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Notes from the President
We Have a Contract!!
 

The school year has started off with a bang. We were the only district in the county that had not signed a contract for the 2007/2008 school year, but in one marathon day of negotiating, FMEA negotiators finally reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) with The District.  The agreement was presented to the membership at a general meeting on Friday, September 26, and voting concluded on October 1.  The membership voted overwhelmingly to ratify the TA 430 to 34.   Now it goes to the school board for final approval. 
Though the salary increase in the TA is not great, it is decent under the circumstances. Please know, it could not have been reached without a lot of hard work. To get to this point it takes the Negotiators, Site Reps,  Negotiations Support Team, Executive Board, and all of you.
Now that we have temporarily put our differences behind us at the bargaining table, it’s time to focus on the parcel tax.  On November 4th, all residents of the district will vote on a tax on every parcel within the district boundaries.  If  two thirds of the votes are in favor, then the district will receive nearly a million dollars for each of the next nine years.
This added revenue will be a great thing for students, teachers, our classified colleagues and the entire Franklin-McKinley Community.  Like it or not, our fortunes are tied to the district’s, and this is a challenging time for school districts across the state.  The more resources that come to the district, the better position we are in when we return to the bargaining table.  Furthermore, FMEA will have two seats on the committee that oversees, how the money is spent, and none of it can legally be spent  on administrative salaries.
Parents, teachers,  classified staff and administrators will all have to come together to get this parcel tax passed.  I hope you will join the effort.  We have little more than a month to get the word out, and it will take the entire Franklin-McKinley community working together for this effort to succeed.   You can join in on any event date. Just let me know.  
Though negotiations have concluded for now there will be many issues to resolve this year.  Make sure to stay in touch with your Site Rep regarding problems that arise at your school, and as always don’t hesitate to call me.
Scott Shulimson

 FAQ about the T.A.

Q: Why isthe raise retroactive to December, and not all the way to the beginning of the 07/08 school year?

A:The District would have agreed to make the raise retroactive to the beginning of the school year if we had taken a smaller raise. For example, we probably could havegotten a 2% raise retroactive to the beginning of the year. While this would have been a slightly larger retro check for all of us, it is much better in the long run to get the 3%. This is an increase that will effect every paycheck we receive in the future and any future raise will compound this 3%.Districts would always prefer to give bonuses instead of ongoing money.Accepting a smaller (2%) raiseget a bigger retro check (one that was retroactive to the beginning of the 07/08 school year) would basically be a one time bonus.

With this TA, the 3% raise effectively began on December 1st, 2007.We will be paid retroactively for all paychecks issued since December 1st.

Q.What is "fair share language."

A. Fair share language is not a formal or specific formula.It just means we will be discussing ways to divide money The District receives in a way that gives teachers their fair shair.There can be no assumption that FMEA will agree with The District on what amount is fair, and if no formula or new language can be agreed upon, then we will be bargaining for specific percentages as happens in most other districts.

Q.Why did we agree to let COLA language "sunset"

A.Letting COLA sunset (meaning this will be the last time it is in The Contract) was not FMEA's proposal, but it has been overwhelmingly clear that The District will not agree to continue paying full COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment).The question becomes "how important is COLA language to FMEA?"

Things have been changing rapidly, and though COLA has paid off at times in the past, we are not currently in an era when COLA is delivering much money.The District is receiving new money from increased enrollment, and will receive new money for the next nine years if the parcel tax passes, but COLA is only being funded at .68% this year.Unless there is a shift in Sacramento it does not look like COLA will be the source of funding that it once was. Furthermore, The Governor has been talking about switching from COLA to CPI (Consumer Price Index).If this were to happen, our COLA language would be obsolete.
For all these reasons, it was decided this was not the year to go to war over COLA.

Q.Why is this only a two year contract?

A. We had been open to negotiating a three year contract, but the districtwas not.The third year was what so many members couldn't swallow about the last TA, so it seemed betterto have no third year than a badthird year. Also, with budget projections so dire, it made sense to wait and see if the reality is as bad as the projections.Lastly, The District got a decent amount of money last year, but the longer negotiations drag on, the more time it gives The District to spend last year's money on programs other than teachers. It was important to get our share while there was still something there.

Make Your Voice Heard
Opinions and Editorials

By Yvonne Tran  
Over the summer I had the opportunity to attend the Summer Institute, a conference organized by the California's Teachers Association (CTA).  Our association president, Scott Shulimson, stated that this conference would be ideal for those interested in learning about CTA and unions in general.  Though I did not know what to expect, I knew that I should not the miss the opportunity to learn more about the welfare of teachers – and their rights.  The conference turned out to not only be informative, but also exciting; I was thrilled to have been able to participate.   For me, the week opened up a whole new perspective and perception of unions, especially our own, and the role we can play.
On the surface, the role of FMEA appears to be very minimal.  However, in the background, it is an important advocate and resource for teachers. It is an association that fights and secures teachers’ rights in the district and is a venue for teachers to network with their peers in order to learn new methods of teaching to improve the classroom experience.  FMEA’s members share a common goal of providing students with the best education possible and support initiatives and policies that address the interests of students.  FMEA is an association where the voice of a first year teacher is as important and valued as that of a veteran and is an organization where its members steer the direction of how they want the union to run.

The week long institute provided me with a better understanding of the role of our union. It reminded me that as a member, I could ask for help from a peer group of over 500 people, that I would never stand alone; rather, I have the support of hundreds of other teachers.  As part of FMEA, I --and other teachers like me--will stand by those who will listen to each other, will speak for those who choose not to speak, and will rally for a common goal.   

News Blurbs & Opportunities

Don’t you want the power, privileges, and prestige that come with the title, “Editor, The Paper?”  If the fast-lane  life is for  you, you should join the long line of applicants for this rewarding and exclusive position.  Submit your name for considerations by calling or writing to fmeapresident@yahoo.com or lawrence_graves@sbcglobal.net.  Who knows?  You may be the lucky person honored with this position for the current school year.  There’s even a stipend!!  Such fun AND money!

 

There are several CTA sponsored conferences coming up.  If you’re interested in any of these, see your Rep or call Scott.

CTA Leadership Conference  October 17

Good Teaching Conference     January 9

Urban Issues Conference        February 27

Equity and Human Rights      March 6

District Advisory Committees

There are still a number of advisory committee positions open.  These short  meetings allow you to have your say in how the district is run.  Most are unpaid positions, but are important nevertheless.

Call Scott to get on one of these.

Site Reps and Site Grievance Reps

There are still a couple of sites that don’t have Reps or Grievance Reps.  You need to help recruit and support representatives at your site.  How many of you really believe that  things will be all sweetness and light with your principal all year?  Who will protect your rights?  We stand together, or we fall apart.  Which do you want?

Parcel Tax Kickoff

The Seven Trees Coalition, a local community group held an event at Andrew Hill High School on October 4th at 9am.This event served as thethe Franklin-McKinley parcel tax. Look for your sites’ dates to support this worthy cause.

FMEA Contact information We are in the process of  setting up permanent FMEA eMail addresses.  For  now, you can use these.
Name	Position	School Site	secondary email
Scott Shulimson  831-325-0465		. Ham.	fmeapresident@yahoo.com
Larry Graves	Vice-President	Shirakawa	lawrence_graves@sbcglobal.net
Imelda Murillo	Secretary	SUCCESS	immurillo@sbcglobal.net
Jan White	Treasurer	SUCCESS	jwhite3123@aol.com
Jana McKinley	Director @ Lg	D.O.	mckinleymichael@comcast.net
Maria Volpe	Past Pres.	Shirakawa	shadowvolpe@yahoo.com
Ann Rosebrook	Director @ Lg	Stonegate	ann.rosebrook@earthlink.net
Charlene Puder	Director @ Lg	Meadows	gcpuder@sbcglobal.net

 

About 70 people gathered Friday, September 26 for a “picnic in the park” at Kelley Park.  We relaxed and talked in the cool shade and shared some wonderful barbecue chicken and ribs.  Spirits flowed freely and everyone had a good time.  If you weren’t with us, we missed you.  Don’t miss the next one.

Trading Post

 

Guidelines for Ads: Ad service is provided as a convenience for FMEA members and our parent community.  Ads may be run two times.  Renewal must be requested. Ads are subject to revision for content and length. Ads must be concise, short, and be a simple offer of goods and/or services.  Hyperbole or insubstantiable promises and guarantees are not publishable.

Tickets for Tina Turner Monday, October 20th 7:30 PM at the HP Pavilion. Excellent seats: Section 102, Row 21, Seats 19-20. $340.15. Just what I paid for them. Call Jan White at (408) 607-6509.

Have you ever wondered if your school is running School Site Council correctly?
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Important—CTA will be providing an important School Site Council training on October 20th at 4pm.  This training is open to teachers, parents, classified staff and administrators. If you are on School Site Council or just want to learn more, make sure to attend. 
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And, by the way, if it seems like you've been waiting longer than usual for the first edition of The Paper, you are right.We had just gone to printweeks ago whenTentative Agreement was suddenly reached. In an instant, most of what was printed no longer applied. The first order of business was getting out the details and voting on the TA. Now that the voting is behind us, at long last, The Paper is here.

Board Watcher’s Report

Meeting of 09-09-08 Franklin, Board Watchers
Highlights of the meeting are as follows:
The District released their unaudited actuals which are $4.79 million. This is more than double the projection given last year. Note: These are unrestricted funds, the same funds which can be used to settle our contract negotiations.
A representative from the San Jose Parks and Rec. Department presented details of an intensive intervention program they will have at Fair Middle School. This after-school program is geared to provide sports league activities, and "Challenges and Choices", a curriculum based motivational program to help kids stay away from gangs. The Rec. Department, in conjuction with the police and Franklin McKinley Distrtct Office, will also be pushing into the surrounding neighborhoods to educate and empower parents to work with their children to help them make better life choices. Parks and Rec is also working on a limited basis with Sylvandale.
Kim Sheffield reviewed the recently released API and AYP scores for Franklin McKinley schools. While we did quite well overall, special congratulations go out to Kennedy and Shirakawa for remarkable gains. WAY TO GO, KENNEDY AND SHIRAKAWA!!!!
• Dr. Porter, the Board, and additional administrative personnel attended a retreat recently to develop a vision for our future in this district. The "five lenses with which to view schools and the district" are:
1. Standards, performance goals; and interventions
2. The Learning Environment with a goal to create a "safe learning environment" for all
3. High Performance Leadership (students are taught by highly qualified teachers and staff)
4. Community Services and Support
5. Parent and Public Engagement (including updated websites for each school)
Respectfully submitted by the Franklin staff in attendance

New Members
You need to check out your benefits through CTA! As a new member, there are some steps you may want to take right away to ensure you make the most out of your CTA membership. Protect your income and your family from the unexpected byenrolling online in the CTA Voluntary GroupLife Insurance Plan and the CTA Voluntary GroupDisability Insurance Plan.  If you, as an eligible CTA member, enroll within the first 120 days of employment (important) you will not have to answer any health questions or provide evidence of insurability! More information  by contacting CTA.org, then enrolling in my.cta..  Lots of other benefits here too, such as the well-baby program and planning for life changes.

New Faces
We are proud to announce the following FMEA team members:
Yvonne Tran has assumed the responsibilities as Negotiations Support Team Chairperson.
Carolyn Carr has assumed the responsibilities as Grievance Chairperson. 
Irma Balzen has assumed responsibilities as the PAC Chairperson and Ann Rosebrook has assumed responsibilities as PAC Treasurer.
All of these people are fine additions to our FMEA team.  Welcome!
CTA Infusion rate
CTA has imposed a $20 per year “infusion” charge on top of your CTA rates.  They call it a reverse check-off.  It is for  worthy causes.  Half of the money is political action money, and as long as we have Governor Arnie and his cronies, we’ll need political action.  The other half is for CTA sponsored scholarships.
The way they’ve done it is a little sleazy.  You don’t have to pay it, but to get out of paying it, you have to go on their website and check a box that says you don’t want to participate (hence the “reverse  checkoff).  Some of us would gladly contribute the $20, but don’t like the obfuscation and subterfuge.

                        Grievance Grove

Several  grievances are being processed in the district. One has to do with a letter being put in a teacher’s file without due process, Another has to do with teachers being forced to sub during their prep time.  Both were arbitrated.  Judgments pending. 
New grievances include one which concerns a teacher singled out to justify every sick day.  This demand was copied to the world.  Other current grievances concern excessive class size.
If you have a grievance, see your site grievance rep or any FMEA official.  Grievances should be copied to Carolyn Carr, fax 408 272 7569 or ponied to Los Arboles.
Is your Class Size still too large? 
FILE A GRIEVANCE!!.  Abuse of the contract doesn’t just hurt you, it hurts EVERY teacher.  See your REP or call any FMEA officer.  Grievances should be copied to Carolyn Carr, fax 408 272 7569.