4/7 Newsletter _ 7:32

SPRING UPDATE

The District released the Spring Update this week. It included an overview of the budget, reserves, and comparisons to other districts. It also provided an update on the progress of the market study.

We are happy that the District agrees with us that budget surpluses and excess reserves can be used to address immediate priorities. We know that there are a lot of ongoing challenges for students and educators that should take priority over putting tax-payers’ dollars in the bank when we already have sufficient reserves. Our 2022 ACE Issue Survey showed some of the issues that the district could be addressing with our existing resources.

However, we are concerned that some of the information we have received in the Spring Update doesn’t appear to be entirely transparent and straightforward. For example, how will these reserve dollars be used and how are those decisions being made? How do our revenue levels compare to districts of similar size and demographics? Are we getting all the information about our budget?

We will be discussing these financial questions in our ACE site meetings with information that we have been able to access and analyze outside of what the district has provided. Please join us for open and honest conversations about these important matters.

Most importantly, our position stands: CUSD educators should have a seat at the table through a real, independent union that empowers us to have a voice in our district. ACE is the answer.

A NOTE FROM THE

ACE EXECUTIVE CABINET TEAM

Today the ACE Executive Cabinet team met with CUSD’s Executive Cabinet in our monthly meeting. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss and resolve issues that have been brought to us through our surveys and teacher-led conversations. We believe these topics are important to our students and colleagues. Topics included:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLANNING & COLLABORATION DAYS

Dr. Corrine Folmer stated that the early release time guidelines will NOT change. Currently early release days are as follows: 1 is for teacher directed prep time, 2 are for PLCs, and 1 is principal discretion. Teachers have requested at least 2 days for teacher discretion. We want to ensure that we have proper planning time. ACE will continue to work on this important issue. It’s our belief that elementary teachers must have more protected Wednesdays to prepare and collaborate.

CUSD FINANCIAL PICTURE

We asked questions to clarify some of the information that was shared with us in the Spring Update because we want to make sure we understand. Transparency is paramount in understanding how funds are spent, and we want to ensure that the information coming from the district is painting the full picture. ACE is doing our own research. We want to be as informed as possible to navigate through the complexities of how funds are spent. We recommend everyone do the same.

As passionate and dedicated Clovis educators, we believe working collaboratively with administration is the best way to resolve issues in a timely manner. ACE wants to provide the best for our students. We also believe that open dialogue and working with complete information is imperative in order to truly collaborate. We look forward to continuing the discussion with the administration next month on May 12th. If there are any concerns that you wish to bring to our attention, please reach out to any of the executive cabinet or your site ACE representatives. Thank you and have a restful spring break, you deserve it.

ACE Executive Cabinet Team,

Elizabeth Houtsinger, Maple Creek

Kristin Heimerdinger, BHS

Tamara Soemali, District Psychologist

Jaime Arrendondo, REC

Amy Kilburn, REC

Nancy Welch, Adult Transition Program

ACTION ITEMS

ACE ISSUES SURVEY: RESULTS

With more than 300 responses, CUSD educators weighed in on the top 5 priority issues.

At the top of the list is competitive salaries – so that we can both attract and retain our excellent educators.

Lower class size/caseload and increased prep/planning time was in the top 5 for more than 50% of respondents.

Finally, issues such as healthcare premiums, greater input in curriculum, increased mental health support for students, and a better work/life balance all made the list.

ACE is here to help empower educators to ask for what's important - for ourselves and our students.

SPED CORNER

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