PSEA Cautions Members About New Law
The PSEA has issued a bulletin to all locals informing them about the new Pennsylvania Open Records Law that went into effect January 1, 2009. Under the law, public employee email that documents a “transaction or activity of an agency” (which includes a public school entity) will fall within the broad definition of “public record” and will be subject to disclosure, unless otherwise exempted based upon the content of the email. Under the open records law, all that is needed is a request from an individual. The PSEA legal department goes on to caution members that, in addition, email containing personally identifiable information about a student may be considered part of the student’s educational record. Parents and guardians have the right to access their child’s educational record under federal (FERPA) and state law. Members should be wary of treating email and other electronic communications as casual conversation: the danger is that they create a record of that conversation which is now subject to possible public release. “Rule of Thumb”: Do not type it if you would not be comfortable if it was read by a member of the public.
LMEA to Offer Free Seminar on Maternity and Child Leave
At the suggestion of some of our members who have had difficulty understanding the maternity and child leave language printed in our contract, the LMEA is offering a free after school seminar on Tuesday, March 3rd, at the LMEA office in Bala Cynwyd. The seminar will be conducted by Arlene Flicker and Aimee Avellino, two experts in this area, who will explain the contract provisions in plain English and review all of the options available to expectant parents. At the time of this printing the March seminar was filled, so a second seminar has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th at 4pm. Members can sign up by sending an email to lmeducationassoc@comcast.net.
Vanguard is Back - Hopefully!
Since our last AppleCore a “glitch” has come up with the resigning of Vanguard to our 403(b) Plan. Kades-Margolis is working with Vanguard and school districts to resolve the problem. Peter Kaczmar, our 403(b) Committee Chair, is monitoring the situation and it is anticipated that we will have good news to report in the near future.
Next Meeting of CNC to be held on February 19
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.
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:
Operations……………..Jan. 28 @ 3:00 Penn Wynne………….Mar. 17 @ 3:45
Trans - Matsonford…...Feb. 5 @ 1:15 Welsh Valley…………Mar. 5 @ 3:15
Buildings & Grounds….Feb. 11 @ 7:00 Merion………………..Apr. 23 @ 3:45
Harriton………………May 6 @ 2:45
Other Important Dates on the LMEA Calendar:
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
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