VOL. 48 — NO. 5 January 2010POSTMASTER: All forms 3579 are to be forwarded to Detroit Federation of Teachers, 2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202

See PRESIDENT on Page 6

DFT Ratifies 3-Year ContractWith feelings ranging from

angry to realistic, the DFTmembership ratified the

2009-2012 contract Dec. 18 by a 64percent yes vote. The tally was 3,578 to2,031.The contract represents a historic

moment for the DFT. It puts in placemajor union-driven reforms and is castas the most progressive teacher contractin Michigan. It held the line on teacher salaries

when other districts are seeking cuts.But it includes a $250 per check deduc-tion over 40 pay periods that membersmay cash out upon retirement or resig-nation.

The day after a Dec. 6 informationalmeeting at Cobo Hall, the teachers

lounge at Webster Elementary Schoollit up with discussion about the con-tract.“I’m not really happy,” said third-

grade bilingual teacher Jesus Pena.”What I don’t see in the contract isjustice for what we do in the class-room. I speak, write and read Spanish.I had to get 21 credit hours for that. Ifit was so easy to teach, everyonewould want to come into the class-room.”But Pena says he likely would vote

for the contract because he didn’t want1,500 people to lose their jobs.“You have to look at the whole pic-

ture,” Pena said. “If you look at it froma positive way and compare yourselfwith what’s going on around you andin Detroit, we’re blessed.”Several Webster teachers said they

disagreed with critics of the negotiatingteam, who are leading a recall of theunion leadership.“I’m for the contract,” said teacher

June Price. “I feel we have a very pro-fessional bargaining team that got usthe best contract.”Several members said the Cobo

meeting was usurped by no voterswhile other members had questionsabout changes in insurance coverageand other specifics of the contract.

“My feelings are Chrysler and GMfiled for bankruptcy,” Price said. “Theirbudget was more than ours to beginwith. DFT members can not expectnothing to happen.”“We all have to tighten our belts,”

said kindergarten teacher GabriellePatterson. “Maybe you can’t go out todinner four nights a week.”Several Webster members said

those contesting the ratification andleading the recall effort did not repre-

In the teachers lounge at Webster Elementary School, teachers (aboveand left) discussed the new contract.

sent their views.The DFT Election Committee,

which is elected by the membership,certified the vote at 1 a.m. Dec. 19. Ittook more than seven hours to re-countthe ballots, which had been calculatedearlier in each school by a buildingrepresentative and a union committeemember. The election was the sameprocess followed for 40 years, con-ducted in the open, and under observa-tion by the membership.

Thoughts on theRatification and RecallBy Keith Johnson, DFT President

Iwant to express my appreciationto DFT members for the ratifica-tion of the 2009-2012 Collective

Bargaining Agreement between theDFT and the School District of theCity of Detroit. This appreciation istempered by the fact that none of us,including me, are happy with some ofthe contents of this agreement, partic-ularly the financial aspect and theimpact upon our members.

The district’s perpetual fiscal mis-management put the district and theDFT into a position where hard andunpleasant decisions had to be made,decisions that were critical to the sur-vival of both the Union and theschool district. As president of the DFT, I have the

ultimate responsibility for the deci-sions that are made during negotia-tions and how they will affect ourmembership. However I am not a oneman show. I was fortunate to have an

outstanding bargaining team that Iheavily relied upon to come to theconclusions we reached. Executive Vice-President Mark

O’Keefe’s experience as a CPA, chieffinancial officer, auditor and con-troller made him an invaluable assetin understanding the corporate/busi-ness approach in determining whatoptions the district could possiblyexercise to eliminate a cumulativedeficit of $400 million. Mark wasable to digest, dissect and analyze dis-trict financial reports and help to for-mulate strategies to minimize thedirect impact upon our memberswhile addressing the budget crisis. Financial Analyst Patrick Falcusan,

who knows the district’s financial his-tory and budget better than anyone

else I know, collaborated with Markto determine how we could operatewithin the district’s fiscal reality andfind cost-saving measures that wouldallow us to maintain many of the ben-efits that have been earned through 42years of collective bargaining whileallowing the district to reduce itsdirect spending. Their combined efforts to avoid any

negative impact on paychecks includ-ed a plan to have a large percentageof our salaries categorized as bonuses.This would have saved the districttens of millions of dollars in retire-ment fund contributions, but after sev-eral trips to Lansing, this plan crashedand burned. What resulted is the

DFT President Keith Johnson and Executive Vice President Mark O’Keefediscuss the new contract at a December 19 press conference.

