Hugh M. Spoljaric, President
“
Last week, representatives from the League
of Women Voters of
There were questions about the role that
we play in the planning process and in addressing concerns and problems. The
state APPR, AIS, and CDEP committees already mandate our participation.
Standardized tests already direct our teaching and influence our instruction. And, safety concerns already mandate certain state
guidelines and participation. I began to realize, that in almost every case,
the sate or federal government has created mandates but has not provided
adequate funding. I think that most of us realize that state and federal
mandates are less than adequately funded, but one must take regular inventory
to see how it is affecting public education. As I said in last month’s column,
we are being set up for failure.
In the fall of the year, there was some
debate between the state legislature and the Board of Regents regarding the
necessary length of the public school obligation. At the time, state officials
were spreading the idea that it should constitute only K-8. NYSUT took a
position, as they should, that a high school education is a necessity. After
reviewing President Bush’s education budget (Torch, 2/03), I believe that, if
present government leaders have their way, secondary free public high school
education may be on the way out.
It would alleviate the space problems
facing many districts. It would eliminate up to 25% of faculty and staff,
thereby cutting salary and benefit costs. And it would
become a new industry, supported by vouchers, student aid, and choice. A high
school education would become a choice for which students and their parents
would pay tuition. What would become of those students who didn’t
choose to attend high school? In the fifties, those students (boys) would always be directed to join the armed forces. Basic
training, skill development, and a spirit of patriotism were developed. Could a
government sponsored American Service Corps be the
equivalent for these students, addressing the needs of an aging population and
the values of the American heritage?
With the bottom of the class-structured
pyramid continuing to grow and with the support costs becoming greater, will
the government decide that the only appropriate and affordable free public
education will be a primary education? Arbitrary
unfunded mandates have created a climate for failure. The solution may be that
a free public high school education should be a purchased choice.
A hundred years ago, public education
consisted only of a primary education. Are we about to come full circle? Never say never!
And that’s the Bottom Line.
School systems and municipalities that handle health insurance,
physician’s secretaries and assistants, and anyone else who may come into
contact with health information is impacted by the new law. Copies of the
Material Modifications and Amendments to the Trust, as dictated by the new
HIPAA regulations, have been distributed to every
building and are available from the Trust. As soon as the Trust receives
written a written from their attorney, it will be
communicated in The Torch. Again, please continue to use Miriam as a
point of reference for all concerns about your Trust health insurance.
As everyone in
If you are on a maintenance prescription,
such as medications for high blood pressure, asthma, or diabetes, ones that you
will be taking for a minimum 3 month period, please
use MAIL ORDER. It saves you money and it saves the Trust money.
Your home delivery pharmacy benefit allows
you to receive up to a 93-day supply, so you can reduce your co-payment costs
and spend less time ordering refills. Your home delivery co-payment is only $8
for generic and $16 for brand names. Plus, standard
shipping is always FREE! (Certain controlled substance and prescribed
medications may be subject to restrictions).
The Trust has Medco mail order
applications, or go to www.medcohealth.com, or call
1-877-782-7862. Prescriptions are delivered in 7-11
days right to your home.
If members who use maintenance prescriptions do not begin to use mail order, it will be necessary for the Trust to increase the co-payments for these prescriptions. Your cooperation is needed if the Trust is to maintain present costs.
NOTICES: When a health plan member becomes eligible for Medicare Parts A and B, the information provides Medicare Part B as an option for enrollment. Members are expected to enroll in Mdeicare Part B regardless of the health plan with the Trust (NHA, MVP, CDPHP, GHI, etc.) Failure to enroll will result in the health plan estimating Medicare’s Part B payment and being subtracted from the provider’s charges.
Members are requested to mail a copy of their new Medicare card to
Marcia Palladino at the
The
National Health: Members should read the information on both sides of the ID cards. Also, remember to have your provider make a copy of your card.
