RA to meet 2/11/09

The SPTA RA will meet on Wednesday, February 11 at 3:40 PM in the SPHS library. All SPTA members are welcome to attend.

At this meeting, Chief Negotiator Jessica Kaplan and President Tom Major will ask the SPTA Representative Assembly to authorize the negotiating team to discuss the terms of next year's contract with the administration. This request follows informal conversations with the administration about the likely impact of budget on staffing.

It is important to remember that talking about the terms is not the same thing as changing the contract. The negotiating team would not have the power to change the contract -- the team could only propose changes to the general membership for final approval or rejection.

Please note that the SPTA Constitution allows all SPTA members to attend meetings of the RA, but leaves the decision on whether to allow SPTA members to speak to the RA itself.

Tom Friedman wants to help

Tom Friedman (The Lexus and the Olive Tree; The World is Flat; Hot, Flat, and Crowded) published a call in Sunday's NY Times to offer a federal tax exemption for teachers. He also suggested doubling the salaries of science and math teachers. While I don't think NEA would oppose the former, neither do I see it supporting the latter, since if would break the negotiating strength of a single bloc of teachers.

Yet an idea is not inherently bad just because NEA wouldn't support it. Let Mr. Friedman make his own case for it here.

SPTA RA 1/14/09

The RA met on 1/14/2008 at 3:40 in the SPHS library. In attendance were Kandoian, Remsen, J. Major, Esten, Foster, Pitt. Also present were Hunter, Jandreau, T. Major.

The following things were discussed .

1. Budget matters & potential implications for the present & future contracts
We're aware that some city councilors have demanded (?) that the Superintendent talk to us about taking less than the 3.5% increase in base salary next year. Some rough ballpark numbers were shared. Building reps spoke about the conditions under which they might be willing to accept less than 3.5%; other voices have expressed absolute unwillingness to take less. History of previous freezes was recalled. T. Major will ask the RA to reconvene on 1/28/09 at 3:40 in the SPHS library to consider his request that the negotiating team be authorized to discuss the terms of next year's contract with the District Administration.

2. MEA-RA and MEA elections
The SPTA has three seats in the MEA-RA which will convene in Portland on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 & 17, 2009. Currently, Brian Jandreau is the only elected rep. T. Major indicated willingness to stand for re-election to his seat. J. Major indicated willingness to run for the other seat. If any other members would like to nominate themselves, they may do so by emailing Gail Ryder at ryderga@spsd.org. The election has to happen by March 11.

The President, Vice President, NEA Director, and MEA Benefits Trust Trustee are all on the ballot this year and will be elected at the MEA-RA. Notice of Intention to run needs to be filed by February 5, if anyone wants to run. T. Major has the forms.

3. SPTA Elections
Elections will be held in May for the positions of SPTA Secretary and Treasurer. Those positions are currently filled by Gail Ryder and Jerry Hunter, respectively. If you are interested in running for either of these positions, please notify Tom Major.

4. Central Office's concerns about paperwork
The Leave of Absence forms are now providing space to specify the relation of the person concerned to the employee requesting leave for both family medical and bereavement. The eligible relationships (and in the case of bereavement the number of days) are specified in the contract. Filling this out will spare the central office folks from having to ask "Who died? What was she to you?" or "Who is sick? What's he to you?"

Also, folks who are recertified need to send copies of their new certificates to Central Office. Those certificates have the criminal history clearance that Central needs. Please send them to Lori Bowring Michaud.

Meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM.

CHRC paperwork

So about 35 of us don't have our CHRC paperwork up to date. In spite of the monthly reminders from Gail Ryder that we need to send a copy of our professional certificates to central office, we haven't done so. As one of the 35, I can only say mea culpa. If you don't feel like speaking Latin, you could say scusi or pardonnez-moi or even my bad, dawg. But whatever you say, it should be prompt, accompanied by your CHRC certificate (which is on your professional certificate), and sent to Lori Bowring Michaud at Central Office.

Oh, and What?!! Nobody told me that!!! is the wrong thing to say.