Minutes of the Meeting of
CHSSA Executive Committee
August 24, 2009
Grotto's Grand Slam
Meeting came to order at 4:08. Present, Ed Murauskas, Mary Beth D'Amico, Joan Williamson, Charlie Shaffer, Susan Krause, Kathy Law, Peggy Kirby, Brenda Coverdale, James Coverdale.
Ed welcomed everyone and thanked everyone for all of their support over this past summer.
Agenda for Opening Meeting September 2, 2009 @ CHHS
An agenda was agreed upon by all members present. Business that will be discussed, Treasurers Report and Budget, recruitment of members to join the Negotiations Team, solicitation of new building representatives where needed, and the training that will be available to all in the coming year.
Objectives for the Upcoming Negotiations
Peggy Kirby stated that she anticipates and hopes that we will be able to survey, respond, and present a contract within a month's time this contract year.
Charlie Shaffer recommended that we start by recruiting a negotiations team our first week back to school. This will enable those members to receive bargaining training that starts in October. It was explained that the negotiations team should consist of no more than one person representing each job category.
Joan advised that she received concerns from 3 secretarial employees and passed those concerns on to Peggy, Charlie Shaffer, and the officers. These will be discussed at the first Negotiation Team meeting.
Vacancy in Vice Presidents Position on Board
Ed advised that he has received a letter of resignation from Walt Goering for the balance of his term. It was explained that according to the By-Laws the Board can appoint a member to serve in that capacity for the completion of that term. A vote was taken on a member who has expressed an interest and all agreed. However because the member is on vacation and cannot be reached, an official announcement will be made at the opening meeting on September 2nd.
Training
Charlie Shaffer advised that we will be having an Educational Support Staff Winter Advocacy Retreat in our area; however, dates and exact location have not been set. Also, it is still uncertain exactly what the format/agenda will include. In addition, there will be opportunities throughout the year for training and workshops and some will take place at the beach. Some could happen at the retreat or perhaps in conjunction with another school district. He will keep us posted as more info becomes available.
Members Concerns and Grievances
Charlie Shaffer advised that Evelyn Mills called and stated that she and other bus drivers were still driving their routes and could not make meetings that were scheduled at 4pm. It was suggested that Charlie and another representative of the Board could meet with them early a.m. prior to their routes, or we could delay our meeting start time till 4:30pm. Charlie will talk with Evelyn again and advise us.
Mary Beth was concerned that a non member was passing incorrect information to employees concerning how the union represents non members. Charlie explained that all employees should know that the Union is obligated to represent non-members only when it is a contractual matter. In grievance cases that are not contractual the union will represent members at all times. If a grievance reaches the next level where the District Board becomes involved, only members will have the representation of DSEA Attorneys.
Mary Beth advised that in the School Board Minutes dated 5/29/09 it was noted that a Professional Staff Employee was terminated. In the printed minutes the Professional Employee's name was never mentioned, instead a case number was given as reference to the termination. However, in the minutes of 7/9/09, a Para-Educator was terminated and their name was printed in the minutes. Mary Beth pointed out that this was not equal and fair to all employees. A letter will be sent to the DO requesting that in all future cases, the same level of confidentiality be given to all employees regardless of position.
Good of the Cause
Mary Beth advised that in years past our ESP dinner fund came from extra funds. Those funds are gone and this year we will have to draw directly from our portion of the state dues from our members to hold the dinner. Ed advised that he was approached by another source that could put the dinner/buffet on for less expense. Ed will pursue this in detail and advise us at the next Executive Committee Meeting. A tentative date for the dinner is November 18th.
Susan Krause advised that she has been approached over the summer with information concerning business of the Executive Committee that she and others were not aware of. It was discovered that some members do not have access to their school email accounts when not in school and therefore they are not aware of bulletins, notices, or meetings that might take place. The example was given of the special meeting held this summer, on July 8th addressing the 2.5% pay decrease and the mandatory 5 furlough days that had passed in the State Budget.
It was voted and agreed that a phone committee/tree will be started to prevent this from happening again. Susan volunteered to chair this new committee. All building representatives will have to submit their preferred email contact and telephone number.
Mary Beth read to the Board the Thank You received from Shannon Thorp for her gift of the CHSSA Scholarship.
Meeting Dates
CHSSA will meet on the first Wednesday of each month excluding April at Grand Slam. Those dates are, 9-2, 10-7, 11-4, 12-2, 1-6, 2-3, 3-3, 3-31, 5-5, 6-2. Time will be announced later.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joan WilliamsonPosted on Aug 30 2009
