June/July 2005

VOL. 15 NO. 11

The Nominations and Elections Committee Chairperson, Emilio Fernandez, reviewed the tabulation of the ballots and certifies the following results:

Incoming President, Bart Mangino, President, Cathy Conger, Past President, Joe Murphy, Secretary, John Barlow, and Treasurer, Karen Smallwood will serve on the Executive Board for the 2005-2006 school year. Mark Coleman and Sue Daellenbach will begin their second year as At-Large members of the Representative Council. Two vacant second year positions now exist on the Representative Council. The first vacancy was created by the August retirement of Teddie Brewer. The second vacancy occurred when Andre Denson resigned due to his appointment as an assistant region superintendent. The CCASAPE Constitution stipulates that vacancies occurring on the Representative Council shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Board with the appointed member serving for a period not to exceed the remainder of the term of the position that was vacated. Since both Teddie and Andre were to be second term representatives during the 2005-2006 school year, the individuals selected to fill these vacancies will serve for the 2005-2006 year only. It is anticipated that the

Executive Board will make these appointments in August.

On behalf of the entire CCASAPE membership, we would like to thank Tom Barberini, Milana Winter, LeRoy Espinosa, Barbie Holmes, Patrice Johnson, Dan Phillips, Regina Adams, Rosalind Gibson, Jamey Hood, Beth Howe, Tammy Malich, Phyllis Meckley, David Mendelson, Marilyn Miks, David Smith, and Tim Stephens for agreeing to their nomination for this year’s election. Additionally, the efforts of the Nomination Committee composed of Emilio Fernandez, (chairperson), Kim Grytdahl, and David Harcourt are greatly appreciated.

The President of the Clark County Association of Elementary School Principals (CCAESP), Charles Anderson, and the President of the Clark County Association of Secondary School Principals (CCASSP), Bob Gerye, will represent their respective associations as members of the CCASAPE Representative Council. President Cathy Conger has appointed Jeff Hafen, a non-licensed administrator, to represent the professional-technical employees.
A special thank you is extended to Jerry Boles, Barbie Holmes, and Bart Mangino for their service as Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively for the 2004-2005 school year. In addition, Tom Barberini, Ron Montoya, David Mendelson, and Ken Fowler have completed their two (2) year term on the Representative Council. Additionally, Beth Howe, Marilyn Miks, and Jeff Hafen are completing their term on the Representative Council as professional association representatives. The contributions and service of these individuals to CCASAPE have benefited all members and their commitment is very much appreciated.

The CCASAPE Negotiations Team continues to meet both formally and informally with the District in an effort to complete contract negotiations. At the conclusion of the 2005 Legislative Session, 2% and 4% salary increases were approved for the two year biennium. Since there was a .5% reduction in the PERS contribution, that reduction resulted in an additional .25% being placed on the salary schedule. PERS is a shared responsibility between the District and its employees and any reduction or increase is evenly split between the District and its employees. The employees’ share of the PERS reduction combined with the 2% pass through money from the Legislature equals a 2.25% salary increase for 2005-2006. Even though final discussions with the District have not yet been completed, the District agreed to make the 2.25% salary increase effective July 1, 2005 for 12-month employees and August 1, 2005 for 10- and 11-month employees.

It is anticipated that contract discussions will be finalized by mid-August and that a CCASAPE ratification meeting to discuss and vote on the contract will be scheduled in late August or early September.

On June 22, 2005, CCASAPE held its annual general membership meeting at the Palace Station Hotel. Approximately 55 active and retired CCASAPE members attended the meeting. Prior to the CCASAPE business meeting, the Clark County Association of Elementary School Principals and the Clark County Association of Secondary School Principals held brief business meetings.

