EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, January 10, 2005

President D. Pendino called the meeting to order at 4:07pm.
V. Fedeli made motion to approve the December Executive Council minutes – sec. A. Thomas - Approved.

Officer’s Reports:
President’s Report: D. Pendino gave the following report:

1. Relocation letter was sent to B&G. We can bargain the impact of the District’s decision. D. Atkiss is checking for other options.

2. Policies and Practices review: D. Pendino made a motion to maintain Policies/Practices #5, 10, 17, to correct a minor capitalization error in #28, and to add a “strike-through” through all of #31. – Approved. A. Flicker proposed the addition of Policy and Practice #34, which states “Three bids must be presented to Executive Council for expenditures for building improvements at 306 Parsons Ave. that exceed $2500. Executive Council shall approve such expenditures except in emergencies.” Question raised about how the amount of $2500 was determined. – That number seemed like a reasonable amount when factoring in routine maintenance and upgrades of the property. – Policy and Practice #34 approved.

3. Applecore items were discussed – members are strongly encouraged to read the monthly minutes of Exec. Council, ICC, and SDC meetings. The February unit meeting will be at BCMS on February 9th at 3:05 PM.

4. Maps to our new office were distributed. February’s Executive Council meeting will be at the new office at 306 Parsons Ave. in Bala Cynwyd. Possible parking at the Methodist Church on Levering Mill Road and other areas near the building. We are moving on January 18th.

5. Act 72 (Homeowner Tax Relief Act) update – LMSD does not appear to be planning to participate in Act 72.

6. Weingarten reminder – Meetings between employees and administration may result in disciplinary action of any severity. Since what matters is whether disciplinary action may result, it legally makes no difference that the supervisor who calls the employee in may not be intending to take disciplinary action. Also, please know that employers have no legal obligation to advise workers of their legal rights before questioning. The member must make the request for representation. If you want LMEA representation at a meeting regardless of intent you can have it. P. Dawson will distribute Weingarten rights cards again soon.

VP Support: V. Fedeli reported that the RA ballots were mailed late. Please don’t forget to fill them out
and return them to PSEA by January 31st.

1st Vice President: NR

VP Professional: NR

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: NR

Treasurer: Motion made to accept the December Treasurer’s report. – Motion passed – Approved.

Committee Reports:
Constitution: NR
Elections: NP
IPD: NR
CNC: B. Young reminded that bargaining begins on January 10th.
FAC: NR
Health & Safety: L. Giaquinto reported their next meeting will be January 20th. Let H&S know of any issues.
Legislation: G. Rosazza reminded to keep aware of current issues in the legislature.
PACE: NR but C. SantaMaria asked members to keep contributing.
PR&R: P. Dawson gave a brief report – coaching grievance is still in arbitration. Middle School teacher workload grievance will be going to arbitration but dates have not been scheduled yet. Any negative evaluations should be reported to P. Dawson or V. Fedeli.
Public Relations: NR
Social: NR
Special Services: NP
Sunshine: NR
Membership: NP
CARE: NP
Minority Affairs: D. Williams reminded of the upcoming annual Minority Leadership Conference in Valley Forge. The conference is scheduled for March 11-13. Registration information will be sent soon. There is a limit of 150 attendees so registration should be completed ASAP.
Read Across America: A. Pass will be sending letters to reps soon.
Settlement Task Force: R. Loue reported their next meeting will be January 13th.

Building Reports:
Belmont Hills: NR
Cynwyd: Concern about the air conditioning issue – possibly get parents behind us on this. – Have ISC and/or HSC initiate this topic – we could speak to them on this at their meetings.
Gladwyne: New postings for IAs have raised some concerns: 1. Can current employees still apply for newly posted jobs? – Will be investigated. 2. Are people with 60 credit hours or college degree going to be paid more than those with higher seniority? – No. 3. Is the district concerned about potentially high turnover due to college grads taking instructional jobs only until a teaching position opens or they leave the district for another job? – No. 4. Since these new requirements only pertain to those working with Title I programs, why is the district putting them across the board? – Will not affect anyone at Gladwyne.
Merion: NR
Penn Valley: NR
Penn Wynne: NR
Bala Cynwyd: NR
Welsh Valley: NR
Harriton: NR
Lower Merion: NR
B&G: J. Alvoord distributed information regarding the movement of Operations. This info should be posted in the schools so all members know what is happening. Other info was distributed regarding the move. Morale has dropped members are angry. B&G has concerns that the LMEA does not want to take a strong stance on this issue. The impacts of this move are on all of us. B&G would like to fight this in a unified manor. D. Pendino said the letter is out of order – instead form a subcommittee to determine what we should do as an Association if the district continues on this. We recognize the importance of this issue. Subcommittee would meet to discuss this issue and present their findings to Exec. Council. D. Pendino made motion to form ad hoc committee on the move of Operations to Philadelphia. Sec. by P. Dawson. Any member can be part of this committee – Committee should decide what Exec. Council should support them on. For example, should we march? How should we act? How should we rally on this issue? D. Pendino proposed a second motion to make J. Alvoord the Chair for this committee – Approved. V.Fedeli and A. Flicker will bring this up when they meet with ISC. We need a convincing case to bring to the administration. V. Fedeli added that the Budd site is a former rail yard and may contain PCBs in the soil – will the soil be tested by a 3rd party? Will be investigated. Concerns and suggestions should be emailed to J. Alvoord.
Transportation LM and Harriton: Same concerns about relocation including the higher cost of this move.
Administration: D. Williams inquired about survey results – will be involved in our bargaining.

D. Mandarino made a motion to adjourn – sec. by C. SantaMaria. The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 PM.