EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, February 5, 2005

President D. Pendino called the meeting to order at 4:05PM and welcomed all to the new LMEA office.
Motion made to approve the January Executive Council minutes – second by D. Mandarino - Approved.
Officer’s Reports: President’s Report: D. Pendino gave the following report:

1. The proposed 2005-06 Calendar was reviewed. Motion made by J. Cook second by V. Fedeli to recommend changing 3/17/06 inservice to 3/24/06 - Approved. Motion made by J. Cook second by K. Swercewski to recommend 11/23/05, 12/23/05, 4/7/06, and 5/5/06 to be half days – Approved. D. Mandarino made motion to make 1/2/06 an inservice instead of 3/24/06 second by V. Fedeli. V. Fedeli noted we should have the support holiday schedule - this should be coming soon.

2. Negotiations surveys will be available from building reps – will be posted in buildings. CNC uses these surveys in the bargaining process.

3. Powergrade – Concerns remain about duplicate work – letter from Dr. Tobin is coming soon to Middle and High School Staffs. Concern about problems with academic notices and powergrade.

4. Internal audit is scheduled for March. Contact B. Young if you want to help.

5. Loudermill Hearings – even if the intent of a meeting is not disciplinary you are still entitled to representation. If you are told it’s disciplinary the district is required to supply documentation. Members should be aware of this. What if you are casually asked to meet with a principal via email or brief phone call? – You should ask what the purpose of the meeting is no matter how small or insignificant it may initially seem. If administration does not comply – do not answer questions. Does rep make request on behalf of member? Member should find out purpose of meeting before it happens. During a meeting you can always caucus. What if parents are involved? These rights still exist. Fair share “members” have these same rights.

6. Physician note request by Dr. Yoder – allowed under current contract. Members should respond to this accordingly.

7. The next budget meeting will be Monday March 7 at 3:30 at the LMEA Office.

8. PSEA Financial Education Workshop is Saturday Feb. 26th at the PSEA office in Montgomeryville. Call 800-492-2727 for more information.

9. Applecore items were discussed.

VP Support: V. Fedeli gave the following report:

1. D. Mandarino and V. Fedeli attended a Division meeting earlier this month at the PSEA office.
The topic was Act 72 (Referenda Law). PSEA has for now decided to take a “back seat” on this issue for now but is recommending all Districts not to opt into the new law.

2. PSERS – The PA Supreme Court issued a decision which upheld an earlier Commonwealth Court decision on PSERS Board policy allowing qualified members to purchase prior school service which was less than 80 days or 500 hours in a school year. Members who have questions about buying back service should call PSERS at 1-888-773-7748.

3. April 5th at 6PM is the next Division meeting at the PSEA office. April 29th and 30th is the ESP Region House of Delegates/workshop in Monroeville, PA.

4. Victor experienced an accident while at home back in January and is currently not working. If you wish to contact him PLEASE USE HIS CELL NUMBER 610-331-8015 instead of his LM email. He will be able to service members’ concerns quicker if you call his cell phone.

1st Vice President: NR

VP Professional: NP but C. SantaMaria left a brief report about PACE contributions. Members who
contributed last year but not this year yet will be contacted by building reps. Contact C. SantaMaria for more information about contributing.

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: NR

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

Committee Reports:
Constitution: NR

Elections: NP but anyone interested in running for LMEA positions should contact E. Brophy.

IPD: NR

CNC: B. Young reported they will meet 2/15 – we are still in issues-based negotiations.

FAC: NR

Health & Safety: L. Giaquinto reported their next meeting will be March 10.

Legislation: NR – but D. Pendino reported on issue of being “highly qualified” – elementary certification does not make you highly qualified – most content area middle school teachers have been aware of this for some time – Special Ed teachers also need to be certified in a content area to teach at the middle school level. Bridge certification – need 12 “points” to be on the “Bridge”. Once on the bridge you have 3 years to get highly qualified – Dr. Yoder will be presenting more info very soon. Other “bridge” certifications are also being developed. You may also become highly qualified by taking the praxis. These issues are changing rapidly – this is “new ground” and all should keep up to date.

PACE: NP but the PACE report was given earlier.

PR&R: P. Dawson reminded about the Weingarten Rights. If any unsatisfactory evaluations – contact V. Fedeli via his cell number or P. Dawson.

Public Relations: NR

Social: NR

Special Services: NR

Sunshine: D. Williams reminded about letting her know of any illnesses/deaths.

Membership: D. Grumbine reported that Mary Connors died at age 94 – she was the first LM employee to have maternity leave.

CARE: M. Rios reported that more has been added to the Social Studies curriculum.

Minority Affairs: D. Williams reported 13 members have registered to attend the March conference.
Read Across America: NP

Settlement Task Force: R. Loue reminded that anyone who has ideas to help this committee should attend their next meeting during the first week of March.

Building Reports:
Belmont Hills: NR

Cynwyd: NR

Gladwyne: Why can’t aides get same sick days at teachers? – IAs are under support contract – professionals get the days under school code – issue has been mentioned in negotiations. Why is the new “Occupational Tax” taken in one lump sum? – Will be investigated.

Merion: Site plan for new Merion building showed parking spaces in some areas which were never built – severe parking problems exist – will new parking areas be provided? E. Leber added that this issue was negotiated with the local residents and that no parking will be added.

Penn Valley: Issue about lack of heating – were work orders put in? – Meetings with Operations have been made – Send issue to Health and Safety. Some concerns about allowable ranges of temperatures in classrooms – will be investigated.

Penn Wynne: NR

Bala Cynwyd: NR

Welsh Valley: NR

Harriton: NR

Lower Merion: NR

B&G: New ad hoc committee met and appreciates all work being done. Visited site – still under due diligence. Lots of work needs to be done at this site.

Transportation LM: E. Leber thanked all for thoughts for member Ralph Latchum who died recently. V. Fedeli reminded/thanked and recognized E. Leber for organizing buses to attend services for this member.

Transportation Harriton: NR

Administration: NR

Motion to adjourn second by D. Mandarino. The meeting was adjourned at 5:14PM.