Golf Tournament Scheduled

The annual DEA Golf Tournament has been scheduled for May 20. Details have been mailed to members. Click below for more information.

Tournament Details

"Works-4-Me" Weekly Newsletter

Utah resident and NEA Member Benefits employee, Sean Mabey, produces a weekly email newsletter called "Works-4-Me" which includes teaching tips and updates regarding NEA membership benefits.

Sample Newsletter - Click Here

If you would like to receive this weekly email, you can email Sean at smabey@neamb.com and ask to be added to his list for the "Works-4-Me" newsletter.

Retirement Updates

Although we are starting to get some detail about how the changes in purchasing years for retirement will be applied, it is still important that you contact the URS directly for details specific to your situation.

Here are the changes as we currently understand them:

• If you wish to purchase years, a request for an estimate should be made before July 1, 2010 to take advantage of current rules and pricing.
• The increased costs will be phased in beginning January 1, 2011, but the exact process and pricing is still be determined.
• Beginning July 1, 2010, rounding up of service years will be limited to those within 1/10 of a full year.

It is also important to note that because of the lateness of this window and the need to place transfers, there is no provision for rescinding the request for district retirement incentives.

Negotiations Update

Many of you have heard reports in the press of a $31 million shortfall in Davis School District. We have been reporting over $23 million in shortfall. Both are correct. The higher figure includes a shortfall of $8 million in capital outlay which we do not discuss in negotiations.

All of the changes reported Wednesday were administrative decisions and had not been negotiated. We believe some may need to be adjusted and will continue to work on that as negotiations continue Thursday and Friday. The process has moved rapidly this week but has not concluded. Building Reps will receive updates at the meetings on May 10 and 11. If major progress is made before that time, building reps will be notified.

You can read press accounts using the following links:

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14980367

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700028287/Davis-schools-facing-cuts.html

Please follow this blog for daily updates. Major developments will be reported to members on email.

Retirement Window Opened

The District and the DEA have agreed to open a window to accept additional applications for district retirement incentives. Anyone who has decided since the original deadline of March 1, 2009 that now is a good time to retire, can apply until May 14 at 4:30 PM. You must send a letter to the Human Resources Department indicating that you plan to retire at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.

You are also encouraged to contact the Utah Retirement System to inquire about their procedures including the purchasing of future years of retirement credit. The legislature passed legislation that will increase the purchasing cost in the near future. The rules are still unclear, so contact the URS for specific information regarding your situation.

As reported earlier, the incentives will remain in place for next year. DEA and the District felt there may be some who in these difficult times had changed their minds since the March 1 deadline passed. This option is for certificated staff who may be feeling the stress of current changes made to address budget shortfalls and have thought about retiring as changes have been announced.

Challenging Week for Negotiations Team

The negotiations team will be meeting with the district team four days this week in an attempt to move the process forward. In addition, the insurance committee will meet Wednesday morning to discuss potential changes to the insurance benefits and premiums to help balance the budget for next year. Recovering from the loss of over $23 million on top of last year's budget shortfalls is a major challenge to the district and to employees.

While education was treated better than other state agencies, we continue to hear that education was "held harmless" from politicians and the press. How can it be "harmless" when the State Board of Education once again authorized local school boards to consider eliminating up to five school days to help them balance local budgets. Although eliminating school days could help balance the budget, it would mean a loss of pay to employees on top of the two ongoing furlough days instituted last year. While our survey indicated teachers prefer cutting school days to other options, it is an additional loss of pay and would not cover the entire shortfall.

The Executive Board and the negotiations team continue to ask for clarification about other options available including administrative cuts and a tax increase.

UEA House of Delegates

On Saturday, April 24, delegates from throughout the state gathered to give direction to the UEA regarding the budget and other important issues facing the UEA. DEA was represented by about 40 teachers during the process. The DEA Executive Board met on Monday, April 19, to discuss the issues expected to come before the delegates and make decisions regarding positions to recommend during the caucus at 8:00 AM Saturday. UEA officers and staff will report to the delegates as a part of the activities of the day.