April 2004

VOL. 14 NO. 9

As you know, CCASAPE provides each administrator with a $100,000 life insurance policy. As previously reported in the December Unifier, effective January 1, 2004 CCASAPE changed insurance providers for the $100,000 policy from Hartford to the Standard Life Insurance Company.

Standard, the new provider for the $100,000 policy, recently mailed out new policy booklets to each administrator. Additionally, the Standard Life Insurance Company is the provider for the $50,000 term life insurance policy that is part of the comprehensive medical benefits plan. A new policy booklet for the $50,000 policy was also included in the mailing. If you have questions regarding your insurance policies, please contact the CCASAPE office at 796-9602.

An unmarried child who is under the age of 27 and enrolled in an accredited school is eligible to receive health benefits as a dependent on the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan. Students must be enrolled in 6 credit hours and must submit, once annually, a letter from the registrar’s office verifying that the student is enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. Verification from the registrar’s office must be sent to Nick Venturini in the Employee Benefits Office in the Education Center. Students, who have been enrolled in an accredited school during this entire school year, completed this requirement last September. Students, age 19 through 26 who have recently enrolled in accredited programs, must provide this information to the Benefits Office immediately to establish eligibility for health benefits for the remainder of the 2003-2004 school year.

Carol Lark, Chairperson of the CCASAPE Nominations and Elections Committee, along with committee members Emilio Fernandez and Kim Grytdahl are seeking candidates to run for the CCASAPE Executive Board and/or 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 CCASAPE office at 796-9602.

This committee will propose a slate of candidates for nomination at the June 17, 2004 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 persons 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 CCASAPE member who is an elementary school administrator), secretary and treasurer. The offices of secretary and treasurer are open to anyone who is an active CCASAPE member. Candidates receiving a majority of votes cast by mail ballot shall be elected to the office. These positions are for a one year term.

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.

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

On April 13, 2004 the CCASAPE Representative Council held its regular monthly meeting. The major items discussed included the following:

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

2. A review of the status of:

A. CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance – An overview of negotiations with various health providers was outlined. CCASAPE’s goal is to have final medical provider contracts completed not later than July 1, 2004;

B. Assembly Bill 286 Update – Significant time and financial resources continue to be allocated to working with issues related to AB286. CCASAPE staff has worked closely with the law firm of Schreck and Brignone, as well as, the CCASAPE attorney, Tom Beatty, in the development of a “white paper” which outlines the numerous problems, inconsistencies, and discriminatory practices associated with this piece of legislation and the various opinions related to the legislation. The “white paper” reinforces the original opinion regarding this bill put forward by the CCASAPE staff. The “white paper” has been widely distributed. CCASAPE will continue to explore legal and legislative remedies regarding the bill;

C. Article III Membership – At the February retreat in Mesquite, the Representative Council authorized the CCASAPE staff to move forward with a recommendation for a change in the CCASAPE Constitution regarding eligible membership. A status report on discussions with the District regarding this proposed change in CCASAPE membership was provided;

D. Reclassification Grievance – The resolution of the grievance filed by CCASAPE against the District for failure to follow Article 20, Reclassification, was outlined. The District has agreed that contract requirements regarding reclassification will be followed; and

E. 401(a) Plan Update – While the Representative Council approved CCASAPE’s participation in the 401(a) tax deferred plan for the final vacation payoff for retiring administrators, final details regarding unique plan procedures have not yet been fully completed with the District. Additional meetings will be scheduled so that the plan may be implemented as soon as possible;

3. New Business

A. Administrators’ Advisory Council – Agenda items for the April 20, 2004 meeting with Mr. Garcia were developed. Tentative items included range placement and school designation for school based administrative position announcements, support staff surplus procedures, student teacher training model, administrative selection process, region effectiveness, 2004-2005 budget, and working conditions for employees;

B. General Membership Meeting – The general membership meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2004 at the Palace Station. CCAESP and CCASSP will hold business meetings on this date beginning at 4:00 p.m. with the CCASAPE business meeting scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m.;

C. 2005 Legislative Session – Potential issues and concerns for the 2005 legislative session were outlined. Concerns include protecting the PERS system, defeating legislation intended to establish unrealistic ratios for school and non-school based administrators, influencing legislation associated with necessary revisions to Assembly Bill 286, monitoring and influencing legislation which may negatively impact collective bargaining, and defeating “knee jerk” legislation which will negatively impact students, teachers, administrators, and school operations. Additional issues will be identified prior to the opening of the 2005 legislative session;

D. Activity Stipends for New School Assistant Principals – The District has recently agreed to continue payment of the secondary activity stipend for high school assistant principals selected to open new high schools. CCASAPE believes that it is unfair for high school assistant principals to be selected to open new high schools and then take a salary reduction because of the loss of the activity stipend until the new school opens in August; and

E. Shared Contracts – The status of discussions between CCASAPE and the District regarding shared contracts for elementary school teachers was outlined;

4. Committee Reports

A. CCAESP – No report was provided;

B. CCASSP – Linda Archambault, CCASSP President, reported tapes from the proceedings of the national conference have been obtained and are now available for checkout through the professional library at CPD; and

C. Legal – Joe Murphy, Committee Chairperson, reported that there was no activity related to the Legal Committee;

5. Executive Director’s Report - Stephen provided a review of the various CCASAPE activities and the types of assistance provided to CCASAPE members.

The CCASAPE general membership meeting will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2004 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Station Hotel. The CCASAPE business meeting will begin at approximately 4:45 p.m.

During the CCASAPE meeting, members will:
1. Be provided a review of the highlights of 2003-2004;
2. Receive the proposed slate of candidates for the June election and be provided an opportunity to nominate additional candidates;
3. Receive a copy of the 2004-2005 CCASAPE budget; and
4. Have the opportunity to socialize with their current colleagues, as well as, those who have retired.

The Clark County Association of Secondary School Principals and the Clark County Association of Elementary School Principals will hold end of the year business meetings at the same location beginning at 4:00 p.m.

CCASAPE invites and encourages all active, associate, and affiliate members to attend this important meeting. Soft drinks, beer, wine, and appetizers will be served.

The current Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees establishes a pool of sick leave days available to administrators who have no other available leave. The pool of days is created by administrators who voluntarily designate a half day or a full day of vacation for which they would otherwise be compensated under Article 18-4.

It is our desire and belief that this pool of days will grow each year until it contains a hundred or more days. A form letter will be provided in the May Unifier for your use if you would like to designate a half day or a full day to the sick leave pool. Administrators must have in excess of 85 vacation days on June 30 to be eligible to donate days to the sick leave pool. YOUR GENEROSITY TODAY WILL BE A CRITICAL PIECE IN THE WELFARE OF A CCASAPE MEMBER IN THE FUTURE.

Each year CCASAPE provides two (2) scholarships in the amount of $1,000.00 each. Each applicant must be a senior enrolled in the Clark County School District and a legal dependent of an active CCASAPE member.

Applications were received from 8 outstanding students. The Scholarship Committee composed of assistant region superintendent, Sue Daellenbach, and high school principals, Richard Arguello and Mark Coleman, selected Edan Yacobovsky of Green Valley High School and Sharleis Adams of Moapa Valley High School. These two outstanding recipients were selected on the basis of their grade point averages, test scores, recommendations, essays, and from their personal resumes. Edan is the son of CCASAPE member Amy Yacobovsky. Sharleis is the daughter of CCASAPE member Rod Adams.

Jerry Boles, CCASAPE President, will present the scholarship checks to the recipients at the May 27, 2004, meeting of the Board of School Trustees.

Congratulations are extended to all of the outstanding applicants, recipients, and their families.

The Administrators’ Advisory Council held its fourth meeting of the school year with Superintendent Garcia, Dr. Orci and Dr. Rice on Tuesday, April 20, 2004.

The Administrators’ Advisory Council consists of the CCASAPE Executive Board (Jerry Boles, Joe Murphy, Mark Coleman, Bart Mangino and Barbie Holmes), presidents of CCAESP and CCASSP (Sue Steaffens and Linda Archambault), the professional-technical employee representative on the Representative Council (Jeff Hafen), and the CCASAPE staff (Allin Chandler and Stephen Augspurger).

The following topics were discussed at the April 20, 2004 meeting. Mr. Garcia's responses to these topics are summarized for your information:

1. Administrative Position Announcements, Range Placements and School Designation – CCASAPE reviewed the ongoing concerns regarding the inconsistent placement of salary ranges on school based administrative position announcements. Additionally, concern was expressed regarding elementary assistant principal positions that are being posted without a school location being identified.

Mr. Garcia agreed that salary ranges must be placed on each administrative position announcement. Additionally, Dr. Orci has requested that Dr. Rice not post any elementary assistant principal position announcements that do not include the name of the school for which the position is being advertised.

