A new year is upon us, and the possibilities and directions this year will offer are impossible to predict. Uncertainty and surprise are often seen as things to look forward to — much as individuals delight in unopened gifts. The possible outcomes of this year are eerily ominous, if not outright frightening — threatened teacher layoffs, a newly released list of underutilized CPS schools numbering in the three hundreds, and new BOE members who most, if not all, are pro charter school expansionists.

Coincidently, all of the above draconian events are playing out against the backdrop of the Department of Justice’s probe regarding alleged police misconduct — possibly including the city law department’s alleged withholding of evidence of police misconduct. Considering the recent CEO SUPES contract scandal, this has been the worst news event year during my tenure as CPAA president, or for that matter my 20 years as a principal.

Now to the real meat of this newsletter and, of course, the salient issues staring us in the face — teacher layoffs and a possible strike this spring. If you are feeling an “overload” of bad news, all or nearly all from the fifth-floor office of his honor — the mayor — know that you are not alone. I hope most of you are aware of the cost increase recently enacted by the city regarding our health insurance; yes, it’s on your first 2016 paystub! Right now most of our members are taking it in stride. It is a

relatively nominal increase; however, if you consider the other financial surprises coming down the road, you may need to stop and brace yourselves for the significant monetary hit that’s not far off. I refer to the BOE proposal to shift the full 9% pension pickup to the shoulders of CPS employees; of course, they claim it will be phased in at a certain percentage per year to help assuage the financial shock wave to wage earners.

While I am trying to be cautious about predictions during continuing contract negotiations between CTU/CPS, numbers don’t lie, even if those reporting them often do. For the first time in years, I really believe CPS is broke (again)! Many of you weren’t around in the late 1970s when CPS employees received no paychecks for six weeks! With the impasse in Springfield and a possible strike looming by CTU, almost any scenario is possible if not probable.

Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, AFSA Local 2, AFL-CIO

A MessAge froM the President

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Meeting with the Ceo

2

retirees' Corner

4

deCeMber generAl MeMbershiP Meeting

Photos

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20 N. Wacker Dr.Suite 1545

Chicago, Il 60606312-263-7767

Fax 312-263-2012www.mycpaa.com

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MYCPAA.COM / VOL. XVII . NO 3 / JANUARY 2016

The LampA Message From The PresidentClarice Berry

UPDATECPAA Constitution and Bylaws Amendment

During the week of January 11, 2016, ballots were mailed to all active members regarding proposed

changes to the CPAA Constitution and Bylaws. Ballots must be returned in the enclosed, stamped envelope to the CPAA office by 5:00 PM on Friday, January 29, 2016. If you have any questions, please contact CPAA General Counsel William Quinlan at

quinlaw@hotmail.com.

The Lamp is published regularly by the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association and distributed to the entire membership. Recent editions are available online at

http://www.mycpaa.com. Comments and suggestions are welcome; please e-mail Associate Editor Kent Lau at klau@cps.edu. The Chicago Principals & Administrators

Association AFSA Local 2, AFL-CIO, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 1545, Chicago, IL 60606, Phone: 312-263-7767, Fax: 312-263-2012, www.mycpaa.org

Clarice Berry

Editor

cjackson-berry@cps.edu

Kent Lau

Associate Editor

klau@cps.edu

Kimberly Tsui Fong

Design/Production

AFFILIATIONS:

American Federation of

School Administrators

(AFSA)

American Federation of Labor-

Congress of Industrial Organizations

(AFL-CIO)

Illinois American Federation of Labor-

Congress of Industrial Organizations

(IL AFL-CIO)

Chicago Federation of Labor-

Industrial Union Council

(CFL-IUC)

The CPAA Executive Board met with representatives from CPS CEO Forrest Claypool’s office on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. The following issues were discussed:

Meeting with the CEOReport—December

Aramark School Custodial Service DataThe CPAA office is still receiving complaints about understaffing resulting from the cutting of custodial hours in some schools. At this point we wish to see the Aramark data on custodians assigned to each CPS school and the assigned work hours of those custodians. Cold weather has arrived, and we have already seen moderate snowfall. Those conditions naturally call for extra services to keep hallways and classrooms free from moisture, and obviously sidewalk safety due to snow and ice is paramount. Also, we wish more information about the MAXIMO system. Due to lack of time at our last meeting, this subject was not discussed in any detail, therefore, we wish to explore this topic in greater depth in January.

Response: None.

Odds & Ends from Previous MeetingsThe following are agenda items from the October 22, 2015, meeting. The responses or completion of these items remain outstanding.

Approval and Dissemination of the CPS Vacation Guidelines to CPS Networks and CPS PrincipalsCPAA has seen a draft of the proposed vacation guidelines and requested one small change. We will be happy to see the amended guidelines and offer our approval so that the document may go out promptly to all parties. If possible, may the document be available for review at this meeting?

Response: None.

The MVMS MetricThis metric has been under discussion with CPS senior staff for months, going back to the previous administration. We wish to have our concerns and complaints about this metric addressed to the fullest measure. We insist that data to measure principal quality be equitable across schools and free of bias of any kind. The MVMS metric does not meet those standards and must be rectified.

Response:None.

Principal LSC Evaluation We previously discussed the issue of the bifurcation of the LSC evaluation instrument being problematic, confusing and unfair to the principals being evaluated. The fact that the CPAA was not consulted nor participated in the development of this instrument was both thoughtless and insulting. We need to rectify the flaws inherent in this document as quickly as possible. We are prepared to work toward this goal immediately.

Response: None.

SPECIAL NOTE:While we met with the CEO's representatives on December 8, 2015, we have yet to receive responses to any of these issues. We are resubmitting these concerns on our agenda for the next meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2016. We will report back to you in the next issue of The Lamp.

The Lamp —January 2016 3

Chicago Progressive Caucus Leadership Breakfast

KENNETH HUNTER, CPAA Vice President for High School Principals, facilitated the Chicago Progressive Caucus Leadership Breakfast on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. The event brought together principals and assistant principals from all over Chicago at Roosevelt University, and attendees participated in discussions on how to improve public education in Chicago. Special thanks to the Chicago Progressive Caucus, Aztec Supply Corporation and Goodcity Chicago for their support and assistance in bringing everyone together!

Retirees' CornerArt Fumarolo & John ReillySTAY ING CONNECTED AND ADDRESS ING THE CONCERNS SHAPING YOUR FUTURE

The most recent meeting of Auxiliary XVI, the retirees’ auxiliary, was held on January 12, 2016. Eleven members were present. The next regularly scheduled meeting of Auxiliary XVI will be at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. It will be held in Room 909 of the Garland Building, 111 N. Wabash Avenue. The Retired Teachers Association of Chicago (RTAC) will be our host.

The guest speaker at the January auxiliary meeting was Mary Cavallaro, chief benefits officer for the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF). She directs the areas of pension benefits, health insurance, disability benefits, and death benefits, etc. To assist and guide the presentation, as well as address those questions raised by attendees, Cavallaro referred to a PowerPoint presentation handout, which was very clearly organized and presented. Concerning health insurance, the following were among the many points she made:

• CTPF health care benefits began to be offered to retirees in 1988, following CPS’ decision to no longer include retirees in their health benefits plan. The CTPF health plans offered were equal in terms of benefits, compared to those received by active (non-retired) members.

• Retirees and survivors receive an equal “percent” of health insurance benefits.

• The current premium subsidy is 50% of the total premium cost. The premiums are more costly for those retirees who are under 65 years of age and not yet eligible for Medicare coverage. After age 65, premium costs are reduced.

• Almost 50% of premium cost is for prescription drug benefits. Generally, retirees take three times more prescription drugs than active members.

• Health benefits for retirees are not guaranteed by Illinois law.

• Since 2004, legislation limits the amount the CTPF can spend for health benefits at $65 million. Note: This is not money given by the legislature to CTPF, but rather the legislature gives CTPF permission to spend up to $65 million of its own money on health benefits.

