Executive Committee Minutes

JANUARY 8th , 2007

The meeting was called to order by President Bob LaCorte at 3:47pm. The following members were present: Bob LaCorte, Mario Capitelli, John Heslin, Maureen Hines, Jean Klausz, Cathy Rienth, John Troise, Jennifer Vetter, Valerie Cafarelli, Jen Conti, Sue Hance, Mark Wojciechowski, Joseph Zarzycki, Tom Cestaro, Nick Antonucci, Frank D’Abramo, George Jacobsen, Glen Monsen, Colleen Prunty, Rob Regan, Robin Dallanegra, Johanna Napolitano, Gene Higgins, Marnin Lack, Mary Jane Maione, Chris Oakes, Cindy O’Connell, James Virga, Gina Capodieci-DeFlumeri, Kathleen Stanford, Melanie Purcell, Dan Sussman, Tara Scully, Peggy Erickson, Laura Seguna, Linda Klare, Allison Poffenbarger, Larry Sciarrone, Brian Rogers, Mary Caffrey, Denise Enlund, Alison Jackson, Debra Degenhardt, Christi Skillman, Cathy Mannone, Nicole Villani, Carol Wilkinson, Maryann Robinson-DelGiudice, Lauren Roddin, Nancy Bloom, Jeanette Pedersen, Jeanne Lutz, Eric Berman, Eugene Maier, Tom Lipani, Lisa Ficken, Tina Diaz-Foster, Patrick Hill, Maryellen Scarola, Sabine Alfano, Fern Fier, Doris Marshall, Tracy Mancuso, Jean Caruthers.

It was moved by Maryellen Scarola and seconded by Colleen Prunty to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion carried.

It was moved by Nancy Bloom and seconded by Alison Poffenbarger to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried.

Speak Out
Schools to be highlighted are: North, Sequoya, Lynwood and Waverly. Please have articles in as soon as possible.

Special Projects
Ducks Tickets have been ordered for Friday, May 23, 2008 in section 114 for $11per ticket and for Saturday, June 7, 2008 in section 218 for $8.50 per ticket. A flyer will be going out for Islander Tickets for February 26, 2008.

Treasurer’s Report
It was moved by Dan Sussman and seconded by Mary Caffrey to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.
The Treasurer reviewed the Annual Financial Statement. All was in order.

President's Report
The Teacher Contracts were being reprinted and should be back shortly. There are no additional personnel matters. The deadline for filing the Retirement Award Notification will be March 3, 2008 as March 1 is a Saturday. District Office is developing an official form that will be completed by the retiring member and returned to District Office. Dr. Murphy will instruct all building administration that Department Chairpersons are not to be involved in any observations or evaluations of staff members. There are about 40 members registered for the retirement seminar on Thursday. The SCTA has been given a copy of the proposed School Calendar for review. Once it is finalized it will be shared with the membership.

Vice Presidents’ Reports
Mario Capitelli
Gurneys Training is Friday November 30, to Sunday December 2. It is for SCTA only. Building Rep I and Building Rep II will be offered. The Long Island Presidents Counsel Essay contest “Why I love Returning to school.” All essays, of 100 words or less, need to be returned to the SCTA office by October 30. The finalist will receive$250 and winner receives $500. If you have any suggestions for updating the SCTA Website contact Mario.

John Heslin
There was a change in the contract for PDP language which allows you to aggregate an entire week for one day. You may also be assigned PDP time, once a month, for one and one half hours. No date has been received for the vertical step grievance. Two additional grievances were filed; both for individuals who were denied summer school positions. Please check all Teachers schedules. Teachers on secondary level work 7 hours which includes PDP time. Pay for 1.2 positions usually begins in October with a back payment. New Member reception has been changed to October 4, from 3:30-6:30 pm. Please respond to the SCTA Office by September 28th. New Teachers, TAs and Aides will receive invitations.

Maureen Hines
Last years Vote-Cope Drive was very successful. We enrolled many new members and increased contributions. The top three schools were Cayuga, $3.63 per member; Nokomis, $3.86; and Tamarac,$3.59. These schools will be getting a bagel breakfast. The Constitution and BY-laws need a major revision. A committee will be formed. Pathfinder will be done using the NYSUT Records. The Union will generate the list and the reps will have each member sign off by their name or delete information not wanted. Defensive Driving will be offered: Saturday, October13, 8:30 – 2:30; Wednesday, Nov. 7 &14, 5-8pm; Wednesday, Dec. 5&12, 5-8pm; Saturday, January 12, 8:30-2:30 at the Union Office.

Jean Klausz
Please check Teachers schedules. Teachers on the elementary level work six hours and forty five minutes including 15 minute PDP and 15 minute variable start time. There should be no more than 31/2 hours of student contact time. Duties count as student contact time. Teachers on the elementary level offer extra help “when necessary”. You are not required to provide a weekly schedule. Please invite the officers to your building for a Roving Officers Meeting. A list of available dates will be available at our next meeting.

Cathy Rienth
Ladies Night Out will not be held this year. Instead it will be Members Day Out on Sunday, October 21, 2007 at Jones Beach when the SCTA will join the Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk. NYSUT/AFT are sponsors. Fliers will go out next week with the website for donations and the link for team information. The TA’s Job Coaches and Interpreters have received their contracts and salary agreements. The Aides received their contract last year. Please check TA schedules. They work 61/2 hours and do not have PDP time. Cathy Reinth, Valerie Cafarelli, and Maryellen Scarolla will be attending the SRP Conference. Any other TA or Aide Rep interested please let Cathy know by September 15.

John Troise
Mentor Program offers no monetary compensation for your time. Teachers are volunteers. Jill Karp will be handling this for DO. Training will be offered. The Union will not validate the program by signing off on it. Survival 101 will be offered October 11 at the Union Office at 3:45pm. for new Teachers and TAs. Reps please take a physical tour of your buildings and check for problems like leaky ceilings, no ventilation, leaking faucets etc. See that work orders are put in to the custodial office. If problem persists contact John Troise. Mike Bergen has been working as both the facilities manager and the safety compliance officer which is a conflict of interest. The union will be checking to see if the District has hired a new safety compliance officer. The student services office in East was flooded during the summer. There was mold growth on the sheet rock so it is now being replaced. Members are not obligated to be trained to use an epi-pen or carry medical equipment. You can volunteer. Members are not to do Nurses duty, as per the Union’s position.

It was moved by John Finta and seconded by Maryellen Scarolla to accept the appointment of Mary Jane Maione as Speak Out Layout Editor. Motion carried

Old Business
The Stipend Committee needs to meet to determine the stipend for the negotiating teams. The committee will consist of Mario Capitelli, Gene Maier and Maryellen Scarolla.

New Business
Saxon Training will require the K-3 staff to come in early to file 6-7 cases of documents. The Union will address the issue with DO. Della Cave Endicott courses are not approved by State Ed and therefore not approved by District. A new Choral Director was appointed. It was not necessary to post the position because it was an in-district transfer not a new position.

It was moved by Colleen Rach and seconded by Frank D’Abramo to adjourn the meeting at 6:10pm. Motion carried.

Approved
Valerie Cafarelli