People throughout Detroit wereangry, frustrated and embar-rassed when the results of the

National Assessment of EducationalProgress (NAEP) were released onDec. 8 and rightfully so. However, theanger is misplaced and so is the bulkof the responsibility.

While it is convenient to lay theblame at the feet of classroom teach-ers it is equally convenient to ignorethe incompetence and neglect of thedecision makers who have failed toestablish a sustained, consistent edu-cational plan for DPS, demonstrate thequality of leadership and accountabili-ty commensurate with their responsi-bilities, and listen to the outcry fromteachers lacking the supplies and sup-port necessary to drive studentachievement.

Here is a sampling of what has beena major contributor to the academicdecline of DPS beyond what teachersare doing in the classroom:

• A Revolving Door of Leadershipat the top of DPS: Since 1994, ninesuperintendents/CEOs/EFMs havetaken the reins of DPS leadership:McGriff, Snead, Green, Adamany,Burnley, Coleman, Satchel, Calloway,and now Robert Bobb. There are 10 ifyou include the current, yet powerlesssuperintendent Teresa Gueyser. Eachof them has failed to address some ofthe basic impediments to studentachievement, e.g. truancy/transiency,an established and enforced studentattendance policy, adequate books andsupplies upon student arrival, schoolviolence, clean and safe environmentsfor teaching and learning, and reducedclass size in grades 6-12.

• A Dysfunctional School Board:Within the same time period so manyschool board members have beenmore consumed with winning a seat touse as a springboard to other politicaloffices. In recent years, since the rein-stitution of the elected school board in2005, board members have been proneto focus more on personal agendasand personal conflicts than the devel-opment and implementation of astrong educational plan. Board mem-

bers have sought to micromanage thedistrict rather than determining policyand getting out of the superintendent'sway.

• Lack of Necessary Books andSupplies: A perennial problem hasbeen the inability or unwillingness ofthe district to properly fortify teacherswith the books and supplies necessaryto educate children. Even this schoolyear, as we are enjoying the holidaybreak, we have a number of schoolsand teachers without their full comple-ment of books at all grade levels andsubject areas. This is completely inex-cusable and unacceptable.

• School Violence and Lack ofSupport on Disciplinary Matters:Students and staff have a difficult timefocusing on instruction when schoolsare in chaos with gangs. Violenceagainst students and staff and chroni-cally disruptive students who get aslap on the wrist for serious infrac-tions, send a message to other studentsthat there are no serious reprisals fordisruptive behavior.

• Transiency and Truancy: Withoutan enforced attendance standard forstudents, what is the real incentive forstudents to come to school? Theyknow that no matter how many daysthey miss, it is still possible to passthe class. In addition, many of our stu-dents are in constant transit, someattending as many as three or fourschools within the course of a schoolyear. The continuity of instruction islost as students have to adjust to newenvironments, make new friends, andestablish new relationships with unfa-miliar teachers. No matter what age,this is a significant change for anychild and is an inhibitor to learning.

• Administrative Pressure to PassStudents Who Don’t Deserve to Pass:Many teachers are pressured andintimidated by building and centraloffice administrators when a largenumber of students in their classesreceive failing grades. Rather thanfocusing on the reasons why studentsreceive the failing grades, administra-tors focus on what the teacher “failedto do” to excite the students aboutlearning. Never mind the student sel-dom came to class, never did thework, was chronically disruptive, etc.Too many administrators becomemore consumed with the failure ratethan the proficiency rate. As a resultyou end up with an 11th-grader whoreads at a third grade level. If theycan’t read, they won’t learn.

• External Factors Beyond theTeachers’ Control: Many of our stu-dents have social, health and person-

al challenges that are not adequatelyaddressed at home or by governmententities that impact their ability tolearn. Some students have visualproblems, hearing problems, othermedical challenges that are not effec-tively addressed and impede theirability to focus on learning. If thestudents do not know their hearing orvision is impaired, they believe whatthey are experiencing is normal anddo not communicate it with their par-ent/guardians. Other challenges suchas hunger, shelter, adequate clothing,etc. also have an adverse effect uponstudent achievement and should notfall upon the teacher. Social workers,psychologists, school nurses, atten-dance agents, and other supplementalsupport personnel are needed to helpfacilitate the needs of studentsbeyond the needs facilitated by theclassroom teacher.

