EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, MARCH 10th, 2003

Motion to accept February Executive Council Minutes – motion approved.

Officer’s Reports:

President’s Report: D. Pendino made the following report:

1. Audit committee – the audit was completed and finances are in good order.
2. Budget changes – any chairs who need more money/less money let Dom know by April 2nd.
3. Welcome letter was sent on behalf of the LMEA membership/officers to Dr. Jaime Savedoff.
4. PSEA Communications Committee sent letter thanking the LMEA for entering PSEA’s Internal Communications Competition in 2002.
5. Art Show will be held at the MER office in Springfield from 2-4 pm on Sunday March 23rd.
6. LMEA night with the 76ers – Wednesday night April 2 – see flyers posted in buildings for details.
7. Standardized Testing Committee report – TOPS and the MER would like to help sponsor a visit and presentation by renowned speaker Alfie Kohn on the realities of standardized testing and its effects on students, staff, and the school community. The presentation would be here in LMSD and staff from throughout the MER would be invited to attend. Such an event would probably occur sometime in May. D. Pendino made motion to approve the use of LMEA contingency funds to help cover the costs of hosting Dr. Kohn. The MER and other locals would also contribute to cover this cost. D. Mandarino seconded. P. Dawson and D. Mandarino agreed that this would be a worthwhile expense to be incurred as the issue is of such importance. Motion passed.
8. Applecore items were discussed.

VP Support: R. Carson gave the following report:

1. March 1 was the deadline for all support evaluations to have been completed.
2. Letter read regarding qualifications of paraprofessionals for ESEA. It will be up to the superintendents to determine the criteria for being "highly qualified". We don’t have instructional assistants hired by Title 1 money. Regardless, IAs should still keep track of inservice credits, etc. that you put on mylearningplan.com. Make hard copies.

VP Professional: NR

1st Vice President: C. SantaMaria reported on the recent unit meeting in transportation. Concern about professional staff driving students and professional staff driving LMSD vehicles instead of LM drivers. R. Carson added that teachers are permitted to transport equipment/children if the principal has requested this through the business office.
D. Pendino added that the originally proposed calendar has been accepted by the board. The first staff day of the 2003-4 school year will be Tuesday September 2nd; the first student day will be Thursday September 4th. The approved calendars should be posted in each building.

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: NR

Treasurer: D. Mandarino made motion to approve treasurer’s report. Approved.

Committee Reports:

Constitution: NR - but update on May 18 scholarship run – need volunteers to do this event – contact P. Dawson at LMHS if interested.
Elections: E. Brophy distributed current openings for LMEA elections – if interested in running for a position contact E. Brophy at Merion.
IPD: NR
CNC: NR
FAC: C. SantaMaria reported that a representative from Morgan Stanley gave information on possible higher return options for our contingency fund.
Health & Safety: A. Flicker reported their next meeting will be March 11th. Policy for indoor air quality is to be discussed.
Legislative: NR
PACE: NR
PR&R: P. Dawson gave brief report. Concern about some professional evaluations. Let committee know of any provisional or unsatisfactory evaluations. Evaluations should be based solely on the current year.
Public Relations: NR
Social: NR
Special Services: NR
Sunshine: D. Williams noted P. Kinney was ill.
Minority Affairs: Conference will be March 14-16 in Harrisburg.
Blue Ribbon: NR
Job Descriptions: NR
Career Paths: NR
Standardized Testing: Gave report earlier in the meeting.
Tuition Reimbursement: NR
Rep at Large – NR

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: Concern about tuition reimbursement notice in the Applecore. Request that the notice appear earlier
next year.
Cynwyd: Bonnie Kaufman will take over J. Horak’s position as building rep.
Gladwyne: NR
Merion: Concern that the support some classroom teachers get from special education teachers is insufficient due to the special ed teachers being "spread too thin." – ongoing issue – will be investigated. Concern about after-school workshops for support staff – why can’t support staff attend workshops which could be beneficial to all staff? – will be investigated.
Penn Valley: Concern about snow day make ups – could Spring Break be eliminated as an option for future make-up days? Could we try to get this in future contracts? – Will be investigated. Also, ongoing sub concerns.
Penn Wynne: Concern about a part time instructional assistant having full time dues deducted – see D. Grumbine.
Bala Cynwyd: Question about how to get a PSEA "Kingdom card" (a discount/promotional program for Disney) –
PSEA does not offer this. It is available only through NEA.
Welsh Valley: NR
HH: Ongoing sub concerns – being investigated.
LM: NR
B&G: NR
Transportation LM: Concern about seniority issues – R. Carson addressed these with M. Andre – Concern about the cut-off date for full or half dues deduction. – D. Grumbine stated that dues are determined by when employment started, if hired after January 24th half dues are deducted. – Concern about half-day personal days – no need to give reason but reason cannot be for personal pleasure or to accompany a spouse. Also, L. Good will resign as building rep.
Transportation Harriton - NR
Administration: NR

New Business: Concern about upcoming banquet – possibly limiting time tributes – send ideas to C. Oakes at Gladwyne or J. Cook at Penn Valley.

C. Oakes made a motion to adjourn – seconded by S. McFadden. The meeting was adjourned at 5:26 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary