overriding the Veto of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Vote Passed (317-109, 8 Not Voting)

The House voted to override the President’s veto of the farm bill again, as a second veto was necessary due to a print error in the first version of the bill sent to the President.

Rep. Steve King voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 - Vote Passed (409-15, 9 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill to expand NASA operations and set the agency’s budget for the next fiscal year.

Rep. Steve King voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
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Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act - Vote Passed (278-146, 10 Not Voting)

The House voted to provide four weeks of paid parental leave to federal employees who adopt or give birth to a child.

Rep. Steve King voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
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Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 - Vote Passed (268-155, 12 Not Voting)

The House approved this $165.4 billion bill to fund the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq through FY2008 and the beginning of FY2009.

Rep. Steve King voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
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FISA Amendments Act of 2008 - Vote Passed (293-129, 13 Not Voting)

The House passed this intelligence bill that would revise U.S. surveillance laws.

Rep. Steve King voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
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Upcoming Votes

FISA Amendments Act of 2008 - H.R.6304

The Senate will vote on this intelligence bill that would rewrite the nation’s surveillance laws.
---------------------------------------------------------
Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - H.R.3221

The Senate is likely to vote on this housing-stimulus bill.

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The Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 - H.R.6275

The House is scheduled to vote on this bill intended to provide individuals with temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax.
---------------------------------------------------------
ADA Restoration Act - H.R.3195

The House is scheduled to vote on this bill intended to restore the intent and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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The Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008 - H.R.6052

The House is likely to vote on this bill that would promote increased public transportation use and increased use of alternative fuels by public transportation systems.
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Important Information on IA Teacher Salaries

With the prices for gas, groceries, and healthcare on the rise, educators – like most Americans –are finding that our paychecks do not go as far as they once did. Now more than ever, it is important for our country to recognize the important role that educators play in our communities and to compensate us fairly.

Instead, one candidate for President – John McCain – is supporting a reckless plan that would tie teacher salaries to student test scores*. This plan – also supported by President Bush – takes Washington's obsession with standardized testing to a dangerous new level.

As educators, we know that students come to our classrooms from very different backgrounds and that not all are equally ready to learn. We also know that many factors, particularly a student's home environment, can have an enormous impact on their academic success. Elected officials like John McCain and George Bush who think that teachers alone control student achievement might think differently if they spent more time in public school classrooms.

As John McCain visits communities like yours looking for votes, let him know that a child is more than a test score. Let him know that we became educators to help students become better people, not better test takers. And most important, let John McCain know that his plan to pay teachers based on test scores is unfair to teachers and students alike – especially in these difficult economic times.

For more information on the candidates for President, visit www.nea.org/educaitonvotes.

*McCain Campaign Speech, Alexandria, VA 4/1/08; S.2. Vote #92, 5/4/00

LCEA vs. LC Community Schools Arbitration Decision

THE DECISION OF THE ARBITRATOR HAS ARRIVED

CLICK HERE to read a Word version of the arbitrator's decision in the "LCEA vs. LC Schools Arbitration Decision.doc"

IN THE MATTER OF THE ARBITRATION

LEWIS CENTRAL COMMUNITY
SCHOOL DISTRICT

and Lewis Central CSO/EA
CEO # 373/1

LEWIS CENTRAL EDUCATION
ASSOCIATION

Appearances:

For the Association: John Phillips
Unisev Director

For the City: Donald C. Hoskins. Esq
Brian L. Gruhn, Esq

DECISION AND AWARD

The undersigned was selected by the parties through the procedures of the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board. A hearing was held in the above matter on March 28, 2008 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Prior to the hearing the parties entered into an Agreement waiving the Statutory Deadlines. They further agreed at the hearing that the Arbitrator’s Decision would not be due until June 20, 2008 and that they would use a single arbitrator rather than a three-member panel. The parties were then given the full opportunity to present testimony and evidence. The arbitrator has considered the testimony, exhibits and arguments of the parties.

BACKGROUND

The Lewis Central School District is located in Southwest Iowa. The Lewis Central Education Association represents the teachers employed by the District. There are 194 Full Time Equivalent Employees. 122 of those have a Masters Degree.
The parties resolved all of the issues in their negotiations, except one. That issue involves wages. The proposals of the parties on the outstanding issue are:
Wages

District: Starting Base Salary 2008-2009 School Year $26,900

Association: Starting Base Salary 2008-2009 School Year $27,000

The current base salary is $26,050. Thus, the Association proposes a $950 increase and the District proposes an $850 increase to the base. Obviously, the increase is greater for those on the succeeding steps of the salary schedule.
The parties are in agreement as to the costs involved for each of their proposals. The total increase in labor costs under the Association proposal for School Year 2008-09 would be $703,308 and under the District Proposal it would be $663,536. The difference is $39,770. If just salary increases, including step increases were considered, the difference is $33,659. In percentage terms, it would be a 3.65% increase in the base under the Association proposal and a 3.3% increase under the Districts.

DISCUSSION

The Arbitrator must under the Statute accept one party’s proposal or the other. Section 22.9 of the Act lists several criteria that the Arbitrator must consider in deciding which proposal to accept. They include a consideration of past bargaining between the parties; a comparison of the wages and working conditions for the involved employees with those performing similar work in other jurisdictions; the interests of the public; and “the power of the public employer to levy taxes and appropriate funds for the conduct of its operations.” The Arbitrator shall begin with a comparison with other jurisdictions. Wages shall be compared first and then the Arbitrator will look at the cost of the total package and the new money available to this District versus the others. New money is based on the increase in enrollment the current school year over the previous one.

External Comparables-Wages

The Association has provided a list of School Districts it believes is of comparable size to this District. The student enrollment for the current school year was 2,559. The Association has proposed using 20 School Districts that are closest in size of enrollment to this District as comparables. It has chosen those Districts that are ten above and ten below this District’s enrollment. They are in size order; Bettendorf, Fort Dodge, Mason City, College, Pleasant Valley, Newton, Indianola, Urbandale, North Scott, Western Dubuque, Oskatoosa, Fort Madison, Norwalk, Keokuk, Boone, Pella, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Glenwood and Knoxville. The District instead proposes the five Districts that are above and below this District as comparables. This is the same method that was used by Arbitrator Michelstetter back in 1992 in a dispute between these same parties. The District’s list would exclude Bettendorf through Pleasant Valley and Knoxville through Pella. There has also been a suggestion by both sides that the Hawkeye Ten Athletic Conference could be utilized. The Arbitrator rejects that suggestion. This District is the largest District in the Conference. One District in the Conference is barely one-third the size of this District. They are not true comparables and for that reason the Arbitrator will not utilize information from those Schools in his analysis. Information on the wages, wage increases and total package cost increases for the all the Districts in the State were also provided to the Arbitrator. While the employees in District’s throughout the State do perform “comparable work” to the employees here, the Districts themselves are not all comparable given the variations in size. The Arbitrator finds that the only meaningful way to compare what is proposed here to what was done elsewhere is to use those Districts that are similarly situated to this District in terms of size. Therefore, the Arbitrator shall look at the proposals of the parties using both the 20 school and 10 school lists suggested by the Parties. Interestingly, as will be seen, the list proposed by the District actually had higher increases than the list proposed by the Association. Furthermore, three of the ten schools suggested by the District have not yet settled. Thus, their list only comprises seven schools. Nevertheless, the Arbitrator has summaries for both suggested groups.

The Arbitrator has prepared a chart showing the dollar and percentage increase in wages that were agreed upon in the comparables that have settled their agreements for 2008-09. The chart also shows the percentage increase in total labor costs for those Districts and their allowable growth per Statute based on their increase in enrollment in the 2007-08 School Year.


Name Dollar Inc. %age Inc. Package Inc RPI
Bettendorf $ 850 4.15% 4.76% 4.15%
Fort Dodge $ 450 2.63% 4.58% 2.63%
Mason City $1175 2.82% 5.20% 2.82%
College $1150 7.32% 5.20% 7.32%
Pleasant Valley $1165 7.96% 5.66% 7.96%
Newton $ 746 3.93% 4.30% 3.9%
Indianola $2125 2.50% 4.81% 2.50%
Urbandale $1058 5.94% 5.94%
North Scott $ 800 3.91% 3.91%
Western Dubuque $ 435 5.25% 5.25%
Oskaloosa Not Settled
Fort Madison Not Settled
Norwalk $1550 6.76% 6.01% 3.57%
Keokuk $ 875 2.93% 2.93%
Boone Not Settled
Pella $ 600 4.30% 4.24% 7.96%
Le Mars $ 590 1.00% 1.00%
Mount Pleasant $1100 6.53% 3.93%
Glenwood $1000 5.04% 5.00% 4.69%
Knoxville $ 625 2.93% 5.05% 2.62%

Average(10+ 10) $ 958.47 4.16% 4.98% 4.30%
Average (5 +5) $1084.14 4.46% 4.00%

Assn. Proposal $950.00 3.60% 6.01% 6.52%
District Proposal $850.00 3.30% 5.67% 6.52%

The chart would indicate looking at just the basic wage increase that the proposal of the Association would be closer to the average than the District’s in both dollars and percentage. There is no variation or change in its ranking no matter which proposal was adopted. That is because the difference in the wage proposals is so small.

The new money available to this District this coming year was greater than the average and among the highest of the comparables. Arbitrator Madison in Van Meter School District earlier this year noted: “new money may be considered a relevant factor under Section 22.9 of the Act.” Thus, the figures in the chart are relevant and would standing alone support the Association position since the District’s new money is well above the average.

The District, however, correctly points out that the figures on the chart only reflect a snapshot in time. It shows what happened in one single year. The District notes that while it has more new money available to it for the coming school year, historically it has not gained at all. It has roughly the same dollars per pupil that it had several years ago. In fact, the higher enrollment this year simply offsets the decrease in student enrollment from the prior School Year. This historical perspective must be considered when balancing the wages increases given by the comparables and proposed here with the available new money for each. When that is done, what appears to be new money for this District may not be new at all, but simply a return of old money.

External Comparables-Total Package

The District argues that even more important than the above for the Arbitrator to consider is the fact that the District’s insurance costs have risen dramatically and have risen at a far greater rate than has been true in the comparables. The cost of insurance per employee will increase $708 in the next school year. As the District notes, roughly one-half of the schools Statewide that have settled their agreements for the coming school year had either no increase in insurance cost or a very small increase. What is more important to the Arbitrator on this issue is that many of the comparables actually saw a decrease in premiums for 2008-09 while this District has gone significantly in the other directions.

The Association attempts to counter the above by arguing that insurance was resolved at the bargaining table and there was no indication given at the table that in this proceeding insurance would be tied to the wage proposals. It believes the wage proposals must be treated independently. The Arbitrator must disagree with that premise. He must be cognizant of overall cost increases when evaluating the proposals, and health insurance is certainly a major component of overall cost. While the basic wage increase is the issue here, it is not taken in a vacuum, especially where the increase in insurance is as dramatic as it is. The Arbitrator when he reviewed the insurance figures saw that some of the comparables, like Bettendorf will actually pay less next year than this year. Thus, the higher percentage wage increase they gave may reflect those lower insurance costs. Their total package is actually less than either side proposed here.

Arbitrator Michelstetter in the case before him in 1992 noted there was disagreement among the parties as to the relevance of total package costs as opposed to simply looking at the wage increase alone. He concluded that he should compare total package costs in reaching his decision, and not be confined to simply a review of wages alone. If the Arbitrator did that, then the District’s total package under its offer is above the average and thus would be sufficient to justify acceptance of its proposal.

Summary

If the Arbitrator were to compare only base wage increases in the comparables with the base wage increase here, the Association would prevail. However, as has just been discussed that is not how it has been done in this State. Instead, total labor cost increases must also be compared. Both comparisons are then weighed against the available new money to see whether a higher increase in a particular district is warranted. The District here has shown that the total increase in cost under either proposal will already eat up all of the gain in new money. That fact more than explains why the District made the proposal that it did and the overall data, despite the large increase in new money supports that proposal. The Arbitrator, therefore, finds that when considering all of the above that the comparables favor the District’s proposal.
Past Collective Bargaining Contracts

One of the others factors the Arbitrator must consider is the past bargaining history of the parties. Since 1999, the average annual increase in the base was $533 or 3.3%. The average percentage of new money during that same time period was 3%. The highest increase in any year was $925 in 2000-01. 5.2% of new money was available that year. Two years showed no increase in base pay. Available new money in those years was .7% and 1.8%. 2006 showed the greatest increase in new money. It increased by 7.4% and the base wage increased $875 that year. This school year the base increased $550 while new money only increased by 1.5%. Similarly, the base increased by $800 in 2002-03 while available new money increased by only 1.2%. The District points out that the Association here is looking for its biggest increase ever, even though the percentage of new money is not the highest ever. It would be the second highest percentage of new money.

