Embargoed Until 4:30 P.M. Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Davenport Education Association Offers Alternative to Balance School District Budget

DES MOINES, IA (12/01/2014)(readMedia)-- For local information, contact:

Toby W. Paone

UniServ Director

Iowa State Education Association (ISEA)

Ph. 563-355-3731 (office)

563-370-3270 (cell)

tpaone@isea.org (e-mail)

The Davenport Education Association (DEA) is offering a student-focused alternative to Superintendent Art Tate's proposed budget cuts for the Davenport Community School District. The DEA alternative plan balances the budget while still delivering quality instruction to all students regardless of their zip code.

The DEA represents more than 1,300 professional educators, nurses, and other licensed personnel in the Davenport Community School District.

"We recognize the district's budget situation is serious and needs immediate attention to maximize the opportunities for student learning for the 2015-2016 school year," said Toby Paone, Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) UniServ Director. "Our alternative starts at the top of the organization where it affects kids the least. The biggest problem with the Superintendent's recommendation is that it makes too many cuts in the classroom. We approached the budget with a scalpel instead of a meat axe," added Paone.

Paone added: "Keeping budget cuts out of our classrooms and away from our students should be everyone's number one priority. We hope to work with the school district's administration and the board of education to achieve this goal."

The DEA budget-balancing plan includes:

? Savings totaling $3 million.

? Keeping all schools open.

? No mid-year program changes.

? No increase in class-sizes.

? Maintaining block scheduling.

? Early retirement incentive for teachers.

? Eliminates redundant administrative positions.

? Reductions in the Achievement Services Center (ASC).

? Reduction of (2) Curriculum Specialists.

? Reduction of the District Athletic Director position.

? Eliminating Administrative Retirement Annuity.

The DEA Executive Board appointed five experienced teachers and DEA leaders to a special committee to develop the association's recommended alternative. Committee members include Karen Kline-Jerome, English/language arts teacher at Central High School; Dan Flaherty, social studies teacher at Central High School; Rich Adams, science teacher at Sudlow Intermediate School; Cari Johnson, District Teacher Leadership Support teacher and the DEA Vice President; and Rebecca Menard, physical education teacher at Truman Elementary and the DEA President.

There will be a news conference to discuss the DEA's budget proposal:

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Time: 4:30 PM

Place: Madison Elementary School Auditorium

116 E. Locust Street, Davenport

--00--