A. Grading/Planning Day

Monday, October 31, is scheduled as the first grading/planning day of the year. As you know, three days are set aside in each school year for the purpose of grading and planning. The days are not exclusively for grading, and as such, administration may establish certain planning activities for the staff on half of the day. The PGCEA President and I have met with the Superintendent to indicate our support for allowing our unit members to work from home on this day as opposed to being required to report to their duty stations. As PGCEA has indicated to a number of members who inquired about the use of October 21 as an instructional day as opposed to the grading day, our intent all along was to protect the grading days so that they would be available as work-from-home days.

Members have indicated to us in a number of ways that they see this measure as a benefit, and so we have tried to make sure we could protect it. When we did this a couple of years ago for the first time, we were the only district in the State that did so, and since that time, one or two others have attempted to add it to their calendar year.

PGCEA received final approval today that October 31 will be a grade-from-home day.

As we have indicated in the past, a critical component to being able to continue the use of a grading day at home is the ability of members to get their grades in on time by the close of business. If given the opportunity and the required grades are not entered into the system, then the Association’s arguments in support of doing it this way will not stand up to the concerns that management has about granting use of these days in this manner. We have to get that done!

B. FY 2013 Budget

While it hardly seems possible, the next budget cycle has already started, and we are once again locked into what will be a long, drawn-out process for the district. The Superintendent is in the process of hosting his public budget hearing at which the community, parents and others can come out and speak to the budget priorities that they believe are important for the next budget. The next public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25 at 7 p.m. at the Sasscer Administration Building in Upper Marlboro. Members of the PGCEA Board of Directors plan to attend that meeting and indicate their support for our membership and unlocking the wage freeze that currently exists in the County.

As we have indicated in the past, these hearings are just step one in the process. From this the Superintendent will hold budget meetings with the unions to discuss the budget, and take specific recommendations and opinions from labor on the development of the budget. Once we move into January, the public hearings will begin before the members of the school board, and that is the time that member participation is encouraged and needed in the process.

At the same time, we are dealing with the local budget—we have got to keep an eye on the State. The State has responded to the budget crisis for the past few years by dramatically reducing government spending. Since 2008, the State has cut $5 billion. The cuts had affected health services, education at all levels, roads and nearly every public function. We have lost the Federal Recovery Act funding that provided for more than $2.9 billion over three years to prop up the State and County governments. The State also made transfers from the Rainy Day Fund of $2 billion over the past four years. I say all of this to point out that neither the State nor the Counties will be able to ultimately cut their way out of the current fiscal crisis that exists. In order to continue public service, including funding schools, there also must be new or enhanced revenues put on the table. And we must be willing to support some of those revenue measures if our public schools are going to survive.

C. Special Session

Last week, the General Assembly held a special session. One of the primary reasons for the session was to review and act on the Governor’s proposed congressional redistricting map which amended eight congressional districts for the State. In all, about 30% of Marylanders are drawn into a new district based on the changes. The Governor also laid the groundwork for what he is calling a “balanced approach” for jobs and revenues for the 2012 sessions. It looks like his administration will propose a gas tax increase to fund infrastructure projects and create jobs for Maryland. The Governor also hinted at other proposals that would ask Marylanders to pay “another penny or another nickel or dime” in order to protect shared priorities and make modern investments in the State.

Key to our survival, the topic of MOE was discussed last week. Unfortunately, changes slipped into last-minute budget bills over the past two sessions have had unintended consequences and have caused the rebasing of MOE for the purpose of local funding. If what we have seen projected by some departments is true, funding lost as a result of this rebasing will devastate some school systems. In fact, some figures show that in Prince George’s County, we could lose $190 million in foundation funding.

D. Benefits Updates

There are a couple of changes in the benefit structure that you should be aware of with the new plan year. With the CVS/Caremark prescription drug plan, you can now choose to receive your 90-day or maintenance supply by mail or pick it up at your local CVS Pharmacy. Check with your pharmacist to update your prescription information if you want to take advantage of this change. You should also be aware that acupuncture services are also now available as part of the CareFirst package. If you go through the HMO plan, you will need to get a referral from the primary care physician. If you go through the PPO design, you will be responsible for paying the covered expenses until your deductible is met.

PGCPS and all the employee unions will be working through a review process for bidding out all of the benefit plans again this year, as most, if not all, contracts are due to expire next summer. The first one up for discussion is the dental program that has not been out for bid in many years, and all parties are in agreement that it is in the most need of adjustments to meet current service demands.