The Arbitrator is struck by several contrasting facts in reviewing these figures. In the current school year employees received a $550 increase in a year when the percentage increase in new money was only 1.5%. That would seem to indicate that wage increases and available new money do not always dovetail together. What occurred in 2002-03 is yet further indication that this is so. The $800 wage increase bears no relationship to the small increase in new money that year, although the fact that the employees got no increase in 2001-02 might help explain in part this dichotomy.

The Association has argued that there is an automatic nexus between new money and wage increases. The Arbitrator after reviewing the history of the Parties can find no clear discernible pattern that would tie dollar increases to the percentage of new money available in any given year in this School District. To the Arbitrator, the most relevant fact is that the Association is seeking its largest increase ever for 2008-09 following three years where the average wage increase was $750 per year at a time when the available new money was nowhere near that amount.

The average wage increase in terms of percentage over the last 10-year span was 3.03%. This is compared to the average increase in new money for this same period of 3%. Adding in 2008-09 makes the average increase in wages under the Association proposal 3.08% and 3.05% under the District’s. The average increase in new money for that period is coincidentally also 3.05%.
These figures demonstrate to the Arbitrator that the proposal of the District better follows the bargaining history than does the Associations. Based on that, the Arbitrator finds that this factor favors the District’s proposal.

Power to Levy Taxes

The difference in cost between the two proposals is small. The $39,000 difference in cost represents roughly .034% of the total labor costs of 2007-08 and less than that percentage in 2008-09. Therefore, the power to levy taxes is not impacted by this small disparity in costs. This factor is not relevant in this dispute.

CONCLUSION

The Arbitrator has evaluated all of the applicable criteria. In doing so, he finds that the proposal of the District is favored and should be adopted. The large increase in insurance has tipped the scales too far toward the District’s proposal for the Association to overcome that notwithstanding any other facts that might have under different circumstances tipped the scales their way.

AWARD

The Award of the District shall be included in the Party’s 2008-09 Agreement.
Dated June 18, 2008


Fredric R. Dichter,
Arbitrator

Thank You!

Thanks for everything that you've done for our students, the profession and each other this year.

It's great to work with such an awesome group of team-minded folks.

Of course, thanks for your membership and for "walking the talk" to show our Board that they can afford to and should take care of the "engine" of this great district. Without you, we wouldn't have the collective power or voice to make our voices heard when it counts. THANKS FOR BEING PART OF THE TEAM.

Do We Have Your Summer Email Address? We'll Have News to Share.

The full story will posted on our blog site tomorrow for our members to read. Please don't miss a chance to get updates from the LCEA Insider this summer. Information is power.

Please send your address to the LCEA INSIDER. Try to enjoy a part of your summer.

YOUR LCEA INSIDER COLLEAGUES.

SWUU Director Pat Shipley & AEA Professional Connie Richardson Named Outstanding Leaders in Mentoring and Induction for 2008

In a letter dated May 29, 2008, two of our own unit's leaders were notified that they had been chosen by the Department of Education and the Governor's Office to receive an award from ISEA President Chris Bern as Outstanding Leaders in Mentoring and Induction.

Many of our LC Staff--mentors and those being inducted into the profession--have had the opportunity to work with these two class-acts. It is no surprise that they have been chosen as the shining stars of the state.

Both have worked tirelessly to ensure that consistent experiences are afforded all of Iowa's new educational professionals.

