PAJARO VALLEY FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP & Building Rep MINUTES
February 7, 2005

Chaired and facilitated by Carolyn Savino
Approval of minutes of December 13, 2004. Judy approved, Donna Hasbrook seconded, all approved amended minutes of December General Membership Meeting.

Old Business

RSRA Training
RSRA training, a 20-year-old AFT reform model, approved by Federal Government and State of California. President Savino has worked for over a year to generate interest in the district for this program. Trustees have directed restructuring as a major reform model. Joan Devlin, the West coast director of RSRA, named those who should attend from the district as the moneyman, the superintendent, HR, and assistant superintendents. Representatives from the RHMS, EA Hall were invited. Union invited Sandra Nichols from School Board. District had NCLB monies set aside. Principals of the year-four schools and union representatives are still going to NY where last week a blizzard took the mercury to -5 degrees--not a pleasure trip. A specific member of the Trustees called the press and caused the superintendent to cancel Cabinet participation. The Cabinet still supports the model--a far superior option to take-over by the state. We may get some trainers out here to talk to the Cabinet.

Negotiations update
No big news. The Team is still meeting with the District on contract language, including the shortened days to clarify and standardize the language and application of these days. Defining professional development use is important.

If you have a good idea for solid contract language, please let us know. For example, do you have any suggestions to clarify staff-meeting limits?

New Business

Program improvement district taskforce
Four-year schools need a plan. The survey is a tool to use as a rubric to show what the essential components and objectives are in ed code. This particular model is not mandated, but the essential components and objectives are as well as timelines, training and interventions are mandated

Academic Program Surveys (one per level)
The components of the elementary, middle school and high school surveys are similar. These plans for year-four schools Chris Chatfield, outside consultant trained by the State in IIUSP, Connie Benson of the COE and enforcer of the Williams act, and Carolyn Savino serve on the task force. Also on the task force are year-four schools' principal, union rep, other classroom teacher and a parent, site council member, and a resource teacher or coach. Members of the community also attend. Everyone discusses how the school is working to meet the components and objectives, i.e., what evidence is required to meet everything. The reporters will give a generalized overview: for example, 80% of the teachers are meeting the objectives. Schools use the data from the survey to formulate their School Improvement Plan (leadership team and site council). The district must resolve any constraints. The evidence will be due mid-March and final in May.

Governor wants not to fund STRS on the state level. Stock market has lost 50%; STRS is at 80%. Governor wants to give the responsibility to pay the shortfall to the districts: $1.5 million to PVUSD. Would probably wipe out COLA. The good thing is that PERS includes fire fighters and prison guards and their lobbyists will fight hard against big business.

In real dollars, our salaries are the same as 1969, only the school year and day were shorter.

In the defined contribution plan, you invest your retirement money. No money would go into STRS after 2007. What the governor is proposing will cost billions of dollars.

Literature passed around shows that California used to be number one in education, but not anymore. State revenues are up 31%, Prop. 98 is up 22%, but other state programs are up 44%. Even the Governor's STRS appointees say that his plan is not fiducially responsible.

Merit Pay
Tenure after 10 years.

CFT strategies to fight the Governor's Budget and initiatives
CFT is requesting $100 per member for this effort
Education Coalition

Financing from Executive Committee that includes CSEA, SEIU, firefighters, Labor Fed, CFT, correctional officers.

Possible initiatives on the next special elections ballot: 1) privatizing pensions, 2) permanent suspension of Prop. 98, 3) contracting out, 4) paycheck protections (not allowing deduction of union dues), 5) merit pay/ tenure,   6) redrawing of political districts.

Labor Council announced
Feb 18 Hearing on the Budget in Salinas
Feb 20 Healthcare for all Event in Santa Cruz
Every Friday Peace rally at the Plaza

A suggestion from Donna Hasbrook to write to the Governor that you do not support his budget.

Carolyn asked Reps to verify each teacher's address and set up a meeting at each site to discuss the budget proposal.

The unions have passed or defeated every proposal we have supported. The crucial point is getting out the vote.

Another suggestion to print postcards to send to Sacramento to not support the budget or initiatives.

CFT Convention, March 11, 12, 13 in L.A.
Executive Council limited the number of people who will attend this year's convention due to budget fight and location.

PVFT March Executive Council nominations
President: Carolyn Savino (Jane Penna moved; Kathy Melville seconded)
Secretary: Alanna Alter, (Mike Vasser, Leigh Hill, seconded)            
Adult Ed.: Michael Hillyer (Lynn Cordova, Lowell Hurst)
Linda Espejo is not returning as North Zone K-8 V.P. Candidate needed.
V.P. Special Ed: Stef Seffinger (Judy Ashton, Mary Ann Frantz)
V.P. South Zone Middle School: Sarah Ringler (Mike Vasser, moved; Leigh Hill, seconded)
V.P. South Zone Elementary Peter Hatch (Chris Kelly moved, Mike Vasser seconded)
V.P. Central Zone Middle School: Lisa Massey (Mike Vasser moved, Sandy Riggle seconded)

Good of the Order

AFT is boycotting Coca Cola products. They allow union leaders to be murdered in South America.

Adjournment at 5: P.M
Frank Dunbar moved; Eileen Fernald, seconded. All approved.