LMEA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

September 12, 2005

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

Please note the District-Wide Concerns later in the minutes.

President D. Pendino called the meeting to order at 4:03 PM.

Motion made to approve the June 2005 Executive Council minutes - second by B. Kohler - Approved.

Officer’s Reports:

President’s Report: D. Pendino welcomed all to the first Executive Council meeting of the school year. Members present introduced themselves. D. Pendino gave the following report:

Reminder of the dates/times of the Executive Council meetings.
Reminder of the responsibilities of the building reps.
Reps should check to make sure their building/unit has an LMEA bulletin board posted somewhere on their site.
List of building reps was checked for accuracy – building reps should report any changes.
PSEA recently reviewed our constitution – Our constitution committee will meet several times to address the recommendations by the Mideastern Region of PSEA.
NCLB Town Meeting will be held October 6 th from 7-9 PM at Indian Crest JHS in Souderton – call 800-492-2727 to reserve a seat.
Applecore items were discussed.

VP Support: V. Fedeli welcomed all and reminded members to read their contracts. If any questions please contact your building rep or call Vic at 610-331-8015;

ESEA Update: The NEA was able to extend the timeline for Behavior Aides and Instructional Assistants to make it consistent with the timeline for teachers. This deadline now is the end of the 05/06 school year. The District maintains that all of our Aides are “highly qualified”. To be “highly qualified” you must have 2 years of college experience OR have accumulated 50 points. Points can be accumulated by any of the following combinations – work experience, college credits, additional training classes, seminars, and conferences approved by your principal or PDE.
Overtime: All support professionals are using some kind of sign-in/out method. Members should understand how you will be paid for working the extra time. If you are being asked to come in early or stay after your normally scheduled hours you must get the APPROVAL for the additional time from your building principal or supervisor. Failure to get permission for time worked may result in nonpayment. APPROVAL IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Insubordination: Members are reminded to perform the duties we are instructed to do. The only time you should question your duties are if they are immoral or if they are a question of personal safety. Work first then grieve. Failure to perform duties could result in disciplinary action.
Divison Meeting: The first ESP Division meeting will be September 20 th.

1 st Vice President: A. Flicker reminded that the New Staff Workshop will be held at the LMEA office Tuesday October 18 th from 4-6 PM. More information and invitations will be coming soon. All new staff and their mentors are invited.

VP Professional: C. SantaMaria gave his report later in the meeting along with the PACE report.

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: NR

Treasurer: NR

Committee Reports:

Constitution: P. Dawson reported he will have more info on the constitution discussion next month. Contact P. Dawson at LMHS if you are interested in assisting with this committee.

Elections: NR

IPD: NR

CNC: C. SantaMaria reported they will meet soon.

FAC: NR

Health & Safety: A. Flicker reported their first meeting will be Sept. 29 th. Contact this committee if you have concerns in your building that have not been addressed after contacting your principal/supervisor.

Legislation: NR

Minority Affairs: NR

PACE: C. SantaMaria reminded of the PACE contribution campaign – forms will be available next month – LMEA dues cannot be used for this purpose under federal law.

PR&R: P. Dawson reminded that the new contract is now being interpreted as the year begins. A more complete report will be coming next month.

Public Relations: NR

Social: NR

Special Services: A. Avellino reported that she has info on a reduced BJs membership. Contact her at Cynwyd ES by Sept. 23 rd. The offer is a 15-month membership for only $25.

Sunshine: D. Williams reminded to let her know of any member illnesses or other serious health issues. Question regarding the noting of student deaths by this committee – Will be addressed at the next officers meeting.

Membership: D. Grumbine reminded to check the membership list for accuracy and let him know of any errors. D. Pendino also noted we currently have over 96% membership – if you need application forms let D. Grumbine know.

CARE: NR

New Business:

D. Pendino noted a request from our region President that all members donate $1 to the Hurricane Katrina relief fund. Our members should donate by Sept 21 st. Members are encouraged to give even if they have donated earlier.

DISTRICT-WIDE CONCERNS:

There are several significant issues being addressed as a result of the new contract.

Flex Plan - If you didn’t receive a debit card call Blue Cross at 866-866-4675. They will inform you of your status. If you are informed you are not enrolled, email Barbara Pollack and tell her money is being deducted from your check, you called IBC, and IBC informed you that you are not enrolled. The Flex Plan is retroactive to July 1 – if you have expenses since July 1 you can download a reimbursement form from the LMSD website (Password Access then HR access). Save receipts for these expenses. You may withdraw from the Flex Plan only in an IRS qualifying event.

Information about health plans and other benefits are described in the ‘virtual employment’ section on the LMSD website. If you opt out of a health plan, you are entitled to dental coverage.

Signing in – The LMEA was not aware of the district’s disciplinary policy for lateness. It was never presented to the LMEA in advance. D. Pendino learned of this policy at the opening day faculty meeting at LMHS. The District’s disciplinary policy applies to all members across the board – support and professional staff. Salaried employees are professional employees. The professional staff is obligated to work beyond the contracted workday per memorandum of understanding. That is why they only sign in. The support staff (including IAs) is guaranteed a certain compensation for the work year for working the hours as defined in the contractual workday. Support staff is not obligated to work beyond the contracted workday. In fact, support staff is entitled to overtime if they work beyond the workday. The District is entitled to require the support staff to sign in and out. The LMEA will take appropriate action if the district policy is to dock more than a minute for a minute. According to our attorney, it is illegal and violates the FLSA. The district is seeking LMEA input in writing the handbooks. However, the District is not required to use our recommendations. District procedures and practices that are in the handbooks may not violate the contract or law. Signing in/out can be “swiping”, signing in a book, logging on, etc. Principal has discretion with late arrivals/early leaves during the first/last hour. Noting the time of professional sign-in is not required.

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: NR

Cynwyd: NR

Gladwyne: Question about adjusted pay periods in October – this has been done every few years – it is impossible to get paid biweekly over many years and not owe money to your employer – so periodically this adjustment is done.

Merion: Question about how dues are determined – ours is $170 per year plus PSEA and NEA dues. IAs have bus duty – question about when to clock out – will be investigated. Concern about very slow sign-in for secretaries sign in – can they have swipe card? – will be investigated. Concern about no teacher/professional access to computers – problems printing – other computer issues – will be investigated. If IAs are hourly why don’t they get paid hourly? – Compensation is based on 26 pays.

Penn Valley: NR

Penn Wynne: NR

Bala Cynwyd: More issues on signing in.

Welsh Valley: NR

Lower Merion: Support ISDO/GSDO requirements are vague – need clarification - will be investigated.

Harriton: NR

Building and Grounds: NR

Transportation LM: NR but Beswick will be rep at Harriton until they can have an election.

C. SantaMaria made motion to adjourn – sec. by P. Dawson. The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary