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Representative Council

Highlights

March 9, 2006

Reports - from Directors' Meeting

Middle School

Reps and Directors discussed filing a grievance on the block scheduling/change in schedule being proposed for next year. They are planning on contacting the Department of Education to get more information on the legality of eliminating science and social studies for students not at grade level.

An informational meeting is being held at Franklin on Monday, March 13 th , 3:00–4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

High School

Reps and Directors discussed filing a grievance on the minutes that teachers are teaching.

They will be asking that people submit Williams Act violations on cleaning.

The Reps took some fliers on the AB466 information and will utilize the fliers when/if managers are telling teachers that they are required to have the training during the summer.

There have been classes with substitutes in for the whole year — how are the a-g requirements going to be effected if we can't provide certified teachers who know the subject matter?

There are still classrooms without working phones and most phones that give no access to phone out of the area to parents.

Elementary

Reps and Directors discussed the three informational fliers that the Directors developed.

Payroll issues: issues and documentation is going to be collected to present to County Superintendent Dee Alarcon, the State Administrator, and FCMAT. The Payroll Depart- ment is unresponsive to phones and email.

Teachers are being told that they have to do the “ Reading 1 st ” program — this will be investigated.

It is illegal for principals to ask teachers to change grades or to change the grade themselves.

Teachers need more information on discipline and Ed. Code rights.

Reports – General

Conferences

The NEA-R/A is taking place in Orlando , FL from June 30-July 5. We will be electing 6 local representatives as well as Regional representatives.

Calendar

Tentative agreement was reached with the State Administrator on the calendar. It has to go to Executive Board and then there will be a general meeting on March 28 at Jesse Bethel. After that, there will be an all-member vote on the calendars. On the tentative calendar the starting date for school next year is 8/22.

Elections

Steve Sillen agreed to handle this election. Members will be voting on NEA-R/A delegates on March 22/23. If your Reps do not have the ballots by 3/20 you need to call the office.

Membership

VEA scholarship applications will be due in May. Amounts of scholarships to be determined based on funds available.

Grievance

Grievances that affect multiple members will be presented together in public at the State Administrator meetings. Heating was presented this way and was handled effectively. Next grievance meeting is March 14 th at Vallejo Middle School , 4:00 p.m. in Room A9.

Cleaning violations still need to be handled through the “Condition of Classroom” forms and, if things are not taken care of, should be followed up with a grievance.

Special Education

Full Inclusion is NOT mandated. Sites get to determine how services are to be delivered.

No punitive actions can be taken if you, as a teacher, recommend to parents that their child utilize speech and language or special education services.

There will be another Special Education meeting for all Special Education teachers early in April.

President's

New contracts are out. If you need more, let Janice know. If you have not received your contract, Reps should be checking with the office.

A VEA grievance is going to be filed regarding the payment for the CLAD/B1969/ SDAIE stipends that were not paid last year. We will also be asking that a process be put in place that has the teacher “sign-off” in some way on the payment.

VEA, CSEA, and VSMA will begin having quarterly meetings with Damelio and his “little cabinet” next week to discuss District issues.

Janice and Katherine will be meeting with the elected leadership of CTA at the end of this month – they will be expressing our concerns about the State takeover in Vallejo as well as asking CTA to take a stronger position on current educational practices in California .