Finally let’s look at the NAEP testin the proper context. There wereroughly 1,700 students among18,000 fourth- and eighth-gradersrandomly selected by agents outsideof DPS to take this test, and many ofthose students received special serv-ices.

Although this doesn’t diminish ourdisappointment or frustration over theresults, it is not totally indicative ofour students’ proficiency, and certainlynot an indictment against the commit-ment of our teachers and support staff.

We acknowledge that we mustimprove the outcomes of our stu-

(ISSN 0011-9695)

The Detroit Teacher is the official pub-lication of the Detroit Federation ofTeachers, American Federation ofTeachers Local 231, AFL-CIO.Member of the Union Teacher PressAssociation, Inter national LaborPress Association and MichiganLabor Press.

The Detroit Teacher is publishedmonthly, except for July and August,for $4 per year by The DetroitFederation of Teachers, 2875 W.Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202.Periodical Postage Paid at Detroit,MI.

POSTMASTER: Send addresschanges to The Detroit Teacher,2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI48202.

Editor — Margaret Weertz

dents, and we embrace the accounta-bility. However we must hold thedistrict accountable for providing uswith all of the resources, human,monetary, and materially necessaryto make this a high performingschool district and make the mantraof “centers of excellence for everychild, in every school, in everyneighborhood” more than just acliché and a sound bite.

Page 2 The Detroit Teacher January 2010

NAEP Test Reactions Miss the Mark on Responsibility

KeithJohnson

President’s Report

January 2010 The Detroit Teacher Page 3

RetirementsAnnouncedThe following DFT members have

announced their retirements: LindaSanders, Barb Sonsara, VictoriaBaldwin, Carol Cartwright, AnnetteJenkins, Gwendolyn Johnson,Anthony Jones, Anna Moss,Rosalind Rogers, Sonia Stewart,Franklin Tanton, Anastasia Tessler,Barbara Thomas, Barbara West. Ifyou have retired in the last sixmonths and would like it announced,call the editor at 313-875-3500 ext.776.

COPE $10 donationsSeveral DFT members contributed

to the 2009 COPE $10 campaign andwere not listed in the Detroit Teacher.They are Naomi Moore, Judy Givens,Terri Leonard, Yolanda Stewart,Gonzalee Sullivan, Franklin Tanton,Chantay Williams, Marvin Chatman,Anisha Jordan, Jerry Jones andVanessa Rasheed.

Updates...

Lower the LifeboatsBy Patrick FalcusanDFT Retirement CounselorNow that the new contract has been approved, it is time for

many of you who planned to retire by July 1, 2010 to take advan-tage of a portion of the contract that expires by Feb. 15, 2010.It is time for you to leave the ship (think cruise ships) and go

into port (think retirement). But in order to have some extraspending money, here is what you need to do now. (More infor-mation will come in upcoming issues of the Detroit Teacherabout what the Retirement System requires you to do duringMarch and April).For all teachers who planned to retire by July 1, 2010, it is

imperative that you notify the district on or before Feb. 15. Here’s what to do:• Go to the fourth floor of the Kahn Building and ask for two Separation fromService forms.

• Fill both out.• Check the retirement box. Put July 1, 2010 for the retirement date.• Have the person at the counter date stamp both forms.• Keep one for your personal records.• Keep it in a safe spot in case the district loses its copy.Also in the new contract, non-teachers will get paid for banked sick days at the

same rate as teachers. For non-teachers (social workers, psychologists, counselorsetc.) with 142 sick days or less, they would do better under the old formula and, ifthey plan to retire by July 1, 2010, they should notify the district before Feb. 15, 2010.For non-teachers who have more than 142 sick days, they would do better under thenew formula, so they should NOT notify the district until after Feb. 15, 2010.The new contract flips the formula for sick bank payouts. Here’s what it looks like:

Old Formula New FormulaFirst 70 days (50 percent) = 35 days First 70 days (20 percent) =14 days Next 70 days (20 percent) =14 days Next 60 days (25 percent) =15 days Next 60 days (25 percent) =15 days Next 70 days (50 percent) =35 days Total 200 days =64 days Total 200 days =64 days

FESTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS

Detroit Public School children were treat-ed to face painting and holiday activitieson Dec. 4 at the DFT Hall, thanks to theEarly Intervention Diagnostic Center,which works with children from birth tothree years old who have special needs.

Retired Detroit Public Schoolteacher Joel Marwil (above) and hisfamily are featured in the 50thAnniversary Edition of MichiganJewish History. Marwil’s father andmother, Milton and Lenore, opened theMarwil Book Company in 1948. TheMarwil Bookstore is still operating onthe campus of Wayne State Universityon the corner of Warren and Cass andJoel still works in the store.

