The Burlingame Voice

Mediation Process to Begin in ?

Teachers' contract talks deadlock -San Mateo Times

A state mediator has been called to help the San Mateo Union High School District and its teachers' association agree on a contract after negotiations came to a standstill last week. The San Mateo Union High School District Teachers' Association declared an impasse in negotiations after the two parties couldn't agree on changes to employee health care benefits. According to association president Craig Childress, the district wants to put a cap on its health care benefits contribution for employees, depending on their marital or family status. For example, employees with a spouse and children would receive more from the district than employees who are single with no kids. Childress called this "discriminatory." But school board president Marcia Cohn-Lyle said it may come down to a difference in how the wording is interpreted. "There's difference in opinion, and we'll just have to wait and see how a third party interprets it," she said.

The teachers' association also plans to file what it believes are up to five unfair labor practice violations. One of the biggest problems the association has with the district, Childress said, is allowing the county Office of Education to dictate what the district does in negotiations. He said the Office of Education is telling the district it has to put a cap on its benefit contributions, and Childress thinks this is illegal. Cohn-Lyle confirms the Office of Education is telling it to do this because of the district's current budget problems. Childress said he hopes the mediation process begins before the winter break in December.

- Written by Fiona

SMUHSD-Contract Impasse

The following letter examines why the SMUHSD will not agree to a contract with the Teachers' Association


November 23, 2006

Fellow Teachers

Yesterday afternoon you received a letter from Superintendent Johnson (via email) regarding health care coverage, open enrollment, and the status of negotiations. In the letter, Mr. Johnson correctly outlines the recent declaration of impasse and the subsequent involvement of a State mediator with respect to negotiations. He also explains his understanding of current and past status of health care coverage and district contributions. Unfortunately, on this topic, Mr. Johnson seems to be ill-informed and believes to be facts? what can best be described as myths.? Mr. Johnson attempts to perpetuate the following four myths:

MYTH #1

In September 2005, the District and the Teachers' Association modified the collective bargaining agreement language to describe the maximum amounts that the District would provide for health, dental and vision insurance. These amounts matched the calendar year 2006 premiums for the Aetna HMO (high) ($1090.72 for family; $844.37 for two party; and $422.20 for employee only).?

THE FACTS
The September 1, 2005 agreement between the association and the district is simply transition language or an act of contract housekeeping? to address the withdrawal from CalPers and the conversion to Aetna HMOs and PPOs during the term of the then current contract. At that time, the district did indeed attempt to cap? their contributions at the levels described by Mr. Johnson. The association rejected that attempt. The language was re-drafted such that the ultimate and current agreement establishes the district contribution at the highest cost HMO health insurance program, plus Delta Dental, plus Vision Service Plan, effective January 1, 2006? for ALL employees. All mention of premium levels has been eliminated. This agreement reflects over 15 years of past-practice.

MYTH #2

Starting in 2006-07 it became apparent that, with the necessary budget cuts and reduced revenues, it was likely no new funds would be available for increased calendar year 2007 premiums.?

THE FACTS
As I have stated in the past, the district knew they had serious financial trouble long before the 2006-07 school year and certainly when they approved a qualified budget on June 22, 2006. Qualified? means that the district has failed to maintain the required 3% reserve. The district's June 22 budget contained a reserve of only 0.25%!

What did start? in 2006-07 was the involvement of the SM County Office of Education in our negotiations with the district. On August 17, 2006 the County demanded written agreements from all bargaining units showing no increase in medical contributions. The district only focused on the increase in medical contributions when the County Office directed them to do so.

As far as revenues? for the 2006-07 school year are concerned, the official County projection as of October 20, 2006 for revenue to our district is a 9.4% ($6.4 M) increase over last year. Purportedly, it was this October projection for which the district was waiting in order to negotiate salary and benefits. Despite this officially projected increase and the district's recent dismissal of over 50 employees, the district continues to cry poor.? This position seems incongruous when you consider that on October 6, 2006, their representative at the bargaining table stated that the district can afford to maintain current levels of coverage for everyone at the new, 2007 premiums.?

MYTH #3

Under this circumstance, the District has relied on its clear contractually negotiated language that caps the premiums at 2006 rates applicable highest HMO health insurance program, plus Delta Dental, plus Vision Service plan, effective January 1, 2006.? For families the combined monthly premium maximum is $1,247.13, for two party coverage, $947.77 and for employee only coverage, $482.69.?

