Don't be Fooled

From Adelaide Now

Public schools are facing a further $73 million of budgeted education cuts over the next three years, despite the State Government scrapping its controversial workers' compensation levy.

The proposals, outlined in last year's State Budget and which "remain on the table", equate to each of the state's 600 preschools, primary and secondary schools potentially being more than $120,000 out of pocket until 2009-10.

As predicted in The Advertiser yesterday, the State Government removed the 1 per cent levy on schools to help pay for the Education Department's workers' compensation scheme, which would have reaped it $17 million over three years.

However, the education fraternity remained concerned about the impact of other department "savings" listed in the 2006-07 Budget.

Of most concern to schools are "efficiency dividends" paid to the department, which purport to raise $32.5 million over the next three years, $18 million for losing the benefit of earning interest on unspent funds, and a surplus teacher levy of $17 million.

The Government has also budgeted to save a further $6 million from energy and water-saving efficiencies.

The Australian Education Union has postponed today's planned one-hour teachers' strike. However, industrial action was "not off the table".

AEU state branch president Andrew Gohl said the union would meet with the Education Department in the coming weeks to discuss its remaining concerns and would report to its members on August 17 to determine if further strikes were required.

Premier Mike Rann, who admitted the Government "got it wrong" by introducing the workers' compensation levy, said services or programs in the Education Department would not be cut as a result of its removal.

Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith, in Budget estimates committees yesterday, could not answer what the Government's new savings target was after the decision to drop the levy, saying only that the Government would strive to reduce WorkCover claims.

She maintained reform of how WorkCover applied to schools had to occur, but it was yet to be proven if savings could be made in that area.

So good. One part of the plan to dismantle public schools reversed. The State Government is still looking for $73 million in efficiency dividends (cuts) over the next three years. That is a lot of paper and pencils.

Rann Backs Down

School strike off

Article from:

POLLY HAYNES and AAP

June 27, 2007 02:20pm

TOMORROW'S teachers' strike has been called off after the State Government ditched plans for a workers' compensation levy, admitting "we got it wrong".

Australian Education Union (AEU) state president Andrew Gohl said today the Government's about-face was "a massive victory for the AEU."

"This is not, however, the end of the matter," he said.

"While the government has pledged to abandon its entire WorkCover strategy and promised not to seek to recoup the costs through other avenues, there remain significant budget measures that will impact on schools.

"We are seeking immediate negotiations and have set a deadline to have these issues resolved by August 17 or we will reserve our right to reinstate industrial action."

The one per cent levy would have cost schools on average about $50,000 a year for four years.

Teachers from 600 preschools, primary and secondary schools were planning to strike for one hour at the end of the school day tomorrow to protest against the cuts, which were announced in the 2006-2007 State Budget.

Premier Mike Rann announced this morning the levy had been part of Government plans to improve school resources, but after listening to the concerns of teachers and parents, the Government had decided against it.

"It is still our belief that the way in which workers' compensation is run in our schools needs urgent reform, but we admit that our attempt at a solution would unreasonably impact on school communities," Mr Rann said.

“"We made a mistake on this and we are reversing it so no school will have to feel the pain of this WorkCover levy, we have killed it stone dead. We've listened."

“We’re saying we got it wrong, we got it wrong.

""We make mistakes, we are just the same as you (journalists) ... sometimes people in their lives make mistakes."

Opposition leader Martin Hamilton-Smith said Mr Rann had again overruled Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith, showing it was time she was dumped from Cabinet.

Ms Lomax-Smith told parliament just last week that the decision to impose a WorkCover levy on schools was a “savings target” that would be “re-directed into education,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“She also claimed the levy was part of a massive reform agenda in education,” he said.

“Poor old Jane – she’s out their defending her way of running education and then the Premier jumps over her and says they got it wrong.

“It’s time for the Minister to shuffle off to the backbench.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith said the back flip was another sign the budget strategy was unravelling at a rate of knots.

