Executive Committee Minutes

FEBRUARY 4th , 2008

The meeting was called to order by President Bob LaCorte. The following members were in attendance. Bob LaCorte, Mario Capitelli, John Heslin, Maureen Hines, Jean Klausz, Cathy Rienth, Jennifer Vetter, Jen Conti, Sue Hance, Mark Wojciechowski, Alex Young, Nick Antonucci, Frank D’Abramo, George Jacobsen, Glen Monsen, Colleen Prunty, Rob Regan, Robin Dallanegra, Thomas McGrath, Johanna Napolitano, Gene Higgins, Marnin Lack, Mary Jane Maione, Chris Oakes, Cindy O’Connell, James Virga, Gina Capodieci-DeFlumeri, Kathie Stanford, Melanie Purcell, Arthur Bamel, Dan Sussman, Peggy Erickson, Tara Scully, Laura Seguna, Michelle Anastasio, 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, Eugene Maier, Lisa Ficken, Tina Diaz-Foster, Maryellen Scarola, Sabine Alfano, Fern Fier, Doris Marshall, Tracy Mancuso, Jean Caruthers, Betty Morris

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

It was moved by Sue Hance and seconded by Jen Conti to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried.

Speak Out
Next month we are looking for articles highlighting colleagues at the following schools: Cayuga Nokomis, Chippewa and Sagamore.

Special Projects
Flyers were distributed for Islander tickets to be sold on Wed. 2/13 at 4:00pm at the SCTA office. Tickets are $20, for Islanders vs. Penguins on Tues. 2/26 at 7:00pm. Next month we will be getting tickets for Estee Lauder.

Gene Maier asked for a moment of silence on the passing of Bill Hettrich.

Treasurer’s Report
It was moved by Arthur Bamel and seconded by Tara Scully to accept the Treasure’s Report. Motion carried.

President’s Report
There are 3 members’ facing 3020A hearings. They could get a penalty for actions committed. Over the last 6 years the NY office of NYSUT has seen a doubling of 3020A charges. Members need to be aware that in this difficult work environment, everything we say and do, especially comments may be misconstrued and come under scrutiny. The District is going through the State Ed website and identifying individuals who are missing something for certification. Gail Grenzig is notifying the members of the missing items as a warning. A member was placed on reassignment and failed to follow up on the missing item for certification. The member will go through a 3020A hearing but will resign. The administration has a responsibility to make sure that the staff is certified. If the certification has lapsed the District can grant an extension for you to take care of the requirements as long as you are making an effort and you can remain in the classroom. The deadline for notification of retirement if you want to qualify for the retirement award, is Monday, March 3 at 11:00am. If you are filing on March 3 you must drop it off at District Office. Remind buildings that the EAP Survey is due to the EAP Reps by February 11. The surveys are then due to the SCTA Office by Wednesday Feb 1, in an unmarked envelope. All surveys will be combined and reviewed by the committee, a few teachers, one administrator and one clerical. Please note that the EAP Reps are chosen by the SCTA Building Reps and not the Principal. The new 403B regulations have tightened restrictions and loan provisions to make them more like 401k. A new list of approved firms will be generated and any new money can only be invested with firms on the approved list. Old money can stay put. NYSUT/AFT has endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Nomination for President.

Vice Presidents’ Reports
Mario Capitelli
SCTA Annual Party is April 5, at West Lake Inn from 7:00 – 12:00pm. Tickets are $65 for Teachers, $55 for TA’s, Aides and non-tenured members. The dinner will honor all 20 year members, newly tenured members, newly declared retirees and any retiree from last year who was not already honored. All reps please check to make sure the list is accurate. The deadline is March 5. The Long Island Teachers Benevolent Fund will award scholarships to the child of a NYSUT member who is a High School Senior and will be attending post-secondary school. The awards will be based on SAT scores, GPA and academic achievement. The application, signed by a guidance counselor, needs to be submitted to the SCTA Office by March 21. Unity shirts are here and need to be distributed to the buildings. Over 850 shirts were ordered. They are to be worn on paydays. The first one is February 15. You may request additional shirts from Blythe.

John Heslin
There is nothing new to report on the Grievances.

Maureen Hines
Defensive Driving classes will be held on Wednesday, April 2&9 and Wednesday, May 5&14 from 5-8pm. Last year it was brought to our attention that our Constitution needed revisiting. The committee has met several times and will meet again on February13. The aims of the committee are the following: To align the organization to the fiscal year for IRS purposes; to have a definitive start and end of office for all elected positions; to clarify language which refers to the entire organization versus the 3 distinct bargaining units; to create proper structure and order for the Constitution and By-Laws; to correct the grammar. The final draft will be proposed at the March Executive Committee meeting and at that time we will set up a timeline for a membership vote. Bob LaCorte, Maureen Hines, Jill Gierasch and Gina Conrad met yesterday to discuss the Fundations check list. The check list is on hold- it is being looked into. It is not an evaluative tool but a working document to help Gina and the teachers work together. The check list should not be used with Kindergarten Teachers at this time. Gina will be meeting with the speech teachers and Bob LaCorte tomorrow February 6. The District has allocated funds for the Literacy Conference. They have budgeted for 4 Teachers and the Principal from each building to attend. It is expected that the members will share what was learned at a building faculty meeting. It does not have to be District wide. Jill Gierasch will clarify this with the Principals. The American Cancer Society will be sending a representative, Ann Thorson, to the March Executive meeting to present a plaque to the SCTA for raising the most money on Long Island ($21,000). Notify any members who were involved to be in the photo.

Jean Klausz
The District would like to make a change in the language of the contract concerning the scheduled _ school days. The District would like to move the March date to sometime prior to the November date. While no additional days would be added this would involve a change in the contract language requiring a side letter of agreement for the 2008-2009 school year. Elementary reps are asked to discuss this with their members and respond to an “E” mail Jean Klausz will be sending. Reps were asked to discuss with their members if there is an interest in reconvening the Elementary Concerns Committee. Each building would need a representative. An “E” mail will be sent to the building reps to respond yes or no and the name of the rep.

Cathy Rienth
The union is looking for 3-4 members who would sign up for the Gurneys Weekend which will be geared toward Public Relations and Coalition Building. It will be the weekend of March 28-30. No reps signed up this time. Additional Solidarity items, scarves and ties, will be available for a cost of $5.00. The SCTA will offset the additional $5.00 cost.

John Troise
The EAP Reps will meet tomorrow at the union office to discuss the Workplace Environment Survey. Remember that Techer Certification is the responsibility of the individual to follow through on all requirements, not the district.

Old Business
Please “E” mail ideas for local charities to be helped by Solidarity Shirt donations to the SCTA Office.

New Business
Tara Scully requested there be more opportunities for elementary members to make additional money (i.e. chaperoning etc.). Sachem Athletic Office is looking for coaches. Gene Higgins has advised there are additional issues with graduate credit offerings from Iona College and which campus the course is being taken. Stony Brook is requiring proof of proper immunizations. The new contract pay scale 1st year includes $3000 for FAS purposes.

It was moved by Arthur Bamel and seconded by Jen Conti to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Approved
Valerie Cafarelli