LMEA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES Oct 13, 2004

President D. Pendino called the meeting to order at 4:08 P.M.
B. Young made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 2004 General Membership Meeting, second by P. Peterson. - Approved.
Officer’s Reports:
President’s Report: D. Pendino reported on attendance at General Membership meetings –

  1. Reminder to vote in upcoming election.
  2. Consideration of purchasing office for LMEA in Bala Cynwyd – currently the deal has fallen through – still trying to work something out.

VP Professional: A. Flicker reminded of the New Staff Workshop on October 18th from 4-6.
VP Support Professional: V. Fedeli gave the following report:

  1. All of the workshops sponsored by the Mideastern Region which are located in the building packet as Act 48 credits are also for support staff and are appropriate for the ESP portfolio program.
  2. If there are outside agencies working in your buildings please monitor that their length of stay does not go beyond 40 days.
    Contact Victor if you have concerns at 610-331-8015.
  3. Concerns about correct pay for support staff on Kronos. If you feel you have a shortage in your paycheck – contact your supervisor or principal. If your concern isn’t resolved at that level then contact Victor. Support Professional should keep a written journal of hours worked and overtime submitted.
  4. National ESP day is November 17 – the district plans to post a Proclamation on their web site in recognition of all Education Support Professionals.

1st Vice President: C. SantaMaria report on the phone bank at MER office.
Secretary Support Professional: NR
Secretary Professional: NR
Treasurer: Motion to approve the September Treasurer’s report. Approved.

Committee Reports:
Constitution: NR
Elections: A. Flicker ran the election for the House of Delegates for E. Brophy. Candidates on the ballot were read and several nominations were taken from the floor. Ballots were distributed – election was held. Elected delegates were announced near the end of the meeting and are listed at the end of these minutes.
CNC: B. Young reported they are progressing in the preparation for negotiations. A. Pass reported on the status of other contracts in the area.
FAC: NR
Health & Safety: A. Flicker reported no meeting has been scheduled yet.
Legislative: NR
PACE: C. SantaMaria reported he is working with D. Grumbine on payroll deduction dates.
PR&R: V. Fedeli briefly reported on current grievances.
Public Relations: D. Pendino reported that J. Roletter is working on enhancing the website with password access.
Minority Affairs: Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 10/26 at 5pm at LMEA office
Social: D. Pendino reported on the recent retirees luncheon – also possibly make the Spring banquet more inviting for retirees.
Special Services: NR
Sunshine: NR

Ad Hoc Committee Reports:
CARE: NR – D. Pendino updated on the purpose of this committee.
Settlement Task Force: Their next meeting is scheduled for 11/23 – R. Loue is chair.
Read Across America: A. Pass is chair – anyone interested in helping with this committee should contact A. Pass.
SEAC: District asked us to send a rep to meetings – E. Brophy will be that rep.
Labor Management: NR
Special Education Task Force: NR

Delegates to the PSEA House for 2004-05 are:
Professional: Dom Pendino, Jackie Gaines, Elaine Brophy, Mike Stettner, Pete Peterson, Anne Pass, Arlene Flicker, Chris SantaMaria, and Glenn Rosazza with Steve McCarter as 1st Alternate.
Support Professional: Darlene Mandarino, Lynda DiSantis, Vic Fedeli, Debbie Williams, Lisa McDevitt, Clarence Rowland, Charles Whiting, and Larry Giaquinto with Alden Washington as 1st Alternate.

New business:
K. Swercewski inquired how the purchase of a new LMEA office would be made – members should be made more aware of this plan. D. Pendino reminded of the history/events that warrants the need to move to an office off school property. The search has taken many months and the available properties were more expensive to buy/rent. This summer the current property on Parsons Ave. in Bala Cynwyd became available – the purchase of the property would be an investment and we would be avoiding the risk of sudden eviction from district property and being forced to rent space at exorbitant cost. Does the membership make the final vote to see if this happens? – No - The operating budget goes to the membership. Part of the operating budget is capital improvements. Capital improvements are approved by Executive Council. The officers went to Executive Council and asked for the $350K to purchase the building and this was approved. Executive Council did not approve an increase in dues. P. Kinney asked about the purpose of the contingency funds – these funds can be used for capital improvements. He raised concern that this should be put to the general membership. He also raised concern about funds in the event of a strike. Discussion ensued. P. Kinney emphasized the importance of a transparent process when dealing with such large sums of money. D. Pendino again reminded that capital improvements are approved by Executive Council and we are representing the general membership. D. Pendino reminded that this purchase would provide more liquidity and would put the LMEA in a good financial position in the future with no forced expense to rent if/when we get evicted from our current office at Belmont Hills. The search for a new office has been going on for over 2 years. Do we have a lease on our current space? – Yes. K. Swercewski made a motion to put a fact sheet out to the general membership about the purchase of a new LMEA office. Sec. B. Young. Motion passed.

In an unrelated new business topic P. Peterson stated that the newly elected delegates to the PSEA House will have to vote on whether to change the term limits of PSEA officers from 2 to 3 years.


A. Flicker made motion to adjourn, second by C. SantaMaria. The meeting was adjourned at 5:14 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Michael Stettner, Secretary