Antelope Valley Teacher's Association

AVTA Representative Council Meeting April 3, 2007

 Motion to approve the minutes from March 6, 2007 by Mike Otinsky, second by Terry Vernor.  Motion approved.

President’s Report, Gene Smith
    Retro checks were distributed in a separate check.  A request was made for the codes used on payroll checks.  Bagel Bakery will be providing breakfast for Day of the Teacher on either May 8 or 9 depending on site.
    An information sheet issued by CTA regarding computer use was provided to site captains to be put in all teachers’ mailboxes.

Vice President Political Action, Gerald Fairman
    Gerald Fairman presented the election results.  David Wright and Gene Smith helped tally the votes.  Gerald was elected to be the AVTA representative to NEA convention and will be the first from AVTA to attend.  He also attended the Region 3 conference on how to elect school board members which was held in Pomona last month.  He also passed out information on the per pupil spending in California.

 Beatriz Sztain,Treasurer
    Justification  sheets for representatives and site captains  were accepted.   Site rep forms should include address and all required information.  Site captains need number of teachers served and all required information.  Officers need justification for release time with percentages. Grievance, negotiations and officers fill out a form for each position held.
    If you want to attend a conference, you must fill out a request which must be approved by rep council before you attend .  The district office is charging us for release time used by officers, grievance and negotiations.

Julie Agnew, Vice President Membership
    The end of year party honoring the retirees is May 17 at the Hellenic Center at 30^th and K-4.  New people are still being hired so reps should keep up with their lists and membership forms.

 Dan Shy, Negotiations
    Surveys have been tallied.  Sunshine Article 4 to rework duties and obligations. The District is trying for a ratio of 450 students to 1 counselor in the next 18 months.  Each site except Littlerock High School will probably have 1-3 interns.
    A move to get the JRC back due to some sites having schedules imposed on them.
    Mr. Piget is using statistics pertaining to teachers’ salaries that are nationwide and are not accurate for our district.

 Gary Roberts, State Representative, Grievance
    Senator Alpert and CTA agreed in 2004 that 2^nd graders would no longer be tested; however there is a move to start testing them again.  Next year’s dues will go up $10 per year or $1 per month. After 07-08 the $60 assessment will be removed.  CTA is working on the reauthorization of NCLB for more realistic testing.  Social Security windfall repeal is on hold for now.  The Stanford research stated that merit pay and test scores don’t work.  Dan Vaughn was elected the new secretary/ treasurer of CTA.

    There is a demand to bargain for the English/Algebra intervention class size.

    Change in working conditions at Lancaster High School block schedule is at Level 2.

    Grievance at Palmdale on counselor 1/6, 120607 was settled at Level 2.

    IEP sub the period not pro rate paying teachers for only 1 hour, can’t do this currently must pay for the period.  A motion was made to go to arbitration on this, if needed by TV Hall and second by Dee Bowers. Motion passed

    Carolyn Dondero discussed stressing the feedback model, human capita model and teachers are capita and should be treated as important not something to throw away.  TV Hall said teachers need the warm and fuzzy also.

New Business:

• School climate form.

• School report card.

• Administrator evaluation form.

 Motion to adjourn by Mike Otinsky, second by Dee Bowers.  Meeting adjourned.