Executive Committee Minutes

JANUARY 8th , 2008

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
A flyer was distributed regarding the SCTA Annual Party. There were no finalists in our local for the LIPC Essay Contest but we congratulate all of our participants. Order forms for the SCTA Solidarity Tee Shirts were distributed.

John Heslin
The grievance for the vertical step was heard on January 3, 2008. PERB has up to 30 days to answer. March 6, the second summer school grievance will be heard. April 2, the New Teacher Meetings grievance will be heard. The step 25 grievance dates were cancelled.

Maureen Hines
The following dates are still available for defensive driving: Wednesday Feb.6 and Thursday Feb.7 from 5-8pm Wednesday, April 2 and April 9 from 5-8pm and Wednesday, May 7and May 14 from 5-8pm. District Office’s position on conferences paid for by the District is that the employee is obligated to present for PDP. However if the conference is on the members personal time and is paid for by a Teacher Center Grant then it is the position of the SCTA that District Office cannot obligate the employee for PDP.

Jean Klausz
Under the updated law mandated reporters(Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, School Nurses, Administrators and other school personnel required to hold a teaching or administrative certificate) must personally make the call. Teaching Assistants who do not hold teaching certification are not required to call.

Cathy Rienth
Teacher Aides are not required to attend faculty meetings except where mandated by law (i.e. Sexual Harassment) in which case they are to submit a pink slip for their time. Teacher Aides are also not required to attend PDP. Elementary Teaching Assistants will be attending PDP on Thursday, Feb. 7 from 1-3pm at Sequoya Middle School.

John Troise
The EAP reps met on December 5 to discuss a survey to evaluate if Sachem has a positive workplace environment. They will be meeting again on January 17, to discuss distribution and return of the survey. There have been no major issues so far this winter involving building ventilation and heating. Please make sure if there are any issues in your buildings that John Troise has a copy of the reports.

New Business
It was moved by Dan Sussman and seconded by Marnin Lack to donate the money raised by the sale of the unity shirts to Schneider’s Children’s Hospital.
It was moved by Frank D’Abramo and seconded by Colleen Prunty to table the above motion. Motion carried.

It was moved by Bryan Rogers and seconded by Fern Fier to adjourn the meeting at 5:18pm. Motion carried.

Approved
Valerie Cafarelli