MINUTES FROM 10/02/08 MEETING:
Hello and welcome to Faculty Council 08-09!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008 notes
1. Call for nominations (NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7)
VOTE to take place Tuesday, October 14.
Please submit your nominations to me (interim secretary de facto) via email for the following Faculty Council offices:
President
Vice President (should we have the luxury)
Secretary
Treasurer
**(It is suggested that to facilitate communication, department chairs take active roles in the Faculty Council.)
Dept Chairs to date
Alt Ed -- Lucy Mason
Business/Voc Ed/App Arts -- Debbie Johnson, Eric Crawford
English -- TBD (Please respond so I may update this)
Visual/Perf Arts -- Maria Monti
Foreign Language -- Ezra Post
Math -- Jack Rothrock
PE -- Adam Aikman, Amy Eiffert
Science -- Boyd Shelton
Social Studies -- Angela McClure
Library -- Charlene Holbrook
VEA Coordinator -- Ty Yanez
2. South Valley coming to UHS Campus?
In an effort to dispell rumors and gather correct information, we discussed the current Knowns:
It is not a "done deal" that SV will move to the UHS campus.
Discussions are currently taking place and more information will follow. Please attend future Faculty Council meetings if you wish to share your thoughts.
What do we want our involvement in the decision making process to be?
We should take a proactive role.
3. Next Faculty Council meeting: October 22, lunchtime (with newly elected officers)
Agenda for this meeting includes assigning jobs for action regarding possible SV move to UHS and discussing the role of leadership positions in the Faculty Council.
Minutes submitted by:
Ollie Prax-Lodge
Spanish Instructor
Ukiah High School
1000 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-5253 x1402
oprax-lodge@uusd.net
MINUTES FROM 10/28/08 MEETING:
In attendance:
Jade T.
Debbie J.
Charlene H.
Kay S.
Denise D.
Maria M.
Lucy M.
Linda P.
Brad Mc
Ollie P-L
Holly R.
Michael R.
Kent P.
Leslie B.
Isa P.
Brenna R.
Sid B.
Bobby T.
Brad McClanahan introduced new officers: Brad Mc as president, Ollie P-L as secretary, Bobby T. as treasurer.
1. Andrea A's going away party
Ukiah Garden Cafe
November 7
5:30-6:15 no-host cocktails
6:15 dinner
$20 per person price includes choice of entree (see Debbie to sign up and choose dinner) as well as a gift for Andrea. Money is due up-front.
2. Christmas party
Social committee will convene to discuss ideas
Date for party: December 12 (Friday)
3. Supporting Dennis
Dennis has been pulled off-campus frequently since the beginning of his tenure here and the Faculty Council would like to support him having more time on campus. Brad Mc has volunteered to speak with Dennis and to write a letter to this effect to be addressed to Dr. Nash.
Concerns were raised about the lack of secondary level representation at the District Office.
4. Health Committee Vacancy
Philip Thomas and Leah White are the two nominees. Kent will set up and send out an electronic poll to gather opinions about which would better represent us. These opinions will be passed along to the UTA representatives.
5. January '09 changes in retirement options
As per IRS changes in policy, UTA can now choose which companies we would like to be on the "OK list" for further 403B contributions/investment.
In Linda Poya's words:
At the CTA workshop for Retirement investment changes effective Jan. 1. 2009, districts will be " taking over responsibility and control for reporting to IRS. A plan will be set upand only vendor products listed in the district's plan may be available for employee payroll contributions." Henry Ahn, the CTA analyst presenting the information said that MCOE will be overseeing this responsibility. The vendors to be chosen is a negotiable
element, so it seems that the UTA negotiation team should have some very fast work to do if the UTA rep council
decides to give them direction. The high school faculty association may want to give the high school reps some direction on this issue.
Kent is going to add this issue to the previously mentioned poll. Please take note and submit your comments.
Holly R. has suggested that 1.) Sherry Sandoval be approached about getting more teachers on the decision-making board and 2.) the negotiations team take a very proactive role in facilitating this change and ensuring teacher input.
6. South Valley
The last meeting regarding SV's possible move to the UHS campus centered around a discussion to decide what further meetings should be about.
