Vol. 4, February 2005

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

 

         

2004-2005 Minnetonka Teachers Association Governance Board

~ President Joseph Ricke ~ Vice President Jan Nelson ~

~ Secretary Mary Tingblad ~ Treasurer Melanie Casiday ~

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

~ Excelsior Sara Macke ~ Minnewashta Melanie Casiday ~

~ Clear Springs OPEN ~ Scenic Heights Anita Britton ~

~ MM-East Sandy Gosen & Rhonda Lundgren ~

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

~ MHS Doug Kennedy, Mike Cutshall, Miles Mortensen & Jean Peebles ~

         

 

~~ From the President ~~

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

Greetings! The clock is running out for a chance for us to lobby a position for cost containment modifications. Time simply is not on our side. The School Board needs to set the direction for next year, and the Legislation has not given voters or metro school boards any reason to be optimistic for next year. Yet the mood at the capitol is changing. After a long conversation with Senator Gaither and an Education Minnesota lobbyist, I left the capitol more energized and optimistic that there will be money coming our way. My intent is to convince the School Board that making modifications even now to the cost containment proposals will be prudent, possible and powerful. After speaking with parents, administrators, and teachers, some sort of change at the secondary level will be a great help and a huge boost to morale. The MTA membership needs to continue placing constant pressure on legislators. Please be persistent in this matter.

Open communication. All the research on effective organizations and positive cultures stresses the need for open, two-way conversations. But what does that mean? It does not mean that we ignore the chain of command. It does not mean we can just say whatever we want. It does mean that we must be caring, willing to listen, and thoughtful as to what we are motivated to share. Positive cultures encourage people to take risks, to name the unmentionables (tactfully), and to speak to a problem or concern even if the comment may be unpopular. I desire such a culture. I firmly believe that an organization will be healthier, more successful, and more vibrant if the channels of communication are safe, affirming, and free from repercussions. I wish I could say that this is true at Minnetonka. If truth is told, I hear more and more teachers say they are reticent to speak freely. This concerns me. At some point in time, we—the MTA—will have to address this issue. My intent is to broach the topic of open communication and start the dialogue on seeking ways to improve our culture. Please e-mail me or call me if you have concerns about our culture or ideas for improving open communication in our district.

We will continue to do our best to advocate for your work conditions, to maintain the quality in our contract and district adherence to the contract.

 

~~ A Note From the Negotiators ~~

MTA Negotiator, Anita Britton, anita.britton@minnetonka.k12.mn.us  

President Joseph Ricke and Negotiator Anita Britton attended the Metro Negotiators meeting January 13, 2005, in St. Paul. Items discussed were a settlement report from Eden Prairie, an update from Lee Johansen about the Statewide Health Insurance Proposal from Education Minnesota, and a counterpoint to the statewide health insurance from North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale president Dennis Fendt.

President Ricke and Negotiator Britton also attended the Education Minnesota Collective Bargaining Conference held January 27-28, 2005, in Bloomington. Sessions focused on all aspects of bargaining from the PELRA law to Interest Based Bargaining. The luncheon speaker, Lawrence Mishel, President of the Economic Policy Institute, shared data showing that teacher salaries have decreased by 13% over the past decade when compared to similar professions. In addition, the benefits offered teachers were below those offered to comparable professions with teachers paying more out of pocket expenses. Education Minnesota also shared information about common goals for bargaining our next contracts. These goals will be discussed and considered by your Negotiators. The MTA Negotiators will be meeting soon with the district negotiating team for a common training in Interest Based Bargaining (IBB). This common training will help us determine if we will pursue IBB for our 05-07 contract. We continue to thank you for your support of our professional organization and welcome your input!

 

~~ Contract Administration Update ~~

MTA Negotiator, Mike Cutshall, mike.cutshall@minnetonka.k12.mn.us

The sole focus of the February Contract Administration meeting was a discussion surrounding the calendar for next year. It appears as though some resolution occurred, but we will not know for sure until final approval is given to the slightly altered calendar at the next School Board meeting.

 

~~ Membership Information Reminder ~~

MTA Membership Chair, Mary Kay Burmesch, marykay.burmesch@minnetonka.k12.mn.us

Please contact Mary Kay Burmesch at any time during the year whenever your information changes—name change, address change, phone number change, or contract time change. It’s important to keep your membership information updated. Thank you!

~~ Statewide Rally for Public Education ~~

Susan Vento, Education Minnesota Field Staff

Bargaining has begun. Decisions are being made. If you’re thinking that bargaining doesn’t begin until your Local’s bargaining team goes to the table with the district, you’re wrong. 

So where is it happening?  At the State Capitol in St. Paul.

By whom?  The Minnesota Legislature.

 

When I first entered the teaching profession 29 years ago, the frequently used line was, “Every decision that affects education is a political decision.” The point of that was to urge members to become engaged in local school board, state legislative and congressional discussions regarding education policy and funding.

In 2005, we’re faced with the ever-increasing pressures caused by shamefully inadequate funding by the state and federal government. And it’s time we say so—not just to each other in the faculty lounge, but also to the decision makers in St. Paul and Washington.

The details in the Governor’s and President’s education budgets give new meaning to the phrase, “The devil’s in the details.” Should those budgets become law, the pressures will grow and the funding crisis will intensify.

While this may sound like the dribble of a chicken-little, black-helicopter theorist, I believe that the goal of some decision makers is to ensure that their claims the public schools are failing will be proven correct and amplified and that their efforts to secure vouchers will succeed.

Interested in showing support for Minnesota schools? If you are—and oh, how I hope you are—please be at the Statewide Rally for Public Education on Monday, February 28, 2005, at the State Capitol. The entertainment begins at 4 p.m., and the rally will begin with speakers at 5 p.m. We need to show massive support for Minnesota’s public schools. That won’t happen if you stay home! Carpool, wear warm clothes, bring a homemade sign and be there on the 28th!

Buses will leave from MHS at 3:30 p.m. and 4:10 p.m., and return around 7 p.m.

 

 

~~ Teachers’ Rights Review ~~

MTA Teachers’ Rights Co-Chair, Mary Benson, mary.benson@minnetonka.k12.mn.us

Happy February to all members! We stated last month that we would have something out in February on anticipated questions that will impact staff because of budget cuts.  Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers:

Introduction: There are specific laws for teachers in “Cities of the First Class” (legal phrase) The Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth School Districts. There are separate laws for teachers in the other Minnesota public school districts, which includes a provision allowing the district and union to agree to a statutory procedure or to develop and follow a locally negotiated process. In Minnetonka, the parties have negotiated a local unrequested leave of absence process, in the Master Agreement. You can find it in Article VI, Leaves of Absence, Section G. Unrequested Leave, on pages 2-25.

Questions & Answers (Anticipated questions and hopefully clear answers about the impact of budget cuts on staff): I’m a probationary teacher. What is the process for becoming a continuing contract—or as many say, “tenured”—teacher? In Minnesota the probationary period for public school teachers is three years. If you complete your first three consecutive years of teaching in a single school district and are offered a contract for the next year by that school district, you then have continuing contract status. If you complete you first three consecutive years but instead are not renewed (the term used for laying off probationary teachers), you will have a one year probationary period in other Minnesota school districts, not including Minneapolis, St. Paul or Duluth. Once you’ve completed your probationary period, the probationary period in future employment in other districts (other than the above noted exceptions) will be one year. Should you return to Minnetonka, you will not have a new probationary period of any length.

When does a probationary teacher begin to have “seniority rights”? Your seniority rights will begin on July 1 following your last year of probation. Until July 1 of a teacher’s final year of probation, the district may, by law, non-renew him/her. Such non-renewal has to be pursuant to formal board action and provided in written notice to the teacher prior to July 1.

What is seniority? Seniority is an employment marker used to determine rights that employees may have, such as job security, transfers, etc., depending on the labor contract between the union and the district.

In Minnetonka, seniority is defined (see Subd. 2, p. 22) as “length of continuous active service as a teacher with the District from the most recent date of employment as a regular full-time teacher [thirty (30) or more hours per week].” It goes on to say that the teacher must have a continuing contract, which means the teacher must not be probationary, and that once the teacher has completed the probationary period, his/her seniority will be credited back to the teacher’s date of hire.

When budget cuts result in the reduction of staff, the district will lay off the least senior teachers in areas of licensure where the reductions are being made. Should positions be restored or should other vacancies occur, the filling will be done pursuant to seniority and licensure.

How so I find out about my own seniority? On November 1, 2004, the current seniority list was sent to all teachers by the District HR staff along with a letter providing background information as well as information on how to appeal in the even there are errors. This is the official list which will be used by the district during the next several months of staffing decisions.

What shouldn’t I do to avoid making a difficult situation worse? Do not panic. Do not quit. Do not voluntarily agree to reduce your position. And, do not hesitate to contact your MTA representatives or leaders for assistance. This can be an uncertain and stressful period. Now more than ever, professionalism is invaluable. From time to time, a teacher whose future in a district is uncertain will respond with thoughts of quitting—an “I’m out of here!” reaction. It’s especially important to NOT QUIT. Should you do so, you sever your rights to collect “re-employment compensation”—aka: unemployment insurance. You may also impact your completion of your probationary period if you are in your third year and quit prior to the end of the school year. You are obligated to finish the current school year. Frankly, those who do so and do so with a positive, professional attitude will stand out.

What if I’m told that if I resign rather than go through the legal red tape that everything will be OK? If that should happen, let your MTA representative or leader know. We will assist in ensuring that all the “t’s” and “i’s” are crossed and dotted.

What do I need to know about getting called back? If there is a vacant position for which you are qualified, the district will notify you by certified or registered mail. You will have fourteen (14) calendar days (that includes weekends and holidays) to respond. It’s critically important to do two things: 1) make sure you notify the district immediately should your address change, and 2) make arrangements for alternative notification if you are going to be away from your mailing address. Both of these are especially important during the summer months, when reinstatement of some positions is likely to occur.

For how long will I have rights to reinstatement or recall to the district? Five years. See Subd. 11, on page 25, for more information about maintaining the five years of recall rights.

