|
Governance Board Meeting, September 3, 2003 | |
| In Attendance: | Mark Chalupsky, Julie Anderson-Simonson, Mary Tingblad, Joseph Ricke, Linda Morantez, Margaret Ruffino, Pam Wertjes, Mark Broten, Melanie Casiday, Debra Jensen, Katie Tuthill, Mark Brzezinski, Sandy Gosen, Jeri Goodspeed-Gross, Jan Nelson, Mike Cutshall. |
| Absent: | Miles Mortensen. |
| Guests: | Merlin Zimmerman (substitute for Miles Mortensen); Mary Benson and Anita Otten, Teachers Rights Co-Chairs; Chuck Kehrberg, Negotiator; Susan Vento, Education Minnesota Field Representative. |
| Call to Order: | 4:42 p.m., by President Chalupsky. |
| Approval of Minutes: | Motion by Goodspeed-Gross, seconded by Jensen, to approve the minutes of June 4, 2003 and August 21, 2003. Motion carried. |
| Vice-President's Report: | Anderson-Simonson distributed meeting schedules and papers originally distributed at the summer meeting. Membership Chair Mary Kay Burmesch sent out the membership information lists to MTA Building Representatives today. All teachers must verify that their information is correct. Building Representatives should develop their MTA members e-mail lists, and send a copy to Anderson-Simonson. |
| Teachers' Rights Report: | The Teachers' Rights Co-Chairs continued to work on issues over the summer, resulting in a resolved grievance. Teachers are reminded that disrespectful students or adults should be reported to the principals. If no action is taken, the next step is to contact the MTA. It is very important to document details as they happen. |
| New Business: | Technology Problems: All
buildings are experiencing technology problems. MHS has had severe
technology problems. President Chalupsky met with Mike Lovett and Craig
Hintz today to discuss teachers' frustrations and concerns. Other
districts are not experiencing problems to the degree that Minnetonka is.
The new Technology Director, Sue Hine, started working today, and is
working hard to correct the problems. Building Representatives should
check with their principals to ensure that all new teachers have district
e-mail access.
Copy Machine Concerns: MHS teachers are limited to 10 copies on the small machine, and the big machine is back-logged. MHS Building Representatives will discuss this with their principals. MM-East's and MM-West's production secretaries were cut in cost containment, and no plans were put in place to cover their duties. Paper and supplies were not ordered over the summer. MM-East: Health/Physical Education teacher has been asked to take some students into their classes for two class periods every other day, as opposed to the usual one period everyday. Teachers are also concerned about 3-4 pallets of Math books that have just arrived, but are not organized, bar-coded, etc. MTA Webmaster: Dave Eisenmann has taken a leave of
absence, and is currently working as part of the Technology Team as the
district's Technology Curriculum
Integration Specialist |
| Old Business: |
Negotiations Report: There were two mediation sessions in August, and the Organizing for Settlement Committee has also begun its work. Metro-area settlements are coming in, however in the past, Minnetonka was usually one of the earliest to settle. A meeting outside of mediation has been scheduled on September 11, 2003. The MTA has requested that Dr. Peterson also attend this meeting. Opening Day of Workshop: The MTA is considering two incidents of unfair labor practice. Mike Lovett did not allow the MTA to distribute a flyer to teachers before the breakfast on opening day. President Chalupsky met with Lovett that afternoon to determine that we did not violate district policy, and that the MTA should have been allowed to distribute the flyer. Comments regarding negotiations during the opening day lecture were also inappropriate. Settlement Committee: Sue Vento distributed an Organizing for Settlement Committee document detailing the work we must do to move forward. We need at least two teachers from each building on this committee. The role of the committee is to plan and overview. The MTA is postponing an all-member meeting until after the September 11, 2003 negotiations meeting. We will continue to need more member involvement. As the work progresses, we will need to have more one-on-one communication with members. |
| President's Remarks: | Opening Day Comments: President
Chalupsky received many communications regarding the opening day lecture.
He addressed this today with Lovett, and will also talk with Dr. Peterson
and Craig Hintz. In the past, the opening day of workshop had been more
upbeat and motivational.
Student Dress Code Enforcement: Teachers are responsible for enforcing the dress code. If there is a problem, send the student to the principal. The Teachers' Rights Co-Chairs ask that we remind members that teachers must also dress according to the student dress code. Other Local Settlements: President Chalupsky shared settlement information with Dr. Peterson. Hopkins has settled with an increase, despite their Zero Fund Balance. |
| Treasurer's Report: | Treasurer Ricke distributed the MTA Checking Account Statement, July 23, 2003 to September 1, 2003. |
| Motion by Jensen, seconded by Nelson, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. | |
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Respectfully submitted, | |