The HEA Blog

A Message from Steve Cook, MEA President

2011-09-14T21:04:00.002-04:00

HB 4574 Hard Cap talking points

2011-06-26T22:25:00.000-04:00

HB 4574 – Hard Cap Talking Points

A hard cap is anti-family because it will make coverage unaffordable

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It would shift the responsibility for paying nearly all future health care cost increases to Michigan public employees and their families.

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Thousands of public employees and their families would end up paying thousands of dollars more out of their pockets to cover future increases.

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And a public employee making $60,000 a year will pay the same for their healthcare as someone making $15,000 per year. This could cause many families to lose their house or even face bankruptcy.

A hard cap is a one-size-fits-all approach that does not work in Michigan.

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The legislation ignores the fact that health care costs vary considerably by region in Michigan. The cost of healthcare in the metro Detroit area is different from the Grand Rapids area, which is different from the Marquette area.

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Health care costs also vary by demographics factors including age and gender. Costs will be lower for a group of employees who are mostly in the age range of 20 to 30 than for a group with relatively older workers.Health care costs for women are much higher than for men, so the hard cap hurts Michigan women most. Per capita health spending is 32% higher for females than for males

The new state budget already addresses the issue. Let’s give it time to work.

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The budget addressed these issues for school employees and municipalities. Before we move forward with something that will hurt Michigan families and women and have other unintended consequences, let’s give that time to work.

HB 4572 analysis

2011-06-26T22:19:00.000-04:00

An Analysis of the Hard Cap

The hard cap proposed in House Bill 4572 shifts nearly all of the costs of serious and catastrophically-expensive illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, premature babies, and leukemia and other cancers to public employees and their families.

Even when a health plan is successful at keeping a group’s medical claims cost trend down to 5%, the cost of one or two catastrophic illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, stroke or a premature baby will quickly make the coverage unaffordable for the employees. With experience-rated and self-insured plans, a cap shifts almost all of the cost and risk of a catastrophic sickness to the employee group.

Hard Cap Base Year

Typical group: 150 employees

Annual cost: $2,400,000

Cost per employee: $16,000

Hard Cap: $15,000 per employee

Employee share: $1,000 per employee

Hard Cap Year Two

Same group: 150 employees

Cost trend: 5% x $2,400,000 = $120,000 ($2,520,000 total base)

Catastrophic claim: Preemie baby requiring neonatal care: $300,000

Annual cost: $2,820,000

Cost per employee: $18,800

Hard Cap: $15,300 (2% inflation)

Employee share: $3,500 per employee

Hard Cap Year Three

Same group: 150 employees

Cost trend: 5% x $2,520,000 = $126,000 ($2,646,000 total base)

Catastrophic claims: 2nd year care for preemie: $50,000

Leukemia diagnosis: $350,000

Annual cost: $3,046,000

Cost per employee: $20,307

Hard cap: $15,606 (2% inflation)

Employee share: $4,701 per employee

Hard Cap Year Four? Five? Six? In only two years an employee’s share more thanquadrupled, increasing by 470%. What will happen in years four, five, six and beyond?

Please vote on May 3

2011-04-26T19:18:00.000-04:00

Dear Friends of Public Education:

Tuesday, May 3, 2011, is the date for this year’s school board election. We believe that this election is critical to the future of Holland Public Schools. After reviewing the candidates for office and meeting with the Holland Education Association’s screening and recommendation committee, we recommend that our members and friends vote for the following candidates: John Sibble and Magdalena Rivera.

As school employees and friends of public education, we know it is extremely important that all of us get out to vote on May 3. This election is another important step affecting the future of our district’s children, as well as those who work with and support them. Please vote for Magdalena Rivera and John Sibble for Holland Public Schools School Board.

Sincerely,

Holland Education Association Executive Board

Lawmakers introduce tired attacks on school employees

2011-01-28T19:41:00.000-05:00

Here's an overview of some of the bills introduced to date:

Senate Bill 0007 would prohibit public employers from paying more than 80 percent of the total cost of the medical benefit plans (including medical, dental, and optical) for employees. Public employers with health savings account plans could pay up to 90 percent of the cost. The implementation date in the bill is Jan. 1, 2013, and any contracts in effect at that time would be honored until the expiration date of the contract. The legislation would apply to all union employees, non-union employees, and elected officials covered by the public employer’s medical benefit plans. The sponsor is Sen. Mark Jansen, R- Gaines Township. This measure may require a change to the state constitution, which has been introduced as Senate Joint Resolution C, also sponsored by Jansen.

Senate Joint Resolution B would place a constitutional revision before voters to cut public employee pay by 5 percent and freeze that rate for three years. The resolution will require a 2/3 majority vote in each chamber. Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, is the sponsor.

House Bill 4052 would amend the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA) to prohibit public employees or their unions from using any school facilities or equipment for union activities. The sponsor is Rep. Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville.

House Bill 4054 would amend PERA to allow public schools and other governmental entities to create a "Right to Work Zone" by a vote of the governing body. The sponsor is Rep. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy.

Â House Bill 4059 would prohibit release time for union officers or bargaining representatives to conduct union business if the release time is paid for by the public employer. Knollenberg is the sponsor.

House Bill 4128 would prohibit a department, board, or commission from setting a rule or standard on workplace ergonomics. The sponsor is Rep. Bradford Jacobsen, R-Oxford.

House Bill 4139 would require public employers to conduct beneficiary eligibility audits to determine whether dependents covered by public employees' health insurance plans are eligible for benefits. The sponsor is Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills.

House Bill 4140 would create a state-run health insurance plan for public employees. This proposal would cost $870 million to set up and would not guarantee any savings. Melton is the sponsor.

House Bill 4141 would create a new state commission of political appointees to study consolidation of non-instructional services in all public schools. Based on the recommendations, the state could then order service consolidation. Melton is the sponsor.

House Bill 4142 would amend tenure law. Probationary teachers rated ineffective would not earn tenure. Tenured teachers rated "ineffective" for two consecutive years may have to serve another four-year probationary period. Melton is the sponsor.

Congratulations Superintendent Davis

2011-01-04T20:40:00.001-05:00

Presented to the Holland School Board's December meeting during public comments by HEA President Rick Slachta-

On behalf of the Holland Education Association, it’s Executive Board and
it’s members, I am here to congratulate Mr. Brian Davis on the honor of
being named the Michigan Association of School Administrators’
superintendent of the year.

To anyone that has been watching, it is evident that Supt. Davis is an
extremely hard worker whose efforts are guided by a deep commitment to
our District’s welfare. Among his accomplishments, I am most impressed
by his ability to channel our community’s support for it’s public school
system into a successful bond campaign that will provide our District
with resources that will help us retool for education in the 21st
Century.

Just as our community values it’s school district, so do we HEA members
value the contribution of Supt. Davis’ effective leadership during these
challenging times. Brian, we congratulate you on this recognition and
pledge to continue supporting your efforts to evolve the Holland Public
Schools towards even more success in the future.

Act NOW before it's too late!

2010-12-02T20:31:00.000-05:00

Contact your state representative TODAY -- Urge NO vote on tenure, evaluation changes

Tenure and evaluation are coming under attack today in the state House of Representatives -- and we need your help to stop it.

A last-minute, lame-duck deal is in the works that would enact tenure and evaluation changes that were first proposed before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Learn more about what's happening -- then please contact your state representative IMMEDIATELY and urge him or her to vote NO on HB 4410 and SB 638 (or any other bills during lame duck that change tenure or evaluation law). Point out to your representative that:

1) Evaluating and maintaining a professional teaching force is a complex matter. A two day "lame duck" session where late night deals are rammed through the Legislature is not the way to address these critical issues. That requires time, hearings, input from all sides and careful deliberation.

2) Right now, to get votes, all kinds of deals, earmarks and back-room enticements are being offered. This kind of "politics as usual" is not the way to secure and maintain the kind of professional teaching force our children deserve.

3) We believe that these bills will actually slow down the process of removing unsatisfactory teachers and also add substantially to the cost of the process, something that does not benefit the students, the schools, the state or educators.

Please contact your state representative right away -- there is still time to stop these attacks from coming to fruition.

Reminder: Many school districts have policies about communicating with legislators on school time and equipment, so wait until you are away from school to contact your legislators or use your personal cell phone when you are off duty.

Vote on Nov. 2

2010-10-26T08:25:00.002-04:00

The Nov. 2 election is especially important because those elected to the state Legislature and the governor's office will oversee redistricting, a contentious decennial process that will impact elections for the next decade. Redistricting can shift power from one political party to another simply by moving district boundaries by a few streets or miles to include voters who are more (or less) likely to lean Democrat or Republican.

These elected officials have an impact on how much you earn, or whether you have health benefits or a pension. If you care about these, then you must vote this year! To see a list of recommended candidates, click here.

Tell Lawmakers, "ME TOO!"

2010-09-28T22:37:00.000-04:00

MEA calling on Legislature to match sunset provision granted to state employees last week

Last week, the Legislature passed a retirement bill for state employees similar to what passed for school employees last spring. However, since then, lawmakers have heard your angry reaction about the additional 3 percent of salary going toward retiree health insurance, forcing them to think twice about the state employee bill. This prompted a compromise in last week's action -- a three-year limit on the 3 percent retirement health insurance contribution by state employees.

This week, lawmakers need to hear from school employees again, this time with a simple message -- "Me too!"

In the interest of fairness and consistency, MEA is calling on the Legislature to amend school employees' additional 3 percent retirement contribution to include the same three-year limit they included for state employees. If it was the right thing to do for state workers, then it's the right thing to do for school employees and their families, many of whom are now struggling with total payments into the retirement system of between 7 and 12 percent!

Contact your state representative and senator today and urge them to take up this issue and do what is right for Michigan's dedicated school employees and communities.

Update: School employee lawsuit over pension change.

2010-08-15T15:26:00.000-04:00

Five MEA members recently filed the lawsuit in the Michigan Court of Claims against MPSERS, challenging the legality of Public Act 75 that requires all school employees to pay an extra 3 percent of their compensation into a fund for retiree health insurance with no guarantee that the benefits will be available to them upon retirement.

Michigan Court of Claims Judge James Giddings’ preliminary injunction has the effect of requiring the state to escrow the additional three percent MPSERS contribution beginning July 1. MPSERS cannot use those funds for any purpose until further order of the court. Giddings found that the MEA members who brought the suit raised important issues that need to be addressed prior to the state spending the money.

The case will proceed while the additional revenue that is collected is protected, in case it ultimately needs to be refunded to school employees. It is unclear whether the state will appeal Giddings’ ruling.

The three-count lawsuit alleges that Public Act 75 violates school employees’ federal and state constitutional rights and asks the court to place new retirement contributions in an interest-bearing escrow fund until the matter is decided by the court.

The complaint maintains that Public Act 75: violates the contract formed when the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System was set up in 1980; causes the Legislature to impair an existing contract; and unlawfully abridges the pension system’s financial liabilities.

The five members who filed the suit are: Deborah McMillan, a Lansing teacher; Thomas Brenner, a Novi teacher; Theresa Dudley, a Grand Rapids head secretary; Katherine Daniels, a Tuscola Intermediate School District school psychologist; and, Corey Cramb, a Huron teacher.

URGENT!!! Contact your legislator now!

2010-05-13T16:49:00.000-04:00

Legislature expected to vote on pension reform tonight

CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS NOW -- TELL THEM TO VOTE NO

Lawmakers have apparently reached a deal on a retirement plan that would hurt thousands of school employees.

At this time, MEA members are urged to IMMEDIATELY contact their state legislators to urge them to vote NO on Senate Bill 1227. Please also tell them to vote NO on House Bill 4073, legislation that would create an insurance trust.

A vote is expected late tonight or during the night, according to legislative sources and media reports.

The "compromise" includes:

A 1.6 percent multiplier (up from the standard 1.5 percent) for those currently eligible to retire, if they retire this summer.

A 1.55 percent multiplier for those who are not currently eligible but who meet the rule of 80 -- that is, their age and years of service total 80 -- if they retire this summer.

All who do not retire will pay an extra 3 percent of salary above what they currently pay toward retirement and this money will be put in a trust set up by House Bill 4073.

House Bill 4073 will be amended to indicate that NO ONE IS GUARANTEED HEALTH BENEFITS IN RETIREMENT.

Employees hired after July 1 will be placed in an inferior "hybrid" retirement plan proposed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Here's why your legislators should vote NO on the conference report for Senate Bill 1227 and on House Bill 4073:

This plan attempts to balance the school aid budget on the backs of employees. There will still be massive cuts in state aid to schools next year.

The continued erosion of the number of employees participating in the system because of outsourcing and privatization and the exclusion of charter school employees will continue to drive up the contribution rate in future years.

The proposal places future employees in a vastly inferior retirement plan and forces them to pay almost 10 percent of their salary to that plan.

All school employees will be required to pay a tax of 3 percent, which totals almost $2,600 a year for experienced teachers.

PLEASE ACT NOW! Don't wait! Your legislators need to hear from you.

Teachers rally at the Capitol!

2010-04-27T20:45:00.002-04:00

More than 600 MEA members attending the association's Spring Representative Assembly on Friday marched to the Capitol to deliver a unified message: Enough is enough!

"Parents, educators, and taxpayers from across the state are fed up with Lansing politicians and their continued attacks on public education and public school employees," said MEA President Iris K. Salters, who announced the launch of a new television ad that demands politicians "stop treating teachers and school employees like punching bags."

The HEA was well represented at this event and hand delivered over 270 postcards to our legislators expressing our frustration with their inexcusable actions towards teachers and education. The students and teachers of Michigan deserve to be treated better. Enough is enough!

MEA supports amended SB1227

2010-04-23T20:48:00.000-04:00

The state House may vote as early as Tuesday on a more employee-friendly version of Senate Bill 1227, legislation that would encourage thousands of public school employees to retire early.
School employees would receive a slightly higher pension if they retire this year under the latest draft of the bill. Numerous negative provisions in earlier drafts have been removed, including the proposed loss of dental or vision insurance for retirees and a hybrid retirement plan for new employees.
MEA now supports the legislation as rewritten by Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, which includes an incentive to those who retire by July 1 or Oct 1.
Under Meadows' proposal, school employees who apply to retire on or before July 1, 2010, would receive a 1.7 percent multiplier to determine their pension amount; those who apply to retire after July 1 but before Oct. 1, 2010, would receive a 1.6 percent multiplier. (Those who apply to retire after Oct. 1 would receive the standard 1.5 percent multiplier, a figure that is multiplied by an employee's final average compensation times their years of service to determine an individual's pension.)
The bill would require all school employees to contribute an additional 3 percent of salary above what they currently pay, but the money would be placed into a special trust to fund retirement health benefits. Without this provision, health insurance for you and other future retirees will remain under attack.
Notably, the bill no longer contains the following:

A 30-year cap on service credit accumulation;
A hybrid retirement for new employees;
An automatic reduction of the employer's contribution toward retirement;
Loss of dental or vision benefits for retirees.

Stay tuned for the latest developments on Senate Bill 1227 next week. If we need your help to encourage lawmakers to pass this version of the bill, we will let you know as early as possible.
Please note: MEA members who are eligible for retirement are advised to wait to submit any paperwork until the Legislature and Gov. Jennifer Granholm pass a final bill.

Attacks on your future!

2010-03-24T20:48:00.003-04:00

Two things that we need to take action on;

#1 We have received word that the full Senate intends to discharge SB 1046 and SJR P (Senate Joint Resolution) from the Reform Committee to the full Senate. SB 1046 is the bill limiting public employers to paying no more than 80% of health care premiums for employees. SJR P is a proposed constitutional amendment to authorize the State to do this.

#2 Yesterday, the Retirement sub-committee of the Senate Appropriations Committee moved the school employee retirement bill, SB 1227 to the full Appropriations Committee with some changes. We expect the full Appropriations Committee to move it to the floor of the Senate for fast action either today or tomorrow.

As it now stands, the bill provides:
1. The increased pension multiplier for folks who retire between July 1 and September 1, 2010 IS ELIMINATED AS IN GONE, KAPUT, NULLIFIED. In this version of the Senate bill, there is not a sweetener to get people to retire early.
2. The punitive elimination of dental and vision coverage for those who retire after September 1, 2010 is still in the bill.
3. The outrageous increase of 3% of salary to pay for the mismanagement and under funding of the pension by the State is still in the bill.
4. The cap of 30 years on earned service credit is still in the bill.
5. The “hybrid” pension plan for new hires is still in the bill although the Senate version changes the minimum retirement age in the plan to 60 (the Governor proposed the age at 65).

Make the calls and send the e-mails today. Focus on your state Senator for now.

Senator Wayne Kuipers – senwkuipers@senate.michigan.gov 517-373-6920 (Ottawa county)

Senator Patricia Birkholz – senpbirkholz@senate.michigan.gov 517-373-3447 (Allegan county)

Representative David Agema – daveagema@house.mi.gov 517-373-8900 (Coopersville/Jenison)

Representative Joe Haveman – josephhaveman@house.mi.gov 517-373-0830 (Holland/Zeeland/Hudsonville)

Representative Arlan Meekhof – arlanbmeekhof@house.mi.gov 517-373-0838 (Rest of Ottawa County)

Representative Bob Genetski- bobgenetski@house.mi.gov(517) 373-0836 (District 88, Saugatuck)

A message from MEA's team at the Capitol

2010-03-21T22:38:00.001-04:00

A message from MEA’s team at the Capitol:

Thank you for your calls and other efforts on the retirement legislation today -- thanks to your speedy action in contacting your state representatives, the House will not be taking up the shell bills this afternoon.

Because of our collective actions, we stopped the House from rushing to judgment on a bad idea that would impact thousands of our members across the state.

The fight is not done -- lawmakers will be back at it next week. You can stop the urgent calls on the shell bills, but please continue contacting all our leaders in Lansing -- the governor, your senator and your representative.

Keep telling them that the retirement proposal put forth in HB 5953 is wrong for our state because it forces dedicated school employees to retire before they’re ready while continuing to balance the budget on the backs of working families. Enough is enough! It’s time for real, balanced solutions to our decade-long budget crisis -- not more games and gimmicks.

Tell Lansing what you think of the attack on your retirement

2010-03-16T21:04:00.001-04:00

Call your state senator and representative & the Governor today

On Jan. 29, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced yet another attack on public workers, this time calling on school employees to pay even more out of pocket for retirement and pushing veteran teachers and other educators to retire before they're ready. This "reform" is really just another gimmick that won't actually fix the state's antiquated tax structure and broken school funding system.

Her proposals were finally introduced as legislation last week. Now is the time to make sure your state senator and representative, as well as the governor, know your feelings on this latest scheme to balance the budget on your back.

Take a moment to pick up your cell or home phone or send an e-mail Share your thoughts -- here are some ideas to start with:

Withdraw this most recent attack on half a million Michigan public employees and their families.

It's wrong to put a special tax on public employees -- taking 3 percent out of their checks to run government is the definition of a tax.
It's wrong to force people to choose between early retirement and losing benefits they've counted on.

Reject the flawed concept that continuing to take from public employees will fix our broken tax structure.
Show real leadership and call for implementing a balanced solution that doesn't ignore the need for more revenue.

Take time to make this important contact -- now is the time for every HEA member to stand together and tell our leaders in Lansing that it's time for real solutions, not more games and gimmicks.

Holland Teachers Deliver Excellent Instruction

2010-03-07T22:33:00.002-05:00

Holland teachers deliver excellent instruction. Instruction doesn't always take place in a classroom or in front of a chalk board but often before and after school, in the hallways between classes or evenings at community events. Here are more examples of that "excellent" instruction we deliver every day.

Compiled Christmas boxes
Various activity nights
Homework clubs
Jungle Party helpers
Ski Clubs and trips
Taking students to community events such as Hope basketball games
Girls on the Run coaching
Total Trek coaching
Book fairs
Parent nights
March is Reading Month
Kindergarten parent workshops

Keep coming back, our list is growing every day.

Holland Teachers Deliver Excellent Instruction

2010-02-28T23:02:00.004-05:00

Teachers at Holland High provide excellent instruction through;

1) Accelerated and advanced instruction through honors and AP classes.

2) Teachers regularly use their duty-free lunch to tutor students or help students make-up work.

3) Teachers stay late every afternoon to work with struggling students.

4) Teachers come in early to meet with students or run test/exam prep sessions.

5) Teachers have donated band instruments, clothing, even money to needy students and their families.

6) Teachers who coach volunteer weekend time to come in and supervise "open gym" for pre season or off season student athletes.

Here we go again...

2010-02-02T21:58:00.000-05:00

Retirement Benefits Attacked

2010-02-02T21:35:00.002-05:00

The state budget director, Bob Emerson, has outlined proposed changes to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System.

The proposed changes:

Public school employees who are members of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) will be subject to the following changes effective October 1, 2010:

* To ensure MPSERS is financially sound, employee contributions to the plan will increase by 3 percent for all employees except those in the MIP Plus program whose contribution was increased in 2008. MIP Plus members' contribution will increase by 0.9 percent.

* Elimination of subsidized retiree vision and dental coverage for school employees retiring with an effective date after October 1, 2010. Retirees will be able to purchase this coverage for a monthly fee through the plan.

* The retirement multiplier will be increased from 1.5 percent to 1.6 percent for employees who retire with an effective date between July 1 and September 1, 2010, which will be paid by the applicable school districts.

* A new, more cost-effective hybrid retirement plan for new employees hired on or after October 1, 2010, will be created. New employees will participate in both a base defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan.

* Phased retirement option for retiring employees age 60 or older. Phased-in retirement will be allowed for up to three years, enabling employees to collect their DB plan retirement with a workload of no more than 20 hours per week for a previously full-time employee. This option is available to the employees at the discretion of the school districts.

Collective Bargaining Works - HB 5354

2009-11-25T22:47:00.002-05:00

HB 5354 - Collective bargaining works! http://bit.ly/61VTgA
In January 2006, Holland teachers were involuntarily switched to a non MESSA health care plan. A few months later, the teachers NEGOTIATED a contract that switched their insurance back to MESSA. Because the teachers switched back to their NEGOTIATED MESSA, the Holland School District has SAVED over $700,000 to date. HB5354 takes away the ability and right for public employees to collectively bargain what is best for the local association and their needs. Contact your legislators and tell them to stop wasting time on HB5354 and focus on fixing education funding by creating new revenue sources and closing tax loopholes!

Imposed non-MESSA plan cost vs. Negotiated MESSA Plan cost

2006-2007 $4,087,629 $3,996,565
2007-2008 $3,875,729 $3,673,836
2008-2009 $3,979,08 $3,651,437
2009-2010 $4,083,624 $4,003,128

TOTAL $16,026,063 $15,324,966

Three year savings from negotiated MESSA plan vs. district imposed plan = $701,097

Our work isn't done yet!

2009-10-08T21:39:00.002-04:00

Thank you teachers for all the work you have been doing to communicate with legislators on school funding and other important issues that impact K12 public education. Our work is not over yet. Please continue to contact your representative and tell them;

1. It's time to pass a K-12 budget for this year. We are a quarter through our fiscal school year with no budget passed. It is time to get this done for our schools.
2. Pass a budget that contains no reductions over last year's revenue.
3. Don't tie up this process with all sorts of unneeded and added amendments that only confound the problems our schools now face without an approved budget for the year.

HEA helps sway House vote on K-12 cuts!

2009-10-01T21:20:00.003-04:00

There’s no way to fully thank the lobbying efforts of HEA members. You had an impact!

However, our work isn’t over yet. We must continue the fight to make sure a budget that invests in students is passed as soon as possible.

Continue to contact your legislators from your home phones or cell phones after school because the calls are making a difference. Ask them to give us a balanced budget without cuts in school funding. Urge your elected leaders to oppose efforts to slash education funding, and instead support tax reforms and other means of raising revenue so we can invest in the schools that will prepare students for the jobs Michigan needs.

Also, HB 5345 is not dead. The Dillon Plan only creates big government. We have been able to keep our insurance costs down in Ottawa county by bargaining at the local level.

Dave Agema - 74th State House
517-373-8900
daveagema@house.mi.gov

Arlan Meekhof – 89th State House
888-238-1008
517-373-0838
arlanbmeekhof@house.mi.gov

Joseph Haveman – 90th State House
866-908-4347
517-373-0830
josephhaveman@house.mi.gov

Senator Wayne Kuipers
517-373-2751
senwkuipers@senate.mi.gov

Health Insurance Under Attack

2009-08-29T20:12:00.002-04:00

Our bargaining rights, our health care benefits and even another attack on the local control of our public schools is in the headlines every day. The Andy Dillon idea of a state wide health care plan for all state employees simply can not be allowed to happen! Please go to: www.mea.org and become familiar with the Andy Dillon health care plan. While you are on the MEA web site please write your representatives and voice your opposition to the Dillon plan. The two major aspects to focus on are: 1.) bargaining rights....we wish to maintain our legal right to bargain our health care benefits at the bargaining table 2.) local control of our school district....we do not wish for the State of Michigan to control our health care benefits as we view this as an attack on our ability to control our schools locally. If you have not sent letter(s) to your representatives please do so. For more information, watch the following videos taken at a rally on the Capitol steps this summer. Click here to watch the videos.

Protect your health insurance rights

2009-07-16T15:23:00.001-04:00

House Speaker Andy Dillon proposed a statewide health insurance pool for all public employees--including school employees. Regardless of the health care coverage you bargained with your school district, you would receive benefits that the state determines you should have.

To learn more about the negative impacts on your rights, go to www.mea.org/voiceonline

Contact your representative and tell them that you oppose this proposal.

HEA Scholarship

2009-06-14T09:21:00.001-04:00

On May 28, 2009 the HEA awarded its 10th Annual Holland High School Scholarship. Our 2009 Scholarship winner is Caroline Meyer. Caroline is the daughter of HEA member Gloria Meyer. Next year Caroline will be using her $500.00 scholarship at Ohio University. Congratulations Caroline Meyer.

Letter to the Holland Sentinel

2009-06-01T21:04:00.002-04:00

Thank you Patti and to the many other HPS teachers who dedicate their lives and work to the children of Holland. We all strive to achieve what Mrs. Patti Arndt has accomplished over her career. To read Mrs. Arndt's letter, click here.

Above and Beyond #10

2009-05-09T22:24:00.001-04:00

The staff at Van Raalte is always checking the pulse of their clientele. During this past year many things were done to support and help the many wonderful Van Raalte families. Staff have donated money, gifts and time for many needy families during holiday times as well as supplied the clothing closet with items for various ages of children.

Another aspect of being a teacher is honoring the teaching profession and taking time to mentor new teachers. This year, many Van Raalte staff members chose to be a part of the Grand Valley Cohort Program. This is a program in which a college student progresses from an assistant to a student teacher, but is allowed to stay in one classroom throughout the year. This is certainly a benefit to college students to develop a close relationship with an experienced mentor as well as seeing the growth of a classroom and students throughout most of a year.

Many of the teaching staff at Van Raalte are seasoned veterans and chose to take on a cohort this year. The college students began in September and left in mid-April, for graduation. During the entire year, staff members spent time training these students daily to address the many aspects of running a classroom. College students are expected assume full responsibility for a classroom at the end of this experience. In addition, mentors make recommendations to continue or possibly leave the teaching profession. This is not a role lightly assumed.

Looking forward to the future will ensure we have many potential great new teachers for our future in Michigan. Way to go Van Raalte Staff!

Above and Beyond #9

2009-04-11T12:12:00.008-04:00

On April 1, the Holland High School staff truly went above and beyond by holding a luncheon for Megan Wilson's daughter Natasha. The luncheon raised $2,300 to help the Wilson family and Natasha's battle with Leukemia.

Natasha was diagnosed on October 10, 2008. In an email to staff, Megan wrote, "Thanks again to all the support my family has received. I do believe that my support system has gotten me though the tough times I have already faced. Natasha’s treatment has been going on for about 6 months now and has just less than two more years left. Today showed me my support system is much bigger than I ever knew. It makes me look at the next two years with an even bigger smile…take that cancer!"

You are very welcome Megan and Natasha and like you said, "Take that cancer!"

Above and Beyond #8

2009-03-16T22:55:00.001-04:00

Lynn VanLente- Hoover is just one of the many great teachers we have here in Holland Public Schools. She goes above and beyond the call of duty on a regular basis for our staff and students at Maplewood School. As a part of our second grade teaching staff, she has volunteered to serve as our Math Academy representative. She has attended many training sessions at the ISD and has returned to Maplewood to train her staff in the strategies learned in her trainings. She has risen to the challenge of teaching a split classroom which included a new grade. In addition to meeting the demands of teaching her second and third graders she has taken on the role of district coordinator of the Big READ Bus. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Big READ Bus, this offers reading opportunities to our students throughout the summer. It’s a literacy program on wheels! The bus runs on a weekly basis and makes various stops throughout the district. Students are able to check out books to read with their families. It’s Lynn’s hard work throughout the entire school year and summer that allows our district to provide books to our students all summer long. Lynn also serves as our H.E.A. secretary and is a member of our H.E.A. executive board.

Every Member Should

2009-03-05T21:28:00.000-05:00

Above and Beyond #7

2009-02-23T22:27:00.002-05:00

Did you know a Lakeview teacher did home visits during Christmas break? Another did them after school so she could meet with parents at a time that was convenient for them! And another teacher regularly decorates the tree in the courtyard that was dedicated to Michael Eastman, a former student at this school who died as a young man. His mom was an HPS teacher. She takes pictures of the tree and sends them to her sometimes. Another teacher spends a little extra time after school daily with a hearing impaired student to increase his signing and communication. These are just some of the amazing things Lakeview teachers are doing to make HPS great.

Above and Beyond #6

2009-02-10T21:16:00.004-05:00

On a beautiful Halloween Day, Jefferson School held its first Walk-A-Thon. A Walk-A-Thon is simply students walking around the Holland High track and collecting pledges for each lap walked or one pledge for the entire walk.

Our purpose was two fold. One, to promote a healthy lifestyle, and second, to obtain extra money for field trips. With the blessing of our PTO, the Walk-A-Thon was planned and Jefferson School was able to collect $6,000 extra dollars for 4th and 5th grade field trips to the Outdoor Discovery Center, skiing at Bittersweet or any other location.

All the children had a wonderful time and a great time was had by all.

A Comment from the HEA to the Holland Community

2009-01-19T21:45:00.001-05:00

“ The teachers of the Holland Public Schools wish to assure the citizens of Holland that the excellent delivery of education will continue on a daily basis within each school building. To all students and parents: you can rest assured that all students will be safe, nurtured and cared for by our highly qualified and veteran teaching staff. The care that all students have received will continue and all parents can rest assured that their child's/children's teacher(s) will be there for them."

Charles Bullard
President
Holland Education Association

Thinking of retirement?

2009-01-15T22:38:00.000-05:00

Annually the MEA sponsors several Pre-Retirement Workshops during each school year.

The next workshop is scheduled for:

Saturday, January 24, 2009 (9:00 a.m. until Noon)

Location: Muskegon Community College

This is a free workshop and if you are planning to retire within the next couple of years you should attend this workshop.

To register for the workshop please call: 1-800-458-9213 and provide your name and school district that you teach in.
Spouses are welcomed as long as there is room.

Above and Beyond #5

2008-12-09T22:21:00.005-05:00

THE HOLLAND HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR THE COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED
by Tamsin Troff

During the course of every calendar year some very exciting things take place in the CI program at HHS. Our school day activities are chock full of classes and activities ranging from several specially geared academic and life skill classes, to our Work Study program which involves 29 students being placed in volunteer positions in area businesses, two mornings each week.

We also arrange and fund raise for multiple field trips so that our students can participate in social situations that they may not normally be exposed. Most of these trips are within the community but every eighteen months we go on “the big one”. We alternate between having a camping experience at Camp Algonquin for three days and two nights, and having a city trip to Chicago for the same amount of time.

As a result of writing and being given a grant from the Holland Area Arts Council, our students will enjoy a second twelve week period (one hour a week) working with artists and making art at the HAAC. Our students were so proud last year when they showed off their art work at an evening open house attended by the public, family and friends!

We have traditions, too. This winter will be the twenty-third year that we have had a spaghetti dinner and then go to a HHS basketball game as a group. In the fall we have a pizza party before going to a HHS football game.

The planning for these students doesn’t take a vacation or know about business hours. We not only work with the students, but wind up being somewhat involved with their entire family. Although this sounds ominous and sometimes is, it is important for the comfort and trust of the parents. It also paves the road for good working relations when siblings grace our door.

Above and Beyond #4

2008-11-11T22:08:00.001-05:00

Stop by Holland Heights on a Monday or Wednesday between 3:37 and 5 pm and you'll see a group of 15 boys running. For the first time, Holland Heights has a Total Trek Quest running team. Total Trek is the equivalent of Girls on the Run, but it's for boys. This program wouldn't be possible without the coaching of our very own 5th grade teacher, Todd McKay. Twice a week, Mr. McKay volunteers his time to run with the boys and teach lessons about self-esteem. The program culminates on November 22 with a 5K Celebration Run. Thanks to Mr. McKay for going above and beyond by giving of his time and energy for such a great program.

Above and Beyond #3

2008-10-11T21:43:00.001-04:00

East K-8 has established a "family" atmosphere. Each family is headed by a staff member and includes a group of students ranging from grades 1 - 8. This year's family theme is character traits. The families meet monthly to discuss and do an activity highlighting a specific character trait. Each staff member at East k - 8 goes above and beyond by facilitating each family meeting. Lois Mulder has played and integral part in the success of the family concept. She has put in many extra hours, researching, planning, training staff, gathering materials and organizing implementation of the lessons. In short East K - 8 has a true family atmosphere because of the dedication and hard work of Lois Mulder, teachers, staff and administrators.

Above and Beyond #2

2008-09-10T21:12:00.002-04:00

Beth Byrne is currently a first grade teacher at Harrington Elementary School. Over the last 10 years, Beth has voluntarily held a Summer Reading Club for her students. The students in her class are invited to come back to school during the summer months once a week for two hours. During that time, Beth does a read-aloud story where she continues to build upon the comprehension skills she taught during the school year. Each student also practices their reading using their own box of leveled books. Beth is there to support and encourage them. Since the arrival of the Big READ Bus during the summer months, Beth coordinates her club to be held on the same day as its stop at Harrington. This allows the students to take a book home from the box she provides, and visit the Big READ Bus to check out another book. Thanks to Beth for going “above and beyond” to support the students at HPS!

Probationary Teacher meeting

2008-08-26T22:08:00.001-04:00

The HEA encourages all probationary teachers and their mentors to attend the Annual MEA Probationary Teachers' Workshop

This workshop is intended for all first, second, third and fourth year probationary teachers as well as their mentors and any other interested HEA members.

The 2008 Probationary Teachers' Workshop will be held on:

Tuesday, October 14, 2008--Holland Double Tree Inn Conference Center--4:00 PM until 9:30 PM.

Registration is from 4:00-4:30 PM, the MEA provides all materials and a free dinner. There is no cost to attend this workshop. Everything is free.

Not only can you receive very important information but all hours can be counted for "mentoring hours" as well as PSD hours.

In order to register all you have to do is call: 1-800-458-9213 and provide your name and the name of the school district you teach in.

All of you are strongly encouraged to attend this fantastic workshop.

Have a wonderful summer!

2008-07-09T08:49:00.002-04:00

Kiel Nowakowski Receives HEA Scholarship

2008-06-01T22:35:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, May 29, 2008 at the Holland High School Senior Honors Convocation the Holland Education Association presented its 2008 H.E.A. Scholarship.

This $500.00 scholarship was presented to: Kiel Nowakowski the son of Merri Martens.

Kiel will attend The University of Michigan to study Psychology and French. A few of his personal interests are international study and affairs, guitar and making movies. He also has been active with Model UN, National Honor Society, French Honor Society and Junior Rotary.

Congratulations Kiel Nowakowski.

Above and Beyond #1

2008-05-11T11:17:00.004-04:00

Since it's creation in the fall of 2005, the HEA has been using this blog to share information with teachers and community members. Thank you for reading and being loyal subscribers. Today we would like to introduce a new piece called "Above and Beyond". This piece will focus on specific teachers or groups within the HEA family who are doing great things with students. Things that are above and beyond the requirements from the federal and state level. Great things are happening every day in Holland Public Schools. Great teachers make those things happen. Enjoy.

Please click here to read a letter to the editor about Mrs. Amy Johansen's first grade class at Holland Heights.

Dear MESSA

2008-05-07T22:13:00.001-04:00

Learn why MESSA is unique, member focused and hassle free health insurance. Learn why so many Michigan teachers and their families value MESSA and consider it one of the best benefits to being a public educator.

Vote for Jose Mireles for Holland School Board

2008-04-27T19:13:00.002-04:00

The HEA proudly endorses Jose Mireles.
Jose Mireles will…

use communication with all members of the school and community as the key to improving the image of the Holland Public School
look at all sides of the issues and listen to facts, not propaganda
strive to make changes that bring families back to our community and schools
take pride in our HPS diversity
connect with teachers to see what we do in our classrooms and see what he can do to support us

HEA ratified the TA April 15, 2008

2008-04-16T20:22:00.002-04:00

On April 15, 2008, the HEA ratified a 3 year tentative agreement for the 2008-2011 school years. Specific details were not released to the public. The Holland School Board will meet on April 21 to vote on the TA.

Ratification Meeting

2008-04-02T19:54:00.002-04:00

Ratification Meeting
April 15, 4:00 PM
Holland High auditorium

Fantastic News

2008-03-28T19:39:00.001-04:00

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.

Report from General Membership Meeting

2008-03-18T20:57:00.000-04:00

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.

Really keeping you informed. (Part 2)

2008-03-09T19:23:00.002-04:00

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.

Really keeping you informed.

2008-03-01T14:06:00.009-05:00

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.**

Don't be fooled!

2008-01-22T21:57:00.000-05:00

Right to Work Letter to the Editor

2008-01-13T14:43:00.000-05:00

Please read this letter to the editor from the Holland Sentinel, Sunday, January 13.

Holland is #7 in Surplus Increase (more than 540 other districts)

2007-12-13T18:27:00.000-05:00

Last year the district added $2.8 million to its fund surplus (page 10, HPS Annual Financial Report, October 10, 2007). The improved district budget, created by the boards decision to finally abandon costly, inefficient, and unpopular operations (i.e. Focus Schools), will continue for many years. These cost saving measures will allow the district to yearly add to its fund surplus. With last years addition of $2.8 million ($2,778,490 - page 22), the district now has a surplus of 10.4% or $4,389,131 (page 22).

Of the more than 500 public school districts in Michigan, only 6 districts added more money to their fund surplus last year than Holland. If we had fully paid health insurance, like every other teacher group in Ottawa County, HPS's surplus increase would still be 8th highest in the state.

Now it appears that the board is positioning to add even more to their surplus. At the September 17, 2007 board meeting, the board revised Board Policy 6105. For at least 12 years, 6105 limited the fund surplus to 10%. The revision has no maximum.

At the November 19, 2007 board meeting, the districts auditor recommended a 15-20% fund surplus! The state does not require a fund surplus, and there are no state or national accounting principles that call for a fund surplus.

Keep in mind the boards Strategic Plan for 2006-2011, adopted in August 2006. It states a goal of maintaining a 7-10% surplus for fiscal responsibility. Since at least 1995, a 10% fund surplus goal was enough, but not now.

Last year, the board put more money in the bank than 540 other districts. As we are getting ready to bargain, ask yourself, is it fair for us to continue to pay while the board adds to its surplus?

HPS Surplus $4,389,131

2007-12-03T19:51:00.000-05:00

During the last round of bargaining, the board saturated the teachers and the community with their three-year financial plans. The HEA encouraged teachers and community members to ignore the Board's version of the “truth,’ and instead focus on what was the truth. The Board used these plans to justify their illegal imposition, to justify their desire to attack the teacher's insurance, and to justify a below par salary increase. Another look at the Board’s version of the “truth” is warranted. Here are the dates of some of their three-year financial plans and the projected fund surplus amounts for the 2006-07 school year:

Date Fund Surplus
September 2005 $991,124
December 2005 -$43,134
May 2006 $1,199,492

From the Board’s independent audit, the truth is:
THE FUND SURPLUS AMOUNT FOR THE 2006-07 SCHOOL YEAR IS

$4,389,131.

Change the Pattern

2007-11-11T23:06:00.000-05:00

Truth about West Michigan's Health Insurance Pool

2007-10-08T22:20:00.000-04:00

Wayne Kuipers is holding up state budget.

2007-09-29T06:49:00.000-04:00

Legislators have not yet reached a state budget deal to avoid a partial government shutdown beginning Monday, though negotiations continue.

Senator Wayne Kuipers from Holland is holding up state budget talks to secure passage of SB 418, which would attack MESSA's pools. This legislation would not save the state any money. Please contact your legislators and the governor and tell them not to let Kuipers hold a budget agreement hostage to his political agenda.

Negotiations are at a critical stage and your help is needed immediately. Please contact your legislators.

If you phone your legislators, you should know that most are in caucus meetings and cannot be reached personally. Please leave a message with office staff indicating your concerns and support for adequate revenues for public education.

You can make a difference!

So called "Reforms" are bad for education

2007-09-24T23:03:00.002-04:00

Contact your legislator on these issues and bills.

•SB 546 and SB 547 would reform the Public School Employees Retirement Act. SB 546 would reduce the state subsidy for retirement insurance and provide for a graded premium subsidy on health benefits. SB 547 would increase the member contribution to the retirement system, mandate that a retiree must work at least 10 years to be eligible for retirement payments, as well as other technical changes. MEA opposes both bills.
•SB 418-421 is a series of bills commonly known as the "MESSA bills." These bills would require release of claims data and four insurance bids prior to bargaining. The release of claims would allow insurers to "cherry pick" healthier groups, which would then drive up the premium costs for existing pools of insured members. MEA opposes this attack on MESSA.
•SB 549 would mandate a common school calendar within an ISD. The current version only requires winter and spring breaks to be the same within an ISD. This version of the bill was not supported by MEA, but we did support removing the ability of ISDs to determine all aspects of calendar and removing their right to schedule common professional development days.
•HB 4975-4976 would require 10 years of service before being able to purchase service credit and stipulates that purchased service does not count toward health benefits vesting. MEA does not support these bills.

Other reforms being discussed include: banning double-dipping by school retirees who return to work; moving all school elections to November; mandating that no school employee be paid more than the governor; and conducting studies on school consolidation and school employee wages and benefits.

Please contact your legislators today. Tell them to resolve our state's budget crisis by investing in education. Tell them to turn down politically motivated "reforms" that balance the budget on the backs of school employees.

** Reminder: Do not communicate with legislators on school time and equipment. Wait until you are away from school to contact your legislators. Thank you.

Insurance Costs

2007-09-17T18:18:00.000-04:00

Important dates

2007-09-12T22:26:00.000-04:00

September 14 - First pay. Please check your pay stub to make sure you are at the correct column and step.

September 26 - New teacher orientation. If you are a new teacher to Holland, please talk to your building AR and mentor teacher about attending this event.

September 30 - Sick bank donations are due. Please send donation forms to Jon Toppen at VanRaalte School. Talk to your building AR about the new sick bank donation process.

October 11 - Probationary teacher dinner (Holland DoubleTree Conference Center). All probationary teachers are encouraged to attend this dinner sponsored by MEA. Come and learn how MEA can help you through the probationary status.

October 26 - First deduction of dues.

Holland Would Get Nearly 1 Million!

2007-08-24T19:14:00.000-04:00

The House of Representatives has finally started to act on the 2007-08 budget.

On the eve of students returning to school, the House versions of the education budgets were passed just prior to sunrise Thursday as part of a 17-hour legislative session that was at the very least rancorous. The House bills call for:

* a $100 per student increase to the foundation grant for K-12 along with other increases for equity payments, declining enrollment and transportation costs;
* a $36.7 million increase for community colleges, made up mostly of catch-up payments from this summer’s cuts and new investment in nursing programs; and
* research universities and other higher education institutions to be split into two different appropriations bills, each calling for a minimum 2.5 percent increase plus additional funding.

What does this mean for Holland Public Schools?

From the GR Press 8/24/2007
"Sixteen of 20 Kent County districts would get the extra $100, and eight would get between $3,400 and $334,000 for declining enrollment. All Ottawa County districts qualify for the so-called equity payments, and Holland and West Ottawa get money for losing students.

Grand Rapids Public Schools would see a $4.2 million boost, while Holland would get nearly $1 million." Read more here.

Please contact your legislator and tell them to properly fund education.

Common School Calendar Bad for Holland

2007-07-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

On June 27th, the Michigan Senate adopted SB 549, a bill that would require a common school calendar and interfere with the rights of schools to negotiate regarding this condition of employment. Specifically, this bill requires that each intermediate school district adopt a calendar that each district within the ISD must follow. The common calendar must include AT LEAST the dates for a winter holiday break, a spring break and professional development days. This must be set for at least the next 5 years and must be posted on the ISD website.

There are no provisions for employee or for constituent school district input in the bill. There are exceptions for districts that run year round programs, "international baccalaureate" programs or trimester programs. There are also exceptions for districts that have an existing collective bargaining agreement until the collective bargaining agreement expires.

If adopted by the House of Representatives, this bill would go into effect July 1, 2008.

The Senate adopted the bill by a 20-17 vote, the minimum number of YES votes needed to adopt a bill. The vote was almost, but not quite, a straight party line vote. All of the Senate Democrats voted against the bill except Sen. Michael Switalski (D-Roseville) who voted for it. All of the Republicans voted for the bill except Sen. Bruce Patterson (R-Canton) who voted against the bill. Sen. John Pappageorge was excused for the day and did not vote.

The HEA opposes the bill. It interferes with the rights of school employees with no gain in efficiency or school The supporters claim that this is needed "government reform" and are pushing it as a way of helping to solve the budget crisis of the State.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives where we will continue to oppose it.

This bill will hurt Holland Public Schools. For the past two years, HPS has made changes to it's calendar and PSD schedule to keep teachers in the classroom and save the district money. If this bill passes, it could COST the district. Please write your local representative and tell him/her to oppose this bill.

Pooling will help save on health costs is NOT proven to work!

2007-05-22T19:18:00.000-04:00

This is in response to Sen. Wayne Kuipers and Sen. Patty Birkholz's letter to the editor on May 22, 2007.

Pooling is not the answer.

Sen. Kuipers and Birkholz say pooling is the answer to the State of
Michigan’s public employee insurance costs (HS 5/22/07) and tell us to
support the Michigan Public Employee Health Benefit Act (SB 418).

The bill cited by the senators is just a slightly tweaked version
of Senate bills 895-898 that was defeated last year by a bipartisan
vote.

The truth on the new bill is that there is no proof that it will save
employees money while having the same benefits. No actuarial study of
the legislative proposals to substantiate the claims savings has been
conducted.

The bill proposed is actually anti-pooling because of the requirement
that all pools release group-specific medical claims data upon
request. This is creating the tool by which insurers could tear pools
down. There will be constant churning and adverse selection in the
market as groups come and go from pools as they please. For-profit
insurers will use the data to undercut the pools by agreeing to insure
only the best risk. Pools will be left with the high risk, most
expensive employees. As a result, premiums for many public employers
could actually be higher than they are today.

I am also concerned about a major loophole in SB 418. In addition to
allowing public employers to join together to form these new "public
employer pools," SB 418 also contains language in Section 11(d) that
would allow employers to pool together under any "written agreement."
There would be no regulations, state oversight, reserve
requirements or consumer protections required to pool under this
subsection. This is a huge loophole that would allow pools to be
created outside of the state’s existing consumer protections. It would
leave many public employees dangerously unprotected and exposed to
huge liability from unpaid medical bills.

It’s time to set politics aside and address the real health care and
benefit problems Michigan faces – the growing number of uninsured,
cost-shifting from under-funded government programs, quality, family
bankruptcies from medical bills, the long term costs of unhealthy
lifestyles, government mandates, fraud and the ever-increasing cost of
prescription drugs. The Senators have failed to address the real
issues behind the costs. Their bill will only add to the misery and
should be defeated.

AL Friend

Opportunity Missed!

2007-05-10T00:45:00.000-04:00

First, I would like to thank all those that helped in whatever way to make a change in the Holland School District. Your efforts were greatly appreciated and well done!

Final Results:

Holland Schools School Board
2 Candidates to be Elected

Susan DeJong
2,399
36%

Stephen Grose
1,719
26%
Mary Yedinak
1,216
19%
Al Friend
1,212
19%

Interesting that Steve and Susan ran as a slate and she got almost 700 votes more than him! If we were running last year, we would have been elected!

Since I have been involved in the politics of Holland I would like to give you my take on what happened.

First, Steve's playing the "Evil Union" card and saying that union members were clock watchers and implying that only non union teachers were professionals last Friday plays well in Holland. I do not think this helps convince any parent that they should send their child to our schools though. Susan says it all about kids/programs and she will always vote for the programs. Imposing is her name of the game and with no plan to keep and attract great teachers, says that anyone can teach her programs. Is privatizing teachers next?

I think the high turnout for a school board election was also driven by some other subtle but very important factors.

The influence of charter and faith based schools parents and Administration was a factor. In my discussions with some of them it was evident they were not for me and for a reason. What better way to keep up enrollments and hold down teachers pay and benefits than watching a public School board and Administration belittle the professionalism of their staff! Great Stuff!

There are also those in the State that had a serious interest in keeping the leadership status quo because they hold up Holland's imposing contracts as the way of the future! I believe some outside money was use to pay for two very expensive mailings and other cards.

Then there were the voters I talked with that did not feel there was a problem and that teachers were HAPPY with the board leadership. They said that only a few teachers spoke out against them and they were the "evil union" types. They also said that most would be NONUNION if given the chance. Interesting.

What do I see for the future? It seems from the statements made in the paper that you are in for four years like the last two. The Board leadership is looking at it is as a mandate to impose more and give less in all areas.

The missed opportunity of this past election will haunt the community because of the attitude of leadership is not one of reconciliation but imposing and without a strong public school system we are in further economic trouble.

Can you make a difference? Bring civility back to the district?

YES YOU CAN!

But you, and by you, I mean everyone has to step up to the plate and support the efforts of your leadership. The Board's leadership style is to divide and conquer. From my toadstool, they are winning.

The future of the Holland School District has ALWAYS been in your hands-IF YOU WANT IT!

Thanks again and GOOD LUCK!

AL Friend

Corrections and the Truth (“Negotiations key issue at Holland forum “Holland Sentinel 5/4/07)

2007-05-07T21:08:00.000-04:00

Clare Friend’s submitted letter to the editor 5/5/07

First, I spell my name Clare Friend not Clara. For 12 years I proudly served as the chief negotiator for the teachers not the district as stated in the article.

Why was I mentioned at all is confusing to me when you did not mention Steve Grose’s or Susan DeJong’s spouses and their professions. I am not running for office.

In my 12 years of negotiating we had our difference, but we were a community and settled in peaceful ways. Much was given back to the district to retain benefits that the membership felt they needed. This is called negotiating. Steve and Susan do not understand that principle. Maybe that is because in their world they decide what is good for the employees and impose just like they tried to do to the teachers. Playing the “evil union” card, questioning the professionalism of teachers who are members of the union, as they did on their joint radio interview Friday, clearly points out they are the problem not the solution for better relationships.

I can assure you of my husband’s passion for all the children of Holland to have the best education possible and his desire to rebuild the school district’s working relationships that this leadership has destroyed in their two short years. That is his only agenda.

This discord is costing us already in recruiting the best teachers for the future. Other districts have hundreds of candidates for a position where we have only 12 for a similar position as stated in a Holland Sentinel article this week!

Vice-President DeJong wants to save programs at all cost! Does she not realize that it takes great teachers to teach those programs?

My question for President Grose is what “shared sacrifices” is he talking about? The Administration is above average in pay in Ottawa County while the teachers are the lowest.

My husband understands the real issue. It is about quality working relationships that will attract and keep great teachers. Steve and Susan have no plans to build for the future.

I do not want another four years like the last two that is why Clare Friend will NOT be voting for Steve Grose and Susan DeJong.

Holland Public Schools Needs New Leadership

2007-05-04T20:39:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, the Holland community has a significant opportunity and responsibility to ensure that Holland Public Schools regains its reputation of excellence within our community.

We certainly have the exceptional teachers, programs, parents and community support to do that, but a lack of leadership has kept us from fully realizing that potential.

What better way to make sure we do what is right for the students than by electing leaders who recognize and want to utilize those strengths? Recent decisions by the school board have undermined the unity necessary for Holland Public Schools to overcome the challenge and demonstrate the excellence that has never stopped being a daily focus for teachers and students.

Al Friend and Mary Yedinak have the experience and ability to bring new ideas to the school board. Their experience in the classroom as well as Friend's as a parent and administrator gives them the insight necessary to navigate the tough decisions ahead. They will help create a common vision and long-range planning process that includes all members of the school community and will help us to move forward together.

It's time to make sure that Holland Public Schools builds on our many student successes instead of diverting attention from what matters by magnifying unnecessary conflicts. It's time for a change. It's time to allow new voices and new ideas to impact the direction of our schools. It's time to roll up our sleeves and face the problems together. It's time to vote for Al Friend and Mary Yedinak.

Lisa Hofman

Election information

2007-04-25T22:16:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to vote "YES" on May 8.

Do private employees in public schools provide the same quality of service as public employees in public schools? No

2007-04-05T23:07:00.000-04:00

Michigan Education Report
Spring 2007

Schools that spend less usually get less
By Mr. Charles Bullard

School boards don’t typically decide to hire outside companies to do work historically performed by their own employees in order to boost quality.

Or to find more loyal workers.

Or to help students.

They do it because they’ve bought into the scam that they might spend less for the same (or better) services. But, this isn’t an article about money.

It’s an article about service. And, when you spend less, you usually get less.

You get less service. Or poorer quality. Or fewer "intangibles" – like loyalty and pride in one’s work, that, while difficult to measure, are still important.

Like most teachers, I’ve devoted my career to helping students. I believe that every decision in education should answer the simple question: Will this help students?

Outsourcing the work of dedicated public school employees — custodians, bus drivers, teachers, food service workers, and other important people who work together to educate students — doesn’t help children. In fact, it can negatively impact students.

In Holland, where I work, the school board decided to outsource, or privatize, the jobs of people who cleaned and took care of our facilities and the people who operated our printing services.

Things haven’t been better — or even the same — since.

It’s safe to say that many people, including some school board members, don’t understand the roles that custodians play in educating our students. They do more than "just" clean classrooms and mop floors, to be sure.

Custodians strive to provide a safe, clean and healthy environment for children to learn. Without such an environment, students and teachers can be sidetracked from their work by anything from needing to empty a trash can to getting sick due to unsanitary conditions.

Since our school custodians were fired, teachers have noticed many problems, including some that have gone unaddressed for long periods.

Teachers don’t know from day to day or week to week who the custodian assigned to their building will be. Therefore, we can’t rely on touching base with the building custodian on various day-to-day issues that arise in our schools. To the detriment of students and staff, the private company hired to handle custodial needs schedules different employees to different buildings, according to their wishes and employee availability. When the custodians were employed by the district, they were assigned to a specific building and other staff (and students and parents, too) knew who the custodian was for that job site.

Holland teachers now have to type up formal requests for any and all custodial needs, a burdensome task that takes time away from teacher planning and preparation. What’s more, many teachers opt to "just do it themselves" to ensure the work gets done instead of submitting a formal request and hoping the work will get done eventually.

Scheduling changes have hurt quality, too. Teachers report that student bathrooms often smell and are not cleaned from time to time, that classrooms aren’t thoroughly vacuumed regularly and that it can take weeks before desks or tables are moved for vacuuming.

Since each building doesn’t have a consistent custodian, employees of the district’s maintenance department are now called on to attend to mishaps.

Last year, a vomit mess in one of our elementary buildings was left in a hallway for more than two days because maintenance staff members weren’t able to free themselves from jobs elsewhere. The spot was simply sprinkled with absorbing pellets and covered with a chair so people would walk around it and not through it until it was cleaned up.

Another problem is noticeable at the high school, where mold in one classroom is visible across several ceiling tiles. The mold has been reported during each of the past two years, yet the odor and discoloration remain.

These are just a few examples of how outsourcing the custodians’ jobs has negatively impacted quality.

In my school district, the jobs of people who print and copy materials for students were also outsourced. The district hired a major private company to do the work. Yet this company doesn’t have the same expertise as our in-house employees. Outside companies hold no loyalty to individual school districts; they are for-profit companies that need to sell more copies to make a profit.

About a year after taking over the copying work in my school district, staff completed a survey of the company’s performance; it included questions about professionalism, responsiveness and overall satisfaction. The survey revealed high levels of dissatisfaction. Nearly half rated their overall satisfaction "below average" or "poor." They also said their orders weren’t produced as requested or when requested.

At a time when more is expected of our students and our schools, we shouldn’t accept less from the people and companies with whom we do business.

In the debate over outsourcing the work of local school employees, I hope that more school boards will consider the quality of work needed to ensure that students have a safe, clean environment that is conducive to learning.

Anything less is unacceptable.

Charles Bullard is a teacher and high school band director with Holland Public Schools.

Budget Talking Points

2007-03-15T18:51:00.000-04:00

The Governor has proposed a package of revenue enhancements and budget cuts to balance the budget for this year and into the future. Below are some talking points to support the Governor’s proposal.

• The governor’s budget proposals provide the right balance between investment, budget cuts, reforms and revenue increases. It is a package that MEA supports.

• Gov. Granholm’s vow to invest in education and her refusal to make mid-year cuts reinforce what MEA members have believed for years: an investment in education is an investment in Michigan’s economic future. It shows our students – and every other Michigan citizen – that education is the foundation of our economic plan. Education today will lead to jobs tomorrow.

• Education has suffered enough cuts. Additional cuts will mean even larger class sizes, fewer critical educational programs and further reductions in the number of qualified staff to help students achieve.

• Since 1994 when Proposal A was adopted, the Legislature has enacted some $3 billion in tax cuts, always with the promise that these tax cuts would result in economic development, job growth and a healthier, more diverse economy. Obviously is hasn’t worked

• The $3 billion of tax cuts has resulted in an enormous structural budget deficit. For four years K-12 has taken hits every year while higher education has had huge reductions over the past five years. It is time for the Legislature to step up and find sufficient revenue to provide the education that will be the engine of growth for the future.

• If the governor’s budget package is not enacted by this spring, the future of public education in Michigan is doomed. Legislators must solve our state’s financial crisis now – and not leave it for future lawmakers to fix.

• The Michigan economy now depends more on services than on manufacturing. We must look to the service industry to generate more revenue. The new 2-cent tax on services is set up to do just that.

• The proposed Michigan Business Tax includes a tax break for Michigan businesses to help offset increases they would experience under the 2-cent service tax.

Governor's Budget Proposal

2007-03-12T18:45:00.000-04:00

In February, the Governor presented her proposal for adjustments to the 2006-07 budget and for the 2007-08 budget to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees. Below are the highlights that have an effect on education.

Implement a 2% sales tax on nearly all services in the State, to commence in June, 2007. The exceptions to this sales tax would be for educational and medical services.

Implement a new business tax to replace $1.5 billion of the $1.9 billion lost by repeal of the Single Business Tax.

Meet the shortfall in the School Aid Fund (SAF) in two ways:
• First, revalue the pension assets and reduce the pension contribution from school districts by $180 million, and then reduce state aid by a like $180 million
• Second, apply some $180 million of the revenue raised by the sales tax on services to the SAF to make up the remainder of the shortfall.

For community colleges, reduce the pension contribution by $10.9 million and reduce state funding to community colleges by the same amount.

For community colleges and universities delay the August state payment until October.

For 2007-08, increase aid to education at all levels (K-12, community colleges and universities) by 2.5%. For K-12 this means an increase of $178 per pupil with the basic foundations allowance going to $7,286 per pupil. The 07-08 proposal also contains $36 million for declining enrollment districts, increase pre-school funding by $200 million (targeted to full day kindergarten and pre-school programs), $1.4 billion for special education, $750 million for at risk programs, and $10 million for promoting cost sharing agreements and consolidation of service.

It is important to promote this budget and revenue proposal. Without them the state faces huge shortfalls this year and catastrophic deficits next year. The deficits will result in massive reductions in funding for education at all levels. It is finally becoming apparent to most responsible leaders in the state that the enormous permanent tax cuts enacted when the economy was thriving did nothing to enhance economic growth in Michigan. All they did was starve the state when the economy turned down and make it impossible to provide essential services to our citizens.

As more detail is available, we will disseminate it to you. In the meantime, here are links to the 2007-08 budget proposal of the Governor.

http://www.michigan.gov/budget/0,1607,7-157--134602--,00.html

Compare 500 Districts Administration

2007-01-12T21:00:00.000-05:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Compare 500 Districts

2006-12-12T06:32:00.000-05:00

Click on image to enlarge.

How much we pay for our insurance.

2006-11-12T18:19:00.000-05:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Proposal 5 letter to the Holland School Board

2006-10-16T17:42:00.000-04:00

Dear School Board Members,

This fall we have an opportunity ensure that the students of Holland Public Schools are provided with funding levels that guarantee a quality education. Proposal 5 is an education ballot initiative that requires the state to provide annual funding increases at the rate of inflation to Holland Public Schools. Voting yes on this proposal means the resources needed to teach and the resources students need to learn will be available. You can’t afford to let this opportunity to properly fund education pass by. The children of Holland Public Schools deserve a properly funded education.

Again this year, as in many recent years, HPS is choosing to avert a funding crisis by cutting programs, freezing budgets, and maximizing class sizes. Now we have an opportunity to solve our recurrent funding problem. In recent conversations with central office staff, reservations were expressed about what might happen if the foundation grant is reduced after the November election. Passage of Proposal 5 will not allow legislators to play games with funding levels and shirk their responsibility to the children of Holland.

According to the financial data from district’s Three-Year Financial Plan dated May 16, 2006, Proposal 5 will increase HPS revenues and decrease required expenditures. For the 2007-08 school year, revenues, based on student enrollment, will increase by approximately $356,000 over district projections, and state required expenditures will decrease by approximately $790,000 less than district projections. Even greater revenue additions and expenditure savings will be realized each following year. These figures do not account for the declining enrollment averaging provision of Proposal 5, which will increase revenues additionally.

State law allows school boards to discuss the support of statewide ballot proposals at open meetings as well as adopt resolutions supporting such proposals. School boards across the state have publicly supported a “yes” vote on Proposal 5. Jenison, East Grand Rapids, Rockford, and Kenowa Hills are a few of the local districts that have publicly supported Proposal 5 by passing a board resolution. The Michigan Association of School Boards recently sent Superintendent Garcia a copy of the resolution, asking him and the school board to support it.

