LMEA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

March 10 , 2008

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

President C. SantaMaria called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM.

P. Dawson made motion to accept the February minutes – second by J. Ruse. Passed.

Officer’s Reports:

President’s Report: C. SantaMaria gave the following report:

• Upcoming PSEA events – Friends of Public Education Town Meeting on standardized testing will be held on Thursday March 27 at the Upper Merion Middle School Auditorium from 7 to 9 pm. Call 800.492.2727 to reserve a seat. Also at Upper Merion MS, get information about the proposed Statewide Health Benefits Program for School Employees on Monday March 31 st from 7 to 9 pm. RSVP asap at PR@cciu.org. Flyers for these events should be posted in your buildings.
• Connelly bus site update. Recently our drivers have had to deal with a site with no waiting area, no bathrooms, no running water, etc – this site will gradually be improved through the month of April which is weeks longer than initially planned. Flush-toilets are being installed now. Sinks should be working soon.
• Student attacks – some recommendations on what to do if you are attacked should be posted in your buildings. If you are assaulted/attacked you must report it/file for workman’s comp.
• LMEA Office repairs – front steps will likely need to be replaced. Our policy requires submission of at least 3 bids if the costs will exceed $2500. If you know anyone who is willing to do this work have them submit a bid to C. SantaMaria at the LMEA Office.
• Each year several of our Policies and Practices are reviewed and updated if necessary. C. SantaMaria made motion to change Policy and Practice (PP) #2 to read “All current officers, the newly elected officers of the Association, and the Social and Elections Chairs will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the LMEA Spring Banquet.” Second by D. Mandarino – passed. C. SantaMaria made a motion to leave PP#4 and PP#8 unchanged. Second by A. Flicker – passed. C. SantaMaria made a motion to change PP#9 to read: “The LMEA shall provide two scholarships through the LM Scholarship Fund, one for a Harriton High school student and one for a Lower Merion High School student in the amount of $1000.” Second by L. McDevitt – passed.
• Applecore items were discussed. Among these - 10 minutes toward end of day will be added next year - (the beginning of the day harder for kids/staff with kids). Support time – IAs time will be staggered. No extra time is assigned to support staff. Overtime is not mandatory. Specific use of time in the elementary schools (period times, etc.) have not been decided yet. ICC would be a good venue for this discussion. Much concern about unifying schedules among the elementary schools.

VP Support: V. Fedeli gave the following report:

• Support evaluation reminder – when you receive an evaluation whether it’s satisfactory or not, you have 5 days to make any comments of your choice in the space provided and to sign/return the evaluation to your supervisor. Do not feel pressured to sign it on the spot. If you have received an unsatisfactory support evaluation and it is dated after March 1, 2008 please contact an officer immediately.
• ESP Mideastern Division – Vic attended a Division meeting in February. They will re-elect Division officers in April. Gary Smith will be the new field director (replacing Don Atkiss) for the PSEA Montgomery Field Office. Don Atkiss is retiring and he will be missed as he served the LMEA for many years and we wish him the best. The workshop at the February division meeting was titled “Who’s Responsibility is School Security?” The presenter was Rosemary Riley, PSEA Uniserv Rep. It was learned that some districts in our area do not have an emergency plan of action in place in the event of a security violation.
• ESP/NEA Conference – This annual conference was held recently in Baltimore. An awards dinner was held and presented by NEA President Reggie Weaver. Reg is always the champion for ESP and reminded all of us that Support Professionals are equally important in a child’s education as anyone else. We can and do make a difference – don’t let others tell you that we don’t. Vic also attended a meeting on National Health Care Reform. According to a national survey, most ESP’s nationally are satisfied with the level and quality of Health Care benefits and would like to maintain those levels at an affordable rate. The average national premium cost of family coverage across the country is $1200 per month and the average out of pocket expense is $300. Healthcare will remain a hot topic in the upcoming Presidential election and as individuals we need to be informed to make decisions. This annual conference is a great opportunity to network with other ESP local from across the U.S. who are also wall-to-wall locals.

1st Vice President: NR

VP Professional: NR

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: M. Stettner reminded the annual PSEA region golf outing will be held Monday June 23 at Lederach Golf Club in Harleysville, PA. Contact M. Stettner stettnm@lmsd.org for more info.

Treasurer: D. Mandarino made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report for February. Approved. Capital projects not in budget – come from contingency fund.

Committee Reports:

Constitution: NR

Elections: NP – but elections for the NEA-RA will be at the General Membership Meeting on March 12.

IPD: NR

CNC: NR – but next scheduled meeting will be March 26 at the LMEA office.

FAC: NR – but they will have a budget meeting on March 24.

Health & Safety: A. Flicker reported they review the accidents which have occurred in the district – it seems these are truly accidents and not the result of negligence.

Legislation: M. Stettner reported HB 1841 has passed through the House Education committee and will likely be voted on soon. Call your legislator to tell them how you feel about this bill. Go on http://capwiz.com/psea/home as a way to contact your legislator.

Minority Affairs: M. Mixon noted the Minority Leadership Conference is March 14-16 in Pittsburgh. On March 5 the MAC committee had a meet and greet at the LMEA office.

PACE: NR – but M. Stettner briefly reported on PSEA’s interviewing processes for candidates.

PR&R: P. Dawson and V. Fedeli briefly reported on current grievances. Again, all members are strongly reminded to be familiar with the district’s computer use policy. Also, let them know about unsatisfactory evaluations.

Public Relations: NR

Social: L. McDevitt requested to let her know of anyone retiring this year for the banquet. The spring banquet will be Thursday May 29 at Eviva on Montgomery Avenue.

Special Services: A. Avellino reminded about the PSEA discounts. Visit www.psea.org

Sunshine: D. Williams reported they have been very busy. Let her know of any illness/deaths.

Membership: NR

CARE: M. Rios reported rep from PECO who informed how they can help LMSD families having a hard time paying for electricity. More info will be coming at each school soon. A. Kemp reported that 72 students are being served through the FLOW mentoring course. The Roadmap cmte will meet to continue to create a guide to let families know what courses students must take to be college bound. Also, some HS students are starting a middle school mentoring program to assist students. Also, a professional development cmte will be planning some faculty in-services on cultural proficiency for next year.

Act 1: NR

NEA Read Across America: D. Mandarino reported they celebrated Read Across America on 3/3. Bookmarks were distributed to the elementary students. D. Simon read a letter from Penn Wynne librarian thanking us for our donation of the Dr. Seuss book.

Education Foundation: D. Simon reported they will consider requests for grants at any time during the year. The initial contact with the EFLM by a person or group that is seeking a grant should take the form of a brief letter outlining the project. This letter should also include the following info: 1. name of the school involved; 2. number of kids the project will benefit; 3. the school principal’s support. These letters will be reviewed periodically by the Allocations cmte. Additional info and a more detailed proposal will be requested for any projects in which the Foundation is interested. The Foundation will make distribution decisions no less than 2X a year. The minimum amount for grant requests is $1000.

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: NR

Cynwyd: NR

Gladwyne: NR

Merion: Reminder about submitting form for emergency personal days. Also, concern about student teacher placement – current policy is 1 student teacher per year – not the same teacher getting student teachers each year. Concern that this policy isn’t being followed – will be investigated. If it’s a 7 week placement or 14 week placement it still counts as one placement.

Penn Valley : Concern about Kindergarten observations – lots of observers this time of year – are there limits? Appointments are encouraged – secretaries take the calls. Kindergarten teachers should not be making the appointments.

Penn Wynne: Concern about the 10 minutes – they haven’t had a faculty meeting to discuss the issue since decision was made – schedule meeting with principal to get his position.

Bala Cynwyd: NR

Welsh Valley : 6 th graders read to Kindergarteners at some elementary schools and were well received. Question on how to obtain a mediator for faculty disputes - contact one of the officers until mediation process is established. We are in the process of setting up a mediation process. Does Beacon offer this service? – Yes but administration can get involved sometimes.

Lower Merion : NR

Harriton: NR

Building and Grounds: NR

At-Large Reps: Monica Mixon was appointed as Minority Rep at-Large. She will be in this position until end of school year.

Administration: NR

Matson Ford Transportation: Concern about how work was distributed on selected holidays – drivers found the work was distributed fairly.

Connolly Transportation: NR

New Business: M. Mixon reported on the NEA ESP Leaders for Tomorrow training program.

P. Dawson made motion to adjourn. Second by J. Cook. The meeting was adjourned at 5:41.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary Professional