Vol. 3, October 2003

The Professional

A Publication of the Minnetonka Teachers Association

Members of Education Minnesota, NEA, AFT, Minnesota Local #7173

http://www.minnetonkateachers.org

Editor, Mary Tingblad, mary.tingblad@minnetonka.k12.mn.us

MM-West, 6421 Hazeltine Blvd., Excelsior, MN 55331

         

2003-2004 Minnetonka Teachers Association Governance Board

~ President Mark Chalupsky ~ Vice President Julie Anderson-Simonson ~

~ Secretary Mary Tingblad ~ Treasurer Joseph Ricke ~

~ DEC Linda Morantez ~ Deephaven Margaret Ruffino~ Groveland Pam Wertjes ~

~ Excelsior Mark Broten ~ Minnewashta Melanie Casiday ~

~ Clear Springs Debra Jensen ~ Scenic Heights Katie Tuthill ~

~ MM-East Mark Brzezinski & Sandy Gosen ~

~ MM-West Mary Tingblad & Jeri Goodspeed-Gross ~

~ MHS Joseph Ricke, Jan Nelson, Mike Cutshall & Miles Mortensen ~

         

 

~~ President’s Ponderings ~~

MTA President, Mark Chalupsky, mark.chalupsky@minnetonka.k12.mn.us

The tentative contract has been presented to the members and it will be voted on next week. If the contract is ratified, it will be approved by the School Board on October 23, 2003, at the School Board meeting. The contract will go into effect as soon as it is signed. You will then receive your retro-pay on the last check in November or the first check in December.

It has been a long hard process, which actually started last December. I am sure the negotiators will be happy when it is over. Once negotiations ends, the enforcement process will begin. In other words, it is an ongoing process that never really ends.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our negotiators for the tremendous job they did. We have been very fortunate to have Chuck Kehrberg and Sue Vento from Education Minnesota, and Joe Ricke and Mike Cutshall from within our own MTA organization, to bargain for us. It is a stressful and thankless job, and I am grateful to have had such an experienced, hard working, and committed team to work with.  Many hours of work go into the process of negotiating a contract. Many hours of work go into administering the contract, as well. Sue, Mike, Joe and I will be meeting monthly with Dr. Lovett to make sure the language in the contract is followed.

I would also like to thank all the members who volunteered for the Organizing for Settlement Committee. Thank you for all the work done planning, preparing, and laying the groundwork to help us move towards settlement. Best wishes to all!

 

        

 

~~ Negotiators’ Notes ~~

MTA Negotiator, Joseph Ricke, joseph.ricke@minnetonka.k12.mn.us

We have finally ironed out some of the last minute details involving interpretation of language. We look forward to your feedback. The most important thing that an MTA member can do is to VOTE on October 21-22, 2003. No matter how you feel about this contract, your VOTE is what it is all about. We truly hope you take the time to VOTE, thus providing your feedback to your negotiators, Mike Cutshall, Joseph Ricke, and Mark Chalupsky. This was a very difficult contract to close, but will be worth all the effort if you show us your appreciation by VOTING.

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

 

~~ Teachers’ Rights Review ~~

MTA Teachers’ Rights Co-Chairs, Mary Benson and Anita Otten

mary.benson@minnetonka.k12.mn.us, anita.otten@minnetonka.k12.mn.us

 

Education Minnesota provides lots of information on its website www.educationminnesota.org. Here’s a sampling of some of the important information you can find there:

 

What should I do if I am assigned to teach something I am not licensed to teach?

The Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers provides that a teacher “shall only accept a contract for a teaching position that requires licensing only if properly or provisionally licensed for the position.” Sometimes, however, after you have accepted a teaching position for which you are licensed, your employer may assign you to teach something for which you are not licensed.

Although the Code of Ethics prohibits you from teaching outside of your area of licensure, the Code is enforced by the Board of Teaching (BOT), not your employer. If you accept an assignment outside of your area of licensure, you may face discipline by the BOT, if what you are doing is reported to the BOT. You may feel compelled to follow your administrator’s directive and teach outside of your area of licensure. If you don’t accept the assignment, you may be laid off. You may also worry that your employer might consider your refusal to be insubordination.

Recently, two changes have helped teachers facing this dilemma. Administrators now have their own Code of Ethics, and therefore also face discipline from the BOT if they require you to teach outside of your area of licensure (Minnesota Rule 3512.5200). Also, information about licensure is now available online from the MN Department of Education at http://cfl.state.mn.us/html/intro_licensure.htm. This means that parents and other members of the public can easily find out what licenses you hold, and can challenge your school district’s decision to assign you outside of your area of licensure. Availability of this information is a significant disincentive to school districts.

