NOTE: The term administrator as used throughout the newsletter refers to administrators and professional-technical employees.
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2007 Assembly Senate Members' Contact Information
VACATION DAY BUYOUT
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 vacation days in excess of 85 as of June 30. The following procedure is being provided for your information.
Administrators will be compensated at the administrator’s daily rate of pay for up to five (5) 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 the Assoc. Supt., Human Resources, on or before July 1, 2007 .
Vacation days in excess of 85 as of June 30 for which compensation is not provided must be used on or before August 31, 2007 , or these days will be deducted from the total vacation days on September 1, 2007 . The vacation days earned in July and August are not deducted on September 1, 2007 .
SHELTERING VACATION PAYOFFS
As you know, upon retirement or separation from the school district, administrators who are 55 or older or who will turn 55 during the calendar year they retire or separate from the District will automatically have some or all of their vacation payoff deposited into the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. Up to $45,000 may be sheltered, but the amount to be sheltered may not exceed plan year income. The amount eligible to be sheltered will also be reduced by the amount already sheltered in your 403(b) voluntary tax shelter plan. Participating administrators will avoid the payment of Medicare tax, if applicable, and will postpone and possibly reduce the payment of federal income tax.
As you are aware, administrators who are younger than 55 during the year they retire or separate from the District are not eligible to participate in this 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. Many administrators retiring or separating from the District and younger than 55 have expressed concern that they are not able to participate in the 403(b) Plan but would like to shelter a portion or all of the final vacation payoff.
Administrators younger than 55 may be eligible to shelter all or part of the vacation payoff by establishing a voluntary 403(b) account or a 457(b) account through the District Benefits Office. Administrators 50 or older can shelter up to $20,500 in a voluntary 403(b) account and an additional $20,500 in a 457(b) account ($41,000 total). Administrators under 50 can shelter up to $15,500 in each account ($31,000 total). In this manner, some
or all of the vacation payoff at retirement or separation can be sheltered if these accounts do not exceed the maximum contributions during the plan year coinciding with retirement or separation. Staff in the Benefits Office can assist administrators with establishing these accounts. Administrators are encouraged to meet with a tax professional prior to making changes that may impact their tax obligation.
If you have questions or would like additional information regarding 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. CCASAPE has scheduled quarterly information meetings regarding the sheltering of vacation payoffs. The final information meeting for this school year is scheduled for April 3, 2007 . Please RSVP your attendance to the CCASAPE office.
RETIREMENT
Please be reminded that any administrator planning to retire on or before June 30, 2007, must schedule a meeting with the CCASAPE staff and complete the form to participate in the Welfare Trust’s retiree unused sick leave payout, retiree health coverage assistance payout, retiree health benefit programs, and retiree life insurance / retiree long term care programs. THE FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND FILED WITH THE CCASAPE OFFICE PRIOR TO MAY 1, 2007 , IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JUNE 2007 PAYOUT. Please call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 if you have any questions.
USE OF PERSONAL LEAVE
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 is never prorated and must be utilized during the contract year that it is allocated. Contracts end for secondary deans on June 14 and end for all other administrators on June 30.
Elementary assistant principals working in year round schools end their contract on June 30 and work a supplemental contract during July. 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 be deleted. Elementary assistant principals assigned to year round schools and secondary administrators assigned to supplemental contracts for summer school are reminded that personal leave cannot be utilized during supplement contracts. CCASAPE encourages administrators to utilize allocated personal leave prior to using vacation.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The 74TH Session of the Nevada Legislature opened on Monday, February 5, 2007 . Prior to each session opening during the past eight years, CCASAPE and NASA representatives have always been able to schedule a meeting with Governor Guinn to discuss topics of interest to the two associations. This year, as in the past, CCASAPE and NASA representatives, as well as, representatives from the Washoe Principals’ Association scheduled a meeting with Governor Gibbons to discuss a variety of concerns and issues affecting education. Unfortunately, the Governor did not attend the meeting, even though he was in the building and was observed to be outside of the meeting room for an extended period of time.
CCASAPE is concerned with the Governor’s apparent unwillingness to seek input from the education community on key legislative issues related to education. CCASAPE is concerned with the Governor’s proposal for empowerment schools, with his stand on changing PERS, with his constantly changing budget, and with his lack of detailed information for the majority of his legislative initiatives. His unwillingness to meet with the professional associations that represent administrators is troublesome. Governor Gibbons did not consult with any of the education stakeholders in Nevada in developing his education proposals. CCASAPE is concerned with the Governor’s flawed approach to improving education in the State of Nevada and alarmed with his failure to involve those closest to the critical issues. When questioned, Governor Gibbon’s Deputy Chief of Staff admitted that neither the Governor nor his staff bothered to review the 2007 iNVest proposal prior to making budget recommendations for education. For the past five years, iNVest has been the blue print for education funding in the State of Nevada . Thus far, the Governor’s treatment of education in Nevada leaves a foreboding feeling for the welfare of education issues during the 74th legislative session.
