Avery, CA…On Wednesday evening the VUSD board meeting was filled to overflowing. The VUSD classified employees are seeking to receive what they perceive as a long overdue pay raise and also the recognition of their contributions to the VUSD Students. Enclosed on the second page is the entire letter that was submitted to the board and read at the meeting. Also at the meeting Board Chair Ralph Emerson addressed the disruption that was caused by one of the board members before the Easter break at Michelson Elementary. In light of this the VUSD board is working on potential policy changes that would bar anyone with two or more complaints against them including board members from visiting any of the campuses.

Currently the Principal at each school already have the power to block or remove anyone whom they deem detrimental to the education environment from the school. The proposed language would simply codify and reinforce that the rules apply to anyone including VUSD Board members when necessary.

Also at the meeting representatives from a new non-profit affiliated with the Calaveras Humane Society are seeking two of the portables located on the Hazel Fisher Campus for use as part of the Animal Services Complex in San Andreas.

Representatives from the Blue Lake Springs Water Company also presented a request to work with the district to drill a pilot well on the Hazel Fisher Campus to possibly provide additional supply for their district. Video and photos of the night are above and the CSEA address is below….

CSEA Chapter 748 address to the Board of Directors
April 23, 2014

The classified staff has been asked on many occasions if there was a morale issue. CSEA have been hesitant to answer hoping this year it would be different. The district has new leadership and with that, we had hopes that we would finally be rewarded with a fair pay increase and to matching our benefit pay to the rest of the district. After the best last offer was printed in the Monday Missive, I can now answer, yes there is a feeling of un-appreciation.

The classified staff is the district support staff. Let me define support,   “bear all or part of the weight of; hold up” or “give assistance to”.  With that referenced, let’s count of a few of the many support staff duties at VUSD. We are the first smile the students see in the morning as well as the last in the afternoon. We carefully maintain and drive our busses so our precious cargo will be delivered to and from school in a safe manner. We bandage ouches, soothe hurt feelings, prepare and serve our food, maintain the school so it is safe and clean for our kidos, we are here to help when the student does not have the answer. We are keepers of the attendance; we make the call home if not at school. We provide support in looking for that special book, that special word for an essay, and pay special attention to some in need of a one to one aide. Classified staff keep equipment running, ensure teachers and students have technology available, and clean up unpleasant messes nobody wants to clean up. We come to school daily with a passion in our hearts; we are here for the students, and parents as well as the entire admin and teaching staff on site. We come with a willingness to work closely with our students and staff. We ask that you respect our positions for the important value they are. We are the foundation that holds up the organization without us VUSD would not be the great learning institution that it is.

As long time employees of VUSD and members of the in the classified unit, we see a large disconnect between the district and classified. Let me say, the offer set forth by the district is not only insulting but also degrading. In the past 6 years while the district has been under financial hardship, declining enrollment and budgetary difficulties, CSEA has not asked for any type of wage or benefit increase. With that said, the district has been able to compile a large 22-24% reserve while the state only requires a 3% reserve for school districts. While we commend Gretchen for building up a large nest egg to ensure the district remains solvent for the future. It would be great if the district would see fit to reward their lowest paid employees with a ongoing increase to their salary schedule. Our salary schedule is among the lowest of the surrounding counties. Our CSEA members deserve to be paid at a competitive living wage as are all other staff in our district.

Speaking of living, medical costs are up for everyone. We are part of the “everyone” what does it take for the district to see us as the equals they say we are. We are aware some classified do not receive insurance benefits, but the long time staff that do should be afforded the same as all other members of the district. Medical expenses are the same for administration, certificated, confidential, board members and classified staff. As the lowest paid group, the costs hit us with even more difficulty. I would think the district would prefer us to be healthy and performing at 100% rather than be ill at work. The district promotes a clean, healthy and safe environment for the students, due to the high costs of medical care; we cannot afford to visit the doctor for the sniffles.

The committed classified staff works just as hard, cares the same amount and enjoys our work just as much as the rest of the staff. We too, take our work home with us, work extra time and give 110%. We would like to be given the same consideration in when it comes to compensation? Were all on the same team, why are we not treated as equal members of the said team?

I have to wonder why when CSEA is negotiating it is such a difficult process. The other units that negotiate seem to go so smoothly and settle relatively quickly. Could this be due the fact that the other units and classifications benefit from the other unit negotiations? Is this why the district is so willing to come to a quick agreement? Everyone benefits except CSEA. Is that teamwork? Team players do not leave their fellow members on the sidelines.

The last offer from the district in negotiations that was included in the missive is not only insulting to the CSEA group it has further dropped
the morale of the employees. We are worth so much more than a 3.18% one time bonus for the last 6 years. The district has offered a 1% raise to the salary schedule. That is 1 penny on the dollar. With our already low wages 1 cent per dollar will not even fill a gas tank on a monthly basis. The benefit package increase for all other staff was not taken out of their total compensation package, as you are offering to us. We are worth so much more than that.

As this letter is written we are aware there are many CSEA members that feel the same way and some who are afraid to speak up for fear of losing precious minutes of time. I wonder how the tax payers would react if they were aware of the unfair pay scale, benefit inequity and one time bonus offer put forth by the district? The taxpayers should know that while all other employees and board members have received an increase to their wages and or benefit package or both this year, CSEA has had to file impasse to receive a fair increase to our salary schedule and be brought up to equal benefit package. We are tired of being afraid. The district needs to recognize us as the valued team members, educators and dedicated hard workers that we are.
Enough is enough, we ask that you treat us as the equal team members you tell the staff and tax payers we are…no more sitting on the sidelines…

Thank you,
Chapter 748 Members