Minnetonka Teachers Association

Governance Board Meeting, May 5, 2004

   
In Attendance: Joseph Ricke, Jan Nelson, Mary Tingblad,  Linda Morantez,  Margaret Ruffino, Pam Wertjes,  Melanie Casiday,  Katie Tuthill, Heidi Bunde, Sandy Gosen, Sonja Saunders,  Miles Mortensen.
Absent Jeri Goodspeed-Gross, Doug Kennedy, Mike Cutshall. 
Guests: Mark Broten, Mark Brzezinski, (2003-2004 Governance Board members); Mary Benson, Anita Otten (Teachers' Rights Co-Chairs); Sue Weber (Teachers' Rights, DEC).
Call to Order: 4:50 p.m., by President Ricke.
 
Special Thank You The entire Governance Board extends special thanks and appreciation to Mark Chalupsky and Julie Anderson-Simonson for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the MTA.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Tuthill, seconded by Gosen, to approve the minutes of April 7 and April 21, 2004. Motion carried.
Treasurer's Report: President Ricke distributed the MTA Monthly Budget Report dated May 4, 2004; and the MTA Checking Account Statement, April 1-May 4, 2004. he also explained how a cell phone bill had not been submitted for reimbursement in August 2003. Motion by Tingblad, seconded by Gosen, to reimburse Mark Chalupsky for the August 2003 MTA cell phone bill. Motion carried
Teachers' Rights Report: A survey regarding TIP will be sent out soon. President Ricke will discuss Principal Evaluations in a meeting with Craig Hintz tomorrow. ECFE teachers would like to have their supervisor also included in this evaluation.
New Business:

Committee to Buy Presents: Motion by Tingblad, seconded by Tuthill, that a committee be formed to purchase gifts of appreciation for Mark Chalupsky and Julie Anderson-Simonson. Motion carried. The committee volunteers are Anita Otten, Mary Benson, Mary Tingblad, and Sandy Gosen. Motion by Ruffino, seconded by Tuthill, to spend up to $200 on each for the gifts of appreciation. Motion carried

Election of Officers and Positions: Motion by Ruffino, seconded by Wertjes, that Mary Tingblad continue as MTA Secretary. Motion carried. The election of MTA Treasurer was tabled until the next Governance Board meeting. Margaret Ruffino, Mary Tingblad, and Sonja Saunders will represent the MTA on the Meet and Confer Committee. 

President Ricke will chair the Budget Committee. The committee volunteers are Mary Tingblad, Miles Mortensen, Margaret Ruffino, and Melanie Casiday. President Ricke will also invite any MTA members interested to join the committee. The MTA Budget must be adopted in June.

The Election Committee must include the MTA Vice-President and Secretary. In addition to Jan Nelson and Mary Tingblad, the committee will also include Katie Tuthill and Pam Wertjes. President Ricke will also invite any MTA members interested to join the committee. 

President Ricke will decide tonight if he will go the NEA Representative Assembly in July. After checking with Education Minnesota and NEA, it became clear that we needed to run another election for a new delegate. If he chooses not to go, Secretary Tingblad will e-mail MTA members with details regarding submitting names to be included on the ballot for the election on May 27, 2004.

Motion by Gosen, seconded by Tuthill, that Mary Tingblad continue as MTA Newsletter Editor. Motion carried

Art Position: An art teacher is interested in an MHS art position, but the position has not been posted. President Ricke will follow up on this with Mike Lovett. 

Old Business:

2004-05 Calendar Issue: The additional 8 hours prep time as not been resolved yet. President Ricke will discuss this further with Dr. Lovett and Dr. Peterson.

President's Report:

Commitment to Administration: President Ricke has spoken with Dr. Peterson and Dr. Lovett regarding being supportive and positive as the MTA President. In the past they had only seen Ricke as a negotiator. 

School Board Report: Pam Wertjes reported on the April 22, 2004, School Board Study Session and Special Meeting. The majority of the time was spent on the budget cuts. 
Teachers Celebration: There was a good turn out. Thanks to all who attended the Teachers Celebration event at the Marsh on April 30, 2004. Teachers appreciated the event.
  Motion by Tuthill, seconded by Casiday, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Tingblad, MTA Secretary
5/17/04, Approved 5/19/04