Now, I am a very healthy person, and understand the importance of health maintenance, but I must say that while I find Jane's "self-insured behavior-based health care plan" conceptually interesting, I can't help thinking that it shifts accountability to the employee and away from admin.
This follows a general trend lately of admin taking no responsibility for their shortcomings, and taking a healthy raise this July while we were all away on vacation and then giving the employees NOTHING. They are also simultaneously laying more responsibility and accountability on our shoulders. Looking for reasons to fire us and bring down more cronies from UPNORTH?

Why has no one brought up the info from this article from Associated Press in mid-August"Billions for Florida Public Schools?"
http://www.970wfla.com/pages/archive.... where the DOE proposed an increase of $400 per student? That along with the refusal to take the teamsters insurance solution seriously, as well as the windfall the referendum to move millage monies may produce represent 3 good reasons not to outsource custodians and to stop threatening us with cutting more CCPS positions. STOP FATTENING THE NEST EGG!

When is comes to the employee's health insurance program . . . Superintendent Thompson is playing a "shell game" with the School Board . . . and that could ultimately get him fired.

Board member Kathleen Curatolo stated that the Board voted in June . . . THREE MONTHS AGO! . . . for the Administration to establish an Insurance Committee . . . made up of representatives from the Union, the citizens and the Admin. . . . and as of last night's meeting . . . Thompson has yet to fulfill the "will of the Board!"

Stay tuned!

Anyone miss school attorney Withers from the school board meeting yesterday?
Anything else going on with the school administration?

Manalich didn't know anything when she worked in HR. Now she the head of the insurance dept? Why god, WHY!

Fight to keep your custodians. Outsourcing has been and remains a disaster in ROCKFORD.

Re Post #2
Actually the insurance sub-committee is already in existence and has been for some time. Alun Hamblett, HR director, represents the district on that sub-committee and then there are representatives from the three unions on board. There may be other members, I don't know that.

Thompson was less than honest when he said that the insurance sub-committee could not be called in the summer months because people were on vacation. Jonathan Tuttle of the CCEA told Hamblett's office in June that the union reps of that committee were ready and eager to meet with the district. Nothing happened. Hamblett was on vacation at that time, but not for the whole summer. Comittee member Tess Wilbur-Smith, also a union rep on that committee wrote to the NDN in August bemoaning the fact that the District would not meet with the sub-committee.

Keep blowing away the smokescreens emanating from the District and it all comes down to forcing an outsourcing vote without consideration of other viable options for the budget other than firing other people.

There is a story making the rounds that Thompson also tortures puppies.

Hey, if he can blow smoke so can we!

If you watched the board meeting Tues, Sept 16, you may have noticed something peculiar. Dr. Thompson stated that the administration would be taking proposals from other insurance companies in a couple of weeks. He promised to look at the Teamster proposal along with proposals from other companies when all that data is compiled which could take at least a month. Then he would convene the joint commitee to look at all the proposals and determine whether the Teamster proposal was worth persuing. Funny how all this will happen after the vote on privatization on thursday. All this could have been solved by now if Dr. Thompson had gotten bids, and convened the insurance committee as instructed by the board several months ago. Write your board member and ask them to delay the vote on privatization until all the facts are in, and the joint commitee has been able to review the merits of the Teamster plan and any other plans that may have been submitted.

Re:#7... No one needs to lose their jobs if Dr. Thompson would do his job. He had a responsibility to the board to convene the insurance committee, but failed to do so because he is fixated on privatization and job loss. Email the board and ask them to delay voting on privatization and job loss until all the facts are in, and the insurance proposal has been reviewed by the commitee. The schools need the custodians, and they need the paraprofessionals!

Mr. "T" Does not get it ! He just want's whats good for the upper Elite Not what's better for all Employees!!!

Self insured companys always has the upper Hand, So they can control the Money....

"Give the People what they want" Not What Mr ."T" Wants!!!

Fred Hamilton said it Right, Theirs never been any Negociations for Better Health insurance in 25 Years...

Many untrue statements made. I agree, looking back, the insurance has never been subject of negioations. Curatola, like it or not was the only one that did not have selective memory. The administration outright ignored the direction to convene the insurance meetings. It is too bad Pat Carrol has also developed memory loss.....perhaps its time for her to retire.

Is it true that if the outsourcing is either delayed or rejected that the 80 other employees (media center) will be layed off? I have heard different opinions on this and the article above remains unclear. From what I understand the board would need to vote on that as well. Would assume it would be delayed if outsourcing is delayed...

from what i have read vesparent, the superintendant can "cut the fat" or lay-off employees (remember the bus drivers,etc) but cannot change the structure of the district. seems Thomson is threating the board with "either this or that". media personel are apparently more closely interactive with the students than the custodians are.

"heads are gonna roll, pick one", says mr. T.

I am finding this more interesting as I dig. It looks as though the voters have made it clear on the outsourcing issue. Sorry if the link does not work. Incumbant for outsourciing, out. Incumbant against in. Although not in yet.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/a...

and thats the other thing vesparent, will linda get her revenge? i saw the signs the teamsters put up for her ouster.

Thanks Mimi. I am fairly new to this. I think both media and custodians are close to the kids. Can't argue that. How close is the admin in this county to the kids and how much fat is there?

Probably old news but I am trying to get into the loop more as a taxpayer. And more importanly as a parent of three. My appoligies to those that we may be too late. I have no excuses.

also i would like to say, as a taxpayer, to the Board, PIEFACE and Mr. Thomson that ALL CCPS employees have a fiduciary duty to the students of Collier County. their safety and welfare are the top priority.

GCA is in the business of cleaning. not caring about the students.

Anyone - What can I do (as a parent and taxpayer) at this point to change what is going on right now? I realize that this is not an easy question to answer. Just so you know I am not satisfied with waiting to vote out the "others" on the board. I don't want anyone to think my issue is only on this topic. This is just a perfect example of what is coming in the future. I was at the meeting last night by the way. Would like to make a change. Thoughts? and please be constructive.

Best advice: Delay the vote on privatization until all the facts are in.

i would also like to point out Mr. Spencer, that debt service went from $48,000,000 in '07-'08 to $90,912,937 in '08-'09? how much in debt are we?

not only has CCPS spent billions in federal, state and local funds in recent years but has apparently BORROWED hundreds of millions!

wus up wit dat?

did we borrow the money from ourselfs? who is Collier County School Board INC?.

is this some type of shell game? is this LEGAL?

does anyone here know what Certificate of Participation is? who was it issued to?

i'm hearing an echo??? ....hello?

so fellow bloggers we have now made it to the "hot topics" list. tonight and tomorrow morning is the last time to get this back page story heard.

i just feel that it is a major SCAM of taxpayer money to have a private firm turn Collier citizens into third world workers so CCPS and the Firm can split the money taken.

i feel Thomson and his "Acquaintances" are just sharing the Golden Goose.

just more carpetbaggers feeding off a ripe Plumb.

coming like ants to a sugar pile.

got some more? this could be fun!.

vesparent - elementary schools will be directly affected by this divide and conquer technique since it is those media assistants that will be cut. As a parent myself I make my voice heard by emailing the board members and urging them to delay a decision until the results of the insurance sub committee are released. Ask why the committee never met this summer like it was directed to. Especially remind Mr. Donovan that he stated that if the savings were there in the insurance plan then he would be against outsourcing. Talk to other parents you know and urge them to do the same.

Parents and other community members need to flood the schoolboard email boxes with requests to table this issue, and the letting go of any building assistants until sub-committe reports are in. Do it now - TONIGHT! Ask why they haven't met with the committee. Show up at the board meeting tomorrow and always and ask to address the board. Speak your 3 prepared minutes EVERY time about all issues that affect our kids! Do not let this school board get away with making poor decisions in front of an empty room. Tell them you will be holding them accountable in the voting booth, at all their meetings, for all of their decisions. If they know that the community is involved it will make a difference!

well maybe we can't get this thread over "foreign flags fly over 5th ave".

maybe this is a reflection of August 26th. voter apathy. "hire the undocumented and save money!". but they need a house to live in. give them housing loans with Federal backing. they also need healthcare so vote in Barry "give em what they want" Obama!.

you reap what you sow.

How very big of DT to say that he can't consider the health ins. option until he opens it up to bids. Gotta follow protocol, huh?

Just like he asked for bids for custodial services, knowing darn well he was going to award it to GCA.

Gimme a break.

The "lipstick on a pig" comment really should be inserted somewhere here. But where?

personally i really can't believe the Teamsters haven't siffed out this stink. it's been blowin' in the wind for years. hey, thats a good one. Beetle will like.

Blowin' In The Wind

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Copyright ©1962; renewed 1990 Special Rider Music

bob dylan

isn't it interesting that the gov can throw out BILLIONs of dollars to prop up millionare b0nehead investors but let the school system that they won't let go to full privatization flounder? i'm talking vouchers here people. let the education system try taking care of its' self as the morgage lenders have. couldn't be worse.

vesparent,
You can:
1. (as suggested) write to the school board members-- go to the ccps website and their addresses are there-- and tell them they MUST delay voting on this until the insurance option has been explored. Remind them they were to meet about this, and it is inappropriate to wait until after the custodians have been outsourced, and media/clerical personnel axed.

