Representative Council Meeting Minutes
August 31, 2015
Education Center Room #205 3:30 PM
Executive Board Members Present: President-Linda Hansen; Vice President-Gayle Young; Secretary-Ginger Dunne; Treasurer-Dave Estes; Director-of-Human Rights-Mary Duenow; Director-of-Communications-Mike Willmarth; Grievance Chair/State Council-Patty Wyman
Representatives Present: ACHS-Devin Reza, Dave Hollman, Elizabeth Hawkins, Jordan Kieschnick; ACMS-Steve Dierker, James Landis; Alta Heights-Ginger Dunne; Bel Aire-Lauren Riendeau; Browns Valley-Angela Oster; El Centro-Corey Morton; Harvest-Leonardo Tajardo; McPherson-Kathleen Nichols; Mt. George-Colette Freeman; Napa High-Maria Vega, Melinda Miller; NVLA-Sarah Miller, Marliese Esquvel; New Tech-Erin Reilly; Phillips-Ann Brown; Redwood-Kathy Newman, Lorna Dekker; River-Louann Talbert; Salvador-Barb Noll; Shearer-Amy Ruggiera; Silverado-Debbie Kmiec, Lourdes Caravantes; Snow-Courtney Garcia; Valley Oak-John Mautner; Vichy-Debbie Cates; Vintage- Mary Duenow, Michael Alger; West Park-Laura Zinser; Yountville-Carl Elias; Academic Specialists-Genevieve DiGiulio
1. Welcome and Adoption of the Agenda. Agenda adopted.
2. Adoption of the Minutes from May 18, 2015: Minutes approved; available on the NVEA website.
3. Facilities: Bonnie Moss with Clifford Moss consulting firm shared that their firm is working with the district in strategic process of looking at assessment and due diligence on facilities and technology. They will be engaging stakeholders and the public prior to the board making any decisions. Reviewed one page of most urgent facility needs in the district. Every school site via principal is conducting school site stakeholder meetings with site staff and parents regarding what the needs are at each site. What is needed to improve teaching and learning at the site? Principals being asked to turn in feedback by Oct. 23 from these meetings so they have the input before board meeting.
4. The Standard Insurance: Sophie presented on CTA’s disability and life insurance plans. September 2015 is a chapter campaign for enrollment. Chapter campaigns only happen every 3 years; during a campaign if our chapter reaches the target of 50 new enrollees, then ALL enrollees automatically receive coverage without having to answer any medical questions. Pre-existing conditions would be covered beginning 10 days after the effective date of October 1st if we reach our target of 50 new enrollees. Teachers do not pay into state disability, so a voluntary outside disability program is highly recommended. This offer is for CTA members in good standing who work at least 15 hrs per week. Reps are encouraged to sign up for a site visit. This plan includes on and off the job coverage. One important thing to note is that CTA can intervene and overturn a claim that has been denied if they feel it has been denied wrongly. Enrollment can be done online, during a site visit, by phone, or by fax (application is only 1 page). If we don’t reach the target of 50 enrollees, then the ones who have enrolled will have to answer medical questions and could possibly be denied coverage. This provider also offers life insurance plans starting at $25,000 guaranteed, cannot be denied. New teachers (less than 5 years of teaching) can get $200,000 life insurance without medical questions and teachers who already have a life insurance plan with them can bump up to next $25,000 increment.
5. Treasurer’s Report—Dave Estes
a. Good Teaching Conference: February 5-7 in San Jose. Start talking it up. Email Linda if interested, especially encourage new teachers.
b. Budget, Read Across America, Scholarship Committees-Sign up: Goal is for each committee to meet for 10-15 minutes after Rep Council meeting. Budget committee should only need to meet once. Scholarship committee usually has 2 meetings in May to decide on scholarship for graduating seniors of NVEA members.
c. Health Insurance: Cash In Lieu application must be completed and submitted to Payroll (J. Hinsen) by 4:30 pm on October 9th. See email Jennifer sent out.
d. Step Up Challenge: Sign up for committee. Schools challenging schools; committee will look at paperwork and pedometers will be made available if needed. Gather in groups to walk and count steps during day and record information for fun school challenges.
e. Engagement: What do you want to do/see from NVEA for your members? Bowling, picnics, etc,. Survey will be given to reps to take back to members to see what they’re interested in.
f. STRS: Counseling appointments can be had in Napa Office, call STRS for appointments. Encourage all members to schedule meetings no matter how long they’ve been teaching.
g. IBPS Training: 1/12, 2/9 – Elementary; 1/15, 2/11 – Secondary. Training at District Office. It’s in our contract to happen every 3 years. This is for the site rep(s) and administrator(s) of each site.
h. California Educator Magazine: Gayle Young featured this on the cover this month. They will be going to ACHS and VHS to to do future stories.
i. Site Rep 101: Will take place at next Rep Council meeting. If reps need help with anything, call Linda’ cell at (707)815-0500.
j. Site Concerns: Email Linda at NVEA.CTA@gmail.com
7. First Vice President/Chief Negotiator—Gayle Young:
9. Director of Human Rights—Mary Duenow: No report at this time.
10. State Council—Patty Wyman: No report.
11. Director of Communications—Mike Willmarth:
a. Data Collection: Personal emails. 329 of 900+ members responded last spring to survey for personal contact info. Survey is simply first name, last name, school site, home email, and indicating if you are a site rep. Reps received roster of who has already completed the survey. Reps are asked to send Mike a routing slip/complete staff list from your school either electronically or through district mail with all current teaching staff members.
12. CTA Update—Diana Lisi: No report.
Meeting Adjourned at 4:45 PM
Next Meeting: September 28, 2015
Ginger Dunne
NVEA Secretary
August 31, 2015
Education Center Room #205 3:30 PM
Executive Board Members Present: President-Linda Hansen; Vice President-Gayle Young; Secretary-Ginger Dunne; Treasurer-Dave Estes; Director-of-Human Rights-Mary Duenow; Director-of-Communications-Mike Willmarth; Grievance Chair/State Council-Patty Wyman
Representatives Present: ACHS-Devin Reza, Dave Hollman, Elizabeth Hawkins, Jordan Kieschnick; ACMS-Steve Dierker, James Landis; Alta Heights-Ginger Dunne; Bel Aire-Lauren Riendeau; Browns Valley-Angela Oster; El Centro-Corey Morton; Harvest-Leonardo Tajardo; McPherson-Kathleen Nichols; Mt. George-Colette Freeman; Napa High-Maria Vega, Melinda Miller; NVLA-Sarah Miller, Marliese Esquvel; New Tech-Erin Reilly; Phillips-Ann Brown; Redwood-Kathy Newman, Lorna Dekker; River-Louann Talbert; Salvador-Barb Noll; Shearer-Amy Ruggiera; Silverado-Debbie Kmiec, Lourdes Caravantes; Snow-Courtney Garcia; Valley Oak-John Mautner; Vichy-Debbie Cates; Vintage- Mary Duenow, Michael Alger; West Park-Laura Zinser; Yountville-Carl Elias; Academic Specialists-Genevieve DiGiulio
1. Welcome and Adoption of the Agenda. Agenda adopted.
2. Adoption of the Minutes from May 18, 2015: Minutes approved; available on the NVEA website.
3. Facilities: Bonnie Moss with Clifford Moss consulting firm shared that their firm is working with the district in strategic process of looking at assessment and due diligence on facilities and technology. They will be engaging stakeholders and the public prior to the board making any decisions. Reviewed one page of most urgent facility needs in the district. Every school site via principal is conducting school site stakeholder meetings with site staff and parents regarding what the needs are at each site. What is needed to improve teaching and learning at the site? Principals being asked to turn in feedback by Oct. 23 from these meetings so they have the input before board meeting.
4. The Standard Insurance: Sophie presented on CTA’s disability and life insurance plans. September 2015 is a chapter campaign for enrollment. Chapter campaigns only happen every 3 years; during a campaign if our chapter reaches the target of 50 new enrollees, then ALL enrollees automatically receive coverage without having to answer any medical questions. Pre-existing conditions would be covered beginning 10 days after the effective date of October 1st if we reach our target of 50 new enrollees. Teachers do not pay into state disability, so a voluntary outside disability program is highly recommended. This offer is for CTA members in good standing who work at least 15 hrs per week. Reps are encouraged to sign up for a site visit. This plan includes on and off the job coverage. One important thing to note is that CTA can intervene and overturn a claim that has been denied if they feel it has been denied wrongly. Enrollment can be done online, during a site visit, by phone, or by fax (application is only 1 page). If we don’t reach the target of 50 enrollees, then the ones who have enrolled will have to answer medical questions and could possibly be denied coverage. This provider also offers life insurance plans starting at $25,000 guaranteed, cannot be denied. New teachers (less than 5 years of teaching) can get $200,000 life insurance without medical questions and teachers who already have a life insurance plan with them can bump up to next $25,000 increment.
5. Treasurer’s Report—Dave Estes
- NVEA Budget Review: Need volunteers to work on budget planning committee.
a. Good Teaching Conference: February 5-7 in San Jose. Start talking it up. Email Linda if interested, especially encourage new teachers.
b. Budget, Read Across America, Scholarship Committees-Sign up: Goal is for each committee to meet for 10-15 minutes after Rep Council meeting. Budget committee should only need to meet once. Scholarship committee usually has 2 meetings in May to decide on scholarship for graduating seniors of NVEA members.
c. Health Insurance: Cash In Lieu application must be completed and submitted to Payroll (J. Hinsen) by 4:30 pm on October 9th. See email Jennifer sent out.
d. Step Up Challenge: Sign up for committee. Schools challenging schools; committee will look at paperwork and pedometers will be made available if needed. Gather in groups to walk and count steps during day and record information for fun school challenges.
e. Engagement: What do you want to do/see from NVEA for your members? Bowling, picnics, etc,. Survey will be given to reps to take back to members to see what they’re interested in.
f. STRS: Counseling appointments can be had in Napa Office, call STRS for appointments. Encourage all members to schedule meetings no matter how long they’ve been teaching.
g. IBPS Training: 1/12, 2/9 – Elementary; 1/15, 2/11 – Secondary. Training at District Office. It’s in our contract to happen every 3 years. This is for the site rep(s) and administrator(s) of each site.
h. California Educator Magazine: Gayle Young featured this on the cover this month. They will be going to ACHS and VHS to to do future stories.
i. Site Rep 101: Will take place at next Rep Council meeting. If reps need help with anything, call Linda’ cell at (707)815-0500.
j. Site Concerns: Email Linda at NVEA.CTA@gmail.com
7. First Vice President/Chief Negotiator—Gayle Young:
- Timeline for Formula: Reviewed page on formula timeline. Announcement about our % will be approximately September 17 after the board meeting. Expecting an increase that will go on the salary schedule, but don’t have any finalized numbers yet. Still have some negotiations about some one-time funding that came to our district this last year that we should get a percentage of but will be outside of the formula and will not be reflected on the salary schedule.
- Negotiations: First Council meeting of the year is tomorrow. Topics include Stipends, Salary Schedule, Evaluations, Workload, Monitoring Health Care, SpEd Task Force, Athletic Task Force.
- MOUs: Independent Study teachers are now part of NVEA. All MOUs available online on our NVEA website.
- Membership: CTA current list, cards given to reps today.
- Elementary: Need someone for this position.
- Middle—John Burns, Benefits: No report.
9. Director of Human Rights—Mary Duenow: No report at this time.
10. State Council—Patty Wyman: No report.
11. Director of Communications—Mike Willmarth:
a. Data Collection: Personal emails. 329 of 900+ members responded last spring to survey for personal contact info. Survey is simply first name, last name, school site, home email, and indicating if you are a site rep. Reps received roster of who has already completed the survey. Reps are asked to send Mike a routing slip/complete staff list from your school either electronically or through district mail with all current teaching staff members.
12. CTA Update—Diana Lisi: No report.
Meeting Adjourned at 4:45 PM
Next Meeting: September 28, 2015
Ginger Dunne
NVEA Secretary
