CCASA - Current Unifier Issue

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:

For the 2006-2007 school year, advisory meetings have been scheduled for September 27, 2006 ; December 13, 2006 ; February 28, 2007 ; and May 2, 2007. Each of these meetings will be held with Dr. Rulffes and Dr. Kohut-Rost and other staff as requested by the superintendent. CCASAPE representatives to the Administrators' Advisory Council include Executive Board members Bart Mangino, Charles Anderson, Cathy Conger, Bonnie Ballard, and Sue Daellenbach. Also on the Administrators' Advisory Council is Karen Smallwood, President of the Clark County Association of Elementary School Principals, and Jeff Geihs, President of the Clark County Association of Secondary School Principals. Jeff Hafen is the non-licensed representative to the Administrators’ Advisory Council and also represents the Professional-technical Employees. CCASAPE staff, Allin Chandler, Mark Coleman, and Stephen Augspurger, also participate in the meeting.

The following topics were discussed at the September 27, 2006, meeting. District responses to the topics are summarized for your information:

Administrative Selection Process – CCASAPE expressed a number of long standing concerns in this area. Concerns include: (1) Principal and supervisor input into the process does not always occur and region administrators frequently make selection decisions that should be made by the building principal; (2) The selection process is inconsistently administered from region to region; (3) The process is not always consistent with the requirements of Regulations 4111 and 4142; and (4) There is the perception that the process is not always fair. An additional concern is the misuse of confidential recommendations of a candidate who has applied for an administrative position. The abuse in this area occurs when an administrative supervisor completes a confidential evaluation in a manner that is not consistent with the content of previously written evaluations.

Dr. Rice reviewed proposed changes in Regulation 4111 that would address the concerns associated with the confidential evaluations. Recommended changes were reviewed and a number of suggestions were provided. Dr. Rulffes and Dr. Kohut‑Rost both felt that there was a need to better communicate with principals when their administrative selections are not approved, resulting in alternative candidates being selected by the regions. CCASAPE’s concerns will be shared with the region superintendents.

School Testing Calendar Conflicts –CCASAPE expressed concern that statewide testing mandates continue to adversely impact school schedules and that little consideration is given to year round schools in the schedule development process. Additionally, concern was expressed that the scheduling of CCSD student activities during the state mandated testing window negatively impacted school efforts to meet achievement and participation targets.

Sue Daellenbach outlined District efforts in working with the State Department of Education. In spite of District efforts, the testing calendar established by the State is done without consideration of school activities and schedules. Additional effort will be put forth by CCSD to resolve these issues with the State Department of Education and to minimize conflicts with the testing schedule created by the internal scheduling of fine arts and other student activities.

Highly Qualified Teachers –CCASAPE expressed concern regarding the Human Resource Division expectation that principals be responsible for providing a progress report related to teachers’ progress in meeting the highly qualified status. This unreasonable expectation illustrates the continuing practice of central administrative functions being passed on to the schools and creating additional work for principals. There is an expectation that principals protect the teaching time for their teachers. There must be an equally important expectation that region superintendents protect the time of their principals by ensuring support divisions do not pass work unnecessarily on to the school site.

Dr. Rice provided additional details regarding the request. After some discussion, she agreed that principals will not have to complete a progress report, but will only be responsible for collecting and sending to the Human Resources Division a copy of a report that is actually completed by the teacher. Dr. Rice indicated that she will send out additional information to principals clarifying their role in the process. Dr. Rulffes stated that the District and each of the regions are aware of and sensitive to the work of school principals and do not want work unnecessarily being passed on to the schools.

New Teacher Hiring and Placement Procedures –CCASAPE has expressed many concerns in this area over the past several years. Concerns include: (1) New hires continue to be assigned to schools in many instances without consultation with principals; (2) Most administrators who recruit are not authorized to issue contracts onsite to outstanding teacher applicants (subject to required background checks). The delay results in many outstanding teacher applicants being hired by other school districts; and (3) Administrators continue to waste valuable time attempting to reach prospective teacher candidates only to be informed by the candidate that they have been hired elsewhere or are no longer interested in CCSD. This information is communicated to HR by the principal, but is not always updated into the system, resulting in other administrators continuing to contact the same teacher candidates who are no longer interested in employment in the CCSD.

Dr. Rice stated that the Human Resources Division is working to address each of the concerns that had been identified. She requested that it would be helpful to have administrators call her directly with specific concerns when they occur.

Assignment of Administrators to New Schools –CCASAPE stressed the need to assign the team of administrators and support staff to new schools much earlier than the present practice. CCASAPE suggested assigning assistant principals soon after the principal is assigned, not later than December of the year before the school opens. CCASAPE suggested District officials meet with principals who have recently opened new schools to receive input, suggestions, and advice on how to improve the overall process of opening and staffing new schools.

Dr. Kohut-Rost noted CCASAPE’s concerns and indicated that the District presently conducts meetings with principals who have recent experience opening new schools.

Teacher / Administrator Salary Comparison –CCASAPE expressed concern regarding the growing disparity between the administrator and teacher salary schedules. The teacher / administrator salary comparison is updated and published annually by CCASAPE. CCASAPE suggests that District lobbyists become familiar with the comparison and that it be utilized to educate legislators that administrators are not “fat cats” and in many instances receive lesser hourly pay than the teachers they supervise.

Both Dr. Rulffes and Dr. Kohut-Rost indicated their sensitivity to the salary issue and expressed interest in addressing the compensation methodology for administrators.

School Police Bill Draft –CCASAPE’s specific concern with this District sponsored bill draft is that it extends the jurisdiction of police officers to write traffic tickets on streets adjacent to schools. CCASAPE believes that school police officers, specifically those assigned to schools, are there to ensure the safety and welfare of students and staff assigned to schools. Extending the authority of school police officers to write traffic tickets will diminish their ability to achieve their primary goal. CCASAPE stated that it would oppose this bill during the forthcoming legislative session.

Dr. Rulffes stated that he shared CCASAPE’s concern and added that the bill was primarily written to assist elementary schools with traffic control.

No Child Left Behind / School Choice –CCASAPE expressed concern that schools identified as “choice schools” are not provided enough time between the time schools are identified as such, and the time parents select the school they want their child to attend. This lack of appropriate planning time creates enrollment and seating problems for the receiving schools.

Dr. Kohut-Rost noted that she was sympathetic to the situation and stated that existing timelines for getting test results and the AYP designations help create this problem. Sue Daellenbach echoed Dr. Kohut-Rost’s explanation and indicated she would work to get state officials to better understand the issue. Dr. Rulffes suggested that Keith Reault, from the Nevada State Department of Education, be invited to meet with a committee of principals so that he might better understand the problem that is created for schools.

2008 Bond Campaign –CCASAPE requested input from Dr. Rulffes regarding the upcoming 2008 bond program.

Dr. Rulffes provided a brief summary of where the District is in regards to its overall plan and noted additional information and specific details will be forthcoming. Dr. Rulffes added that new school construction targets and rehab and modernizations goals from the current bond have or will soon be met.

REMINDER: ANNUAL REVIEW OF SITE BASED PRINCIPAL POSITIONS

Principals are reminded that Article 20-11-5 in 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 required annual review of the classification of each principal position in the District. The review occurs annually, following count day (September 22 for the 2006-2007 school year). Human Resources has completed the analysis of all required data and will notify those principals who have changes in their classification point factors during the week of October 23, 2006. Any change in classification factors which results in a salary increase will be paid beginning on the November 10 th pay date and will be retroactive to the first day of the principal’s contract (July 1, August 1, or date of initial appointment). The current reclassification point factors for principals can be viewed on the CCSD website beginning sometime during the first week in November. Principals who have questions or concerns regarding the point factors for their schools should e-mail their questions to Hilary Engel.

REMINDER REGARDING CCASAPE WELFARE TRUST HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

Please be reminded that the Welfare Trust is the policyholder for each of the benefits in your comprehensive health insurance plan. On occasion, administrators and retirees or their dependents contact the CCSD Benefits Office for specific information regarding the various benefits contained in each of these plans. The Welfare Trust reminds all administrators that specific questions regarding coverage, benefit levels, premiums, etc. should be directed to the CCASAPE staff at 796-9602. Enrollment changes will continue to occur in the CCSD Benefits Office.

CCASAPE ESTABLISHES ADMINSTRATOR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

With the 2007 Nevada Legislative Session beginning in early February, negotiations between CCASAPE and the District will begin sometime next spring. Nevada Revised Statue 288.180 requires that CCASAPE notify the District in writing not later than
February 1, 2007 , of its intent to commence negotiations.

A primary concern for CCASAPE during negotiations will be to address the growing disparity that currently exists between the administrator and teacher salary schedules. Annually, for many years, CCASAPE has completed an analysis of the teacher and administrator salary schedules. This analysis is posted on the website at www.ccasa.net. CCASAPE encourages all administrators to review this analysis carefully. The September approval by the Board of School Trustees to create an additional column on the teacher salary schedule has served to intensify the already existing disparity between the two salary schedules. This past September, Stephen Augspurger spoke to the Board regarding this concern. Discussions have also occurred with Superintendent Rulffes regarding this issue.

In preparation for salary negotiations, CCASAPE is establishing an Administrator Compensation Committee. The purpose of this committee will be to review the current salary schedule and compensation methodology for administrators and to make recommendations that will be presented to the Representative Council. Proposals that are approved by the Representative Council will be presented to the District during negotiations. To provide the most comprehensive and thorough proposals, it is anticipated that multiple committees will be established.

Below is a tentative timeline for completing this input process:

November 21, 2006 , 3:30 p.m. – Initial meeting of interested administrators / committees formed;
December 4, 2006 , through January 17, 2007 – Committees meet independently to develop salary proposals and compensation methodology recommendations;
January 24, 2007 – Committees present salary and compensation methodology proposals;
February 8, 2007 – Proposals presented to the Representative Council;
March 8, 2007 – Salary proposals and compensation methodology finalized by the Representative Council; and
TBA – Approved proposals presented to the District during 2007 contract negotiations.

Administrators interested in participating in the development of salary proposals and compensation methodology recommendations in preparation for the 2007 contract negotiations should contact Bart Mangino, CCASAPE President (799-3400), or Stephen Augspurger at the CCASAPE office (796-9602).

HEALTH INSURANCE CONTACTS
MEDICAL COVERAGE:
Sierra Health Member Service ..................	702-562-8077
Telephone Advice Nurse ...........................	702-242-7330
Express Scripts (Mail Order Pharmacy) ..	800-488-9800
DENTAL COVERAGE:
Standard (Customer Service) ...................	800-547-9515
VISION COVERAGE:
Vision Service Plan (VSP).........................	800-877-7195

REMINDER: HEALTH PLAN OPEN ENROLLMENT CONCLUDES NOVEMBER 30, 2006

Once each year, during the months of October and November, the School Administrators’ Welfare Trust 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 open enrollment period, you will have the opportunity to make the following changes to your benefit election:

You can add eligible dependents.
You can join one of the health insurance plans offered through the Welfare Trust if you are currently an active administrative employee and receiving your health coverage from CCEA, ESEA, or from another provider.
You can transfer your enrollment into any of the fourmedical plan options available. (There are two point of service plans and an HMO plan. Additionally, a Medicare eligible plan is available for actives and eligible retirees who are 65 years of age and who meet eligibility requirements for Medicare Parts A and B).

Any changes you make in your benefit election must be communicated to the District’s Benefits Office by November 30, 2006 , and will become effective on January 1, 2007 .