2. (also as suggested) attend the meetings.

3. write to the governor's office. Very easy to access the link. In the subject line write Collier School Board issue.

Thank you for your support. :)

Lizzyb....good idea, however, Donovan,Abbott and Carrol can't recall giving direction to convene the insurance committee back in June. Write them, but the ywill probably forget by morning what you said......I heard Ginko Biloba works

PIEFACE, was it you that blogged that HR was labor Relations for the district, I am getting confused as to what Labor "relations" means.

well lizzyb if you didn't notice yesterdays news, the state signed off. local matter. the Teamsters are takin' it to Federal Court. but that will take a millinium. it's up to the taxpayers and a few voters. which are you? i hope both.

i did know that it was two Ns. glad to see piper on board. how did the Vigil go? now maybe we can beat the handicaped sailor article.

Yes Mimi, I was one of the proud 10% that voted in the last election!!
Taxpayer too.

Not to mention local bigmouth. ;)

ditto on that pal. welcome to the losers club. LOL

isn't it funny how all the usual suspects come up missing when the taxpayers are blogging?

come on PIEFACE.DINNAPLES,GATORHATOR,UPNORTH,GLASSMAN, etc. even Bagpiper. you people just blow wind. and it stinks.

Stay with it lizzy and mimi. You are motivating me to try and make a difference. Both my wife and I voted to get "someone" out and it happenened (at some point). While what we do tonight may not make a difference tomorrow (which would be unfortunate). There will be the next day. This has to change. Sorry to be a late arrival.

Look out smokers, drinkers, overeaters and couch slugs. (sorry I could not spell potatoes potatos)

Did you see the other article about the school board attorney? What the heck is going on with this school district?

mimibuck its your upper lip that stinks, please wash it, also you are twisted! I have more in my life than this blog!

I challenge the Citizens of Collier County to attend the School Board Meeting tomorrow. It begins at 3pm in the Administration Building. Yes, most people are still working, but it's important to your children, your County and yourselves.

mimibuck - get a life...did you ever think that the bloggers you mentioned might be speaking to live people? If you want support, you've got to be out there where the people are.

I personally thing it's great to see other people blogging besides the regulars. It shows that they are getting the message out where it needs to be.

Maybe Richard Withers gave baker a lot of ammo to use against the school board and that was why they settled so quickly!

the only time i think i have no life is when i spend time reading the above mentioned posters!

funny how i get no response to the BEEF! only childish...i can't think of one!!! oh wait maybe and tell me if i'm wrong...."i'm rubber and you're glue, it bounces off me and sticks onto you!" help me out grammer school teachers, you must know them all!.

Just keep your eye on the prize, people. Regardless of what various bloggers have argued about, a thorough investigation of what has gone on in this district is warranted. Too many unanswered questions.

If I've made untrue accusations, I apologize and stand corrected. If nothing is dirty, why make such a big deal about taking a closer look?

If you're a taxpayer, you should be concerned about what happens in the school system. They are accountable to everyone, for every move.

Mimibuck are you done crying yet, you’re making the blog hard to read. Did you say that you been sniffing glue again!

opps, i didn't realise "America's got Talent" is on. sorry teamsters. we got important tings' to do!

Amen Glassman, We are all tax payers mini. And no one has been fighting this battle with this PUNK Thompson and Donodumb and Abbott than the TEAMSTERS!!

This is the moment of truth, that this community STAND together and BE THERE at the board Mtg and help fight (this light in his loafers Thompson} With the Teamsters/

mimibuck, what bus are you throwing me under now?

congratulations bloggers! you have overtaken "the state has no evidence"!

yes glassman. me and Beetle have been hittin' the rootbeer.

not to worry piper, but i must include you. while i have had my disagreements with Gator, i have to agree that the Teamsters are not helping.

how about addressing some of the above? after that we can compare scars?

oh i forgot to mention, i voted for the two violin guys. Beetle liked the three kids but they shoud have smiled more. LOL

okay, back to the topic, janitors have supplies that cost money.. they give teachers 200 per year for supplies. I can speak personally to knowing for a fact that the few teachers i know have spent well over 1000.00 to properly stock there room for sucess. Factor that in DT and then maybe we can outsource teachers to. Would someone accidently run him over please. Now he says we cant " legally discuss insurance without putting it out for bid " is that like the way we hired him "without putting it out for bid " he is in some shallow water he better watch his words... what a tool

Self insured plans are not the way to go....at all, especially if one custodian has many issues....it can send the whole plan into a state of tumbling dominoes of health issues and lack of payment.
Self Insured Plans is one of those pathetic insurance companies, which offers NOTHING for employees, and everything for the insurance company. Health is not their priority, PROFIT is.
Pathetic insurance is a NO WIN situation for taxpayers, the plan participants, and CCPS.
Privatization is not the answer. Poor insurance is not the answer either.
Firing Withers would save some money though.
Then there are others like the Dixie Chicks salary, which could be cut in half to save a buck or two on insurance...oops that's Geico.
Anyway, there's plenty of places to make cuts...WHY PRIVATIZE?
SO PATHETIC!
Sell off some overpaid administrators? Some of their cars? Their overpriced gadgets? Move those classroom portables? Heard there was a sale on TWO principles from IL? Half price to send them packing!

Isn't it funny how the bloated reserve fund is never brought up as an option??

If it can't be tapped at time like this, why even have one?

Could it be because some people get a nice fat check for being the administrators of the funds??

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm.......

;-)

Mini, "not to worry piper, but i must include you. while i have had my disagreements with Gator, i have to agree that the Teamsters are not helping".
Not helping if it werent for the teamsters the custodians would be history. They were the ones that came up with the blue ribbon committie first and had offered the insurance that will save millions for the district along with peoples families.You must be kiddin, Or are you just pickin a fight with BAG?

# 53 My bad Spelling isn't great either. But they were the ones to have this tabled for three months and have the insurance committee evaluate the plan and bring to the board, Which they dragged their feet on over the summer so as not to address the teamsters proposal. The only scar i see you have is your upperlip slappin your forehead.

Mimibuck isn't worth the time. He/she is a rebel WITHOUT a cause.

forget the arguing and put downs...We've got to stand together on this...email board members now, then attend the meetng this afternoon. We have to stand by our custodians, paraprofessionals, and media specialists. Demand the board hold DT accountable for his failure to put bids out, and to convene the joint insurance commitee to study the teamster proposal. This vote for privatization and job loss must be postponed until all the facts are in and this insurance proposal is evaluated!

Mimibuck ,

You need to put your money where your mouth Has Been ! Get it! Maybe you need to go to a board meeting to find out what goes on ? Huh... There's one Today at 3:00 Pm Ya think you can Make it ? That might help your Ego........

Mimibuck, it is humorous you invoke the Bag. Are you attempting to bait him into your stew? A good honest guy that Bag. The employees hear him and many of the administrators. He can see both sides on an issue and bases his thoughts on the truth. Why take issue with it?

and before you ask, I do know bag...Not his girl friend or family, just an observer in the world.

Funny thing how GCA was able to come in here and go through I don’t know how many school buildings, maybe all, and able to look at building schematics freely, and meet with Thompson and whoever unimpeded! But when it comes to the teamster’s insurance plan we have to go by this law or rule! Looks like Thompson and his underlings enforce or not enforce what rule, law or statute that best suits them to get them what they want. Bagpiper I don’t know if you saw Thompson’s video that’s on the districts web site, but he stole how you talked about how the transportation department worked with teamsters and others to reduce the departments budget!

Let's see. Based on what I've read in the paper, it appears that the private firm that will take the place of the present employer is a firm that Mr. Thompson used before he came to Florida. They were not competitve with the other firms that bid--i.e., they were not local and they did not offer the lowest bid. Mr. Thompson dismissed the union's suggestion about lowering insurance costs to solve the problem. No other solutions were consideredas far as I've heard.

The current custodians include many immigrants, all of them legal. They have already seen plenty of hard times. All the custodians, immigrant or native born, deserve to make a living wage to take care of themselves and their families. How would Mr. Thompson like to have his salary reduced to save the school system some money?

I have heard suggestions that Mr. Thompson was preselected to replace the former superintendent, though his office has denied this. Maybe if Mr. Baker hadn't sued the Board for aborting his contract, though he was certainly within his rights, the Board would still have that $500,000+ (the tax payers' money) to help out with school expenses. I

I think Mr. Thompson is drunk with his little bit of power. To the school board he says--"hire the firm I want or I'll fire 80 teachers. How do you like them apples? "

When I read the headlines Sunday, I nearly jumped out of my chair. I may not be able to define corruption, but I sure know what it smells like.

Jackie Alwan

Thompson can speak to whom ever he wants about what ever he wants! But we all no that a lot of favoritism was given to GCA and we all know that GCA would be rubber stamped!

Outsource Thompson. Then hire him back at half the pay. What a puke.