We Did it-And We ALL Won!

District, teachers union reach tentative agreement on new contract

By ROGER MCKINNEY

Saturday, April 23, 2016 

There was applause, a group photo and an invitation by one negotiating team to join the other team at a restaurant to celebrate.

Negotiating teams with the Columbia Missouri National Education Association and the Columbia Board of Education on Friday reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract that includes an average 5.77 percent salary increase for teachers in addition to increases for experience.

The agreement restores salaries frozen in 2009-10 for teachers who were working for the district at the time. CMNEA President Kathy Steinhoff has asked the school board to approve a one-time stipend to provide the money to those teachers this year.

The contract sets the minimum salary at $35,500, up from the current $34,353. The agreement would have new university graduates earn the minimum salary for their first three years rather than the current contract that pays them the minimum for their first four years with Columbia Public Schools.

It also sets the minimum salary for new teachers with a master’s degree at a higher rate than those with a bachelor’s degree. That starting salary would be $36,129.

The district’s base salary would increase 5.25 percent, from $30,514 to $32,115. After three years with the district, teachers’ salaries would be determined by a formula using the base salary.

The contract also includes an annual $3,000 stipend for teachers who maintain certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards or a certificate of clinical competence in speech and language pathology or audiology.

The new contract allows the teams to negotiate seven items in addition to salaries for each of the next three years.

The teams previously reached tentative agreements about working conditions, including teacher planning time.

Voters on April 5 approved a 65-cent increase in the district’s operating levy, which is expected to collect $14.625 million annually. Nearly $7 million was designated for employee raises.

Linda Quinley, the district’s chief financial officer, said the salary schedule that includes benefits, stipends and restoring frozen salaries will cost about $4.3 million. The remaining $2.7 million will help provide raises to other district employees.

Mary Grupe, a member of the CMNEA team, said its members would vote to ratify the contract beginning May 5, with the results expected May 6. The school board is set to consider the agreement at its May 9 meeting.

“We are really so incredibly grateful for the way you guys have worked with us,” Grupe told the administration team.

“It takes both sides at the table,” said Duane Martin, lead negotiator for the administration team. “It says a lot about the professionalism of the people sitting over there. We appreciate it.”

Dana Clippard, the school district’s deputy superintendent, said the hard work isn’t finished.

“I think we’re all very pleased,” Clippard said. “I want to recognize that we’re still challenged in the area of teacher compensation. We’ve made improvements, but we’re not at our final destination. We can celebrate tonight, but we know that our work isn’t done.”

Grupe said after the session that Clippard’s acknowledgement was encouraging.

“We think it’s a new chapter for CPS,” Grupe said.

Thank You Sarah and Paul

April 5th election night brought out much excitement and disappointments for our local. CMNEA was excited to have endorsed two outstanding candidates, Sarah Dubbert and Paul Rainsberger.  Both candidates showed that they were willing to step up and help our school board grow by reaching further out into the community and be strong advocates for public education. Both had their passion to help our students. Paul wished to reach out to students who were on the career path and not only on the college path. Sarah wanted to reach out to working parents who need alternatives to the school communications and schedule so that more families may participate. Both candidates had great connections in the community to help our district reach these goals. 

Our local also voted to support the 2016 Columbia Public School Bond and Levy. Our district is growing, and with this growth more is needed to educate ALL of our students. We need more teachers, curriculum supplies, supportive programs and buildings. In order to achieve these goals, we will need to attract the very best teacher colleagues to our district. Our current salaries are not reaching the final goal.

Throughout the month of March CMNEA members knocked on well over 1,000 doors to advocate for our students and our district. We spread the word with our families, friends and colleagues. We hosted our own forum and attended forums throughout Columbia to show our support for our candidates and our district bond/levy.

In the end, our district won huge with the election of the bond and levy. Thank you Columbia! Our negotiations team will return to the negotiation table this week to continue to bargain for salaries that will attract and retain the very best. Our bond will allow us to improve our older buildings and go on with plans to build a new elementary and middle school.

Sadly, our endorsed candidates to the school board did not win seats on the board, but they did attract positive attention because both Paul and Sarah raised important issues about the board. The community wants a board that communicates clearly, visits schools, looks for alternative ways to include and reach all families, and focus on students who are career ready.  We thank Sarah and Paul for shining a light to these issues. It was an honor to work closely with them during these past months and wish each well in their future endeavors.

Congratulations to Jan Mees and Jim Whitt! The incumbents won their seats on the board, and already CMNEA is pleased with what we are observing. Mr. Whitt, serving his second term on the board as President sent us an email, indicating he will work closely with us. We find this very promising. We also watched in March, board members asking more questions for clarity and willing to take up an issue that was raised by President Kathy Steinhoff, for more discussion. This is good.

CMNEA will continue to work closely with the Columbia Public School Board and all those who wish to serve our district. Together, we WILL make Columbia Public Schools THE BEST district in the state.   

Columbia Voters Support Local Public Schools!

Boone County voters endorse school ballot issues, including Columbia property tax increase

By ROGER MCKINNEY

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Local districts were celebrating big wins after voters in Tuesday’s election approved every school issue on the Boone County ballot, including a property tax bump in Columbia that will increase teacher salaries.

About 53 percent of voters approved the 65-cent property tax increase per $100 of assessed valuation proposed by Columbia Public Schools.

According to unofficial results posted on the Boone County clerk’s website, the levy increase passed by 1,112 votes, with 11,394 people voting “yes” and 10,282 people voting “no.” Approval required a simple majority vote.

Superintendent Peter Stiepleman called it “a monumental day for Columbia.”

“Our community invested in us,” he said. “The next generation — the peers of my children and grandchildren — will most certainly look back on us and be grateful for the investment we made in their futures.”

Turnout was heavy for a municipal election, with 24,988 out of 96,919 eligible voters casting ballots — a countywide turnout of about 26 percent. In the March presidential primary, 54 percent of active registered voters cast ballots.

The measure will provide estimated annual revenue of $14.625 million. Nearly $7 million will be used to increase employee salaries. Stiepleman has said the average salary increase would be 5 percent. Another $6.6 million will be applied to current operations to end deficit spending. Another $720,000 will fund student programs and support.

The district’s total tax levy, including debt retirement, will increase to $6.1156 per $100 of assessed valuation. The adjustment will increase the district property taxes on a $150,000 house by $185.25 and add $2,080 to the property tax bill for a $1 million business and $43.29 in personal property taxes on a $20,000 vehicle.

Stiepleman said career programs, college-level courses, early childhood education, fine arts, athletics and high-quality employees are part of the district’s plans.

“And we get to have all those things because of tonight’s results,” he said.

A separate CPS ballot question seeking approval of a $30 million bond with no property tax increase drew resounding support, with 16,037 affirmative votes — about 74 percent of ballots — and 5,624 votes against the bond issue. It needed 57.14 percent for approval, a four-sevenths majority.

The bonds are planned to fund a land purchase and design for a new middle school in south Columbia, expansion of an elementary school and other maintenance and upgrades to buildings and technology infrastructure. A $50 million no-tax-increase bond issue would be required in two years to fund the school’s construction.

Elsewhere in Boone County, voters approved an operating levy in the Harrisburg School District and a bond issue in the Southern Boone School District in Ashland.

Including both Boone and Howard county results, 425 voters supported the Harrisburg levy increase of 67 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, and 381 ballots were cast against it. The same proposal was defeated by 39 votes in November. A simple majority was required to approve the question.

The Harrisburg levy increase will boost the district’s revenue by $255,000. The money is designated for instructional programs, materials and equipment and to offer competitive salaries and upgrade the district’s technology.

The district’s total tax levy will increase to $5.2311 per $100 of assessed valuation. It will increase the school district property taxes for the owner of a $150,000 house by $190.95.

Harrisburg Superintendent Lynn Proctor said she was excited for the students.

“We really worked hard this time to lay out the facts for our residents about why this was needed,” Proctor said.

The $7.5 million bond issue in Southern Boone School District received 855 “yes” votes — about 68 percent — and 400 “no” votes. It required a four-sevenths majority for approval, 57.14 percent.

The bonds will fund eight classrooms and a gym at the primary school, four classrooms at the elementary school and a classroom and weight room addition at the high school.

The debt service levy will increase 15 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, increasing the school property tax bill for the owner of a $150,000 house by $42.75.

Southern Boone Superintendent Chris Felmlee said he was “honored to have the support of the community.”

“I feel great,” Felmlee said. “The residents of the Southern Boone School District have always been supportive of an excellent education for every student.”

Voters in the New Franklin district, which covers parts of Howard and Boone counties, approved a $30 million bond issue 80 percent to 20 percent. The bonds, which do not require a tax increase, will pay for a new gym, locker rooms and lobby additions, along with other upgrades.

School Board Election Results from April 5, 2016

School board incumbents to keep their seats

Missourian Staff

COLUMBIA — Voters decided on Tuesday that incumbents Jan Mees and James Whitt could both keep their seats on the Columbia Public Schools Board of Education for the next three years











The vote:

• Jan Mees: 36.53 percent
• James Whitt: 23.30 percent
• Sarah Dubbert: 18.39 percent
• Paul Rainsberger: 13.23 percent
• Joseph Toepke: 8.56 percent

Winners' priorities 

Mees said doing what’s best for the students is her main goal with her re-election.