Though word is coming from Dennis that makes it sound like the move is a "done deal," there is news to the contrary, most recently from School Board member Kathy James. Discussions on this topic continue, and all teachers are encouraged to submit their input at the ongoing optional meetings.
7. The next Faculty Council meeting is scheduled to be held in 2 weeks, on November 11. However, November 11 is Veterans' Day, so this will most likely be rescheduled. How about Wednesday, November 12?
Please respond with any comments or clarifications.
Respectfully submitted,
Ollie Prax-Lodge
Spanish Instructor/Faculty Council Secretary
Ukiah High School
1000 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-5253 x1402
oprax-lodge@uusd.net
MINUTES FROM 11/13/08 MEETING:
11-13-08
In attendance:
Brad Mc.
Rosemary E.
Linda P.
Maria M.
Val W.
Holly R.
Gerry A.
Charlene H.
Michael R.
Leslie B.
Ollie P-L
Bobby T.
Isa P.
Kent P.
1. Christmas/Wintertime Party
To be held at Linda P's house, Dec 12.
BYOB
Please bring dessert or hors d'oeuvres
Hot food & salad to be prepared at cost by The Pub; attendees will be asked for a donation to cover this cost (specifics TBD after you RSVP -- ASAP -- to Linda P. lpoya@uusd.net)
Possible performance by Staff Infection
2. Dues are due
$20 covers Faculty Association Scholarship (to be awarded at end of year) and end-of-year party
Please remit to Bobby T, F-1
3. Construction/Moving
Science and Math have moved, apparently without too many hitches.
Don't forget your eligibility for in lieu of days (up to 3)
4. UTA
a. There has been a change of negotiation style adopted by the negotiating team at UTA, with the UTA executive board's approval. This new philosophy inhibits negotiation team from sharing results of recent district-wide teacher survey with the idea that greater security of information decreases the risk of it being shared with the District Office. Holly has reminded us that the UTA representatives can direct the negotiation team to act.
b. All schools in UUSD have signed up to attend a school board meeting in order to have greater teacher presence during crucial decision making and to be a more visible part of discussions. UHS has volunteered to attend the May board meeting -- please mark your calendars.
c. In order to increase inter-campus understanding within UUSD, it has been proposed that schools provide UTA with a profile of their staff's workload. Please email Linda (lpoya@uusd.net) with your school-related non-teaching activities (coaching, tutoring, etc). Too busy to send an email, fill out a survey, attend an extra meeting? That's exactly the point -- so please make an exception in order to facilitate this communication.
d. Strategies to increase teacher participation in Union and other workplace-related issues were discussed. There is concern that not all voices are being heard.
5. Data Director
Concerns were expressed regarding the possibility of Data Director scores being used to evaluate teacher performance and influence determination of teacher assignments.
The next Faculty Council Meeting will be announced at a later date.
Please email me any corrections/additions to these notes.
Respectfully submitted,
Ollie Prax-Lodge
Spanish Instructor
Ukiah High School
1000 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-5253 x1402
oprax-lodge@uusd.net
MINUTES FROM 05/21/09 MEETING:
5-21-09
My apologies -- I didn't take attendance this time.
Faculty Council Scholarship --
We currently have about $900 from teacher Faculty Council dues. If you haven't paid, please visit Bobby Taylor in F-1. A scholarship committee has been established to select recipients. Recipients shall express an interest in a future involvement in education and in contributing to our community (motion made by Nori Scouras, seconded by Kent Porter, passed unanimously). The committee will meet Thursday, May 28th at 2:45pm in E-1. Committee members are: Brad McClanahan (English), Debbie Johnson (Computers, Business), Ollie Prax-Lodge (Foreign Language), Christian LaPotre (Math), Sid Bishop (Science), and Nori Scouras (Visual/Performing Arts)
TJIF Party May 29th...details to follow. Nori Scouras in charge.
UTA Retirement Party -- June 2 at North State Cafe
Honoring 4 UHS retirees and total of 18 district-wide retirees.
UTA reps and retirees eat for free. Others pay.
Brad McClanahan will speak with Dennis Willeford and pass along the message teachers would like to have another staff meeting before the end of the year to learn who is keeping their job, etc.
Ollie Prax-Lodge
Spanish Instructor
Ukiah High School
1000 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-5253 x1402
oprax-lodge@uusd.net