Teachers want clarity on district's financial state

Contract talks stall, head to mediation

By ISRAL DEBRUIN

Posted: Feb. 7, 2010 |(0) Comments

The Elmbrook teachers union and School Board are expected to begin mediation next month because 2009-11 contract talks have stalled over salary and benefits.

District financial projections predict a $3.2 million budget deficit for the 2010-11 school year. That forecast is confusing to teachers because Elmbrook ended the 2008-09 year with a $2 million surplus, said Debbie Boebel, co-chief negotiator for the Elmbrook Education Association.

"We're struggling - we're just looking for clarification - because at times it seems confusing to understand the district's position," she said.

That extra $2 million was added to the district's cash reserves, which currently stand at $23 million. The School Board budgets to add $500,000 to the reserve fund each year.

In addition, Elmbrook self-funds its insurance plan, meaning the district's health benefits generally cost less than those at other districts.

With these assets in mind, the union is seeking clarification about the district's general financial position, Boebel said.

"Those are the questions that we've put forth to the district," she said.

Surplus unusual, official says

It wouldn't make sense for the district to fund teacher pay with cash reserves, said Keith Brightman, assistant superintendent for finance and operations.

"We like to fund ongoing expenditures … with ongoing revenue sources," he said.

If Elmbrook dipped into its cash reserves to cover budget shortfalls, that money would be gone in five years, Brightman said.

While the self-funded health plan does save the district money some years, he said, those years are balanced by deficits in others.

In regards to the $2 million budget surplus in 2008-09:

"Last year's positive spread was unusual," Brightman said. "It's not a normal thing."

Mediation amenable to all

Both sides said they are interested in a compensation package that is fiscally responsible and believe that goal is attainable through a mutually agreeable, voluntary settlement.

Mediation is a healthy way to reach that settlement, said Christine Hedstrom, district assistant superintendent for human resources.

"We recognize that a lengthy labor dispute is not in the best interest of the students, teachers or the community," she said. "We believe that mediation of the negotiations for a successor contract assures continued labor peace and educational programming."

Boebel stressed that filing for mediation was a mutual decision.

"The decision to engage a mediator is a joint one between the teachers and district," she said. "We support the process to allow for a fair resolution to the contract negotiations. During this time, teachers and the district remain absolutely committed to our students' education."

Some agreements made

Negotiations began in September, when bargaining teams for the board and the union agreed to use a collaborative, interest-based bargaining method with a facilitator.

The teams have tentatively agreed on some issues, including the 2010-11 school calendar and a prescription drug benefit change expected to save the district $190,000.