Australian Education Union Briefing Letter to Governing Councils

30 May 2007


Dear Governing Council Chairperson

Re: 2006/07 State Budget Cuts – Implications for preschools and schools

Despite the fact that Public Education preschools and schools have been subjected to more than two decades of cost cutting and so called ‘efficiency’ drives this State Labor Government seems intent on extracting $54 million from 2008 to 2010 from cash strapped preschools and schools.

Contrast this budgetary measure with the 22 May report in the Advertiser that the Rann Government has spent an extra $6.3 million per year (or $25 million over four years) on 84 “minders, spin doctors and other staffers”.

The sole concern for the State Government and DECS is meeting the State Government’s efficiency dividend, which is perplexing given the State’s strong economic performance and the promise of a resources boom.

Now is the time for the State Government to invest in all schools and preschools. Public Education is richly deserving of the proceeds of any efficiency dividend.

Simply put, this state government is prepared to steal the funds from preschools and schools negatively impacting upon the learning programmes of children just to fill the government coffers.

On behalf of organisation that fights for improved funding to Public Education from State and federal Governments I urge you to communicate to your opposition to these budget cuts to schools and preschools by contacting you local MP, the Premier and Treasurer.

Principals and Directors will be able to provide your Governing Council with specific information on how these cuts will affect your children.

More information about these cuts is available on www.aeusa.asn.au. Governing councils can also email your concerns directly to the State Government from the AEU website.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Gohl

President AEU (SA Branch)

Letter from Dr Jane Lomax Smith

Dear Mr Campbell



Thank you for your email regarding education funding and your expression of support for our public schools and children’s services.



Clearly, you recognise the vital role our schools and preschools play in developing the skills and values of children.



Indeed, the Rann Government also acknowledges that the care and education of our children is at the heart of their future success, and the economic and social prosperity of South Australia. That is why, despite claims to the contrary, funding for public education has again been increased for the 2007-08 financial year. Indeed, the Budget increases total spending in education and children’s services by $127.2 million compared to the 2006-07 Budget. The Budget provides on average an extra $708 for every government school student compared to the previous Budget, which is a 6.7% increase. Since 2001-02 spending for each student has increased by $3,606.



This year, we are investing $54.9 million to deliver the latest instalment of the government’s 14% pay rise for teachers. However, we are also making major reforms and re-investing savings to focus more support on priorities that will make a difference to the opportunities and skills of young people.



Many of those priorities have been supported by governing councils, school principals, teachers, parents and local communities, as reflected by views contributed during public forums and reviews that were initiated by the Rann government. These public consultations over the past five years examined how government might better provide services, particularly in early childhood, senior secondary education, school infrastructure and training.



As a result, reforms and re-investment of taxpayers’ dollars include:



· Brand new schools as part of a $216 million Education Works investment in better school buildings and learning environments.

Investment of $28.8 million for 20 new ‘one stop’ children’s centres that bring services together for families and young children
An $84 million ‘School to work’ reform that includes a new senior secondary ‘SACE’ qualification and new trade schools to foster practical work skills
Increased investment in literacy and numeracy, and smaller class sizes in the early years


Working toward reform also requires change that I acknowledge may sometimes be unpopular. However, while a number of concerns have been raised, implementation of proposed savings measures is yet to be finalised. In particular, I draw your attention to the following issues:



Workers Compensation: We have seen a 25% reduction in the number of open claims from 2005/06 to 2006/07 thanks to the efforts of teachers, principals and other staff. The Department of Education and Children’s Services believes further improvement is possible by giving schools greater local management responsibility for workers compensation. The aim is to achieve savings by reducing the number and duration of compensation claims, because we would rather that money be spent on children’s education.


While the finer details are being worked out with stakeholders, the impact on school budgets will be reduced through effective management of occupational health and safety at the local level.



