November 4 , 2004 Volume 9, Issue 4

YOU ARE THE “U” IN UNION!

Scholarships!
CFT Raoul Teilhet Scholarship is available for graduating seniors who are children or dependents of CFT Members in good standing. Scholarships of $3000 are awarded for a four-year university; $1000 scholarships are awarded to attend a two-year school. Applications for High School Seniors are due January 31, to obtain an application go to www.cft.org.

California Labor Federation Scholarship, awards many $2000 scholarships to graduating seniors who are dependents of members of AFL-CIO, to learn more go to www.calaborfed.org or phone (510) 633-4024

Robert G. Porter Scholarship Program, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) awards four $8000 scholarships to high school seniors who are dependents of AFT members. To learn more go to www.aft.org or email porterscholars.aft.org or call (800) 238-1133 extension 4457.

Union Plus Scholarship Program, Union Plus and AFT offer scholarships of $500 to $4000 to union members, spouses, or dependents who have one year continuous union membership. To learn more, go to www.aft.org or www.unionplus.org

For more information on these scholarships you may also contact the union office at 722-2331

Upcoming Dates:

-Next General Membership/Building Rep Meeting is on:
November 8th, 2004 from 4:00-6:30pm
In Conference Room “C” in the Adult Ed. Site at the District Office

-Veteran Building Rep training will be:
November 17, 2004 at 4:00pm

-New Building Rep training will be:
November 29, 2004 at 4:00pm

-Veterans' Day November 11, No School

-November 12, No School, Teacher/Student Recess

Your Union Responds

What financial benefits do PVUSD Board of Trustees receive?:
At the last General Membership meeting many question were asked on what benefits the Board of Trustees get when elected. Each Trustee receives a $400 per month stipend, which according to the Ed Code is based on the number of students in the district. If they choose, Trustee may use their stipend to purchase benefits through the district. Regarding travel, Trustees are reimbursed for conference fees, meals, travel to conference, hotel accommodations, when sent to conferences. Social function such as celebration dinners related to the schools and school board dinners are reimbursed usually from $20 to $50 each event. Elected Trustees take office after an orientation in December.

When are the Executive Board elections and how are they conducted?
The election procedure is dictated by the PVFT bylaws and California law. There is an election each year in March for part of the Executive Board. This year's election will be for the offices of President, Secretary and Vice Presidents representing Special Ed, WHS, Middle Schools, and North and South Zone elementary schools. Nominations will be taken at the February general membership meeting. If there are several candidates running for the same office, the election will be conducted under the requirements of California Labor Law.

Are there any guidelines for Personal Necessity Leave?
There is a sidebar agreement between the district and PVFT regarding the use of personal necessity days which will be included in the next contract (which is on its way to the printer). Basically, it states that vacations, trips with spouses, concerted activities, etc. are not acceptable reasons for PN days and if abuse is suspected, the union and the district will jointly do an investigation of the employee. Misuse of these days may result in disciplinary action which could include having per diem docked.

What is the procedure to cover classes when a substitute doesn't show up?
Each site should have an equitable and clear plan to cover classes with no substitute. Nonclassroom certificated staff should be the first line of defense, but those people should not be overburdened either. Moving students to other classrooms should be the last choice for a solution. This is such a controversial issue that it will be an agenda item at the next membership meeting.

What's going on with the district budget?
The county has approved the district budget and has sent it to the state as approved, but that doesn't mean that we are out of the woods. There is still the ongoing $1,000,000 cost of benefits that has not been addressed because PVFT has not agreed to the recommended changes. That is the key reason for the hiring freeze and various other freezes that are in place. The first interim report is due to the county soon, and that could also be evaluated as “qualified” or “negative” and with recent new legislation, the county could then come in to oversee our fiscal decisions. Currently, most decisions are being directed by the Associate Superintendent, Mr. McHenry with the approval of the Cabinet. The budget story is not over, but we will keep you informed as we find out the information ourselves.

…To be continued in the next issue…

Know Your Contract: Grievances (Part II)

If Level I of the grievance process is unsuccessful, then a formal grievance is filed with the district. The formal grievance shall be a statement of the grievance and shall state the specific section of the contract believed to be violated, misinterpreted, or misapplied and the circumstances involved, shall state the date of the informal conference, and shall state the specific remedy sought. Within ten (10) days after the filing of the formal grievance, the immediate supervisor/principal will investigate the grievance and give his/her decision in writing to the grievant, with a copy to the Union whenever a Union Representative is involved. If the grievant is not satisfied with the decision rendered at Level I, s/he may appeal the decision within eight days after the receipt of the decision to the Superintendent, who may refer it to a designee. The Superintendent or designee shall promptly acknowledge receipt of the appeal. The appeal shall include a copy of the grievance and Level I decision, a statement of the reasons for the appeal, and the specific remedy sought. Within ten days after the receipt of the appeal, the Superintendent or designee, shall investigate the grievance and give his/her decision in writing to the grievant with a copy to the Union whenever a Union Representative is involved. If the grievant is not satisfied with the decision rendered at Level II, the Union shall have the exclusive right to submit the grievance to arbitration.

—Level III procedures in next issue—PVFT Contract , Article XVI

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Joe Mani l di
Not your average Joe J“Joe”
734 East Lake Avenue, Suite One Watsonville, CA 95076
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