|
Governance Board Meeting, November 5, 2003 | |
| In Attendance: | Mark Chalupsky, Julie Anderson-Simonson, Mary Tingblad, Joseph Ricke, Linda Morantez, Margaret Ruffino, Pam Wertjes, Mark Broten, Melanie Casiday, Mark Brzezinski, Sandy Gosen, Jeri Goodspeed-Gross, Jan Nelson, Mike Cutshall. |
| Absent: | Debra Jensen, Katie Tuthill, Miles Mortensen. |
| Guests: | Mary Benson and Anita Otten, Teachers Rights Co-Chairs; Susan Vento, Education Minnesota Field Representative; Craig Hintz, Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Accountability. |
| Call to Order: | 4:39 p.m., by President Chalupsky. |
| Approval of Minutes: | Motion by Brzezinski, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes of October 22, 2003. Motion carried. |
| Teachers' Rights Report: | The Teachers' Rights Co-Chairs
and President Chalupsky met with Dennis Peterson on October 29, 2003. They
discussed the district's plans for "Responsive Classroom." See
President's Remarks below for details.
MMW teachers found it difficult to make arrangements for time-off to attend the funeral of a student's parent. If the teachers could find someone to cover their classes, willing to do so without compensation, the teachers could go. The teachers did find coverage, but will have to cover those teachers' classes at a later date. The district currently does not have a process for situations like this. President Chalupsky will ask at Contract Administration and Meet and Confer for a district-wide process for staff wishing to attend the funeral of a student or a student's parent. Whenever leaving the building during the workday, teachers must always let the school office know. |
| Treasurer's Report: | Treasurer Ricke distributed the MTA Monthly Budget Report dated November 4, 2003, and the MTA Checking Account Statement, October 5-29, 2003. He also passed around the audit report from the auditor. |
| New Business: | Dr. Craig Hintz
and Principal Evaluations: Dr. Hintz is meeting regularly with
President Chalupsky, and was invited to the Governance Board meeting to
explain how principals are evaluated. Hintz is responsible for coaching
and evaluating the principals. The Strategic Plan has five strategies and
52 action plans. The Administrative Cabinet has assigned work to leaders
to meet the Strategic Plan. Every principal has submitted a "Mutual
Commitments and Expectations" document and have met with Hintz for
1-1/2 to 2 hours to go over this document. There will be three more such
conferences during the school year. By June 30, 2004, Hintz will have a
written evaluation and guidance for next year for each of the principals.
Hintz and President Chalupsky will meet regularly to discuss issues. If a member has a concern about a principal, he/she should talk with the Governance Board Building Representative. If needed, the Building Representative will talk with President Chalupsky who can bring the issue to Hintz. Both Dr. Hintz and Dr. Peterson have been willing to address concerns quickly. Personal Day Requests: Recently a teacher had requested a personal day, but the principal would not sign to approve it until after the teacher had found a reserve for that date. This should not have happened. Contract Administration Report: Joe Ricke, Mike Cutshall, and President Chalupsky met with Mike Lovett to sign documents. They also brought up issues to be discussed at next week's meeting before the Meet and Confer meeting on November 12, 2003. Copies of the new contract should be ready for distribution in December. The new rates and retro-active pay should be included in the first paycheck in December. |
| Old Business: | Contract Bylaw
Proposal: Field Representative Vento asked that this be tabled until
the next Governance Board meeting.
Teacher of the Year: Motion by Cutshall, seconded by Ricke, to nominate Kris Schumacher as the MTA candidate for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Motion carried. Many colleagues signed a letter addressed to President Chalupsky and the Governance Board, requesting Schumacher's nomination. As in the past, the MTA will provide up to $100 to reimburse the nominee for the paperwork involved. Acknowledgement from Vice President: Vice President Anderson-Simonson acknowledges MM-West's and Deephaven's Building Representatives for scheduling the building-level MTA meetings and Principal/MTA meetings, and submitting copies of the schedules. All Building Representatives are reminded to schedule these monthly meetings and send a copy to Anderson-Simonson. |
| President's Remarks: | Meeting with
Technology Staff: President Chalupsky has brought up the following
concerns: grading system, e-mail, and a computer for every teacher. He
will continue to meet with Sue Hine every two weeks. If a member has
technology concerns, let President Chalupsky know. Responsive Classroom Discussion: Responsive Classroom is mentioned in the Strategic Plan, but Dr. Peterson and Dr. Lovett confirm that it is not prescriptive and not a directive from the district. The district does not mandate this program, so principals and/or teachers cannot pressure teachers into doing it. In the past, teachers were asked to participate in the one-week training during the summer without compensation. People must be respectful about others' decisions about participating or not participating. President Chalupsky also discussed this with Hintz who will share the message with the principals. |
| Motion by Tingblad, seconded by Gosen, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m. | |
|
Respectfully submitted, | |