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= All commentary on this web page express the opinions of ATA membership and is meant only to inform its members. Use of any commentary outside of this website without written consent is forbidden.

ATA NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE WHEN: Wednesday July 20, 2011 9AM AT Creekside OR Wednesday July 20, 2011 5PM at AES Room 21

We have vital information to share and a possible ratification vote!

If you can’t attend one of the meetings, the negotiator from your school will be contacting you to give you the information.

ATA Members Meeting 5-2-11

During our meeting the bulk of the discussion revolved around the topic of how to raise awareness among the commmunity members of Alpine as to what the current funding levels in education will do to our district next year. The conversation reinforced an action which was started last meeting. ATA and the district representation will be meeting with local politicians as well as sponsoring a letter campaign urging the citizens of Alpine to get involved in establishing a fair budget for education. The letter will encourage people to contact their local legislator with their feelings on the financial crisis. In addition, our political action chair, Gayle Malone, urged members to attend local rallies next week (flyers/e-mails are forthcoming). For more information contact your site representatives.

Update 4-2-11

The situation continues to worsen as policticians on both sides refuse to find compromise which would put to rest the financial crisis in education. As of this point the special election will not happen, there is a possibility of further cuts, and very large class sizes. Looking farther out, law makers still have the ability to straighten this out on their own, but probably will not. Even further out, there is a high probability that some stabilization/compensation for education will happen in the November election. Everything at this point is very volatile.

Negotiations 3-29-11

The district representation has made clear their intent to create a financially solvent situation in the district within two years. Due to the fact a high percentage (85-90%) of the budget consists of personel, the district proposes doing this through layoffs. Your negotiating team is trying to work to find the best solution to a very tough situation that shows no signs of getting better any time soon. There are obviously MANY rules and details that have not been included here that will effect the final outcome, but I hope that each of you will please educate your friends, family, and neighbors on the importance of Governor Brown's proposed tax extension. If you have any questions about the process, or tax extension, please make contact with those who are immediately involved in the process so you can avoid rumors and half truths.

Negotiations 2/1/11

At the conclusion of this meeting with the distrcit both parties realize that there are many outstanding factors that really prohibit either party from making wise decisions. In light of this the association has chosen to wait until those issues sort themselves out. Primary amongst the issue that could have profound effects is the tax extention package that Governor Brown is proposing. The outcome of that election could make a world of difference and so we'll wait. The district has been clear that they will exercise their right to pink slip teachers.

NEGOTIATIONS 1/6/11 The negotiating team had its first meeting with the district on Thursday, Jan 6, 2011. During this meeting our new CTA representative assured our team that the district’s numbers appear to be legitimate. Whether we agree with how they are spent is another issue for discussion. We have not begun talking about any negotiable items but we are meeting again on the 1st of February. I will keep you informed as our negotiations progress. I just read that the governor has stated that the only area to be protected in the budget is K-12 education. I don’t know what that means exactly but maybe it won’t be as bad as predicted.

I want to thank our negotiating team for giving up their time and energy in service to our certificated staff.

Jeanne Prins ATA President

What can you do? You may want to consider checking out the Alpine Education Foundation at [] so that you can encourage your parents and business contacts to contribute to the organization that helps all of our students.

1-3-11: During January's ATA meeting it was dikscussed that many new opportunities will be available to help the organization. Some of these jobs will require very little effort and others a bit more. As we finalize these many opportunities for you to get involved, pleaseconsider getting involved and look for a soon to be published list.

1-2-11: As we come back to school from Christmas break we begin this years cycle of negotiating. As was stated last year, this year could be more difficult than last year. Please attend your monthly ATA meetings to stay up to date as to our progress.

Welcome back to school. On the home front there are a number of issues that you should be aware of... 1) Three board positions will be open this fall and we need everyone to help get those elected that we decide are best fit for the job. Your site rep will keep you posted. 2) Last year we were able to negotiate a settlement that saved as many jobs as we could, but we knew that would make this year potentially a much more difficult year for layoffs. 3) Remember to keep up on developments as they happen and get reliable information from your leadership, never rely on hearsay. ATA meetings are always the first Monday of the month.

Today, May 24th, 2010, the ATA negotiaing team once again supported your views at the table. Unfortunately, the district once again felt that they needed to reexamine the negotiating parameters set out by the school board. What does this men to you? It means that we still have not reached an agreement satisfactory to all parties, but I'm happy to let you know that we continue to draw closer to an agreement. All parties will return to the table next Friday on June 4th.

In the meantime don't forget about sending everyone you know to [|www.savealpineschools.com] so they can lend a hand to help education.

Today, May 14th, 2010, the ATA negotiating team met to try and find a mutually agreeable solution to the current financial situation. It would appear that the board has heard the community and all of you who made your voice heard Wednesday night. Although no agreement has been found yet, we are much closer than we were before. Your ATA president hopes to be able to bring you an update on where the negotiations stand so that you can continue to give us your feedback on what is the best direction to pursue. Thank you to all of you who have shown support for each other and the ATA negotiators. This is a stressful time for all of us.

In the meantime, we hope that each of you seriously consider becoming part of the leadership team of ATA. No experience is necessary. You only need the desire to want to improve the working conditions for you and your co-workers. If you haven't yet received a ballot, look for one soon in your mailbox and consider running for an office or getting involved in one of the non-elected positions. We all have something to contribute.

Remember, the union is not a select group of people. All of us together are the union.

The following is a joint ATA/CSEA release to the Union Tribune in reaction to the October Alpine Union School District board meeting.

= On October 14, 2009 the Alpine Union School Board made decisions that will dramatically affect children with no cost to themselves. Included in the solvency plan was a proposal to cut school board members benefits at a savings of 33,000 a year. During the discussion the board voted to pull this provision out of the solvency plan. The following cuts were voted upon while the board mandated that their own benefits not be touched. These are the cuts that they voted on for others: Layoff/reduce the hours of 37 classified employees (1/3 third of the classified staff) immediately Layoff 4-8 teachers for 2010-11school year The State now mandates that districts maintain a reserve of 1% to stay solvent; this board wants a reserve of over 6%. Neither union believes the district should go to a reserve of 1% however these devastating layoffs/reductions included in the Solvency Plan could have been avoided while maintaining at least a 3% reserve in the 2011-2012 school year. Teacher and Classified unions have been bargaining in good faith with the district and have made concessions to help this district remain solvent including a taking 2% salary reduction across the board for 2009-2011. We continue to work together to find additional ways to save money. While both unions agree more concessions are necessary in these economic times these slash and burn layoff/reductions are unnecessary and devastating to the education and safety of our students. Although, deep cuts are made in teachers and classified the district office staff remains the same except for one reduction in secretarial support from 12 to 11 months. =