Patrick Falcusan

Daily Rates of PayBA $328.06MA $381.66MA+30 $385.35Dr. $386.93

Blackwell Teams with Christmas GiftsIn the princi-

pal’s office atBlackwellInstitute, there wasno room to sit.The diminutiveprincipal PatriciaHines was hiddenbehind mounds ofChristmas gifts forstaff and commu-nity members, par-ents and students.This is one of the many times

Hines and her staff and students giveto the community.“If we don’t show the love, there’s

no hope,” she said. Hines works withDetroit Healthy Start East, givingresources to single parents and theirfamilies. Hines says it’s important forthe kids to give and receive, and tosee adults giving and receiving.“We may not have a lot but we

have something,” she said. “We’redealing with people who don’t haveanything at all.”One recipient told Hines that

Blackwell adopted her family and itwas the only gift they had.“I felt really inadequate because it

wasn’t much,” Hines said. “We’re

happy to bringjoy to the kids.Children don’t understand not havingChristmas.”Meanwhile, down in Tish

Giacalone’s first grade class, the St.Clair Shores Moose Lodge broughtChristmas gifts to her class. Everychild in the class got a new coat,gloves, hat and toys.“We’ve been working with her

classroom for about six years,” saidMoose Lodge member AmberRosenbroch. “It’s a very overwhelm-ing experience. They make us feelvery welcome. They come up andhug us and make us presents and giveus gifts when we come.”

Michigan History

THE

Van Zile StudentsPurchase Shoes forChildren in AfricaGestures of sharing, caring and volunteering have been part of the Van

Zile School community for over 12 years. Even in these rough economictimes, Van Zile children learn about selflessness while embracing realworld concepts and lessons about what it means to be philanthropic andhow to make a difference. Under the leadership of the Van ZilePhilanthropy Committee and student council, a school wide fundraiser enti-tled, “Tis the Season of Giving” was set in motion to purchase shoes forchildren in Africa. This effort paid off, allowing the students and staff toraise $936 – enough money to purchase over 250 pairs of shoes. Thebiggest lesson learned: children can lead the way and make a difference inthe lives of others. Pictured with students are teachers Dorothy Roger andSandra Hughes.

Greetings from thePresident and First Lady

Marsha Chapman, a teacher at KeidanSpecial Education Center, got a signedChristmas card from PresidentBarack Obama and First LadyMichelle Obama. “I was kindof down and depressed thatday and when I got homethis certainly brightened myday,” Chapman said.Chapman mailed thePresident a news articleabout herself and studentJesus Lewis. Lewis waschoking on a bagel andChapman gave him theHeimlich maneuver. When hecalmed down, he told

Chapman, “I can’t die now. I gotto meet Barack Obama.”

Crockett Tea $30,000 in E

Crockett teacherDavid Smoklergot wind that theBeverly HillsClub, where he’s

a member, was getting newexercise equipment anddonating its old equipment.

“I hear you want to get ridof your exercise equipment,”Smokler told the owner. Theowner was eyeing a donationto the Israeli Defense Forces.But he found that the ship-ping of the equipment wouldbe very costly.

“Why not a donation to theDetroit Public Schools?”Smokler asked. Smokler hap-pens to be a friend of clubowner Steven Satovsky andseems to have connections inall directions.

Smokler’s father practicedlaw with CongressmanGeorge Crockett in the

Maurice Sugar law firm thatrepresented the UAW when itwas organizing. His familywas friends with Crockett’swife, Ethylene, whom theschool is named after, and whowas the first black femaleobstetrician and gynecologistin Michigan.Satovsky was agreeable to

Crockett Athletic Director Robert G

do cou Cr Ro sio

G tio we pic

“I think wehave aboutthe biggest

and best gymin the city,”

Smokler said.

45-Year Teacher Returns as Helper

Ronnie Robinson retired last July after 45 years of teaching elementaryphysical education. But several times a week he returns to Charles WrightAcademy to make sure the machine is well oiled.“I’m happy to retire from the system,” Robinson said. “But I’m mad as hell

retiring from the children.”On Dec. 10, he returned to the school to teach kids the Jingle Bell Rock

dance. On Dec. 16 he played Santa’s helper and entertained the preschoolchildren’s dreams and desires.Preschool teacher Sue Gordon fed Robinson a history of each child.“This is Ja’Quan Marshall. I had his father Raymond Marshall.”“This is Julius. His father just deployed to Iraq.”Robinson showed all the patience and interest of Santa.“Can you count?” Robinson asked a girl. — “Yes.”“Can you count to one million and one?” — “No.”Robinson has a deep history with the DFT, serving on several committees

with President John Elliott and working to get coaches paid for their time.Since retirement he took on a part-time job and volunteers and loves fishing.“I’m not much for staying home.”

