Comments

lou wrote on Nov 25, 2009 2:45 PM:

" To JP,
School district is crying for substitute teachers. Sign up and see it you have what it takes. You can sub. any grade you want. Why not Kindergarten? "




Mary Jo wrote on Nov 25, 2009 11:56 AM:

" The State of Alaska's budget and checkbook is online. This would be a good idea for our local school district. "




Taxpayer wrote on Nov 25, 2009 10:04 AM:

" I agree, what is the school district hiding? They need to let the budget public and more transparent. "




Found It wrote on Nov 24, 2009 4:43 PM:

" Anchorage School District found Ten Million Dollars unused from Bonds. Has MatSu got any stashed away? A challenge to all parties. Make the contract negotiations public.Give us a hint what is the real obstacle here. "




Taxpayer wrote on Nov 23, 2009 8:06 PM:

" Wow, no wonder the District staff doesn't want anyone snooping into their budget. They don't want anyone finding out how much they have stash aside to keep raises coming for themselves. When they're not giving employees raises the Superintendent just recently got a 2% raise. "




jp to teacher wrote on Nov 23, 2009 2:48 PM:

" that's all the directors make? and everyone is whining?
sure glad i didn't go into the field of education! I'd starve!


those who can, Do!.........those who can't................teach! "




Teacher wrote on Nov 21, 2009 11:02 PM:

" No, managers and directors should not be paid more money than teachers because they have extra college and education. I know plenty of teachers who have more education (PhDs) than most of these district leaders could ever hope for. Staying in the classroom to help kids directly, passing up larger paychecks. Director positions are political are arrived at through years of suave wrangling and political maneuvering. They are not in unions and make between $120,000 to over $200,000 a year. These are the highest paid people who want to see the union dissolved so they can make more money. "




Always need more money wrote on Nov 21, 2009 10:19 PM:

" I disagree about the Directors being paid so much. Most of the Directors are Socially Promoted from within the School District. While it is good to be familiar with our problems, a little new blood and a new perspective is needed. "




Hey think wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:11 PM:

" The reason the managers and directors get that much is they earned it- by getting college degrees, investing time and education, and deserve what they are paid.

you want to be like them, without investing into education or a strong work ethic.

why do you think you should be paid more?

geesh, greedy union. "




ANTI-UNION wrote on Nov 21, 2009 3:57 PM:

" FOR A REASON.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REWARDS BAD EMPLOYEES AND CREATES A BAD WORK ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S THE OLD "LOWEST COMMON DEMONINATOR" MENTALITY.

AND AS A TAXPAYER, IN A RIGHT TO WORK STATE LIKE ALASKA, I EXPECT MORE.

GET WHAT YOU'RE WORTH- AND EARN THE REST LIKE THE REST OF US. "




get rid of management wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:25 PM:

" It's so simple. The managers and directors who don't do a blessed bit of real work and collect far more money and beneifits than any one for not lifting a finger can easily be the money savings that this district needs to settle a fair contract. All you anti-union folks need to go live in "A right to work for less" state and see how great things are there. "




so true wrote on Nov 20, 2009 8:50 PM:

" wait...i just got new information- it turns out 75% of all the charter schools i called have their staff and kids clean the school daily. on top of their education. the admin says it "teaches responsibility". i agree it does. and heir test scores make the msbsd look like a booger.

drop the unions. "




Dragon Fire wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:27 PM:

" I agree with "Included". Where would our schools be without all of our support staff who are all in this together. There would be no one here to open the building, and our childrens educations would be put on hold. It is nice to know that there are many more people in the community who support us more than our own administration does. "




To Included wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:05 PM:

" Just imagine if we all got paid what we THOUGHT we were worth.

And then assign who has to pay for that.

The taxpayer, that's who.

No thanks, union. "




Included wrote on Nov 20, 2009 1:03 PM:

" Just so everyone knows CEA is not only the custodians. They are only around 100 of the 700 employees in this catagory. The list contains many: Aides with degrees, mechanics with extra education, drivers for food service, office staff, district office employees, the lunch crew including the cooks, admin secreteries, tutors, treasurers, front desk secretaries and even recess monitors. Just think how the schools would run if everyone was treated equally. "




Barb G wrote on Nov 19, 2009 11:36 PM:

" The school District can afford another new director but can't seem to hire a receptionist. Try to get them to answer the phone is tough some-days. Rotating personnel at the front desk makes you wonder which day the Custodian sits there for the day. He/she is probably the most cost effective one there that month. "




Nonya Busness wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:32 PM:

" I suggest that someone perform an audit on all the pork employed at the school district headquarters. They have recently increased the number of "Directors". Why does the Business Office need so many directors and supervisiors! Particularly when the comptroller does most of the supervising!! The district should look at streamlining and consolidating functions. They have a Director of HR, EEO, Comptroller, Assistant Director of Business, and a multitude of supervisors. The exorbitant salaries these folks makes could more than cover the cost of the CEA contract by cutting some of the pork! "




Dragon Fire wrote on Nov 19, 2009 5:11 PM:

" My comment is for "Clean the Schools Mybe" who posted on Nov. 18. How many of the schools have you been in? Because I know of many of our schools that have excellent custodians who take very good care of their schools including myself and my partner who clean one of the elementary school. "




Two quick points wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:04 PM:

" 1) There's no reason to settle for a one year contract when five months of that year are almost over. The negotiations on the next contract would have to start immediately.
2) I find it laughable that one of the sticking points is the cost of insurance. I am constantly getting insurance offers from the union along with all manner of other financial services offers that have nothing whatsoever to do with labor issues. NEA is nothing more than another scam outfit and I wish I could work for the school district without being a union member. "




Be Fair wrote on Nov 18, 2009 7:11 PM:

" happy employees are more productive. We put in way more than our paid 8 hours, and we have 1/2 the staff we need to man our department. Its insulting to think that every one else gets a pay raise and departments like IT doesn't...in fact the CEA employees will lose money when everyone else has already GOT a raise. We're not being unreasonable, just fair....and the district has the money thats not being spent on students. "




J wrote on Nov 18, 2009 7:06 PM:

" The school district has money to stash away in an emergency fund this year. The Teachers, Principals, directors and managment staff all got raises, somewhere around 4%. The CEA gets offered nothing. But its deeper than that; the school district also expects us to loose a weeks pay in paid holidays and for us to pay twice as much out of our pockets for insurance. No one else has too. The CEA members do so much for the schools, and we're not asking for more than anyone else. MSBSD - BE FAIR after all,even Social Security goes up with inflation.... "




CLEAN the schools maybe wrote on Nov 18, 2009 3:40 PM:

" How about actually CLEANING the schools first, and then maybe seeing if you actually deserve a raise? How about having the union take LESS for dues? Maybe too much time dedicated to things other than doing the job? "




jp wrote on Nov 18, 2009 8:32 AM:

" i think wage should reflect performance!
with that said; perhaps the CEA should get a raise, while the teachers should get a pay decrease, as they are not holding up their end.
proof? look at the student drop-out rate, grades,national test percentage, and literacy. "




Dragon Fire wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:41 PM:

" Iam one of the custodians that many of these posted comments wants to constantly degrade. For one the custodians make under $12.00 hrly. And second I am also a former NANA employee. I did not come on with the school district because of the money (even though it does help pay the bills and keep food on the table for my children), I came back on with the school district because I love my job and all the children and staff that I work with, and also for the cleanliness and safety for all those that enter through the doors. "




Status Quo wrote on Nov 17, 2009 1:12 PM:

" I am a classified employee with the district and love my job. Working with children is always a joy, albeit gut wrenching at budget/negotiation times. I say let's freeze all wages for two years and see how the budget sits in 2011. Sure, it might hurt a bit but at least we still have a good job, right!?! "




All should be treated the same wrote on Nov 16, 2009 9:50 PM:

