Sugar Land, TX August 25, 2009
After winning a guaranteed pay raise for teachers during the legislative session, the Fort Bend Employee Federation successfully lobbied the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees to approve an approximate 2% raise for non-teaching staff and voted to reject an increase in monthly insurance premiums for all employees.
The Federation participated several district sponsored budget workshops, meetings with FBISD financial officers, and individual board members prior to the district's presentation of a proposal that would have award non-teaching staff a raise that would amount to approximately a 2% increase in pay. The budget proposal also recommended a $10 per month increase in insurance premiums; an increase in the cost of emergency room visits from $150 to $250; and increase of out of pocket expenses from $400 to $500 for individuals and $800 to $1,000 for families.
The presentation by Fort Bend Employee Federation President Karrie Washenfelder, urged board members to consider a raise for non-teaching staff in light of the district's sound financial position, advances in achievement, fairness and the potential effects on staff morale.
Organizers Dwight Harris and Anthony Lacsamana, brought to light the issues involving the fair treatment of employees, the addition of a 188th day to the calender without compensation and the disparate effect that an increase in monthly insurance premiums would have on the districts lowest paid workers.
In response, Board of Trustees member Daniel Menendez presented an amendment to the district's budget proposal that eliminated the increase in monthly insurance premiums. After substantial resistance to the amendment from members David Reitz, Marilyn Glover and Laurie Caldwell, the board voted 4 to 3 with Board members Bob Broxton, Daniel Menendez, Susan Hohnbaum and Sonal Buchar holding the line on insurance premiums for employees.
Board member David Reitz was not yet ready to concede the fight, and argued for an amendment that would eliminate a raise altogether for all non-teaching staff.
That amendment lost on a 2 to 5 vote with David Reitz and Marilyn Glover voting to eliminate the raise for non-teaching staff and Board members Bob Broxton, Daniel Menendez, Susan Hohnbaum, Sonal Buchar and Laurie Caldwell voting to support non-teaching staff with a pay raise.
"I am not going to manage our budget on the backs of the people that you see out cutting grass in 100 degrees and am absolutely in favor of giving this raise," FBISD Trustee Bob Broxson said. Broxton, Daniel Menendez, and Susan Hohnbaum were previously supported by the Fort Bend Employee Federation COPE Committee in their election bids.
Dwight Harris stated that "It wasn't what we asked for, but we are just happy that the majority of them chose to give some kind of a raise and lessen that burden on insurance on the employees," Dwight Harris, a field coordinator for the FBEF, said.
