Facts About the District Jan 9. 2013 | Comments (0)

Stop Collecting Dues

District collection of union dues uses resources (the district seems unable to calculate the cost of this) and also blurs the line of separation between the district (employer) and Thompson Education Assoc. (union)

 Union President's Salary:

The current salary and benefits is $91,386 and the union gives TSD a cash reimbursement of $20,000.  This means that you and ultimately our kids are paying $71,386 for a teacher to not be in the classroom and instead advocate for the union.

 The TEA states that they do not have enough money to pay for a teacher to serve as president and yet for 2011 TEA collected $523,956 in membership dues  which is $43,663 per month!  TEA also for 2011 had payments to affiliates for a total of $461,436.

 Instead of sending 88% of dues to union affiliates, how about keeping the money in our community and pay the salary and benefits for their President?

 Open Union Negotiations

Behind closed doors discussions do not build trust and certainly do not build partnerships.  It is easy to rationalize "deals" when no one knows what is being done until after the fact.

 When the BOE voted on the budget for this last June - NO ONE knew what the salary details of the labor agreement were.

 The union agreed to the schedule of payments for the President's salary only IF raises are given  - any year that no raises are given the union will not reimburse any money to the district.  Did you know that Poudre School District has open negotiations?

 Open Budget Process

Every year the district sounds the alarm and says there is a budget deficit and yet every year the district spends LESS than what was budgeted!

 Since 2005 the district's actual expenses & actual revenues have generated a surplus of $33,214,013 and the district ended with a surplus of $2,511,121 for the year ending June 30, 2012

 State law requires that all districts consider AND answer taxpayers questions and concerns about the proposed budget and must do so until the budget is adopted.  This did not happen last year and the Board ignored many citizen concerns and questions.

 Other Facts for the district:

Student/Teacher Ratios

TSD student/teacher ratio is 18.02

Poudre student/teacher ratio is 17.31

St. Vrain student/teacher ratio is 18.35

 Average teacher’s Salary

$39,227 per contract year and does not include benefits - this is for 185 days

 $37,800 median income for Larimer County which is based on 260 days

 $55,130 is the annualized earnings for average teacher pay if 260 days per year

 False premise that compensation is tied to achievement

2011 TSD total per pupil spending is $10,103 and TSD has better results in student achievement then some of the highest per pupil spending in the nation. Some examples are: Washington DC: $29,409, New York City:$ 20,230, Los Angeles: $29,780, Chicago: $20,000. These districts have some of the worst graduation rates and student performance scores in the country. Money isn’t the problem.  

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