LMEA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

November 12th, 2007

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

President C. SantaMaria called the meeting to order at 4:04PM.

P. Dawson made motion to accept the October Executive Council minutes – sec by G. Rosazza.

Bob Teti from Teti and Associates presented the annual financial report.

Officer’s Reports:

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

• Chris summarized our involvement in the recent school board election. Back in August we were advised about the importance of the November Board elections. At the September and October Exec Council meetings this topic was discussed and an ad hoc committee was formed – letters were sent out to candidates in October to invite them for interviews – this is how PACE works at the state level – the printing of the letters was paid for by PSEA’s Region PACE committee – NOT DUES DOLLARS. On 10/16 the LMEA PACE committee attended the School Board debate. On 10/18 3 Democratic candidates accepted our invitation to be interviewed and on that same day we received a letter from all of the Republican candidates stating they would not attend our interview nor respond to our questionnaire. We came up with a phone bank intention in mid October – at that time we had not made any endorsements – using PACE dollars we sent a letter to members asking for phone bank volunteers. Second Board debate on 10/24. After that – the PACE committee endorsement went toward the Democratic candidates. Issues such as outsourcing and access were important in making our decision. On 10/30 we printed postcards for mailing to about 500 current/retired resident employees of LMSD. On 11/2 cards were mailed. Phone bank was cancelled on 11/5. On 11/6 we distributed small flyers to employees at the inservice day. At no time were LMEA dues used in any of this process. Email was conducted through personal email addresses. The LMEA does not take credit for the results in the 11/6 election. Some LMSD resident/members did not receive the cards - the mailing labels came from PSEA – will be investigated. Thanks to A. Flicker, A. Pass, and G. Rosazza for their help
• The following members were elected as delegates to the PSEA House of Delegates for 2007-08: Professional delegates are A. Flicker, A. Avellino, P. Peterson, M. Stettner, G. Rosazza, J. Gaines, M. Rios, and C. SantaMaria. Support professional delegates are D. Mandarino, D. Williams, L. McDevitt, V. Fedeli, M. Mixon, and J. Ruse.
• Seaview Conference – held November 9-11. C. SantaMaria reported on some legal updates – medical benefits are earned during the school year and apply through July and August. Also, be careful of new technology and liability – blogs, youtube, etc. If you are the victim of this you can contact youtube to have them remove it. Also contact us if you or another member has had this occur. Other conference topics were reviewed and discussed.
• Grant motion – each year the PSEA distributes 4 $1000 grants for innovative teaching grants. This year special consideration will be given to those projects addressing Achievement Gap issues. C. SantaMaria made the following motion: If a member of the LMEA wins one of the 2007-08 PSEA Innovative Teaching Grants for a proposal aimed at lowering the achievement gap in the LMSD, the LMEA will match that grant with up to $1000 in reimbursable expenses. Reimbursements under this award shall be made up to but no later than June 30, 2009. The LMEA will make the membership aware of this opportunity through an interoffice color mailing, the minutes of this meeting, and the monthly Applecore newsletter. Second by M. Rios. Motion passed. Entries must be received by PSEA by February 4, 2008.
• Applecore items were discussed – House Bill 1841, a bill that would create a statewide healthcare plan for public education employees. PSEA has not yet officially supported this legislation as many details are still being worked out. Even if this bill would pass, it would still likely be almost 2 years until the first school districts would enter this plan. More information will be coming in the next few months. Also, the PDE recently finalized the changes it is making to its review of Master’s Equivalency (MEQ) applications. The changes will take effect for courses taken after November 1, 2007. Members with questions about this new PDE policy can contact Mark Wescott in PSEA’s Ed. Services Division via email at mwescott@psea.org.

VP Support: V. Fedeli gave the following report:

• 11/14 National ESP day – the celebration is part of the NEA’s 86 th Annual American Education Week. Vic thanked all the ESP members for their work and commitment.
• PACE request – we are nearing the end of our PACE drive. Vic thanked all of the Support Professionals who have contributed this year. The number of support staff contributors for the 2007 drive has risen but not to the level where we should be for the size of our local. Please stop waiting for others to make a difference. No contribution is too small. Politics affect our jobs so please consider making a contribution to PACE. We invest in ourselves when we contribute to PACE.
• Vic extended wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving to all members.

1 st Vice President: NR

VP Professional: NR

Secretary Support: NR

Secretary Professional: NR

Treasurer: D. Mandarino made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s reports for October. PACE contributions are not listed on this report. Approved.

Committee Reports:

Constitution: NR

Elections: NP

IPD: NP but meeting is coming up on 11/14.

CNC: NR but 2 new MOUs were approved.

FAC: C. SantaMaria reported we have the ING account set up.

Health & Safety: A. Flicker reminded to let her know of any concerns.

Legislation: G. Rosazza reported that the NCLB reauthorization has been put on hold for a year.

Minority Affairs: NR

PACE: NR

PR&R: P. Dawson reminded on Weingarten Rights – you are entitled to have representation at any disciplinary meeting if you request it. Reps responsibility is to document the meeting. Reps usually cannot stop the meeting. Try to see the member before the meeting – tell the member to be truthful but not to offer unrequested information. There was interest in possibly having a meeting to discuss these procedures with current reps.

Public Relations: NR

Social: NR

Special Services: A. Avellino reported on the BJs membership offer - $35/year for BJs membership – now 2 windows during the year to renew.

Sunshine: NR

Membership: D. Grumbine requested to check the membership lists for accuracy.

CARE: M. Mixon reported on current status of the committee.

Act 1: NR

NEA Read Across America: NR

Education Foundation: D. Simon reported their gala raised about $35,000 – thanks to staff who helped. Several LM staff members contributed gifts for the event - They include Madeleine Antonelli, Todd Marrone, Marita McCormick, Heidi Cooke, Jim Johnston, Sue Carter, Harriet Ackerman, and Tom Elliot.

Building Reports:

Belmont Hills: NR

Cynwyd: NR

Gladwyne: Concern about the volume of the fire alarm – try to resolve with principal first.

Merion: Questions about the postcards mailed to members – addressed earlier.

Penn Valley : Concern about timeline with new electronic report cards – will be investigated at PR & R.

Penn Wynne: NR

Bala Cynwyd: Concern about lunch meetings – reading department teaching 6 classes and loss of prep time due to test preparations – will be investigated.

Welsh Valley : NR

Lower Merion : V. Fedeli 34 members have contributed $1153 to PACE so far – also concern about the “21 st century initiative” presented at the Nov 6 th inservice day.

Harriton: NR

Building and Grounds: NP

Administration: NR

Transportation: Concerns over relocation and working conditions at the new sites – will be discussed at PR&R.

A. Flicker made motion to adjourn. Second by G. Rosazza. The meeting was adjourned at 5:33 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Stettner, Secretary