Don’t miss this opportunity to guarantee the children of Holland the necessary funding for a quality education. I strongly urge you to publicly support the passage of Proposal 5.

Sincerely,
The HEA

Holland EA 2005-2008 Contract Fact Sheet

2006-08-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Holland EA 2005-2008 Contract Fact Sheet

3 year agreement, retroactive to beginning of 2005-2006 school year.
Step advancements each year
Salary increases: 05-06 = 0.5%; 06-07 = 1%; 07-08 = 0.5% with possible increases based on state revenue and student enrollment that year.
Insurance: MESSA Choices II PPO with a $10/20 mandatory generic drug card. Teachers pay $40/month towards the premium in 06-07 and $60/month beginning July 2007.
Up to 12 hours of professional development can now be mandatory after the school day (from 4-7 p.m.). Previously, all PD was done during the teacher’s work day.
Changes in start and end times for students and teachers were negotiated as a result of the district restructuring for the 06-07 school year. The district had initially refused to negotiate this issue with the HEA.
Rollbacks in pay for veteran teachers who mentor probationary teachers.
Rollbacks in overload pay for teachers who have class sizes beyond the contractual limits. (50% of the previous amounts)

News Release - Holland Teachers Ratify 3 Year Agreement

2006-08-08T09:30:00.000-04:00

News Release

August 7, 2006

Subject: Holland Teachers Ratify 3 Year Agreement

Contact: Charles Bullard 616-494-2260

At a general membership meeting held this evening, the Holland Teachers voted to ratify a 3 year Agreement with the Holland Public Schools. The agreement is retroactive to the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year and will continue through the 2007-2008 school year.

After over a year of negotiations with the district making no movement towards reaching a settlement, the parties entered into two lengthy bargaining sessions on July 26 and 27. This resulted in a tentative agreement on all of the remaining outstanding issues. “After 14 months of not moving on their insurance position, the district finally agreed to compromise,” commented HEA president Charles Bullard. “As their financial situation, based on their 3 year projections kept getting better and better, I believe it was hard for them to continue to justify their position on salary and insurance.”

The board had recently petitioned for fact finding with a proposal that would have only guaranteed .5% of salary improvements over a 3 year period and a continuation of their illegally imposed health insurance plan. This new agreement guarantees step advancements, salary improvements each year, and a far superior comprehensive MESSA health plan that will actually cost less than the insurance plan they had imposed for the 2006-2007 school year.

The illegally imposed plan that was forced on the majority of the insured HEA members saw a first year rate increase of almost 12%. The MESSA rate increase for this year came in a 7.41%. “Obviously MESSA’s large pool rating made a difference when it comes to the stability of health costs for Holland Teachers,” commented Jon Toppen, HEA Chief Negotiator.

“Deep wounds have been made as a result of the negotiating agenda pursued by the district during this round of bargaining,” said Bullard. “Things have got to change,” he added. In the category of Basic Instructional Expenditures, the Holland teachers rank 20th out of the 23 districts statewide that are comparable in size. The Total Administrative Expenditures for Holland rank 4th out of 23 for those same comparable districts.

Summer 2006 Did you know #3?

2006-07-20T13:21:00.000-04:00

Holland Public Fast Facts #3
Summer 2006

Tracking the Board’s History of Financial Lies

• In 1992, the Board’s 3 Year Financial Forecast predicted a depletion in savings of $850,715 through the 1994/1995 school year. In reality, their savings grew by $1,192,294.
o That’s an error of $2,043,009

• In 1994, the Board’s 3 Year Financial Forecast predicted a total 3-year surplus of $2,473,835. In reality, that 3-year surplus was $4,981,562.
o That’s another “error” (?) of $2,507,727

• In 1997, the Board’s 3 Year Financial Forecast predicted the district would be $2,342,535 in the hole by the end of the third year. In reality, the district had a fund balance of $3,618,209.
o That’s an “error” (mistake?) of $5,960,744!!!!!!

• In 2000, the Board’s 3 Year Financial Forecast predicted the district would be $144,489 in the hole by the end of the third year. In reality, the district had a fund balance of $1,789,408.
o That’s an (intentional?) “error” of $1,933,897

• In 2006 the Board’s 3 year Financial Forecast predicts the district’s surplus will be reduced by $1,155,081. In reality the size of this deception won’t be known until November 2008.
o The amount will once again prove that the Board has no credibility when it comes to forecasting their budget.

When does an error that goes uncorrected
really become intentional deceit?

Summer 2006 Did you know #2?

2006-07-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Holland Public Fast Facts #2
Summer 2006

Did you know?

o The school board, Superintendent Frank Garcia, and a few business leaders are holding the entire community of Holland hostage to their divisive agenda?
o According to the Grand Rapids Press, Garcia bounced settling a fair contract with the teachers off “a few business leaders” who said “Don’t you dare think of backing away.”
o Superintendent Garcia also admitted that he “put community through hell the last few months.”
o Garcia also says the community “would not appreciate” the schools settling a fair contract with the teachers.

Is Superintendent Garcia speaking for you?

If not, give him a call (494-2005) and tell him to STOP THIS NONSENSE.

Summer 2006 Did you know?

2006-06-27T10:56:00.000-04:00

Did you know?

Holland Public Schools is now forecasting $2 million more dollars in revenue throughout the next 2 years compared to the forecast used to justify their illegal imposition on the teachers back in November?

The Holland Board of Education's current insurance proposal and that of the teacher's differ in cost by less than $400,000 for a 2 year agreement.

Holland Public Schools is also planning on hiring 10 less teachers for next school year than what was forecast back in November.

The Board of Education now has NO EXCUSE to not have a contract settlement with its teachers.

Holland Sentinel Letter to the Editor

2006-05-25T23:24:00.000-04:00

HPS is guilty of incompetence

To the Editor:

At last week's bargaining session between the Holland Education Association and the board of education, the district's business manager, Bob Fein, admitted that he had made a "calculation error" in the district's proposed revenue over the next three years to the tune of $6.3 million. How convenient for the board that this error went undiscovered for over three months, and was remarkably found the very day the two sides met to attempt to negotiate a contract. Is it not the responsibility of the school board, in particular Treasurer Kevin Clark, to oversee the financial issues of this district? Where were they while this $6.3 million error hovered beneath their noses?

Superintendent Frank Garcia has said that this is not "mismanagement" but rather a simple error in the calculation of projected income. Regardless, a $6.3 million error on a budget that is used to plan for the future went undiscovered for over three months. If nothing else, this is a clear demonstration of the administration's and the board's gross negligence and total incompetence to conduct the business of the school district.

It is long past time for the district to give up its "shell game" and stop hiding the district's true financial condition and it is long past time for the board to sit down with the HEA to settle a fair and equitable contract.

Greg VanPortfleet,

West Olive

Response to Michael Jahr

2006-05-15T22:13:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday the Sentinel printed a column by Michael Jahr, a paid spokesman for the Mackinac Center, an anti-public school think tank. Mr. Jahr’s defense of the Holland school board’s divisive and morale-destroying action to impose its choice of health care plans on district employees would be laughable, if it was not so tragic.

This is the same Mackinac Center that released a study of school employee health benefits one year ago claiming benefit costs had “risen wildly.” In fact, the study showed that spending on wages and benefits for school employees across the nation grew 37 percent from 1992 to 2002, while only growing 27 percent in Michigan. Pay raises for Michigan teachers were about half of what teachers received nationally over the same period - 18 percent in Michigan versus 34 percent nationally.

Once it was pointed out that the Mackinac Center’s study proved that Michigan school employees were paying for increases in their health insurance by sacrificing salary, the center quickly pulled the study from its Web site, and it has not been returned.

Mr. Jahr and the Mackinac Center are clearly more interested in propaganda than facts. MESSA is a not-for-profit membership organization that serves about 50 percent of the Michigan educational insurance market. It’s efficient and, according to a study commissioned by Republican leaders in the state Senate last year, “very well run.”

The authors of the study, the Hay Group, a West-Virginia actuarial firm, also wrote that MESSA’s pools “have already captured most of the savings that are available solely on the basis of size and bargaining power.”

In regard to unmanageable “double digit increases in health insurance costs,” here, too, Mr. Jahr and the Mackinac Center fail to tell the truth. MESSA’s rate increase for the 2006-2007 school year in Kent and Ottawa counties is only 7.41 percent. In Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Lake it is even smaller at 1.06 percent. Statewide, MESSA’s composite increase is under five percent.

MESSA is successful because it provides quality products at competitive rates. MESSA helps school employees stay healthy and on the job. Having MESSA helps school districts attract and retain top quality staffs. In the first month after losing MESSA, Holland school employees lodged more than 110 complaints with Holland Education Association leadership over the new health plan inflicted on them by the board. One family even qualifies for a state assistance program because the new plan leaves them high and dry on coverage for their young son’s condition.

This is vision and leadership on the part of the Holland school board?

We are in the midst of an alarming trend of eroding investment in our public schools. As the Mackinac Center study showed last year, our school employees are falling behind. If that trend continues, our efforts to boost student achievement, toughen curriculums, and increase the state college graduation rate are doomed.

Teachers are the most important and effective investment we can make as we work to boost achievement. If the Holland school board insists on continuing down its dangerous path, it will succeed only in driving young teachers out of its classrooms and into new careers where they can make more money and be treated with respect. If the Mackinac Center and its supporters win, every child, every parent and every family will lose.

Jon Toppen
HEA Chief Negotiator

Vote of NO Confidence Ad

2006-04-23T17:22:00.000-04:00

On Friday, November 11, 2005, the Holland Teachers unanimously voted in support of the following motion...

See the add here.

Spring Activities

2006-04-20T20:08:00.000-04:00

The contract contains a letter of agreement regarding spring activities. It states that the District can substitute one after school activity in place of a staff meeting. The letter also states that the District must notify teachers of these dates by March 1. The District failed to meet the March 1 deadline and therefore, all spring activities that occur outside of the teacher work day are voluntary.

Since our 2002/03 contract, Tulip Time participation has been voluntary.

The contract states:

Tulip Time: Teachers attending Tulip Time activities may leave work without loss of pay or deduction from sick leave by signing out of the building in the principal’s office. It is understood that this release is for the purpose of attending Tulip TIme activities for the remainder of the school day and is not to be used for other purposes. Those not attending shall work in their buildings.

For the half days of Tulip Time, choose to do what is best for you. Choose to march, sign out and attend the activities, or stay in your room and work.

Bargaining Update

2006-04-12T21:40:00.000-04:00

Last night the HEA bargaining team met with the Board’s team and the state mediator for apx. 45 minutes at a full table session.

The Board gave the HEA a new proposal. When asked for the cost of the proposal the Board’s team admittedly did not know the cost and were not able to provide it.

According to the mediator, the board acknowledges substantial savings for the next two years but they are not interested in earmarking a portion of it in order to settle a fair contract with their teachers.

The Board also proposed major changes to the traditional school day and year. They indicated that if the HEA doesn’t agree with these substantial changes in your working conditions by June, the Board may impose these changes prior to the newly elected school board members taking over in July.

It is very clear that the Board’s team cares very little about reaching any agreements with the HEA and intends to continue to impose their will with the expectation that we will do nothing about it.

Two more bargaining dates are set for May 16 and June 27.

Teachers Picket Board Meeting

2006-03-23T20:31:00.000-05:00

On Monday, March 20, 125 Holland teachers picketed the school board meeting. Click here to read the Grand Rapids Press article.

Imposed Insurance Doesn't Cost $1085

2006-03-13T17:16:00.000-05:00

On March 1 the bargaining team sent an e-mail to Frank and Carol. In it, we asked which paycheck we could expect our money for the difference between their cheap insurance plans and the illegally imposed $1,085 cap.

You need to know that prior to sending this email, this savings was dangled in front of the members of your bargaining team as a "carrot." The district actually bargained with it as though it was "new money they had found to settle our contract." No doubt, they'll be trying to do this with each of you as well, hence this update.

So far as we can tell, this dishonest "spin" of the facts must have been the source of Board member Gavette's "hopefulness" he expressed at the February 20 board meeting.

It is the HEA’s position that the money saved on insurance premiums can’t be used as an incentive to convince your bargaining team that the Board has changed their position or is serious about settling a fair contract.

Frank responded to my request last Wednesday, and stated, “Carol is out of town until Monday. I will make sure and discuss this with her upon her return.” He emailed again on Thursday saying that he spoke with Carol and “we both agreed to refer your email to Barb Ruga for a response.”

Barb emailed later that day. A portion of that email: “The Board team absolutely agrees that, absent any other agreement with the HEA, the difference should be paid to HEA members who elected one of the BCBS plans.”