Teachers Rally for Student Essay ContestReginald Ayala doesn’t think it’s a big deal he won a Disney Dreamers essay

contest that will send him and his mother toDisney World.He doesn’t think it’s a big deal

that he’s one of three winners inMichigan.“Everybody’s making it a

bigger deal than it is,” saysAyala, 17, a WestsideAlternative Academy student.Behind the scenes English

teacher Suzanne Boldiszarprompted Reginald and 45 other stu-dents to write biographical essays thatinclude their dreams for the future.Behind the scenes teacher Nadonya Muslim sent the essays in on deadline.

Muslim enters the contest and uses it as a class assignment every year. She hasbeen told she is the only teacher to produce three winners. This time Reginald’sessay took the prize.“He really puts a lot of thought into what he writes,” Boldiszar said. “He took

a look at himself, took the time, thought about it. He said it from the heart.”Ayala will go to Orlando Feb. 19 for a weekend seminar to learn how to

accomplish his dreams. Speakers in varied careers will address the 100 winners.The winners will bring back prizes, experiences and a sense of the importance ofplanning out dreams.

acher Snares Equipment

Giles and teacher David Smokler stand before $30,000 of equipment.

nate the equipment if DPSuld come and get it.ockett athletic directorobert Giles got on the mis-on.

Giles called the administra-on and five huge semisent out to Beverly Hills tock up 23 gleaming pieces

of equipment. Now theweight room has machinesfor every body part, is freshlypainted and all the machinerysits on a reinforced rubberfloor.

“I think we have about thebiggest and best gym in thecity,” Smokler said.

Page 6 The Detroit Teacher January 2010

The kindergartners in AlisonPikur’s class were dazzled forthe holidays in a fashion as

glitzy as if they were in on the LasVegas strip.The strip came to them.MGM Grand put on the ritz for 14

kindergartners at Coffey School.Teacher Alison Pikur last year calledMGM to request donations. Theyreplied that they give coats, hats andgloves.

“But some of my kids will getnothing,” Pikur insisted. “I realizedChristmas was going to be tough forthem and that really bothered me.”A child at heart, Pikur really want-

ed toys for her kids. In the end, shegot more than her dreams. DeeDeeMcKinney Odom, MGM director ofpublic affairs, brought an entireChristmas party to Pikur’s class.“You know this is my school,” said

Odom. “So I came back home.”MGM sent a troupe of employees

to sing carols. They sent a pastry chefto help the students decorate cookies.There was pizza, juice, and flavoredmilk. Pikur got a $50 Meijer gift cardfor each student to buy anything shewanted.“I don’t know what the other

teachers do, but I beg real well,” shesaid. Each child received a blanket,several toys, and an M&M candycane.“I’m not sure what’s going to hap-

pen at home,” said Pikur, “so this ismy way or ensuring they have a goodChristmas.”

Thoughts on theRatification and RecallTermination Incentive Plan (TIP) thatallows the district to reduce its costsby $36 million for the duration of theplan, but allow members to receivetheir investment of up to $10,000when they leave the district. AFT Michigan President David

Hecker connected us with strategistsand experts from our parent organiza-tion, the American Federation ofTeachers, including AFT PresidentRandi Weingarten, and other AFTlocal leaders to develop educationalreform initiatives that will empowerteachers to drive educational reformrather than having reforms imposedupon them. David also worked withlegislators, department heads and thegovernor to help preserve our bar-gaining rights and bring forth cost-saving ideas in health care that wouldmaintain the level of service and qual-ity for members and their families. Labor Relations Administrator

Mershira Oliver was a tremendousasset because she had her finger onthe pulse of what our members expe-rience on a day-to-day basis and hasworked extensively for the DFT onprofessional development ideas, cur-

riculum and supply concerns, and thepractical needs of our members. Retired DFT and executive board

member Paula Trilety, whose exten-sive knowledge of past achievementand the history of the DFT throughbargaining, helped us to establish therationale for our insistence on main-taining seniority rights, the sick bankcash-out, and elementary prep peri-ods. Paula was also a copious note-taker, which proved valuable whenthe district attempted to ignore dis-cussions and positions taken by bothsides throughout the bargainingprocess. DFT Recording Secretary and

classroom teacher Felecia Clark couldspeak based upon current classroomexperience on the challenges facingteachers today, particularly at the ele-mentary level. Her input on revisingthe approach to professional develop-ment that is teacher driven allowed usto argue for professional developmentactivities that had practical and imme-diate application to students andteachers. The reason for a team is to use their

skills and expertise to formulate posi-tions and decisions, and I optimized

the use of my team members andgave them the latitude to lead uswhere we needed to go. We held eachother up throughout these tenuousnegotiations. While many of our members are

upset about the immediate impact thiscontract has upon them, we had tothink of the short- and long-termeffect upon all of our members andthe future of this Union from theteacher on step 5 who, in addition to a10 percent reduction in salary, wouldhave remained on Step 5 for the nextfive years, to the 38-year veteran whowas looking forward to the sick bankcash-out to boost her retirement. Wehad to consider the substitute, the edtech, and the accompanist for whom a10 percent pay cut or the loss of theirjob altogether would have causedirreparable harm, to the teacher atStep 9 looking forward to that bigfinancial boost that comes with goingto Step 10. Without the cost-saving compo-

nents of this agreement, more than1,500 members with less than 14years seniority would have lost theirjobs. Those remaining would havelost many of the benefits and experi-enced permanent reductions insalaries that would have been a loss inperpetuity. Because of this agreement,bankruptcy is off the table, the districtwill save approximately $130 millionover the life of the contract, and morethan 1,500 jobs will be saved. These

were hard decisions but they were theright decisions. A dissident group has now

launched a recall campaign againstme, accusing me of violating myduties as president of the DFT. WhileI take their actions seriously, I knowtheir allegations are not true and serveno one’s interest but their own. Notonce have they come up with a rec-ommendation as to what I could havedone differently as chief negotiator,other than to encourage members towithhold their services. While I understand their frustration,

I condemn their irresponsibility andtheir willingness to jeopardize thelives and livelihood of DFT members.I was not and never will be willing togamble with the careers of our mem-bers unless I know there is clear andpresent evidence that the district canafford more than it is willing to offer. Should the recall effort prove suc-

cessful and I am removed from office,or if I am defeated in the next generalelection, I will accept the will of themembership, but I also know that atall times I worked and acted in thebest interest of this great Union andits members. I was elected to preserve, protect

and defend the constitution andrights of the DFT. If doing my jobcosts me my job, I can live with thedecisions I made. I know they wereright, and so does the team thatworked with me.

PRESIDENT from Page 1

Teacher Begs and Wins Big for Students

Coffey teacher AlisonPikur, right, asked

MGM Grand Director ofPublic Affairs, DeeDeeMcKinney Odom, with

Pikur at left, to helpher students celebrate

Christmas.

January 2010 The Detroit Teacher Page 7

1. What happens to my TIP account in a bankruptcy? A bankruptcy is less likely now that the contract is approved, but is

always a possibility. Our attorneys have advised us that in the event of abankruptcy, your TIP account would have greater priority than the claimsof other creditors.

2. If I die, what happens to my TIP account? A death is treated the same as a retirement. The money you are owed would

be paid to your estate.

3. Does the Termination of Service Bonus mean I get an extra $1,000when I retire? No, the “bonus” is the return of the TIP money that was deducted at $250

per pay. Your bonus can’t be more than the amount that was deducted fromyour checks.

4. Do all members get $250 deducted under the TIP? No. Assistant attendance officers, accompanists, members who work less

than .5 FTE, and hourly workers including substitutes, will not have deduc-tions under the TIP.

5. How will my TIP money be repaid? You have three options. • Option 1: cash payment, $10,000 gross, net about $6,000. • Option 2: Deposit entire $10,000 in a tax-sheltered annuity. • Option 3: Buy time from the retirement system. Your $10,000 will buy one

year, which is about an extra $1,000 each year for the rest of your life.

6. I have 200 sick days. Can I still cash them out? Yes, and you will get the same amount under the new formula as the old (64

days worth up to $25,000).

Old Formula New Formula First 70 days (50 percent) =35 days First 70 days (20 percent) =14 days Next 70 days (20 percent) =14 days Next 60 days (25 percent) =15 days Next 60 days (25 percent) =15 days Next 70 days (50 percent) =35 days Total 200 days =64 days Total 200 days =64 days

7. I have fewer than 200 sick days. Are they worth as much under the newformula? No, unless you are a non-classroom teacher.

