Representative Council Minutes Wednesday, December 14, 2011
3:30-5:30
Secretary’s Report:
Reminder
– FEA has gone paperless and minutes/agendas will now be sent
electronically. If you have not sent your email address to
feasecretary1@verizon.net
or registered for Icontact
communication at http://links.massteacher.org/fea
please do.
The Recording Secretary position is now vacant. The Executive Board will meet to discuss plans for this opening.
Treasurer’s Report:
Katie passed out the monthly balance sheet.
Donna and Katie still get notice of new hires on a regular basis, they continually send out info to new members and work with city hall to keep ahead of this. Please keep Katie informed if you are not having union dues deducted. This is labeled on your pay stub as “Teachassoc”.
Katie has updated all our FEA information with the state incorporation division.
Katie has reimbursed the district for last year’s ½ time President’s release salary and established a process to be billed by the district for the President’s release time spent on union work.
Membership:
Please continue to notify Donna of new staff that start or leave the district.
It is time to reopen the teacher contract negotiations. Beth is looking for teachers who would like to serve on this negotiation team for the next contract.
The Innovation School grant is close to being finalized and will soon be submitted. This initial grant is for planning money to create the first district K-8 school at McKay/FAA.
ESP Para Unit Report:
Para unit has filed a grievance for first day of school- they were only paid 4 ½ hrs. Not the 6 hours that they worked.
Para contract negotiations are on going.
The ESP unit is growing across the country. They directly affect students but do not get respect and pay. The NEA is surveying people, if they call asking you to participate in the survey please say yes. You will be part of making history for ESPs.
Paras that sub for teachers need to fill out the sub form, submit it, watch their pay check and let Patty or Kathy know if you notice any discrepancies in your paycheck. We ask that you make us aware of any concerns, we can’t help if we do not know about an issue.
Custodial Unit Report:
The FEA expressed condolences on the death of Crocker School custodian, Dave Fletcher.
Old Business:
PEC update- A sub-committee of the PEC met with the mayor to see what her intentions were regarding the new Health Insurance law. She will be waiting until after the first of the year to discuss this with City Council.
There are reps that are still dissatisfied that all Unit A colleagues are not assigned duties. Beth referred to our contract- page 14 and 15, section 4. That states “…duties or responsibilities as determined by the Principal.” There was a lengthy discussion about this and we will discuss this issue further.
New Business:
Central Office has asked that each building use an average of only 3 subs per day with the exception of the high school, which is allowed 5. It was explained that this is an average…one day may use 2 and the next 4. It is still unclear how this will all play out on a daily basis. There was a concern that the limited number of subs per building will affect class coverage. Central Office is tracking attendance and staff should be conscientious about the time that they take.
Other:
Beth is still visiting schools during lunch time- has visited two schools so far.
Next Rep Council meeting is Wednesday, January 25 at 3:30 in the Memorial Library.
Beth invites all members to please contact her at any time with concerns and questions.
Again, Beth thanked members for responding to the survey regarding direct deposit. We had over 300 responses and the information gained is very valuable.
Meeting adjourned 5:34 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Kim Bellio
Corresponding Secretary
CONTACT INFORMATION:
President– Beth Kaake:
bethkaake@yahoo.com
978-790-8864
Vice Presidents:
Sue Flynn: mdawg02@verizon.net
978-514-4310
Steve Celona: stevecelona@yahoo.com
508-783-8423
Adam Cordio: atcordio@yahoo.com
978-855-9253
Treasurer– Katie Schmitt:
marykatherine75@comcast.net
978-340-3972
Membership– Donna Malouin:
donnamalouin@aol.com
508- 331-4285
Corresponding Secretary- Kim Bellio:
feasecretary1@verizon.net
508-331-2041
Custodian Chairperson-
Dick Tellier; dtellier51@yahoo.com
978-235-5939
Para Chairperson(s)–
Patty Durkee: PBosswell@yahoo.com
978-424-7955
Kathy Thibault: Kathyelal@comcast.net
978-855-7347