Questions for the NHA Claim’s Office?1-888-679-2400:menu, press #1
MAY 3 RALLY IN
NYSUT will
stage a huge rally at the
KIDS CLASSIC
Volunteer applications are now available
in all the schools for all members of the KTF, Teachers, ESP, Subs, and
Retirees to volunteer their services on the morning of April 12 at Dietz
Stadium. Any time that can be given will be
appreciated. Applications should be returned to
teachers Diane Backus, Kristin Brown, and Cheryl Bigelow at
ART SCHOLARSHIP
An art scholarship has been established in the name of Althea Odell to honor her memory and her life’s work in the KHS Art department and district.
Supporters wishing to contribute in memory
of an outstanding artist, art educator, and woman, should make checks payable
to the Althea S. Odell Art Scholarship and remit to Office of the Treasurer,
Kingston Schools, 61 Crown St., Kingston, NY 12401-3879.
To
To Ed Mills, longtime KHS coach on his
induction into the
To Coach Steven Schuyler whose KHS We The
To Coach Ron Kelder (MCM) and his KHS Boys
basketball team on their outstanding regular season (20-2) and their
advancement to the NYS Boys basketball regional championships;
To Coach Steve Garner
(KHS) and the KHS Girls basketball team on the most successful season in girls
basketball history at KHS. The team advanced to the state regional
semi-finals;
To Coach Yvonne Sill and the three members
of the Indoor Track Team that advanced to the State Championships in
To Coach Tony Yonta and
the KHS Wrestling Team that had one of their strongest years and took one
wrestler to states; To Joe Leirey and Chris Sammons for their success with the
swimmers and divers, and to the students, parents, teachers, and Athletic
Director Glen Maisch for their leadership and support of the NYS Girls Gymnastic
Championships at the Kate Walton Field House;
And to all of
the teachers and parents who have worked hard to establish the largest number
of Student Scholar-Athletes in KHS history and the largest number in the
To KTF Treasurer RoseMarie Maresca on the
passing of her father;
To Patricia Parker, KHS, on
the loss of her mother; To Beborah Aho (AD) on the passing of her brother.
The KRTF sadly reports the death of Mary
Gillen on February 22. Sympathy is extended to Helen
Berryann (ESP) on the death of her husband, Joseph.
The Associated
Press, in a story published on February 28, reported that Robert Barrette, the
Superintendent of Schools in the
REMINDERS
RETIRING? Teachers who plan to retire this school year and who are eligible for the Retirement Incentive Plan, must file a binding letter with the district by March 30. The letter should be sent to the Superintendent.
Retirees:
Please consider donating your unused sick days to the
March 5th: This was scheduled as a half-day for students and a full day for teachers and staff. The Superintendent issued a disclaimer that stated if there was a 2-hour delay, STAFF should report for a full contractual workday beginning with the 2-hour delay schedule.
There is a provision in the teachers’ contract, referred to as the “Stellar Amendment.” It states that on one snow day, teachers can be required to come in. It makes no provision for 2-hour delays. Additionally, the contract has a maximum number of teacher workdays, so they result of being brought in on March 5th is that it is actually a substitute day for one of the other (i.e.184th Day) days. The KTF will be asking for a definition of the day.
Paras and monitors do not have any provision in their contract to be brought in, yet the memo referred to STAFF. ESP President Joan White and Rep Laura Sexton will be meeting with the district to reconcile that day.
FOR
SUMMER/FALL RENTAL: Cape Cod—South Yarmouth, 2 bedroom ranch in residential area, TV/VCR, Nantucket Sound beaches 2 mi., Bass River and Long Pond-2 blocks. Available: May 4-10, 10-17, Oct. 25- Nov. 1 for $420/week; Oct. 4-11, 11-18, for $740/week; Call Karen Aspromonte 845-331-9378 or Leslie Lomita 845-339-0417.
PIANO/ORGAN INSTRUCTION: Retiree Bob Moore, organ/piano instruction and organist/pianist for weddings, funerals, etc. 845-338-3877.