" If the District wants the Classified staff to have a 0% increase then all the staff also should have a 0% increase. The Superintendent got his raise this year. If he wants his employees to have a 0% increase he should have taken a 0% increase. If he would I would. In the 80's when we were in the same boat we all took a 0% increase for several years. That was ALL of us not just 1 group. The 0% was offered in June before the custodians were brought back. "




jp wrote on Nov 16, 2009 4:42 PM:

" during an economic tragedy as we're having now, people have the gall to ask for a raise? they should be happy they even have a job, and humble to receive the pay they do receive!
i'm quite certain there are several thousands of people out there that would perform your job just as well as you for less money. Want to make a bet on that?
how do i know this? .......Wal-Mart is fully staffed, right? "




JulieS wrote on Nov 16, 2009 2:27 PM:

" Lets make this negotiation as smooth as Teacher and Administration that slid thru. A lot of money is wasted in this deliberation. We must obviously have a contract, but lets make it for a year and see what shape we are in next year. The days of fat unions are declining. We all work harder for today's dollar. Bureaucracies squandering must be stopped. There are many programs that could use trimming. put the savings in the classrooms. Reduce Class size today. "




Parent of Middleschooler wrote on Nov 16, 2009 1:25 PM:

" Funny how Ms. Vauge is saying it's all about custodians. She is mad that the vote for custodians didn't go her way and now it's personal for her. She is like a two year old that is throwing a fit cuz she didn't get her way. CEA was trying to get a contract before and now after the custodians issue. Look at the MSBSD website the CEA proposal doesn't say hire them back. The School Board did that Colleen face the facts and suck it up. "




khbalaska wrote on Nov 16, 2009 12:32 PM:

" Here's a wild and crazy idea - OUTSOURCING! Oh wait... "




Susan Bob wrote on Nov 16, 2009 11:23 AM:

" Some custodians have degrees and still choose to work as custodians. Unions suck said that they have the same skills as McDonald’s employees. Union sucks needs education; his statement does not make sense. Let's leave the custodians out of the equation and move on with negotiations. What about the cost to pay out George Troxell’s retirement, this will cost the district millions and then they will hire a new superintendant that they will pay in addition to George's payout. No wonder they won't negotiate with CEA they have to fund administration and their bad choices. Good-Luck CEA! "




Storminn wrote on Nov 16, 2009 11:06 AM:

" Wake up, this is the same lawyer who is retained by numerous school districts and his pattern is to offer nothing but cuts, and preach the need for "mediation". Ask this, How much is Uncle Saul being paid to not work, offer no outcomes and seek federal Mediation so that others can do his job while he is being paid a huge hourly amount for his not working, charges by the minute he does!!! "




To Destroy All Unions wrote on Nov 16, 2009 10:10 AM:

" Custodians make less than $12.00 an hour. These are the people making sure that our schools are clean, specially during flu season. While their education level might be lower than those teaching in the classrooms, these are hard-working individuals that deserve respect. This is regardless of whether or not they work under a union or a private corporation. You are attacking the workers and insult the intelligence of Frontiersman readers. Perhaps you should consider going back to school, or at least learn how to spell before insulting others. "




Teacher wrote on Nov 16, 2009 9:17 AM:

" Scanning some of the comments people seem focused on how much janitors make. Yes, school custodians make more than entry level Wal-Mart and McDonald's employees. However, when it comes to working around your children do you want someone dedicated and well compensated or a constant stream of poorly paid temporary employees? As a teacher and parent, I don’t want strangers in my school, around my kids, and possibly angry because of poor pay. Who knows what retaliation they could try to find. "




DESTROY ALL UNIONS wrote on Nov 15, 2009 4:06 PM:

" MAKE TAXPAYING LOWER. THESE LEACHES WANT MORE, MORE MORE. CUSTOIANS MAKE- GET THIS - 21.44 AN HOUR. AND THEIR LEVEL OF EDUCATION? G.E.D. ITS OUR MONEY WERE WASTING. JUST SAY NO TO ALL UNIONS. "




brian who wrote on Nov 15, 2009 3:06 PM:

