The final outcome is here and I for one was very surprised the CTU called the strike. I must say the CTU was masterful in the way they were able to navigate around the infamous Senate Bill 7. That bill was the Illinois centerpiece for a series of anti-union initiatives across the nation. It’s been such a long time since the last CTU strike, but I certainly remember the results it provoked. I was a principal at the time and survived the aftermath of the Chicago School Reform legislation that resulted. We lost our tenure rights, were required to hold LSC elections, and those who made it through the process, and many didn’t, went on to the first four-year principal contract. We, without a doubt, have one of the most complex school governance models in the nation...perhaps the world! I am hopeful that the current strike will not be the springboard to another monumental overhaul of school management. Times are difficult enough in education as it is—high accountability, new national standards, school closings, and eroding public sentiment for educators. Taking the long view, I somehow believe the economy will rebound and education will resume its place as the path to prosperity and the good life!

While the epic struggle between CTU and CPS has been raging, a new CPS chief education officer has arrived on the scene. Barbara Byrd-Bennett is her name, and she’s packing a hefty resume. It is my understanding that she is an “advisor,” not sure exactly what that encompasses yet. We have had

one informal meeting, thus far, mostly discussing people we know in common. If things calm down soon, I hope to have her at our next General Membership meeting. The reason we have a chief education officer is, as we all know, Chicago has had several non-traditional “superintendents” as CEOs. Now that Jean-Claude Brizard is here, and he has a traditional superintendent's education background, I’m anxious to see how the duties at 125 S. Clark will be divided. Meanwhile, we are still waiting for an official organizational chart of the central office departments and staff from CPS. It’s been three years since one has been issued.

Lastly, I’d like to make an observation—the pace that is now the daily (if not hourly) punch-list principals and assistant principals need to accomplish is nearing the realm of impossibility. To all of our new principals and assistant principals, I am hoping you find a way to do all that is required of you, stay healthy, and keep family obligations and important relationships afloat. No one is going to thank or reward you for losing who and what you are to public education. Perspective is tricky to keep a handle on when everything is moving at the speed of light and piled so high you can’t see over it. After last year, I thought how could things get any worse and “gosh-darn-it” they got worse! Since I don’t see an end to the pressures that are certain to come, be mindful of your instinct for self-preservation! It’s worth the effort.

Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, AFSA Local 2, AFL-CIO

RetiRees’ CoRneR

2

iAA sessions

4

20 N. Wacker Dr.Suite 622

Chicago, Il 60606312-263-7767

Fax 312-263-2012www.mycpaa.org

SEPTEMBER 2012MYCPAA.ORG

A Message From The PresidentClarice Berry

VOL. XIV, NO. 1

The Lamp

The Lamp is published monthly by the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association and distributed to the entire membership. Recent editions are available online at

http://www.mycpaa.org. Comments and suggestions are welcome; please e-mail Associate Editor Kent Lau at klau@cps.k12.il.us. The Chicago Principals & Administrators

Association AFSA Local 2, AFL-CIO, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 622, Chicago, IL 60606, Phone: 312-263-7767, Fax: 312-263-2012, www.mycpaa.org

Clarice Berry

Editor

cjackson-berry@cps.k12.il.us

Kent Lau

Associate Editor

klau@cps.k12.il.us

Kimberly Tsui

Design/Production

AFFILIATIONS:

American Federation of

School Administrators

(AFSA)

American Federation of Labor-

Congress of Industrial Organizations

(AFL-CIO)

Illinois American Federation of Labor-

Congress of Industrial Organizations

(IL AFL-CIO)

Chicago Federation of Labor-

Industrial Union Council

(CFL-IUC)

Retirees' CornerArt Fumarolo

STAYING CONNECTED AND ADDRESS ING

THE CONCERNS SHAPING YOUR FUTURE

There were no auxiliary meetings during the summer. The first meeting of the 2012-13 school year was held on September 18. The next regularly scheduled meetings of Auxiliary XVI, the Retired and Resigned members auxil-iary, will be in the RTAC conference room, 20 E. Jackson Blvd., 15th floor, at 9:30 AM on October 16, November 13, and December 11.

At the September meeting, CPAA president Clarice Berry was the guest speaker. Her re-marks and the ensuing discussions mainly had to do with the then ongoing teachers’ strike. Some of the historical background of teachers’ strikes and the role of principals in them were enlightening. So was the background given about the legislative process that led to, what the legislators thought would be, an unobtain-able 70% teachers’ vote for a strike. On this date it is not known how the strike settlement will affect future compensation for principals, assistant principals, and administrators. These administrators have not had a pay increase since 2009. Clarice also discussed the condi-tion of a dwindling membership and the causes contributing to it.

Walter Pilditch, Pension Board member, re-ported that the Pension Board is considering approaches for dealing with the growing num-ber of retirees and the dwindling number of active teachers (the number of retirees will soon surpass 27,000 and will be almost the same as the number of active contributors) and its affect on health insurance without a change that is being requested from the legis-lature. Retirees’ Pension Fund reimbursement will continue to be 60% through 2013. The Pension Board is considering three avenues for addressing the possibility of no change in the

legislative permission for increasing the use of pension funds for medical coverage. One of the options is to divide the annual amount of money available, currently $65 million, by the number of retirees to be reimbursed (those who are on Pension Fund plans as well as those who have other plans and receive reim-bursement from the Fund) and provide that amount to each such retiree to obtain whatever health insurance they can.

There was no CPAA Governing Board meeting in August and the September meeting was cancelled due to the teachers’ strike.

The regular and special sessions of the Illinois legislature have passed and there has been no significant change made to the pension laws as they affect retirees. However, we are all well aware that there will be major proposals made once the November election/re-election of leg-islators is completed. Senate President Cullerton has indicated that he believes that pension action will occur when the new legisla-ture convenes in January and when any legisla-tive action will require only simple majority approval. Be sure you are well aware of how those you vote for stand on “pension reform,” especially those provisions that will affect the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund. Knowing their stand may best be garnered via a per-sonal visit you have, or have had, with them in their office.

John Butterfield reported on the importance of defeating the Constitution Amendment, which will be proposed on the November ballot.

Those in attendance congratulated Arlene Crandell, an active Auxiliary XVI member, on

The Lamp —September 2012 3

Retirees' CornerArt Fumarolo

STAYING CONNECTED AND ADDRESS ING

THE CONCERNS SHAPING YOUR FUTURE

her appointment as acting director of the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago (RTAC). She welcomed each attendee as they entered the RTAC office suite. She re-ported on the RTAC lobbyists and her con-cern about the voting on the November 6 ballot concerning the Illinois Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 49. She distributed copies of a suggested letter that members should use for writing to their local press about their stand on the issue. This letter will be e-mailed to all RTAC members for whom they have an e-mail address. It should be noted that this amendment will affect not only teachers, but also firemen, policemen, and all other public service employees in about 8,000 governmental districts. Spread the NO message to all of your family, friends, and neighbors.

The approval of the amendment will make it harder for state lawmakers and other government entities (city councils and boards of education) to increase pension benefits. The amendment, sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton (D- Chicago), mandates that any legislation increasing pension benefits must receive at least a three-fifths majority in both chambers before becoming law. Currently, only a simple majority is needed to pass such legislation. The passage of a Constitutional Amendment requires that it be approved by three-fifths of those voting on the amendment or by a majority of those voting in the election. As stated above, we must all get the word out to our family and friends to vote NO on the HJRCA 0049 item on the November ballot.

The following is taken directly from the House Joint Resolution, which was adopt-ed by both Houses:

SECTION 5.1. PENSION AND RETIRE-MENT BENEFIT INCREASES

(a) No bill…For purposes of this subsection, the term

"benefit increase" means a change to any pension or other law that results in a mem-ber of a pension or retirement system re-ceiving a new benefit or an enhancement

to a benefit, including, but not limited to, any changes that (i) increase the amount of the pension or annuity upon retirement. The term "benefit increase" also means a change to any pension or other law that expands the class of persons who may be-come a member of any pension or retire-ment system or who may receive a pension or annuity from a pension or retirement system. An increase in salary or wage level, by itself, shall not constitute a "benefit in-crease" unless that increase exceeds limi-tations provided by law.

(b) No ordinance, resolution, rule, or other action of the governing body, or an appoin-tee or employee of the governing body, of any unit of local government or school dis-trict that provides an emolument increase to an official or employee that has the ef-fect of increasing the amount of the pen-sion or annuity that an official or employee could receive as a member of a pension or retirement system shall be valid without the concurrence of three-fifths of the mem-bers of that governing body. For purposes of this subsection, the term "emolument increase" means the creation of a new or enhancement of an existing advantage, profit or gain that an official or employee receives by virtue of holding office or em-ployment, including, but not limited to, compensated time off, bonuses, incen-tives, or other forms of compensation. An increase in salary or wage level, by itself, shall not constitute an "emolument in-crease" unless that increase exceeds limi-tations provided by law.

