Unit 1Contract Clarifications

(Taken From Member Questions)

Individual Profile Sheets (Yellow) vs. 2002-03 SCSD Data Profile Information

If you identify a discrepancy in the information in these two documents do the following:
Remember that STA's data sheet is based on an information snap shot from October 2002. Degrees and additional hours earned and credited by the district after that point in time will NOT appear on the yellow sheet. The actual or "live" data for 2002-03 and 2003-04 will be used to compute your salary accurately. Mike Riposo and Lin Golash will continue to meet with the district staff to get us paid correctly.

Much of this will depend on the availability of accurate data from the district. It is hoped that the 2003-04 annual district profiles will be out in January for you to check for accuracy. Address any errors in that document to Randy Williams, Director of Personnel, in WRITING. Correction of that data should mean that our actual salary increases are computed correctly.

Salary Schedule- why a salary grid?

For years we have watched our county colleagues' salaries go up in a predictable and fair way. It was difficult to compare apples with apples unless we used state data to compare median salaries. Now, prospective and current employees can do this easily after the first year.

If you locate your years of service and columns of education and see a decrease take a deep breath and remember that the negotiating team would not agree to decreases. There are several adjustments or "fixes" that had to be applied to individuals in the first year to get you on grid with an increase. There are fewer the second year. There are none in years 3 and 4. "Fixes" become permanent for salary purposes. (Read the 10-page handout to see what the fixes are.)

Increases were figured INDIVIDUALLY to get everyone on the grid as fairly as possible. So, there are variances in the range and amount of increases over the four years. However, if you look at the bottom line figures you should receive the benefit of the ENTIRE contract within the life of the contract. Step increases will occur automatically, even if the contract expires without a successor agreement. The initial implementation of the grid will be complicated and STA will work closely with the district to be sure that everyone gets paid correctly.

Unit 4 members will be placed on the grid in column 1 on the earned yearly step.

There is a 30-year off-step longevity built into off grid raises in addition to the 4% added each year. Small adjustments to reflect the complete payment of stipend increases will be added to the 4th year salary
.
Inservice credit will be awarded to off-step members as usual.
National Bd. stipend will be $1000/year for each year of the certificate. ASHA and NBCC (counselors) will also be eligible for the same amount for each year of the certificate. You will be required to show proof of these certifications in order to receive stipends (which are not added to base). STA will sponsor a National Board Certification workshop sometime this year to help you get more information. In the meantime, read the latest issue of the NY Teacher to learn more.

Grad hours in excess of 90 earned before the last contract ratification do not count for salary credit. You must take new courses to move pay columns.

New Teacher Pay- why doesn't the starting salary increase in years 2, 3, and 4?

This rises slightly in the first year of the contract and then remains even. The second year salary increases quickly to reward members who stay with the district. It is hoped that using the predictability and fairness of the grid, new and veteran teachers will see the benefits in staying with the Syracuse City School District throughout their careers. The children will certainly benefit from a stable, experienced workforce.

Schedules B and D

If jobs are shared, so is the pay, e.g. two class advisors split one stipend. Apply for stipend eligibility according to procedures for other Schedule B jobs. Schedule D (coaches) increases are 4% for three years, 2003-06.

Retroactive Payments

The STA representatives and negotiating team discussed taking retro in installments to assist the district with its current cash-flow problem. The first retroactive payment will be for one-half of the 2002-03 raise to be paid 90 days after ratification (March 19, 2004). The second half for 2002-03 will be paid on or before August 31, 2004. Retro for July 1, 2003-January 30, 2004 will be paid on or before October 10th, 2004. The year 2 salary will be reflected in your February 27th paychecks. Coaching and Schedule B increases are retroactive to July 1, 2003 as are those groups who receive 11-month (or longer) contractual extensions of service. Other extensions of service are not retro. Additions to Schedule B are limited to those listed in the summary of changes.

The new hourly rates are as follows:
School Year Extension of Service $23.32
Summer Extension of Service $31.50
Curriculum Writing $29.35
Adult Education hourly rates are not changing, however, most adult ed teachers will move from hourly to Unit 1 salaries.
Current employees of the district, retirees and those members still on layoff who have not resigned will receive retro pay.

Graduate/Inservice Salary Credit (rows)

Credit amount remains at $240 for the life of the contract. Remember that the rates of increase applied in the past have had a permanent effect on the salary grid. It was constructed by putting everyone's salaries into a grid cell. The highest salary in each grid was one very important factor in determining the grid's value. The value is not lost going forward; it is an element in each cell forever.

Elementary Planning Time/Equalization of Elementary and Secondary School Day

A task force will be convened to research the elements needed to make this shift. The task force will be made up of elementary practitioners, a union officer and district administrative personnel. We must agree before any recommendations are forwarded to he superintendent or the board of education for action. Active member involvement is needed so begin thinking if you want to be on the task force.

All Unit Contracts

Health Care Coverage

New premium equivalents will be charged for the entire 2003-04 school year. The money will be deducted from one's retro. The co-pay and formulary drug changes will not go into effect until later this year. They will be changed in stages with the least complicated pieces being put into place first- e.g. premium changes will most probably be reflected in the first paycheck that reflects your new salary. We have not yet received a copy of Eckerd's formulary changes

Vision Care Clarification

The $150 amount is what the district will pay into the union's benefit trust beginning July
1, 2004. We, in turn, will administer the benefit. Family members will still be covered.
The benefit year for vision runs July1-June 30th. The benefit moves to every other year
beginning this current year. If you or your dependents have gotten or get glasses this
year you will not be eligible for another benefit until the July 1, 2005-06 benefit year.

Site Updated: 10.1.04

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