focus

focus on educators is an award winning publication of the Pittsburg Education Association/CTA/NEA www.peateachers.org

California Teachers Association

Statement of Mission

The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of

teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity

and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society.

MARCH 2015

Volume XXIII, Number 7

In this Issue

- Conferences/Scholarships

- Negotiations Update/Rally Pictures

- Executive Bd. Job Descriptions

- Read Across Pittsburg Pictures

- CTA News

- Grievance Update

Dear Colleagues,

I am amazed by the unrelenting

passion and unity our membership

has demonstrated over the past few

months. We have been coming

together for so many organizing

events and I thought we had

escalated as much as we could, but

then I was blown away by the

outpouring of support from our

members, parents, students, and

community leaders at the last board

meeting and during the work-to-rule

days. It is clear that this community

supports Pittsburg teachers!

It’s inspiring to see such a strong

resolve from our members to

exercise our right to secure a fair

and competitive contract. I know it

is incredibly challenging to work-to-

rule and the fact that so many school

sites want to continue doing so until

we get a tentative agreement is very

significant! Our members are taking

a stand to get a contract that respects

us as professionals, will attract and

keep teachers in Pittsburg, and

ensures our students have the

smaller classes they deserve.

Most impressive was the support

from Pittsburg High students who

felt compelled to stand up and

advocate for themselves and the

teachers who do so much to provide

a quality education for them. It is

clear they value their teachers and

believe they deserve teachers who

have a fair contract. It is very

moving that they are willing to take

action and believe they can make a

difference for themselves and their

teachers.

We are very hopeful that the Board

of Education and District leaders

will continue to work with our team

to negotiate a fair agreement so that

we can get a settlement before we

leave for spring break. PEA has

shared proposals on every

outstanding issue and is waiting for

the District to respond. We hope we

do not have to wait until another

mediation session before getting an

agreement.

As you prepare to leave for break,

take a few moments to consider how

much we have done and can

continue to do together. As

educators and union members, we

have so much collective strength to

work for the common good. Let’s

continue to advocate for our

professional status and for the

quality public schools that all

Pittsburg students deserve.

In solidarity,

Dawn Cova

on educators

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PEA Leadership 2014-2015

President

Dawn Cova

Rancho Medanos/PEA Office

Elementary Vice President

Tammy Carr

Highlands Elementary

Secondary Vice President

Shelly Bascomb

BTSA

Secretary

Chris Coan

Willow Cove Elementary

Treasurer

Gale Higgins

Willow Cove Elementary

Committee Chairs:

Grievance Committee

John Kleinjans – Pittsburg High

Chris Coan – Willow Cove Elementary

Negotiations Team

Mark Maselli - Chair

Political Action Committee

Jim Vaughan - Chair

Elections Chair

Ruth Foster

Human Rights & Women’s Issues Chairs

Yvonne Burton

Michell Redfoot

O-Team Chairs

Shelly Bascomb

Bertha Ramos

CTA State Council Representatives

Mark Maselli – PEA

CTA Director District C

Terri Jackson

NEA Director for California, District 3

Greg Bonaccorsi

Technical Editor

Susan Harrison – PEA Site Secretary

Focus on Educators

is a publication of the

Pittsburg Education Association CTA/NEA

159 East 4th Street

Pittsburg, CA 94565

Phone: (925) 432-0199

fax: (925) 432-4854

email: info@peateachers.org

website: www.peateachers.org

Rep. Council Meeting Calendar

March 23

April 20

May 18

June 1

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School Board Meeting Calendar

March 11 & 25

April 22

May 6 & 20

June 3 & 24

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Are You Getting Your PEA Information?

Having our Site Reps collect your input, attend the monthly Rep

meeting and then report back to you is vital in the

communication chain of our Association.

Roll call at last February 23rd Rep Council Meeting:

Adult Ed. – present Stoneman – present

Foothill – present Willow Cove – present

Heights – absent MLK Jr. – present

Highlands – present Hillview - present

Los Medanos – present Rancho Medanos –present

Marina Vista – present PHS - present

Parkside – present Black Diamond –present

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

ALCOSTA Events

WHO Awards Luncheon

April 18, 2015

Scotts, Jack London Square, Oakland

2015 Political Academy

April 23-26

Fairmont, San Jose

PEA Scholarships

PEA Scholarship Applications will be available for graduating high school seniors who will be attending an institution of higher learning in the fall of 2015. Applicants must be the son or daughter of a parent who is a current member of the PEA/CTA/NEA. You may request a scholarship application form from your site rep or by calling 432-0199 or emailing Susan@peateachers.org.

Scholarship forms must be returned to the PEA Office

(159 East 4th Street) no later than Monday, April 13, 2015 at 4 p.m.

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Retiring or Changing Districts?

If you’re retiring this year and you are already protecting yourself and your family with coverage under the CTA-endorsed Voluntary Life Insurance Plan, here’s a special reminder. If you maintain a CTA-NEA Retired Lifetime Membership and apply within 120 days of retirement, you and your loved ones can continue a portion of your current, active Voluntary Life Insurance coverage. This is a limited-time opportunity so apply now by calling The Standard’s CTA Customer Service Department at 800.522.0406. If you are changing school districts, contact The Standard as soon as possible to ensure that your coverage information is up to date. Also, if you apply within 120 days of a district change or transfer, you can choose to continue your insurance coverage with The Standard at your current level, or you can apply for Disability Insurance and up to $200,000 of Life Insurance. To learn more visit: www.standard.com/cta/newhireMORE

2015 Contra Costa County Teacher / Certificated Staff Job Fair

Substitute Teachers Needed! If you know of someone who may be interested, invite

them to attend: Saturday, April 11 9:00 a.m. – noon

PHS Gym

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Majority of Public School Students Live in Poverty

According to a research bulletin released by the Southern Education Foundation (SEF), for the first time in recent history, just over 50 percent of children attending U.S. public schools come from low-income families.

The trends are staggering, and yet the national debate over public education still provides inadequate space for a serious discussion about poverty and its impact on student achievement.

Growing up in poverty is one of the greatest impediments to a child’s cognitive development and his ability to learn.

“Their success or failure in the public schools will determine the entire body of human capital and educational potential that the nation will possess in the future. Without improving the educational support that the nation provides its low income students – students with the largest needs and usually with the least support — the trends of the last decade will be prologue for a nation not at risk, but a nation in decline.” (From NEA TODAY)

“Ensuring that children in poor neighborhoods have the same learning opportunities that children in more affluent neighborhoods have is a pillar of Whole Child Education.

Equity in resources and programs should be in every single school building.” –NEA President Lily Eskelsen García

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Negotiations Update During the first 3 mediation sessions, the District team

was unwilling to continue to bargain past 4:00 p.m. without the mediator. At the last session, they did stay until 6:30. Your PEA bargaining team has been willing to stay every time - all night if needed.

The District team has been unwilling to get decisions from board members during mediation. While they should be able to get direction and approval at a moment’s notice, it seems they always have to wait another week for another board meeting.

K-3 class sizes matter! Every other local we know about is getting an agreement with their district to lower class sizes with the money from the state. PEA's goal is to ensure that the District will reduce class sizes to 24:1 as the law requires, but so far they insist on keeping the ability to ignore the law and go up to 32:1 on their terms.

The District is once again, in another bargaining cycle, allowing their attorney to DRAG out negotiations! Could it possibly be for “billable hours”?

The District has shown very little concern that their delays cause you to pay more in health benefits each month we're not settled. Furthermore, so far they have had no interest in settling health benefits retroactively. One board member stated it was “behavior modification” because teachers were told the board wouldn’t pay retro benefits back in December; apparently we’re now being taught a lesson. THAT IS NOT OK! (On 3/11, the board member publicly stated that the “behavior modification” comment was not referring to changing teachers’ behavior…You can decide for yourself, but we certainly hope we’re not being punished for fighting for a fair contract.)

