Basic HTML Version
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
5
August 22, 2013
N
ORTHVILLE
- P
LYMOUTH
United Way new preventive campaign now under way
Members of the Northville
Board of Education ratified a two-
year contract with the Northville
Education Association (NEA) last
week at the regular meeting. The
union members ratified the agree-
ment during a contract ratification
meeting the same day.
The agreement, which covers
the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school
years, includes a continuation of
two unpaid furlough days. The
agreement partially restores wage
concessions taken by NEA mem-
bers in the previous two-year con-
tract. The contract also includes
changes in the district health care
plan, adoption of an extended time
model for teacher professional
development and collaborative
work and improvements in the new
teacher mentoring program. The
district maintains its self-insured
status for health care, according to
a prepared statement from the dis-
trict.
“Despite more than a decade of
challenging economic times,
Northville Public Schools has con-
tinued to offer outstanding educa-
tional experiences for all students
due in large part to the collective
efforts and sacrifice of our talented
teachers and staff at all levels,” said
Northville Board of Education
President Ken Roth. “As a result of
this shared sacrifice, the district's
financial position has improved
markedly over the past two years.
This agreement reflects a true col-
laboration, balancing the desire to
increase pay for employees who
accepted significant concessions
two year ago against the harsh real-
ity of flat and uncertain revenues
from the state and unpredictable
employee retirement costs.”
Under the agreement, eligible
teachers will receive a full step
wage increase in the first year of
the contract. Those not eligible for
a step will receive a 1 percent “off
schedule” wage increase in the first
year of the contract. In the second
year of the contract, those employ-
ees eligible for step raises will
receive a full step increase and
those not eligible for a step raise
will receive a 1 percent “off sched-
ule” wage increase if the district
General Fund Budget for the 2014-
15 school year projects a balance at
or exceeding 10.5 percent of budget.
If the district's projected General
Fund Balance falls below 10.5 per-
cent for 2014-15, step eligible teach-
ers will receive a half-step wage
increase and those not eligible for a
step raise will receive a 0.5 percent
“off schedule”wage increase.
All employees under the agree-
ment will also receive a $550
stipend each year of the contract to
offset the costs of classroom sup-
plies and other job related expens-
es.
In addition, under the contract,
future increases will be linked to
the
district
Performance
Evaluation System. Employees
who were rated as “Ineffective” in
2012-13 are not eligible for steps or
the 1 percent increase in 2013-14.
Any teacher who is rated less than
effective for two consecutive years
(2013-14 and 2014-15) will not be eli-
gible for any wage increases, steps,
or adjustments based on degree
status that may be provided going
forward to 2015-16.
The agreement with the teach-
ers' union allows employees to fin-
ish the balance of 2013 on their cur-
rent health care plan with
increased contributions. Effective
in January 2014, employees may
select from one of three Blue Cross
plans.
To view the entire Northville
Public Schools 2013-14 school year
calendar, visit the district website at
http://www.northville.k12.mi.us/nod
e/487.
“On behalf of the Board of
Education, I want express our sin-
cere appreciation to the entire
NEA membership for its continued
willingness to take action to help
protect the financial stability of our
district during these challenging
and unpredictable times for public
education,” Roth said. “Without
question, the willingness of the
NEA, and all of our employee
groups, to make the very difficult
concessions two years ago has
played a key role in improving the
district's financial standing. We are
pleased to be able to reach fair,
competitive and sustainable
employment agreements with all of
our employee groups that focus on
providing the best possible educa-
tional programs for our students.”
Plymouth Community United
Way (PCUW) began its 2013 cam-
paign to raise money for pro-
grams that focus on basic needs,
education and stability within
Plymouth, Canton and Western
WayneCounty today.
For the last several years,
PCUW has been busy providing
emergency food, rental and utility
assistance because of the down-
turn in the economy. In addition
to providing basic needs, this
year's contributions will help
PCUW pursue its new
Community Impact Initiative to
advance the common good and
improve the lives of all residents,
according to Campaign and
Community Relations Associate
LindaAnnChomin.
She said the initiative aims to
prevent problems rather than just
treat the symptoms.
"In an effort to address issues,
grants were awarded to organiza-
tions attempting to make lasting
change. Among the recipients
were
Plymouth-Canton
Community Schools (reading and
math summer academy for 300
elementary students and a Bridge
program to prepare 9th grade stu-
dents for success in high school),
and Wayne Metropolitan
Community Action Agency (ener-
gy education classes to help low-
income residents lower utility
costs)," Chomin noted in a written
statement.
Last year, besides funding serv-
ices such as food pantries, bus
transportation for seniors, hous-
ing for adults with developmental
disabilities, shelter for domestic
violence victims and their chil-
dren, grief counseling, and oppor-
tunities for youth to develop skills
and become valuable members of
the community, PCUW organized
Make a Difference days to clean
yards of senior citizens and peo-
plewith disabilities, and collected
new hats, scarves, mittens, gloves,
school supplies, and food for
those inneed, she added.
Donations can be made online
at www.plymouthunitedway.org or
to Plymouth Community United
Way, 960 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Suite
2, Plymouth, MI 48170. For infor-
mation about giving, contact
Chomin at (734) 453-6879, Ext. 5.
While online, visitors may also
take the Community Impact
Survey. Results of the survey will
be used to identify issues and
develop a vision for the future.
Surveys are also available at the
PCUWoffice.
Serving Plymouth, Canton and
WesternWayne County since 1944,
PlymouthCommunityUnitedWay
addresses human service needs
of individuals and families.
As a result of this shared sacrifice,
the district's financial position has
improved markedly over the past two years.
”
School board, teachers ratify new contract