" I love these posts with inside information..... and from one who is obviously one of the insiders negotiating... who posts stuff about the salary of negotiating attorneys for the district?? Obviously the district will just have to live with the custodian decision. Folks are losing jobs all over the nation, if you dont like your salary scale, get more technical skills and education... that's our system! Work hard and improve yourself... this collective whining when the unemployment rate tops 10% is silly. Take the pulse unionistas! and the district needs an in house lawyer! "




JimmMcV wrote on Nov 15, 2009 1:24 PM:

" Why is this labor contract being treated any differently that the one for the Teachers, Administration and the superintendent. What is the big difference? They all got huge increases. It must just be a matter of bad timing. Negotiating when the economy is down is a distinct disadvantage. Why not use some of those stimulus funds and actually pay people instead of more pork programs? "




How ironic. wrote on Nov 15, 2009 9:05 AM:

" Funny you should use that quote:

"Many hands make lighter work"

That quote is from 1497- john Heywood. A devout socialist (near communist) poet and writer.

Unions=socialism. "




RR wrote on Nov 14, 2009 10:38 PM:

" Isn't it funny that unions are attacked in favor of a system where management makes exorbitant salries and the jobs that create the products to generate the revenue to pay the exorbitant salaries are given to the lowest bidder. Remember, you get what you pay for. Why is CEA that who represents the lowest paid employees need to get a reality check? It seems more appropriate for ALL employee groups to share the pain, which is kind of like "many hands make for lighter work". This was the Anchorage approach. "




Its about time wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:27 PM:

" Alaska needs to become a right to work state. I am unhappily a member of MSEA. Outsourcing custodial work was a good move. Bringing it back inhouse was supposed to be a bone thrown to the union to get them to roll over on other negotiations. Fat chance. Give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile. Step increases ARE raises. Nobody should be getting more on top of that every year regardless of which union represents them. The principal of compounded interest drives up the cost of education far too rapidly. "




Rusty wrote on Nov 14, 2009 4:24 PM:

" Unions have outlived their usefulness. They are an obsolete institution that needs to just fade away, along with their useless leaders. Let INDIVIDUALS contract privately with the school district for jobs, including teachers, and be rewarded by results and doing a good job instead of being grouped according to the lowest common denominator. Unions destroy individual achievement and sucess. Abolish unions and unleash the human potential. Or keep them, and continue to squash the life out of humanity. "




Tax Payer. wrote on Nov 14, 2009 11:20 AM:

" The current health care insurance system is gonna sink all of our boats. At least you folks have health care. Try paying the entire cost of the Premiums or go without and hope nothing bad happens. Your tax payer funded job and benefits are still a good deal. Be realistic. The tax payer pool is only so deep. "




Reality Check wrote on Nov 14, 2009 5:26 AM:

" No matter what anyone says or hopes, the return of the custodians is THE issue here. I believe that any sane or honest person could have seen that it would lead to the present financial disaster and unclean schools -- even Mr. Byrnes and his minions over in the MSEA office. That they would follow up their lobbying for that crippling blow with a request for more money displays a staggering, but predictable, lack of sensitivity and concern for the welfare of students. "




eileen b. wrote on Nov 14, 2009 4:40 AM:

" Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!...the school board/district blaming all of their financial woes on the custodian staff again....as if those men and women, barely making $13 an hour, have once again placed our mat su school district in financial dire straits. A 3% across the board raise sounds fair, isn't that what the board felt about the administration raise? Why not do the same for the very valuable support staff of our school.. I have said it before and I will say it again...shame on you mat-su school board. "




buddy wrote on Nov 13, 2009 11:18 PM:

" Cry me a bucket CEA, You and some school board members under handed dealings against NMS and the 1.7 million + you cost the tax payers and school district has come back and bit you on the bottom.
So buck up , outsource you all, and put
the millions saved back to the children and stop wasting tax payer dollars. "




unions suck. wrote on Nov 13, 2009 8:52 PM:

" How much does a JANITOR make?

I mean really.

You have the same skill set a McDonalds employee.

Truly. "




CEA Leader wrote on Nov 13, 2009 8:42 PM:

" MS Vague once again uses the District line that "it is for students". The same rationale for "saving" money by outsourcing custodians. The difference between the District Central Office and Operations and Maintenance prior to outsourcing and after the outsourcing ended is a 57% increase in management positions and a 43% increase in certified positions in the central office NOT in the classroom. The new positions represent an increase of $1.9 million in these two District wide services departments. This does not include other increases related to the upgrading of existng positions. "




Ron wrote on Nov 13, 2009 8:32 PM:

" MS Vague is either confused or spreading misinformation. CEA was in fact seeking full restoration of the District custodians prior to losing its lawsuit in the Alaska Supreme Court. That loss occured prior to the School Board vote to rehire custodians. CEA has not sought full restoration since the Supreme Court decision. Eligible custodians are being restored to step 4 of the 11 step scale that tops out at step 9. This action is based on a long standing provision in the Agreement for employees returning to the District within 3 years of separation. "




Savings Idea wrote on Nov 13, 2009 7:43 PM:

" Are the former NANA Custodians still available? A strike might just save us that extra ONE MILLION DOLLARS a year rehiring the old custodians cost us. This may be an opportunity to save a buck? "




Rick ByrnesCEA Pres. wrote on Nov 13, 2009 11:21 AM:

" Ms. Vague stated that the contract is being held up due to CEA's position on custodians.
She may have been misinformed.
CEA has no proposal about custodians being restored to their former pay. The board should recognize the hard work of our custodians, the front line in clean, safe schools and the H1N1 challenges.
CEA represents all employees equally and they all have the same desire: to be treated fairly and with respect.
CEA calls on the district to return to the bargaining table and to bargain in good faith ASAP. "




offsoapstone wrote on Nov 13, 2009 11:09 AM:

" I hope the school board sticks to its guns on this one. CEA campaigned to get the custodians back by telling the board they could do the job for about the same amount as what NANA cost. This we all knew could not happen except for the school board. The board should have told NANA it would have a one year contract and then it was going back inhouse. This would have given them time to get their ducks in a row. The custodians are new employees and need to work their way up. "




I WOULD LOVE TO PAY MORE AND MORE PROPERTY TAXES..... wrote on Nov 13, 2009 10:52 AM:

" yeah right!

....this IS the problem with UNIONIZED labor; there isn't a REALITY check: the flat or declining economy doesn't faze the bargaining unit.....no matter what it's UP, UP, and AWAY or else S T R I K E. "




Support staff wrote on Nov 13, 2009 10:20 AM:

" We are not asking for the moon here. We want to be treated fair. Support staff make sure the schools open. Teacher's teach and don't maintain the buildings or answer the phones. When the board approved everyone else's contract did they consider all those raises for Administration? Do we not have bills to pay? Do we not buy the same goods in this Valley. Well stop dragging your feet and wasting time and money on more lawyer fees. Of course the lawyer wants to stall. He has everything to gain. $$$. "




Denali83 wrote on Nov 13, 2009 7:08 AM:

" CEA should be treated fairly just as the teachers, principals and supervisors.The custodians were hired back as new employees! They have already taken a pay cut. The CEA members deserve a fair contract with a living wage. Doubling the insurance paid by less than full time employees would end up with them OWING the district money each pay period! "




Gimmie More wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:27 PM:

" Hey Administration got a three percent yearly increase, why not everyone. It is insane when the cost of living is flat. Exec Bonus etc - makes you wonder if any Top Dogs would consider a pay cut to reduce class size. Funny but will calss size ever be reduced? "




brian wrote on Nov 12, 2009 9:17 PM:

" President Vague, sounds like your attorney is calling the shots. Following the advice to stall negotiations given by an attorney who bills by the hour is wasting money on his salary, money that could be 'meeting the needs of students'. Time to take a lead and get back to the table. "