Friday, March 28, 2008

Fantastic News

To: All members of the Holland Education Association

From: Charles Bullard-H.E.A. President

Date: March 27, 2008

Re: Tentative Agreement to a New Contract

On Wednesday morning, March 26, 2008 the Holland Education Association and the HPS Board of Education signed a tentative agreement to a new three (3) year Master Agreement.

As you may remember our present contract expires on August 31, 2008.

Our tentative agreement will begin on September 1, 2008 and covers a duration of three school years:

2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

Details of the tentative agreement will be mailed to the homes of each HEA member during the week of March 31st.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Report from General Membership Meeting

Holland teachers given “great news” during district financial update presented at their March 18 General Membership meeting.

The Holland Education Association leadership has recently completed a thorough analysis of the Holland Public Schools audits, as well as completing a comprehensive analysis of teacher costs. The results of this work were shared with the teachers of Holland in a meeting held on Tuesday, March 18.

At this meeting, the Holland teachers were shown how the economic and financial conditions that have plagued HPS in previous years had been successfully managed and overcome thanks to the board’s decision to abandon the highly unpopular “Focus School” concept and reorganize the district prior to the 2006-2007 school year.

“The fruits of that decision by the board are paying off,” said Charles Bullard, Holland Education Association president. “Instead of continuing to be the victims of a declining enrollment trend in Holland, we are now grasping with that reality in a responsible way and accepting the fact that HPS has to adapt to its changing conditions,” said Bullard.

The result of this is a reduction in the escalating non-instructional costs that had occurred over the previous several years. This 5.7% reduction amounts to annual savings of well over $2 million dollars.

The best news of the meeting came when the HEA chief negotiator, Jon Toppen, showed the teachers how the average settlements in Ottawa county for the next 2 years could be obtained in Holland while growing the district’s surplus savings to one of the highest in the county by the end of the 2009-2010 school year. “The taxpayer surplus could easily be as much as 20-22% of revenue by then,” said Toppen. “This figure reflects continued enrollment decline, projections for funding, and insurance costs that the district has concurred with,” he said.

Teacher Patti Arndt said she had always known that better times would eventually come for HPS. “It sure is nice to know that I and my colleagues shouldn’t have to expect a long drawn out struggle with negotiations this year,” she said. Adding, “what a refreshing change this is for our community, our students, and the new beginning we look forward to with Brian Davis.”

The media is encouraged to contact Jon Toppen, HEA chief negotiator for a personal review of the financial information presented to HPS teachers.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Really keeping you informed. (Part 2)

Even with the financial conditions that continue to impact Michigan's economy, there are some real positive changes that will help our area schools.

Did you know that there was 1.02% reduction in the MPSERS retirement contribution required by districts? This reduction generated 1.02% savings from Holland's previously anticipated total payroll costs.

Did you know that this rate is GOING DOWN EVEN MORE next year?

Did you know that MESSA rates remained either unchanged or lower than what Boards were "projecting" 2 years ago?

The money's not looking too bad for Holland.


Too often public schools get "lumped" into everyone else's financial realities by the media and others that want to paint a broad stroke relative to employer costs and ability to pay. To get the real scoop on how these revenue increases impact Holland, you need to rely on the analysis of the district audits and costs performed by your bargainers.

Don't forget that there is a general membership meeting on March 18. Contact your building AR for more details.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Really keeping you informed.

Even with the financial conditions that continue to impact Michigan's economy, there are some real positive changes that will help our area schools.

Did you know that many districts built their budgets (including Holland) for this year fearing a mid-year pro-rata reduction in their foundation allowance? This will not occur, and the $96/pupil increase given to most area schools (including Holland) this year will be maintained.

Did you know that the Senate Fiscal Agency's preliminary revenue estimates report an increase of $186/pupil for 2008-09?

Did you know under Granholm's budget proposal, all schools would receive at least an extra $108/pupil?

Too often public schools get "lumped" into everyone else's financial realities by the media and others that want to paint a broad stroke relative to employer costs and ability to pay. To get the real scoop on how these revenue increases impact Holland, you need to rely on the analysis of the district audits and costs performed by your bargainers.

Our next post will focus on employer costs and how they impact Holland.

**All members need to attend a general membership meeting on March 18. Contact your building AR for more details.**