THE FACTS
Mr. Johnson accurately quotes the language from the September 1, 2005 agreement. His added emphasis of the word applicable is very telling. As I mentioned above, this language was developed to address the withdrawal from CalPers and the conversion to Aetna. Under the new benefits structure, employees were able to choose from an expanded number of insurance PROGRAMS: Kaiser HMO, two (2) Aetna HMOs, and two (2) Aetna PPOs. In order to produce lasting language that would not require periodic updates of contribution figures, dollar values were NOT included. Instead, as has always been the practice, the district medical contribution amount would be set by the highest cost HMO PROGRAM Aetna HMO-High Option-Family in this case. The district budgeted for, began to make and is currently making medical contributions up to a maximum equal to Aetna HMO-High Option-Family ($1097.72) for ALL employees regardless of plan choice.

Mr. Johnson now claims, hence his added emphasis, that the word applicable has taken on additional meaning. He believes that applicable? now refers not only to the program (Aetna/Kaiser) but also to the premium level within the program (single/two party/family). Again, Mr. Johnson is misinformed. As I have stated earlier, the association team rejected ALL mention of premium levels as they were unnecessary due to the intention and meaning of the agreement. The district team agreed. ONE maximum contribution ($1097.72) was agreed upon, budgeted for, implemented, utilized for ALL employees, and continues as the current practice.

Mr. Johnson's assertion in the letter, again, seems incongruous with respect to current negotiations. If the September 1, 2005 agreement did include individual contribution caps at the single, two party, and family levels then why is the district team currently proposing to implement such caps for future contracts? Why would the district bargain for something they already thought they had? On October 10, 2006 the district representative stated that considering current and past practice the parties clearly did not have an agreement to cap medical contributions at any level other than the highest Family HMO.? Furthermore, the district's last proposal at the table includes providing medical contributions for ALL employees, regardless of plan choice up to a maximum of the highest cost 2007 Family HMO premium.

MYTH #4

Although the new language was available, agreed upon, and could be implemented at anytime, the school year had commenced and the District used the $1097.72 monthly family contribution as its maximum.?

THE FACTS
Mr. Johnson seems to imply that the district either made a mistake? or was generous? in using the highest cost HMO program premium of $1097.72 as its maximum medical contribution in 2006. This is simply preposterous. The district's open enrollment flyers specified $1097.72 as its maximum for ALL employees. ALL employees, regardless of plan choice (HMO, PPO, Kaiser), had available to them $1097.72 for monthly medical premiums. The district budgeted for, implemented and is currently providing the $1097.72 maximum contribution plan for all employees. Again, this practice reflects over 15 years of past-practice.

If the district had indeed mistakenly? or generously? used the $1097.72 maximum, then why has it continued to do so for the entire 2006 calendar year? If the district felt in late 2005, as Mr. Johnson implies, that alternate maximums could be implemented at anytime,? then why weren't they?

OUR POSITION
The current agreement establishes $1097.72 as the maximum district contribution for ALL employees regardless of plan choice. Furthermore, according to past practice, the contribution should automatically increase to match premiums. Mr. Johnson is proposing, however, that beginning January 1, 2007, contributions will be capped at three levels $422.20/single, $844.37/two party, and $1097.72/family. The reduction of contributions is an outrageous contract violation. We will file an Unfair Labor Practice charge if/when the first deduction is made. Right now, it is every member's responsibility to pressure the district to follow the contract and avoid out of pocket expenses before they occur. Join me at the next board meeting (Dec 14) and make sure your voice is heard!

Respectfully,

Craig Childress, President SMUHSDTA

- Written by JC

Doggerel. Poetry & Haikus courtesy of the Voice

He is Sam,
Sam-the-Man.

That Sam-the-Man!
That Sam-the-Man!
I do not like
That Sam-the-Man!

Do you like school change and Sam?

I do not like them -- change or Sam,
I do not like school change OR Sam.

Would you like Sam without change?
I would not like Sam without change,
You see, I find him rather strange!
I do not like school change or Sam,
I do not like change, Sam-the-Man.

Would you like Sam with only six?
Would you like Sam with money fix?

I do not like Sam with just six,
I do not Sam with a fix.
I do NOT like Sam here or there,
I do not like him anywhere
I do not like school change or Sam.
I do not like him: Sam-the-Man.

Not with just six
Not with a fix
Not with less PE,
Not with August free.
I did NOT like him when HR,
I do not like him as the Czar,
I do not like school change and Sam,
I do not like him: Sam-the-Man.

Would you? Could you?
For kids to read?
Re-start? Change heart?
For kids in need?

I would not, could not, for the reader.


But ..
You may like change,
Hear Sam's plea,
Maybe we should wait and see.

I would not, could not, for the reader,
I will not, cannot, be a force-feeder!
I do not like Sam with just six,
I do not like Sam with a fix,
I don't like Sam with less PE,
I don't like Sam with August free
I do not like Sam here or there,
I do not like Sam anywhere.
I do not like school change or Sam.
I do not like him: Sam-the-Man.

For the arts? For the arts?
For the arts? For the arts?
Could you, would you, for the arts?

Not for the arts! Not for the reader!
Not for just six! Sam! You're no leader!
I do not like Sam with just six,
I do not like Sam with a fix,
I do not like Sam with less PE,
I do not like Sam with August free
I do not like Sam here or there,
I do not like Sam anywhere.
I do not like school change or Sam.
I do not like him: Sam-the-Man.

Say!
With all sports -- No academic core?
Would you, could you, stop the uproar?

I would not, could not, for all sports.

Would you, could you, for more AP's?

I would not, could not, for more AP's.
Not for all sports. Not for degrees.
Not for the reader, not for the arts,
I do not like change, Sam, you _art!
Not with just six
Not with a fix
Not with less PE,
Not with August free.
I do not like change here or there
I do not like change anywhere!

You do not like school change or Sam?
I do not like him, Sam-the-Man.

You do not like change,
So you say.
Try change! Try change!
And you may,
Try them and you may, I say
(Joanne)

---

"It's a pretty good zoo,"
Said young Gerald McGrew,
"And the fellow who runs it
Seems proud of it, too."

"But if I ran the zoo,"
Said young Gerald McGrew,
"I'd make a few changes.
"That's just what I'd do.."

I'd listen to parents, students and teachers,
Janitors, bus-drivers, librarians and preachers
And IF they all wanted more periods and electives
I'd check the books, do the math and ask lots of questions

Look left, look right, who's got the numbers?
Never mind, not important, then why not concur?
With the Man on the right who knows all the answers
And we're willing to bet that he's got em for sure

"But what ever happened to community input," I'd ask?
On budgets, on viewpoints, on buildings and tasks?
Improvement is one thing, but this is one-sided
I'd work real hard to join the divided.

It's a pretty good zoo
Said young Gerald McGrew
But I'd make lots of changes
"That's just what I'd do."
(Jen)
_______

Community Input?
What's that you say?
Hang on there! Slow down!
Rome wasn't built in a day.
(Jen)

---
Fi, be not proud, though some have called thee,
Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think's, thou dost overthrow,
Quit no(t), dear Fi, nor yet canst thou stop me.
(Joanne)

---
And from Fred ...

- Written by Fiona

Its Getting Better

County finance outlook rosier - SAN MATEO BOOSTED BY $80 MILLION GAIN IN PROPERTY TAXES see full article in San Mateo Times)

An $80 million boom in property tax revenue since last year has helped boost San Mateo County to sounder financial status than just a few years ago, according to a report released by the controller's office Friday. Most signs are positive in the state-mandated comprehensive annual financial report, including an 8.6 percent jump in assessed property values, higher returns on assets in the county's pension system and investment pool, and more travelers at San Francisco International Airport. Meanwhile, unemployment continues to fall, and the vacancy rate for commercial real estate is the lowest it's been in five years.
``We're treading water. We're not going down,'' said Assistant Controller Bob Adler. ``That's always a good sign.'' Things haven't always been so rosy for the county, which took a huge hit from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the economic slump that followed. The report covers fiscal year 2005-06, which ended June 30. It shows property tax revenue increasing from $218 million to $298 million -- a growth of 128 percent since 2001. `There's been a fairly large boom, and that's been going on for several years,'' Adler said.

In accordance with Proposition 13, property tax rates are adjusted only when property is sold; as long as home buying continues, the county can count on boosting its coffers. What remains to be seen is whether the recent cooling of the housing market will stunt revenue growth. Assessed property value has seen a 41 percent increase in the past five years. Overall assessed value in the county went from $105.4 billion last year to $113.2 billion this fiscal year. Besides the tax boom, the county also saw a 19 percent increase in licenses and permits for construction, a 15 percent increase in charges for services and a 29 percent increase in capital grants for projects, such as the construction of the new Youth Services Center. More travel activity at San Francisco airport was also seen as a positive sign that ``this segment of local industry is gradually rebounding,'' though the increase was a little more than 1 percent. Last year, the increase was 6 percent. ``We'll see a little bit more as we become a hub for Virgin Atlantic,'' Adler said, referring to the airline's announcement a year ago to bring its low-cost spinoff, Virgin America, to San Francisco airport and put its headquarters in Burlingame.