What an amazing and powerful turn-out at the March 11th board meeting! Teachers, parents, students, and

community members were out to support PEA teachers in OUR fight for a FAIR contract! THANK YOU to the

speakers and everyone who showed up!

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PEA Executive Officers Job Descriptions

President

The President shall be the chief executive office of the Association and its policy leader. The President shall:

1. Preside at all meetings of the Association, the

Representative Council and Executive Board; 2. Prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Association,

the Representative Council and the Executive Board; 3. Be the official spokesperson for the Association; 4. Be familiar with the governance documents of the

Association, CTA, and NEA; 5. Appoint all chairpersons and members of committees,

and of the bargaining team, with the approval of the Executive Board by the beginning of each school year;

6. Propose the procedures for grievance processing for ratification by the Executive Board and the Representative Council;

7. Suggest policies, plans and activities for the Association and be held responsible for the progress and work of the Association;

8. Attend meetings of the Service Center Council of which the Association is a part; and

9. Attend other CTA/NEA meetings as directed by the Representative Council.

Vice President, Secondary

The most important duty of the Vice President, Secondary, shall be to carry the message of the President to the Junior High, High School and Continuation High School members in order to activate the members to participate positively in the association. To do this, it shall be considered necessary for the Vice President, Secondary, to perform the following tasks: 1. Actively attend all Executive Board meetings 2. Actively attend all Representative Council meetings 3. Perform the duties of chairman at any Executive Board

or Representative Council meetings that the President is unable to attend

4. Actively attend meetings of the School Board when requested by the President

5. Interact with the Representatives of the secondary schools to assist them in conducting Ten Minute meetings at their sites with all their members

6. Recruit members to participate in the activities of the union at the secondary sites such as Representatives, Executive Board members, Bargaining Team members,

Organizing Team members and other committees established by the association

7. Promote support for the Bargaining Team among the members

8. Be aware of the status of grievances at the secondary sites and support the successful resolution of same

9. Support the Representatives in carrying out their duties at the secondary sites as it relates to assisting members who have been accused of violations by the administration and reporting violations of the contract by the administration

10. Support the Representative's efforts to foster a positive attitude about the union and participation in the functions of the union at the secondary sites

11. Represent the union in a professional manner at all times

12. Be a resource for all members of information, position/policy of the association and event schedules

13. Conduct Principal surveys and compile results 14. To perform all other appropriate duties as assigned by

the President

Vice President, Elementary

The most important duty of the Vice President, Elementary, shall be to carry the message of the President to all Elementary School members in order to activate the members to participate positively in the association. To do this, it shall be considered necessary for the Vice President, Elementary, to perform the following tasks: 1. Actively attend all Executive Board meetings 2. Actively attend all Representative Council meetings 3. Perform the duties of chairman at any Executive Board

or Representative Council meetings that the President is unable to attend

4. Actively attend meetings of the School Board when requested by the President

5. Coordinate and assist the Representatives of the elementary schools to assist them in conducting Ten Minute meetings at their sites with all their members

6. Recruit members to participate in the activities of the union at the elementary sites such as Representatives, Executive Board members, Bargaining Team members, Organizing Team members and other committees established by the association

7. Promote support for the Bargaining Team among the members

8. Be aware of the status of grievances at the elementary sites and support the successful resolution of same

9. Support the Representatives in carrying out their duties at the elementary sites as it relates to assisting members who have been accused of violations by the

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administration and reporting violations of the contract by the administration

10. Support the Representative's efforts to foster a positive attitude about the union and participation in the functions of the union at the elementary sites

11. Represent the union in a professional manner at all times

12. Be a resource for all members of information, position/policy of the association and event schedules

13. Plan and Organize Community Outreach Events: Farmers Market Table; Sock Drive; Read Across Pittsburg; and Pittsburg Health & Safety Fair

14. To perform all other appropriate duties as assigned by the President

Secretary

Duties include the following: 1. Keep a careful and accurate record of the proceedings

of each meeting, regular or special, of the Association, Representative Council, and the Executive Board;

2. Be responsible for the distribution of minutes, notice of meetings, and agendas for all meetings to members of the Representative Council and Executive Board; and to the membership when appropriate;

3. Keep an accurate roster of the membership of the PEA Association and of all committees and this information to the office secretary;

4. Carry on the correspondence pertaining to the affairs of the Association as directed by the President;

5. Keep the PEA Office calendar up-to-date with events and meetings related to PEA.

Treasurer

The Treasurer is in charge of all areas connected to PEA’s finances. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining short and long-term fiscal planning and accountability.

The Treasurer has the following responsibilities: Exercise general supervision over the receipt and

disbursement of all funds of PEA.

Exert official custody of all funds and property of PEA.

Prepare and distribute the annual budget, monthly financial reports, and annual financial report and tax returns.

Perform such other duties as may properly appertain to PEA and as may be provided elsewhere in the by-laws or standing rules.

The Treasurer performs the following tasks:

Ensure the timely payments of all monthly payments and bills.

Perform banking actions. Prepare financial statements and forecasting reports. Work in partnership with the Executive Board to sustain

overall goals and objectives.

Annually:

Prepare annual financial report according to PERB guidelines

Submit financial information to CPA for tax returns

Provide CPA with 1099 information

Prepare and submit for approval upcoming year’s financial budget.

Prepare and distribute Representative Council stipends

Semi-Annually

Prepare and distribute Executive Board Stipends

Prepare and submit PAC filings

Monthly

Pay bills

Balance checking account

Prepare and submit updated financial report to Executive Board and Representative Council

Note: please refer to CTA Accounting & Reporting Handbook for Treasurers for training and detailed information on Treasurer duties and responsibilities.

ELECTION TIMELINE

The Declaration of Candidacy forms are available from your site reps as of March 23, 2015. These are due to the PEA office no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 20, 2015. There will be a General Membership meeting for all PEA members on April 20 from 3:45–4:00 p.m. at the PEA office. At this time, any nominations can be taken from the floor and candidates can give a speech if they so desire. After this meeting, all candidates’ names and statements will be printed on a ballot. The PEA Elections of Officers Ballot will be distributed to all the school sites on May 4 and members will have from May 4 through May18 until 3:00 p.m. to cast their vote. Ballots must be turned into the PEA office no later than

4:00 p.m. on May 18, 2015.

The final results will be sent to site reps on June 1 via email. They will also be posted in the June Focus newsletter and on our website: peateachers.org.

PEA is a democratic association and relies on your

participation to be governed. Thank you for your support!

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“NEWS…”

Know your Rights and Wrongs!

Rights to Know Students’ History of Misconduct and to Suspend from Class

By law, the District must provide information to you about any of your students who have engaged in or are suspected of having engaged in misconduct, including criminal activities, disruptive or defiant behavior at school, hazing, or harassment over the past three years. You must keep this information confidential, except as needed. (Ed. Code sec. 49079, Health and Welfare Code sec. 827(b) (2).) You have a right to suspend a student from your classroom for the day of the suspension and the following day. (Ed. Code sec. 48910.)

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Grievance Update

You are NOT required to notify the office when leaving campus at lunch. Willow Cove filed a grievance with the district in February regarding the announcement at a staff meeting that they would be required to notify the office when they leave campus at lunch. PEA grieved this as the contract states that unit members have a duty-free lunch. Requiring a sign-in/sign-out or even stopping by the office to announce your intention to leave would be an additional duty that would impede on the duty-free time. This has NEVER been a problem before, so we’re not sure why it came up now. This was settled at Level 2 by the Asst. Superintendent – HR with a retraction of the requirement that PEA unit members notify the office when they leave campus for lunch. You are free to use your duty-free lunch as you see fit!

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API SUSPENDED THIS YEAR

The State Board of Education announced they would suspend the outdated accountability system “Academic Performance Index” for a second year. Student scores will be available, but they will not be used to penalize schools. The Board said the Smarter Balanced tests are much different than the previous CST tests therefore true comparisons could not be made.

