EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, October 13th, 2003

President D. Pendino called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm.

A PIRG representative spoke about their service of providing discounted heating oil prices to members of their program. Brochures about the PIRG program are available from building reps.

V. Fedeli made motion to accept the September Executive Council minutes. Seconded by L. DiSantis. Passed.

Officer’s Reports:

President’s Report:

1. D. Pendino made a motion that 2 cash prizes be raffled at the end of each monthly Executive Council meeting. Building reps and chairs would be eligible for the prize. Sec. A. Flicker. Passed.
2. Professional Meetings Committee – Article 41 Section D of the contract explains the general schedule for when this committee meets to determine participants/presenters for conferences. Discussion ensued about this process. Some questions still exist about the difference in application procedure for attendees vs. presenters.
3. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tom Tobin will attend November’s Executive Council meeting.
4. On November 17, during American Education week, the Board will conduct their annual recognition of the staff at the Board meeting. The Friend of Education Award will not be presented at this event, but will be presented at the Spring Banquet on June 2.
5. Alfie Kohn will speak at Central Bucks West HS from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on November 6. Call 1-800-492-2727 by November 1 to reserve a seat. Fliers with more information should be posted in buildings.
6. Classified ads online – now appear on the www.lmeaonline.org website.
7. D. Pendino briefly noted the new Civility policy adopted this summer. Beacon can assist in the programs for peer mediation.
8. D. Pendino appointed J. Gaines as Rep at Large.
9. Applecore items were discussed. A. Flicker noted members of ICC are appointed by the President while SDC members should be elected. Also, send feedback about AESOP to Arlene Flicker at flickea@lmsd.org.

VP Support: V. Fedeli gave the following report:

1. Essential Personnel: Building & Grounds and the Custodial Staff of the Operations
department will be issued a type of identification indicating they are essential personnel and must report to work. This kind of ID should alleviate concerns from our members about being ticketed while driving to work during a declared state of emergency.
2. Workers Compensation: You have the ability to buy back sick days when you return to work. The first ten days can be purchased at 2/3 the rate of a normal day. The rest can be purchased dollar for dollar. For an employee to re-purchase sick leave days, a member must inform the District in writing within ten days of the employee’s return to work.
3. Support Members and PSEA: Two of our members were mentioned in the ESP publication – “Dispatch”. Debra Williams is working on the Intergroup Relations Committee and Clarence Rowland is on the committee for Retirement and Welfare. Thank you for your efforts and your free time that are spent in committee meetings.
4. Military Leave: Michael Addis, LMHS night custodian was also noted in the “Dispatch” as one of the ESP members called to duty. Mike is still on leave and we wish him the best.

VP Professional: A. Flicker reported that invitations went out for the New Staff workshop. Staff are welcome- it will be held at 4 p.m. Monday Oct. 20 at Yang Ming.

1st Vice President: C. SantaMaria reported on PACE. Forms will be distributed in mailboxes.

Also, LM School Board candidates will participate in two upcoming debates. One will be held Wednesday October 15 at 8pm. The other will be Tuesday October 28 at Penn Wynne ES at 8pm.

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: M. Stettner reported on the progress of the PSEA/SO contract talks.

Currently PSEA Staff employees have been given a “final best offer” by the PSEA Board. The Staff must decide by October 17 to vote on this offer or go to arbitration. PSEA Staff has asked for members’ support at this time.

Treasurer: Motion to approve treasurer’s report for September. Approved.

Committee Reports:

Constitution: NP

Elections: NP but D. Pendino reminded that the House of Delegates elections will be at the October 15 General Membership Meeting.

IPD: NR

CNC: NR

FAC: NR

Health & Safety: A. Flicker reported that a meeting is scheduled for October 21.

PACE: Given earlier by C. SantaMaria.

PR&R: V. Fedeli noted one small change on distributed report.
Public Relations: NR

Social: NR

Special Services: NR

Sunshine: D. Williams reported flowers sent to 2 ill members – one at LM and one in Operations.

Membership: D. Grumbine asked reps to verify building lists. Contact him for any corrections/changes.

Minority Affairs: NR

Blue Ribbon: NR

Job Descriptions: NR

Career Paths: NR

Special Ed Task Force: NR

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: Question about whether support staff may take an inservice course if there was space available after professionals had already registered. – Yes, support staff may take the course.

Cynwyd: NR

Gladwyne: AESOP concerns – send feedback to A. Flicker at Cynwyd. Concern about new curriculum in all subjects and time consuming assessments – will be discussed at ICC.

Merion: Concern about promotion from Clerical Assistant to 195 day Secretary – will be investigated. Concerns about AESOP – send feedback to A. Flicker.

Penn Valley: Thanked officers for visiting this month. Concern about loss of planning time – working conditions issues – contact principal to try to work out a schedule which is fair for all.

Penn Wynne: NR

Bala Cynwyd: NR

Welsh Valley: NR

HH: Concern about the closing of the building due to electrical problems. Do staff have to make up the day? – If inclement weather – contract is followed –professional staff would be required to do staff development. The School Board has the right to revise schedule so students meet 180 day requirement. Support staff would get paid for working the extra day. Concern about replacing “like with like” when hiring – is someone checking? – Yes this is being monitored. Question about specific numbers of hires in different categories. – Specifics can be found in Board reports.

LM: NR

B&G: NP

Transportation LM: NR

Transportation Harriton: NR

Administration: NR

New business – C. Whitting thanked Dom for supporting the Minority Affairs Committee (MAC). Also, C. Whitting stated that he hoped money would be in the 2005 budget to send attendees to the Women’s/Minority Conference. Finally, he presented a suggestion that the LMEA add an elected Vice President to represent minority members. This idea will be referred to the Constitution committee and they will make a recommendation to Executive Council. Currently the MAC is an ad hoc committee. C. Whitting stated currently there is no representation on Executive Council for minorities.

J. Cook asked if there was confirmation of hotel space/registrations for the upcoming Avalon conference. – So far there has been none.

A. Flicker made a motion to adjourn – seconded by C.Whitting. The meeting was adjourned at 5: 30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary