LMEA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

March 13 , 2006

NOTE: These minutes are also available online at www.lmeaonline.org.

President D. Pendino called the meeting to order at 4:00PM.

Motion made to approve the February Executive Council minutes – Second by C. SantaMaria - Approved.

Officer’s Reports:

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

• D. Pendino asked for a moment of silence to remember Holly (Shaffer) McDonald from Gladwyne ES who passed away last week.
• Info cards – we are trying to establish a home email list database – please return them to building reps ASAP.
• Budget Committee meeting will be Monday April 3 rd before the officers’ meeting. Anyone interested in helping on this committee should contact D. Pendino.
• General Membership Meeting Wednesday March 15 th at 4PM at the LMEA office. Election for NEA-RA delegates will take place. Also we will vote on some proposed minor changes to the constitution.
• ICC/SDC – members should know their reps to these committees. Contact your rep if you have concerns.
• Spring banquet will be Wednesday May 31 st. See your building rep for tribute guidelines.
• The Mideastern Region of PSEA will be conducting a New Teacher Workshop Monday April 10 th from 4:45 to 6:30 at the Region office in Montgomeryville. Call 1-800-492-2727 for info. Also, Liz Stanley-Swope will be speaking at the Region office Tuesday March 21 st at 6:00. Call the Region office to register.
• Applecore items were discussed – Linda Heller, a member of our school community, was chosen to receive the 2006 PSEA Human and Civil Rights Award for Community Leader. She will be honored at the May PSEA House of Delegates in Pittsburgh.

VP Support: V. Fedeli gave the following report:

• NEA-ESP Conference was held in Philadelphia on March 8 th – 12 th. Vic attended the Presidents workshop and a session titled “Power Talking” which he highly recommends. NEA President Reg Weaver gave a motivational speech at the awards dinner. The remainder of the conference provided worthwhile training sessions and many networking opportunities for ESP members.
• The next Division meeting is scheduled for April 4 th at 7 PM at the PSEA Field Office in Montgomeryville. This meeting is for delegates only. They will be electing their Division Officers at this meeting.

1 st Vice President: A. Flicker reported their State committee will be putting together a document on how to

merge locals – combining educational support professionals with the professional staff.

VP Professional: NR

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: NR

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

Committee Reports:

Constitution: P. Dawson reported their committee met and proposed some minor changes in our constitution. These changes will be voted upon at the General Membership meeting on March 15 th.

Elections: NR

IPD: NR

CNC: C. SantaMaria reported on the memo of understanding surcharge for transportation and new EPER position for choir director. Flex spending account meeting will be March 14 th – IBX representative will be there to answer questions we have regarding problems with the Flex accounts and debit cards.

FAC: NR

Health & Safety: A. Flicker reported they are addressing pest problems in buildings throughout the district. L. Giaquinto also noted these problems are being addressed but realistically are quite difficult to completely remedy.

Legislation: G. Rosazza reported that endorsement interviews are being conducted by PSEA on candidates running in upcoming elections. The upcoming May primary and November elections will be crucial – members are urged to learn about these candidates and support those who support public education. If anyone is interested in aiding in these interviews contact G. Rosazza. D. Pendino added that the PSEA website www.psea.org is now much easier to navigate to find info on current legislative issues and candidates.

Minority Affairs: Leadership conference is coming up this weekend.

PACE: Monday 4/17 will be the last day of this year’s PACE drive – get checks to C. SantaMaria by then. Already there are nearly double the candidates planning to run in November. Also, the 2 PACE deductions being taken on paystubs are for the State PAC and Federal PAC.

PR&R: P. Dawson briefly reported on current grievances. Concerns included flex time and instructional assistants, transportation staff surcharges, and unsatisfactory evaluations. Please contact P. Dawson or V. Fedeli if any concerns.

Public Relations: NR

Social: L. McDevitt reported the registration forms will be ready by the next EC meeting. Please let L. McDevitt or A. Flicker know of any member retiring this year.

Special Services: NR

Sunshine: D. Williams reported this committee has unfortunately been busy with condolences this past month.

Membership: D. Pendino noted that reps should check membership lists for accuracy.

CARE: M. Rios reported their committee is planning objectives for the next 2 years. Creating an ‘academic roadmap’ guide to help students know course requirements for graduation and the evaluation of preschool educational programs in Lower Merion are among these objectives.

Flex Card: Will be meeting March 14 th.

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: NR

Cynwyd: NR

Gladwyne: Maternity leave question – issue is what happens if you give birth to a second child when on child-rearing leave – new contract says you can’t have second extension – Administration’s interpretation is that after 1 st maternity/child rearing leave you are always under an extension. Arbitration is scheduled for March 16 th.

Merion: Question regarding if you’re on workman’s comp and you’re not working, do those days count against your sick days – you can repurchase this time by writing to HR. If you run out of sick day FMLA would apply for 12 weeks. Contact V. Fedeli if you have questions. Also, when did flex spending timeline begin? July 1. Also, flex time for support staff – do they still have to complete 14 hrs if they were hired after start of school or coming back from leave? – Yes. Also, no loss has been incurred yet with issue on waiting time after school day for training – We should now put in the time and keep track of your waiting time.

Penn Valley : Heating problems continue – no resolutions yet – A. Flicker says issue hasn’t come up to Health & Safety. May 5 th inservice day – seems like a “GSDO” day – question is why the district has an April 5 th deadline for a May 5 th inservice? – Not sure but it’s District’s prerogative.

Penn Wynne: NR

Bala Cynwyd: IAs weretold no more flex hours offered for remainder of year – District did provide hours so there really may be no more hours offered this year – next year schedule of offerings will be posted in September. Is there a way for employees to check their hours – principals should get this info – district says they are currently working on this.

Welsh Valley : NR

Lower Merion : Some departments are scheduled for other activities on March 17 th inservice when rest of staff will get exposure to the “parent portal” part of Powerschool - Teachers will get exposure by tech staff.

Harriton: NR

Building and Grounds: NR

Transportation LM: Question regarding entering remarks on AESOP for emergency personal days – will be investigated.

S. Angel made motion to adjourn. Second by C. Rowland - the meeting was adjourned at 5:12 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary