January 2010 Rep Council Highlights

1. Retirement Incentive: FMEA and FMSD have worked out a retirement incentive for any teacher 55 years or older with at least 5 years experience. FMEA has mailed letters to home addresses and The District has notified teachers as well. The deadline for turning in paperwork is March 1st. Call H.R. to set up an appointment to discuss. I know health care is a big consideration for many. A teacher sent me the following link  that allows you to  compare your options: www.ehealthinsurance.com.  I am available to answer questions. 

2. Bargaining: The District is currently proposing increasing K-3 classes to 28 and a five day furlough. We will be bargaining again on February 12th and March 5th. Please show your support by wearing your FMEA shirts on the days we bargain. 

3. Arbitration: FMEA is slated to go to arbitration and needs your help. The arbitration is over a teacher who worked at FMSD, then left for more than three years and later returned. The District is telling her that the first period of employment doesn't count towards longevity steps because she was gone for more than three years. There are other teachers who are in a similar situation but who are receiving longevity pay for all years of service. If FMEA can come up with a few of these people, we may be able to avoid a costly and time-consuming arbitration. Please contact me or your Site Rep if you left for more than three years and returned, and are receiving longevity credit for all your years of service. 

4.FMCZ: The District is beginning a new set of programs based on the Harlem Children's Zone. Here it will be known as the Franklin-McKinley Children's Zone or FMCZ for short. There will be a number of programs that benefit our district's students, families and communities. Teacher participation in this is to be voluntary and is not supposed to be another thing put on our plates. The FMCZ will focus on three areas and each will have a committee. They are: Early education, strong and safe neighborhoods, and adult services/ family empowerment. If you are interested in joining one of these committees let me know. Committees will meet twice a month during school hours.  

5. New Contract:  The newest version of FMEA's Contract (the one settled over the summer) has been printed and is available in Human Resources and online on The FMSD website under Human Resources- Openings, titled "FMEA Agreement."

6. Non-contractual Tasks: I am still looking for tasks that are being assigned without time given to complete other than teacher-directed Thursdays. Please let me know whenever this arises. 

7.Communication Focus Group: This is the group that meets with Ed Services once a month to give  feedback on lesson plans and, PLC meetings and paper work. We are still looking for more people to join so if interested let me know.

8. Read Across America is March 2: NEA's book choice this year is Dr. Seuss's Oh The Places We'll Go.  Reps have the NEA lesson plan and can make copies upon request. 

9. Board Watchers: Whenever your site is on Color Guard, it is your school's turn to be on Board Watch. Ask your Site Rep when your turn is and attend if you can. 

10: Race To The Top: The District has applied for RTTT funds. To receive these funds districts will have to show that they are instituting Obama's reforms such as basing teacher evaluations on student test data. Fortunately they cannot do this without FMEA's agreement, and judging from the discussion at Rep Council this is very unlikely.

11. Calendar Survey: Ballots will be tallied and FMEA will meet with CSEA and FMSD to finalize next year's calendar. Discussions are ongoing as to how the testing window will fit within these calendars.