Mike Kinnaird, Chairperson of the CCASA Nominations and Elections Committee, along with committee members Carol Lark and Kim Grytdahl are seeking candidates to run for the CCASA Executive Board and the Representative Council.

Members interested in serving on the Executive Board and/or Representative Council may contact one of the individuals on the Nominations and Elections Committee or the CCASA office at 796-9602.

This Committee will propose a slate of candidates for nomination at the June 24, 2003, general membership meeting to be held at the Palace Station Hotel. Whenever possible there will be a minimum of two (2) candidates for each office to be filled. Additional nominations, with the consent of the person being nominated, may be made at the June general membership meeting.

Executive Board offices to be filled during the election include President Elect (must be an active CCASA member who is a secondary school administrator), Secretary and Treasurer. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer are open to anyone who is an active CCASA member. Candidates receiving a majority of votes cast by mail ballot shall be elected to the office.

Four (4) Representative Council positions are elected each year. The four (4) at-large positions are filled by the four (4) at-large candidates receiving the greatest number of votes. These positions are for a two (2) year term.

CCASA encourages members to run for office. The Executive Board and Representative Council are the decision making bodies of CCASA.

The CCASA general membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2003, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Station Hotel. The business meeting will begin at approximately 4:45 p.m.

During the CCASA meeting, members will:

As reported in previous Unifiers, all CCASA members are again reminded that out-of-pocket costs for administrators with dependent coverage will increase effective July 1, 2003. By way of reminder, the current medical plan with Sierra began in January 1999 and at that time resulted in a significant decrease in out-of-pocket costs over the previous State of Nevada plan. Since the plan’s inception in 1999, no additional out-of-pocket costs have been passed on to any active administrator. During this time, premiums from the various health care providers have actually increased, but have been covered by negotiated money, CCASA Welfare Trust subsidies ($309,000), and a one-time allocation of state health insurance money ($327,000). Between the CCASA Welfare Trust subsidy and the state health insurance grant, a total of $636,000 has been spent since January 2001. As a result, no out-of-pocket increases have been passed on to administrators and their dependents. HOWEVER, THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE SUBSIDY AND THE CCASA WELFARE TRUST SUBSIDY WILL END JUNE 30, 2003. AS A RESULT, PREMIUMS FOR ADMINISTRATORS WITH DEPENDENTS WILL INCREASE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003.

The following two tables reflect the current premiums, CCSD contributions, CCASA subsidies, and deductions (out-of-pocket costs) for active District administrators on the CCASA / CCSD Health Insurance Plan, as well as, the new deductions (out-of-pocket costs) effective July 1, 2003.

All active administrators must be aware that they will be responsible for the additional out-of-pocket expenses for dependent coverage effective July 1, 2003.

Retiree rates are not affected at this time.

Article 18 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees allows for the annual payment for up to five unused vacation days in excess of 85 as of June 30. The following procedure is being provided for your information.
Administrators will be compensated at the administrator’s daily rate of pay for up to five (5) of the vacation days in excess of 85 as of June 30. Payment will be made in the July 25 check and it is not subject to PERS payment.

Administrators not desiring to be compensated for these days may stop the payment by notifying Dr. Rice on or before July 1, 2003.

Vacation days in excess of 85 as of June 30 for which compensation is not provided must be used on or before August 31, 2003, or these days will be deducted from the total days on September 1, 2003. Administrators may use the vacation days earned in July and August without impacting the days in excess of 85 as of June 30. Additionally, the vacation days earned in July and August are not deducted on September 1.

With the legislative session nearly _ over, it is more critical than ever before that CCASA members take the time to contact state legislators to convince them of the need to increase funding for K-12 education. Included in the March Unifier was a listing of email addresses for each legislator. These addresses may be accessed at the CCASA web site (www.CCASA.net) by opening up the March Unifier. Email addresses for legislators may also be found at www.leg.state.nv.us.

CCASA continues to spend a considerable amount of time tracking and monitoring bills and providing testimony for bills which are of interest to administrators. Beginning in April, all of the bills that CCASA is tracking were posted on the CCASA web site (www.CCASA.net). In addition to the index of bills and a brief summary, the entire CCASA analysis of each bill that is being tracked is posted on the web site. The CCASA bill analysis is updated daily throughout the session. The web site information is updated each Friday. All administrators are encouraged to visit the web site and review any bills of interest.

The following bills have previously been reported to the membership:

The following bills have been introduced since the March Unifier was published and are currently being tracked by CCASA. A brief summary of each bill is provided for your information at this time. If a CCASA position has been developed, it is listed at the conclusion of the bill. Members are encouraged to provide feedback to CCASA regarding each of the bills that are being tracked. Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to contact your legislator regarding these bills:

AB450 – Prohibits designation of certain government positions (critical shortage) for which retirement allowance may be paid when filled by government retiree. CCASA opposes this bill.

AB506 – Establishes ratios for school administrators. This bill would result in the loss of 250 positions in the CCSD alone. This bill was killed in committee after CCASA and District testimony. CCASA opposed this bill.

AB508 – Establishes pilot programs in foreign language instruction in elementary schools in Clark and Washoe counties.

AB510 – Establishes a course to prepare students for the proficiency exam and college entrance exams. CCASA supports this bill.

AB512 – Governs privatization agreements between school districts and private contractors (Edison). CCASA supports this bill.

AB513 – Provides for safe and respectful learning environment in public schools – CCASA believes this bill is not necessary.

SB460 – Expands the definition of immorality. CCASA opposes this bill.

On April 10, 2003, the CCASA Representative Council held its regular monthly meeting. The major items discussed included the following:

1. A review of revenue, expenditures, and balances within the CCASA Association and Trust Fund Accounts;

2. A review of the status of: