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 4:06 PM.

Motion made by P. Peterson to approve the October 2005 General Membership meeting minutes – Second by J. Gaines. - Approved.

Officer’s Reports:

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

• PSEA website www.psea.org has been improved and is easier to navigate. Members are encouraged to visit the legislative action section of the site for information regarding legislative information. Question about backend referendum status – it looks like it may pass with modifications when it comes up for a vote – members are encouraged to maintain contact with their legislators telling them to oppose this legislation.
• D. Pendino allowed committee chair P. Dawson to give his reports. P. Dawson reported the Constitution committee met in February – the Mideastern Region reviewed our constitution and made some recommendations – we made some changes – Executive Council approved these changes in February – the changes were posted in buildings – The proposed changes are as follows: In the Constitution of the LMEA “Article IX –NON-PROFIT STATUS – This Association is not organized for profit and no part of its earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private member or individual.” Also, “Article X – EFFECTIVE DATE – The Effective Date of this amended Constitution shall be March 15, 2006.” In the By-Laws of the LMEA Article IV Section 5 “C. In case of resignation or incapacitation of the following officers: Vice President – Professional, Vice-President – Support, Professional – Secretary, Support – Secretary, and/or Treasurer, the President shall appoint, with approval of the Executive Council, a replacement for the remainder of the officer’s term.” In Article VII Section 3 “All elections shall be by secret ballot, my majority vote and in conformity with the one-person, one-vote rule.” In Article VIII Section 3F “If a vacancy occurs on an elected committee, the President, with the approval of the Executive Council shall appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the end of the term.” In Article XIII – EFFECTIVE DATE – “The Effective Date of these amended By-Laws shall be March 15, 2006.” Motion made to amend the Constitution and By-Laws as presented – Approved.
• P. Dawson briefly summarized current grievances – concerns included flex time and instructional assistants, transportation staff surcharges, unsatisfactory evaluations, definition of an attack - please let him or V. Fedeli know of any unsatisfactory evaluations.

VP Support: V. Fedeli reported the NEA-ESP Conference was held in Philadelphia on March 8 th – 12 th. NEA President Reg Weaver gave a motivational speech at the awards dinner. The conference provided worthwhile training sessions and many networking opportunities for ESP members.

1 st Vice President: NR

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 gave his report earlier in the meeting.

Elections: E. DeStefano conducted the elections for the NEA-RA later in the meeting.

IPD: NR

CNC: C. SantaMaria reported on the memo of understanding surcharge for transportation and new EPER position for choir director.

FAC: NR

Health & Safety: A. Flicker reported they are addressing pest problems in buildings throughout the district - these problems are being addressed but realistically are quite difficult to completely remedy because the buildings are occupied so often. Also, concerns continuing about the excessive heat/cold in some rooms – these concerns should be addressed to Health & Safety. District committee has been formed to investigate these climate issues. What can we do? - We could organize and find way to demonstrate to the administration that the conditions are unbearable in the classrooms.

Legislation: NR

Minority Affairs: NR

PACE: NR

PR&R: Concern about section on AESOP where subs can evaluate teachers – will be investigated.

Public Relations: NR

Social: A. Flicker reported this year’s banquet will be held on May 31 st at Clothier Hall in Ardmore. Please let L. McDevitt or A. Flicker know of any member retiring this year.

Special Services: NR

Sunshine: D. Williams asked for members to let her know of any condolences needed.

Membership: NR

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: C. SantaMaria reported the committee met March 14 th with IBX regarding problems with flex plan and debit card – IBX profusely apologized for these problems. IBX admitted they should have educated us more on the use of the debit card feature. The debit card can only tap money which you already contributed through payroll deduction. If you use the paper reimbursement form you can tap the entire amount you agreed to hold. IBX will be providing information to the members enrolled in this flex program in the next few weeks. IBX will come out to each school/unit in April and May to answer flex spending account questions.

Elections: E. DeStefano conducted the elections for the NEA-Representative Assembly. Tonya Dunstan C. Rowland, and Francis Benjamin were nominated from the floor.

Members voted – the following members were elected to be representatives of the LMEA to the National Education Association RA to be held in Orlando this summer:

Professional: Pete Peterson, Dom Pendino, Arlene Flicker, Mike Stettner, Myra Rios (1 st Alternate), Russ Loue (2 nd Alternate).

Support: Tonya Dunston, Debbie Williams, Clarence Rowland, and Francis Benjamin.

A. Flicker made a motion to adjourn – second by M. Stettner. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary