Rep Council Meeting Minutes for May 7th 2013

Rep Council meeting minutes

Jepson library

May 7, 2013 3:30-4:53

Members present – Ginny Miller, Julie Timmerman, Diane Dahl, Judy Schneider, Sofia Felix, Jennifer Brown, Debbie Cavanaugh, Moira McSweeney, Julie McGee, Russ Tucker, Stephanie Munzinger, Sharon Riehl, Helen Blood, Miranda Merino, Linda Phelan, Bob Blaine, Todd Blanset, Christine Williams, Cathy Valdez, Brenda Hensley, Sylvia Shepard, Lili Fisher, Gary Eisenberg, Kathleen Steiert, Carolyn Thomas, Katherine Epstein, Chris Fickes, Samantha Maunder, Mark Richardson, Tracy Begley, Sylvia!, Aja Cook, Corey Penrose, Larry Baker

Members absent – Lenore Hubal, Dawn Waid, Tom Kutz, Tom Buck, Suzi Morgan, Joy Holleran, Alyson Brauning

Site concerns:

Elementary – there were some questions about transfer language and contract proposals regarding prep time for parent conferences and report cards.

Junior High – none

High School – there were some questions about the shifting of meeting times once the current contract expires.

1) – Approval of the minutes – the minutes were approved.

2) – Approval of the agenda – the agenda was approved.

3) – Business – none

4) – President’s report – Moira reported on the following:

Transfer language – there have been some discussions with VUSD about contract language regarding member reassignments due to reconfiguration of grade levels at elementary sites. Article 7.4 will be followed and a displaced pool will be held. The process/procedures for this were reviewed by Moira. The pool will likely be held on May 16th at the ESC.

Pay docking due to POL usage – is an ongoing problem. There are Labor Law regulations on this that are being discussed with the District. Moira and Sylvia will meet with the district on Thursday in an effort to resolve this issue. Some questions about this process were taken.

Safety committee – suspension and expulsion reports should be coming to VTA members on a weekly basis. If they are not being sent, talk with your site administrator and let Moira know.

Site administrators will also review student intervention protocols. There will be during duty day trainings on Crisis Prevention Intervention techniques for the 13-14 school year. There will also be access to an electronic student yearbook for member access. The report also finished with a reminder about reporting serious threats or injuries and VUSD reimbursement forms for member property which is damaged at school.

Day of the Teacher – is tomorrow at Murillos at four pm, come on by!

The report finished with a commendation to Fairmont for pulling together during their challenging time and some questions about Saturday School detention. Members are eligible for comp time if you participate in this and other programs. For more information, see section 3.8.1 of the contract.

5) – Treasurer’s report – Brenda reported on the following:

The treasurer’s report – was reviewed and approved.

The proposed budget – for 13-14 was reviewed and approved.

6) – Committee/Chair reports:

Action – covered the following topics:

AFL/CIO – VTA is entitled to six delegates in the Napa/Solano labor council and we’ll hold an election in the fall to fill the slots. Corey will also be attending a conference this month on this topic so he’ll be able to do a better job of discussing this topic when rep council reconvenes in the fall.

American Cancer Society – VTA facilitated collaboration between the American Cancer Society and VUSD to use VUSD facilities for the ACS survey this fall.

Google glifs – will drop off once google updates our search entry.

Projects from the organizing academy – were reviewed and discussed.

Last VTA newsletter – the first article request will be sent on Friday and the last copy of the newsletter will be sent on May 17th.

Bargaining – Brenda, after reviewing the bargaining reports on vacateachers.org, reported that VUSD did not deliver a monetary proposal for the 13-14 school year. She also talked about the LCFF changes and how they might impact this bargaining session.

Grievance – Sylvia reported that she’s been working on various personnel issues and reminded members to be sure to set an appropriate tone in the classroom and in conversations on campus.

Human Rights – none

Women’s Issues – none

PAC – none

Special Ed – none

Leave Bank – none

Membership – none

7) – Conference reports

Sylvia Shepard reported on the Organizing Academy.

Sylvia Aquino reported on the Redwood leadership conference.

8) – Other

The VTA WHO award was given to Christine Williams!

Richard Bammer received a journalism award from CTA, it will be given on May 31st.