2. Support Staff Surplus Procedures – CCASAPE had previously expressed concern with the support staff surplus procedure which is outlined in Article 25 of the ESEA Contract. CCASAPE believes the procedure works to the detriment of schools. It results in the surplus procedure beginning in April and extending through October each year. This process results in school vacancies being frozen too early and for too long. CCASAPE had previously recommended significant changes be negotiated to make the process more responsive to schools. These changes should include reducing the length of time of the surplus procedure, establishing a transfer season similar to that of teachers, and freezing only those positions where there is a support staff employee that needs to be placed. Mr. Garcia had previously asked Dr. Rice to establish a committee of principals to make the necessary revisions and to take those recommendations to the ESEA Contract Maintenance Committee. CCASAPE expressed concern that this committee had not yet been established and that a recent memorandum from support staff personnel to principals outlined the same surplus procedure that is so detrimental to schools. CCASAPE asked for a status report from Mr. Garcia.

Mr. Garcia reported that a principals’ committee was recently established and will hold its first meeting on April 29, 2004. Mr. Garcia reiterated his belief that the current procedure was in need of revision.

3. Student Teacher Training Model – CCASAPE reiterated its concern that the current model for the training of student teachers is in need of revision to better meet the demands associated with high stakes testing and increased accountability measures that are facing all schools. The current practice of turning over a class to a student teacher and having the student teacher work more and more independently from the master teacher must be changed. CCASAPE expressed concern that this item was first discussed last October, but that to date no principal input committee has been formed nor substantive discussion held.

Mr. Garcia agreed that the current model is in need of change and will request that a committee of principals be established to provide input regarding revisions to the current process.

4. Administrative Selection Process – CCASAPE reviewed the ongoing general concerns created when regions do not consistently follow the selection procedure established in regulation. CCASAPE expressed concern that principals in some regions were not being provided the opportunity to submit their selections for vacancies to the region leadership when hiring assistant principals and deans. An additional concern is the perception that secondary principals are provided with greater autonomy than elementary principals when administrative hiring decisions are made. There was also concern expressed that the size of the entry level pools may have grown too large. The current pool size results in too many applicants applying for positions. The size of the pool ensures that not all candidates will receive appointments, which results in teacher morale issues in schools. There was also additional discussion regarding the importance of there being a match between an administrator’s final evaluation and what is said by supervisors on the confidential evaluation.

Mr. Garcia stated that it was his belief that principals should have autonomy when it comes to hiring decisions affecting their schools. He asked Dr. Rice to revise the selection criteria for the entry level pools to ensure that only the best candidates are admitted to the pool. Mr. Garcia also stated that the evaluation document should be consistent with comments made on the confidential evaluation.

Mr. Garcia also restated his opinion that additional emphasis must be placed on hiring qualified administrative candidates from outside of the CCSD.

5. Region Effectiveness – CCASAPE requested a status report on the distribution of a survey to determine region effectiveness.

Mr. Garcia indicated that the survey has been developed and would soon be sent out to administrators and other groups.

6. 2004-2005 Budget – With the projected ending fund balance up significantly, CCASAPE requested that the allocation of elementary assistant principals be increased and be formula driven, that the 4.5% drop out factor be revisited and eliminated for the high schools, and that current 32 to 1 staffing ratio be reduced.

Mr. Garcia stated that this was the first year since he was hired that budget cuts are not necessary. He also stated that spending priorities will be more fully discussed after the November elections.

7. Working Conditions for Employees – CCASAPE expressed its ongoing concern regarding the increased work load for all employees. Additionally, CCASAPE expressed concern that elementary principals had lost their ability to establish shared contracts for teachers, especially when the creation of shared contracts would be of benefit to the teachers and to the school.

Mr. Garcia expressed concern that the employee work force in all areas has not kept pace with the growth of the District and concurred that morale has suffered from the increased work load experienced by all employees. Regarding shared contracts, Mr. Garcia and Dr. Orci indicated that elementary principals could continue the practice of offering shared contracts. Dr. Rice requested that principals interested in a shared contract for their teachers should contact her office.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Garcia brought one additional item forward. This item was related to the March Unifier article entitled “Take The Monkey Off My Back.” Mr. Garcia and Dr. Orci expressed their concern regarding the publication of the article, adding they felt that it was a “cheap shot against a CCASAPE member.”

CCASAPE’s position is a simple one. NO ONE has the right, irrespective of his or her position and organizational membership, to mistreat the very individuals whom they should be serving and assisting.

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 again 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, 2004.

Vacation days in excess of 85 as of June 30 for which compensation is not provided must be used on or before August 31, 2004 or these days will be deducted from the total days on September 1, 2004. 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.

Vacation days reported on the second paycheck for the month reflect days earned through the end of that month. However, these days do not reflect vacation days utilized during the month. All administrators are encouraged to carefully monitor their vacation day balances. Additionally, all administrators are reminded that the five days of personal leave that are allocated at the beginning of each contract year MUST be utilized by the end of the contract year in which they were granted. Personal leave days remaining after the contract year ends are lost.