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.

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?

Great Strategy

This was in the riverland local paper, The Murray Pioneer, on Friday22nd

An open invitation to the Education Minister
THIS IS an invitation to Minister for Education and Children's Services, Jane Lomax-Smith.
On behalf of the Renmark Junior Primary School and Renmark Primary School Governing Council, I am writing to invite you to our next Governing Council meeting to be held at 58 Murtho Street, Renmark, on June 25, at 7pm.
We are inviting you to explain to the council, students, staff and the members of our wider school community that, to comply with the draconian financial impost you are forcing on our school, we will need to significantly reduce the quality of education we can provide to our students.
The Governing Council is fully aware of, and remains supportive of, the need for financial stringency, but it is clearly apparent, despite your statements to the contrary, that our school has been significantly disadvantaged financially since the introduction of Partnerships 21.
Our schools will need to cut our budgets by some $58,860 to comply with your edict and the only method our schools have available to achieve this impost, is to significantly:
- Cut the amount of SSO/student contact time within the primary school.
- Cut a school funded early intervention support program within the junior primary.
- Cut the furniture replacement program (most of which is over 15 years old).
- Cut the ongoing upgrade of computers and peripherals across both schools.
- Cut subsidizing excursions and external performances to all students.
- Cut the supply of resources to education programs.
- Cut access to the Life Education van.
All of the above are of vital importance in providing the support, equipment and programs the council believe are of prime necessity in assisting our students, at an important time of their life, to gain a solid grounding in the education they need to prepare for and become sound members of our community.
A wise person once said that 'a community will be judged by the education it provides its children'. If the above is the case, then we will not be judged well.
Should you not be able to attend our meeting or wish to discuss the matter further please contact me directly on 0428 100 253 or email at mcdonalds.renmark@bigpond.com.au
I wait with anticipation your acceptance to attend our meeting.
MARK A McDONALD
Chairperson of Renmark Junior Primary School and Renmark Primary School Governing Council

Great Strategy. Even Better Invite Jane to your School Assembly to say that sorry we will not be able to support all the programmes that you all like.

Bad News from Renmark

From the ABC

The Renmark Junior and Primary School, in south-eastern South Australia, says it
will have to cut student services if funding changes proposed in last year's
State Budget are implemented.
The changes include making schools pay a
WorkCover levy of 1 per cent on salary costs.
The school's governing council
chairman, Mark McDonald, has asked Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith to attend
a meeting later this month, but is yet to get a reply.
Mr McDonald says the
school is unable to turn to the community to seek assistance for help.
"We
certainly wouldn't be able to fundraise within the community to cover those
costs, given that our community in Renmark like most country communities has
been significantly affected by drought," he said.
A spokesman for Ms
Lomax-Smith says the Minister has received the letter.
In a written
statement, Ms Lomax-Smith says the Education Department will continue to liaise
with schools about how the changes will be rolled out from the start of next
year.

Hello Jane. Renmark is nice at this time of year.

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.

More Background

From Adelaide Now

Public schools will soon forcibly cut funding for major resources - ultimately disadvantaging students - in response to new taxes outlined in the 2006-07 State Budget.

Principals have warned the new taxes, which include a 1 per cent WorkCover levy on total staff salaries, mean they have the tough choice of either slashing funds for learning resources or increasing school fees.

The warning came as Premier Mike Rann denied Labor MPs were concerned about losing their seats because of the cuts.

One school has detailed to The Advertiser the direct impact of the cuts on their resources, which they estimate would total $50,000 from discretionary funds out of their annual budget.

The resource cuts - five lots of $10,000 in this school's case - would hit:

IT which would result in its network and hardware becoming outdated over time.

SPECIAL Education support program, disadvantaging those most in need.

STAFF training, reducing the knowledge and skills of its staff.

LIBRARY resourcing - which is most of its budget - resulting in out of date resources "very quickly" and $10,000 more, which "gives them nowhere else to cut from without impacting on staffing and class sizes".

The school's principal said: "We can either charge parents an extra $100 per child . . . or we can reduce resourcing."

SA Primary Principals Association president Glyn O'Brien said the cuts were "something Treasurer Kevin Foley doesn't understand".

"We want the opportunity to sit down and put in front of him the facts and figures but we've had no response at all to our pleas or letters asking for that," she said.

Mr Rann told Parliament yesterday that no Labor backbenchers, including former teacher Chloe Fox, had indicated to him they held concerns about their jobs.

His denial was met with howls of protest from the Liberals after speculation Ms Fox raised the issue in Caucus. Ms Fox yesterday refused to comment.

Next Thursday, teachers are expected to strike for one-hour to protest against the new taxes.

A spokeswoman for the Education Department said "all savings measures announced in last year's Budget will be redirected back into public education".

Louise Quinn, who has two children attending Reynella Primary School, is concerned about the impact of the new taxes.

"It will impact severely on an already limited school budget and there will be the financial impact on parents if the extra costs are passed on," she said.

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.