Tribute written by President Emeritus, Keith R. Johnson
A SALUTE OF GRATITUDE TO PATRICK FALCUSAN
From the day that Patrick Falcusan came to the DFT office 30 years ago to help President Emeritus, the late John Elliott, ascertain and assess the financial situation of the Detroit Public Schools (DPS), and our own roles, he has been an indispensable and invaluable asset to the DFT and our membership. One of the first things Patrick was able to ascertain was that DPS was still budgeting salaries and benefits for DFT members who were retired or even deceased. This was the precursor to unraveling the perpetual blend of fiscal mismanagement which inhibited DPS from delivering the level of education and support to our then 190,000 students. This ultimately led to the proliferation of charter schools which over time led to a mass exodus of students which has now brought us down to our current enrollment of approximately 50,000 students. While many in our community were demanding a forensic audit of DPS, Patrick was doing his own forensic audit, allowing us to bring indisputable facts to the bargaining table during negotiations. He proved to be an invaluable asset to us as we continued to negotiate contracts which could attract and retain the best teachers and maintain programs throughout DPS. As Patrick’s knowledge increased, so did the responsibilities he took on. One of the most important was advising our members as they prepared for retirement. Patrick had the uncanny ability to calculate almost to the penny, how much our members would receive in their pensions upon retirement. He would advise DFT members who were thinking about retirement that their service time would not give them their full benefits. Back around 1996, he advised many of us, including me, to buy five (5) years of time while that window was open, and to switch from the basic retirement plan to MIP, which would guarantee them a 3% increase every year to their pension upon their retirement. So many of our members who are now enjoying retirement owe a debt of gratitude to Patrick for the advice he gave them either personally, or in his detailed articles in The Detroit Teacher newspaper. Patrick’s value was not only measured in dollars and cents, but in his humanity and decency. I can say without fear of contradiction, that Patrick is one of the most beautiful and kind people I have ever known. His passion for our members, his patience, his kindness, and his great story telling while addressing an issue could calm even the most frustrated member. His humor and compassion for others could bring light to the darkest circumstances. In my 22 years of service to the DFT as Labor Relations Administrator, Director of Operations, and President, I heavily relied upon Patrick to give me information which helped me service our members. On behalf of every DFT President, from John Elliott to Lakia Wilson-Lumpkins, I would like to congratulate and thank Patrick for his 30 years of service to the DFT and its membership. His service to us is how he chose to enjoy his retirement as a DPS teacher, and the DFT is grateful that he did. Thank you, Patrick, you’re one of a kind, and simply the best.
Video tribute to Pat: Tribute to Patrick Falcusan
