January 12, 2006

Return

I. New Contract Now On Website: The 2005-2006 contract between AEA and the Board is now posted on the AEA website. To view the contract, members should click on the “06 AEA Contract” icon at www.akronteach.org.

II. Six-Hour Option: Roughly one-third of the staff participated in the program (see handout). This is less than we expected. We are discussing limiting the program for next year to the first semester.

III. State-wide Health Care: The process is moving slowly forward. The advisory committee to the Health Care Board has been named and one meeting has been held to date. The Board is partially seated (the House and Senate have appointed their slots; awaiting the Governor’s appointments).

A no bid, one-half million dollar contract was handed out to a firm to advise the advisory committee and the board. As evidenced by responses from legislators to letters from teachers, there is a great difference of opinion in their minds about just exactly what HB 66 says. Perhaps the most trusted authority on the meaning of the bill comes from the Legislative Service Commission. Please see the handout from LSC in your packet.

IV. No Word Yet on Incentive: As part of the last contract negotiations, AEA and APS agreed to retain a third party to study the feasibility of a retirement incentive to help the district cut costs. We have met once with the third party and are waiting for him to complete his review of the board’s financial standing. Once he has done so, the decision up or down on an incentive plan should come pretty quickly.

V. Budget Status: The Treasurer’s Five Year Spending Plan projects a budget balance at the end of this year in the amount of $4.2 million. Next year, the balance turns negative ($1 million) and the following year it balloons to $39.8 million. Needless to say, we need new money through an approved operating levy. The budget committee will be meeting between now and this spring to determine how to offset next year’s deficit.

VI. Mark Your Calendars Now: Dates have been set for our annual spring events. AEA Night at the Stadium is Friday, June 2. The Tribe will be hosting the division champion Los Angeles Angels. That night is “Lucky Friday”; all who attend will receive a free “scratch and win” card. There will also be fireworks after the game.

Our golf scramble is set for Saturday, May 27. All Tiger Woods wannabes should mark their calendars now and begin putting together their foursomes.

VII. Petitions for elementary seats on the AEA Board of Trustees are available now and due by the end of January.