January 2013 archive

Pressuring Teachers to change grades is not only wrong – it’s also illegal

Teachers need to know that if a site administrator approaches you about changing a grade, they are breaking the law. This can be very intimidating for newer teachers, but know that the law is on your side. According to California Education Code 49066, it states: (a) When grades are given for any course of instruction …

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Solano County Office of Education – Teacher of the Year nominations

Please see information provided below for the Solano County Office of Education’s Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year. Ask to be part of the process at your school site and nominate deserving colleagues. Dear District Superintendents: I am pleased to invite your district to participate in the Solano County Educators of the Year Program. The program …

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Redwood Educators Conference – Free PD for VEA Members!

The Redwood Service Center Council (RSCC) is hosting the “Redwood Educators Conference 2013″ on April 26 & 27 at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaluma. There is a required deposit of $50 to hold your place, which is returned upon your attendance at the conference. In other words, the conference is FREE!! This deposit covers the …

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VCUSD Board approves calendar

VCUSD School Board Trustees voted unanimously tonight approving the calendar ratified by VEA members just last week. This means that the two days taken as furlough days in November 2012 will be added back into the remainder of the school year on February 15th and May 24th. The District plans to send out the modified …

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District retracts statement that it will “confiscate personal appliances”

VEA’s Bargaining team discussed the letter that was sent out by the District yesterday regarding personal appliances. Mel Jordan,  Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, was part of this discussion and in fact, released a revised letter, which is posted below. Please note that Mel Jordan did acknowledge that the tone of the original letter was not …

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District seeks to ban and illegally confiscate teachers’ personal property

VEA has issued a demand to bargain on the letter that was sent today by VCUSD employee Denise Brogan-Whitford, most likely at the the direction of new District Administrator, Stephen Lane. This letter was sent to all VEA members and issued the directive to stop immediate use of personal appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, and …

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Calendar Change Ratified

Voting was held today for VEA unit members on a proposed calendar change. This calendar change was necessary in order to fully restore the 2012-13 Student/Teacher calendar. Ninety-five percent of the members who voted were in support of the calendar change.  

Two more conferences/workshops for VEA members

Save the date! On February 5th and 7th, the CTA Office in Cordelia is offering Retirement Workshops for unit members who are considering retiring in the near future. If interested, contact Lynda Koning at 707-864-0305 to register. Do this ASAP as these workshops tend to fill up fast! Save the date! The Redwood Service Center …

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VEA’s FAQ on restoration of 2012-13 furlough days

Right before the holiday break, Christal Watts, President of VEA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dr. Ramona Bishop, Superintendent of VCUSD. Below is the FAQ that has been developed for VEA members. Members will also see the proposed calendar change.  VEA has tentatively scheduled the vote to take place on Monday, January 14th …

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