Preliminary contracts for Dexter teachers, support staff OK'd, but wages yet to be negotiated
Preliminary contracts covering health care benefits, class schedules and other non-wage for teachers and support staff at Dexter Community Schools have received approval from the school board, the Dexter Leader reports.
The preliminary contracts for the Dexter Education Association and the Dexter Education Support Personnel Association did not include wages. The budget for the district's 2013-2014 school year, projected to be more than $2 million in deficit, must be approved before July 1.
The district would save an estimated $200,000 under proposed changes to employee health benefits, including higher payments for office visits and offering a choice between a modified PPO plan and a health savings account plan.
Other proposed changes would establish a new chain of command for resolving technology issues, give teachers access to class schedules sooner and consolidate the roles of media specialist into fewer positions. In another change, the position of curriculum coordinator can now be held by a non-union member under the state's new right-to-work law.
Read the Dexter Leader's story.
Comments
Shawn Letwin
Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 6:49 p.m.
Doug, you just could be right. I remember in early 2000's when Dexter had a projected deficit of about the same amount. Spargur retired because he just couldn't continue on as Dexter's Superintentdent and be a part dismantling something he had helped build. Massive layoffs under his direction ensued at the administrative level to help curtail costs for the following year. Once the books were closed, the deficit turned into 1.5 million dollar plus surplus (a surplus that was realized before all of the cost cutting). Wow! This was at the same time when the district was portrayed by the media of using Fuzzy Math and other non-standard business practices as they related to record keeping, administering bond funds from the 1998 bond, etc. Not only did Dexter not have a deficit, but things turned out OK for Spargur too. He took a lucrative full-time consulting job/contract with Granger that same year.
Doug
Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 3:27 p.m.
The Dexter schools have done so many things right in the past that I'm sure the trend will continue!
walker101
Mon, Apr 1, 2013 : 11:55 a.m.
$2 million in the hole and they have a contract, if they cut $200K then where do they save the other $1.8 Million, does that mean teachers take a 20% cut in salary or do they decide to have parents pay for classes like the sports. Union wins again for the kids.
Tom Todd
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 7:49 p.m.
AA.com trying for comments and hits,works best with union and contract issues.
Shawn Letwin
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 6:13 p.m.
Wow! 1-Delayed negotiations on wages yet a contract has been tentatively approved? Isn't that the point of a contract? Why is this news that the district wants reported? Other than approving a contract (sic) before Right to Work kicks in, why would the district approve the contract without wages being considered? 2-Delayed superintendent search. The search that started almost six months ago last October. Resumes were solicited almost 3 months ago in January. Ten (10) sitting superintendents did apply plus another 20 other candidates resumes were forwarded from MLI for consideration and with just over 8 weeks of school, the search is delayed. 3-Next regularly scheduled board meeting is cancelled (not rescheduled, cancelled). The board not only delayed the superintendent search, the board has cancelled the next regularly scheduled board meeting the day that school resumes on April 8th. Not enough on the agenda? This is the second, if not the third regularly scheduled board meeting cancelled this year and not rescheduled. Incredible! 4-Multi-million dollar deficits this year and forward with no discussions of bringing in the community to be a part of the solution. The Dexter Difference.