The numbers ``are certainly better than they were in the 2001, 2002, 2003 time frame.''

United Airlines continues to be the largest employer and taxpayer in the county, with more than 10,000 employees. Oracle has edged Genentech for the No. 2 spot with 7,000 employees. Unemployment has declined for the third straight year, with the rate now at 4 percent. Driven by the growth in biotechnology, commercial real estate vacancies are now at 17 percent. The vacancy rate is just 11 percent in the north part of the county, where those companies are concentrated. Overall, the county's net assets now stand at $913.4 million, a 25 percent increase over the past fiscal year. With the upward trends in revenue have also come higher expenses. The county increased spending on public protection by $10 million and public-assistance spending by more than $11 million, according to the report. ... For the first time ever, the report also details the county's costs for other benefits provided to retirees besides their pensions. All state and local governments will eventually be required to report those numbers after the Governmental Accounting Standards Board issued new rules in 2004. San Mateo County has $135.7 million in unfunded liabilities for other expenses related to retirees, such as health care coverage.

- Written by Fiona

Sidewalks of Burlingame

Sidewalks receive mixed reviews (Examiner)

Burlingame, Calif. - The city's sidewalks range from fair to poor condition overall, but officials say there is little wiggle room in the budget to make more significant repairs in the next five years. The Parks and Recreation Commission last week discussed a deteriorating piece of sidewalk in front of Washington Park on the 800 to 900 block of Burlingame Avenue, after concerns surfaced about potential hazards to pedestrians, Parks and Recreation Director Randy Schwartz said.Band-Aid patches can be made to sidewalks raised because of stretching tree roots, according to city engineer Donald Chang, but long-term fixes will likely continue to be made piece-by-piece to different parts of the city every year. Burlingame's approximately 18,000 trees are the main reason for sidewalk repairs. The towering eucalyptus on El Camino Real cause the most damage, but those trees and road are regulated by Caltrans, Public Works Director George Bagdon said. Mills Estates along Trousdale Drive have the best, newest sidewalks, while areas east of the railroad tracks around Easton Drive are the worst, Bagdon said, which falls in line with the general observation that residential sidewalks are typically worse off because there are more trees there.

The city used to pay for all sidewalk repairs, but Burlingame and many other cities shifted responsibility for repairs to sidewalks adjacent to private property to the property owners after the economic downturn two years ago. The city rotates where repairs are made each year, dispatching crews to a different section of the city every year. It takes approximately 20 years to finish the whole city. Approximately $400,000 annually in capital funds is now dedicated to city sidewalk repairs, a figure that remains steady over the next several years, according to the city's adopted five-year capital improvements plan

- Written by Fiona

Mills Canyon - a Great Place to Be

Working off the holiday dinners (partial article from Daily Journal)

Getting out of the house sounds like a great option after a big turkey dinner and a full day of leftovers. Shopping may not be the best option, with the mall full of holiday shoppers searching for the perfect deal. There are plenty of activities around the Bay Area, other than the mall, to get the family out of the house.

Start with some exercise. There's no 5K run in anyone's near future, but a brisk hike never hurt. Mills Canyon in Burlingame is a lovely place to work off the pumpkin pie, said Bobbi Benson, chair of Friends of Mills Canyon. The short trail would take an hour and dogs are welcome too. You could really stop for quite a while, or go slowly or just stroll. It'll take an hour at the very most,? said Benson. The Burlingame City Council authorized $270,609 in early September to build the recently completed retaining wall. The updated trail, however, has yet to be completed. That shouldn't stop those looking for a bit of fresh air from venturing out.

... The canyon has two entrances. The easiest to reach is on Adeline Drive. For directions from any location visit www.friendsofmillscanyon.org.

- Written by Fiona

Living under the Stars up a Tree

Anyone noticed the hammock way high up in one of our local trees. What a beautiful spot to be away from the madding crowd! Not saying where it is because if it is a living-under-the-stars homeless person, I don't want the Burlingame homeless vigilantes out in force. But it is quite a treetop feat!

- Written by Fiona

To Decide for Themselves - Now that's a concept for us ALL

Teachers, district at impasse (Daily Journal)


Contract negotiations between the San Mateo Union High School District and the teachers union came to a halt on Monday, when the teachers declared an impasse.
Both sides signed off to go to mediation, however, the official paperwork has yet to be filed. Negotiations began months ago with a slight delay because of budget woes with no success. The mediation meeting is not currently scheduled. The San Mateo High School District Teachers Association also plans to file one to five unfair labor practice charges with the Federal Labor Regulations Authority because of negotiation tactics used by the district negotiation team. It's a $30,000 difference between the coverage wanted by the teachers and the benefit cap the district is proposing. Both sides hope the mediation will be helpful in resolving talks that are stuck on health benefits. We are at the point where we needed a third party to take a look at the possibilities. It can often be helpful when two sides cannot agree. We remain hopeful we will get this resolved,? said Superintendent Sam Johnson.