8. Is it too late to get paid under the old formula? No. If you turn in your retirement papers by Feb. 15, 2010 and retire by July

1, 2010, you will be paid under the old formula.

9. I am not a classroom teacher. Am I still limited to the maximum of 70sick days? No. Counselors, psychologists, social workers and all other bargaining unit

members who were previously limited to 70 days will be able to be paid for200 days under the same formula as the teachers. This is worth up to $11,000more than the old formula.

10. Is the 1 percent increase in the fall of 2011 guaranteed? Yes.

11. How is the amount of the January 2012 raise calculated? If enrollment increases by less than 1 percent, there is no raise. Otherwise,

the raise will be the percentage increase in enrollment minus the shortfall instate aid, if any, rounded to the nearest .5 percent. So your January 2012 raisewill be 0 percent, 1 percent, 1.5 percent or 2 percent.

12. Does enrollment have to be higher than it is today? No. The percent increase in enrollment is based on the actual fourth

Wednesday count in September 2011 compared to the budgeted enrollment inthe district’s budget published July 1, 2011.

13. How do you calculate the state aid shortfall? The shortfall, if any, would be calculated by the actual per pupil state aid for

the 2011-2012 school year, divided by the budgeted amount.

14. How much will my health insurance cost? You will get exact information from the district in your open enrollment

package.

Estimated Annual Cost to Employee (estimates only) Total HAP BCBS-PPO1 BCBS-PPO2

Single $375 $475 $1750 $950 2 Person $785 $1000 $4650 $2800 Family $1000 $1170 $6500 $4300

15. What will my dental insurance cost? The final rates will be announced by the district and included in open enrollmentpackage. Our best estimate of the cost is:

Delta Delta Care Single $50 $40 Two person $75 $75 Family $120 $120

16. What happens if I am assigned to a priority school and I don’t want to be? That can’t happen. You have to apply.

17. If my school becomes a priority school and I don’t apply, or I apply andI’m not accepted, do I lose my job?

No. Human Resources will assign you to another position. All your rights,including seniority are intact.

18. Can principals fire employees in priority schools for any reason? Principals cannot fire employees.

19. Can a principal decide not to keep you at a priority school? Yes. But the member must be informed of the basis for the findings (third

paragraph from the bottom, page 25.)

20. What happens if I am not asked to return to the priority school? You retain the same rights (including seniority) as any other member (page

26, item 10, first paragraph).

21. If Human Resources doesn’t find a position for me, I become a CTAL.Does that mean I take a pay cut?

No. Your pay and benefits remain intact.

22. Can I lose my job if I am still a CTAL after one year? No. The district is required to find a placement for you. (page 26, item 10,

third paragraph).

23. Do members in Priority Schools lose their seniority rights?No. You still have all the rights of other DFT members.

24. Will members at Priority Schools be "at will" employees?No, you will still have all the protections of your contract: seniority andtenure.

25. Is the TIP bonus over and above the TIP money deducted from ourchecks?

No. It’s the same money. The “bonus” is how you get it back.

26. When will the insurance changes take effect?Open enrollment will be in January, with the changes effective Feb. 1.

27, The contract says we get 10 sick days in the first year. Is that the firstyear of the contract, or the first year of employment?

You get 10 days in the first year of employment.

28. Will there be a charge for office visits on the HAP plan.Yes, $20.

29. Why did DPS propose the TIP plan?They didn’t. They proposed a pay cut and freezing salary steps. The union

proposed the TIP plan, which is a temporary reduction that you get back. Also,the guaranteed raise in the third year will be on top of the current salary, not on90 percent of the current salary.

30. Since the opt-out plan is eliminated, does that mean I have to be on thedistrict’s insurance?

No. It just means you won’t get paid to opt out.

FAQs on the 2009-2012 Contract

Page 8 The Detroit Teacher January 2010

All meetings will be held at 2875 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, unlessotherwise noted. Dates and times are subject to change. TheDFT telephone number is 313-875-3500.

