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Members of Education Minnesota, NEA, AFT,
Minnesota Local #7173 |
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In Attendance: |
Joseph Ricke, Jan Nelson, Mary Tingblad, Ramona Anderson, Susan Weber, Margaret Ruffino, Pam Wertjes, Debra Drexler, Kim Diekmann, Sandy Gosen, Doug Kennedy, Mike Matthias. |
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Absent: |
Heather Stowman, Rhonda Lundgren, Jeri Goodspeed-Gross, Rachel Consdorf. There is a vacancy on the Governance Board for a representative from Minnewashta. |
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Guests: |
Sue Alexander (Stowman), Mark Chalupsky (Goodspeed-Gross), Sean Holmes (Consdorf), Mary Benson (Teachers’ Rights Co-Chair), John Borgen (Education Minnesota Field Staff Representative). |
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Call to Order: |
4:37 p.m., by President Ricke. |
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Approval of Minutes: |
Motion by Wertjes, seconded
by Ruffino, to approve the minutes of April 5, 2006. Motion carried. |
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Teachers’ Rights Report: |
Chalupsky asked for an update on the grievance regarding IB overloads. Teachers’ Rights Co-Chair Benson reported that our former Field Staff Representative wrote the grievance. Education Minnesota advised not to continue with the grievance process. President Ricke will deal with the issue of IB overloads through Contract Administration next week. |
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Treasurer’s Report: |
Treasurer Anderson distributed the MTA Budget
Report dated April 18, 2006. She reported that she is waiting for a return
phone call from the Education Minnesota Treasurer regarding setting up the
audit. Budget Committee: Treasurer Anderson will chair the Budget Committee.
President Ricke, Vice-President Nelson, Secretary Tingblad, and Building
Representative Matthias will also be on the committee. The 2006-2007 MTA
Budget must be approved in June. |
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New Business: |
Statewide Health Insurance Plan: The Statewide Health Insurance
Bill passed the House with an amendment to allow school with 400 or more
teachers to opt out of the plan. If the bill is passed, it would probably
take two years to implement. Motion by Wertjes, seconded by Weber, that
the MTA not support the current Statewide Health Insurance Plan. Motion
did not carry. Motion by Ruffino, seconded by Anderson, that the MTA support the current Statewide Health Insurance Plan with the amendment to allow school with 400 or more teachers to opt out of the plan. Motion carried. Elementary Job Changes: Building Representatives reported on teaching assignment changes in their buildings. Teachers have been dissatisfied with the process and lack of communication. President Ricke and the Teachers’ Rights Co-Chairs have met with Superintendent Peterson and Mike Lovett regarding this. The principals have made the changes, considering what is best for students and the schools. MAPPS Application: The MAPPS Committee spent all day today with a State Department representative and will meet again on May 1, 2006, to finalize the application and to plan how to bring the plan to the MTA membership. The committee is working to maintain steps and lanes and to require some modification to next year’s calendar. John Borgen reported that Education Minnesota recommends that contract language be worked out before the application is sent in. Motion by Gosen, seconded by Anderson, that the MTA should proceed forward with the MAPPS application which should include at least 8 early release/late start days on the calendar, with the MAPPS Committee meeting on May 1, 2006, and a general assembly meeting with the membership by May 22, 2006. Motion carried. Summer School Courses: Information regarding summer school classes has been presented highlighting taking Physical Education, Health, and Art classes in the summer so students can take other classes during the school year. The district is promoting online courses and summer school courses as ways for students to be able to fit everything in with the change to a 6-period day. The high school Social Studies department will be meeting with Superintendent Peterson regarding online courses. Failing students have been encouraged to take online courses rather than work to improve their grades in their MHS classes. Academic integrity is in question when a failing student suddenly has an A for the course. Motion by Kennedy, seconded by Chalupsky, that the MTA support online courses if created and administered by Minnetonka teachers. Motion carried. This will be brought to Meet and Confer. |
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Old Business: |
Distinguished Educator Program: The committee will be meeting on April 20, 2006. Teacher Celebrations Committee: The committee will meet early next week. President Ricke reported that it would cost $75 to use the park at Lake Ann. Secondary 2006-07 Conferences: Over 100 high school and middle school teachers have responded to the survey. President Ricke will provide an update of the results. An MOU will be created to define conference set up for next year. |
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President’s Report: |
Meet and Confer Agenda: Governance Board members should e-mail President Ricke with items to be included on the Meet and Confer agenda. Principals’ Survey: President Ricke will follow up on this. Sonja Saunders will fill in for Doug Kennedy for the month of May. |
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Motion by Tingblad, seconded by Holmes, to adjourn. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. |
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Respectfully submitted, |
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