The School Administrators’ Welfare Trust held seven benefit information meetings (five for actives / two for eligible retirees) during the month of October to provide administrators and eligible retirees an opportunity to discuss the medical plan options that are available and to review changes in premium rates that will become effective July 1, 2007 . As a reminder, there will be NO changes in current benefits or pharmacy in any of the plans offered through the School Administrators’ Welfare Trust. As reported in last month’s Unifier, a 9% rate increase for the medical benefit will go into effect on July 1, 2007 . THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE IN PREMIUMS FOR ACTIVES OR RETIREES CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING IN THE CCASAPE MEDICARE ELIGIBLE PLAN.

OCTOBER REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL MEETING

On October 12, 2006 , 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. Employee Management Relations Board (EMRB) Complaint – The status of the EMRB complaint filed against CCASAPE by CCSD attorneys Bill Hoffman and Steve Demaree was discussed;

B. September 27, 2006 , Administrators’ Advisory Council Meeting – Agenda items and the District’s responses to the agenda items were reviewed;

3. New Business:

A. Superintendent’s Education Network – This organization will serve as an advisory council to the superintendent and will consist of major business and community groups in Clark County . CCASAPE has been invited to participate in the first meeting scheduled for October 31, 2006 ;

B. Welfare Trust Health Insurance Plans – Stephen reviewed the October 2006, open enrollment meeting schedule, the verification of student status requirements for students attending college or other post secondary educational programs, and the status of revisions to various medical plan documents. Additionally, provider network changes in the out-of-area plan for retirees were reviewed. The changes will become effective on January 1, 2007 , and will be communicated to participants by Sierra Health;

C. PERS Issues – Stephen provided an overview of a recent meeting which was held with the Southern Nevada PERS staff. The meeting was scheduled at the request of CCASAPE for the purpose of ensuring that CCASAPE staff had the most up-to-date information regarding the administrator retirement process. Stephen also reviewed the first two parts of a four part series that the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is publishing regarding their concerns with PERS and their desire to encourage legislators to change the current system from a defined benefit to a defined contribution system. CCASAPE will oppose these efforts during the legislative session. Additionally, authorization was provided for Mark Coleman to attend a PERS workshop in Reno on November 14, 2006 ;

D. CCSD Bill Drafts – Summaries of the five CCSD bill drafts were provided to the members of the Representative Council. Stephen outlined CCASAPE’s concerns with the bill draft that extends school police authority to write traffic tickets on streets adjacent to schools and the bill draft which provides incentives for employees working in “at risk” schools;

E. CCASAPE / NASA Lobbying Effort – Stephen outlined the joint effort and partnership between NASA and CCASAPE during recent legislative sessions. This effort will continue during the 2007 legislative session with CCASAPE and NASA jointly sharing the cost of a lobbyist in Carson City . In previous sessions, Frank Brusa and Lonnie Shields have served as CCASAPE / NASA lobbyists. Frank Brusa will complete his work in this capacity in November and will be moving from Carson City sometime this winter. CCASAPE extends its appreciation to Frank for his outstanding legislative work and wishes him the best of luck as he enters full retirement. With Frank Brusa leaving, Lonnie Shields will continue as the lobbyist for both NASA and CCASAPE. Mark Coleman will provide assistance to Lonnie in Carson City when necessary. CCASAPE staff will continue to complete the bill analysis for each bill that has anything to do with education. This analysis will be shared with the CCASAPE / NASA lobbyists in Carson City and with Craig Kadlub and Joyce Haldeman of the Clark County School District ;

F. CCASAPE Retreat – The CCASAPE all day business meeting will be held in Mesquite, Nevada on February 23, 2007. Stephen outlined the tentative arrangements that have been made for the all day meeting;

4. Committee Reports:

A. CCAESP – Karen Smallwood, President, reported that CCAESP continues to meet with Dr. Kohut-Rost to discuss a number of important concerns. Concerns include additional elementary assistant principals, lack of a formula driven approach for the allocation of elementary staffing, and the need for additional ECS positions at every elementary school;

B. CCASSP – Jeff Geihs, President, reported that an October 12, 2006, social at the Desert Pines Golf Course was currently being planned. Elementary administrators will be invited to attend;

C. Legal Committee – There was no activity of the Legal Committee; and

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.