Falls Teachers Union Agrees To Increase Insurance Contribution
By upping contributions by 3.5 percent, the teachers will save the district roughly $160,000 and help prevent cuts to programming.
Photos
Teachers unions have been a primary aspect of the furious budget debate in Wisconsin for the past year. However, without debate, the Menomonee Falls Education Association reached a voluntary agreement with the district that could save approximately $160,000 in the 2012-13 budget.
Last year, the School Board switched its insurance provider from the WEA Trust plan to Humana. The move saved the district $1.2 million, and employees contributed 8 percent to their insurance premium. However, the MFEA agreed to up that contribution by 3.5 percent recently, and teachers will contribute at least 11.5 percent during the next fiscal year.
The increased contribution amounts to a savings of $160,000 from the teaching staff. The district could save an additional $70,000 if all staff agree to the same increase, which would bring the total to roughly $230,000 in savings.
The district and the MFEA seized an opportunity for savings created by 2011 Wisconsin Act 65, which was signed by Gov. Scott Walker and was published on Nov. 23. Act 65 allows districts to modify contract agreements so long as the changes reduce the cost of compensation or fringe benefits. The changes can be made without voiding the contract agreement completely.
District administrators will once again be challenged to balance a budget in the face of cuts to state aid in 2012-13. Director of Business Services Jeffrey Gross is anticipating a 15 percent cut in state aid, but he added that the district hasn’t released a figure for the total projected deficit next year.
This year, the district faced a $5.1 million budget deficit, but balanced the budget without cutting programs. Falls received $10.4 million from the state in 2011-12.
The district recently met with the MFEA to address the budget forecast for 2012-13, and the discussions focused on safeguarding programming for students in the face of a shrinking budget. The MFEA proposed increasing premium payments that day.
“(The MFEA) came to the table prepared to say they wanted to put education first in this community, and they voluntarily brought forth the health insurance increase as an option to help address the budget deficit,” said Board Member Lori Blodorn.
When Act 65 was published in November, it included a 90-day timeframe to use the provisions outlined in the law. The School Board must take action on the MFEA’s proposal by Feb. 22.
Therefore, a special School Board meeting to approve the agreement is planned for 6 p.m. Feb. 20 in Village Hall. However, that time could move up to 5:30 p.m. to accommodate the Village Board, which also meets that night.
Bryant Divelbiss
10:36 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
I am pleased to see the Union willing to work with district to save jobs and programs.
Michele Divelbiss
10:45 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
The special school board meeting will be February 20th, not the 22nd.
Carl Engelking
11:10 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Correct Michele, I had the deadline on my mind when I typed it. The information is corrected.
Steve
2:21 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
WEA trust, ripping us for millions. But it was for the kids.
Glad to see some positive changes by the union, thank you Walker for making this possible.
Nameless
5:36 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I'd like to thank the teachers for their commitment to our kids rather than holding signs of hate, banging on drums, vandalizing government property, sleeping in the capitol building, etc.
jerry mislang
7:23 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Just like being married...a little give and take by both sides goes a long, long way. Happy Valentines Day everybody!!!
Richard
7:32 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Good start but to be realistic with fairness in mind it won't be fully right until teachers pay health insurance premiums equal to that paid by workers in the private work arena.
paul
7:44 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
My compliments to the hard working teachers.
Now, the Union should give back the funds that they are withholding from the Menomonee Falls School District for which the District has resorted to legal action. See the article: http://bit.ly/wDlNNo
Paul Tadda for Menomonee Falls School Board at www.paultadda.com
Ralph Keith Kassing
7:56 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I admire the professional teachers of Menomonee Falls for the outstanding job that they do on a daily basis with our kids in school. I want them to know that they are appreciated and thank them for their recent decision to contribute more to their own ins premiums. Throughout the turmoil of the last year, they have continued to act in a very professional manner. Thank you.
Unions_NO
9:21 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Yes, they may "play nice" but did you know that based on academic performance, Menomonee Falls HS is #126 in the state,
http://www.schooldigger.com/go/WI/schoolrank.aspx?level=3
while Germantown HS is #4? Things that make you say Hmmmmmm.
