Ypsilanti Public Schools' support staff union to vote on contract including $2 million in concessions
The Ypsilanti Public School District administration and its support staff union have reached a tentative contract agreement that, if ratified, will save the district $2 million.
The agreement calls for wage cuts of 2 percent and 6 percent for the Ypsilanti Support Staff Association's approximately 200 members over the next two fiscal years.
The district would also cap its contribution to association members’ health insurance at $12,000 annually for each person, which is down from as high as $20,000 per employee. But the insurance plan under consideration by the union would require the district to pay only $4,750 for a single employee and $10,970 for a member with a spouse.
Association members would also pay $100 annually for their policy and up to a $1,000 deductible. Right now, members don't pay an annual fee or a deductible.
The union will vote on ratifying the new contract on May 6. YSSA President Kevin Fortune said he is pleased with the progress both sides have made since the beginning of negotiations. The YSSA has twice rejected tentative agreements over the past two years.
“I think we’re starting to understand as a district that some of the things we’re facing are coming from higher up, and I think it’s all of us that are in this together and we are all going to have to face it,” he said. “Public education as a whole is under attack. There’s no sacred goose.”
School officials are projecting a $5.6 million deficit in fiscal year 2012. As part of the district's state-mandated deficit elimination plan, all unions are being asked to make significant concessions. School officials anticipate balancing the budget by fiscal year 2015.
Among the changes in the deficit elimination plan was privatizing custodial and food services. But Superintendent Dedrick Martin said privatization wouldn't be necessary if the concessions are agreed to because they are equal to projected privatization savings.
The plan also called for a 12.5 percent support staff wage cut. The current cuts amount to an 8 percent reduction, but Martin said another wage cut isn't currently necessary. He said that could change, however, if more cuts in state funding for public schools are made or if a May 3 special education millage fails.
Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Momma G
Tue, May 10, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
I'd like to see what cuts the administration is taking like I'd like to know when the State Senate is going to do away with their life-time insurance benefits that we citizens pay for.
Cash
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.
And still waiting to hear the offered salary to the new superintendent of WISD! taxpayers deserve this information NOW, not after the vote next week!!!
Tom Bower
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 3:06 p.m.
Snyder's proposal to reduce state aid by $340 per student is DOA. It's a bargaining chip only. Michigan legislators are not that dumb.
Tom Bower
Fri, Apr 29, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
This is a big issue? Here's what the previous superintendent made:<a href="http://www.wash.k12.mi.us/files/isdwebreports/salaryinfo10.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://www.wash.k12.mi.us/files/isdwebreports/salaryinfo10.pdf</a> WISD numbers for fiscal year ending June 30, 2010: Revenue ~ $ 88 million Expenses ~ $ 92 million Net Assets ~ $ 36 million of which ~ $ 21 million is the special education fund balance So, a salary of ~ $150,000 to $ 175,000, if that what it turns out to be, hardly seems to be of much concern. Anyone in private business running an operation of this size would be earning much more. WISD is a well-run, fiscally efficient intermediate school district. Take a few minutes and read the 2009-2010 audited financial report: <a href="http://www.wash.k12.mi.us/files/business/transparency/financial/2009-2010AuditReport.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://www.wash.k12.mi.us/files/business/transparency/financial/2009-2010AuditReport.pdf</a> We are voting yes on May 3.
mojo
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 11:40 a.m.
Union folks don't seem to understand the concept of bankruptcy. It does happen. (Read up on Borders financial situation for an example. For another example see State of Michigan 2011.) If you do not understand why it happens or what the long term options are for a 'going concern' look it up. You will see that raising taxes on the "rich" (sucking up any available asset ) is not an option - it just extends the pain and makes the end that much worse.
sad day
Sat, Apr 30, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
not only do I know the concept of bankruptcy, I've lived it. Now I'm about to lose my house. Did I tell you I recently lost my husband to cancer and the bill on my part totaled over 400,000.00. I'm glad you think you know whats going on in union peoples life.
David Paris
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
Sympathy for the rich, and no compassion for the working family is what makes Republicans so Grand!
Grant
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 11:10 a.m.
If the support staff is willing to take such a drastic hit for the district, the teachers should also. For years under the current YEA president, the teachers have received wage increases at a level rarely seen in the private sector. Come on, aren't the kids (many who come from poor families) worth the sacrifice? I am not saying that our new Governor isn't stealing from the K- 12 fund, or that the business cronies aren't making out like fat cats in the proposed budget deal. Ypsilanti Schools has a serious problem of survival with an insurmountable deficit, which existed before Snyder came along.
sad day
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 11:06 a.m.
If the support staff ratifies this TA they are out of their minds......some of these employees only make 10,000 dollars a year. The highest is only paid about 40,000. They have already taken a 3% decrease and are paying a 3% mandated health insurance cost. 50% have already lost their houses through foreclosure. They are selling things that they worked their entire lives for, just to put food on the table. I say do not ratify.
Floyd
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 3:50 a.m.
grye, The most significant change to education policy that the governor forgot to mention today in his missive was that he is slashing school budgets by three hundred forty dollars per student in order to fund his billion dollar payout to the Rich. No strings attached, no guided plan for job creation, no incentive structures for how to get the money or use it - it's simply a payout to those who demographically look just like Snyder himself. Think about it - his very first action as governor is a money grab reminiscent of corrupt politicians in South America or Eastern Europe. And just like those thieves of public works, he even instituted the muscle in the form of emergency financial managers. How I wish this were hyperbole.
godsbreath64
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.
grye, if you eliminate them the middle class these barons relative wealth expands because it is more safe. maybe tomorrow you can admit to be a class warrior threatened by constitutional mandates of self determination, liberty to contract and due (rather than any) process of law.
grye
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 3:07 a.m.
Explain how this helped the rich. Did their bank accounts double? Did they get a new Mercedes as a result of this? What happened is that the employees took the easy road out instead of forcing the administration to look at combining services with other school systems. There are other ways to save money. The primary problem is the bullheadedness of the different school administrations that want to stay autonomous. Work together folks. There are ways if you will open your eyes.
Cash
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 12:43 p.m.
What cuts have administrators made on themselves?
average joe
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 2:41 a.m.
Competition from privatization brought on the $10,000 per employee savings.....
Floyd
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 12:32 a.m.
And the Rich are smiling all the way to the bank - we are allowing them to bleed our public institutions in order to make themselves richer. Join us Saturday morning.
Dante Marcos
Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
Republicans all over Michigan are smiling.