School Board to Vote on Redistricting
By the time you read this the Lower Merion School Board will have made a decision on the plan for redistricting. This issue has understandably dominated the attention of the community and the Board for the past several months. The public hearings on the matter have been well attended with passions high on all sides and the final decision is certain to be a relief to some and disappointing to others. Throughout this debate the LMEA has taken the position that this is a community decision and we will work hard to foster the smooth implementation of whatever plan is approved. We applaud the Board for their open process and the courage to make a decision which they believe is in the best interests of our students and our community.
If the Weather Outside is Frightful
It’s that time of year, and on days when snow or ice is in the forecast you may be getting a call from the automated Global Connect Phone System. If conditions outside are bad and you do not receive a call from Global Connect you should still check the district website, KYW (1060 AM) school closings, or local television before heading out to work to make sure schools are opening on time [or at all]. Please take extra care on sidewalks and entranceways that may be slippery. Our Health & Safety Committee reports that there has been a sharp rise recently in injuries from slips and falls on wintry days. The school calendar has two “built in” snow days. The first snow day does not need to be made up by students or staff; the second day does not need to be made up by students but staff will make up the day on June 17th. A third snow day would extend the school year by one day and the last staff day would be June 18th.
Vanguard is Back!
The district recently revised the 403(b) plan to comply with changes imposed by the IRS. Part of this change included a third party administrator to handle the paperwork and Kades-Margolis was contracted to provide the service. Vanguard investments, the 403(b) vendor of about 200 of our members, declined to sign onto the new plan over the issue of information sharing agreements (ISA). The LMEA investigated and quickly learned that Vanguard was not agreeing to any district’s plan that did not adopt their ISA. This resulted in hundreds of districts losing Vanguard as a provider and the LMEA, along with other locals, sought PSEA assistance. PSEA president Jim Testerman wrote a letter to Vanguard urging them to reconsider. That, along with Kades-Margolis’ decision to approach Vanguard with an offer to slightly modify their ISA convinced Vanguard that it would be good to keep the clients in the 302 school districts now under Kades-Margolis administration. One condition of the Vanguard application is that the $10 annual fee to
Kades be paid by the client and not the district or Vanguard. We consider this a small price to pay for keeping a 403(b) vendor that is so popular with our members.
Kades-Margolis has a strong relationship with the PSEA and this should be seen as a victory for our members through the lobbying efforts of their union.
Next Meeting of CNC to be held on January 15
We are in the process of reviewing every article in our current contract as we develop our proposal for 2010. BE INVOLVED: Email your suggestions or concerns to lmeacontract@comcast.net
Now is the Time to Put In for Tuition Reimbursement
Our contract provides tuition reimbursement for both our professional and support staff. The amount of funds available is limited and tuition costs are reimbursed on a first-come first-serve basis. Applications are now being taken for funding set aside for 2009-2010. This would be for courses completed between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010. Once the available funds are encumbered additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list in the order they applied. For the requirements and restrictions of this benefit see Article 37 (page 38) of your contract.
Mark Your Calendar for LMEA Spring Banquet!
This year the annual LMEA Spring banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 27, at the Eviva Restaurant located on Montgomery Avenue in Ardmore. Please avoid scheduling events that will conflict and mark your calendars to attend what promises to be a spectacular event. Please come and celebrate the [happy] end of another year and honor our departing retirees as they embark on life’s next great adventure. More information will be coming in the months ahead.
Unit Meetings
Once each year the president of the LMEA holds a unit meeting in each of the schools and major departments. These meetings are an opportunity to share issues and have questions answered directly by the LMEA leadership. The schedule for the remaining 2008-09 Unit Meetings is as follows:
Gladwyne……………..Jan. 8 @ 3:45 Trans - Matsonford…...Feb. 5 @ 1:15
Administration………..Jan. 13 @ 4:45 Welsh Valley…………Mar. 5 @ 3:15
Trans - Connolly……...Jan. 14 @ 1:15 Penn Wynne………….Mar. 17 @ 3:45
Operations…………….Jan. 28 @ 3:00 Merion………………..Apr. 23 @ 3:45
Buildings & Grounds….Feb. 11 @ 7:00 Harriton………………May 6 @ 2:45
Other Important Dates on the LMEA Calendar:
Health & Safety Committee………………………………….January 22 @ 12:00
Executive Council and P.R.&R Committee………………….February 9 @ 4:00
Combined Negotiations Committee………………………….February 19 @ 4:00
Executive Council and P.R.&R Committee………………….March 9 @ 4:00
General Membership Meeting………………………………..March 11 @ 4:00
Health & Safety Committee………………………………….March 19 @ 12:00
Combined Negotiations Committee………………………….March 19 @ 4:00
Executive Council and P.R.&R Committee………………….April 13 @ 4:00
Combined Negotiations Committee………………………….April 16 @ 4:00
Executive Council and P.R.&R Committee………………….May 11 @ 4:00
General Membership Meeting………………………………..May 13 @ 4:00
Combined Negotiations Committee………………………….May 14 @ 4:00
LMEA Elections……………………………………………...May 19
LMEA•306 Parsons Ave Bala Cynwyd, Pa 19004 •610-664-5450•
Fax 610-664-5451•www.lmeaonline.org
LMEA•306 Parsons Ave Bala Cynwyd, Pa 19004 •610-664-5450•
Fax 610-664-5451•www.lmeaonline.org
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