§ Since 2004, the number of retirees receiving health benefits from the $65 million has grown by 42%.

§ The cost of health insurance and medication has risen each year, exceeding normal inflation.

§ The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has added additional fees to the premium cost.

§ From 2004 to 2009, the cost of health care for CTPF was less than $65 million, so the surplus was

legislatively allowed to be saved and applied to future years when the cost would exceed $65 million. Since 2008, some of the accumulated surplus funds have been used to supplement the $65 million cap so as to keep the cost of premiums down or stable for retirees receiving CTPF benefits. Over this span of time, the subsidy has decreased from a high of 70% to the current 50%.

§ Conservative predictions foresee the reserves being depleted some time in 2017, and then retirees will be faced with large premium increases in 2017, 2018, and beyond if there are no changes in legislation, an increase in funding, and/or a decrease in benefits.

• Those on the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Advantage Plan (BC/BS Advantage) should have received a new 2016 ID card, which will allow the purchase of Medicare Part B supplies at a pharmacy, including diabetic, and flu and pneumonia vaccines.

• If a retiree is age 65 or older and receiving Social Security benefits, the Medicare costs are automatically deducted from monthly benefits.

• Since there was no Social Security cost-of-living increase for 2016, retirees may face an increase in their Medicare B premium.

§ 70% of Medicare enrollees are protected by hold-harmless provisions and will not see an increase.

§ Medicare B premiums will increase for the 30% not so protected.

w Those with higher income. w Those who do not collect a Social Security

benefit. w Those newly eligible for Part B in 2016. w Those receiving a Social Security benefit that

is not large enough to pay for the Medicare B premium.

w CTPF will subsidize the “base” Medicare premium of $118.80 at $59.40. The $121 premium includes a $3 surcharge, which is not subsidized.

w If your rate is going up and you make your Part B payments directly to Medicare, you must submit proof of the increase by sending a copy of the Medicare letter, which informed you of the rate increase, by February 29, 2016. The processing will be applied

The Lamp —January 2016 5

retroactively to January 1, 2016. Those submitting evidence after February 29, 2016, will have their subsidy processed for the next month if submitted by the 10th of the month; however, there will be no retroactive payment.

w Direct questions about documentation requirements for the subsidy increase to CTPF Member Services at 1-312-641-4464.

There was a discussion about the fact and reasons for the change by many from the BC/BS Advantage Plan to the AARP/UnitedHealthcare Plan (AARP/United). Doctors who service Medicare patients should accept both plans. The premiums for BC/BS Advantage are lower. However, for many, the overall cost for AARP/United is less because there are no copays.

As part of a discussion about ways to help hold health care costs down, all were encouraged to always ask their doctors to consider generic prescriptions where possible and do as much prescription ordering via mail, rather than making purchases at a pharmacy.

Cavallaro talked about all the CTPF does to monitor and negotiate premium rates for each plan. After a recent request by BC/BS for an increase in premiums, CTPF performed an audit of claims paid by BC/BS that resulted in the CTPF recouping $2 million for inaccurate patient costs for four members.

A solid round of applause was given to thank Cavallaro for the informative session.

As part of his pension board report, Walter Pilditch distributed copies of the letter addressing the Medicare Part B premium change, which was included in the Winter 2015/16 Pension News newsletter for retirees from the CTPF. It offered the same information that had been presented by Cavallaro.

Auxiliary President Linda R. Williams reported on the December 2015 and January 2016 CPAA Governing Board meetings. At the December 12, 2015, meeting, it was reported that over 800 dues notices were mailed to retirees and a second notice was being sent to those who had not yet responded. Membership was reported as follows: principals – 338, assistant principals – 248, administrators – 32, associates – 71, and retirees – 520, for a total of 1,209. A proposed Constitution amendment, based upon an Auxiliary X motion, was approved to be sent to the

active membership for a vote. Two-thirds of those voting on the amendment change must vote YES in order for the amendment to be adopted. The ballots have been mailed, and they must be received by January 29. All those present agreed to contact active members to encourage their YES vote. The proposed amendment to Constitution Article VI, Section 1, is as follows (underlining indicates changes):

