-1-888-268-4334: The CTA Hotline to get in touch with your congressperson. You should have each received a letter from President David Sanchez outlining the nasty ESEA Reauthorization proposal made by Miller and Pelosi. There is also information under the “No Child Left Behind” link on this website. I hope every one of you calls and gets 5 friends/family members to call. They don’t have to live in California in order to use this hotline number. KEEP CALLING! I have called my representative 3 times and sent 3 emails. We need to keep the pressure up.

School Board Race: VTA-PAC and VTA endorsed Mazzuca and Kitzes. The Solano Labor Council endorsed them too, as well as Sogge and Baker.

T-shirts: The shirts are done and are being sorted as we speak. As they get sorted, I will deliver them to sites. Check with your site rep on the cost of the polo shirts if you ordered one.

Black Wednesday: Speaking of shirts, please continue to wear those VTA shirts or black shirts in support of bargaining. We are continuing to post bargaining updates on this website to keep you informed. Please be patient if an update doesn’t go up immediately after the session. The meetings are exhausting and it takes a bit of time to write the update and edit by the team.

School Loop: I met with Burton Crinklaw to discuss the Level 2 grievance we had filed. It was a very productive meeting. He sent a letter to all site principals regarding the voluntary use of School Loop and that administrators should be supportive of whatever method a member uses to communicate with students and parents. I also met with Mark Frazier about a “plan” for implementation. He is working on a parent/student guidelines brochure.

Bargaining: As you read the updates, you need to be giving feedback to your directors. Your director is listed under the “Officer and Chairs” link on this website. Executive Board directs bargaining, so the more feedback they get, the better they can direct the bargaining team.

Department Chairs: If you are not getting your correct amount, please let me know.

Open position for Elementary Director: No one brought forward any nominees, so we are still missing an elementary director. If you are interested, call me at 365-1715.