Saturday, March 24, 2012

Superintendent: Emergency manager process 'in jeopardy' for Muskegon Heights schools

Superintendent: Emergency manager process 'in jeopardy' for Muskegon Heights schools | MLive.com
Most significantly, the manager would not be able to force a reduction in employee salaries that Sipka and his deputy say is critical for the district to have enough money to operate.
Public Act 4 allows emergency managers, with the approval of the state treasurer, to reject, modify or terminate collective bargaining agreements.
They also can suspend collective bargaining for up to five years.

Sipka and Deputy MAISD Superintendent Marios Demetriou have asked staff to agree to salary and benefit cuts of 35 percent to 40 percent, but couldn’t get an agreement.

Demetriou told the governor's financial review team, which recommended Snyder appoint an emergency manager, that without concessions the district may not survive.
“The school district barely survives right now,” Demetriou said.
“It cannot continue past this year.
Changes need to take place right away.”

Demetriou also told the review team that the staff has no copays for health insurance, other than $10 for generic prescriptions and $20 for brand name ones.

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