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As your first year president I will work hard to represent and assist you. Please feel free to contact your building rep, the executive board or myself with any question you might have. With nearly 800 members this year it will be a daunting task to talk to all of you but I am more than willing to give it a try. Get involved with the association this year, contact your building rep, come to a meeting or two and get to know the contract. Help those around you when questions come up and refer them to us when needed. Each building is allotted one representative for every 10 staff members. We have plenty of room to expand. Think about becoming a building rep yourself. It is an “on the job training” kind of position which can be fun and interesting at the same time.
I will make every attempt to get out into all of the buildings this year and will publish a monthly visitation schedule in the Perspective. I have many principals to meet as well and depending on what is happening in the office, it might become a challenge but it is one that I will place high on my priority list. Looking forward to seeing all of you.
20 exhibitors will be in attendance with the major medical and vision representatives conducting break out sessions where you can listen to and ask about your benefits. More information can be found on line at My CVSD.
If your name or address changed this summer it is important that you notify the Central Valley Education Association as soon as possible. This will help us keep our membership information up to date and will also insure that you receive your WEA and NEA publications.
You should also be sure to notify the District of these changes as soon as possible. Please call Personnel at 228-5440 and the Association at 926-0201. Thank you.
President - Dick O’Brien
Vice President -Vicki Arnold
Secretary/Treas - Shirley Brick
Elementary Rep - JuneCunningham
Middle School Rep - Monica Larson
High School Rep - Vicky Jensen
Improvements were made in the areas of number of tri days, VEBA contributions, emergency make up days, hourly rates, evaluation options, summer school pay and reimbursement for supplies and tuition. Find the contract on line at both the CVEA website and My CVSD for additional information.
Section H - Reimbursement for Supplies and Tuition
Effective with the 2008-09 school year, a fund of $350 shall be made available for each certificated employee annually for reimbursement towards the purchase of classroom supplies, college tuition/clock hour fees, professional certification and national board certification fees, conference registrations, or professional dues/publications for organizations related to education or the employee’s assignment. Further, the fund may be used to cover substitute cost for release time to work on National Board Certification. Requests for the use of substitute day(s) must have principal approval and follow the requirements outlined in Article V, Section E, Personal Leave.
Receipts will be required as proof of purchase/expenditure. Reimbursement shall be made twice a year and paid out at the end of January and/or the end of July. To receive payment at the end of January, requests for reimbursement and the required receipts must be submitted to the district by December 1. To receive payment at the end of July, requests for reimbursement and required receipts must be submitted to the district by June 1. All non-expendable supplies purchased with these funds will remain the property of the District.
This stipend or any unused portion thereof may be carried forward. Maximum carry-forward is $700 in addition to the amount for the current year with the total allowable accumulation not to exceed $1,050.
The Bellevue Education Association went on strike the second of September. The three issues were pay, a take away in medical benefits and the requirement that all teachers use the scripted lesson plans found on their curriculum web.
About 5 years ago the district approached a group of English teachers and asked them if they would be interested in posting some of their lesson plans on the web as examples of “best practice.” Over the pursuing years the number of lessons grew and then expanded to other curriculum areas as well. Today, the administration demands everyone access these lesson plans and to follow them word for word. If they refuse, their actions would show up in their evaluations.
This is not a system just to assist teachers or to help those who are struggling with the new curriculum or who might be on probation. This is something that is required of all teachers, good or bad, young or experienced, successful or not.
A district has every obligation and indeed, right to select curriculum. Professional freedom would suggest that the method of delivery, the activities and the style of instruction should be left to the teacher. Bellevue EA should be applauded for standing up to this attack on our profession. Mandating how we teach becomes a slippery slope that has serious consequences for everyone. Teaching is as much an art as it ever has been a science. Let us be very careful and not ignore one for the other.
I plan to be in the following buildings during lunch to meet members and answer questions.
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