If you find yourself in this dilemma, call your Education Minnesota field staff right away. Depending on your contract and the exact facts of the situation, there may be a variety of ways to resolve the problem.

 

What information that my public employer has about me is public information?

The following are defined as “Public Personnel Data” under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act:

1.      Name; actual gross salary; salary range; contract fees; actual gross pension; the value and nature of employer paid fringe benefits; and the basis for and the amount of any other pay, including expense reimbursement.

2.      Job title & description; education & training; previous work experience.

3.      Date of first and last employment.

4.      The existence and status of any complaints or charges against the employee, regardless of whether the complaint or charge resulted in a disciplinary action.

5.      The final disposition of any disciplinary action, the specific reasons for the action, and data documenting the basis of the action, excluding data that would identify confidential sources who are employees of the public body.

 

What constitutes a "final disposition" of disciplinary action?

1.      The terms of any agreement settling any dispute arising out of an employment relationship, including buyouts; the agreement must include specific reasons for the agreement if it involves payment of more than $10,000 of public funds.

2.      Work location (including email address) and phone number; badge number; honors & awards received.

3.      Payroll time sheets or other data that are only used to account for employee's work time for payroll purposes, except to the extent that release of time sheet data would reveal the employee's reasons for the use of sick leave or other not public data; and city/county of residence.

 

           

 

~~ Treasurer’s Report ~~

MTA Treasurer Joseph Ricke joseph.ricke@minnetonka.k12.mn.us

I have met with our auditor, and we should have the results by the end of the month. We typically do not use all of our budgeted dollars, and money not spent goes back into our reserves. Fortunately, we did not have to dip very far into the reserves this year in order to settle this contract. We should have a reasonable (less than $10k) reserve left over for next year. If you need a breakdown of our dues, please e-mail me with your request.

 

~~ Attention Wal-Mart Shoppers! ~~

Julie Anderson-Simonson, MTA Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly

In July 2003, Minnetonka delegates Joseph Ricke, Mary Tingblad, and Julie Anderson-Simonson attended the NEA Representative Assembly in New Orleans. There were 70 New Business Items voted on by the 10,000 delegates. NBI 24, submitted by David Turner in California, passed not only by the Minnesota delegation, but also by the NEA delegation as a whole.

Sam Walton is a national proponent of vouchers and refuses to allow his employees to unionize. It was only within the last month, through court action, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores agreed to start carding customers who purchase cigarettes. Prior to court action, any underage customer (our students) could have easily made cigarette purchases in either of these stores nation wide.

NBI 24 reads as follows: Be it resolved that NEA will begin notifying its members about the practices of some of America’s most “anti-union” establishments such as Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is currently entering every community in this country with their super center non-union stores. They offer low prices and the convenience of one-stop shopping. Sounds great, doesn’t it?  Well, Wal-Mart’s non-union, big box stores drag down other worker’ salaries, destroy downtown businesses, prevent smart-growth development and increase traffic congestion. And we, the taxpayers, end up subsidizing Wal-Mart stores by paying for the health and retirement needs of its workers. As members of one of America’ largest unions we need to stand behind other union members who have fought the expansion of Wal-Mart and other non-union establishments successfully. Let’s start by informing our members through our national publication, NEA Today. Rationale: At the 2002 RA we passed NBI 93, which directed NEA to inform members about non-union “national chain hotels, restaurants and other public accommodations” in the NEA Today.

NBI 24 was Adopted as Amended: NEA will begin notifying its members about the practices of some of America’s most “anti-union” establishments such as Wal-Mart.  We will inform our members through our national publications, NEA Today.

 

NEA News

 

~~ Morale Suffers in Public Schools ~~

            In a new survey entitled Where We Are Now, analysts at Public Agenda, a research and policy organization, report that rude students, demoralized teachers, uninvolved parents, and bureaucracy are of greater concern to Americans than standards and accountability.

            70% of teachers feel ignored by decision makers. Superintendents and principals want more autonomy over their schools. Nearly half of principals and 81% of superintendents believe talented employees will leave due to politics and bureaucracy. Based on a decade of opinion research and polls, the survey also reveals that a majority of parents, teachers, employers, and professors felt there was too much emphasis on standardized tests.

 

~~ The Cost of Testing? ~~

            A General Accounting Office (GAO) study of the costs of tests mandated in the No Child Left Behind Act found that costs varied considerably depending on the type of test administered, how they are scored, how many new tests are needed, and the extent to which actual test questions are released to the public.

