How to keep the millenium bug from biting

As the final months of 1999 tick down and we approach the new millennium--or Y2K, to use the common shorthand for the year 2000--there are really three approaches to dealing with this momentous event: 1. Panic (converting your life savings into gold, buying a generator, building a backyard bunker and stocking it with provisions for the disastrous months ahead, and so on). 2. Ignore it (pretending it's not a big deal or having faith in the experts that there will be no Y2K-related problems). 3. Use common sense (making sure, for example, that you have current paper copies of all your key financial and medical records).

Obviously, any problems that could arise on Jan. 1, 2000, and afterward will be a lot less severe if people use the commonsense approach and take reasonable precautions. To help teachers and other school employees deal with Y2K issues in a sensible way, we have prepared some questions and answers dealing with key topics with help from the AFT research department and various other sources.

Q. How did we get into this whole Y2K mess anyway?

A. Beginning in the 1960s, computer programmers only used two digits instead of four for dates (i.e., 99 vs. 1999) to save disk space and money. Many older programs and the computers that run them are still around, so the question is what happens when the date changes from 99 to 00. The potential impact is huge because computers have become vital to so much of our daily lives, from personal computers and local area networks to the whole range of public utilities and public safety--not to mention schools.

Q. Are there any issues with schools and Y2K that require special attention?

A. Because the new year comes at a crucial time for many would-be college students--who need transcripts and other records sent to admissions offices--school counselors could be especially affected if computerized student records become unavailable. With college admissions this year the most competitive in recent memory, this is an especially stressful time for high school seniors. More and more school systems and employees are also relying on computerized reminders for when to send various documents to colleges. Having paper copies of key student records wouldn't be a bad idea.

Special education teachers and specialists have also come to rely heavily on computers in recent years to compose IEPs for students and complete the various evaluations and progress reports required by law. Here again, special education staff might want to make sure they aren't relying entirely on networked computers to access records, templates and the like in early January.

Employees such as custodians, maintenance staff and mechanics often rely on electronic systems to tell them when maintenance and safety checks are required--checks that could be missed if the computer system fails to provide proper reminders. Old-fashioned paper calendars still have their uses.

Q. I have my paycheck deposited directly into my bank account. Should I be worried?

A. Financial institutions are among the best prepared of any businesses for the changeover to 2000. But even if your bank is prepared to receive the deposit, your school system has to be set up to send it, and a lapse on the part of the schools could mean credit problems down the line for employees.

Here's where your union can play an important role by asking the district for evidence that it is Y2K compliant when it comes to dealing with banks and other vendors. The union might even request a letter from the superintendent to all employees about progress on Y2K issues, along with assurances that the district will help them resolve any credit problems that might arise due to missed deposits.

Q. Should I do anything special about my individual records, such as pension, salary and seniority?

A. It's good practice, new millennium or not, to keep current paper records of credit card numbers, bank accounts, annuity numbers, pension balances and the like in a safe place. Be sure to keep your latest statements before the new year and then compare them to your first statement after the new year to check for any discrepancies.

Local unions should have a complete listing of employees and their placement on the salary schedule, not just as Y2K protection, but because it's useful information, especially around contract bargaining time. If you happen to have a grievance in process at the end of the year, work with your union representative to make sure you have documentation and a way to ensure you don't miss any required dates or timelines because of computer problems.

The bottom line is that common sense can help you think about how to prepare for Y2K. Think about the essential things in your life--bank accounts, medical records, home utilities--and make sure you have current information on all of them.

If you have any doubts about whether the businesses you deal with on any of these things are Y2K compliant, ask them. They should be able to provide information that will ease your concerns or indicate that you might need to take more precautions.

And one last piece of advice: Have a great new year because this happens only once every thousand years.

American Federation of Teachers, AFL•CIO - 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW - Washington, DC 20001