Carol and Barb are now determining how the difference should be paid each month. The difference between the HRA and the $1,085 board imposed cap is $90.43, and the difference between the HSA and the $1,085 board imposed cap is $239.37. Your team will notify you when we have additional information.

Please don’t be fooled by these monthly payments. The Board never told you about the savings above and beyond what their stated needs have been for months. They didn’t tell you when you had to choose what was best for your family, and the payments will only last until the premiums increase or until the Board unilaterally changes the policies.

Member Training Dates

2006-02-22T10:57:00.000-05:00

Membership meetings are scheduled at various buildings throughout the district. You are invited to attend any or all of the meetings, but please plan to attend at least one.

Your bargaining team will share information about bargaining, our new insurance, the board imposed insurance cap, and MESSA. You will also have an opportunity for questions.

All meetings will begin at 4 o'clock and last for approximately one hour. The meeting schedule is:

Thursday, February 23, at Harrington

Monday, February 27, at Longfellow

Thursday, March 2, at WMS

Monday, March 6, at HHS

Thursday, March 9, at EMS

On the day of the meeting, please expect a reminder along with the room location for that day's meeting.

HEA Pitches New Idea to Board

2006-02-01T18:04:00.000-05:00

February 1, 2006

HEA Negotiating Team Pitches New Idea To Board With Guaranteed Cost Containment on the Issue of Health Care

As reported earlier, your negotiating team met last Wednesday with Barb Ruga, Carol Minnaar, and Kevin Clark. As a result of that meeting, we set another date for January 31 to reconvene and further discuss an idea that your HEA team brought through an informal discussion with Carol and Barb. As of December, we were informed that the board’s team from this point forward would consist of Kevin, Carol, and Barb.

We put together a package idea that contained little (maybe none) salary gains over this year and next, and also guaranteed cost containment towards the board’s portion of our insurance premiums. In fact, in 06-07, they would have had to pay no more than $300,000 LESS than what the Super Care 1 costs are for our bargaining unit this year. Our idea contained the MESSA PPO (Choices II) plan we have had as our tabled position for several months now.

Though this idea was a huge compromise from our tabled position, we were hoping the board would see to it that a compromise on their position as well would be in the best interest of both parties at this point in time when they are wanting to focus on restructuring the district and dealing with the added controversies this will bring.

Our idea, coupled with the upcoming selection of what appears to be the board’s favored “Orange Plan,” and the savings they are claiming it will generate, would have put the district in the business of saving money next year and every year after.

We can’t give you hard numbers on this savings because the board seems to have abandoned its prior strategy of updating and mass producing “3 Year Projections” to justify its bargaining position. Since we incorporated the figures of their “3 Year Projection” into our more recent tabled proposals, asking that the board pay us any differences between those projected figures and what ended up being the actual truth, we haven’t seen any more of these updated spreadsheets.

No mention of utilizing the estimated $2.5 million dollars in additional savings that the “Orange Plan” generates annually, and is non-accounted for in their most recent “3 Year Projection,” has been brought to your HEA team during negotiations. They were cranking out new and updated versions of these things on a daily basis just a few months ago. You may recall that it was this “3 Year Plan” that was repeatedly used to justify the board’s need to illegally impose on us the health plans we are soon to receive.

Evidently, the pay that will not be given to 20 less teachers, as speculated in several of the CAC restructuring options, has 0% earmarked for us.

Tuesday, the board/Kevin did counter our idea with an informal idea of his own that was, in ways, worse than their “Final Economic Proposal” from October 26. In the most basic terms it was a restatement of their imposition. Your team rejected this idea, but put our thinking caps back on for another go at it.

We worked hard as a team trying to find another option to consider and we did. We pitched an informal idea that meant us accepting their cost containment needs for this year (as contained in Kevin’s informal counter given just prior). In fact, it might have exceeded them. We thought that we could lay negotiations to rest, team together to work through the upcoming restructuring decisions, take a deep breath, let the dust settle, and move on to the negotiations for next year’s contract with a clearer head and more factual knowledge of the decisions yet to come.

Kevin rejected this idea too. Or at least we assume it was Kevin, since the rejection came from “the Board.” Now it appears that Mr. Clark will soon abandon his duties and responsibilities with the district entirely, and leave these and other unsolved problems for someone else to clean up.

Who's Guilty of Misinformation

2006-01-31T15:51:00.000-05:00

District officials have been quoted as saying the HEA has engaged in a “Misinformation Campaign” throughout the contract negotiations. We are asking you to consider these facts and to read the attached 4 page letter addressed from Carol Minnaar to John Burdick of the Holland Sentinel.

Fact #1: In a December 19, article in the Sentinel, Kevin Clark says “the health care piece is somewhat behind us,” in reference to negotiations. The law requires the board to negotiate all mandatory subjects of bargaining with the HEA, regardless of what declarations they make at their public meetings.

Fact #2: In a January 22, article of the GR Press, Minnaar said your HEA negotiations team agreed to only two bargaining sessions in 2.5 months. Here are the dates we’ve negotiated since school began: August 15, 16, September 6, 13, 28, October 10, 26, 27, November 2, 9, December 12, 14, January 25, 31. Can you find a 2.5 month period that only has 2 bargaining sessions?

Fact #3: The board’s illegally imposed insurance plans ensure that you and your families are the worst protected teachers in the area when it comes to health care. This is coupled with the board’s current bargaining position of half steps for this year and next and no pay raise for either year as well. Now they want to hurry up and start talking about Article 7 rollbacks in class size language, working day definitions, etc. Can you find any of this in Carol’s “spin” to Mr. Burdick?

Fact #4: The real reason the district wants these new health plans is clearly revealed on page 2 of this letter. Carol indicates that “the Board” will “have access to general claims information.” This means a probationary teacher’s ongoing high health care costs associated with a child’s birth complications, can and will be available. You curb plan costs by curbing benefit payoffs, it’s not rocket science.

Carol shows her true colors and the board’s true colors in the post-signature commentary relative to our “after school party” and the direct sending of proposals to the press.

Carol Minnaar's Letter

2006-01-31T12:19:00.000-05:00

CAROL MINNAAR’S LETTER TO JOHN BURDICK OF THE HOLLAND SENTINEL:

January 23, 2006

Mr. John Burdick
The Holland Sentinel

Dear John,

Thank you for giving me the time to provide you and your editor with a comprehensive description of the two Blue Cross plans that will take effect March 1 concerning the HEA, and to answer the three questions posed to me in your January 20 email.

First, the Blue Cross plans are the identical plans in which all eligible District administrators and non-union support staff participate. For example, the Superintendent and I are covered by these very plans.

I know that change is very hard, and when it comes to changes in insurance benefits, uncertainty and anxiety are always higher with public school employees who, for so long, have had the opportunity to receive fully paid insurance benefits with relatively lower drug copays and related costs than most other employee groups. Last year, Holland Public Schools employees only had a $2 drug copay. Now it is a $5/$10 drug card. I can understand why employees are reluctant make such changes in coverage.

As one of the few employees at Holland Public Schools who has worked in both the private and public sector, I can tell you from personal experience that the MESSA insurance benefits enjoyed by Michigan public school employees are great benefits. However, the Holland Board can no longer afford the cost of that coverage.

The District’s insurance consultants, Advantage Benefits Group, tell us that the two plans we are offering are better than the coverage that 90% or more of employees in Western Michigan receive in their workplaces now. The District is very pleased to have put together two plan options that offer quality benefits and yet are affordable for the District with no monthly cost to the employees.

Second, employees will be able to choose which plan is best suited for them and their families. The District is offering six (6) informational meetings for employees and their spouses to give out important information to help them make this choice. Representatives of the District’s insurance consultants and third party administrator will
be there to provide information about the plan benefits, and to answer employee questions.

Employees will learn that the health components of these plans include either (1) a Community Blue PPO plan with a Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement or (2) the new Blue Cross Blue Shield Flexible Blue Plan #2. These are the same plans that the District has been proposing to the HEA. There is no monthly cost to employees for either of these plans, as the monthly premium cost does not exceed $1085.00 this school year.

The BCBS PPO Plan with HRA-Option 1

If employees have a lot of medical expenses, they may feel more comfortable with this plan, which I call the HRA plan. Under this PPO plan, there is a high deductible, but the district is fully paying for the deductible through a reimbursement process to be administered by the TPA. The TPA is ASR, a large and experienced third party administrator that handles a number of large employers in Kent and Ottawa Counties, including the Ottawa ISD.

Under this plan, there is a $10/$40 drug card. The cost in prescription drugs will vary from employee to employee and will depend upon the number of monthly prescription drugs and whether the drug is a generic or brand name drug. I cannot predict how this change will affect HEA staff because the District does not have access to claims data for its employees. As you probably know, MESSA does not release claims data and so the District could not design a plan with knowledge about actual claims history for the HEA. With the Board being the policyholder, the Board’s ability to design benefit coverage will improve as it will have access to general claims information. As before, individual claims history is protected by privacy laws.

The Flexible Blue Plan 2 – Option 2

The Flexible Blue Plan is a health savings account (“HSA”) also with a high deductible. However, as the Board’s bargaining team has explained in writing and verbally to the HEA bargaining team, the District is fully paying for the deductible for the 10 months they will be covered this year. Next year the deductible will be paid for the entire year.

Each month, the District will deposit 1/12th of the deductible amount into an HSA account that is owned by the employee. The HSA may also be spent on health-related expenses such as contact lens solution, cough syrup, lasik eye surgery and the like (all qualified expenses are listed in IRS Publication 502.) If the HSA grows over time, the employee at retirement may use the account for post-retirement medical expenses, such as paying for monthly premiums for the insurance provided to retired Michigan Public School Employees through the MPSERS system. The money does not revert back to the District at any time.

The HSA covers prescription drugs just like all other medical expenses. Once the deductible is spent, the plan covers eligible expenses on an 80/20 basis if the provider is in the Blue Cross network, up to an annual maximum. Like most insurance plans, provided that the employee stays within the network and does not incur costs beyond
what is reasonable and customary, the out of pocket cost each year should not exceed the annual amount of the coinsurance. The annual coinsurance amount is $2000.00 per family or 2 person, or $1000.00 per single person.

Comparison to MESSA Plans

Under the current MESSA Super Care 1 plan, the drug card was a $5/$10 drug card, however, the cost to the employee for that plan was $195.00 in January and February of 2006, the amount by which the monthly cost of Super Care 1 exceeded the $1085.00 the Board can afford this school year.

Under the MESSA Choices II plan, a PPO plan insured by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, the drug card was also $5/$10, and the cost to the employee was $50.63 per month. With the Blue Cross plans; there is no monthly premium cost to the employee.

As you probably know, the HEA has offered to move all employees to the MESSA Choices II plan, a PPO plan insured by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan. I attached a comparison of the plans we prepared and gave to Mr. Craig Culver, the MEA Uniserv Director assigned to the HEA, at our recent negotiations session.

In our opinion, the Blue Cross plans are not “significantly inferior” to what the teachers had before. We certainly would not offer “significantly inferior” plans to our District administrators or non-union support staff. The Superintendent and I have no desire to participate in such “significantly inferior” plans.

Can the Board still offer MESSA as an option?

From the beginning of negotiations last spring, in light of the District’s fiscal condition and three years of flat State funding while “legacy” and energy costs escalated, the Board had communicated the need to achieve cost containment on insurance costs by 2006. Until very recently the Board consistently offered either the MESSA plans, at a monthly cost to employees, or, at no monthly cost to employees, the two high quality Blue Cross
plans that I have described.

In fact, as recently as October 26, the Board made a Final Offer to the HEA. In the Final Offer, the Board proposed two options. Option A allowed the HEA to choose either MESSA Super Care 1 or Choices II, provided the employees paid the difference between $1085.00 and the actual cost for those plans. Option B proposed the two Blue Cross plans going into effect on March 1. The HEA rejected both options.

As of the last bargaining session on December 14, the HEA was still proposing a fully paid Choices II plan at a monthly cost that exceeds $1085.00. Another bargaining session is scheduled for January 25.

I hope that this information responds to your questions. Please feel free to call me at any time to clarify this situation, or to answer any questions. Thank you for your newspaper’s continuing interest in the fiscal solvency of the Holland Public Schools.

Sincerely,

Carol Minnaar
Director, Human Resources
Holland Public Schools

The HEA recently scheduled an after school party for its members. During that party, the HEA had forms available inviting employees to file claims against the District challenging the payroll deductions of these monthly costs. With the Blue Cross plans; there are no monthly deductions from an employee’s payroll. I am attaching the Board’s October 26, 27 and subsequent proposals and counterproposals. Let me know if you would like copies of the HEA’s proposals covering the same time period.

