CTA President Dean Vogel issued a statement to the media today praising the historic school funding formula agreement in the Legislature.

Here is an excerpt:“We are extremely encouraged by the historic state budget agreement in Sacramento to overhaul education funding for K-12 schools. Thanks to the hard work of educators and parents to pass Proposition 30, the new spending plan provides all schools with more resources, begins repaying schools the money they are owed from years of budget cuts, recognizes the need for smaller class sizes and helps meet the needs of school districts serving at-risk students. As school doors close for the year this month, new doors are opening with the new funding plan.”

Read the full CTA statement here

Also, SBE President Michael Kirst reflects on what’s ahead for school districts under the new funding plan

…teachers from around the county meet to set the course of the National Education Association for the year.

For more information, and to see the agenda for this year’s meeting, please click here.

This year, your representatives are:

• Brenda Hensley
• Corey Penrose
• Alyson Brauning
• Julie Timmerman Rodrigues

Do you have issues you’d like them to fight for at the national level?  Share them in the comments!

• Negotiations for the 2013-14 contract will continue over the summer. The passage of the state and district budget in late June should give us a better picture of the financial situation which will guide bargaining. Check the vacateachers.org website in the later part of July for updates. We hope to have a tentative agreement ready to put forth to membership by the start of the new school year.
• The Elementary Prep MOU has been signed and is posted on the website. Much is the same as the current MOU.

-it is a two year MOU, sunsetting June 30, 2015

-three (3) minimum days have been added each year for completing report cards and conducting conferences

-no Wednesday collaboration is scheduled for the Wednesday of the first full week of instruction or on Wednesdays prior to progress reports or report cards being due

-there is full P.E. prep during conference weeks and the week before Christmas break

-the P.E. prep for grades 1-3 is increased from 40 to 50 minutes

• Remember to get your name on the voluntary transfer list if you are interested in being considered for vacancies that open over the summer. Check the VUSD website or get on the district’s distribution list to get emails with updates on openings throughout the break.

Have a great summer break!

…check it out by clicking here.

…Richard Bammer, from the Vacaville Reporter, received a John Swett Award from the California Teachers Association for his outstanding education coverage.

VTA state council member Corey Penrose, Richard Bammer and VTA vice-president Larry Baker.