OCTOBER 2005

VOL. 16 NO. 3

At the October 20, 2005, Board of School Trustees meeting, Stephen Augspurger addressed the Board and outlined CCASAPE’s concerns regarding the current search process for a new superintendent. The format and content of the board presentation has been modified to allow for reprinting in the Unifier.

The CCSD is currently in the midst of selecting a new superintendent. The priority in this endeavor must be to select the absolute best superintendent and to take every safeguard to ensure that the search process, which results in the final selection, is above reproach.

I believe that many agree with the opinion that I’m going to express tonight – the process currently being used to select the new superintendent is beginning to run afoul.

There are many reasons for this opinion:

1. On October 12, 2005, an article appeared in the Review Journal with the title “Superintendent Search: Group Taps ‘Superstar’ Candidates.”

2. This newspaper article gives cause for a number of specific concerns with the superintendent selection process:

• A group of business people are recruiting “superstar candidates” for the superintendent vacancy. This group is working outside of the official process.

• In the October 12 article, the newspaper reported Jim Rogers as saying “they (the superintendent candidates) were serious enough to fly out to Las Vegas and meet with the organization’s members.”

3. CCASAPE has a number of serious concerns that have been raised by these candidates coming to Las Vegas to interview with this group of influential and wealthy businessmen for the position of superintendent.

• Who paid for the trip?

• What expectations were created for the superintendent candidates by this business group?

• Was the incentive of additional salary presented to these potential candidates and what expectations were created in return?

• If the aspiring superintendent candidates paid their own way, what could these business executives possibly say to any superintendent candidate that would be so significant that it would be cause for a candidate to fly to Las Vegas at his/her own expense to meet with a group that is not part of the official search process? Who do the potential superintendents think this group is and what do the candidates believe is the extent of the business executives’ influence?

• When the final selection is made by the Board, if the candidate is one of the “superstars” who came to Las Vegas, will this individual think his/her salary is going to be higher than the $290,000 designated by the Board? Mr. Rogers has pledged to increase the salary to more than $400,000 per year.

• By working outside of the official selection process, does this group of business people believe they can make demands or expectations of the new superintendent, especially if the superintendent was one of the candidates they recruited and approved?

• No doubt, a candidate contacted by this group will feel pretty good about their chances for selection. How will the candidates who simply followed the formal process feel if one of the “superstar candidates” is selected?

• The Board has determined the salary for the new superintendent will be approximately $290,000. Since nothing comes free, CCASAPE believes that no additional money for the superintendent’s salary should be accepted from any outside group. If the Board believes the position is worth more than $290,000, then it should come from the general fund, with accountability only to the tax payers. If an outside group enhances the superintendent’s salary, what then will the group’s expectations be of the new superintendent and who will the superintendent be accountable to?

• Does this outside group understand, and is it true, that what they have done has no bearing on the outcome of the selection process, or do they see themselves as a clearing house for what this group believes to be “superstar candidates”?

4. CCASAPE believes the only people who have the responsibility and the authority to make the final decision are the seven elected board members. The Board must ensure that the process will demonstrate that it is the Board’s decision and the Board’s alone. CCASAPE and others are concerned about the current process. The consultants hired by the Board to conduct the search process have met with Mr. Rogers and have acknowledged the group of business people working outside of the formal process. Their very acknowledgement lends credibility to the group.

When you consider that a current school board member works directly for Mr. Rogers and that one of the hired consultants is a university employee in a system that Mr. Rogers oversees, combined with the other concerns that have been expressed tonight, it must lead you to conclude that something is not right with the current process.

In closing, CCASAPE finds it offensive that those with money, influence and position are allowed to influence the outcome of a process that is so important to all Clark County residents. We look to the Board as our elected representatives to ensure that the activities of Mr. Rogers and his business associates have no more influence on the selection of the new superintendent than any other members of the community. No one should have more influence on the process than the people who send their children to school each day and the employees who are responsible for providing the education for these children.

The current process and the perceptions created by that process for the selection of a new superintendent are in need of repair. If it is not fixed and fixed quickly, the end result of this selection process will be shrouded in controversy.

Principals were informed in the September Unifier that the annual review of site based principal positions outlined in Article 20-11-5 of the Agreement will be completed in early October and that any salary increases that occur as the result of the review will be paid in the October 25 pay check. Human Resources has completed the initial review of the required information. Because additional analysis must be completed, any changes in classification point factors which result in a salary increase will be paid beginning in the November 10 pay check and will be retroactive to the first day of the principal’s contract (July 1 or August 1). Reclassification point factors for principals can be viewed on the CCSD web site.

As outlined in the September Unifier, participants in the CCASAPE health insurance plan have three excellent medical benefit plans to choose from. While each of the medical plans are different, they each provide a rich array of benefits and are priced to save the administrator and his/her dependents a significant amount of money. For example, an active administrator and family on the current CCASAPE POS plan, annually pays $5120.88 out-of-pocket for dependent coverage. On the new mid-range POS plan, the annual out of pocket cost for family coverage is $2935.80, a reduction annually of $2185.08. The out-of-pocket costs are reduced to $1673.04 if the administrator and family enroll in the new HMO medical plan, a reduction annually of $3447.84. Administrators with a spouse only or children only will also enjoy significant reductions if the new POS plan or the new HMO plan is selected. Retirees will also see significant savings if they enroll in either of the new plans.

The selection of a medical benefit option must not be taken lightly or based on what your colleagues may do. It should be based on the medical and pharmacy needs of your family. A primary difference between the two new plans and the current POS plan is the pharmacy benefit. The pharmacy benefit for each of the two new plans (new HMO and new POS) requires two co-payments for a 90 day supply of drugs while the current POS plan requires only one co-pay for the 90-day supply. However, non-preferred brand name drugs (those drugs which have a $20 co-pay on the current POS plan, will not be available for a 90-day supply in the new HMO or new POS plans, but will have to be purchased for the applicable co-pay on a monthly basis. Those participants selecting the new HMO plan will, of course, be limited to seeing HMO providers only. Each of the medical benefit options were reviewed in detail at the health insurance information meetings recently held. This information was also detailed in the September Unifier. Regardless of which medical benefit plan you choose, every active administrator will continue to have the same vision, dental, life and long term disability plans. Retirees will also have the same vision, dental and life insurance plans, but do not receive long term disability.

Administrators who do not have dependents on the plan should remain in the current POS plan, since CCASAPE continues to offer this plan with no cost to the employee. Retirees in the Classic Retiree Plan (Medicare Eligible) should remain in that plan since there is no increase in premium and it remains the plan with the lowest premium.

Administrators desiring to change medical benefit plans must do so during the months of October or November. The open enrollment period ends on November 30, 2005.

If you have questions regarding any aspect of your health insurance plan, please contact Allin or Stephen at 796-9602.

All administrators and retirees are reminded that once each year, during the months of October and November, CCASAPE holds an open enrollment period. This is the time for you to review your benefit election to ensure that it meets the needs of you and your family. During the month of October, a total of six health insurance information meetings were held for actives and retirees. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the 1205 active administrators and 249 retirees on the plan attended these meetings. During each of these meetings Stephen, Allin, and health care provider representatives discussed specific information related to benefits and pricing. At the health insurance information meetings, administrators and retirees had an opportunity to discuss the new medical plans and to review other changes in benefit levels and premium rates. The new medical plans will become available to administrators and retirees on January 1, 2006.

The open enrollment period for making changes to your health benefits plan will end on November 30, 2005. Since most administrators and retirees did not attend the open enrollment meetings, CCASAPE urges all of you to carefully review the September and October Unifiers so that you will be familiar with the information to make the best decision regarding health insurance for you and your family. Please contact the CCASAPE office if you require additional information regarding plan selection.

During the open enrollment period, which ends on November 30, 2005, you will have the opportunity to make the following changes to your benefit election:

• You can add eligible dependents.

• You can drop covered dependents.

• You can join the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan if you are currently an active administrative employee and receiving your health insurance from CCEA, ESEA, or from another provider.

• YOU CAN ENROLL IN NEW MEDICAL BENEFIT PLANS OFFERED THROUGH THE CCASAPE / CCSD HEALTH INSURANCE.

Remember, changes you make in your benefit election will become effective on January 1, 2006. The CCSD Benefits Office will assist you with these changes (799-5418).

Article 19 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees provides for the establishment of an Administrators' Advisory Council. The purpose of the advisory council is to:

• Provide advice to the superintendent and cabinet regarding procedures, practices and programs which will result in a better educational atmosphere in the CCSD;• Improve the morale of all employees;

• Apprise the superintendent and staff of actual or potential problems involving the school district;

• Improve communications between the Association and the superintendent and staff;

• Secure maximum productive and constructive involvement of all employees in their primary goal, which is the educational process of the CCSD; and

• Serve as the Contract Maintenance Committee.

For the 2005-2006 school year, advisory meetings have been scheduled for September 20, 2005; November 9, 2005; January 25, 2006; and March 22, 2006. Each of these meetings will be held with Superintendents Dr. Orci and Dr. Rulffes. CCASAPE representatives to the Administrators' Advisory Council include Executive Board members Cathy Conger, Joe Murphy, Bart Mangino, Karen Smallwood, and John Barlow. Also on the Administrators' Advisory Council is Charles Anderson, President of the Clark County Association of Elementary School Principals, and Bob Gerye, President of the Clark County Association of Secondary School Principals. Jeff Hafen is the non-licensed representative to the Administrators’ Advisory Council and represents the professional-technical employees. CCASAPE staff, Allin Chandler and Stephen Augspurger, also participate in the meeting.

The following topics were discussed at the September 20, 2005, meeting. Dr. Orci’s responses to those topics are summarized for your information: (Dr. Rulffes was unable to attend the meeting.)

1. Administrative Transfer and Promotion - While CCASAPE and the District have worked cooperatively to develop procedures in regulation which guide the transfer and promotion process, CCASAPE is concerned that region administrators and division heads do not always follow the procedure. Of particular concern is the frequent failure of the region administrator or division head to secure input from principals and non-school based administrative supervisors regarding the filling of school and non-school based administrative vacancies.
Dr. Orci reiterated that the regulation must be followed as it is written and that this concern will be reviewed in cabinet.

2. Evaluation of Principals – CCASAPE again expressed concern that some region administrators were informing principals that their evaluations will be based on meeting student achievement goals. CCASAPE and the District have previously agreed that principals should be held accountable for those areas within their control, i.e., staff development, school improvement activities, etc., but that student achievement levels will not be used as the basis for a negative direction or an unsatisfactory evaluation rating.
Dr. Orci concurred that CCASAPE’s description of the agreement was correct. Dr. Orci added that he will again review this topic with region administrators.

3. Allocation of Elementary Assistant Principals - CCASAPE reiterated its long standing concern regarding the lack of budgeted funds to provide an assistant principal in every elementary school and the lack of a formula driven process for the allocation of elementary assistant principals.
Dr. Orci reiterated the District’s belief that additional elementary assistant principals were needed and stated that a formula driven process will be developed for next school year.

4. Copying and Distribution of Information – CCASAPE’s concern in this area is that other divisions are sending information to schools with the directive to make sufficient copies for all staff, all parents, or all students and are then directed to distribute or mail the copies to the targeted population. Schools do not have the necessary staff or financial resources to duplicate and mail information from the various divisions within the District. CCASAPE and the District have previously agreed that the division sending the information to the schools will be responsible for its duplication and the cost of mailing.
Dr. Orci concurred that Divisions must assume this responsibility. He agreed to again communicate this information to the appropriate division heads.

5. Information Flow to Schools – CCASAPE again expressed concern that principals were receiving directions to “do things” that circumvented the region administrators. Directions to principals from other divisions often occur without the knowledge of the region administrators. CCASAPE’s belief is that directions to principals should come from their region supervisors, not from other division heads.
Dr. Orci reiterated that information flow to the schools will only be directed to schools from the responsible region administrator.

6. Teacher Staffing – CCASAPE’s concerns in this area centered around the lack of meaningful principal input related to preliminary enrollment projections and the lack of response from the Facilities Division to input that is provided by the principal. Additionally, CCASAPE expressed concern that summer administrative appointments were often made in an untimely manner that created a negative impact on the classroom.
Dr. Orci agreed to work with the Facilities Division to ensure that principals’ input was included in the development of student projections and that timing of administrative appointments will be reviewed to ensure that negative impact on the classroom is minimized.

7. Substitute Service – CCASAPE expressed appreciation for the changes which had been made in this area in an effort to ensure that classrooms and other vacant positions are appropriately covered. This topic has been an area of concern for CCASAPE for the past several years and continued monitoring will occur. CCASAPE requested a copy of the results of the survey completed by Substitute Service in the 2004-2005 school year. CCASAPE also expressed concern with the high number of custodial and bus driver vacancies and the negative impact on schools that these vacancies have created. Concern was also expressed that division heads were not paying attention to the restrictions placed on staff development during last school year, thus exacerbating the problem of providing substitutes for all classroom vacancies.
Dr. Orci acknowledged the ongoing problems associated with not being able to provide sufficient coverage for vacant positions and was hopeful that recent changes in this area will have a positive impact. He agreed to provide CCASAPE with a copy of the recently completed survey and will remind cabinet members of the status of the restrictions previously placed on staff development. The District will carefully monitor the number of classrooms which do not receive substitutes.

8. Opening of School Meetings – CCASAPE’s concern in this area was with the timing of the many meetings that were associated with the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year. The schedule of meetings created hardships for schools in trying to complete the many required activities for opening the new school year. The District opening of school schedule also negatively impacted year round schools, as they were closing one year and opening the new school year simultaneously.
Dr. Orci acknowledged the concerns and stated that the opening of school meeting schedule for the 2006-2007 school year will be done in conjunction with the input of the Administrators’ Advisory Council members.

9. Education Services Division – CCASAPE’s concerns in this area included the lack of permanent expulsions for students with serious behavior offenses, especially those involving weapons. CCASAPE also expressed concern with the length of time that students spend in ESD placements and the lack of monthly statistical reporting to principals that would illustrate conditional enrollment placements. CCASAPE expressed concern that dangerous students were being returned to general school populations and that the current model was not appropriately addressing the behavior issues. Conditional enrollment procedures are not working and are poorly communicated. School and region administrators are not aware of how many conditional enrollments have occurred in each of the respective regions. Trial and conditional enrollment placements do not involve region administrators, but should.
Dr. Orci agreed to address each of the concerns expressed by CCASAPE. A follow up meeting was held with five secondary principals, Stephen, Dr. Orci and Dr. Rulffes on September 26 to review specific concerns. Dr. Orci and Dr. Rulffes agreed that significant changes must occur and that they will follow up with the Education Services Division.

On October 13, 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. Medical Reimbursement Account for Retirees – Stephen outlined the contractual provisions governing the medical reimbursement account for retiring administrators with at least 250 days of sick leave. This account is outlined in Article 13-9 of the Agreement and will have a maximum contribution from the District of $20,000 for each qualifying administrator. Individual accounts will be established for each participating administrator at the time of retirement. Account funds can be used for paying medical expenses during retirement, including the payment of medical premiums;

B. CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan New medical benefit options were outlined and the schedule of health insurance information meetings was reviewed. All active employees with dependents will be paying less for heath insurance beginning January 1, 2006. Employees without dependents will have no out-of-pocket costs for their medical benefits. The Representative Council also approved a one-year subsidy to be paid from the School Administrators’ Welfare Trust that will cover the cost of the 5.5% increase in medical insurance premiums for retirees. The 5.5% increase is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2006. The retiree subsidy will ensure that the health insurance premiums for retirees will not increase over the current rates through December 31, 2006. The subsidy will not be paid to those retirees on the Classic Retiree Plan (Medicare Eligible) since there was no premium increase for participants in this plan;

C. Administrative Reclassification – After significant review and discussion of the input from the Education Services Division principals seeking CCASAPE’s support to increase their salary range from Range 41 to Range 42, the Representative Council voted not to support the request. This decision will maintain the current classification system for principals. The recommendation to not support this request will be communicated to Dr. Orci and Dr. Rulffes; and

D. September 20, 2005 Administrators’ Advisory Council Meeting – Agenda items for the September 20 Advisory Council meeting were reviewed. Additionally, tentative topics for the November 9 Advisory Council meeting were identified. Topics included Education Services Division, use of electronic files, use of the conference summary, pay for performance, 2006-2007 budget development, support staff hiring timelines, and RPDP training coordination;

3. New Business:

A. District Use of Electronic Files – Stephen provided a status report on a recently filed grievance related to the District use of electronic files in violation of the Agreement;

B. CCASAPE Annual Retreat – The Representative Council approved the annual all day business meeting to be held in Mesquite, Nevada, on February 10. Mileage reimbursement for those driving vehicles to the meeting was approved at the new IRS rate of 48.5 cents per mile; and

C. CCASAPE Office Personnel – It was approved that salary and benefit recommendations for the CCASAPE office staff will be presented to the Representative Council at the December meeting;

4. Committee Reports:

A. CCAESP – Charles Anderson, President, provided an overview of the monthly meetings held with Dr. Orci. Primary focus of these meetings remains the acquisition of additional elementary assistant principals, increasing custodial supply budgets, and staff development concerns. Charles also reported that a joint social with the CCASSP members was being planned. Cathy Conger reported that “brown bag lunches” will soon be held with elementary principals in an effort to improve communication and secure principal input on critical issues;

B. CCASSP – Bob Gerye, President, reported that the NASSP convention will be held in March, 2006, in Reno and will be held in February, 2007, in Las Vegas; and

C. Legal Committee – Cathy Conger, President, reported there was no activity of the Legal Committee;

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.

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 vacation payoff deposited in the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. Participating administrators will avoid the payment of Medicare tax and will postpone and possibly reduce the payment of federal income tax.

CCASAPE, in conjunction with staff at AIG VALIC, has scheduled a series of information meetings regarding the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. Mr. Paul Larson in the local AIG VALIC office will be present at the meetings and will provide information regarding the various investment options associated with the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. Additionally, Mr. Larson will review how the 403(b) voluntary plan and the 457(b) plan coordinate with the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. A 403(b) information meeting was recently held on October 25, 2005. Additional meetings are scheduled for January 24, 2006, and April 25, 2006. All meetings will be held at the CCASAPE office at 3:45 pm. Contact the CCASAPE office to reserve your seat. Seating is limited, so call as early as possible. Please mark your calendars now to attend one of the information meetings!

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