We urge you to attend a Briefing regarding Markell's education priorities
   Two more evening times added  

This past Wednesday, Gov. Markell held a news conference to announce his Education Reform Agenda for next year. It includes expanding Delaware's current alternative compensation system when the budget situation improves, but working on developing a new plan now. He would like to not only reward educators for professional development but also reward those whose students show improvement during a school year, as well as those who choose to work in high-risk and/or low poverty schools.  

Delaware's current plan includes extra salary for successfully completing clusters of professional development, being a lead mentor, and attaining National Board certification. These payments were suspended last year for any additional people.

Gov. Markell has asked Lt. Governor Denn and Secretary Lowery to hold "Back to School Briefings" across the state the weeks of March 9 and March 16. They are asking for citizen input, advice and recommendations to impact the Governor's plan. They are looking for honest feedback and to discuss details with the people who will need to implement the policies if enacted and/or who will be affected by them.

Read more about the Governor's education priorities here, as well as the schedule of briefings. The schedule includes very few times when people who work can attend. Both Denn and Lowery promised to add more times so that people who work can attend, and, we have just learned, they have added evening hearings in Wilmington and Dover:
This Wednesday, March 11, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Wilmington, Carvel Building 820 N. French Street - 10th Floor DEDO Conference Room

Next Tuesday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Dover, Tatnall Building 150 William Penn Street First Floor Room 113

The Governor's education priorities also include:

• Revising the DSTP, which is well underway
• Giving districts more flexibility with their funding; and
• Cutting cumbersome regulations that get in the way of innovation.   

Commented Denn, "The decisions we make today will be felt for generations. Our economic growth and prosperity for the future depend largely on the quality education we offer now. It will take everyone working together to make this a reality. The Governor asked us to hold these meetings across the state to get an honest assessment of how to make this plan as strong as possible." 

Lowery, who was previously superintendent of the Christina School District, said, "The additional flexibility is what school districts have asked for and need in order to meet the challenge of improving individual performance at a time when budgets are so tight."

Can't make the briefings? Use the Internet
Lieutenant Governor Denn's webpage includes a section where you can participate in the discussion from home. As stated above, you can see the meeting schedule, listen to podcasts of the meetings, as well as submit your thoughts and suggestions if you can't make any of the briefings.

BENEFITS THREATENED: On March 30, the State Employee Benefits Committee (SEBC) will make a final decision on how to make up $29.3 million shortfall

The State Employees Benefits Committee (SEBC) oversees the health benefits for all state employees including school employees. Who serves on the SEBC is mandated in state code by title: Ann Visalli, director of the office of management and budget; Karen Weldin Stewart, insurance commissioner; Velda Jones-Potter, state treasurer; Russell Larson, controller general; Gary Pfeiffer, secretary of finance; and Rita Landgraf, secretary of health and social services.

The SEBC has announced a $30.1 million shortfall in the amount needed to fund health care benefits for next year. Additionally, the SEBC has proposed a plan to recoup the shortfall, which would mean substantial employee contribution increases as well as medical and prescription plan changes for fiscal year 2010. Half of the $30 million deficit would be made up with increases to the monthly premiums paid by employees. Depending on the coverage and plan, the employee premium increases range from 35% to 100%.

 
Additionally, within the SEBC proposal,

Medical co-pays would increase for services such as lab work, x-rays, and specialists.
Medicare eligible members would have to pay $250 out of pocket before using the supplement plan.
There would be penalties for buying less than 90-day refills of maintenance medications.

The State Employee Benefits Advisory Committee (SEBAC) (made up of representatives from state employee groups, including DSEA) met last Friday, March 6, and discussed another combination of cuts to make up the $30 million. SEBAC has no binding authority on the parent group: they act in advisory capacity to SEBC. Their proposal would require:  

• A 50% employee contribution increase to the monthly premium, across all plans and tiers
• Like the other proposal, refills on maintenance medications would be penalized if not purchased in 90 day quantities
• The rest of the deficit would be made up from revenue sources not affecting the employees or retirees.

    While the Advisory Committee proposal is movement in the  right direction, it is a long way from being ideal. DSEA is engaging an actuarial consulting firm of national reputation to help us better understand the data and methodology being used by the SEBC. Also, DSEA has asked for a two week extension of the vote on this issue. The SEBC originally wanted to vote for the plan changes on Friday, March 13th. The vote will now take place on Monday, March 30. We believe this extra time will help us engage the SEBC in more meaningful discussions since we will have available the information from the actuary. 

   Our ultimate goal is to protect the benefit package of both our active and retired members with as small a cost to them as possible.

The Governor knows that information is power

Gov. Markell continues to give his public "Reality Check" presentations about the "Delaware Dilemna" regarding the impact of the current economic crisis, and to answer questions.

See his schedule here. His talk, in person, is a must see. But if you can't get to any of the presentations, you can view his powerpoint at the same web site.

Lt. Gov. Matt Denn and Sec. of Educ. Lillian Lowery to be at annual Celebration Dinner, March 20

For all members and their guests, not just those of you who are delegates to the annual DSEA Representative Assembly, click here for information about our gala Celebration Dinner as well as what's hot for the Representative Assembly deliberations the next day.
The Celebration Dinner, as mentioned above, is open to all members and their guests, not just delegates.

Delaware families still lining up at Food Banks

We're making one final push for the Food Bank of Delaware (http://www.fbd.org now that the holidays are past. We'd like to fill the two barrels we have, one in each DSEA office, before calling the Food Bank to come take them back.
With more and more Delawareans unemployed, we urge you to share your good fortune and bring in some non-perishable food items the next time you come to either of the DSEA offices.

If you are a delegate to the RA, we'll have a table for your non-perishable food donations as well.