JANUARY12 School Social Workers Chapter Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

14 General Membership Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

19 Retirees Chapter Meeting, 11:30 a.m.

19 Educational Technicians Chapter Meeting, 3:30 p.m.

21 Psychological Services Chapter Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

30 Building Rep Workshop, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY1 Special Education Chapter Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

4 Executive Board Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

4 Preschool Chapter Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

9 School Social Workers Chapter Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

11 General Membership Meeting, 4:30 p.m.

Teachers Can’t Stand AloneA Letter to Robert Bobb

By Kurtis BrownDFT Executive Board

Iam writing this letter because I amseriously concerned with the edu-cational climate of Detroit Public

Schools. I have been a teacher withthe district for 15years. In my timehere I have seencountless efforts tocorrect our commu-nity ills with eachending in failure. Iwas wondering whythe one research-based, statisticallyproven strategy hasyet to be given a

shot: Lower class sizes lead toimproved student performance.Money has been poured into our dis-trict and national reform is the newflavor of the month, but I have yet tosee any mention to class size reduc-tion. It is very apparent that you areinterested in seriously turning aroundour school district; a reduction in classsize will place us on the right track. In my humble opinion, in order to

have true success, each component ofeducation needs to be analyzed andevaluated. The role of the teachercan’t stand alone. A teacher’s effec-

tiveness is contingent upon many vari-ables from their administrator to theparents to the community at large. Thefocus of the school and district shouldbe to develop productive citizens withan opportunity to reach their potential.All variables must work in concert toprovide each student what they requireto be successful. The district is the head of the edu-

cational focus of the schools and thusshould lead by example and formulatethe game plan. Once the game plan isformulated, it needs to be effectivelycommunicated to the schools. At thatpoint it is the schools’ responsibility toexecute the plan, but everyone needsto be on the same page and buy intothe plan, starting with what researchhas proven to be successful. The dis-trict is also responsible to provide theschools with the tools necessary tocomplete the task at hand. Theyshould provide the training and sup-port needed to be successful. I findteachers more than willing to acceptresponsibility when they are playingthe game on equal playing fields.The administrators are essentially

the coach of the team. They need tomanage the teachers. They distributethe tools and make sure all needs aremet. They are to keep the teachersinformed on district information.

The most important variable in ourequation is the parents. It is impossi-ble to leave their importance off thetable when considering studentachievement. I am not one who woulduse this as an excuse, but I would liketo be realistic. The value one places on education,

the overall perception of education,and how educated people act, play amajor role in students’ performance. We have kids having kids. Thus,

many parents are learning how to beresponsible and accountable for anoth-er’s life. Raising kids is a tough jobfor anyone, but it is much more diffi-cult when you are not mentally readyto accept that challenge. I am not try-ing to denigrate the parents of our stu-dents, but I understand the daily strug-gles they experience. It is my beliefthat providing support to parentsthrough workshops or classes is just asimportant to the academic success of astudent as any other factor. I believethat all parents want what is best fortheir children and would willinglyundergo any and all training to givetheir kids a better shot at living a pro-ductive life. We have participated in a self-

destructive cycle long enough playingpolitical games with our children’sfutures. When are we going to take aserious look at doing something differ-

ently, something other than pointingthe finger at each other, somethingother than blaming each other for whatwe all played a role? The fact of thematter is you will be hard presseddetermining which part of a bike is themost important. Without handle barsyou can’t steer. Without brakes youcan’t stop. But without the wheels youwon’t be able to roll. All are importantand all are needed to work together inorder to go anywhere. We are in des-perate times and need to work collabo-ratively to correct the problem. Thebetter you do your job, the better I cando my job. The better parents send stu-dents to school prepared to learn, thebetter teachers will be able to teach.The better teachers teach, the better ourcommunity becomes. This is the wayyou grow our district, by providing citi-zens with what they need and want.Mohandas Gandhi once said, “Be thechange that you want to see in theworld.” This is what we must do as acommunity. We must be the change wewant to see, because the way we havebeen going has not worked.I read that you want to be in charge

of the entire scope of the district. Thatis a lot of responsibility that I wouldhope is not motivated by politicalaspirations. The community believesin you. I hope you do what is best forthem.

Kurtis Brown

DFT Calendar for Election of Delegates to:

2010 AFT Convention (20 plus Executive Board)

2010 AFT Michigan Convention (20 plus Executive Board)

Jan. 15, 2010 (Friday)

OPEN NOMINATIONS: Nominations and acceptances may bemailed to P.O. Box 02010, North End Station, Detroit, MI 48202, ORhand delivered to the DFT office during office hours. Announcementof election will be mailed to schools with appropriate rules and pro-cedures.

Jan. 28, 2010 (Thursday)

CLOSE NOMINATIONS: Nominations and acceptances by 4:00p.m. for Post Office and by 5:00 p.m. in the DFT office for hand delivered.