Unattached Teachers: Improvements in existing practices and the new local selection policy have resulted in a reduction of permanent teachers waiting for placement in our schools. The department will continue to identify and introduce new ways to manage teachers who are permanently employed, but who do not hold an ongoing position in a school, in order to allocate them to a position of genuine need as soon as possible. Progress is being made and savings already achieved are being reinvested into education.



School Accounts: Details of this proposal are being finalised with stakeholders. However, interest will be paid to schools on balances related to Out of School Hours Care, Vacation Care, canteens, Building Funds, Library Funds, Special Accounts (including Farm Accounts) and proceeds of fund raising activities.



Aquatics and instrumental music: No reduction in budget funds has been made despite misleading public comments by some, and reviews of these programs are still being carried out. We will continue to consult, listen and work with local communities on how we might best achieve and re-invest savings.



If you have any further enquiries about these or other savings for reinvestment announced in last year’s budget, or specific questions regarding your school, please contact your local Department for Education and Children’s Services District Office for information.



Thank you for your interest in our public education system. I have also enclosed a copy of our recent education budget overview, which highlights initiatives to further improve opportunities for children.



Yours sincerely







Jane Lomax-Smith (Name title case and not bold)

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES

MINISTER FOR TOURISM

MINISTER FOR THE CITY OF ADELAIDE

So what does this Polly Speak really mean?

SA Teachers to Strike

The AEU are balloting their members on a strike. Our school voted 14-0 to go on strike for an hour next Thursday.

"We're today sending a ballot out to all schools and preschools asking them to vote on stop work action for Thursday June 28. We've asked for the results to be returned by close of business on Monday."

"We are proposing a one hour stop work meeting from 2.30 until 3.30 pm. Our aim is to minimise inconvenience to parents while sending a strong message to the government that we're prepared to defend schools and defend our children's right to quality learning."

Kevin Foley Arrogant Bully

View from the Australian Education Union

Treasurer Kevin Foley's blunt refusal to discuss public education funding with school communities has provoked an angry reaction and the likelihood of a state wide stop work next week.

AEU State President Andrew Gohl says Mr Foley is callously ignoring the concerns of teachers, principals and parents and appears hell bent on taxing our children and compromising their learning.

"Mr Foley claims his government is spending more on public education. Yet schools and preschools are to have 1% of their budgets cut - that's in the order of $50,000 to $100,000 for most schools," Mr Gohl says.

"Cuts of that magnitude mean one thing - an attack on kids' opportunity to learn. Schools will be forced to cut staff, cut programs or both. Preschools will be forced to choose between employing a teacher or employing an Early Childhood Worker, when the reality is they need both."

"Kevin Foley isn't even prepared to listen to our concerns. He is sacrificing our children's futures to fund a couple of razzle dazzle education projects. It is an outrage!" Mr Gohl says.

"Such is the level of dismay and disgust that we've been contacted by teachers and principals across the state wanting to take action. Accordingly, we've listened to their concerns - unlike the treasurer."

"We're today sending a ballot out to all schools and preschools asking them to vote on stop work action for Thursday June 28. We've asked for the results to be returned by close of business on Monday."

"We are proposing a one hour stop work meeting from 2.30 until 3.30 pm. Our aim is to minimise inconvenience to parents while sending a strong message to the government that we're prepared to defend schools and defend our children's right to quality learning."

"From the strong turnout of more than 4000 people at last week's rally at Parliament House, we know we have the strong backing of most parents. They don't want to see their children's futures jeopardised by a government prepared to put ledger sheets ahead of learning. We're confident they'll support our action and appreciate our efforts to minimise the impact on them" Mr Gohl says.

"This government intends to strip money, insultingly described as an "efficiency dividend" every year until at least 2010. This means a haemorrhaging of funds from programs for our kids and is a direct attack on their ability to learn. It is an absolute disgrace that the treasurer, and indeed the education minister, have flatly refused to meet the AEU or representatives from principal and parent organisations."

At least the South Australian Primary Principals Association has good resources on bullying. Perhaps the Principals can use it to fight off DECS bullies.