Jerry Bannerman
8:06 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Great Job Teachers and Thanks for doing all that you do,
Unions_NO
9:12 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Thanks for realizing that you do not walk on water and that we, the taxpayers, cannot continue to fund your lifestyle. From the article..." teachers will contribute at least 11.5 percent during the next fiscal year." - welcome to the real world. My husband and his 250 co-workers, currently contribute 45 PERCENT ($450.00 per month). BTW, this is not an uncommon amount. Now, if he could only score a job where he has "tenure." In the end, being judged by the quality of the work you do, makes you and the company more competitive...something our schools are not.
Rosemary
10:15 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
So, do teachers really make too much money? Really? When my children went to college, my son and his friends did not want to be teachers because they didn't make enough money.They went in into industry and are making much more. Now that the public finds out that the benefits are part of the teachers' salary..... Oh! That's not fair!! So you pay their salary? Teachers are taxpayers, too. Who do you think pays the salaries of private schools? Now Walker has cut the state aid to schools....so class sizes rise and courses are cut. Technology is kept at a minimum. The repercussions of all this will be felt in years to come.
The arrogance of the public is appalling! "My chance to get back at all the teachers who made me work and behave in school! " It is time that the blame for any failures on the part of the schools is on the students themselves! Many don't want to be there, don't want to learn, have no respect for themselves of others. Many come from disfunctional homes. ......and you blame the teachers??!!
It is time that the public takes their noses out of the air and recognizes the hard job teachers face every day for a take home salary not equal to the job they do. If it weren't for the benefits, there would be noone to work in today's classrooms!!
Richard
10:44 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Reminder, teachers only work 9 months out of the year. Also, catch the comment re where Menomonee Falls HS students stand compared to Germantown. Also, on benefits remember that taxes aren't paid on benefits so it can be an advantage to receive a benefit versus taxable pay. Our son did go into teaching after college but left because of the lack of administrative support when it came to unruly kids and interfering parents as well as ridiculous state mandates, he did not leave because of pay or benefits.
Rosemary
1:34 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
By the way, it is 10 months....and most men get a second job. RE: Your son's leaving the profession..that is exactly what I'm talking about. Over half of the teachers in Milw. leave before 5 years on the job. I dealt with all the factors you mentioned (although I had a good administration for many years) but I stayed until I was 63 years old! It is increasingly difficult for new teachers to deal with teaching today....because of what you mentioned. What Walker has done to the schools and education is only going to make matters worse. Instead of giving more state aid to decrease class size and provide ancillary help, he is slashing the school budgets. Your son should know what increased class size will do, no aides to help, and the profession will NOT attract and retain qualified teachers....i.e. your son and many like him. Bless him for trying to make a go of it. At one time Milwaukee had money for a mentor program for new teachers. I was co-chair of it. It provided support and classroom management skills....even help with curriculum for new teachers. Lots of luck ever seeing that again. After what happened to your son, you should be petitioning Walker for what ever help the state can give.....not making it worse!! Now, more than ever, education needs all the help it can get. Voucher schools? Test show the kids test scores are no better in a different venue. They take their problems with them wherever they go.
Richard
5:39 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
For your information our son was a teacher in an outlying suburban HS where insolent kids and disbelieving parents were at the heart of his departure. Congratulations on your sticking it out 'til 63, but I'll guess that your retirement benefits were worth it. Why do you insist because of what Wlker has done to the schools, he has only been Governor for a scant year, plenty was done to cause todays fiscal problems in schools by democrats and republicans in office for all too many years before his election. The events taking place in schools today are the results of choices being made by school boards not using to the fullest what a brave governor gave then to use. By constantly giving in to the outlandish demands of union leadership prior administrations are to blame for the current fiscal situation.
Joseph
2:57 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Menomonee Falls could have saved even more money had they not made their union "deal" and gone with Walker's Act 10 instead.
Tulsa
3:00 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
So what did the teachers get ???
Craig
5:45 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Ahhh! Good question. Too bad we won't be informed on that one until much later.