Whitt was focused on achievement — he emphasized overall student success. 

Mees has been on the board since 2007 and was a large proponent of the bond issue and tax levy increase. Whitt has been on the board since 2009, and is the current board president. 

Both were excited the ballot issues had passed. 

"We’ve got an aggressive plan to move forward with it, and we’ve gained the confidence of the public based on the vote," Whitt said. "We’re going to make sure we maintain that confidence and trust that we’ve received from our community."

The celebration

A large group of family and friends gathered at D. Rowe's restaurant to support Mees and wait for the results.

The school board incumbent made rounds around the room talking and laughing with guests. She was surprised with a bouquet of roses from her granddaughters, Hannah, 7, and Lauren, 4. Her party updated her about every 10 minutes when new results came in.

As Mees kept her lead to the end, the crowd cheered in celebration of her victory and congratulated her with clapping and many hugs. 

She said she was relieved the campaign was over, and thankful both the bond issue and tax levy had passed. 

"Our biggest priority now is going to be to get working on the budget for next year and continuing negotiations with our teachers. The plan for the bond issue is pretty well set in place. We need to find land and get the design going," she said. 

A few friends and family gathered at a private table in Flat Branch Pub and Brewing to support Whitt.

He hugged his wife as he celebrated his re-election.

"I feel good," he said. "Glad the campaigning is over. Now it’s time to get to work on the different programs we have implemented."

Other candidate watch parties

Surrounded by close family and friends, Toepke awaited voter responses in a private room at The Heidelberg. While watching the votes come in, Toepke and the small crowd of nine people remained cheerful, smiling and making jokes.

After he found out he hadn't won the seat, Toepke said he fully supports Mees and Whitt. He said one of the main things he hopes to see from Mees and Whitt is an increase in opportunities for minority and low-income students. He said they have been working on increasing diversity, but wants to see more results.

Toepke was undecided if he will run for school board in the future.

Dubbert held her watch party at Grand Cru restaurant. She was seated at the bar with about 14 supporters as the results filed in. Many of them congratulated Dubbert on her campaign after the final result came in.

"This has been a fun experience, we moved the conversation on issues that matter," she said.

Rainsberger watched the results with a party of more than 20 people at a corner table at Bleu restaurant. Susan McClintic, a current candidate for Missouri’s House of Representatives and former president of the Columbia Missouri National Education Association, came out to support him. 

Rainsberger said it was a good run even though he didn't win. He said he hopes the elected members of the board continue to keep the dialogue with the community going and follow up on issues such as racism and how low income students and students with learning disabilities are faring in schools. 

"I think I still have something to offer to the school board," Rainsberger said, "but I’d have to take some time to think about running again."

What To Do April 5th

My CMNEA "To Do" List for Tuesday:

1. Wear your CMNEA t-shirt to school AND when you go vote!

2. VOTE. Here is a nice example of how to vote!

3. Facebook or Tweet your "I voted" sticker to CMNEA or #P2BCMNEA!

You ROCK Because you are CMNEA!!

What Our Ballot Will Look Like Tommorrow

April election: On the ballot in Boone County

             

           

COLUMBIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

3-YEAR TERM (VOTE FOR 2)


Paul K. Rainsberger

James A. Whitt

Sarah Elizabeth Dubbert

Joseph Arthur Toepke

Jan Mees

COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS QUESTION 1

Shall the district be authorized to increase the operating tax levy by 65 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for general school operating purposes, including maintaining current programs, providing support for an increasing student enrollment and assisting in recruiting high-quality faculty?

If this proposition is approved, the district’s adjusted operating tax levy ceiling is estimated to be $5.1437 per $100 of assessed valuation.

YES

NO

COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS QUESTION 2

Shall the district issue its general obligation bonds of $30 million for the purpose of paying costs of acquiring, constructing, improving, extending, repairing, remodeling, renovating, furnishing and equipping new and existing school facilities and acquiring land therefor, including, without limitation, acquiring and developing land and preparing plans for a new middle school, constructing additions to two elementary schools, renovating and expanding a cafeteria kitchen, improving outdoor middle school athletic facilities, repairing or replacing roofs, windows, parking lots, and heating and air conditioning, and improving technology?

Approval of this question is expected to result in no increase of the district’s current debt service tax levy, which is estimated to remain at $0.9719 per $100 of assessed valuation.

YES

NO

What are YOU Going to Do THIS Tuesday?