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Members
of Education
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In Attendance: |
Joseph Ricke, Jan Nelson, Mary Tingblad, Ramona Anderson, Susan Weber, Margaret Ruffino, Pam Wertjes, Debra Drexler, Anita Britton, Rhonda Lundgren, Sandy Gosen, Jeri Goodspeed-Gross, Doug Kennedy, Mike Matthias, Rachel Consdorf. |
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Absent: |
Heather Stowman. There is a vacancy on the Governance Board for a representative from Minnewashta. |
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Guest: |
John Borgen, Education Minnesota Field Staff Representative. |
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Call to Order: |
4:34 p.m., by President Ricke. |
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Approval of Minutes: |
Motion by Motion by Consdorf, seconded
by Wertjes, to add “such as President release time” and “in the contract” to
the third paragraph under Guests discussion. Motion carried. Motion by Kennedy, seconded by Ruffino, to approve the minutes of February 1, 2006, as amended. Motion carried.
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Teachers’ Rights Report: |
The
Teachers’ Rights Co-Chairs were not in attendance. The next Teachers’ Rights
Committee meeting will be on February 22, 2006. |
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Treasurer’s Report: |
Treasurer Anderson will give a full report in March.
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Open Forum: |
MHS Physical Education Concern: The district is looking at hiring teachers outside the district to teacher summer school Physical Education classes. President Ricke will address this through Meet and Confer. Extended Day Kindergarten Concern: A Kindergarten teacher is concerned that there is no special education support for a student during the second part of the day. If the student has it specified in the IEP, there should be support for the entire day. Online Courses Concern: It appears that online learning decisions have already been made even before the first Online Learning Committee meeting. The first meeting notice was received today. Part-time Leave Concern: At least two teachers with part-time leave have received letters from Mike Lovett stating reply by a certain date or we will assume “it is your intention to resign from your position.” President Ricke will talk with Lovett regarding this.
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New Business: |
State and National Delegates Elections: Secretary Tingblad sent an e-mail to the membership on February 10, 2006, regarding submitting names to be candidates for MTA delegates to the NEA/AFT national convention. The deadline for submitting names is February 27, 2006, 4:00 p.m. The election will be held on March 7, 2006. The state credentialed delegates election for district H will also be held on that date. Information about those candidates will be included in The Voter’s Guide insert in the upcoming issue of Minnesota Educator. May Elections: All MTA members will be electing the MTA President and Vice-President team in May. Elections for MTA Governance Board Representatives will also occur in May. Governance Board Building Representatives whose positions are up for election in May include: Deb Drexler, Clear Springs; Heather Stowman (in her absence, Sue Alexander), Excelsior; Pam Wertjes, Groveland; Rhonda Lundgren, MM-East; Mary Tingblad, MM-West; Doug Kennedy, MHS; and Mike Matthias, MHS. Minnewashta does not currently have a Building Representative, so that building will also be included in the election. Governance Board Meeting Times: President Ricke is requesting that we limit the Governance Board meetings to one hour. The Governance Board agreed that this is a good goal, but it may not be enough time. Finishing by 6:00 p.m. is more realistic. It was also agreed that it is important to have the Governance Board meetings twice a month. Amendments Election Follow-up: Secretary Tingblad distributed the updated Constitution and Bylaws. This was a difficult election to tabulate because of the number of amendments. Building Representatives are reminded that the two people verifying the building’s results must agree on the final tallies before signing the election envelope and presenting the results to the Election Committee for final verification. President Ricke asked if the membership should be polled about the amendment affecting the Secretary and Treasurer positions. The Governance Board decided to leave things as they are, and perhaps make a different amendment next year. Online Classes: MHS teachers are concerned that sometimes students are given an easy way out through an online course, rather than having to do the work that is expected of them in an MHS class. TALL Program: Education Legislative Meetings: On February 22, 2006, in Osseo, there will be a meeting with Legislators from our area. President Ricke will ask Rebecca Coleman (MTA Political Organizer) to attend. Jan Nelson and Rhonda Lundgren will also attend. Member Rights Training: Member Rights Training is available March 10-11, 2006. Anita Otten has sent the information to the Teachers’ Rights Building Representatives.
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Old Business: |
Workday/Work Year Committee Update: The committee met on February 10, 2006. Lovett had asked the principals to write the results and solutions. Jan Nelson met with Lovett on February 13, 2006, regarding this. The teachers on the committee are going over the principals’ document to include what was originally discussed. Teachers on the committee are concerned that teachers’ ideas are being turned down and the administration is working behind the scenes. The committee will meet again to continue the work. The document will be presented at Meet and Confer. Motion by Matthias, seconded by
Kennedy, that the following items be added to the Meet and Confer agenda:
savings gained by going to 6-period days, cost of IB, online classes, and
summer school. Motion carried. Calendar Committee: Calendar will be on the Meet and Confer agenda. The committee is dealing with concerns regarding Spring Break Options, planning day in May, conference scheduling, and 12-hour days. DEP Update: Jerry Bartow and Delette Lemon will meet soon to plan for the Distinguished Educators Program.
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President’s Report: |
Topics for Meet and Confer: See the motion under Old Business. The Governance Board also requests that committee roles and decision-making process be added by President Ricke. Building Meetings: All Building Representatives are to hold monthly MTA meetings.
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Motion by Britton seconded by
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Respectfully submitted, |
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