Board of Education Responds

Home

Board of Education

Written by Eileen Lee

On November 25, 2009, Board Chairperson Kathleen Donovan received a proposal from the Naugatuck Teachers' League (NTL) for concessions. (See attached copy, "an MOA between the Naugatuck Teachers' League and the Naugatuck Board of Education.) The Board thanks the NTL for re-considering the Board's earlier proposal for contract concessions, and looks forward to working together in the interests of our students and community.

BOARD OF EDUCATION RESPONSE TO

NTL PROPOSAL

NOVEMBER 30, 2009

1. Effective January 1, 2010, the teachers' current PPO health insurance plan is replaced with an alternative Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) plan as described by the Board's insurance consultant (see attached materials), with an associated premium cost share that remains the same as the current percentage, and the PPO and alternative Health Savings Account plans are eliminated from the contract. The teachers share in the reduced cost of this plan through reduced premium cost share dollars. In addition, by January 1, 2010 (sooner if practical), the Board will add all state mandated health benefits (applicable to fully insured plans) in its employee health plan. This proposal for a new insurance plan will be made to all bargaining groups and contracted employees, and will be required of all non-contractual employees. Associated savings = $892,489.

2. The NTL has offered three (3) days less work in 2009-2010, for three (3) days less pay. The Board accepts the NTL offer and invites discussion on how the selection of furlough days can minimally impact student instruction. In essence, the impact to the teachers of the Board's proposal would be a reduction of their general wage increase for 2009-2010 from 3.25% to 1.64%. Associated savings = $475,828.

3. Seven hours of After School Common Planning Time was added to the teachers' work time beginning 2009-2010 as a result of recent contract negotiations. The state requires this common planning time to be performed by teachers, and the purpose of moving as much of it as practical to after school hours was to free up time during the school days for student instruction. The NTL has accepted the Board's offer to delay implementation of this additional work requirement for a year (until the 2010-2011 school year), and to reduce their annual salary accordingly. Associated savings = $105,000.

4. The Board would be willing to provide a sick bank program to teachers in exchange for the concessions asked for, subject to certain restrictions such as the following:

The program would be managed by a committee of two (2) teachers, two (2) administrators and two (2) board of education members appointed by their respective groups.
Each teacher may donate up to one (1) sick leave day in January 2010 and July 2010, to a maximum of 250 days. No donations can be made after July 2010.
Beginning January 1, 2010, eligible bargaining unit members could apply to the Committee for a draw of sick leave days from the bank for reasons that qualify under the terms of the bank. The bank terminates when all days in the bank are drawn.
The maximum draw of sick days from the bank is 93 days for fiscal year 2009-10; 186 days per fiscal year thereafter.
Other terms and conditions of the bank would be set by the Committee when the bank is established.

This sick bank program is for this concession package only and does not constitute bargaining history nor does it set precedent. Either party would have the opportunity, as always, to propose a long-term employee disability plan (managed by a third party) during the next contract negotiations, the cost of which would be considered with other contract costs. Associated cost = $9300 for 2009-10.

5. The Board agrees to cancel spring parent conferences.

6. The Board will agree to negotiate an early retirement incentive plan with mutually agreeable terms as soon as practical.

7. If concessions are agreed to by all bargaining groups, the Board anticipates that layoffs in 2009-2010 would be avoided. The Board does not intend to ask for further concessions of the NTL during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, and will make a good faith effort to avoid having to do so. However, because the Board's budget is subject to allocation of dollars from the Borough and its residents, any certainty is beyond the Board's control.

8. The Board cannot and will not negotiate with any labor group over the voluntary resignation of any administrator.

This is a package response to the NTL's package proposal.

Supporting Documentation