Bullying OK at Department of Education

So bullying is OK in Public Schools? As long as it is teachers and principals being bullied by Department of Education Supervisors.

From Adelaide Now

School principals who have spoken out against education budget cuts are being "chastised" by their superiors, effectively gagging them from making public statements.

The Advertiser yesterday telephoned 10 principals across the state about the budget cuts. Only two were willing to comment.

Seven principals did not wish to comment while one in the Mid North referred The Advertiser to the Education Department's regional district office.

SA Primary Principals Association president Glyn O'Brien said the State Government had pushed "very strongly" for principals not to comment in public on the issue.

"The people who have made comments have been somewhat chastised and been reminded in no uncertain terms that they are public servants," she said.

Ms O'Brien said there was an element of "fear" among principals about speaking out.

It was revealed this week nurses had been gagged from speaking to the media about their dispute with the State Government over pay and conditions.

Black Forest Primary School principal Phil Greaves said he had not officially been told to avoid speaking to the media about the Budget cuts but was aware some principals would be reluctant.

"I think you'll find a lot of principals would be outspoken about this topic because of the enormity of the issue," he said.

"In our budget, we'll have to make provisions for about $50,000 less, which translates to about $80 per child meaning we'll have to make cuts in key areas."

Dover Gardens Primary School principal John Grant said the "savings initiatives" listed by the Government in the 2006-07 State Budget were "going to have a significant effect".

"We're a small school with close to 80 students and if they take 1 per cent of our salaries for the WorkCover levy along with the other changes, it's going to have a big impact," he said.

Treasurer Kevin Foley defended the changes as the result of devolution policy instigated by the former Liberal government.

A spokeswoman for Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said "no directive about speaking to the media has been given by the Minister or her office to any principal or staff member."

Personally I think what Foley is saying is bollocks. Although there was some devolution of power in theory, in reality, the Department of Education is involved in every last decision at the school. Fine to devolve power, but you also need to give schools adequate resources to run schools effectively. This is just a ruse for a cut.

As for Mrs Lomax Smith, again bollocks and polly speak. The directives seem to be coming from operational people. Our principal has been very careful about what he has said and done. Obviously a culture of fear and bullying in place at DECS.

Some Background

We went to this rally and the numbers present were impressive.

This is from Adelaide Now

Thousands of parents and teachers will rally across the state today in protest at cuts to public education funding.

They say the cuts from next year "will impact on every classroom in South Australia". Rallies will take place from 4.30pm on the steps of Parliament House in the city and in Mount Gambier, Berri, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Whyalla.

They are responding to "savings initiatives" listed in the 2006-07 State Budget for the Department of Education and Children's Services. In total, an estimated $84 million in savings over four years will be borne by schools. That equates to nearly $500 for each of the state's 171,200 public education students.

Schools say the cost-shifting will result in them not being able to afford school support officers, computer upgrades and replacement, library books, special programs and key classroom resources.

Schools could be up to $100,000 out of pocket each year. A key concern is the proposal for schools to pay 1 per cent of their total staff salaries towards a WorkCover levy.

SA Primary Principals Association president Glyn O'Brien said the rally was an "unprecedented" move by schools to campaign against Budget cuts.

"When you talk about a figure such as $25 million it doesn't mean much to parents but when you narrow it down to what impact that is going to have on the school their children attend, it really hits home," she said. "We have only really found out in the past two months how these initiatives will be carried out and we were never consulted by the department. It was just a briefing with their options."

Secondary Principals Association Jim Daves said the Budget cuts would "impact on every classroom in the state".

"It will put the profession of teaching in a very difficult position over the forthcoming years," he said.

"Next year we'll survive with the computers we've got, the following year some will break down and we're not going to have the money to replace them.

"Our existing text books will survive another year, the year after we'll put sticky tape on them but there comes a time where we need to replace them with new ones. An Education Department spokeswoman said: "We want to assure families and staff that all efficiencies, as outlined in the 2006-07 State Budget, will be redirected back into public education in SA to deliver quality education for children".