While most of the discussion regarding the session thus far has focused on the lack of details coming out of the Governor’s office and the partisan debate regarding the merits of full day kindergarten, the legislators have been busy submitting a total of1,427 bill draft requests to the Legislative Council Bureau. To date, CCASAPE has analyzed 44bills. Of these bills, 34 address issues of concern to CCASAPE members.
The following bills represent a sampling of the bills being tracked by CCASAPE and are summarized for your information:
AB70 Revises existing law regarding compensation of school board members to allow an increase of the monthly salary not to exceed $2000. CCASAPE supports this bill.
AB78 Requires the State Board of Education to adopt a skin cancer education program for grades K-12. While CCASAPE does not oppose this bill, we are concerned that required course content is not further expanded, placing an additional burden on schools to meet state content standards within the existing instructional time.
AB107 Existing law stipulates that a person who possesses a prohibited weapon is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable by not fewer than 15 days in jail and with a fine of not more than $2000. This bill adds a knife with a blade of two inches or more to the list of prohibited weapons. CCASAPE believes this bill must be amended to allow for flexibility for dealing with students who unintentionally bring a prohibited knife to school and should not be required to be incarcerated and fined.
AB157 This bill provides funding for full day kindergarten beginning in the 2008-2009 school year. Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley recently announced that the hearing on this bill will be held on Monday, March 12 at 3:45 PM in Assembly Education. The hearing will be videoconferenced to the Sawyer Building , 555 E. Washington Avenue in Las Vegas . CCASAPE is concerned that this bill will create a need for additional classroom space and additional teaching staff which will become a problem for many districts, including CCSD. CCASAPE has not yet developed a position on this bill.
SB2 This bill appropriates sufficient funds to ensure that the money expended per pupil in this State meets or exceeds the most current national average. CCASAPE supports this bill.
SB52 Existing law establishes the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program and provides for payment of scholarships to Nevada high school students. Sections 6 and 7 of this bill create the Millennium Teaching Scholarship Program for students who enroll in a program of teacher education that prepares a student to obtain a license with an endorsement to teach mathematics, science or special education. The student must agree to teach in a Nevada public school for at least 3 years. The student must be enrolled in a program of teacher education in special education at UNLV or in math or science at UNR. The goal is to provide 300 new special education teachers and 100 new math or science teachers each year. CCASAPE will seek to amend this bill to allow students to attend either UNLV or UNR for their special education or math and science education.
SB57 Existing law requires the parole or probation officer who supervises a child who has been adjudicated for a sexual offense or sexually motivated act to provide notice to the superintendent of the school district in which the child resides. If the victim of the sexual offense or sexually motivated act attends a public or private school in this State, the notification must include the name of the victim. This bill requires the parole or probation officer to obtain the written consent of the parent or guardian of the victim before including the name of the victim in the notification. CCASAPE will seek to amend to ensure the principal is notified when both the victim and the offender attend the same school.
SB97 This bill limits salaries of certain administrators to one and one-half times the salary of the highest paid principal in the district. This restriction applies to administrators who are employed to provide services at the district or regional level rather than the school level. This restriction applies only to contracts and agreements that are executed or renewed on or after July 1, 2007. The administrative salary schedule for administrators in the CCSD does not provide for a one and one-half times differential in salary between the highest paid principal and a regional or district administrator. CCASAPE opposes this bill because it provides legislative restrictions on the collective bargaining process.
SB110 This bill reduces the number of required examinations by eliminating the required NRT’s administered to students. CCASAPE supports this bill. SB123 This bill makes significant changes to how members of the public may access the public records of a public or governmental agency. CCASAPE has not yet developed a position on this bill.
The full text of these bills can be found at www.leg.state.nv.us within the 2007 session information. Also, included in this Unifier is a listing of Assembly and Senate legislators and their contact information. It is important that CCASAPE members take the time to become familiar with proposed legislation and contact legislators to convince them of the need to increase funding for K-12 education and to not pass legislation which would be harmful to education. Email addresses and other information may also be found at www.leg.state.nv.us.
