Pontiac administrators’ pay cut
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
By DIANA DILLABER MURRAY
Of The Oakland Press
Of The Oakland Press
Principals and other administrators in Pontiac schools have taken a 1 percent pay cut and a step down in their health insurance coverage in a new agreement ratified by the union.
The new contract for the 28-member Pontiac Association of School Administrators was approved by the Pontiac Board of Education Monday night. It expires in 2011.
Pam Farris, principal of Herrington Elementary School and president of the association, said the group wants to help the district succeed.
“We decided to give 1 percent in pay starting in January to June and 0.5 percent until the new fiscal year starting July 1,” Herrington said.
The administrators have also agreed to a change from MESSA Super Care health insurance to the MESSA coverage held by teachers, which is a less expensive version than administrators had in their last three-year contract that expired in 2007.
That means the administrators’ copays have increased from $5 to $10, $10 to $20, and $100 to $200.
Administrators who want to maintain their Super Care coverage can do so at their own expense and have the difference deducted from their paychecks. MESSA, a nonprofit organization, has provided health insurance coverage to public school employees for 50 years.
Superintendent Thomas Maridada II said last week that he is putting a priority on reaching concessions in employee health insurance that is costing the district $10 million this year and is expected to go up to $11 million next year. Each bargaining unit is being asked to select another insurance that is comparable but will cost the district less.
Pontiac schools must file a plan by Feb. 15 with state school Superintendent Mike Flanagan on steps to be taken to reduce the deficit and achieve a balanced budget within five years.
“We gave concessions because we wanted to be trailblazers,” Farris said. “We are the leaders. We are speaking every day for children. We feel as a unit we have to give something back in order to help this district become stable and help students be successful.
“We truly believe in this community and we believe in the schools and we want to be successful. The majority (of members) agreed to do it. It was the right thing and the right time,” Farris said.
The union had been at the bargaining table for two years trying to negotiate with several different administrative teams with no agreement.
“We came together and thought really hard about what we want, about how we can protect everyone from layoffs. It is a win-win situation,” she said.
Farris is hopeful that the district will turn around under current restructuring and redesign efforts.
“I think with the new administration, there’s a vision, a clear understanding what is needed in order to help children be successful,” she said.
Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.
The new contract for the 28-member Pontiac Association of School Administrators was approved by the Pontiac Board of Education Monday night. It expires in 2011.
Pam Farris, principal of Herrington Elementary School and president of the association, said the group wants to help the district succeed.
“We decided to give 1 percent in pay starting in January to June and 0.5 percent until the new fiscal year starting July 1,” Herrington said.
The administrators have also agreed to a change from MESSA Super Care health insurance to the MESSA coverage held by teachers, which is a less expensive version than administrators had in their last three-year contract that expired in 2007.
That means the administrators’ copays have increased from $5 to $10, $10 to $20, and $100 to $200.
Administrators who want to maintain their Super Care coverage can do so at their own expense and have the difference deducted from their paychecks. MESSA, a nonprofit organization, has provided health insurance coverage to public school employees for 50 years.
Superintendent Thomas Maridada II said last week that he is putting a priority on reaching concessions in employee health insurance that is costing the district $10 million this year and is expected to go up to $11 million next year. Each bargaining unit is being asked to select another insurance that is comparable but will cost the district less.
Pontiac schools must file a plan by Feb. 15 with state school Superintendent Mike Flanagan on steps to be taken to reduce the deficit and achieve a balanced budget within five years.
“We gave concessions because we wanted to be trailblazers,” Farris said. “We are the leaders. We are speaking every day for children. We feel as a unit we have to give something back in order to help this district become stable and help students be successful.
“We truly believe in this community and we believe in the schools and we want to be successful. The majority (of members) agreed to do it. It was the right thing and the right time,” Farris said.
The union had been at the bargaining table for two years trying to negotiate with several different administrative teams with no agreement.
“We came together and thought really hard about what we want, about how we can protect everyone from layoffs. It is a win-win situation,” she said.
Farris is hopeful that the district will turn around under current restructuring and redesign efforts.
“I think with the new administration, there’s a vision, a clear understanding what is needed in order to help children be successful,” she said.
Contact staff writer Diana Dillaber Murray at (248) 745-4638 or diana.dillaber@oakpress.com.
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