LMEA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

February 12 , 2007

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

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

Motion by D. Mandarino to approve the January Exec Council minutes – sec by V. Fedeli. – Approved.

David Donovan a rep from Kades-Margolis briefly spoke about financial products offered by this PSEA endorsed provider. David Donovan replaces Tom Kopsie. For more information call 610-971-1080 x136 to speak with David about Kades-Margolis retirement and other financial plans.

Officer’s Reports:

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

• Read Across America – an ad hoc committee will be formed to develop an action plan on how we will help with this event in the district. This committee will be co-chaired by D. Mandarino. If interested in helping with this committee please contact D. Mandarino at LMHS. M. Mora and D. Simon volunteered their help.
• Motion to adjust Policy and Practice #20 to read “Officers and committee chairs listed below shall be compensated. Compensation will be made in four installments on the last business day of November, February, May, and August. The compensation for 05-06 shall be: President - $13,400, ESP VP - $9372, Treasurer - $7892, 1 st VP, Professional VP, Professional Secretary, Support Secretary, PR&R Chairs, CNC Chairs - $6583. Compensation shall be increased by the percentage increase at the maximum level of the professional salary schedule when such increases occur.” – Motion passed.
• 2 hour late opener email was sent without LMEA contact and tone was threatening. No employee has been docked yet. Employees should make a good faith effort to be at work on time in the event of a weather delay. This should not be a professional vs. support issue. If a member suffers a loss on this issue we will address it immediately.
• Reminder of Weingarten rights – if a meeting is disciplinary in nature you may request an Association rep to attend meeting with you. Loudermill rights give you the right to know the reason for an administrative meeting.
• PSEA Mideastern Region is conducting a political institute titled “Politics and Technology” on Saturday March 3 from 8:30-2:00 at the region office in Montgomeryville. Contact Jen Krause at 1-800-944-7732 x7095 by February 27 if you would like to attend or would like more information. Also the Mideastern Region is sponsoring the annual Student Art Exhibit from March 7-29 at The Gallery on High in Pottstown. Contact Lynne Pribis at lpribis@udsd.org for more information.
• Building reps should check membership lists for accuracy.
• Applecore items were discussed.

VP Support: V. Fedeli reported that LMEA Support member Doug Jones received the ESP Member of the Year award and was featured in the February issue of the PSEA Voice newsletter. Also, Mideastern region members Jim Sando from Wissahickon and Patricia Tozer from Pennsbury have been elected to serve on the PSERS Board and are featured on the front cover of the PSERS Winter update. The Mideastern region is making strides on getting area members elected to State and National committees and YOUR VOTE makes it all possible. At the beginning of the year, petition sheets to get Pat Tozer on the ballot were distributed and collected. Her name was placed on the ballot and she was elected and we thank all members for their efforts.

1 st Vice President: NR

VP Professional: NR

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: M. Stettner reported that the Mideastern region President Jerry Oleksiak is campaigning to be elected PSEA Treasurer at the May House of Delegates. His campaign team is sponsoring a beef and beer fundraiser at the Bucks County Country Club from 7-11pm on March 24. Tickets are $35 per person. Also, raffle tickets to support J. Oleksiak’s campaign are available for $10. Prizes include a weekend in a shore house, baskets of cheer, and a dinner for 8 in your home courtesy of the executive chef at the Bucks County Country Club. Beef and beer tickets and raffle tickets are both available from M. Stettner at LMHS. For more information regarding Jerry Oleksiak and his campaign go to www.friendsof jerryo.com.

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

Committee Reports:

Constitution: NR

Elections: NR

IPD: NR

CNC: NR

FAC: NR

Health & Safety: A. Flicker reminded to let their committee know of any H & S issues.

Legislation: NR

Minority Affairs: D. Williams reported the MAC meeting on March 9-10 will be in Wilkes-Barre.

PACE: C. SantaMaria reported members have contributed $10,442 so far. PVES currently has the highest percentage of contributors with nearly 44% of their members.

PR&R: P. Dawson reminded about teachers placing private information on the internet which is accessible to students and parents. Keep in mind teachers are held to a higher moral standard than members of other professions and you must exercise discretion when posting blogs, videos, pictures, etc.

Public Relations: NR

Social: L. McDevitt reported the Spring Banquet will be May 31 st the location will be determined later.

Special Services: NR

Sunshine: D. Williams reminded to please update your address records if you move.

Membership: NR

CARE: M. Rios reported that the world language department reported on an initiative to better serve minority students in the district due to low enrollment in higher level world language classes. A new academic road map is being designed to facilitate parent and student understanding of academic choices and requirements for higher education.

Act 1: C. SantaMaria reported that district came up with budget that will not exceed the percentage requiring referendum this year. There will be a ballot initiative regarding an earned income tax – will likely be defeated.

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: NR

Cynwyd: NR

Gladwyne: NR

Merion: Continued concern about 2 hour delay email – was addressed. Also ongoing concern about climate control in classrooms – will be investigated. Also, flex hours from September have not been recorded – will be investigated. Members are encouraged to keep a record of hours for themselves.

Penn Valley : NR

Penn Wynne: Question about logging into Aesop close to start of school day – is there a time limit to login to Aesop? – Yes, the professional handbook has the times – if you must call out close to the start time of school call Moira Egan and/or your principal.

Bala Cynwyd: Does overtime for support member count toward final salary? – Yes.

Welsh Valley: Instructional Assistant works with a student at the student’s home after school – parents are paying IA to do this – District has asked IA to stop going to the student’s home – will be investigated.

Lower Merion : NR

Harriton: NR

Building and Grounds: NR

Administration: NR

Transportation: Concern about interviews with HR before workers come back from workmans comp or sick leave – will be investigated. Also, concern regarding docking policies – member strongly objects to HR policies and what the LMEA has agreed to in the contract. Also surcharge seems unreasonable and should be addressed in next contract.

R. Loue made motion to adjourn. Second by P. Dawson the meeting was adjourned at 5:16 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary