Hello everyone. The current budget negotiations between the teachers and the Cambrian District are at a standstill. The Cambrian District Teachers Association put together a letter to request the help of parents to support their negotiation efforts. Here is some background information about the current budget situation:

Current total deficit for the entire district is about $3.5 million

The district used one-time $1 million in federal stimulus money to offset the deficit next year, leaving a $2.5 million deficit

Teacher salaries (certificated staff) are 71% of the salaries in the district

The district wants teachers to take 71% of the $2.5 million deficit, or $1.8 million 

The remaining $700K in cuts are expected from other sources, including district/managerial staff and classified staff

The district has $10 milliion in reserves in the bank right now

Next year, the district  will have additional $1 million to spend in reserves or in cuts because of one-time (Federal) Stimulus money being used this year 

One way to support the teachers, is to sign this online petition to ask the Cambrian Board to concede $250,000 from reserves to meet a current shortfall in negotiations in support of the teachers.

If you would like to participate, please sign this electronic petition.

Below is a copy of the letter put together by the Cambrian District Teachers Association:

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Cambrian District Teachers Association

May 18, 2010

Dear Parents,

The Cambrian children need your help to maintain the quality in our schools. The Teachers Association and the District are at a crossroads in their contract negotiations. They are $250,000 from reaching an agreement. Your input will help save 10.8 positions (teachers) and hold elementary k-3 class sizes to no greater than 24.5 to 1.

Currently, the district is deficit spending about $2.5 million this year. The district will be "qualified" (in danger of not meeting the mandated reserves) in 2012-13. If it continues with the current staffing and expenditures. Teacher salaries make up 71% of the salaries in the district. The district wants teachers to take 71% of the $2.5 million deficit, or $1.8 million, in furlough and salary concessions. The district as of 1/31/10 has projected reserves of $10 million (A $4 million ending balance and $6 million total in 3 other reserve accounts). 2011-2012 they will have $1 million less because of one-time (Federal) Stimulus money.  

CDTA has proposed concessions totalling   $1,450,000

Cambrian concessions of about                    100,000

Shortfall between two proposals                  (250,000)

The teachers have offered to take these reductions for a period of two years. They also offered vigorous support for a November Parcel Tax similar to the one passed by Union School District.

It is understood that if the District concedes this $250,000, they would still be deficit spending but at a significantly lower rate and would be able to retain the CSR (student ratio) at 24.5:1 at the K-3 grade levels. We need your support.  

There are three ways you can get involved to support our children:

1. Contact your board members and tell them that you want them to authorize their negotiating team to concede $250,000 and support the teachers. The board members' emails are listed below.

2. Attend the May 25, 2010 board meetingto show your support. It would also be great if parents would be willing to speak to the board members about the importance of bringing back these teachers for the students' benefit. (The process below would be superceded by signing this electronic petition)

3. Sign an electronic petition with your name, your child's name, and school. In the subject box put "Cambrian Electronic Petition" then forward to romietucker@ yahoo.com (Sartorette Parent).

Thank you for your time and support.

Cambrian Teachers

Board Members Contact Information:

Gary Chronert - chronertg@cambrian. k12.ca.us

Sue Pyne - pynes@cambrian. k12.ca.us

Karen Chung - chungk@cambrian. k12.ca.us

Alan N. Baker - bakera@cambrian. k12.ca.us

Donald Rocha - rochad@cambrian. k12.ca.us

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