Sacramento County grand jury presses teachers to negotiate
Published: Thursday, May. 20, 2010 - 12:00 am | Page 1B
Pressure is mounting against the Sacramento City Teachers Association to negotiate with the district after a Sacramento County grand jury released a report Wednesday urging the union to take concessions to save its district from bankruptcy.
The report comes a day after Elk Grove Unified's teachers union agreed to substantial concessions, including pay cuts, higher medical co-pays, furlough days and suspension of an annual bonus. Those givebacks saved 210 positions and preserved smaller K-3 class sizes.
"Most larger districts have gone through significant concessions," said Sacramento County schools chief David Gordon. "That's the case throughout the state."
As the grand jury points out, that hasn't happened with SCTA.
"It is time for unions to become more of an advocate for children," wrote the grand jury, a body of volunteer citizens selected at random after being nominated by a Superior Court judge.
SCTA President Linda Tuttle could not be reached for comment Wednesday. The union has 90 days to respond to the grand jury.
District school board President Ellyne Bell said she is curious about the intent of the report.
"My surprise is that it doesn't resonate like many grand jury reports I have seen in the past," Bell said. "It's pretty general. I don't see a lot of specifics in it."
Titled "Last Chance to Put Children First," the report portrayed Superintendent Jonathan Raymond as a man on a mission to get district finances in order while improving programs for students.
"We have to have union concessions," Raymond said Wednesday. "Where we get additionally hurt is surrounding school districts, their unions are stepping up. We risk losing some of our best young teachers. ... What happens to us when San Juan and Elk Grove (districts) have smaller class sizes?"
The report comes as Sacramento City Unified attempts to negotiate with the union to close a $30.6 million budget deficit.
Sacramento City Unified lawyer Lou Lozano said last week that the district will soon file an
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/05/20/2763636/sacramento-county-grand-jury-presses.html#ixzz0oU0YMhcE
Comment:
JoeBarnett wrote on 05/20/2010 07:15:51 AM:
Who called the grand jury investigation and why? The results were that Sacramento City Unified School District didn't set enough money aside for the promised benefits and so are in deep trouble...so who are they blaming? The people who the district made the promises to. The district fails to live up to its commitment, so the offended party (teachers) are supposed to bail them out. Does that make sense?
Did the report mention the now numerous hirings of special administrative and consulting staff at over six figures a pop? Does it mention the names of the past board members who failed to meet their fiscal responsibilities? Weren't some of our candidates for office this year, once board members?
The problem with coming together on an agreement with a group that regularly fails to meet their side of the bargain is that you can't trust them. The other unions are finding this out, they gave up furlough days and got laid off anyway.
Why isn't the Bee asking why so many new hires are from North Carolina. I hear at least two principals, a secretary, a consultant.....Arn'et there any local people looking for work? How can the district afford bonuses to certain teachers and principals, while they lay off others?
Bottom line is you can't have a memo of understanding with a person or persons who don't understand they have to keep their word.
Did the report mention the now numerous hirings of special administrative and consulting staff at over six figures a pop? Does it mention the names of the past board members who failed to meet their fiscal responsibilities? Weren't some of our candidates for office this year, once board members?
The problem with coming together on an agreement with a group that regularly fails to meet their side of the bargain is that you can't trust them. The other unions are finding this out, they gave up furlough days and got laid off anyway.
Why isn't the Bee asking why so many new hires are from North Carolina. I hear at least two principals, a secretary, a consultant.....Arn'et there any local people looking for work? How can the district afford bonuses to certain teachers and principals, while they lay off others?
Bottom line is you can't have a memo of understanding with a person or persons who don't understand they have to keep their word.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/05/20/2763636/sacramento-county-grand-jury-presses.html#ixzz0oU0hAI7r