‘Time to return’ some of reserve to staff, union bargaining chair says; no layoffs this year, board president notes

By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

The public comment portion of the Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting Thursday was lengthy, filled with teachers from the district pleading their case for a long-delayed raise.

“To say that we were stunned by the non-proposal we received last week would be an understatement,” said Deborah Casey, a math instructor at Benicia Middle School and bargaining chair for the Benicia Teachers’ Association.

“In the last five years we have been asked to take increased class sizes, reductions in salary in the form of furlough days, reductions in benefits, reductions in stipends, and in that time the district’s reserve has grown by five million dollars.

“This shows us that the money that was collected through those cuts wasn’t as crucial as it was made out to be.”

Casey said the district’s reserve was at $8 million, and expected that by the end of the year it would be close to $9 million.

“That reserve was collected on the backs of your students and your staff, and it is time to return some of it,” she said.

Casey implored the board to put some consideration into a better offer.

“We’d like to see a meaningful gesture, not just a pot of money, but put some thought into where things need to be improved,” she said. “The people in the unit and … classified (employees) also are being killed by benefit costs. There has been no salary increase, it will be five years next fall — for everybody.”

Cliff Nelson, Benicia High School freshman English teacher and junior varsity baseball coach, said the district has failed to “adequately invest in our teachers. My wife Maya teaches at BHS as well, so we’re feeling the pinch times two.”

Another Benicia High teacher, Mary Bustamante, said the stipend for teachers doing co-curricular work has been “drastically cut, but these hardworking teachers continue to take on after-school programs for the benefit of the students of Benicia.”

Benicia High teacher Lisa Honeycutt said her family is struggling to get by because while the cost of living is going up, she has not had a commensurate raise.

“I’ve not had a raise in many years. I’m a single parent. I have to pay for my kids and their health insurance,” she said. “I don’t have money every month. I’m looking at getting a second job every month to try and pay for my family. I’m desperately hoping that you guys can do right by us. …

“We all of us are working as hard as we possibly can in so many different areas. We need help, and we’re hoping that you guys can do the right thing.”

Board President Rosie Switzer pointed out that while there have been no raises, the situation in the district is improving.

“For the first time in five years we are doing no certificated or classified layoffs or pink slips to employees,” she said.

In other business, the board honored the district’s top two employees, Charles Schauer, daytime custodian at Benicia High, and Christine Mani, the high school’s drama and dance teacher.

Benicia High Principal Gary Jensen spoke about Schauer, the district’s classified employee of the year, saying “Chuck is a graduate of Benicia Unified School District. Chuck has been with the district for 24 years, all of which have been at Benicia High School,” he said.

“Chuck is a one-man show. During every school day at Benicia High School he takes great pride in making BHS the best it can be.”

Jensen also praised Mani, the certificated employee of the year.

“Her play performances are so outstanding, what she gets out of her kids is just totally amazing, but she doesn’t want any of the glory — she’s just Christine,” he said.

“Christine has been with BUSD for 13 years. Christine produces up to six very successful shows every year — not just play performances but dance shows as well.

“Year in and year out, her shows continue to be top-notch. Christine has received over 30 ARTY awards, for board director, set and sound design, just to name a few,” Jensen said.

Superintendent Janice Adams gave props to Teresa Zabrek for her work organizing the Benicia Education Foundation’s Run for Education on April 15.

The run drew 1,150 participants, Adams said. Total funds raised have not yet been calculated.

“I want to let the community know that the money that they do raise goes to support our school librarians at every school, and our computer resource technicians. Without the funding that Benicia Education Foundation raises, we would not be able to have those positions,” Adams said.

“It’s more than just a fundraiser, which is amazing. It’s a great way to show support for our students in Benicia. This whole community is out there because they care about our kids, and that just really shows.”