November 2004

VOL. 15 NO. 4

Health Plan of Nevada (HPN) recently changed the name of the CCASAPE Medicare Eligible Health Insurance Plan to the Classic Retiree Plan. All current CCSD administrators and CCSD retired administrators are eligible to enroll in the Classic Retiree Plan (formerly the CCASAPE Medicare Eligible Plan) if the administrator, retired administrator, or the spouse of the administrator or retired administrator is eligible for Medicare, Parts A and B. Eligibility for Medicare Parts A and B typically occurs at age 65. Enrollment in the Classic Retiree Plan will result in coverage that equals or exceeds the benefit levels in the current CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan and at a significantly reduced premium. Enrollment can occur at any time once eligibility is established. Those who are eligible and interested should contact Nick Venturini in the CCSD Benefits Office to complete the enrollment. It is not necessary to contact personnel at HPN. If you have questions regarding the Classic Retiree Health Benefits Plan, please contact the CCASAPE office at 796 9602. To be eligible to participate in this plan, administrators must live in the HPN service area. If you are currently enrolled in the Medicare Eligible Plan and are contemplating moving out of the service area, please contact the CCASAPE office for additional information.

Qualifying administrators, those who will turn 55 during the calendar year that they retire, will have their final vacation payoff automatically deposited into the 401(a) tax deferred account. Participating administrators will avoid the payment of Medicare tax and will postpone and possibly reduce the payment of federal income tax. Mr. Paul Larson in the local AIG VALIC office will be assisting administrators with various investment options associated with the 401(a) Plan. Paul can be reached at 796-0047.

To provide an opportunity for administrators to meet and interact with VALIC representative Paul Larson, the second quarterly 401(a) Plan information meeting has been scheduled for December 15, 2004, at 3:45 p.m. at the CCASAPE office. Since seating is limited, we are requesting that administrators interested in attending call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 to reserve a seat. If you have questions regarding the scheduled meeting or any aspect of the 401(a) Plan, please do not hesitate to contact the CCASAPE office.

Administrators, especially newly appointed administrators, are reminded that Article 17-2 in the Negotiated Agreement between CCASAPE and the District stipulates that all administrators shall be granted five personal leave days each contract year. Personal leave must be utilized during the contract year that it is allocated. Personal leave may not be used when an administrator is on a supplemental contract and personal leave days not used by the end of the contract year will disappear. CCASAPE encourages administrators to consider utilizing allocated personal leave prior to using vacation.

Article 28 of the Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees states that an employee about to undergo an investigatory interview is entitled to an association representative and reasonable notice shall be given. There have been occasions recently where administrators who have been given notices of investigation have attended the investigatory conference without an association representative. CCASAPE strongly encourages all CCASAPE members to contact the CCASAPE office prior to an investigatory conference to ensure that arrangements can be made for either Allin or Stephen to attend the meeting.

Article 28 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees provides this guarantee and is reprinted below for your information:

An administrator about to undergo an investigatory interview is entitled to an association representative or another representative and reasonable notice shall be given. Reasonable notice shall mean notification not later than the day prior to the actual meeting except when circumstances may require a prompt investigatory interview. Any and all notices of the supervisor’s desire to hold a conference with an administrator shall include the subject of the conference. The notice must be provided verbally, physically handed to the administrator, forwarded by certified or registered mail, or at the request of the administrator faxed or e-mailed.

Article 28 is clear that employees are entitled to representation when participating in an interview when the employee has a reasonable belief that he or she may be subject to discipline.

Article 28 also sets forth the methodology for how the employee is to be notified of the investigatory conference. All administrators, including both administrative supervisors and administrative employees, are reminded that the Agreement between the District and CCASAPE permits notices of investigatory conference to be sent via e-mail or fax, but only at the request of the receiving administrator. Notices of investigatory conferences which are e-mailed without prior discussion with and agreement of the receiving administrator are violations of the Agreement.

The Nevada Association of School Administrators (NASA) is pleased to announce the creation of a new component group. The new component group will be named the “Retired School Administrators and Allied Members” component group. This new group will consist of all retired school administrators and university and college faculty members. Member benefits include all NASA publications, ability to attend all NASA functions, including workshops and annual conferences, social events and component meetings, opportunity to provide input to NASA, opportunity to interact with and provide assistance to practicing school administrators, and most importantly, an avenue to stay connected with former colleagues and current administrators.

Annual dues are only $50 per year and are tax deductible. Any retired school administrator or university or college faculty member who is interested in joining this new group should contact Ralph Cadwallader, Executive Director of NASA at 702-233-6623 or fax to 702-233-5794, or call Steve Henick at 702-363-9934 for more information and an application form.

Please be reminded that any administrator planning to retire on or before June 30, 2005, (will not begin employment in the 2005-2006 school year) must schedule a meeting with the CCASAPE staff and complete the form to participate in the retiree unused sick leave payout, retiree health insurance payout, and retiree life insurance / retiree long term care programs. THE FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND FILED WITH THE CCASAPE OFFICE PRIOR TO MAY 1, 2005, IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JUNE 2005 PAYOUT. Please call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 if you have any questions.

Also, as a reminder, any retiring administrator who is 55 or older or who will turn 55 in the calendar year of his/her retirement will automatically have the final vacation payoff deposited to the 401(a) qualified tax deferred plan at Bencor Inc. CCASAPE has joined with staff at AIG VALIC to schedule quarterly administrator information meetings regarding the 401(a) Plan, related investment options, and other qualified tax plans.

On November 9, 2004, the CCASAPE Representative Council held its regular monthly meeting. The major items discussed included the following:

1. The revenue, expenditures, and balances within the CCASAPE Association and Trust Fund Accounts.

2. A review of the status of:

A. Article 20 (Reclassification) / District Resolution of Contract Violations – As a result of the three grievances filed by CCASAPE against the District for violations of Article 20, Dr. Rice has developed a written procedure that, if followed, will ensure that the District is in compliance with the contract language governing reclassification;

B. Administrative Reclassification – The results of the recent assessment of school- based principal positions were provided to the Representative Council. Thirty-four positions were assessed at a higher salary range as a result of the reclassification criteria. Six positions were assessed at a lower salary range. Articles 20-11-4 and 20-11-5 in the Negotiated Agreement outline the procedures for the review of non site-based positions and site-based principal positions;

C. October 26th Administrators’ Advisory Council Meeting – Agenda items and CCASAPE discussion with the Superintendent were reviewed with the Representative Council;

D. Contract Violation Related to Contract Payoff for Newly Appointed Administrators – Stephen reviewed a letter from Dr. Rice that outlined the District’s intent to provide contract payoffs to newly appointed administrators in compliance with the Negotiated Agreement between the District and CCASAPE. CCASAPE previously notified the District by letter that the District had not complied with the contract language which stipulates the methodology for how newly appointed administrators are to receive the buyout of their teacher contract; and

E. Grievance Related to “At Will” Contracts – An update was provided regarding the status of a grievance which was filed against the District when an attorney was appointed to an “at will” position. “At will” positions are collectively bargained and are clearly identified in Article 16 in the Agreement. Attorneys are not “at will” positions. CCASAPE is very concerned that the District continues to violate the Negotiated Agreement, a document that was bargained in good faith by your Association.

3. New Business:

A. Unused Sick Leave / Retiree Medical Assistance Payouts – Projected January payouts for unused sick leave and retiree medical assistance for retired administrators were reviewed and approved. The Representative Council also approved maintaining the current payouts at $10.00 per day for up to 250 days of sick leave and $450 per year for each of the first five years of retirement for retiree medical assistance. An actuarial review is currently being conducted by Lebenson Actuarial Services to ensure that sufficient funds are maintained in the School Administrators Welfare Trust to continue these payments for future retirees;

B. High School Principals / Length of Contract – Discussion was held regarding the disparity in the length of contracts among high school principals. Discussion was also held related to the increased travel time which is required of the rural high school principals to supervise and support the outlying school athletic programs. The Representative Council voted to authorize the CCASAPE Executive Director to enter into discussion with the District to secure the $2,000 activity stipend, which is currently paid to all high school deans and assistant principals and the principal at Spring Mountain School, for the rural high school principals in Boulder City, Laughlin, Mesquite, Moapa Valley, and Indian Springs. Additionally, discussion was held which would provide additional contract days for all 11- month principals for work required in July. Additional discussion also occurred regarding compensation methodology for outlying principals for the additional time spent traveling to and from Las Vegas for required meetings and activities;

C. Sierra Health Mailers – A review of inaccurate information mailed out by Sierra Health was outlined. The first mailing contained incorrect prescription drug information. The second mailing provided the correct prescription information, but did not provide all of the identified material. A third mailing is planned that will replace all previously mailed documents. CCASAPE staff has met with Sierra officials to ensure that future mailings will only contain correct information. In the future, no additional material will be mailed by Sierra without approval of the CCASAPE staff;

D. Negotiations – In preparation for reopening negotiations after February 1, 2005, CCASAPE staff is currently in the process of completing a review of the Negotiated Agreement between CCASAPE and the District. This review will identify areas in which language changes are required. The results of this analysis will be presented to the Representative Council upon completion; and

E. CCASAPE / NASA Lobbying Efforts – CCASAPE will continue to work closely with NASA in the forthcoming legislative session scheduled to begin in February, 2005. As part of this cooperative effort, CCASAPE will continue to jointly share with NASA the cost of a lobbyist. Additionally, the Representative Council approved an additional $3000 to be spent for a second lobbyist to work with CCASAPE and NASA during the 2005 legislative session.

4. Committee Reports:

A. CCAESP – Marilyn Miks, CCAESP President, reported that ongoing priorities include securing additional elementary school assistant principals, improving coordination between the nine-month and year-round school calendars, and maintaining a regular schedule of meetings with Dr. Orci;

B. CCASSP – Beth Howe, CCASSP President, reported on the progress of the association with regard to the development of professional development activities for secondary administrators; and

C. Legal Committee – Cathy Conger, committee chairperson, reported there was no Legal Committee activity.

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

CCASAPE will notify the District prior to February 1, 2005 of its intent to reopen contract negotiations. Final decisions regarding negotiations will not be made until the 2005 legislative session concludes. In preparation for reopening negotiations, CCASAPE staff is completing a detailed review of the current contract. Additionally, CCASAPE requests that administrators forward to the CCASAPE office or to any member of the Negotiating Team any items or topics to be considered during this year’s negotiations. Members of the CCASAPE Negotiating Team include Jerry Boles, Mark Coleman, Cathy Conger, Dusty Dickens, Jamey Hood, Ron Montoya, Joe Murphy and Jessie Phee.