Craig Childress, San Mateo High School District Teachers Association president, agreed. We never acted in an adversarial way. ... Everything we've done ... was in an effort to save the district money to keep the experienced staff that we have,? he said. Teachers agreed to accept no pay raise, because of the budget concerns facing the district earlier this year.
Tension between the district and its employees grew after the district Board of Trustees approved $3.5 million in budget cuts including the layoff of 12.4 teachers and 36.1 school staff Sept. 28. The cuts created low morale among the teachers and staff. The San Mateo High School District Teachers Association decided to take no position on the successful Measure M the district's $298 million bond measure to address facility updates allowing each teacher to decide for themselves.

- Written by Fiona

The Best Example of Getting Involved

Heather's article in the Daily Journal (with photo) - Nagel takes over as Burlingame mayor

Mayor Terry Nagel, right, shares a laugh with former boss Don Langley, left. Langley and his wife Judy came down from San Francisco to support Nagel. Outgoing Burlingame Mayor Cathy Baylock gave a David Letterman style top 10 list on the city's biggest accomplishments this year as she passed the gavel to new Mayor Terry Nagel, who responded with her own list of ways civic involvement can keep you healthy. The Burlingame City Council began its meeting for the last time with Cathy Baylock who shared her favorite memories as mayor. Mayor Terry Nagel assumed the seat less than an hour later. She came prepared with a three-page speech encouraging community involvement. Part of the challenge that lies ahead in the coming year is trying to determine which goals to emphasize. For example, while council members agree on the importance of promoting citizen engagement, economic development and emergency preparedness, there are many directions in which we might go,? said Nagel. She actively campaigned for community input and involvement; complete with statistics about the difference between people now from 25 years ago. Getting involved is not only good for Burlingame, it's good for you,? she said. Did you know that a recent survey showed that joining just one group cuts in half your odds of dying during the next year??

Baylock spent her last minutes as mayor thanking her fellow council members and listing her favorite moments. Since the city rotates its mayor among its five-member council, Baylock will remain on the council and take her place at the end of the rotation. Baylock created her list with a grand prize winner which included the goal-setting session, completing the economic development study of downtown, finishing the city's master plan, placing an infrastructure measure on the ballot, planning the centennial celebration, approving the Easton Drive reforestation plan, adding an extra public comment period during meetings and holding a charrette. Her favorite accomplishment for civic engagement went to the Burlingame Avenue train station improvement project. Rosalie O'Mahony was named vice mayor her fifth time filling the position, to which Nagel jokingly replied, At least someone knows what they're doing.?

Local leaders came out to see the ceremonial changing of the guard. County supervisors Mark Church and Jerry Hill, Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe and Deputy Coroner Tom Marriscolo were in the crowd to wish the council well.

Article in San Mateo Times
Article in Burlingame Daily News

- Written by Fiona

Our New Mayor

Terry Nagel takes over as mayor in Burlingame (Daily Journal)

Burlingame has a new leader in town, as Terry Nagel will be sworn in as mayor tonight. The Burlingame City Council will hold the annual mayoral rotation this evening, with Mayor Cathy Baylock starting the meeting for the last time. Vice Mayor Nagel will be stepping into the mayoral shoes and Councilwoman Rosalie O'Mahony is slated to become vice mayor. This is a big honor to represent the city I know and love. Ten years ago I didn't have any idea at all that I would be in this position,? she said. Nagel, 57, hopes to continue the goals set forth by the council during the current fiscal year. The beginning of her reign will focus on promoting community involvement and economic development. This really is not any one person's goals. The team collectively tries to collect feedback and synthesize it into community wide goals to help the whole city accomplish,? said Nagel. Nagel would like to see efforts to create a two-way dialogue with citizens expanded. The city recently received a civic engagement grant that will be used to research the best ways to create this conversation. The council would also like to find ways to promote economic development, but doesn't have the funds to hire an economic development director. This will be a challenge during the upcoming year that Nagel hopes can be solved if council members put their heads together.

When she isn't acting as a council member, Nagel is a communications officer for the Skoll Foundation. She is the mother of three Katie, 26; Matt, 23; and Greg, 20. Nagel married her husband Jim 29 years ago.

- Written by Fiona