In a letter to the recipients, Mary Beth Schroeder wrote, "On behalf of the statewide steering team for Iowa's Mentoring and Induction initiative, I offer my sincere congratulations to each of you for being recognized as two fine professionals who have provided outstanding leadership for new teachers in our state. You are to be commended for your work and dedication, helping individuals new to the profession of teaching become successful on their journey. "

Mentoring is a positive learning relationship between two people. Mentors develop a supportive on-going relationship with an aim of empowering people by building their confidence and self-esteem. We are constantly looking for people who have the ability to listen and feel they can develop a positive rapport with a colleague in an honest challenging and non-judgmental way. Mentors aim to "include" people by providing support, advice and encouragement in a consistent manner.

Parkersburg & Other ISEA Members & Iowa Schools in Need of Colleague Assistance

Team ISEA,

ISEA has had requests for how best to help our members in local associations suffering damage from the devastating tornado hitting Parkersburg and other areas in Northeast Iowa.

Since it is difficult for ISEA to assess the needs of individual members and allocate any contributions in an equitable manner, I believe we can do the following: We can start a fund at ISEA, with ISEA making a contribution of $1000, and provide funds to the local associations impacted in July or August to make a distribution to members losing personal school items in either their homes or schools. Any individual members, local associations or staff may contribute to the fund. Lana is working on something in our electronic and print communications letting members know they may help this way.

related stories

• Insurers set up on site to handle storm claims
• Authorities warn of tornado cleanup scams
• Update: Tornado damage about $6 million to uninsured property
• 'This was a violent and historic storm'
• County shuts down women's meal service
• Parkersburg residents unite for prayer service
• Neighbors, relatives welcome Parkersburg residents
• Rain hampers tornado cleanup efforts
• USDA Rural Development offers assistance
• Allied reports more than 700 storm-related claims
• Inventory of home will help insurers
• Iowa tornado debris found more than 100 miles away
• Stormy weather in tornado cleanup area
• Parkersburg sirens tested, electricity returning
• Tornado causes about $6 million in damages
  
  

In the meantime, if you are inclined to begin a fundraising effort, monetary (only) contributions should be directed to:

Checks payable to: ISEA
(Memo line/on the check) Disaster Relief Effort

ISEA

c/o Disaster Relief Effort
777 Third Street
Des Moines, IA 50309

Thanks for all you continue to do for Iowa’s students!

School Leader Update June, 2008

Dear School Leaders:

Attached CLICK HERE is the June issue of the School Leader Update.

Here are some highlights:

From the Director
Iowa Core Curriculum Frequently Asked Questions
Taiwanese Teachers Examine Iowa’s Education System
Legislative Update
Legislative Session Follow Up
School Improvement
Professional Development for Iowa School Leaders Website Project
Students will Build Career and Education Plans through Iowa Choices
Special Education Law Conferences
Legal Lessons
No Changes to Transfer Student Ineligibility for Sports
Early Childhood Preschool Programs
Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Olds Grant Applications
Funding and Grants
Data and Reporting
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2009 Update

Iowa Department of Education
QUICK LINKS for Your Convenience

A-Z Index

Calendar

Education Statistics

Teacher Licensure

D.E. Secure Site

District Report Cards

School District Financial Report Card

Directories

FAQs

Links

D.E. Legislative Update

The School Leader Update is a monthly newsletter distributed via email to school leaders. For more information, contact the Iowa Department of Education Communications Department at 515-281-5295.

Share Stories about the Impact of Rising College Costs

As college costs continue to rise, many families are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to pay for postsecondary education. In fact, the affordability crisis threatens to derail the dreams of millions of bright, talented young people who either cannot afford college or who leave school burdened with overwhelming debt.

To make the case for action to address this crisis, NEA is looking for stories of real students who cannot afford to pursue a college education. As we approach the graduation season, we are asking NEA members to share stories of your students who would like to attend college but cannot because of the cost. Stories will be collected and used to bolster the case for action by policymakers.

Send stories today!
Share with NEA any anecdotal stories about promising students you know for whom cost is the only barrier to postsecondary education.

Election 2008--The Candidates on Education

EDUCATORS WANT TO KNOW: Will our next president support teacher pay based on students’ performance on standardized tests?

We hope not, but Senator John McCain recently said of teachers: "We should reward the best of them with merit pay."

NEA knows that pay for student test scores (also known as "merit pay") is the wrong way to compensate educators because it does nothing to improve the practice of teaching in the classroom.

There is a better way.

NEA is advocating for a $40,000 starting salary for all pre-K-12 teachers and incentives for teachers who decide to learn new skills or take on additional duties like mentoring. NEA is committed to teacher quality, and we support alternative pay systems that are bargained and agreed to at the local level.

In the May issue of NEA Today, we have a comprehensive 2008 Presidential Candidate Comparison with a range of issues that affect you as an educator. We invite you to review the facts to see where the candidates really stand. NEA encourages all members to take part in helping to elect a pro-public education president. Visit http://www.nea.org/educationvotes/index.html to see how you can get involved.

Teachers and school employees work hard every day to help students learn and succeed. And teachers and support professionals deserve respect and the very best from our political leaders.

Abitration Hearing May 28, 2008 * 4:00 PM * LCHS Multi-Purpose Room

Thanks to all of you for showing your support of our member's position to move the Negotiations Process to Binding Arbitration by wearing your "I AM THE ISEA" stickers today.

WE NEED EVERYONE TODAY!
Please send a message to the arbitrator and to the LC Board of Directors with your silent support in great numbers at our Binding Arbitration Hearing.

LCEA vs. LC Board of Directors
IMPORTANT BINDING
ARBITRATION HEARING
WEDNESDAY MAY 28, 2008
Lewis Central High School
4:00 PM * Multi-Purpose Room

Refreshments & treats
provided courtesy of LCEA.
Thank our Negotiations Team for
their hard work with your support.

Stay Connected with Your Association this Summer and the Benefits of Your Membership

If you would like to receive communications from us this summer, please take a minute to forward us your home email address (and your phone number if it's different that the one listed in the district directory).

This might be very important considering that we are at arbitration this year. We will need to be able to share the decision with each of you.

Thanks for honoring public education and our profession with you membership, your recent input and you support during this challenging time for us. It's nice to work with folks who do the entire job of our profession.

Please click here to send us your information. You are appreciated. We'll see you tomorrow at the arbitration hearing.

2008 Legislative Action Summarized, Begins Implementation Process

Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey has summarized the actions taken by the 2008 Legislature that will affect school districts.

In several cases, additional, detailed guidance will need to be issued to fully resolve questions around implementation of the statute.

As was the case last year, we will have to be patient as we work to effectively develop guidance and implement these new statutory provisions. Look for additional guidance in School Leader Updates and in separate, topic-specific communications. For additional information on Legislative actions, please use the following links:

2008 Letter from Iowa Department of Education to the Field.pdf

2008 Legislative Summary.pdf

CLICK HERE to access the Iowa Department of Education Website on these two pieces.

LCEA Watch the Vote 5/27/2008

In this LCEA watches the Vote for Iowa's 5th Congressional District:

Contact Senator Harkin or read his biography.
Contact Senator Grassley or read his biography.
Contact Representative King or read his biography.

Recent Congressional Votes -
Senate: Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008
Senate: Overriding the Veto of the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007
House: Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act
House: Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act
House: Overriding the Veto of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act
House: To provide for the continuation of Department of Agriculture programs through FY2012
House: Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for FY2009


Editor's Note: The Senate and House are in recess until June 2.

Recent Senate Votes

Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 - Vote Agreed to (75-22, 3 Not Voting)

With this vote, the Senate attached more than $10 billion in domestic spending to the $165 billion supplemental spending bill funding military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sen. Charles Grassley voted NO
Contact Senator Grassley or read his biography.
Sen. Tom Harkin voted YES
Contact Senator Harkin or read his biography

-----------------------------------------------------
Overriding the Veto of the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (82-13, 1 Present, 4 Not Voting)

The Senate voted to override the President’s veto of the farm bill, but a clerical error will require the vote to be taken again.

Sen. Charles Grassley voted YES
Contact Senator Grassley or read his biography.
Sen. Tom Harkin voted YES
Contact Senator Harkin or read his biography

-----------------------------------------------------

Recent House Votes

Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act - Vote Passed (324-84, 26 Not Voting)

The House passed a measure authorizing the Justice Department to pursue energy antitrust and price-fixing cases against members of the OPEC oil cartel.

Rep. Steve King voted NO


-----------------------------------------------------
Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act - Vote Passed (263-160, 12 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill to extend temporary tax provisions that expired at the end of 2007.

Rep. Steve King voted NO
Contact Representative King or read his biography.
-----------------------------------------------------
Overriding the Veto of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act - Vote Passed (316-108, 11 Not Voting)

The House voted to override the President’s veto of the farm bill, but a clerical error required that the House vote on the bill again.

Rep. Steve King voted YES
Contact Representative King or read his biography.
-----------------------------------------------------
To provide for the continuation of Department of Agriculture programs through FY2012 - Vote Passed (306-110, 19 Not Voting)

The House voted to suspend the rules and again pass the farm bill, after a clerical error invalidated a previous vote, the President’s veto, and a veto override.

Rep. Steve King voted YES
Contact Representative King or read his biography.

-----------------------------------------------------
Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for FY2009 - Vote Passed (384-23, 27 Not Voting)

The House authorized $600 billion in defense appropriations for fiscal year 2009.

Rep. Steve King voted YES
Contact Representative King or read his biography.


Contact Senator Harkin or read his biography.
Contact Senator Grassley or read his biography.
Contact Representative King or read his biography.

New NEA President & Vice-President to Take the Helm for NEA's 3.2 Million Members

Van Roeckel and Eskelsen to Lead NEA's 3.2 Million Members in 2008
Campaigns for NEA Secretary-Treasurer and NEA Executive Board to Mount Campaigns at NEA RA in Washington D.C.

The deadline for filing nominations of candidates for the Executive Committee is set by NEA Bylaw 6-1(b) at April 15 of the year in which the election is to take place. The April 15 deadline for candidate filings for elections at the 2008 Representative Assembly has now passed and the following members have filed for the positions indicated:

NEA President
Dennis Van Roekel

NEA Vice President
Lily Eskelsen

NEA Secretary-Treasurer
Marsha Smith
Becky Pringle

NEA Executive Committee
Donna DeKraai
Len Paolillo
Princess Moss

The candidate for NEA President is running unopposed and will therefore be declared elected by the RA presiding officer following nominations at the 2008 NEA Representative Assembly (RA).

The candidate for NEA Vice President is running unopposed and will therefore be declared elected by the RA presiding officer following nominations at the 2008 RA. This will necessitate an election at the 2008 RA to fill a one-year vacancy to complete the term of the Secretary-Treasurer.

I AM THE ISEA

Originally Posted May 22, 2008
ISEA Red Oak Office--SWUU--Delivers Again and Provides "I AM THE ISEA" Stickers for LCEA to Show Solidarity

Your UNION needs you as we move towards our arbitration hearing on Wednesday .

Remember, we NEED you on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 4:00 PM in the High School Multi-Purpose Room as a member of the LCEA "moral support" audience.

Minutes after the arbitration vote, Chief Negotiator Beth Frank sent an email asking for the unit office for this tool to demonstrate our solidarity.

Pat Shipley agreed to combine a trip to Des Moines to get these for us. Let's use them to let our board and administration know who we are and where we stand. SWUU Uniserv Director John Phillips, a 30 year Association veteran, will be presenting our case to the arbitrator.

If we have enough of the button-like stickers, we might ask you to wear them on both Tuesday, May 27, 2008 and Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Please read your emails to keep on top of the Negotiation Team's plan.

Keep in mind that we can still settle up to 3:59:59. This deal could involve new language on an important negotiating priority or some other language change. We really want to reach and agreement for our membership. But it's time for the LC Board to come up just a little bit more as the money exists this year to do the right thing for a hard-working staff. $15.oo on the base isn't an outrageous demand considering all that we offered.

Are you taking advantage of your Access to Savings?

The ISEA's "Access to Savings" program now offers discounts at more than 200,000 locations across the nation including many popular national brand Web sites. What's more, we offer discounts at hundreds of local merchants across the state. To log in, click here and then click on the photo of your membership card. Once you're there, just type the number which is printed on your ISEA membership card in the "member login" box which appears in the upper left-hand corner of your screen. Be sure to check out all our deals -- including our Hot New Deals section where you can find the latest discounts available to you in your area and around the country. If you need a new membership card, contact your UniServ Unit office.