What You Can Do to Oppose Public School Education Cuts

This is from the Australian Education Union Web Page. I used it to write a bunch of emails and talk to people from these offices. Be persistent and demand a response. Unless sufficient pressure is put on politicians, these cuts will just happen. This will translate directly into a significant reduction in classroom resources, including support staff and other high value programmes. Don't let this happen to your children. Some of this stuff is a bit technical, but I got a good response when I talked to people in the politicians office. The time is now in terms of making a difference. Let politicians know that you are not happy.

Background Information - Cost Cutting and efficiency Dividend Proposals

Workcover - $7m cut
# All sites are levied 1% of total salary starting costs, with a monthly deduction from the site's budget.
# Costs will be met by the site in which the injury occurs.
# Sites to pay the first $100 of any medical treatment.
# Sites to pay the first 4 weeks of lost time from any new Workcover claim; e.g. TRT cover
# $200 late notification fee if exceeding the 2 day period for notification
# A 60% rebate will be provided to sites that make no claims
# A levy/rebate panel will be established to view cases of hardship
# Governing Councils will be wholly responsible for their employees and will be required to register separately and be responsible for compliance

Staffing

DECS acknowledges that there can be no change to staffing arrangements unless by agreement with the AEU because these are secured by industrial agreements.

Their wishlist includes, 45km rule increased to 70km, unlimited tenure for all teaching staff, unlimited right of return.

It should be noted that however some items may not be covered by industrial agreements:
# DECS strategy focuses upon TPT and top ups
# Costs of all surplus teachers transferred to sites
# Introduction of a cost to sites for surplus ancillary staff
# 30 TRT days will be cut each term per 1.0 surplus teaching staff

SASIF accounts
# Applies to all funds in SASIF accounts
# Exempted funds include building, library, OSHC and vacation care, canteen, farm accounts, trusts and scholarships, P&F accounts
# Exempted funds will subject to stricter annual auditing
# DECS examining 5 options.

1) School type
# Specific Limit according to school type
# Preschools $50 000
# Primary $80 000
# Secondary/Area $100 000

2) Enrolment Numbers
# $50 000 up to 100 students
# $80 000 between 101 and 300 students
# $100 000 between 301 and 500 students
# $ 120 000 for 501 and above.

3) Combined enrolment and school type
# Preschools $40 000 - $60 000
# Primary $ 60 000 - $90 000
# Secondary/ Area $90 000 - $120 000

4) Based on 5% RES (2006)

A range between $20 000 and $ 490 000 depending on school size

5) 5% of RES with upper and lower limits
# $40 000 lower to $120 000 upper.

Option 5 favoured by DECS

Energy efficiencies
# 50 sites have met targets
# 550 yet to reach target
# Sustainable Development Grants to be targeted to the 50 biggest energy consumers
# Reduction tied to State Development plan to reduce 2001 consumption rates by 25% - equivalent of $1.8m reduction
# Site redevelopment will include latest energy efficient technology

Water Saving
# Saving of 10% of usage - or $0.7m
# 315 sites have reached target
# ESD funds targeted to top 50 users

Small Programmes/grants

Email links, suggestions and background information to help you get the message through to the state government.

Send an email today telling South Australia's leaders that our schools can't afford their cuts.

The Premier Mike Rann

The Treasurer Kevin Foley

The Minister for Education Jane Lomax Smith


Suggested message

Dear ........

I am appalled that DECS and your Government are making children pay for your government's so called efficiency dividends. Why should public education and student learning again suffer at the hands of politicians and bureaucrats?

Indeed, why shouldn't our kids share in the prosperity of a booming economy after the years of denial brought about by the financial stringencies that followed the ALP's state bank disaster?

Make Public Education exempt from your budget cuts and 'efficiency dividends'.

Shame on this State Labor Government.