CTA President Dean Vogel released the following statement: “As California continues to transition, transform and revitalize our public schools with the Common Core State Standards, old student assessment methods must make way for the new, and that takes time. While educators are just in the second year of working with the new standards, they continue to do so without textbooks that have been aligned and the resources they need. Many districts across the state are at different stages of implementing CCSS and preparedness to administer the statewide assessments. So you really can’t put the cart before the horse, especially when some of the horses aren’t even in the stable.

“Delaying the API another year gives teachers a full year of teaching new standards and helping students prepare for the new state tests. It’s also time that we get beyond one test score for measuring student and school success. The Board’s action provides the state the much needed time to further research and develop a system based on multiple measures of student progress, such as student attendance, graduation data and student readiness. It will allow the state to create an accountability system that’s centered around the local needs of students and communities.”

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READ ACROSS PITTSBURG – March 5, 2015 PEA was excited to celebrate Read Across Pittsburg (our spin on NEA/CTA’s Read Across America) with an event we started last year. We invited special guest readers to our classrooms at Stoneman, Highlands, and Marina Vista! It was a lot of fun for the guests and the kids! PEA would like to give a special thank you to Superintendent Schulze for supporting this event.

Thank you to the more than 30 community members and district office staff who volunteered their time to read and to make this a successful literacy event!

Pictured left to right, top to bottom, PUSD Superintendent Janet Schulze, Sue Ferguson (Ed Services),Cindy Bridges (Bank of the West), Arika Spencer-Brown (Pittsburg Head Start), Pittsburg City Manager Joe Sbranti, Joyce Glasper (Ed Services), Pittsburg Chief of Police Brian Addington, George Monterrey (Community Activist), Jennifer Sachs (Ed Services)

To see more photos, go to facebook.com/pea.teachers or our website peateachers.org Tp

To see more photos, go to facebook.com/pea.teachers or our website peateachers.org

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READ ACROSS PITTSBURG – March 5, 2015 After school, PEA members volunteered to read to preschool and Head Start classes around Pittsburg. PEA has sponsored this event for several years. The preschool students really enjoy the special guests…their future teachers! The books One by Kathryn Otoshi and We Are in a Book! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems were a lot of fun to read and were donated to each of the preschool classes as gifts from PEA. Thank you to all of the PEA members who volunteered their time for this event: Pictured left to right, top to bottom, Carmen Belt (Highlands), Debbie Frieberg (Highlands), Sue Price (Parkside), Ian Maslen (Rancho Medanos), Not Pictured: Carol Addison (Adult Ed.), Kathy Barrere (PHS),Tammy Carr (Highlands), Chris Coan (Willow Cove), Cookie Freeman (PHS), Eduardo Lagos (Rancho Medanos)

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Calendar

MARCH

2-13 NEA-RA State Delegates Election 6-8 Equity & Human Rights Conference – Hyatt Regency, S.F. Airport 8 Daylight Saving Time begins 9 PEA Executive Board – PEA Office – 159 East 4th St. – 3:45 PM 11 PUSD School Board Meeting – 2000 Railroad Ave. – 7:00 PM 17 St. Patrick’s Day 20 Spring begins 23 PEA Rep Council – PEA Office – 159 East 4th St. – 3:45 PM 25 PUSD School Board Meeting – 2000 Railroad Ave. – 7:00 PM 29 Palm Sunday

APRIL

1 April Fool’s Day

2 Cesar Chavez Day/No School 3 Good Friday/Passover begins at Sundown 3 Board Holiday/No School 5 Easter 6-10 Spring Recess 13 PEA Senior Scholarship Applications Due 13 PEA Executive Board – PEA Office – 159 East 4th St. – 3:45 PM 20 Candidacy Forms Due for Executive Board Elections 20 PEA Rep Council – PEA Office – 159 East 4th St. – 3:45 PM 22 PUSD School Board Meeting – 2000 Railroad Ave. – 7:00 PM 22 Earth Day/Administrative Professionals Day

Next Deadline for Articles is Monday, April 13, 2015

STAY INFORMED @ peateachers.org and cta.org & nea.org