LMEA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

April 9, 2007

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

President D. Pendino called the meeting to order at 4:05 PM.

Motion by C. SantaMaria to approve the March Exec Council minutes – sec by M. Rios. – Approved.

Officer’s Reports:

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

• LMEA Elections – rules and procedures were discussed. Building reps will get ballots on May 21 st for the May 22 nd election. Also reps in each building should run a building rep election sometime before the May Executive Council meeting. The Applecore has names of those running for election.
• D. Pendino made motion to remove Policy #3 from the Policies & Practices. Second by D. Mandarino. Discussion ensued on this topic – motion passed. Concern about length of tributes at the banquet – some members feel the tributes are too long - possibly make a more ‘standardized’ tribute. If you have any ideas on this issue please submit them to A. Flicker or L. McDevitt to discuss at next month’s Officers Meeting.
• Proposed 2007-08 budget was discussed. Budget committee meeting was held on March 28. This budget will be voted on at the May General Membership meeting. If you have any questions contact Dom.
• Gettysburg Workshop registration – open to building reps, officers, chairs. The registration forms are due back at the LMEA office by April 20. This workshop will be held the week of July 22 at Gettysburg College.
• Applecore items were discussed. Open enrollment window will be open from May 14 to May 31. If you choose to decline the life insurance then want to resume the coverage you will need to take a physical.

VP Support: V. Fedeli reported D. Benjamin was elected to attend the NEA Representative Assembly this summer. She will be one of 32 representatives of the ESP Region for Pennsylvania. Congratulations to her for being elected!

1 st Vice President: NR

VP Professional: NR

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: NR

Treasurer: D. Mandarino made motion to approve the March 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. They will meet at the end of April.

Legislation: G. Rosazza reported on recent legislative action affecting education. The pro-public education Congress you helped elect passed a number of bills supported by the NEA. Some of them include increasing education funding for this year and next year, increasing the educator tax deduction, reducing student loan interest rates, and increasing the minimum wage. At the state level, Representative Wansacz from outside our area in PA is seeking sponsors for legislation to abolish teacher strikes in our state. Members should contact their local state representative and urge them not to support this any legislation abolishing teachers’ right to strike in Pennsylvania.

Minority Affairs: NR

PACE: C. SantaMaria reported over $10,500 was raised in the campaign this year. Members at BCMS raised over $2200 for PACE this year – the most of any building, while Transportation had over 97% of their members contribute this year. Motion made that a minimum of a $5 total contribution be made per PACE contributor – sec by M. Rios – motion passed. This will take effect for next year’s campaign.

PR&R: P. Dawson reported several of the grievances are moving toward arbitration dates.

Public Relations: NR

Social: A. Flicker reported the Spring Banquet will be held on May 31 st at Clothier Hall. If you know anyone planning to retire please let A. Flicker or L. McDevitt know. Retiring employees must be LMEA members to be honored.

Special Services: NR

Sunshine: NR

Membership: D. Grumbine asked reps to check the accuracy of membership lists. These must be accurate for the upcoming LMEA elections.

CARE: NR

Act 1: NR

NEA Read Across America: NR

Flex Hour Form: D. Simon developed a new flex hour form.

Education Foundation: D. Simon reported that the Interschool Council (ISC) mini-grant program had an application deadline of March 29 with grants being awarded at an April 13 meeting. The Foundation will send letters to those applicants who were unfunded or partially funded by ISC inviting those applicants to send a copy of their ISC mini-grant proposal directly to the Foundation.

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: NR

Cynwyd: Question about open enrollment for benefits - only changes in coverage need to be reported to HR.

Gladwyne: NR

Merion: Concern about needing to sign for new keys – Yes, it’s a new board policy.

Penn Valley : NR

Penn Wynne: NR

Bala Cynwyd: NR

Welsh Valley : NR

Lower Merion : Concern about issuing of pay stubs later than usual. – will be investigated. When is the last workday for IAs? June 15 th. – Also regarding the 14 hours reporting – there has been no feedback on inaccuracies – for now, assume all has been corrected.

Harriton: NR

Building and Grounds: NR

Administration: NR

Transportation: Concern about HR interviewing employees returning from injuries even when employees have their physician’s approval to return to work – HR can do this.

David Donovan from Kades-Margolis reminded about their financial products. Kades-Margolis is the PSEA endorsed financial service provider.

B. Kohler made motion to adjourn. Second by D. Simon the meeting was adjourned at 5:08 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary