Below please find a list of upcoming events and updates that may be helpful to you. Please share and discuss among your colleagues and give us any feedback you feel may be helpful.

Grievances

Benefits

Yes, there really is $20 million...

Upcoming Events

Members in the community

CFT News

Grievances - On Tuesday, November 1st. PVFT filed a grievance with the district regarding the number of meetings being required at some school sites. The proposed resolution by PVFT is that the district limit the number of meetings during what we believe to be time designated as individual teacher preparation time and that changes in the definition and scope of Faculty meetings be agreed upon between the parties. PVFT has filed this grievance as a response to the number of calls emails and conversations with members about the increasing loss of preparation time due to mandated meetings.

Benefits - There will be no break in coverage at Lucille Packard's Children's Hospital and Stanford retroactive to September 1. This is great news for many of our members! More information on this will be forthcoming from the PVUSD Benefits department. Unfortunately, that is not the case with Walgreens Pharmacy coverage. For a Q & A on the Walgreens coverage, click here. We have also entered into discussion about the district's domestic partners coverage. PVFT believes the state's domestic partner registry should not be the sole determinant for domestic partner coverage.

Yes, there really is $20 million... somewhere...  On November 1st, in an email from Superintendent Baker and CBO McFadden, it was clarified that the "extra" money breaks down in the following manner: $5.6 million: Ongoing funding the district was directed to spend on children’s education. $8.5 million: More unrestricted money that has not been spent. $6.3 million: One-time unspent restricted funding from the previous year. Although the email assures us the district is willing to "commit to a dialogue with employee organizations, parents, and the board on what we must do to protect vital student programs and services throughout the district", it appears the district is not willing to spend these funds “until after a final decision is reached on mid-year reductions and the Governor’s 2012-13 Proposed Budget is released"...  meaning student learning conditions this school year will have no improvement.

Upcoming events -

Nov 7 - 4:30 PVFT  Executive Council Mtg

Nov 14 – 4:30 PVFT Council of Representatives – Board Room, 294 Green Valley Rd

Nov 16 – 7:00 PM Board of Trustees meeting – Board Room, 294 Green Valley Rd - Support reducing class size!  Support student programming that benefits students and learning!

Members in the Community - If you or another member you know is involved in community groups or events, please let us know so we can include it in our emails.

ESPERANZA DEL VALLE at EL TEATRO CAMPESINO
On Nov 4, 5, & 6 - Esperanza del Valle, a community Folklorico troupe  performed with El Teatro Campesino  to offer a lively performance of live music and traditional folk dances from Mexico, celebrating Dia de los Muertos. Several PVFT members are part of this exciting group, and this is an excellent opportunity to visit San Juan Bautista and the legendary El Teatro Campesino. Esperanza del Valle will also be collaborating with the production of “La Pastorela” November 25 - December 18, stay tuned for details!

Peter Nichols is “Me & Tom,” a one-man show celebrating the wit, wisdom, and sardonic humor of the songs of Tom Lehrer – 8:30 PM, Friday, November 18 at the Backstage Lounge, next to the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz. Though Lehrer’s songs, concocted in the 50’s and 60’s, made him a cult favorite, this is the first attempt at a Lehrer revival in 30 years! For a sneak preview click here

CFT News - The California Federation of Teachers voted Saturday, November 5 to join Re-Fund California, a statewide coalition to build public and political support for making big corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share to fund education and vital services. Re-Fund California will have rallies and marches across the state on November 9. Locally, there will be a rally at the Clock Tower in Santa Cruz at 4:00 PM and a protest at a local Bank at 5:00 PM click here for details.