            If all states used multiple-choice tests, which are machine-scored, GAO predicts the costs would be about $1.9 billion. If states maintain a mix of question-types, then the cost could rise to $3.9 billion. If open-ended essay questions are added that require hand scoring, the cost could be as much as $5.3 billion. States may have to choose between saving money and fair assessment of student achievement. To learn more, go to the GAO website at www.gao.gov/new.items/d03389.pdf.

 

~~ Free Archival Documents ~~

            Looking for primary sources to enliven your class? Thanks to National History Day, Inc. and the National Archives, educators can order a free sourcebook of 100 milestone documents from 1776 to 1965. Our Documents Teacher Sourcebook includes lesson plans, posters, annotated time lines, key themes, primary source guides, and activities that will help incorporate American history into the classroom curriculum. Free copies are available by e-mailing info@nationalhistoryday.org.

 

~~ Shop Online at OWL.org ~~

            If you haven't visited OWL.org yet, now's the time to do it. You can shop until you drop and while you recover, your purchases will help us to continue to bring you more OWL services. Cyber-shopping is easy at OWL.org. Just sign up for the free OWL.Shopper Service and download the OWL.Shopper software giving you access to over 250 name-brand online retailers--from Amazon.com to J.C. Penney to Expedia. First-timers must register at www.owl.org and fill out all fields, including their membership ID number listed on either NEA Today or The Advocate mailing label. Wing your way to your favorite OWL.org roost for the shopping experience of a lifetime.

 

                  

AFT PLUS... The Benefits of Belonging 

AFT PLUS Computer Purchase Program

            The AFT PLUS Computer Purchase Program is designed to help members save big on computer equipment whether you pay in full or finance over time. AFT PLUS has partnered with PurchasingPower to give AFT members a range of buying options and discounts on new, current inventory computer equipment by leading manufacturers.

               

            There are two easy ways to buy:

 

·         Direct Discount Plan: Members pay for computers in full by credit card and receive the largest discount through special manufacturers'-direct savings. With this program, you can add an accessory to an existing computer or configure your own computer system.

 

·         Deduction Plan: Members can purchase a computer bundle that has everything you need and pay for that equipment over the course of a year at zero percent interest through easy bank or charge account deductions. There are no credit checks, no registration fees and no penalties for early payoff. If you make at least $16,000 a year, this is a great way to get the computing system of your dreams.

 

 

~~ Free ABC NEWS Videos ~~

An organization that distributes educational videos is offering free ABC NEWS Videos to schools in Minnesota. Interested teachers need only apply for them and can do so online. Normally the videos are for sale, but this is a way to get one for no charge. The only way to do this is to apply online. Go to: http://www.intheclassroom.org/stossel/forms/mn.htm. Make sure to fill in all the blanks! The webpage lists descriptions of the videos, which are most appropriate for grades 7-12.

 

 News From Education Minnesota

 

~~ Nominations Open for Teacher of the Year ~~

The search has begun for the next Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Nominations for the 2004 program opened on October 1 and closes on November 14, 2003.

Teachers nominated will receive an application packet. Nominees who wish to complete the application materials have until January 9, 2004, to send them to Education Minnesota. The simple one-page initial nomination form is available on the Education Minnesota website, www.educationminnesota.org, click on Our Profession. Nominators may also call Chris Carlin at 651-292-4875 or 800-652-9073 for a copy of the form.

The Minnesota Teacher of the Year program is one of the most successful state programs in the country. Four Minnesotans have gone on to become National Teacher of the Year, more than any state except California. The current Minnesota Teacher of the Year is Gino Marchetti of Minneapolis. Marchetti will announce his successor at the annual Minnesota Teacher of the Year Banquet on May 2, 2004, at The Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park.

Each Minnesota Teacher of the Year receives:

·         Teaching technology equipment from SMART Technologies Inc. valued at $5,000. The finalists also receive SMART Ideas software.

·         A Dell Computer package valued at $1,300 from Education Minnesota ESI.

·         $1,000 from Education Minnesota. Finalists each receive $100.

·         $1,000 from McDonalds Restaurants of Minnesota. Finalists receive $100.

·         $1,000 from Pearson Education.

·         A future weekend at The Northland Inn valued at $320.

Education Minnesota organizes and underwrites the costs of the Teacher of the Year program with support from The Northland Inn, United Educators Credit Union and Teacher Federal Credit Union.

 

~~ Win Target Gift Card in NEA Giveaway ~~

NEA Member Benefits is giving away three $100 Target gift cards and five $100 NEA Magazine Service gift certificates for its November 2003 Website Giveaway. Education Minnesota members can register anytime during November in the “Members-Only” area of the NEA Member Benefits Website, www.neamb.com, for a chance to win. Giveaway entry begins on November 1 and ends November 30, 2003. No purchase necessary to enter.

 

 

~~ ESI Programs, Services Save You Money ~~

Education Minnesota ESI sponsors a wide variety of programs and services at discounted rates for members. It is not uncommon for members to save hundreds of dollars by participating in sponsored programs such as auto and home insurance, long term care insurance, financial planning/retirement planning, credit management/debt consolidation, auto buying, home loans, travel and credit card.

            Members may also participate and save money through the AFT PLUS and NEA Member Benefit programs. New members are entitled to $10,000 of no-cost life insurance from AFT PLUS; NEA offers all members DUES-TAB insurance. For more information, contact ESI at 651-292-4856 or online at http://esi.educationminnesota.org.

 

~~ Education Remains Key Priority ~~

            The Committee for Education Funding (CEF) has released a poll showing that a majority of American adults, 77%, believe a substantial increase in federal funding for education would have a positive impact on innovation and growth in the U.S. economy. 85% of respondents believe that education should receive at least 5 cents or more of every federal budget dollar, instead of the current 2.8 cents. 81% of respondents favor increasing federal funding for education, with 54% strongly favoring increasing federal funding for education. For more information, visit www.cef.org.

 

~~ What’s New at Your School? ~~

 

News From MHS

Maggie Pistner, MHS English teacher and former theatre director at MHS, is in Theatre in the Round’s production of Arcadia, a play by Tom Stoppard. Stoppard also wrote the screenplay for the movie, Shakespeare in Love. Stoppard’s play is a “dazzling wordplay weaving science, history, and romance into a brilliant intellectual comedy.”   Arcadia opens October 17, 2003 and runs weekends through November 9, 2003. Call the box office for ticket information at: 612-333-3010.

 

So, What’s New at YOUR School?

There are “good news” things happening everyday in our schools. Send your school’s good news to mary.tingblad@minnetonka.k12.mn.us to be included in the next issue of The Professional. I’ve been told that this is one of the favorite features of the newsletter. It’s the way that we can share all the good things going on with our teachers!

 

 

Editorial/Commentary/Opinion Page

Editorials, commentary, opinions, and letters to the editor are not necessarily the position of the MTA. All members are invited to share their unedited views, thoughts, concerns, etc., by submitting them to: mary.tingblad@minnetonka.k12.mn.us, Mary Tingblad, MM-West, 6421 Hazeltine Blvd, Excelsior, MN  55331.

 

Fall is Finally Here!

            We’ve certainly been experiencing unusual weather in the Midwest. Never mind what the calendar says—the weather seems to have a mind of it’s own! Who knows when we really should pack away our warm-weather clothing and haul out the cold-weather stuff? It’s hard to know these days. Experienced Midwesterners should know by now to be prepared for whatever nature throws our way.

            I for one, appreciate the uniqueness and variety of weather here. Yes, I have been heard grumbling about the heat, but if I can find some shade and a nice cool breeze, I can appreciate a hot summer day for what it is. Wait—can I cancel the mosquitoes and other little bugs that try my patience and appreciation? Yes, fall… autumn… these are the days that I can really appreciate! Given time, the weather cools enough to get rid of those bugs that have been so bothersome. Spending time outside during this time of the year is so much more refreshing and invigorating. The air seems clearer and fresher—who couldn’t love that? Now when the fall sunshine hits you, when you need that extra warmth, now is the best time to appreciate the sun!

            Some may not agree, but I think that the whole process of leaves changing colors and falling down is an awesome thing, too. I haven’t been back to Wisconsin yet this month, but I’ve been getting reports of the usual animal shenanigans. My parents live on a hobby farm, and the llamas, miniature goats, and cats are having a ball! For different reasons, they like to chase and capture falling and blowing leaves. The cats do it just for fun, and I suspect that the goats and llamas are having fun, too. The goats and llamas enjoy eating the leaves they chase down. I think it odd that they would pass up nice green grass to nibble on an old dry leaf, but it must be some sort of delicacy for them.

            I have a chipmunk to watch as he goes through some of his important fall rituals. So considerate is he, coming after the birds and cleaning up all the birdseed they spilled on the ground. After stuffing his cheeks so full, he comes over to the patio door as if to show off what a good job he is doing, before skittering off to store away his treasures. Silly and simple entertainment, but it’s important to appreciate the little things in life that can make you smile. Enjoy autumn!

 

Mary Tingblad, Editor