LMEA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

September 11, 2006

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 K. Swercewski to approve the June Exec. Council minutes – Sec.by V. Fedeli. – Approved.

Officer’s Reports:

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

• D. Pendino welcomed all back to a new school year. Some brief rules about Executive Council meetings were discussed.
• Building reps are the liaison between the membership and the Executive Council. Reps are not “lawyers” during disciplinary meetings – rep should keep a detailed record if called into any such meeting.
• Each building/unit should have an LMEA bulletin board and each building should have a brief monthly get-together to discuss members’ concerns – it could be a morning coffee meeting or other informal gathering.
• Liability insurance for ESP – it is supplemental – it would apply if the school district’s insurance would not cover any decision.
• MER Seaview Fall Conference will be held November 10-12. If interested let Dom know and get applications in ASAP.
• Emergency personal days – you must give notice to HR within 3 work days stating the reason for your emergency personal day.
• Applecore items were discussed – staff are urged to read the Board policy regarding weapons in your handbook. Members are encouraged to read the Applecore in order to stay updated.

VP Support: V. Fedeli gave the following report:

• Welcome back and congratulations to new members. Thank you also to all Support Professionals who helped make it possible for the school year to start on time. Vic can be contacted at 610-645-1870 desk phone at LMHS, 610-331-8015 cell phone, or 610-664-5450 at the LMEA office.
• Building reps – we are always interested in recruiting new building reps. Current reps should consider their possible successor and bring them to an Executive Council meeting. We need more support professionals involved in the LMEA and being active at the building level is a great was to help out.
• PACE – We are the largest ESP group in the Mideastern region of PSEA and more of us need to realize our jobs are affected by politics at all levels. PACE dollars are used to find and support pro-public education candidates. Lobbying funds helped in getting raises in our retirement fund and medical supplement payment upon retirement. Now there are concerns about our pension dollars. PACE contributions can only come from you. Dues dollars can NOT be used for PACE. Very soon you will be asked to contribute to this worthwhile fund. Consider giving $10. A $10 contribution would only cost you $2 per pay for 5 pays through payroll deductions.
• General Membership – October 11 is our next General Membership meeting. If you plan to be a delegate for the PSEA House of Delegates and ESP House you should attend this meeting. If elected you will be responsible to attend both Houses of Delegates and this will take up about 3 weekends of your personal time. Your presence at these conferences is required to ensure our members are properly represented.
• Rules to remember – Work first then grieve. Know your building reps. Read and know your contract. In any meeting with administration it’s your right to have a rep present. If you are in a meeting that becomes disciplinary simply request the presence of a rep. Do not offer any new information if the meeting continues without representation.

1 st Vice President: A. Flicker thanked Rob Schanne for his efforts with the recent kickball fundraiser.

VP Professional: C. SantaMaria gave a summary on the new Act 1. More information on Act 1 will appear on the LMEA website. A detailed article appears in the September 2006 edition of the PSEA Voice which was mailed to all members earlier in September.

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: NR

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

Committee Reports:

Constitution: NR

Elections: NR

IPD: NR

CNC: NR

FAC: C. SantaMaria reported we are looking into higher returns on some of our investments.

Health & Safety: A. Flicker reported they will meet soon. Send concerns to A. Flicker and L. Giaquinto.

Legislation: G. Rosazza reported that the PSEA has recommended a number of pro-public education candidates in the upcoming November election. Glenn is setting up an email list for legislative updates. If you’re interested please contact him with your HOME email address – not school address.

Minority Affairs: NR

PACE: C. SantaMaria reported that the PACE campaign will kickoff next month. PACE dollars collected now will not have time to get into the current campaign.

PR&R: E. Leber gave a brief summary of current grievance issues. These were also described at the General Membership meeting in August.

Public Relations: NR but D. Pendino reminded members to use to LMEA website.

Social: NR

Special Services: NR

Sunshine: NR

Membership: D. Grumbine reminded that reps should check the membership lists for accuracy and let him know of any errors.

CARE: M. Rios reported they will meet next week.

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: NR

Cynwyd: NR

Gladwyne: Question about the scheduling of parent conferences in the elementary schools – now they are earlier in the year than before– contact your ICC rep.

Merion: Do traveling teachers have duties? It is a practice not a rule. Traveling teachers could be assigned duties but usually there isn’t enough time in their workday to do so. Also there is interest in possibly creating a support award in the name of Joy Fitzpatrick. – Being discussed.

Penn Valley : NR

Penn Wynne: Elementary Principals’ secretaries – will their classifications be changed? – Not sure – still waiting for Job Descriptions.

Bala Cynwyd: Professional hired as LTS but paid per diem, do they attend open house? – No. Also, parking problem – will be investigated but District is not obligated to provide parking. Also, member had error in paycheck and District needs to be paid back – will be investigated. Also, Ed Tech specialist limited to 7 school business days – last year he was approved for 30 – contact Tech Department. He shouldn’t have to give up any EPER activities. Also, PSSA club is 6 th class – teachers told to instruct with this club – will be investigated.

Welsh Valley : Concern about additional 10 minutes hoping it is added at end of the day – will be investigated. Concern about sign in process - no one has been seriously disciplined due to yellow lines/red lines in the sign in book. Also, more climate control issues some rooms have poor ventilation – possibly move your class elsewhere - will be taken to Health & Safety. Run on Saturday 9/16 for pediatric cancer – donations appreciated.

Lower Merion : Some received incorrect personal choice cards – flex plan issues again – support staff not receiving workshop info again – will be investigated.

Harriton: Child rearing – not applied for adoption. FMLA can be used to care for the child but not sick days. Also, can there be 2 sign in locations on campus? – Principal’s decision.

Building and Grounds: NR

Administration: NR

Transportation LM: NR

C. SantaMaria made motion to adjourn. Second by D. Mandarino - the meeting was adjourned at 5:38 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary