| Minnetonka Teachers Association | |
| Governance Board Meeting, April 9, 2003 | |
| In Attendance: | Mark Chalupsky, Julie Anderson-Simonson, Mary Tingblad, Joseph Ricke, Gail O’Rourke, Diane Jost, Pam Wertjes, Melanie Casiday, Debra Jensen, Mark Brzezinski, Heidi Johnson, Jeri Goodspeed-Gross, Jan Nelson, Mike Cutshall. |
| Absent: | Mark Broten, Jan Sellman, J. Beowulf Boswell. |
| Guests: | Mary Benson and Anita Otten, Teachers Rights Co-Chairs. |
| Call to Order: | 4:38 p.m., by President Chalupsky. |
| Approval of Minutes: | Motion by Jensen, seconded by O'Rourke, to approve the minutes of March 5, 2003 and March 19, 2003. Motion carried. |
| Teachers' Rights Report: | If
a teacher is involved in a problem that could lead to legal or
disciplinary concerns, it is very important to contact President Chalupsky
or the Teachers' Rights Co-Chairs to obtain legal counsel from Education
Minnesota. The teacher should not talk to anyone else without legal
counsel.
Teachers are concerned about transfers and the slow postings of openings for next year. Mike Lovett says that this has been an unusual year, so there are not a lot of openings. The current contract covers transfer dates, but not posting dates. This could be an item for negotiations. Craig Hintz will be getting back to the Teachers' Rights Co-Chairs regarding the district's Movie Policy. Dr. Peterson will meet with the principals about the Code of Ethics for volunteers. Some teachers have been told that they must take a full half-day off when they have requested only two hours off. This concern will be addressed at the next Contract Administration meeting. |
| Treasurer's Report: | Treasurer Ricke distributed the MTA Checking Account Statement for March 20 to April 8 , 2003, and the MTA Budget Report dated April 8, 2003. |
| New Business: | Teacher Celebrations Report: The Teacher Celebrations Committee has planned two events: Spring Fling, April 30, 2003, and Minnetonka Teachers Appreciation, May 22, 2003. Cost of the Spring Fling will not exceed $300-$400; cost of the Minnetonka Teacher Appreciation will not exceed $600-$700; total cost of both events will not exceed $1,000. Motion by Brzezinski, seconded by Jost, to approve funding as stated for these two events. Motion carried. |
| Old Business: | MTA Reorganization Update:
Anita Otten will send out e-mail invitations this week to current and
newly-elected Governance Board members for the Reorganization Meeting on
May 7, 2003.
Negotiations Update: The MTA Negotiators met with the districts' negotiators on April 8, 2003. The district presented their wish list of items to negotiate. The MTA Negotiators reported that the district would like to see staff do more with less. Building Representatives should bring back input as to what teachers would like for a salary increase and their responses to the district's wish for more time. Election Report: The following elections were waived and the Governance Board Building Representative candidates declared elected: Deephaven, Margaret Ruffino; Minnewashta, Melanie Casiday; MM-West, Jeri Goodspeed-Gross; and MHS, Mike Cutshall. There are vacancies for the following Governance Board Building Representative positions: DEC, Scenic Heights, MM-East (the second representative), and MHS (the fourth representative). The new Governance Board members will take office on May 7, 2003. District Website: The district website has a seven-page document about our Homeland Security-Level Orange preparedness. There are concerns that the document portrays to the public something other than what is actually in place. Building Representatives are encouraged to discuss their individual building's plans with their principals. |
| President's Report: | Technology: The committee will
be meeting soon to decide about Skyward's replacement. The choices have
been narrowed down to two: Campus Infinity and Skyward (new and improved).
Principal Interviews: The MHS principal search has been narrowed down to three candidates. The MMW interviewers are doing background checks on their candidates. Groveland and Scenic Heights interviewers were not satisfied with the candidates the district chose for them to interview. Teacher of the Year: MTA member Daryl Seifert (Deephaven) is one of twelve finalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. The final decision will be announced at a banquet on May 4, 2003. Motion by Jensen, seconded by Jost, that the MTA cover the cost up to $100, for the MTA President and Vice-President, and two other MTA members to attend the banquet. Motion carried. MTA Scholarships: The MTA offers scholarships for $1,000 each for two MHS seniors. |
| School Board Report: | At the School Board Study Session on March 20, 2003, the School Board heard a preview of the K-12 Science Standards, heard an update on the 9th Grade Team, and worked on the Technology Plan Vision Statement. The Communication Plan was also unveiled. |
| Motion by Jost, seconded by Brzezinski, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:13p.m. | |
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Respectfully submitted, Mary Tingblad, MTA Secretary 4/21/03, Approved: 4/23/03 | |