UPDATE ON FEDERAL JOBS FUND
The federal jobs fund has been signed into law. This was largely due to tens of thousands of union members who called, emailed, and wrote letters to their lawmakers. NEA, CTA, and TALB worked very hard to pass this legislation. Many thanks to the many TALB members who responded to our requests to write, call and email.
At this writing we do not yet know what the impact of this one-time funding will be for Long Beach. There are a number of requirements the State must meet before local school districts are able to access the funds. It is impossible to predict at this time when the LBUSD might get this funding, as it is partially dependent on the State enacting a budget or other legislative action to authorize the spending. It will not be a surprise if the funding is tangled up in the messy politics of the unresolved state budget. The Governor has 30 days to submit an application for the funds.
Once it is all worked out California should receive about $1.2 billion dollars to save jobs. The state will need to select one of two funding formulas, either by ADA or by Title 1 allocation. Local school districts will then make decisions regarding expenditures. The law calls for the funds to be used to rehire teachers who have been laid off or presumably prevent layoffs for the following year.
For more information, please click here to read an NEA “FAQ” on the Jobs Fund.
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Update on Layoffs & Displacements
LAYOFFS: The District proceeded with layoffs in July. The District then reduced the number of TALB members receiving a layoff by 200, in order to comply with the recent contract agreement. Since then, TALB has had a number of follow-up calls and correspondence with the District regarding both the application of the restoration of the 200 jobs and the Administrative Law Judge’s decision. TALB advocacy during layoff hearings resulted in several saved jobs and changes in seniority dates, due to District errors in applying the Education Code. In addition, follow-up on individual situations has resulted in restoration of additional jobs. It is likely that more jobs will be restored at the conclusion of the displacement process. TALB is also continuing to hold small group informational meetings to assist members who received a layoff notice. TALB has posted all information concerning the layoffs here, including the Administrative Law Judge’s decision and requested data from the district concerning restoration of jobs. TALB members still laid off are encouraged to remain TALB members (at a reduced dues rate) so we can provide legal representation concerning job restoration, if needed; and so you can maintain any CTA sponsored insurance.
DISPLACEMENTS: Approximately 120 TALB bargaining unit members were displaced this summer. The displacements were almost evenly split between secondary and elementary. At this writing there are approximately 19 TALB bargaining unit members who have not yet been placed.
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Race to the Top
At this writing, we do not know if Long Beach will be participating in the Race to the Top grant. The District has applied, but the “winners” have not been selected. The program and TALB’s concerns were well-documented in prior editions of the UPDATE. Many TALB members emailed their concerns to the School Board.
School Board member David Barton played an instrumental role in convincing the rest of the Board to slow the process down to allow for more public input and review. After two delays, the School Board voted 4 – 1 in favor of proceeding with the Race to the Top application. Board members McGinnis, Meyer, Williams, and Stanton supported proceeding with the grant. Board member Barton voted against proceeding with the grant, stating his concerns that the grant called for merit pay and evaluations based on test scores.
If the District is awarded a grant to participate in Race to the Top we will then find out what the impact is on our classrooms and working conditions. One value in the delayed vote was that it led to much more School Board discussion on the grant; during that discussion the Superintendent asserted that the contractually negotiated evaluation language would not require change. He also said that there would not be merit pay based on test scores. Instead, schools that “performed” well would be entitled to additional resources (he used copy machines, as an example).
If LBUSD does get the grant, we will keep you informed on any resulting issues that develop.
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6th ANNUAL TALB FAMILY PICNIC
Mark your calendar! Saturday, October 9, from 10am – 2pm is the TALB FAMILY PICNIC. All TALB members, retirees, and families are invited. A special invitation goes out to our colleagues who have not yet been recalled from layoff. This year, teachers from LBCC, CSULB, UTLA and Inglewood will also be joining us in a day of fun, food, and solidarity.
There is no cost. We will BBQ hot dogs. We will have pony rides. We will have a clown, face painting, games, and music. RSVP to Vonnie Marino by Friday October 1st by calling 562-426-6433 or email vmarino@talb.org.
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