>Agree about the fields. Maybe a solution for the fields is to finance over 10 years, instead of 25, even if it means a slightly higher rate.
Unfortunately the capital needs fund is tougher. The NJEA has to be reigned in so that our annual operating expenses don’t hit the 4% cap every year before we can ask voters to set aside a few $million every year for such a fund. Of course, that assumes voters would allow such a fund…that is a whole different question. The chronic complainers say we should have one. But, I guarantee if you ask them to approve a budget that sets aside money for future (unspecified) use, the same people with criticize the BOE for wanting a “slush fund”.
The NJEA has secured automatic annual increases for teachers, despite virtually no inflation in the economy for years. In fact, the last 2 years have seen DEFLATION. The teachers have enjoyed an unjustified cost of living increase during that time. Maybe we should have a “clawback” policy, like we are demanding on Wall Street.
How about getting the NJEA to agree to an immediate freeze on ALL salaries and benefits for the first 2 years of thenext contract period? Then, after that, permanently agree to a rolling 5-year average CPI calculation over the preceding 5 years to determine each year’s allowable increase. This would make the cost of living increases fairer and more reasonable to taxpayers
I am no expert. But, my guess is that, in the first 2 years, we could take $7-8mm out of our annual budget. Beyond that the budgets would be approximately $2-3mm less per year, on average. If we wanted to, we could elect to keep that money in the budget and set it aside for a capital fund.
