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Residents at the first overview meeting and community forum for the 2014-15 Lindenhurst school budget say after three years the district’s largest negotiating unit really hasn’t done anything to financially help the district as it continues to face reductions in programs and aid. A new school budget season has started, but old resentments surfaced again at the initial Lindenhurst Board of Education 2014-15 budget overview and community forum on Wednesday, February 12. It’s been three years, and one move toward mediation by the BOE in the past year, and still no new contract settlement has been reached between the BOE and TAL (teachers’ union), the district’s largest bargaining unit, despite the BOE continuing to remain “hopeful” and both sides noting they continue to talk. And this hasn’t gone unnoticed by Lindenhurst residents, with those at the meeting voicing their opinions. Healthcare Option John Lisi, president of the Daniel Street Civic Association, pointed to a new healthcare insurance plan he, fellow civic leader Denis Garbo and retired insurance executive Frank Pepe helped the district develop and put together for the district’s employees as an additional choice to their current contract choices. The educators currently have only the Empire Plan and a HIP Plan from which to choose. This new, less costly plan, had great coverage, Lisi said, and would be another option employees could choose. He said it would’ve also saved both the individual policy owner and the school district, significant money. To start realizing the savings in 2014-2015, Lisi noted, all the TAL leadership had to do was to formally approve its presentation to its members by December 31, 2013. An outside consultant’s group, put the first year estimated savings to the district at $500,000 minimum , according to Lisi, who also put the savings differential per employee at approximately.$ 400/year (individual plan) and $ 662/year (family plan) “As I understand it, it never got approved to be presented to the TAL membership by December 31, 2013” Lisi said, noting, as a result, both the employees and the district lost out on the possibility of the savings for at least another full year. District savings would have been approximately $ 2,262/employee (individual plan) and approximately $ 3,750/employee (family
TAL:
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plan) In contrast, Lisi said, “I understand that the clerical, administrative and custodial unions have all accepted it, and presented it as an alternative to their members.” He urged educators “to ask their leadership” why they weren’t presented with this savings alternative which would have benefited them, as well as helping the district preserve many educational programs for the children. More Frustration Another resident noted the president of TAL - John Mansfield, who was elected after former TAL president Rose Russo retired from teaching last June - was absent from the meeting.
“We’re the ones paying, and I’d love to know what’s been happening the last three years. I understand that if they truly took a zero or less, then many of the programs on the chopping block every year could be paid for,” the resident said. BOE President Donna Hochman said, “We’re always talking with TAL on a regular basis.” She also noted there isn’t a timeframe for reaching an agreement. In actuality the Triborough Amendment says when contracts for unionized public employees run out and new ones aren’t in place, employers can’t alter the terms and conditions of employment. As a result the teachers continue to receive step and lane increases as the union remains in negotiations with the BOE. The Lindy administration and BOE have questioned local legislators like Assemblyman Bob Sweeney and Senator Phil Boyle at the district’s annual Legislative Breakfasts about the amendment, like the one on Saturday, February 8. But it appears the legislative
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climate in Albany is not amenable to changing it anytime soon. However, the lack of timeframe to reach a settlement and the appearance by TAL to have not made an attempt to give anything back as the district and its residents have taken increasing financial hits in the last few years have left residents frustrated. “Three years is a long time,” said resident David Sirica. “If one concession - or give-back - was made, like so many other unions in other districts on Long Island have done, it would make a difference. But, correct me if I’m wrong, TAL hasn’t done anything.” Expenditure Increase Another resident, Maria Kalish, also
asked what comprised the expenditure increase of 2.81 percent, or just less than $4.1 million, from $145.7 million to $149.8 million, that Superintendent Richard Nathan outlined in the district’s initial 2014-15 budget overview earlier that night. “It’s the contractual increases - health insurance, TRS and ERS. Everything else is either flat or decreased,” Assistant Superintendent of Business Jackie Scrio said. And with a tax cap of 1.48 percent and ever-increasing TRS, ERS and healthcare benefit costs the district is obligated to pay - not to mention the district is still in negotiations with TAL, plus the aides and nurses - the district is, once again, faced with cutting programs. At-risk programs include full-day kindergarten, elementary instrumental music, fine arts electives, JROTC, home economics, technology electives, other secondary electives and athletics. When asked by residents what’s going through their minds at this initial budget presentation, Hochman answered, “Where
Schools
By Barbara Capella Loehr
am I going to find $2 million?” BOE Trustee Val McKenna said, “This is my third budget cycle, and it’s a sickening feeling, and it breaks your heart with all the children have to go through. We love Lindy. There are so many things we can’t touch, so it’s always those same programs we have to look at. But don’t think we’re not getting out the blackboard and nickel-and-diming everything.” “We go line by line - $3,000 for this and .85 per paper clip. We’re here to 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. It’s really difficult,” said Trustee Robert Vitiello. Vitiello, along with Lisi, were also disheartened by the very small turnout at the meeting. All hope for a better turnout at upcoming meetings. Upcoming Budget Workshops Nathan reminded everyone that this was an initial overview. “The Board of Education has a lot of work in terms of fleshing it out. Things like programs and personnel haven’t been decided yet.” Scrio added, “The board just received this year’s budget book right before this meeting.” The next budget meeting on Monday, March 10, focuses on special education, athletics, music and arts and building budgets. The Monday, March 31, meeting focuses on buildings and grounds, transportation, technology, personnel (instructional and non-instructional). The Wednesday, April 23, meeting is the finalization of the budget. At the Thursday, April 24, meeting the board holds a community forum and adopts the budget. All start at 7 p.m. at the McKenna Administration Building. Check www. lindenhurstschools.org for any changes in venue.
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