Manhasset BOE And Support Staff Reach Agreement

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Manhasset BOE And Support Staff Reach Agreement

Friday, 04 May 2012 00:00

Support personnel contract expired June 30, 2010

(Submitted by the Manhasset School District)

The Manhasset Union Free School District and the Manhasset Educational Support Personnel Association (MESPA), the union representing the district’s support personnel, have reached an agreement on their contract, which had expired on June 30, 2010. The MESPA includes cleaners, maintainers and groundsmen, clerical staff, teacher assistants and supervisory aides, nurses, an audio visual technician, duplicating machine operator, messenger and interior security.

The new four-year collective bargaining agreement is effective for the 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years. The board of education, district administration, and MESPA leadership team worked cooperatively to reach an agreement prior to the board of education’s adoption of a proposed budget for the upcoming 2012-13 school year. The agreement was ratified by the membership on April 23, 2012.

The new agreement is responsive to budget pressures on multiple fronts that include restrictions resulting from imposition of the tax levy cap, loss of state aid, the requirement to fund significant increases mandated by New York State in pension contributions, and higher health care premiums.

Manhasset Board of Education President, Carlo Prinzo, said, “We are all pleased that in these difficult financial times, the MESPA unit and the district have been able to come to an equitable agreement. The MESPA members represent an important part of the framework of the Manhasset School District, and will always remain a part of the everyday strength of our schools.”

Judi Reilly, president of the MESPA, stated, “The Manhasset Educational Support Personnel Association is pleased that the Memorandum of Agreement, voted on by membership, Monday, April 23, 2012, was overwhelmingly approved. The negotiating team had many meetings with the district over the past 26 months to exchange and discuss proposals as part of the negotiation process. Both sides met in good faith and diligently worked together to come to an agreement on the contract. The new contract allows both parties to plan for the future while living through these stressful economic times.”

The new four-year agreement includes no retroactive salary increase (0 percent) in 2010-11, a 1 percent retroactive salary increase for 2011-12 and a 1 percent salary increase in 2012-13 and 2013-14. Employees who are entitled to annual increment increases, also known as ‘step’ increases, will earn the increased increment on a deferred basis for only the second half of 2012-13 and for one quarter of the year in 2013-14. Employees will contribute 10 percent of their health care premiums in 2012-13 and 11 percent on 2013-14, an increase of 1 percent in each year.

Besides limiting salary increases and increasing contributions to health care premiums, the cost savings under the new agreement will be generated from two areas: (1) reductions in the level of payments to employees who decline health insurance coverage and (2) reduction in the time period of full pay for employees who are injured on the job and unable to work from six months to four months.

Further details on the new agreement can be found on the district’s website: www.manhasset.k12.ny.us.

News

ERASE Racism Benefit

Saturday, 18 May 2013 00:00

Arda Haratunian An Organizer

Manhasset resident Arda Nazerian Haratunian is lending her expertise and support to ERASE Racism, a civil rights non-profit that advocates for racial equity on Long Island. As a member of its planning committee for the third year in a row, she is helping to organize ERASE Racism’s Annual Benefit Celebration, which will take place on June 5 at the Garden City Hotel.

A strategic communications consultant, Arda has more than 25 years experience in both the private and public sectors. She most recently served as senior policy advisor and communications director to former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and previously worked for New York Governor Mario Cuomo. During the decade between her two careers in public service, Arda was on Wall Street, serving as managing director of global corporate communications for Citigroup’s Corporate and Investment Bank and before that, head of media and public relations at the American Stock Exchange.

Manhasset Florist & Greenhouse

There is a floral treasure in Manhasset, something unique: it’s the greenhouse in front of Manhasset Florist on Orchard Street. “Having my own greenhouse ensures premium plant growth and creates optimum conditions. This allows me to offer the healthiest plants to my customers,” says owner Alexander Otis. Indeed, the plants look truly perfect and a delightful scent of blossoms fills the air of the greenhouse.

“My father bought the business and property 45 years ago. During those years, he opened a total of five flower shops in Nassau County,” said Alex. His father trained him and his sister Aretta in the flower business. “While still attending high school we both helped on Saturdays and during our vacations,” he explains. Alex graduated from the New York Institute of Technology as an architect and worked as an engineer for over six years before returning to his roots to help his father manage his five flower shops and to run one, Garden City Florist. “When my father retired in 1999, I took over Manhasset Florist & Greenhouse and Aretta took over Port Washington Florist.”

Sports

Victorious In Opening Manhasset Valley Park Game

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Logan Hyde pitching. One of Manhasset’s 12U intramural baseball teams defeated Great Neck in the first game played at the renovated Valley Park field on Saturday April 27. Manhasset’s offense scored 10 runs, including a home run from Devin Callery, while pitchers Logan Hyde, Jeff Torborg, James Marchetti and Grant Petracca combined to limit Great Neck to one hit with 11 strikeouts in six innings. Edward Jarvis, Robert DeCastro, Massimo Abruzzo, Colby Schmidt, Gabriel Cohen, Spencer Kaye and Justin Louie each contributed quality defensive plays. Manhasset raised its record to 4-0 and stands in first place in the inter-town intramural league, which includes 8 teams from Merillon, Albertson-Herricks, Great Neck and Manhasset.

JV Ice Hockey Team Finishes The Season

Wednesday, 15 May 2013 10:34

The Manhasset Junior Varsity Ice Hockey Team finished their season Wednesday night, April 17, beating Bellmore/Merrick 4-3 in the championship game at the Bethpage Community Park Ice Rink. Wednesday’s finale marked the end of an impressive campaign by the Indians which included a 19-1 regular season record and a trip to the New York State Championship in Ithaca.

Manhasset got off to a strong start scoring four times in the first period on goals by Michael Walsh, Michael Brzozowski, Mario De Bueriis, and Matthew Cecchini whose tally would prove to be the game winner. Nolan Behringer, Ryan Kiess, and goaltender Alex Feinstein led the defense in shutting down a powerful Bellmore/Merrick squad, securing Manhasset’s first ever Junior Varsity Championship.