CHSSA General Membership Meeting
September 1, 2010 Minutes
Cape Henlopen High School
www.capehenlopenssa.org
September 1, 2010 Minutes
Cape Henlopen High School
www.capehenlopenssa.org
The meeting was brought to order at 10:25 am by President Ed Murauskas.
Welcome - Ed introduced and welcomed new members, Ella Betts, Chad Clendaniel and Diane Berens. Ed also introduced the Board Officers, Vice President Lisa Thorp, Treasurer Mary Beth D'Amico, and Secretary Joan Williamson.
Also recognized, were all 8 Building Representatives whether absent or present; CHHS-Peggy Kirby, Beacon Middle-Susan Krause, Mariner Middle-Debbie Gaudlip, Milton Elementary- Diane Huff, H.O. Brittingham-Brenda Coverdale, Rehoboth Elementary-Kathy Law, Shields Elementary-Donna Hartnett Sussex Elementary Consortium-Molly Siple. Ed advised all 75 members present that this is an election year and a new Executive Board Elections take place in May of 2011. He is seeking two to three members to volunteer to work as the election committee. The work is light, print ballots, mail to each building representative, collect ballots and count at the May meeting. Anyone interested please submit their name to their building rep or one of the board members.
Also recognized, were all 8 Building Representatives whether absent or present; CHHS-Peggy Kirby, Beacon Middle-Susan Krause, Mariner Middle-Debbie Gaudlip, Milton Elementary- Diane Huff, H.O. Brittingham-Brenda Coverdale, Rehoboth Elementary-Kathy Law, Shields Elementary-Donna Hartnett Sussex Elementary Consortium-Molly Siple. Ed advised all 75 members present that this is an election year and a new Executive Board Elections take place in May of 2011. He is seeking two to three members to volunteer to work as the election committee. The work is light, print ballots, mail to each building representative, collect ballots and count at the May meeting. Anyone interested please submit their name to their building rep or one of the board members.
Ed also requested volunteer(s) to become Candidate Interviewers in this years political elections. He explained that again this is light duty, but quite interesting. Anyone interested please submit their name to their building rep or one of the board members. Ed has had the privilege to be a candidate interviewer and can advise anyone with questions on what is required.
Membership Report Jean Read explained that one of the main reasons we did not win “fair share" is because our membership is less than 50% of the total support staff population within our district. Please encourage membership at every opportunity. The benefits are endless, discounts, legal representation for personal items at a discount and for work related issues you are fully covered. Those who choose not to be members will not have this coverage. Member benefits can be explained by each Building Rep and Jean encourages them to promote membership.
Treasurers Report Mary Beth D'Amico explained we only have one new expense to add to the budget this year - printing of the ratified contract. The D.O. will no longer supply us with those copies. We will pay to see that each Building has a contract available in a central location, as well as each Building Representative having a copy.
Our ESP Annual Dinner and our Support Staff Members Scholarship Funds are our two biggest expenditures. Mary Beth explained that last year we did not have to use our scholarship account but were able to fund our scholarships from our general dues. Our big expense last year was our dinner, which cost us $1500.00.
New Contract Peggy Kirby, our Chairperson for the Negotiations Committee, passed out to all present - “Highlights of the New Contract." She pointed out that out of the 25 items that were noted as a result of our survey last November, 18 of them were addressed in the new contract. As she was reviewing the points, it was discovered that further clarification of the Paraeducators 4% increase was still needed. Peggy, Ed, and Mary Beth will meet with Tim Buckmaster immediately following this meeting and get clarification.
She did explain that regardless, Paras would be receiving more in their paychecks, but cautioned everyone not to forget that the 2% increase of last year was a one time gift from the Board for last year only. It would not be included again this year. All Paras would be returning to the base pay of the 2008 - 2009 school year. The highlights of the new contract are attached to these minutes.
Peggy further explained that Spring Break for custodians and some secretarial issues would continue to be addressed by the Executive Board to the School Board. They could not be resolved within this contract.
Paul Tregoe explained that he was disappointed that at the final meeting of the Negotiations team a vote was taken, yet the meeting was not advertised as such. The members of the committee had been emailed that this was a discussion meeting. However, after discussion, a vote was taken to accept or reject the District's offer of contract. He was unable to attend and, therefore, was unable to give his comments or his vote on the contract. Although the vote was carried through because there was a majority of the negotiations team present in favor of accepting, he still would have preferred being informed in advance that a vote could be taken at this meeting. Others agreed with Paul.
The Contract and Salary Tables will be available on the CHSSA web site and the CHSD web site hopefully prior to our October 6th meeting.
A motion was taken and seconded to vote to ratify the contract. Ballots were distributed. Ballots were counted by union member Lillie Mapp and verified. The vote was 71 yes, 0 no's, and 4 abstained.
Our next Executive Board Meeting will be October 6th @ 4:30pm at the CHHS Library. All Building Representatives are encouraged to attend.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joan Williamson.
Check out these web sites for the latest info -
www.capehenlopenssa.org and www.dsea.org
Posted on Sep 08 2010
