Executive Committee Minutes

MARCH 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, John Troise, Jennifer Vetter, Jen Conti, Sue Hance, Ray Pickersgill, Mark Wojciechowski, Alex Young, Joseph Zarzycki, Nick Antonucci, Frank D’Abramo, John Finta, George Jacobsen, Glen Monsen, 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, Arthur Bamel, Dan Sussman, Tara Scully, Peggy Erickson, Laura Seguna, Michelle Anastasio, Allison Poffenbarger, Larry Sciarrone, Mary Caffrey, Denise Enlund, Alison Jackson, Christi Skillman, Cathy Mannone, Nicole Villani, Maryann Robinson-Delguidice, Lauren Roddin, Nancy Bloom, Jeanette Pedersen, Jeanne Lutz, Eric Berman, Tom Lipari, Lisa Ficken, Patrick Hill, Maryellen Scarola, Sabine Alfano, Fern Fier, Doris Marshall, Tracy Mancuso, Jean Carruthers, Betty Morris.

It was moved by Arthur Bamel and seconded by Jen Conti to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion carried.

It was moved by Ray Pickersgill and seconded by Jen Conti to approve the minutes. Motion carried.

A presentation was made by Ann Thorsen from the American Cancer Society recognizing Sachem Central Teachers Association for raising the most money of all the NYSUT locals that participated. The American Cancer Society is also sponsoring the Relay for Life which will be held at Sachem North on June 20-21, 2008.

Speak Out
This month’s newsletter will highlight members in Gatelot, Seneca and Merrimac. The deadline for articles is March 7, 2008.

Special Projects
60 people purchased Islander tickets. Estee Lauder tickets will be available for Saturday April 19, 2008 at 8:00AM. Tickets will be sold for Ducks Games: Friday, May 23 for $11 each and Saturday June 7, for $8.50 each.

Treasurer’s Report
It was moved by Marnin Lack and seconded by Maryellen Scarola to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.

President’s Report
April 15 is the deadline for the District to inform untenured members that they are not being asked back. Representatives should be present at these meetings. Bob LaCorte will be involved in the exit interviews. It is imperative that representatives maintain a member’s confidentiality when they are confiding in you about their concerns. Do not share this with the principal or other faculty members. The deadline for the 2008 Retirement Award was March 3, 2008. Forty people submitted paperwork. This list will go before the Board of Ed on either March 6, or March 18, 2008. There will be an informational meeting in late March or early April advising these members about insurance, payment of $7500 retirement award, health insurance and life insurance. An invitation will be mailed to these members. A small group meeting was held last week with NYSUT Representatives to discuss concerns regarding referral process and other special education issues with additional meetings planned. The elementary meeting will be held on March 13, 3:45pm and the secondary meeting will be held on March 18, 3:45pm at the SCTA office. Letters were sent inviting specific members of the OSS/Special Ed staff to these meetings to listen to concerns and gather facts so we see how we need to proceed with these concerns.

Vice Presidents’ Reports
Mario Capitelli
The deadline for the SCTA Annual Party is March 5, 2008. All materials must be turned in. The 40 members who have put in for retirement will be honored at the dinner as well as last years retirees who put in after the deadline and 20 year and newly tenured members. The Long Island Teachers Benevolent Fund Scholarship deadline is March 21, 2008. Please pony applications to the SCTA Office. Twenty applications have been received to date. Over 100 unity shirts have been ordered and the union will be ordering more.

John Heslin
Many of the Grievances have been postponed. We are waiting for new dates. Remember that “extra help” is “when needed” and “at the discretion of the teacher” according to the contract. If any members are being mandated to create a schedule this is an Improper Practice and the Union needs to be notified.

Maureen Hines
Defensive Driving classes will be held on Wednesday, April 2 & 9 and Wednesday, May 7&14 at 5-8pm. The committee report on the Constitution and By-Law changes was presented to the Representatives. They were asked to make copies available to the members of their buildings for review, to solicit input from the members and report back at an Executive Committee meeting scheduled for March 11 to discuss questions, concerns and recommendations. Copies of the proposed revisions will also be available on the SCTA Website. The Executive Committee will vote to move forward on these proposals on April 1, 2008 with a vote of the membership scheduled for April 16 & 17, 2008 to be held in the buildings.

Jean Klausz
The Elementary Concerns Committee will not be reconvened at this time due to lack of interest at the building level. The SCTA will not agree to the proposed side agreement to move the March half day to an earlier date prior to the scheduled November half day. Currently the scheduled half days do not follow the contract. We cannot grieve this at this time because we have past the 30 day deadline to file.

It was moved by Arthur Bamel and seconded by John Finta to discontinue the STARS Program as it was initially implemented as a Public Relations program. Motion carried

It was moved by Arthur Bamel and seconded by Alison Poffenbarger to implement a STARS Program to simply recognize students using the guidelines from the original STARS Program. Motion carried.

It was moved by Arthur Bamel and seconded by Fern Fier to extend the meeting past 6:30pm. Motion carried.

Cathy Rienth
Teacher Aides are required to take the Sexual Harassment workshop and will get paid if the class is after their school day. SCTA Solidarity Tie sample was shown to the reps. The Union ordered 100 ties and 100 scarfs. Orders may be submitted.

John Troise
Over 1,000 responses were received of the EAP Survey and read by the subcommittee on 2/27/08. No administrators were on the subcommittee. The committee will meet again on 3/27 and 4/17. The results will be shared after the 4/17 meeting.

New Business
The LICOP Breakfast will be held on 4/5 from 10-1 am at the Holiday Inn near MacArthur Airport on Vets Highway. Reps who wish to attend will be paid for.

It was moved by Arthur Bamel and seconded by Alison Poffenbarger to adjourn the meeting at 6:40pm. Motion carried.

Approved
Jean Klausz (acting recording secretary)