Contract Update Memo

Although you have read and heard that there is an influx of money to schools, you have to look at what that really means to understand our agreement. First of all, it is no secret to any of you that the State of California has made draconian cuts to the educational system. Picture that as having dug a REALLY deep hole for several years. Now we have new legislation that is adding money back. Unfortunately, the present funding model will bring us back to the funding we had in 2008. If everything goes according to plan, it will take us until 2022 to reach that goal. So, even though things are looking up, what has really happened is that the State has thrown some dirt into the bottom of that deep hole. It is better than if they just kept making more cuts and digging us in deeper, but it is not as if we have tons of extra money. As the money comes back, your team is working with the district to help us get some of it in raises and as part of our total compensation package. If you look at salary alone, WUSD is not high on the list of Sonoma County districts. If you look at total compensation, which includes dental, vision and healthcare, Windsor is in the top ten. If you hear about districts getting bigger raises, find out how much they pay for healthcare and what their district’s reserves are.

Your WDEA negotiating team has worked long and hard with the WUSD negotiating team to put together a Tentative Agreement. We feel that the district bargained in good faith and that the numbers and information we received were accurate. The tone at the table was better than it has been for several years.

 

Below are the highlights of the Tentative Agreement between WUSD and WDEA:

1)    A three tier health care plan put into the contract. The Bronze plan would be 100% paid by the district. Wellness plans would be 85/15 split. The high plans would be an 80/20 split. The Bronze plan would first be tried as a two year MOU to see what happens with the Affordable Healthcare Act.

2)    A 3% raise on the salary schedule effective July1, 2015.

3)    K-3 class size 24-1 with a raise in overage to $5.50 per student at those grade levels. (This change is based on what the state is now paying for Class Size Reduction)

4)    Cali student contact numbers and overages to match the high school contract language.


 

There will be a WDEA General Membership Meeting on Monday, May 11th at Windsor High School in the Library.  Please make sure you attend so that you questions and concerns addressed.