(c) No action of the governing body, or an appointee or employee of the governing body, of any pension or retirement system created or maintained for the benefit of of-ficers or employees of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof that re-sults in a beneficial determination shall be valid without the concurrence of three-fifths of the members of that governing body. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "beneficial determination" means an interpretation or application of pension or other law by the governing body, or an appointee or employee of the governing

body, that reverses or supersedes a previ-ous interpretation or application and either (i) results in an increase in the amount of the pension or annuity received by a mem-ber of the pension or retirement system or (ii) results in a person becoming eligible to receive a pension or annuity from the pen-sion or retirement system. The term "ben-eficial determination" shall not include a beneficial determination mandated by a fi-nal decision of a court of competent juris-diction.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall prevent the passage or adoption of any law, ordi-nance, resolution, rule, policy, or practice that further restricts the ability to provide a

"benefit increase," "emolument increase," or "beneficial determination" as those terms are used under this Section."

We must all become troopers to get the word out to our family, friends, and neigh-bors concerning their vote on the November ballot, which asks them to vote

“NO” or “yes” concerning House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 49 (HJRCA 0049) that is a proposed addition of Article XIII, Section 5, to the Illinois Constitution, Pension Protection Clause.

Do your part to see that Constitution Amendment 49 is not approved by the vot-ers in November.

The 86th Annual Fall Meeting/Luncheon of the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago will be held on Tuesday, October 23, at 11:45 AM in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Chicago at 720 S. Michigan Ave. Governor Quinn is scheduled to be the main speaker (unless there is a last-minute cancellation). Other speakers will be Kevin Huber (from the Pension Fund), RTAC board members, and the RTAC lobbyist in Springfield. Reservations must be received by October 15. Call 312-939-3327 for more information.

Send your news about retired members or the activities of retired members' groups to Art Fumarolo at aafumarolo@cps.edu or call me at 847-289-7847.

Member NewsBoard Action — The following principal contracts were approved at the June 2012, July 2012, and August 2012 meetings of the Chicago Board of Education: Manuel Adrianzen, Nobel Elementary; Lauren Albani, Lafayette Elementary; Teresa Anderson, Bennett/Shedd Elementary; Patrick Baccellieri, Bateman Elementary; Lorraine Balesh, Christopher Elementary; Roger Beauford, Fort Dearborn Elementary; Stephanie Bloom, Jahn Elementary; Karen Boran, Hancock High School; Natasha Buckner-Pena, G.R. Clark Elementary; Alice Buzanis, Sherwood Elementary; Sonia Caban, Mozart Elementary; Colleen Conlan, Canter Elementary; James Cosme, Falconer Elementary; James Coughlin, Kelly High School; Jaclyn Delaney, Boone Elementary; Christopher Dignam, Lane Technical High School; Lisa Epstein, Lee Elementary; Elias Estrada, Alcott Elementary; Jennifer Farrell, McKutcheon Elementary; Kevin Gallick, Washington Elementary; Elvia Garcia-Graham, Spry Elementary; Michelle Garcia-Jones, Chopin Elementary; Pamela Green, Yates Elementary; Tonya Hammaker, Farragut High School; LeViis Haney, Lovett Elementary; Okab Hassan, Peck Elementary; Flavia Hernandez, McCormick Elementary; Martha Irizarry, Reilly Elementary; Shirrie Jackson, Beethoven Elementary; Virginia Jiminez, Castellanos Elementary; Linda Johnson-McClinton, Calhoun North Elementary; Carolyn Jones, Bass Elementary; Kiltae Kim, Gunsaulus Elementary; Hattie King, Cather Elementary; Lillian Lazu, Little Village Elementary; Delena Little, Keller Elementary; Manda Lukic, Beard Elementary; Ginger Lumpkin, Haines Elementary; Ruth Martini, Addams Elementary; Andrew McIntosh, Black Elementary; Cynthia Miller, Fiske Elementary; Linda Moore, Burnham/Anthony Elementary; Danna Oberhardt, Edision Gifted Center; Wendy Oleksy, Columbus Elementary; Nathan Pietrini, Hawthorne Elementary; Paul Powers, Jones High School; Dawn Prather-Hawk, McKay Elementary; Maureen Ready, Portage Park Elementary; Paul Schissler, Lara Elementary; Kenneth Staral, Ogden Elementary; Marilyn Strojny, Northwest Middle School; William Truesdale, Taylor Elementary; Tawana Williams, Brighton Park Elementary.

New Members — Marcus Alexander, A.P., Wentworth Elementary; Sandra Arreguin, A.P., Roosevelt High School; Sara Bosch, A.P., Madero Middle School; Rafael Contreras, A.P., Murphy Elementary; Luminita Dragos, A.P., Brighton Park Elementary; Tenesha Hatter, A.P., Henson Elementary; Anita Ivory, A.P., Hamline Elementary; Maureen LaRaviere, A.P., Mather High School; Connie Lee, A.P., Lenart Regional Gifted Center; Hiliana Leon, A.P., Albany Park Academy; Efrain Martinez, A.P., Jungman Elementary; Cedric Nolen, Principal, Parkside Community Academy; LaTanya Robertson, Instructional Specialist, CPS; Jennifer Saylor, A.P., Dulles Elementary; Pamela Smith, A.P., Kershaw Elementary; Jenelle Spearmon, A.P., Hope College Prep; Kesa Thurman, Principal, Dulles Elementary; Craig Tutt, A.P., Ogden Elementary; Jeffrey White, Principal, Wells Prep Academy; Tawana Williams, Principal, Brighton Park Elementary.

ILLINOIS ADMINISTRATORS' ACADEMY

Visit the new and improved MyCpaa.com to get more

information on and register for Illinois Administrators' Academy

courses, and to find event information.

• October 16, 2012 — Understanding the Common Core: What

Administrators Need to Know, Understand, and Do

• October 23, 2012 — Building Capacity to Effectively Integrate

Drug and Violence Prevention into the K-12 Curriculum

• November 27, 2012 — Proactively Dealing with Difficult

Conversations: Bringing Out the Best in People at Their Worst

• December 4, 2012 — The Art and Science of Turnaround

Leadership in Schools

55TH EDUCATION CONFERENCE 2013

FEBRUARY 6-8

FAIRMONT CHICAGO

Join us atGalleria Marchetti

as we honor ourretirees.

MONDAY, NOV. 19, 2012GALLERIA MARCHETTI825 W. ERIE ST.CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60642

COCKTAILS AT 4:00 PMDINNER AT 5:00 PMPROGRAM AT 6:00 PM

JOIN US AS WE HONOR OUR MEMBERS WHO RETIRED OR RESIGNED IN 2012.

To register, please complete the form below and enclose your check for $40 with your reservation.

Mail to: CPAA, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 622, Chicago, IL 60606 or register online at http://www.mycpaa.com prior to Friday, November 16, 2012.

NAME

POSITION

SCHOOL / SITE

Roast Fillet of Beef

Broiled Salmon

Chicken Marsala

Vegetarian (Eggplant Parmesan)

Copyright © 2011 AFSA • All Rights Reserved Worldwide • 1101 17th St, NW • Suite 408 • Washington, DC 20036 • 1-800-354-AFSA Turn page over for more benefits!

Direct Benefits for AFSA Members AFSA members are automatically eligible for these no-cost benefits. For more information members may call 1-800-354-AFSA, e-mail afsa@AFSAadmin.org or visit the AFSA web site at: http://www.AFSAadmin.org/

AFSA Occupational Liability+ AFSA provides protection for working members in case of an unfavorable judgment in a lawsuit naming school members as parties or defendants. The plan features up to $1,000,000 of protection against civil actions arising out of: bodily injury to a student; accidental death of a student; assault or battery accusations; corporal punishment; personal injury for libel, slander or defamation of character; violation of the right to privacy or detention; and damage or destruction to the property of others; subject to the terms of the policy.

AFSA Legal Action Trust+* AFSA provides members up to $25,000 of coverage for costs associated with denial of constitutional rights, “failure to educate” and criminal charges arising from school activities, provided that there is complete exoneration of the criminal charges. The plan also provides up to $25,000 to cover defense costs for criminal proceedings resulting from corporal punishment regardless of outcome, and up to $5,000 of punitive damages.

AFSA Retired Member Accidental Death*~ $10,000 of accidental death coverage is provided by AFSA for retired members regardless of other insurance coverage. In order for benefits to be paid, the retiree’s AFSA membership must be in good standing and the member must have previously filed a signed beneficiary form with AFSA. The death certificate must state accidental death in order to qualify.

AFSA Accidental Death & Dismemberment+ Regular and Associate members are eligible for Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance which pays $50,000 to the covered person’s beneficiary in the event of accidental death or a varying percentage of this principal sum amount to the covered person based on a dismemberment or paralysis. The member must be in good standing and the member must have previously filed a signed beneficiary form with AFSA. This beneift is subject to the terms of the policy.

AFSA Total Disability+* In the event of a total disability, AFSA provides up to $1,500 per month in disability benefits, up to a maximum lifetime benefit of $15,000. Benefits begin the fifth month after the onset of the disability and continue as long as the member remains totally disabled, turns 65 or reaches the maximum lifetime benefit, whichever comes first. This benefit is offset by the monthly amounts payable from other sources.

AFSA Scholarship The AFSA 2010-11 Scholarship Program is open to children of AFSA members in good standing. The applicant must be attending college for the first time during 2011. Click on the link on the AFSA home page to download the Scholarship Application package. All required forms and materials must be received in the AFSA National Office by Friday, February 25, 2011.

AFSA Travel Desk Call Gary Goldstein at 732-786-0314 or e-mail ggoldstein@csa-nyc.org for special group travel opportunities.+Retiree Members Not Eligible *Associate Members Not Eligible ~Regular Members Not Eligible

Optional Group Insurance Benefits for AFSA Members AFSA members are automatically eligible to participate in these discounted Group Insurance Benefits. For more information call 1-800-503-9230 or visit the Marsh web site at: http://www.personal-plans.com/afsad/

Disability Income Plan1,2

Long Term Care1,2

Senior Whole Life1,2/Group Term Life1,2

Short Term Medical Insurance1,2

Accidental Death and Dismemberment1,2

Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance1,2

Dental Insurance with Benefit Builder1,2

1Not Available in Puerto Rico 2Not Available in US Virgin Islands

Liberty Mutual Insurance Benefits for AFSA Members AFSA Members can now get a special discounted rate on Auto Insurance and Home Insurance. Find out more and get a free rate quote at: http://www.libertymutual.com/afsa/

Note: Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state.To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify.

As part of your AFSA membership, you receive the following benefi ts at no additional cost: $1 million Occupational Liability Coverage, $25,000 Criminal Defense Coverage, $15,000 Total Disability Benefi t and $10,000 Accidental Death Benefi t.

However, AFSA must have your most current information on fi le, or you will not qualify for these benefi ts or you may be denied coverage. You may FAX this completed form to the AFSA National Offi ce: (202) 986-4211 or MAIL it to: AFSA, Dept BEN, 1101 17th ST NW, Suite 408, Washington, DC 20036-4720.

If you have any questions, call the AFSA National Offi ce at (202) 986-4209 or e-mail afsa@AFSAadmin.org.

Please PRINT your information clearly below.

Salutation: Mr. Mrs. Ms. Ed.D. Ph.D. Other________ AFSA Local Number:_______________Last Name:_________________________________________ First Name:______________________ MI:____Job Title (or indicate “retired”): _________________________________ # Years as School Administrator: ____School District: ____________________________________________________________________________Home Address: _____________________________________________________________________________City: ____________________________________________________ State: ________ Zip: ___________Home Phone: __________________ Cell Phone: _______________________ Fax: ______________________Email: _____________________________________________________ Gender: M FDate of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy):____/____/________ Social Security Number:__________-________-__________

Please check all that apply: You may use my e-mail address to send me notices/information from the AFSA National Offi ce and affi liates.

You may use my e-mail address to send me notices/information from AFSA’s group benefi t providers.

You may use my e-mail address to send me notices/information from organizations to which I am a member

as part of my AFSA membership.

Accidental Death Benefi ciary Information:Last Name: _________________________________________ First Name: ______________________ MI: __Home Address:_________________________________________________________________________City: _________________________________ State: ____ Zip: _________ Home Phone: _________________Relationship to Self: _______________________ Social Security Number: _____________________________

(If you have more than one benefi ciary, then attach a sheet with the above information as well as the percentage of the benefi t that each benfi ciary should receive. Be sure to sign and date the attached sheet.)

Your Authorization:AFSA Member Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ______________________

*For complete description of benefi ts, visit: www.AFSAadmin.orgwww.AFSAadmin.org Note: benefi ts are subject to specifi c terms and conditions and are subject to change without notice.

Combined AFSA Benefi ts Information FormCombined AFSA Benefi ts Information Form