LMEA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES

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

President D. Pendino called the meeting to order at 4:04 PM.

Motion made by B. Kohler to approve the May Executive Council minutes – Sec.by V. Fedeli. – Approved.

Officer’s Reports:

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

• Results from the May LMEA elections are listed in the Applecore. Congratulations, welcome, and thank you to the building reps re-elected and newly elected.
• Child rearing leave arbitration – we won - our position was that a new baby was a new event and therefore entitled to a new leave but you are limited to only 1 extension.
• FMLA arbitration – solution was a compromise saying FMLA counts toward consecutive service but does not count toward years of service.
• The 2007 NEA-Representative Assembly will be held in Philadelphia next July. The PSEA is asking for volunteers to help host this event – if you are interested contact D. Pendino.
• D. Pendino made motion to change Policy and Practice #2 to read, “All current officers, the newly elected officers of the Association, the Social and Elections Chairs and current building representatives and committee chairpersons will receive 1 complimentary ticket to the June Annual Banquet.” This will make Policy and Practice #1 read “Past retired personnel who were members when they retired will pay 75% at the June Banquet.” – Approved.
• ESP liability insurance – this applies to support staff only – if you pay part-time PSEA dues then you only get partial (school year only) ESP liability insurance. If you want to work for the district during the summer and you pay part-time PSEA-ESP dues you should consider purchasing additional coverage or pay the full time ESP dues rate. Part-time PSEA-ESP dues are $99 and the full-time (whole year) dues are $194.50.
• Board meeting on June 19 – The District’s debt service will substantially increase. Board is asking employees who are district residents to attend this meeting. Also if you receive emails from taxpayers regarding this information do not reply but forward messages to principals.
• Subcontracting/outsourcing – if the District does this the LMEA will do everything we can to oppose this. Subcontracting cannot be done at the cost of an existing job – what they can do is subcontract an employee for an employee who leaves the district through retirement/attrition. We will mount a campaign to show the downside of subcontracting. District says they do not want to subcontract – Board will conduct a feasibility study to examine any cost savings of subcontracting and they will report their findings when they can.
• Please continue to contact your legislators to support public education legislation. You can do this by going to www.capwiz.com/psea, entering your zip code, selecting a bill, and pressing submit. “Capwiz” sends an email to all your legislators. This website is open to the public.

VP Support: V. Fedeli gave the following report:

• PSEA HOD in Pittsburgh – Governor Rendell spoke in support of public education. He has allocated the largest amount of funds toward education in over a decade. Ed Rendell is the PACE endorsed candidate for Governor in this year’s gubernatorial election.
• PSEA Dues Study – Last year the PSEA House of Delegates passed a motion asking PSEA to change to an alternate dues system. PSEA conducted a phone survey of over 2000 members to find out if there was any support to change the system. The current system was strongly supported therefore the current dues system will remain.
• Thanks to those who signed the petition to get Pat Tozer’s name on the ballot for the PSERS Board. Thanks also to D. Pendino for his work during this first year of our contract.

1 st Vice President: NR but A. Flicker also thanked D. Pendino for his efforts this year.

VP Professional: C. SantaMaria reported that theparent portal committee met and decided it will open the portal several weeks into the 2 nd quarter of the 2006-7 school year. Time impacts on teachers are a concern. The District can do this but we can bargain its impact. Committee will meet again next year.

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: NR

Treasurer: D. Mandarino made motion to approve the May treasurer’s report – the recent banquet was a reason for an overrun in the social activities budget. – Approved.

Committee Reports:

Constitution: NR

Elections: NR

IPD: NR

CNC: L. Giaquinto reported on the recent meeting regarding subcontracting and the rescheduling of support staff. Custodial staff at the high schools would be impacted.

FAC: NR

Health & Safety: A. Flicker reported they met on June 1 st. Send concerns to A. Flicker.

Legislation: G. Rosazza reported on current legislative issues. TABOR and backend referenda are on hold.

Minority Affairs: NR

PACE: Congratulations to BCMS who had a 60.2% contribution rate with 80 of their 133 members contributing a total of $2582. Their generosity earned their school the coveted PACE trophy for the year. Overall the LMEA had a 22.6% membership contributions rate with a total of $10,456 collected this year.

PR&R: P. Dawson briefly reported on current grievances. Most current grievances will likely end in arbitration. For example, at LMHS – teachers are now required to call parents whenever their students cut class – awaiting arbitration date. Also LMHS professionals are being assigned In-School Suspension duty – awaiting arbitration date.

Public Relations: NR

Social: A. Flicker reported on the recent LMEA banquet. 228 people attended the successful event at Clothier Hall. Comments/recommendations for next year should be directed to A. Flicker or L. McDevitt.

Special Services: NR

Sunshine: NR

Membership: NR

CARE: M. Rios noted a Dr. Tobin report on the achievement gap. Math and English PSSA scores have increased with the largest increase in Grade 5. A goal is for all students to complete Algebra 1 by the end of Grade 9. Lower level math courses will not be offered but there will be more math support in the District. Also, the District is providing a professional development opportunity under the leadership of Barbara Moore Williams – a leading expert on African-American male school performance. She will teach selected staff how to create a better learning environment which maximizes each student’s potential.

Flex Card: NR

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: NR

Cynwyd: NR

Gladwyne: NR

Merion: Concern about clocking out of food service employees – remember clocking out before the end of your shift can result in disciplinary action. - Also, question about severance pay – if less than 100 unused sick days then you get $50/day. If 100-199 days then $100/day for all days. If 200 or more days then $150/day for all days – see details in Article 36 of contract.

Penn Valley : Staff being asked to provide inservice on June 20 - staff should get workshop rate.

Penn Wynne: Question about job classifications – principal secretaries’ pay varies at different schools – will be investigated - still waiting for job descriptions from the District.

Bala Cynwyd: Concern about club periods – clubs are being assigned – concern about being a 6 th class. Class has a teacher of record and a grade issued. Preparation time is needed for these activities - Will be monitored. Certain programs are mandated and can count as a class but are not graded.

Welsh Valley : NR

Lower Merion : Several grievances going to arbitration. See above PR&R report. B. Feeney was introduced as new rep.

Harriton: NR – Stephanie LaMania was introduced as new rep.

Building and Grounds: John Collins will be 1 st year rep and Bill Freed will be the alternate.

Administration: D. Williams introduced Joanne Bialoboki as new rep.

Transportation LM: NR

D. Mandarino made motion to adjourn. Second by R. Loue - the meeting was adjourned at 5:26 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary