Minnetonka Teachers Association

Governance Board Meeting, May 19, 2004

   
In Attendance: Joseph Ricke, Jan Nelson, Mary Tingblad, Margaret Ruffino, Pam Wertjes, Melanie Casiday,  Katie Tuthill, Heidi Bunde, Sandy Gosen, Jeri Goodspeed-Gross, Doug Kennedy, Sonja Saunders,  Mike Cutshall, Miles Mortensen.

Absent Linda Morantez, Sara Macke. There is still a vacancy on the Governance Board for a representative from Clear Springs.

Guests: Mary Benson and Anita Otten, Teachers' Rights Co-Chairs; Susan Vento, Education Minnesota Field Representative. 

Call to Order: 4:40 p.m., by President Ricke.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Ruffino, seconded by Bunde, to approve the minutes of May 5, 2004. Motion carried.

Teachers' Rights Report: Members are encouraged to contact their Teachers' Rights Building Representatives first with concerns. The Teachers' Rights Co-Chairs are establishing protocols for Teachers' Rights involvement. Field Representative Vento suggests that if a member goes into a meeting without representation, he/she should take detailed notes, and not commit to anything until he/she has had time to meet with representation.

Treasurer's Report: President Ricke distributed the updated MTA Monthly Budget Report. Motion by Gosen, seconded by Ruffino, that Joe Ricke receive the 2nd year stipend for negotiator for the work he has done this year. Motion carried. Motion by Casiday, seconded by Tuthill, that Joe Ricke will complete the Treasurer's duties for the month of May. Motion carried.  

New Business:

Strategic Planning for MTA:  The Governance Board will take some time this summer to look at its structure, budget cycle dates, and Constitution and Bylaws. To begin this evaluation process, a survey will be sent to MTA members to gather input. The Survey Committee volunteers are Sue Vento, Margaret Ruffino, and Sandy Gosen. The date for the summer meeting will be set at the next Governance Board meeting.

Use of Blackboard for MTA: MTA Webmaster Dave Eisenmann spoke with President Ricke regarding the possibility of the MTA also using Blackboard for the MTA website. We have not been given the OK from the district yet.

Intel Trainers/Training: Mike Cutshall explained that the district has received a grant from the Intel Corporation. Three teachers will be trained as trainers for one week (8 hours x 5 days) this summer. These three will receive a training book plus $1,500 stipend and each will be expected to train ten more people. Motion by Gosen, seconded by Goodspeed-Gross, that MTA Governance Board approve the $1,500 stipend for the teachers that become trainers. Motion carried

Teacher Celebration: It was noted that the final bill from the Marsh was higher than the original quote given. Melanie Casiday will follow up on this with Deb Jensen.

MTA Scholarships: President Ricke shared a letter received from MHS regarding the MTA Scholarship recipients. This information cannot be shared at this time as Awards Night has not happened yet.

Retirement Dinner: President Ricke was unable to attend the Minnetonka Retirement Dinner. Jan Nelson and Melanie Casiday attended on behalf of the MTA Governance Board.

Old Business:

2004-05 Calendar Issue: The additional 8 hours prep time has not been resolved yet. The Calendar Committee will meet on May 15, 2004.

Update on NEA Delegate Election: MTA members interested in submitting their names to be on the ballot for Delegate to the NEA-RA, must e-mail Mary Tingblad by 4:00pm, May 21, 2004. Tingblad alerted the Governance Board to concerns regarding the costs of attending the NEA-RA. This will be addressed at the next Governance Board meeting. 

Gift Committee Update: Sandy Gosen will purchase Visa gift cards for Mark Chalupsky and Julie Anderson-Simonson. President Ricke will invite Chalupsky and Anderson-Simonson to the next Governance Board meeting for the presentation of  these gifts of appreciation for their dedication and hard work  on behalf of the MTA.

Update on MTA Budget: The Budget Committee distributed the 2004-2005 MTA Budget draft document. Secretary Tingblad will send this document out as an attachment to the Building Representatives so they can send it out to the MTA members in each building to gather feedback. 

Flowers/Card For Governance Board Members: We do not have a policy regarding flowers/cards for Governance Board members. This policy will be established at the next Governance Board meeting.

Election of Treasurer: Motion by Gosen, seconded by Tuthill, that Melanie Casiday be appointed as MTA Treasurer. Motion carried

Excelsior Building Representative: Sara Macke will join the Governance Board as Excelsior's Building Representative. There is still a vacancy on the Governance Board for a Building Representative from Clear Springs.

President's Report:

.4 President's Release Time: Dr. Peterson has not agreed to the .4 release time for President Ricke. Field Representative Vento has already discussed this with Chuck Kehrberg and Harley Ogata and they feel that this is a grievable issue. 

New Teaching Assignment: President Ricke has been reassigned to MM-East and MM-West as the 8th grade Tech. Ed. teacher, teaching the last five hours of the day. The district says that this schedule will allow Ricke time in the morning to do MTA work. The  Building Representatives from MM-East and MM-West reported that the suggested schedule will not work with their building schedules. Field Representative Vento feels this may also have to be grieved. 

Open Forum Emerging Leaders Program: The Education Minnesota Summer Seminar will be held at the College of St. Benedict, August 2-4, 2004. The MTA can send two participants for free, but can pay for more participants to attend. 

School Board Report: Jan Nelson and Mary Tingblad reported on the May 6, 2004, School Board Meeting. The MHS presentation featured Jim Moon and members of the Supermileage team. Principals from Deephaven and Excelsior shared updates on their Strategic Plan work. The School Board also heard the Technology Plan Overview and a Review of the Student Teaching Plans. Thirty-five teachers and one administrator were granted tenure. The School Board approved program reductions and unrequested leaves. Some teachers on unrequested leaves may be recalled to a reduced contract. 

  Motion by Goodspeed-Gross, seconded by Gosen, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Tingblad, MTA Secretary
6/1/04, Approved 6/2/04