For the 2007 legislative session, the following administrators have volunteered to serve on the CCASAPE Legislative Committee: Monte Bay , Derek Bellow, Bob Bennett, Lisa Cano, Cathy Conger, Sue Daellenbach, Brian Daw, Sue DeFrancesco, Rosalind Gibson, Shannon Johansen, Joe King, Toni Kuiper, Patricia LaMonica, Bart Mangino, Jen Messinger, Shawn Paquette, Jessica Pinjuv, Sandra Ransel, and David Smith. CCASAPE appreciates the time and effort of these administrators in reviewing bill analyses completed by Allin Chandler and Mark Coleman. Their comments and perceptions are invaluable in developing a CCASAPE position on each bill.
FEBRUARY REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL MEETING
On February 8, 2007 , 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 – Stephen reported that all issues associated with the EMRB complaint filed against CCASAPE by CCSD attorneys, Bill Hoffman and Steve Demaree, have been favorably resolved;
B. School Administrators’ and Professional-technical Employees’ Welfare Trust – Stephen provided a status report on the tasks remaining to be completed for the Trust to become a free standing entity from the Association. The restated trust document was reviewed and signed by the members of the CCASAPE Board. Additionally, the cost sharing agreement between the Trust and the Association was reviewed and approved by the Representative Council;
C. Employers Insurance Company of Nevada – Stephen provided the status of the proposed action that would convert the Employers Insurance Company of Nevada from a privately held company to a publicly traded company. The conversion was approved by a vote of the participating employers. EICN anticipates that the conversion process and cash payouts associated with the conversion will be completed by the end of March 2007. Payments received through the conversion process will be deposited to the CCASAPE general operating budget;
D. CCASAPE Retreat – Final arrangements for the all day business meeting scheduled for March 9, 2007 , were reviewed;
3. New Business:
A. Administrator Compensation Committee / 2007 Negotiations – Salary and compensation proposals completed by the committee were categorized, rank ordered and provided to the Representative Council. Proposals will be discussed at the all day business meeting in March. The Representative Council will determine which proposals will become part of the CCASAPE proposals during negotiations with the District;
B. PERS Contribution Increase – An overview was provided regarding the recent communication from the PERS Board that the PERS contribution rate will increase from the current rate of 19.75% to 20.50% effective July 1, 2007 . The 3/4% increase will be equally shared by the employee and the employer with each paying 3/8%. The previous PERS increase under Governor Guinn’s administration was included in the state budget. Governor Gibbon’s budget did not include this provision;
C. Administrative Selection Process – Stephen provided a brief overview of the discussions of the Selection Process Committee that was formed by Dr. Rice to address the CCASAPE concerns regarding the Confidential Reference Profile. Three committee meetings have been held with an additional meeting scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2007 ;
D. 74th Nevada Legislative Session – Stephen outlined specific areas of concern for this legislative session and provided an overview of CCASAPE’s legislative effort. CCASAPE will continue the joint lobbying effort with NASA. Lonnie Shields, in Carson City , will serve as the primary lobbyist and will be jointly funded by CCASAPE and NASA. Mark Coleman will assist in the lobbying effort as needed. CCASAPE staff will complete a detailed bill analysis for every bill related to education, PERS and health insurance. The analysis will be shared with the members of the NASA / CCASAPE lobbying team, the CCASAPE Legislative Committee members, and Joyce Haldeman, Craig Kadlub, and Rose McKinney-James of the CCSD;
E. CCASAPE Office Staff Benefits and Salary Proposals – Salary and benefit proposals for the CCASAPE office staff for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007 , were presented and discussed. Proposals will be finalized by the Representative Council during the all day business meeting in March;
F. February 28, 2007 , Administrators’ Advisory Council Meeting – Members of the Representative Council were asked to submit agenda items to the CCASAPE office as soon as possible.
4. Committee Reports:
A. CCAESP – No report provided;
B. CCASSP – No report provided;
C. Legal Committee – Charles Anderson, CCASAPE President-elect, indicated there was no legal activity to report; 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.
CCASAPE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS REMINDER
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.
The counselor assigned to scholarship information in each of the high schools received the CCASAPE scholarship information during the month of February. The deadline for submission of applications is Monday, April 2, 2007 . Completed applications must be returned to the CCASAPE office. The CCASAPE Scholarship Committee will select recipients in April.
Gretchen Crehan, principal of Foothill High School , serves as the chairperson for the Scholarship Committee. Also serving on the committee are Richard Arguello, SNVTC principal, and Bob Gerye, Spring Valley High School principal.
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MEMBERSHIP |
|
CCSD |
ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES |
1069 |
CCSD |
PROFESSIONAL-TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES |
231 |
CCASAPE |
MEMBERS |
1267 |
CCASAPE |
AFFILIATES (RETIREES) |
271 |
