Hugh M. Spoljaric, President
Kingston Teachers’
Federation
‘“I see!”,
said the blind man.’
Here is a quote that I discovered and your job is to identify its source; its speaker and its time period.
“A little patience, and we shall see the
reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering
their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true
that in the meantime, we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the
horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt…If the game
turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we
have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake.” *
I know what you’re thinking, but think a little more! Every generation believes that they are unique and that the events of their life are specific to their time. Yet, isn’t it true that it may be yin and yang, the cycle of life, déjà vu, the balance of nature? For those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it? Is there nothing new under the sun? Hasn’t it been different people, different times, different circumstances, but the same concerto? Hasn’t it all been done before? Or, is everything unique and specific?
Might it encompass local situations involving family, work, and politics? Don’t we all fight our own daily wars? Are there not situations where we are disadvantaged and we look for the tools to leverage the situation? Haven’t we all experienced some of this in education during our careers? Aren’t dedicated trusting people basically sincere and willing to persevere, patient, sometimes to a fault? Is that when we are open to deception? Does the sincerity of a person begin to turn to hypocrisy when a second person enters? Does fear spring from ignorance? Don’t many get hurt when we compromise our principles? Is luck really the residue of design?
Is this a unique time for us, or is it the innate characteristic of the human condition that repeats itself? There is always the struggle between good and bad. Doesn’t self-interest struggle with the common good? What goes ‘round, comes ‘round. Doesn’t every dog have his day?
Perhaps, we are at a time that is exciting and opportunistic. What can we expect? Has it all happened before? When it’s all changing around us, can we figure out the answer before we endure the event? Is that what experience provides for us?
The principled
life includes support for the principled right and dissent for the oppressive
wrong, the wisdom to know the difference, and the courage of your honest
convictions. Otherwise, we live in blindness of the truth.
And, that’s the Bottom Line.
* Thomas
Jefferson, 1798, in response to the Alien and Sedition Act
that outlawed certain instances of dissent.
IDEA Changes---Maria Neira,
VP, NYSUT
As you know, effective October 13, 2006,
the rights of teachers and other providers have been changed by the federal
regulations under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). The
major change, which NYSUT and our national affiliates opposed, allows parents
and the school district to exclude teachers, both special education and general
education, or other members from participating in decisions affecting the
education of students with disabilities. The State Education Department
(SED) will issue guidance memoranda and adopt conforming state
regulations. We encourage you to discuss with your Superintendent or
Director of Special Education how they intend to implement these changes.
Last year, NYSUT was able to block
the immediate implementation of these federal requirements against groups such
as the school boards and administrators that wanted to immediately implement
them in New York State. Unfortunately, now that the United States
Department of Education (USDOE) has adopted final regulations, the state laws
and regulations must conform to them.
NYSUT is concerned that the
inappropriate implementation of the new regulations will compromise the rights
of parents rather than strengthen them as was intended by the federal
legislation. We are concerned that students will not get the services
they need without a teacher advocate directly involved in the process.
Following is a summary of the provisions:
Excluding Committee on Special
Education (CSE) Members from Attending IEP Team Meetings
§ USDOE has said that a state must allow a school district and
parent to excuse a CSE member as described below. Additionally, the USDOE
indicates that states may not impose restrictions which would prohibit the
excusal of a CSE team member.
- School districts and parents can consent in writing to excuse a
member of the CSE whose area of curriculum or related services is being
discussed, if the member submits written input into the development of the IEP
prior to the meeting.
- School districts and parents can agree in writing that a member
of the CSE is not required to attend the IEP meeting, if the member's area of
curriculum or related services is not being modified or discussed.
Amending the IEP after the Annual Review
§ School districts and parents can agree to make changes to a
child's IEP after the annual meeting without a CSE meeting.
Triennial Evaluation
§ The school district and parent may agree in writing to waive the
triennial evaluation before the parent and other CSE members review existing
data to determine whether additional data are needed to determine the child's
continuing eligibility and educational services.
Use of Response-to-Intervention (RTI) in Determining a Learning Disability
§ School districts may use the results of a student's response to a
scientific, research-based intervention as part of the evaluation process to
determine whether a student has a learning disability. School districts
are no longer required to use a model that examines the discrepancy between the
student's intellectual ability and achievement in making a determination of a
learning disability.
§ While the response-to-intervention process may provide
instructional information in relation to the student's learning problem, it
should not delay providing services to students once they are referred to
special education. NYSUT is concerned that school districts will not
identify research-based interventions or provide the professional development
and adequate supports needed to successfully use the RTI approach. If
school districts are considering using a response-to-intervention process,
local leaders should work closely with school administrators in developing its
implementation plan.
We are in the process of setting up
a monitoring mechanism on NYSUT's website for locals to report concerns with
the implementation of these new requirements. Additional information will
be provided on this initiative in the near future. Fact sheets, including
additional information on each of these topics, are currently available on
NYSUT's website at: www.nysut.org. These fact sheets provide links to
information on the State Education Department's website.
SOME KTF
HISTORY
As our demographics continue to change, it’s important to absorb some
interpretations and understandings that got us here. Here are a couple of tidbits.
FACULTY MEETINGS: are not general staff and building meetings. They
are for faculty only. Other staff should not be present unless they are
presenting and are excused afterwards. Administration, unless invited, does not
stay for the KTF section of the meeting.
AGENCY FEE: All unit members, whether they join the KTF or not,
pay Federation dues. The KTF represents you in the collective bargaining
process and is compensated. There are Teachers and ESP who have not joined and
this is their right. The benefits of KTF and NYSUT that go beyond basic
representation, like the Moore Days Sick Bank, are available only to enrolled
members.
Dear
Trustees and Trust Members,
I wanted to express my sincere thanks to
everyone for the overwhelming cards, flowers and well wishes that included lots
of hugs received during my recent illness.
It all provided important comfort during this difficult time. I am happy to report that my treatment is
complete and I am back at the office as your proud office manager. Wishing you all a happy holiday season and
new year….Miriam
NHAI Health & Rx
Coverage
Ö Dependent Child
Verification Due
Document is required before
01/31/2007 for all children ages 19 – 25 pertaining to the Spring 2007 college
semester. Verification is also required
for any covered non-students between the ages 19 – 23.
Ö Replacement Identification Cards
Members must purchase
replacement id cards. The cost is $3.50
per card. Submit a check made payable to the Kingston Trust Fund, indicate
whether a medical or dental card, and forward to the Trust Office.
NHAI Dental Coverage
Ö Dependent Child Verification Also Due
Members enrolled in NHAI
dental only, are also required to submit documentation as explained above.
Ö Retiree
Dental Premiums Due
Premium payments for the six-month
period 01/01/2007 – 06/30/2007 are now due.
Lavender colored invoices have been mailed. Payment is due by 01/31/2007.
Ö Dental Enrollment Period – Now Open
Active and Retired
teaching/professional staff are welcome to enroll in the NHAI dental coverage,
if not previously enrolled. Contact the Trust Office for the enrollment
form. Deadline to enroll is 01/31/2007
**ESP: Pending negotiations with the district later this month, ESP dental coverage may begin with NHAI. Currently dental enrolled active and retired ESP will be informed if a change is in place.
TO THE
KINGSTON TRUST GROUP HEALTH PLAN
Effective January 1,
2007
Effective
January 1, 2007, there will be three (3) benefit tiers: Premier PPO, Standard
PPO, and Indemnity non-PPO.
For Medicare primary members, benefits covered
by Medicare are fully coordinated and will be paid in full under all three
tiers so long as the provider is a Medicare provider. Annual limit (dollar or
number of visits) are applied to services on a combined basis.
Changes are necessary to adjust benefits
for inflation and the actual experience of the Kingston Trust. The average
increase in medical costs has been 18% per year for the past 3 years (57% higher than
the national average increase of 11.4%). The
plan changes are summarized below. A new Schedule of Benefits is available on
the KTF website under Kingston Trust Fund.
There shall be three (3) tiers for benefits.
v Tier 1 – NHAI Premier PPO (PPPO)
v Tier 2 – Standard PPO (MultiPlan and Three Rivers Network)
and Out of Area members (SPPO)
v Tier 3 – Out-of-Network (OON or NPPO)
(Individual/Family) Deductible Out
of Pocket Combined
Tier 1: none $1,000/$2,500 $1,000/$2,500
Tier 3: $500/$1,000 $1,500/$3,000** $2,000/$4,000
**The out-of-pocket limit for Tiers 1 and 2 are a
combined single limit and is separate from the Tier 3 out-of-pocket limit.
Generic: $10 (no
change) Mail Order= $15(no change)
Multi Source Brand: $20 Mail
Order= $30
Single Source Brand $30 Mail Order= $50
q Provides members with the absolutely best surgeons
and facilities for their particular transplant; and
q Provides the plan with a guaranteed contract cost
that is significantly less than what other providers would cost due to
pre-negotiated discounts through a special program negotiated for the
Plan.
Therefore,
any member choosing not to go to a pre-certified Center of Excellence
will have an additional copay of $5,000 and this copay will not
be applied toward the Plan Out-of-Pocket Limit.
q Travel expenses for immediate family members will be
covered at 80% up to a maximum of $100 per day/$10,000 in total while patient
is confined in a Center of Excellence pre-certified by the plan.
9. Weight Loss Program: Obesity is now recognized as a disease and a serious
health factor. To encourage members to lose weight and to maintain a healthy
weight, the following weight loss program will be adopted:
·
For any member or
their spouse/domestic partner who is at least 20 pounds over their
recommended weight, they will be reimbursed a Fitness or Wellness Benefit
of $150 for 15 to 25 lbs., $200 for 26 to 50 lbs., and $250 for over 50
lbs. Will be paid upon completion of any
successful weight loss program where they have lost a minimum of 15 lbs
and have maintained their weight loss for a minimum of 6 months. The weight loss program will have to be
certified by an independent certified weight loss professional or M.D.
verifying the weight at the beginning of the program and the end of the program.
The above amendments were
approved by the Board of Trustees as noted above by unanimous vote on the 28th
of November 2006.
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND CANCER RIGHTS ACT OF 1998
Under
Federal Law, the Trust Fund plan provides benefits for mastectomy-related
services including reconstruction and surgery to achieve symmetry between the
breast, prostheses, and complications resulting from a mastectomy (including
lymph edema).
These
benefits may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance provisions that
are appropriate and consistent with other benefits under the plan. As such, the
plan is obligated to provide related information, correspondence, ID cards,
etc. to the custodial parent or guardian even though the parent or guardian is
not covered under the plan.
For additional information or
pre-certification, please refer to the plan document or contact the NHAI
Compliance Office at 1-888-679-2400.
HEALTH TRUST PLAN REMINDERS
Trust Plan members must enroll in
the following programs in order to receive the special benefits offered by
these programs.
PRE-NATAL: enrollment must occur in the first trimester. All
maternity benefits will be paid at 100% after initial office visit copay,
including nursery care for the newborn. Otherwise, maternity benefits are paid
as any other benefit and are subject to Tier deductibles, copays, and
coinsurance.
DIABETIC: once enrolled, diabetic supplies, Glucophage and
Metformin will be covered at 100%. Otherwise, normal copays apply.
OUT OF AREA: for any student attending school or for any
retiree who is permanently domiciled, in both cases outside of a 50 mile radius
of the Kingston area, they are eligible for benefits under Tier 2.
WEIGHT LOSS: the new benefit is listed under
the Amendments and Modifications (#9) in this Torch.