White Plains CitizeNetReporter - Teachers Negotiations to Start After 08-09 Budget Decided

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. Plus School Board Report From Michele Schoenfeld, Board of Education. (Edited) September 20, 2007: Discussing goals for the school year, Superintendent of Schools Connors said they include moving the capital project forward, proceeding with Strategic Planning, conducting an effective budget process for 2008-2009 (budget is now $174.1 Million), completing negotiations with the Administrators & Supervisors Association, and beginning negotiations with the Teachers Association in the spring.

Timothy Connors, Superintendent of Schools, June 2006

WPCNR, in view of the budget pressures on the district, which at its average 7% a year increase will go over the $200 Million level by 2010-2011 talked to Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors about why, if negotiations with the teachers will be a big part of the budget this year they will not negotiate earlier:

WPCNR: Why wouldn’t you begin 2008-2009 teacher negotiations earlier this year?

Superintendent Connors: I said that as one of the things we were going to be doing during the course of this year in the spring. We extended the contract for this year and we’ll try and come to a new three year agreement.

WPCNR: Would you know what you would expect to settle for before you prepare the 2008-2009 budget (which has to be passed in May).

Superintendent: No, obviously we have to go in good faith in terms of negotiations. As we look at the budget we’ll plan for, but it’s too early to be thinking about them right now.

WPCNR: Why wouldn’t you be thinking about it (what the teachers want and are willing to do) (and talking about it) right now?

Superintendent: One of the things that all school districts do is we look at what’s out there in terms of the market, what are the settlements going to be in at, what is our situation and work with the schools and the teachers to come to an agreement that’s going to move us forward. Not that we don’t think about it, we certainly know what the market is, but things change over time, so it would be premature for me to quote any figures. Certainly we’ll be ready to budget the program out and enter into negotiations in the spring.

WPCNR: Would you be looking for more benefit givebacks?

Superintendent: You answer your own questions. The issues that always are part of our discussions will be salaries and benefits. If you watch what’s going across the state and the country those are the big items in negotiations.

WPCNR: Will you convene the Annual Budget Committee earlier this year?

Superintendent: No, we always get started sometime in late January sometime after January will be our first meeting with them.

WPCNR: Wouldn’t it be to your advantage to have them (the ABC Committee) start with their concerns now instead of being presented with a budget that you think you want?

Superintendent: Unfortunately if we start the budget process very early and there’s a lot of unknowns from the state and all of those things. I think the timetable we have is fine.

WPCNR: Of course there’s always some variables from the state, but there’s nothing variable about the budget right now, as far as expenses. Why wouldn’t you be looking harder at expenses now with the community?You had a good budget this year (in terms of inflation)…

Superintendent: We’ve had a good budget for the five years I’ve been here. We’re going to have another good one in the coming year. We work hard to plan appropriately. We review where we are and we watch our expenditures, and by letting some time pass during this fiscal year we’re better able to analyze where we are, and what are needs are and I think between the Board, Mr. Seiler and myself we’ll be ready to move forward with the budget process internally first then going to the ABC Committee on pretty much the same timetable as in the past.

(Editor's Note, Mr. Connors' first school budget he supervised was the 2003-2004 budget which stood at $134.6 Million. The 2007-2008 Budget is $174.1 Million. The budget increases in each of the five years on Mr. Connors' watch have been 6.08%; 6.82%, 7.6%, 7.2% and 4.4% this year. The tax increases have been 6.89%, 7.53%,9.36%,8.12% and 6.95% )

WPCNR: Would you anticipate since the city is seeking $10 Million in new sales tax, asking the city for a piece of that?

Superintendent (amused): Do you have coffee in the morning and ask these old questions you know the answers too? We look at our budget process in terms of revenues. That comes up every year with the Budget Committee. Those things are pretty clearly defined. The city gets those revenues one way or another. The taxpayers are going to paying an amount out. We’re looking at our revenues that we have and the city does it with the revenue they have?

WPCNR: Was that a No?

Superintendent: You’re running down an old street that isn’t worth my addressing at this time. We’re looking at next year’s budget. We’re going to get a handle on this year’s budget. Take advantage of the good takeoff we’ve had with the schools at this time. As always we’ll be ready to work with the board and the ABC Committee to put together the best budget we can.

Michele Schoenfeld, reporting in the monthly BOARD REPORTS also brings us this school news:

Connors announced that, as part of planned audits of school districts by the State Comptroller’s Office stemming from irregularities in other districts, officials will come in later this month to begin work. Mr. Connors said the district continually receives awards for its financial reporting and welcomes the opportunity to have our procedures reviewed.

Although funding from the State’s “Contract for Excellence” has been postponed several times, the district expects to use this money to begin a full-day Prekindergarten class for at-risk students in November.

High School & Post Road School Capital Project

In an update on the capital project, Assistant Superintendent for Business Fred Seiler said roofing at the High School is complete, field work continues -- on schedule and under budget, and site work for Post Road School has been approved by the State Education Department. Mr. Seiler and Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services Anne Lillis have also been working to insure that building Safety Teams are functioning well.

School Conference Day-- 58 New Teachers

Mr. Connors reported on a very informative opening conference day for staff and an excellent start for students. Dr. Margaret Dwyer discussed her Curriculum & Instruction presentation and said the focus at the elementary level this year will be on early literacy and use of the data warehouse and mentoring to inform instruction. Work in differentiated instruction will continue at the secondary level.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Lenora Boehlert noted the addition of 58 new teachers who received four days of very focused training prior to school opening. Included was a tour of White Plains with complimentary lunch provided at Outback Steakhouse.

Hall of Fame Nominees

HALL OF FAME: High School Principal Ivan Toper announced the selection of four alumni to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on November 13^th. They are: Harry J. Russell, ’49, social services and mental health administrator; Josephine Falcone, ’55, White Plains community and civic leader; Jane Pincus, ’55, women’s movement activist and author; and Dr. Joseph Antin, ’70, internationally known hematologist and pioneer in bone marrow transplant research. Mr. Toper also introduced Teacher Michael Roma, who is coordinating the program this year.

China Exchange Students

Mr. Connors mentioned that the excitement is building over the arrival on September 28^th of the exchange students from China. They will stay with host families and attend White Plains High School through October 4^th.


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