The MTA will be scheduling informational meetings with members to discuss questions regarding the non-renewal of probationary teachers and the unrequested leaves of absence of continuing contract (tenured) teachers. In addition, we will provide further information about the process, your rights and responsibilities, and other related issues in the near future.

         

~~ News From Education Minnesota ~~

 

~~ National Experts Offer Workshops ~~

Intermediate District 287 is offering two professional development workshops facilitated by two leading national experts: Ross Greene, author of “The Explosive Child” and Mel Levine, founder of All Kinds of Minds.

Greene’s workshop, “Explosive and Noncompliant Children and Adolescents” is March 11, 2005, at Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie campus. Greene will discuss implementing Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), his groundbreaking approach for working with explosive/noncompliant children and adolescents.

Levine’s workshop, “Educating and Celebrating All Kinds of Minds,” is on April 22, 2005, at Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie campus. Over the past 30 years Dr. Levine has pioneered programs for the evaluation of children and young adults with learning, development and/or behavioral problems. Levine will present his framework for understanding why children struggle in school. His approach is a straightforward, practical system for recognizing variations in the way children learn.

Cost for either workshop is $125 for educators from member districts and $150 for educators from non-member districts (fees include a light meal). To register, visit www.prepcenter.org or contact Linda Rees at lkrees@int287.k12.mn.us.

 

~~ Win Target Gift Card and Resort Trip ~~

Your feedback could be worth a Target Gift Card and a trip to Cragun’s Resort. Help Education Minnesota improve its online community by providing your feedback, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a Target Gift Card and a trip to Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd, MN. Just log on to www.educationminnesota.org starting February 27, 2005, and fill out the short entry form, including your comments on the site. Each week through April 30, 2005, Education Minnesota will draw one name at random to receive a $25 Target Gift Card. On May 2, 2005, Education Minnesota will draw one name from all entries to receive a gift certificate good for $450 at Cragun’s Resort.

Go to www.educationminnesota.org, and if you haven’t registered a username and password yet, click on the “not registered” link in the far right column. For more information, check the home page starting Feb. 27, 2005. You can register once a week for a chance to win these prizes.

 

~~ Online Specials on Logo Merchandise ~~

Selected Education Minnesota logo items will now be available at a discount online. The February/March special is a black polo shirt with a tan stripe on the collar, for $23.95, originally $32.50. To view the shirt, go to www.educationminnesota.org and click on the “Buy Education Minnesota logo merchandise” link in the far right column, then click on the monthly Internet special link. Watch for additional items in upcoming months.

 

 

~~ NEA News ~~

 

~~ Register to Win Gourmet Basket  ~~

Register to win a gourmet basket from NEA Member Benefits. NEA members can register anytime during March in the Free Giveaways area of the NEA Member Benefits Web site (www.neamb.com) for a chance to win one of four Classic Gourmet Gift Baskets. You’ll enjoy an array of smoked, salty and sweet treats – smoked salmon, marinated asparagus, bruschetta spread, sesame and sourdough biscuits, Perugina chocolate, Godiva hot cocoa, peanut brittle, chocolate almond pralines and more. The contest runs March 1-31, 2005.

 

~~ Resources for Educators ~~

“Art Zone” invites children of all ages to design a virtual mobile; create a collage, painting or a geometric sculpture online; design and texturize three-dimensional shapes (and see how artists create these effects without a computer); create a “pixel face;” and orchestrate an array of colorful shapes and patterns online. Visit www.nga.gov/kids/zone.

 

“Summer Teacher Institute 2005: Storytelling and the Visual Arts” will focus on storytelling and the visual arts. Two six-day sessions will be held at the National Gallery of Arts and other Washington locations. Each session will accommodate 18 participants. A detailed description of the program and the application are online. Applications are due March 15, 2005. Visit www.nga.gov/education/teacinst.htm. 

 

“NeMO Explorer” (go to: www.pmel.noaa.gov/vents/nemo/explorer.html) allows students to explore a seafloor observatory geographically or by topic. Learn about seafloor animals, hydrothermal vents, mid-ocean ridges, axial volcano, lava flow, and technology and tools. Operate (remotely) a vehicle that takes you to the seafloor near an active submarine volcano. Explore black smoker vents, new lava flows and unusual life forms.

 

“Tsunamis and Earthquakes” uses animation and virtual reality to show how tsumanis are generated by earthquakes. Learn about tsunami research mitigation efforts—how sediments are transported by a tsunami, how researchers decipher the geologic record of prehistoric tsunamis and the seismograph network of the West Coast tsunami warning system. Visit http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/tsunami/.  

 

 “Fund for Teachers” is a unique foundation whose mission is to enrich the lives of teachers and students by providing recognition and opportunities for renewal to outstanding teachers. Making a difference one teacher at a time, Fund for Teachers awards grants directly to teachers to support professional development opportunities of their own design. The number of awards will be limited only by the merit of the applications and the funding available. There is no minimum or maximum award number per year. Teachers may request funding for activities up to $5,000 per individual and up to $7,500 per team project. For details, visit www.fundforteachers.org.

 

 

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.