CAT Tracks for May 4, 2004

Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for May 4, 2004

WINDING DOWN...

"Sweet sixteen" school days to go...and many, many less "teaching" days! It's time for the annual...

YEAR-END REMINDERS:

SUMMER MONEY: May 15th is the normal deadline for requesting all of your "summer money" in one lump sum. UNFORTUNATELY - due to the number of certified employees RIFed by the District, there is no room for such requests. There is a limit of fifteen (15) and the District - once again - RIFed more than that number. (See Section 4.3 of the Contract.)

SPEAKING OF MONEY: May 28th looms large...
If you are one of "the few, the proud, the perfect attendee", you will receive your well-deserved $250 on that date! Been there, done that...haven't been the same since. You have my utmost respect!
Extra duty money (Detention, Homebound Tutoring, Internal Substitution, Non-athletic Sponsorship) is also to be paid on May 28th. (Coaches get/got their money on the payday following the completion of their season.)
And last but not least...you begin getting your annual summer raise on June 15th! You know...CAT dues deduction ends with the 2nd check in May. Your check will be "heavier" in June, July, and August!
RIFed CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES: Illinois labor law requires that RIFed employees receive the balance of money due within three (3) business days of the last day of student attendance. That would be May 28th.
The District SHOULD take lump-sum deductions out of that check - e.g. your share of District health insurance premiums. (The District will probably refuse to make IEA Credit Union deductions...they wouldn't even take out the repayment of strike loans last year.)
If you are a participant in the District's group health insurance plan, the District is obligated to continue paying their share of the single premium through July for coverage through August. After that, you are eligible for coverage for an additional eighteen (18) months under COBRA - although you would have to pay the full premium.
Remember...There is a link on the CAT website for the IEA Reduction-In-Force Handbook. If you have been RIFed, I would encourage you to read the handbook. If after doing so, you have any questions or concerns, contact Ron Newell for assistance.
Hopefully, the District will SOON begin the recall process...WE want you back!
(In a related matter, on April 23rd, ISBE released its preliminary recommendation for the FY05 District Distribution of Funding for General State Aid and Categoricals. According to those figures, Cairo School District Number One stands to receive an additional $428,110 for the 2004-05 School Year.)
CAT ELECTION: It is time for the election of officers for the 2004-05 School Year. Current officers are Ron Newell (President), Deborah Hammel (Vice President), Ledora Beard (Treasurer), and Karla Patton (Secretary). If you would be interested in running for one of these offices, please notify one of the above by Friday, May 14th. Ballots will be prepared and the election will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2004.

And last, but definitely not least...

Happy National Teacher Day!