Unanswered Questions re: Insurance

2006-01-30T19:36:00.000-05:00

Do these plans have a layoff benefit?

If I go on LTD, will you continue to pay for and cover my insurance premium for 2 years?

Will you continue my benefits in the event of a school closure?

Will you provide me with a personal advocate like Grace Romzick, or will it just be an agent from your company?

Does your office have a medical doctor-director and a staff of RN’s to check special cases?

Will 19-25 year old kids be covered at no extra cost?

Will it cover kids who are college students and beyond age 25 at no extra cost?

How do these plans cover chiropractic visits?

Can I still get my prescriptions filled through mail order at only $8.00 per year?

Will we still have the 50 visit allowance covered by the plans for Psychologists?

Do the prescription plans have a PD-MAC Rider? How much could a name brand prescription cost me if it has this?

Do these plans cover home health care?

Do you cover foreign exchange students?

Who can authorize changes to the plan? Does the employer have any unilateral change authority? Can you prove this to me in writing?

Will the plan language specifically state that “no changes can be made to this plan without the agreement of the parties through the collective bargaining process?”

Since the district is already unilaterally doing this to us now, isn’t it reasonable that they intend to do it again in the future?

Isn’t it true that in order to contain costs, even with your plans, you have to cut benefits that individuals actually use or you have no actual savings?

Can you actually guarantee the district savings over time compared to MESSA without modifying these plans at all or making me pay more each month for the premiums? (if yes: “Are you willing to guarantee us a plan that will always be comparable MESSA for the next 10 years and also always cost less, no matter how sick our employees might get from year to year?”)

How did you happen to put together 2 plans, after the fact, that cost exactly the amount of money the district had in their insurance proposal prior to bringing these plans to the table? Are these really honest prices?

Do you have copies or examples of how medical claims data for us can be formatted and reviewed by the district in order to decide which benefits they might want to cut to save money at a later time?

Could my name be on any of these documents? The amount of health care costs I incurred? Could the names of medications we are taking be accessed by the district? Could the names of Physicians or the clinics we seek treatment from be on any of these documents?

This is a pretty small town, if there is a $500,000 bill for an premature birth from one of our probationary teachers, won’t it be pretty easy to put 2 and 2 together?

Why does the district insist they be the policyholder? What power do they obtain be declaring themselves such?

Which employee for the district is going to be responsible for receiving, viewing, etc. Protected Health Information? Is the district going to make sure that, whoever this person is, they have a logging mechanism to track this person’s viewing of individual PHI?

How often will those logs be audited?

How are complaints handled if we have complaints about our own PHI being accessed or used by those within and from outside the system?

Does your reporting system have web access? (if yes: Are your firewalls to protect from outsiders accessing my PHI fail-safe?)

Isn’t it true that one of the main reasons the board and administration like your plans compared to MESSA is the ability to access claims information and then remove the benefit levels that are costing too much?

How many different teachers groups does your agency currently cover?

Can you provide a 10 year rate increase and plan coverage history from any of your clients that have been with you that long?
If no, for how long of a time could you provide this data?

2006-01-20T20:22:00.000-05:00

Next week make sure to attend at least one of the insurance meetings. You will want to gather as much information as possible about you and your family’s insurance benefits under the district’s new consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs). But I doubt they’ll tell you everything about your new plan.

At the meeting I doubt they’ll tell you that individuals with more comprehensive health insurance (i.e. Super Care/Choices II) are more satisfied with their health plan than individuals in high deductible health plans (HDHPs).

At the meeting I doubt they’ll tell you that individuals with CDHPs and HDHPs are significantly more likely to spend a large share of their income on out-of -pocket health care expenses than those in comprehensive health plans.

At the meeting I doubt they’ll tell you that individuals with CDHPs and HDHPs are significantly more likely to avoid, skip, or delay health care because of costs than are those with more comprehensive health insurance, with problems particularly pronounced among those with health problems or incomes under $50,000.

At the meeting I doubt they’ll tell you that there is evidence that people in CDHPs and HDHPs are more likely to go without care.

All of this information came from a study published in December 2005, by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Check it out yourself: http://www.cmwf.org/usr_doc/fronstin_consumerism_survey.pdf

2006-01-19T20:21:00.000-05:00

Don’t be fooled by Ms. Minnaar’s statements Monday night (January 16, 2006) about scheduling bargaining dates, insurance, or anything else. At our last bargaining session, both parties agreed that the CAC decisions and recommendations could have vast financial ramifications. It was also agreed that bargaining sessions would not be as productive as they might be if major changes to the district were soon to be announced. And that is what apparently is happening Thursday afternoon.

Your bargaining team determined long ago that each team member’s contribution is vital, and that we would not schedule bargaining sessions when all members could not be present. Many of their proposed dates were during our holiday break. Team members were out of town to be with their families or were serving jury duty during the holidays. Other dates proposed by the board’s attorney required team members to miss school. As a team, we long ago told the board’s bargaining team that missing school was to be avoided. We believe in what we do and don’t want to miss school to bargain unless we are close to a possible settlement. Obviously, we’re not close to a possible settlement - especially since recent communication from the board’s attorney stated that the board has not changed it’s proposal.

Be careful about what you believe with respect to statements from Washington. Trusted principals have voiced displeasure with the benefit plan that was forced on them. Their experience with this plan is far different than Ms. Minnaar’s characterization of it.

Remember, as another West Michigan school district’s board member stated about our superintendent in the Grand Rapids Press on October 4, 2005, “Holland has someone who is engaged in open warfare with his employees.” Obviously, this statement can be expanded to include the board and other Washington administrators. Their goal is to take as much as they can from us.

The board illegally imposed their will on us, and recent actions taken by us are showing the board that we are united and unhappy with the next phase of the “Ruga Plan” to destroy our district.

2006-01-18T20:20:00.000-05:00

At Monday night’s board meeting (January 16, 2006), the board again imposed it’s will on us. They again decided what is best for you and your family.

Last November, the board imposed it’s will and limited their monthly insurance contribution. This was after more than six months of negotiating; six months of the HEA continually conceding our proposal, and six months of the board NOT MOVING AT ALL.

Their November imposition wasn’t good enough. Yes, it did cap their costs, and it did meet their stated financial needs. The board’s insurance costs are limited in January (check your Jan. 20 paycheck). Their costs will be the same in February, and their costs will be the same in March, even though the board is demanding a change in our coverage. Their stated reasons for the November imposition were met in November. Monday night’s imposition doesn’t save the district money - it only hurts us by eroding our and our families’ benefit levels. The district won’t allow us to keep the insurance we want, even though their forced change doesn’t save the district. Be certain, that at no time did the district offer to continue the Jan./Feb. insurance imposition past February. They could continue the current arrangement unilaterally right now.

This action shows the callousness that exists. The board is shoving their choice down our throats. It’s not to save money - they guaranteed that in November. What is guaranteed now is that we will have the worst teachers' benefit package in Ottawa County.

2006-01-17T19:58:00.000-05:00

If you missed Monday night’s board meeting (January 16, 2006), you missed some great testimonials about the wonderful things your colleagues are doing everyday to make Holland Public Schools a tremendous place for students. Tammie Kamps, Lisa Voss, Cinda Yonker, Ken Ogle, Nancy Wessels, Jill Wallaker, and Patti Arndt shared personal stories about the wonderful things the professionals they work with do everyday. Patti Dixon also shared some valid concerns about insurance and administrative salaries. Thank you all for being willing to speak out on behalf of your peers and the issues that are important to us and our families. The board’s response was indifference. Some appeared to not be listening, and none offered a bit of thanks or appreciation.

The positive mood of the teachers’ sharing was soured by an attack on teachers by the wife of one of the board members. She accused teachers of threatening and intimidating her and her children. In addition, she claimed that parents are afraid to speak about current bargaining issues because teachers will exact revenge upon their children in the classroom. She used the board’s pulpit to turn, directly face, and insult the teachers in attendance and those who weren’t. She continually used “we,” when referring to the board’s actions and decisions as if she is on the board and speaks on their behalf.

At the end of the public comments section of the meeting, the board president asked other members of the board if there was need for clarification. NO board member spoke. NO board member denounced the attack upon the teachers. NO board member defended the teachers, AND NO board member attempted to distance themselves from the board’s new “spokesperson.” Apparently, the board condones these feelings and attitude. Check the MAC-TV schedule for a rebroadcast of Monday night’s meeting to see the board’s new “spokesperson” in action. If you don’t have access to MAC-TV, please contact Maria Yoder to borrow a video tape copy of the meeting.

HEA members are the heart and soul of Holland Public Schools. As professionals, WE deserve to be treated with respect at our work sites and at the bargaining table. We rely on your continued support.

Bargaining Update

2006-01-05T12:09:00.000-05:00

On December 14, your team met with the same three members of the board’s team, attorney Barb Ruga, Carol Minnaar, and Kevin Clark. The board rejected our December 12 proposal and the Board’s position did not change from their prior proposals.

The team received ANOTHER three year financial plan from the board. Once again their assumptions have changed, and they admit they will continue to change, especially when the board actually begins to make some responsible management decisions at some, yet undetermined, date in the future.

This week the board’s attorney lectured us on how much she cares and worries about OUR district. The insinuation was that somehow SHE has more concern about the future and the welfare of the district than WE do. Even though her high fees continue to drain unneeded resources from the district, this must somehow empower her with a greater level of caring and dedication than your bargaining team and the teachers who come to serve the students and families of Holland Public Schools each day.

Future bargaining dates will be determined in January.

Bargaining Update

2005-11-23T06:25:00.000-05:00

Your bargaining team met last night to begin preparing for continued negotiations. MAKE NO MISTAKE, it is our opinion that the Board’s declaration of impasse is illegal, and we intend to continue to bring a full set of proposals to the bargaining table that include salary and insurance. Bargaining will continue.

Our team reviewed the dates provided by the board, and are requesting to meet for the purpose of negotiations on December 12 and 14.

Additionally, the team will be bringing a recommendation on November 29, to the HEA Executive Board relative to insurance benefit levels beginning in January.

We are still committed to our goal of a fair contract that reflects your worth and the district’s ability to pay.

Feel free to direct any questions you may have to Charles or Rick and look for future updates from your Bargaining team and Crisis Committee.

VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE

2005-11-11T14:46:00.000-05:00

The Holland School Board’s and the Holland Public Schools Central
Administration’s actions to illegally impose changes in the contract
with Holland Education Association demonstrates the ultimate disrespect
for Holland teachers.  This action is in violation of the school
board’s legal responsibility to bargain in good faith with Holland
Education Association.  Our elected school board members and the
district’s central administration have not provided the leadership
needed to meet future challenges facing our district.  Based on these
facts I move the following motion:

“The membership of the Holland Education Association has NO CONFIDENCE
in the Holland Board of Education and the Holland Public School’s
Central Administration. Our elected leaders and central administration
are no longer able to provide the leadership necessary to enable
teachers in the Holland Public School district to meet the future needs
of the children of Holland Public Schools. The school board’s and
central administration’s actions have breached the long standing bond
of trust between teachers, the school board and the district’s
administration.”

Teachers will remain on the job despite illegal contract imposition

2005-11-11T14:44:00.000-05:00

Holland teachers announced they will be in their classrooms and not on
the picket line despite the Holland school board’s illegal imposition
of a contract Thursday morning.

“We value this community and the future we all share.  We heard the
community’s wishes. Therefore, we will not strike at this time. We only
wish the board had the interest of the community in mind as well.  We
hope the community will continue to support us by telling the board to
stop this imposition,” said Charles Bullard, Holland Education
Association president.

“We believe our “Contract with the Community”, which the Board is
ignoring, is the way to a healthy future for the Holland Public
Schools.” Bullard added.

Despite continued bargaining sessions with a mediator, the school board
and its attorney, Barb Ruga, declared that negotiations were at an
impasse and illegally imposed a new contract on the teachers.  The
terms of the new contract will take effect January 1, 2006.

Bullard said, “We were not at impasse.  We presented a proposal and
after the district and their attorney reviewed it for less than thirty
minutes,  they declared us to be at impasse.  We are still willing to
bargain! We believe the board still has an obligation to bargain a new
contract with us and we will continue to demand the opportunity to
bargain and work out any and all outstanding issues.”

Under the newly imposed agreement, teachers will lose money in salary
and their benefits will be reduced.  HEA’s last proposal offered the
administration an “out” from the insurance business that would allow
teachers to purchase their own insurance.  The proposal was rejected by
the board.

“The target kept moving,” said Bullard.  The board said they needed
cost-containment on insurance and we offered that, but it wasn’t
enough.  The action of the board proved that their position was
preordained.  The board would prefer confrontation and illegal
strong-arm tactics, which is in sharp contrast to the HEA and the
community’s desire for us to bargain a fair and equitable settlement.”