During the CCASAPE business meeting conducted by Joe Murphy, CCASAPE President, Emilio Fernandez, chairman of the Nominations and Elections Committee, presented the proposed slate of officers. CCASAPE members in attendance were provided an opportunity to make additional nominations. Joe also provided an overview of the CCASAPE activities for the 2004-2005 school year. An overview of this year’s negotiations and the previously approved 2005-2006 CCASAPE budget were provided to those in attendance. A copy of the budget is included in this edition of The Unifier. Additionally, Cathy Conger, CCASAPE President-Elect, recognized and honored the 2004-2005 retirees.

Administrators attending the general membership meeting seemed to enjoy the eating, drinking, and socializing. The CCASAPE Representative Council extends a special thank you to all who attended.

Elementary assistant principals assigned to two schools are reminded that Article 16-1 in the Agreement between the District and CCASAPE stipulates that 16 hours of compensatory time will be credited in June. Assignments of less than one year will be prorated. The 16 hours of compensatory time provided under this article will be reported on the second pay check in July.

The Clark County Association of Elementary School Principals and the Clark County Association of Secondary School Principals elected new officers for 2005-2006.

Between January 1 and June 30, 2005 Barbara McCants-Hill, Bill Troeger, Sue Tsukamoto, Laura Nelson, Jimmie Chapman, Claudette Whitson, Carol Foster, Paula Mielke, Liz Reeder, and Norma Lawrence retired from the Clark County School District. CCASAPE appreciates the many years of service these individuals have given to the students of the District. Congratulations and best wishes are extended to these latest retirees. It has been a pleasure working with each of them. For your information, 36 additional administrators have turned in CCF-164’s announcing their retirement from the District between June 30 and October 3, 2005.

Please be reminded that any administrator planning to retire on or before December 31, 2005, 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 NOVEMBER 1, 2005, IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JANUARY 2006 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 in the 403(b) qualified tax deferred plan. Participating administrators will avoid the payment of Medicare tax and will postpone and possibly reduce the payment of federal income tax.

CCASAPE is working with staff at AIG VALIC to schedule a series of information meetings regarding the 403(b) plan, related investment options, and other qualified tax plans. Mr. Paul Larson in the local AIG VALIC office will be assisting administrators with various investment options associated with the 403(b) plan. The meeting schedule will soon be finalized and will be published in the August Unifier.

If you have questions regarding the information meetings or any aspect of the 403(b) plan, please do not hesitate to contact the CCASAPE office or Paul Larson at VALIC, 796-0047.

Administrators are reminded that Article 9-4 through 9-6 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees outlines the procedure for the removal of disciplinary documents from the personnel files of administrators. Administrators are asked to review this procedure and to call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 for assistance with the removal of any applicable documents.

Article 21-5 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees and the Clark County School District provides that the District contribute $5.80 per administrator, per month, to the “School Administrators’ Welfare Trust Fund” for health insurance financial assistance for retired administrators. CCASAPE pays $450.00 annually to each eligible retired administrator and professional-technical employee in either June or January of the five (5) years following retirement. In June, CCASAPE distributed $27,900 to the eligible retired administrators for retiree health insurance.

Article 21-8 of the Negotiated Agreement provides that the District contribute $6.65 per administrator, per month, to the “School Administrators’ Welfare Trust Fund” for unused sick leave reimbursement. Eligible retired administrators and professional-technical employees receive $10.00 per day for up to 250 days of unused sick leave in either June or January following their separation from the District. In June, CCASAPE distributed $9,525 to eligible retired administrators for unused sick leave.

With the June 2005 payouts, CCASAPE has paid out cumulative amounts of $718,650 for retired medical financial assistance and $912,285 unused sick leave reimbursement for a combined total of $1,630,935 since these payouts were begun in 1990 and 1987 respectively.

During the current contract negotiations, the District agreed to allocate up to three days of compensatory time to 11-month principals who are required to work in July to review or revise AYP reports, to complete school staffing or other responsibilities that are accomplished in July. Compensatory time will not be granted if days are not worked. Requests for comp time shall be submitted to your region supervisor. This provision will be included in the contract in Article 15. Even though negotiations have not yet been completed, the District has agreed to make the implementation of this provision effective immediately.

On June 9, 2005, the CCASAPE Representative Council held its regular monthly meeting. The major items discussed and/or actions taken during the meeting included the following:

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

2. Old Business:

A. Negotiations – An overview of progress made during negotiations was provided. Salary increases approved by the Legislature will be 2% in the first year and 4% in the second year. An additional 1⁄4 % salary increase will be added in the first year due to a reduction in the PERS contribution;

B. Legislative Update – The CCASAPE Legislative Bill Summary Index was provided and discussed. CCASAPE produced 118 pages of bill analysis which was updated throughout the session and posted on the CCASAPE web site at www.ccasa.net; and,

C. General Membership Meeting – Stephen reviewed the plans for the general membership meeting scheduled for June 22 at Palace Station. The meeting will begin at 3:30 and will include business meetings for CCAESP and CCASSP prior to the CCASAPE general meeting;

3. New Business:

A. Unused Sick Leave / Retiree Health Insurance Payouts – The revised June payouts for unused sick leave and retiree health insurance were approved;

B. 2005 – 2006 Budget – The 2005-2006 CCASAPE budget was approved. The budget is included in this edition of The Unifier;

C. Administrators’ Advisory Council – The meeting previously scheduled for May 25 was cancelled due to the retirement of Mr. Garcia. The meeting will be rescheduled for August with the two co-superintendents, Dr. Orci and Dr. Rulffes; and,

D. CCASAPE Elections – The proposed slate of candidates was presented and the procedure and timeline for the completion of the election process were outlined;

4. Committee Reports:

A. CCAESP – Marilyn Miks, President, provided information related to the CCAESP social;

B. CCASSP – Beth Howe, President, reported that election of officers for next year will occur in June. Additionally, President Howe reported that CCASSP leaders will attend the NASA conference and will work to increase membership in CCASSP for next school year;

C. Legal Committee – Cathy Conger, Chairperson, stated there was no activity to report; and,

D. Special Education – Joe Murphy, President, reported on the status of the IDEA workshop to be held June 20 and 21 at the Gold Coast Hotel;

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

A year round principal who is administratively transferred to another school has a contractual right to a 12-month contract and the year round school stipend and will maintain the contract and stipend indefinitely, unless the principal requests to be placed in a nine-month school or there is a District wide reduction in force.

A principal assigned to a multi-track year round school that converts to a single track or nine-month school has a contractual right to a 12-month contract and the $2000 year round stipend. If the principal wants to remain on a 12-month contract, the District may transfer the principal to another year round school at the same range or the District may elect to have the principal remain at the newly converted single track or nine-month school and continue to be on a 12-month contract at the same range and receive the year round school stipend.

If the principal requests to remain in the newly converted single track or nine-month school, there is no right to a 12-month contract or the year round stipend. The principal will receive a one-month contract at the same range in July followed by an 11-month contract beginning in August. The principal will be entitled to a pro-rated year round stipend for July and August. The range of the 11-month contract will be determined by the classification criteria.

A year round principal who is selected to open a new school will receive no less than his/her current salary, including stipend, for a minimum period of three years. If after the three year period the salary range of the new school, based on the classification criteria, is less than the salary range of the principal, and the principal wants to remain on a 12-month contract, the District may transfer the principal to another year round school at the same range or the District may elect to have the principal remain at the new school and continue to receive the 12-month contract at the same range, including the year round school stipend. If the principal requests to remain in the new school, and the school has a lower salary range than the principal’s current salary as determined by the classification criteria, there is no right to the 12-month contract, the year round stipend, or his/her current salary. The range of the 11-month contract will be determined by the classification criteria.

If you have questions regarding year round school contracts, please contact the CCASAPE office at 796-9602.

Cathy Conger, CCASAPE President, is seeking volunteers to serve on various CCASAPE and CCSD committees. If you are interested in serving on a CCASAPE committee or as a CCASAPE appointment to a CCSD committee, please call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 or Cathy Conger at 799-4780.

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 by the end of September, 2005, to continue health benefits for the 2005-2006 school year.