THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. June 14, 2004: The White Plains Board of Education, calling Timothy Connors “a great ambassador for the White Plains School District,” voted 7-0 to renew Mr. Connors’ contract through July 14, 2008. Donna McLaughlin, President of the Board of Education said it hardly seemed like two years since Connors had joined the district, and she described him as “decisive, determined and knowledgeable. He is a great ambassadore for the School District, and makes everyone feel a part of the White Plains School District.” Maria Valentin of the Board said she admired “the respect you have for all of us (Board members) even when we disagree.” 

Mr. Connors thanked the Board, and sheepishly told the Board he did not think his job was that hard, and said his immediate goal was to close the Achievement Gap  between white and minority students and to continue the White Plains education legacy. Connors told WPCNR, his immediate goal was to “implement full day kindergarten, and continue to close the achievement gap.” He said, “I’m honored to be here and that the Board asked me to stay.”

H.S. Principal Search, Negotiations, WPHS Cafeteria

On immediate matters, Connors told WPCNR some 40 candidates for high school principal had applied for the position at WPHS, and 5 had been singled out for second interviews. He said some were from Connecticut and did not recall where the other candidates were from. 

He said negotiations with the White Plains Teachers Union on a contract were ongoing and expected an agreement by the end of the school year. Jerry Gorski, President of the Teachers Union said he expected a fair offer from the School District, and appeared confident of a settlement shortly. Neither Connors nor Gorski revealed areas of “give and take.”

Terry Scheuers, Assistant Superintendent for Business told WPCNR that Edward Marra, head of Food Services for the district and the Nutrition Committee had agred on establishing a new serving station in the high school cafeteria in September to alleviate the chronic White Plains High School cafeteria food service delays that prevent children from eating a decent lunch in the 35 minute high school lunch period.

WPCNR County Clarion-Ledger. Special to WPCNR From CSEA. June 14, 2004: CSEA Westchester County Unit President Jack McPhillips told WPCNR this afternoon that the union has negotated a  new contract with the county  expiring at the end of 2005, ending 35 months of negotiations. 

 He said annual  raises (retroactive over the last 29 months), amount to a a compounded rate of 12.6% over the four years, an average of 3% increase per year, going back to 2001. The union will be going back to the table in July, 2005 to begin negotiations again, McPhillips said. Automatic “Step longevity increases” given every 5 years go up from $1,000 to $2,000 at the end of 25 years, McPhillips said, and there are lesser increases for the 5, 10, and 15-year levels.

The union also receives a $50,000 per year increase from the County in tuition reimbursement going from $300,000 to $350,000 a year. Union employees may receive up to a maximum of $4,000 tuition reimbursement or 67% of whatever they ask for, McPhillips explained to WPCNR.

“The Westchester County Employees Unit of CSEA has ratified a contract with the county that is fair and equitable,” CSEA Westchester County Unit President Jack McPhillips said. “The negotiations were long and often very tense, but our agreement with the county is fair. The contract will not only help our members better meet their needs, but will not harm our fellow Westchester County taxpayers.”

“The CSEA Work Force mobilized,” said Statewide President Danny Donohue “and our efforts resulted in a ratified contract that meets their needs.”    

CSEA and Westchester County jointly reached the agreement in late May. Negotiations had been in fact-finding at that time, after the sides had reached impasse and attempts at mediation had been exhausted. The new agreement contains raises in every contract year and includes retroactive pay.

In addition to the pay and tuition and longevity pay levels, there have been improvements to the employees’ optical and dental care plans. While Westchester County will continue to pay the full cost of the workers’ health insurance premium, there have been other changes to the current health plan.

“I am proud of the CSEA negotiating team and the members of our Westchester County Unit for a job well done,” CSEA Southern Region President Diane Hewitt said. “They stood together to fight for a fair and equitable agreement, and I am heartened by their resolve to never back down. This contract will help all of our members employed by Westchester County better support themselves and their families.”

“I would like to congratulate the CSEA Westchester County Unit for winning their fight for a fair contract,” CSEA Westchester Local 860 President Gary Conley said. “Our members who are employed at the county have waited three years to reach an agreement that is acceptable to them, and it is encouraging to see that they will be able to move forward from this hard fight.”