Section 1. The general officers of the ASSOCIATION shall be a President, Vice Presidents as delineated in Article IV of the Bylaws, Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom shall have been regular members in good standing continuously for at least three years immediately prior to the date of the convening of the Nominating Committee; provided that for the purpose of eligibility to be nominated by the Nominating Committee for the office of President, filing a petition for candidacy as President and election to that office only, pursuant to Article III of the Bylaws, a regular member in good standing continuously for at least three years prior to retirement who has retired from their CPS position less than three years prior to February 1 of the triennial election year shall be eligible for election as President of the ASSOCIATION but no other general or auxiliary office of this Article, provided that any such retired person to be so eligible must have paid retiree dues during that period of retirement and if elected as president shall pay regular dues during their term of office.

The proposed amendment will be voted on by all regular members in good standing (principals, assistant principals, and administrators).

At the January Governing Board meeting, the membership was reported as follows: principals – 339, assistant principals – 250, administrators – 32, associates – 71, and retirees – 520, for a total of 1,212.

Dave Peterson, RTAC president, and Arlene Crandall, RTAC executive director, reminded all that they and all retirees should plan on actively participating in the RTAC’s Visit Your Legislator Day on February 29 as outlined in the latest RTAC newsletter.

Send your news about retired members, information about their passing, or the activities of retired members’ groups to Art Fumarolo at aafumarolo@cps.edu or call him at 847-289-7847.

MONDAY DECEMBER 14

2015

The Lamp —January 2016 7

ILLINOIS ADMINISTRATORS' ACADEMY

Visit IAAChicago.com to get more information on and register

for Illinois Administrators' Academy courses, and to find event

information.

Registation is now open for the following sessions:

• February 17, 2016 — Leadership Capacity Through Teacher Leaders

• February 24, 2016 — Shift Towards a Balanced Assessment for Improving PARCC

Readiness

• March 9, 2016 — Culture Counts: Constructive Leadership That Promotes Student

Success

• May 10, 2016— Building Capacity to Effectively Integrate Drug and Violence Prevention

into the K-12 Curriculum

Member NewsCondolences — Pauline Jackson, mother of IAA Executive Director Sallie Penman, passed away on November 23, 2015.

Robert "Bobby" Roper, former administrator at Lawndale Academy, passed away on December 18, 2015.

New Members — Adel Ali, Principal, Pilsen Academy; Devin Jackson, A.P., Ashe Elementary; Julianne Kortz, A.P., J. Thorp Elementary; Edna Melgar, A.P., Little Village Academy; Juliana Perisin, A.P., Hedges Elementary; Michael Rammer, A.P., Murphy Elementary; Leslie Weems-Hannah, A.P., Clay Elementary.

Board Action — The following principal contracts were approved at the November and December 2015 Chicago Board of Education meetings: Chantel Angeletti, Byrne Elementary; Crystal Bell, E.F. Young Elementary; Shelley Cordova, Armour Elementary; Lisa Epstein, Lee Elementary; Sabrina Gates, Shoesmith Elementary; Jacqueline Hearns, Hefferan Elementary; Angelica Herrera-Vest, Ortiz de Dominguez Elementary; Joyce Kenner, Whitney Young High School; Kiltae Kim, Gunsaulus Elementary; Renee Mackin, Linne Elementary; Jason Nault, North-Grand High School; Anamaria Obre-Lugo, Hammond Elementary; John O'Connell, Sheridan Elementary; Barbara Oken, Farnsworth Elementary; Gladys Rivera, Lowell Elementary; Erin Roche, Prescott Elementary; Robert Towner, Fernwood Elementary.

Upcoming CPS Board MeetingChicago Board of Education Monthly MeetingWednesday, January 27, 2016

Board Chambers42 W. Madison St., Garden Level, Board Room

Registration opens January 19, 2016.

On January 27, Public Participation 10:30 AM–12:30 PM