PAJARO VALLEY FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MINUTES
May 10, 2004

Facilitated by Carolyn Savino and Alanna Alter at Ann Soldo Elementary School.
Mike Vasser moved to approve minutes from April 19, 2004; Mamiche Young seconded with unanimous approval.

Old Business

PVFT Policies
Controversial Issues
The membership approved the policy as amended Mike Vasser made the motion. Eileen Fernald seconded.

Negotiations
PVFT is holding back its sunshine proposal until release of the California May budget revision. The Board of Trustees have rescinded three budget proposals: a 2% pay cut; a freeze on benefits; and cuts in transportation.

Some changes in benefits would save money for the district and would help preserve our benefits package. A 90/10 coverage of all services as originally intended by last year's negotiations would save 4%. Changes in chiropractic and acupuncture would preserve the services and cut costs. A prescription change to $5 (generic), $10 (no generic or physician request), and $25 (patient request for brand name) would make a substantial difference. Annual reenrollment would weed out ineligible people and save 1%. PVFT will accept such changes if classified employees accept the same changes.

Restructured day language needs to reflect secondary schools. At the time of implementation, only elementary schools had them. Now regular minimum days occur at secondary sites and teachers need to be protected.

Negotiate one leadership team at each site.

Schools cannot impose anything that violates contract.
No one at top is

Interest-Based Bargaining: We are going to try this first with NCLB.

Reports

Committee on Political Education
COPE leader Ellen Mellon reported that the committee has drafted a newsletter letter explaining COPE's role and requesting donations to the COPE fund. The committee is still working on their survey. COPE will continue to ask for pledges of money and also time for the Board of Trustees campaign. COPE is considering the suggestion of a promotion using incentives such as premiums or drawings for gift certificates for monetary pledges to the COPE fund.

Website update
PVFT website is nearly finished and is being updated regularly. Again we called for input from the membership for developing the website. We can post Board positions and other COPE issues on the website

Retirement Party
With Lisa Massey's illness, plans for the retirement party are still uncertain.

New Business

Overpayment of dues
The Executive Board agreed to refund any overpayment of dues to the current school year due to bookkeeping procedures.

Posting information on the website
Anyone may submit information for the website through the union office. The president must approve all submissions and reserves the right to modify them.

Administrative performance survey
Carolyn Savino has drafted a new instrument for critiquing administrators. The survey uses the six administrative standards to focus opinions and foster constructive comments. The union will send copies to building reps for immediate review so that we can prepare it in time for the new school year.

CFT General Store
The membership welcomed the idea of Rosie the Riveter T-shirts for building reps and think people will want to buy union shirts, sweatshirts and bags.

PVFT summer hours
Office will be open most days in the morning. Carolyn Savino will be in town in June and August.

GOOD OF THE ORDER
Carolyn Savino is trying to bring extended-day and summer school teachers under the PVFT umbrella.

Building Rep/principals retreat planned for mid-year 2004-2005 for one BR per school.

ADJOURNMENT
At 6:00 by consensus.