Executive Committee Minutes

OCTOBER 2nd , 2007

The meeting was called to order by the President, Bob LaCorte at 3:47 pm.

The following members were in attendance: Bob LaCorte, Mario Capitelli, John Heslin, Maureen Hines, Jean Klausz, Cathy Rienth, John Troise, Jennifer Vetter, Valerie Cafarelli, Jen Conti, Sue Hance, Mark Wojciechowski, Alex Young, Joseph Zarzycki, Nick Antonucci, Frank D’Abramo, John Finta, George Jacobsen, Colleen Prunty,Rob Regan, Robin Dallanegra, Thomas McGrath, Gene Higgins, Marnin Lack, Mary Jane Maione, Chris Oakes, Cindy O’Connell, James Virga, Gina Capodieci-DeFlumeri, Kathie Stanford, Melanie Purcell, Michelle Anastasio, Allison Poffenbarger, Larry Sciarrone, Brian Rogers, Denise Enlund, Alison Jackson, Debbie Degenhardt, Christi Skillman, Cathy Manone, Nicole Villani, Carol Wilkinson, Maryann Robinson-Deludice, Lauren Roddin, Nancy Bloom, Jennifer DeGregory, Jeanne Lutz, Eric Berman, Tom Lipari, Lisa Ficken, Tina Diaz-Foster, Patrick Hill, Maryellen Scarola, Sabine Alfano, Fern Fier, Doris Marshall, Tracy Mancuso, Jean Caruthers, Betty Morris

It was moved by Colleen Prunty and seconded by Arthur Bamel to adopt the agenda. Motion carried.
It was moved by Joe Zarzycki and seconded by Lisa Ficken to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried.

Speak Out
Mary Jane Maione is the new “Speak Out” Editor. Congratulations on a great job! Buildings will be assigned for future issues.

Special Projects
Flyers for Islander tickets went out. The tickets will be on sale at the SCTA Office October 9. If you can’t get to the office, you can” E “mail Colleen. Estee Lauder warehouse sale will take place on October 13. Tickets were given to building reps.

Treasurer’s Report
It was moved by Dan Sussman and seconded by Mary Ellen Scarolla to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.

The Budget for 2007-2008 was proposed and as per the by laws it will be voted on at the next meeting.

Vice Presidents’ Reports
Mario Capitelli
The NYSUT Leadership Training will be held at Gurney’s October 26-28. Please sign up if interested in attending. The deadline for the LIPC Essay contest is November 1. Anyone with suggestions for the website let Mario know. Negotiation Stipend Committee of Mario, Gene Maier and Mary Ellen Scarolla met to determine the stipend to be offered to the members of all three negotiation teams. Each team spent approximately 100 hours at the task.

It was moved by the Stipend Committee to pay each team member $1500 and one Teacher Aid team member who served approximately _ time $500 for their work. Motion carried.

Anyone who has not received a Building Rep Handbook from their predecessor please let Blythe know and she will get you a copy.

John Heslin
A grievance is being written regarding the need for Middle School Teachers to stay with students until club busses arrive. The hearing for the vertical step grievance is scheduled for January 3, 2008. This Thursday the New Member reception will be held at Windows on the Lake. The Union has entered into a side agreement with the District to accept all Endicott classes being offered by the Teachers Center for the Fall Semester. Anyone who took summer Endicott Classes from the Teachers Center need to wait for the Teacher Center to issue transcripts.

Maureen Hines
Cayuga, Nokomis, and Chippewa have won the Vote/Cope Bagel Breakfast. Maximum expenditure is $80. Schools may forward receipts to the treasurer for reimbursement. Constitution and Bylaws committee needs to meet for revisions on both. Anyone interested please sign up. Members Day Out –Breast Cancer Fundraiser has raised $2,200 on line to date. The walk will be held on October 21 at Jones Beach and Sachem will be set up at the NYSUT Tent. Anyone who signs up on line will receive a Tee Shirt. Union Officers will be speaking to the PTA Council to ask for their support. A few
“E” mails have been received regarding TA’s being pulled to cover. If you know of any other incidents please let Maureen know at mph9397@aol.com or mph9397@opton line.net. Try to keep a weekly log as to how many times TA’s are being pulled, especially IEP mandated TA’s. Pathfinder lists were given to reps to be circulated in the buildings. Please make sure all members initial sheets even if no information has changed. Make sure to add any missing information. Defensive Driving is schedule for the following dates: Saturday Oct.13, 8:30 am.; Wednesday, Nov. 7&14, 7:30pm; Wed. Dec. 5&12, 7:30pm. and Saturday, Jan.12, 8:30am.

Jean Klausz
All elementary buildings please send a copy of Teachers Schedules to keep on file. Please sign up for Roving Officers Meetings; Wed. Oct.17, Wed, Oct24, and Wed. Nov.14.

Cathy Rienth
Please make sure all new TA and Aide members have been given copies of their contracts, and have completed NYSUT forms and asked to give to Vote/Cope. If you need copies of the forms call the office.

John Troise
Thank you to all members who volunteered to be mentors. Remember mentors are not required to participate in formal observations. Survival 101 will be offered at the SCTA Office on October 11. Topics to be covered are professionalism, observations and evaluations. The damaged sheet rock, (due to water damage and mold growth) at East was replaced on Sept. 13 &14. The District is looking into placing additional dry wells to solve the problem. The District’s current custodial supervisor is being trained by BOCES as the Safety Compliance Officer. The Union is checking to make sure there is no violation with him holding both positions. The Union is trying to get the ventilation ducts in the Sachem East Guidance Suite cleaned. They are covered with black stains and people are getting sick. The union is waiting to hear on the ventilation issue in the Kindergarten wings.

President’s Report
The Teacher Contracts are still not ready to send to the printer. The tenure award did not change with the new contract. It is still $328. There are issues related to step 21 and step 25. The Union has filed paperwork to go to arbitration. There will be a rally on October 9 at Riverhead High School Gymnasium to support the Teachers who are fighting with the District regarding the District’s right to place cameras in the gym during instructional time; anyone who can, please attend. There are 3 unresolved personnel matters from last year. Two are on Administrative Leave, and one is facing a 3020A hearing. Sheila Salinger will be conducting a retirement seminar for all tiers on November 19 at the SCTA Office. New members are needed for the DLT; Mario will continue, Jean Klausz will replace April and a Teacher is needed to fill the 3rd position.

Old Business
The Union did not have a cabinet meeting with the District to discuss the clerical work needed for the new Math Program. It will have to be handled in a different way.

New Business
Sixth Grade ELA training for Seneca and Sagamore could be videotaped or audio taped. Teachers have signed contracts. Union will look into it.

It was moved by Joe Zarzycki and seconded by Colleen Prunty to wear Black on Fridays.
It was moved by John Finta and seconded by Arthur Bamel to Table the Motion to the next meeting. Motion carried.

The payroll adjustment for the 1.2 positions will occur in October. It will be paid retroactively.

It was moved by Marnin Lack and seconded by Gene Higgins to adjourn the meeting at 6:05pm. Motion carried.

Approved
Valerie Cafarelli