Jordan UniServ Joint Executive Board Retreat

We had a great training today with the Canyons Education Association Board.  We talked about the roles and duties of Board members, how to start building relationships with AR's at schools they are liaisons to, and doing some team building.  I appreciate the efforts of the Executive Board members today.  You have elected great people to lead our Association!

Executive Board Meeting

The JEA Executive Board met last night.  We discussed the UEA House of Delegates, EFT conversion progress, membership, PAC working on races within the Republican party prior to convention, a possible reduction in local dues to make up for increases in UEA and NEA dues, and creating an Election Committee. 

Legislative Council (AR) Meeting

The AR meeting last night went well.  We talked about the EFT flip process and the progress that is being made.  It is slow but steady and hope to keep the momentum going.  If you have not had a meeting about the EFT flip, contact your building AR. 

Kyle Hansen from Human Resources came to talk about a few things with the coming of the transfer season.  He stated that the Intent to Return will not be going out, because the information was not useful.  Instead, there is an Early Notification Incentive of $200 to be paid on the final paycheck to licensed personnel who submit the Resignation Form to their principal and HR by March 1.  The intent is to help principals know of open positions and to be able to avoid a Reduction In Staff (RIS).  There will then be two Teacher Transfer Fairs:  Elementary on Friday, March 23 from 3:00 to 7:00 at South Jordan Middle and Secondary on Monday, March 26 from 10:00 to 2:00 at Riverton High.  This will give teachers the opportunity to meet with principals and have more choice in where they wish to transfer.  This process is also happening early to avoid a RIS.  Once the known RIS are identified by their principal through meetings with the Administrator of Schools to determine "school need", they will be placed into positions for which they are qualified.  Then the regular transfer window will open up.  If you are considering a transfer, attending the Teacher Transfer Fair is a great chance to determine where you would like to teach next year.

Nominations for JEA Leadership took place.  The following were nominated:

President – 2 years:  Jennifer Boehme

Vice President – 2 years:  Jack Duffy, Kevin Ball, Mallory Meyer

Middle school – 3 years:  Mallory Meyer

Elementary school – 3 years:  Kara Goodwin

Special certification – 1 year:  Renee Sass

Any active JEA member may file a petition with 25 signatures of JEA members to become a candidate for any open position.  If you are interested, please contact me at jennifer.boehme@utea.org to receive a petition.  Petitions are due to the JEA Office by 5:00 on Wednesday, February 15.

We discussed the legislature and bills that are being run this session. You can go to Utah Public Education to see a summary of Senator Osmond's SB64:  Public Education Employment Reform Act.

We also talked about the importance of caucus attendance to become a delegate or to elect public education friendly delegates.  You should have the opportunity to watch the video on becoming a delegate that is linked on the Utahn's for Public Schools website.  It is 17 minutes long and a bit boring, but it does contain good information on the process and importance of caucus attendance.

Caucuses are scheduled for Tuesday, March 13 for Democrats and Thursday, March 15 for Republicans.  Any JEA member who attends their caucus will be entered into a drawing for a restaurant gift card.  We will collect this information on Friday, March 16.  Please take the time to attend and become involved.  Most decisions about education are political decisions.

Executive Board Meeting

The JEA Executive Board met this evening.  We discussed the budget, EFT, negotiations, membership, PAC, and JEA elections.  We also prepared JEA retractable lanyards as gifts for when members flip to EFT so they are ready once we start the EFT transition.

Executive Board Meeting

Most of the Executive Board met tonight.  The main topics of discussion were the upcoming EFT conversion, possible budget cuts for next year, and politics. 

Executive Board Meeting

Wednesday evening was the monthly JEA Executive Board meeting.  We held an extensive discussion on the budget.  The Executive Board will be looking at possible ways to cut local dues.  All UEA members will be moving to EFT to start in Fall 2012 on a 10 deduction payment plan.  The monthly amount of dues will be higher, but for fewer months.  JEA went to 12 months for dues deduction a couple of years ago.  The reason UEA is going to 10 month deduction is because NEA requires states make payments to NEA on a 10 month plan.

There will be more information coming in November.

Executive Board Meeting

Last night the JEA Executive Board Meeting met.  The main topics of discussion were committee appointments and the JEA budget.  We also appointed Renee Sass, Oquirrh Hills, as the Special Certification representative due to the resignation of Karl McKenzie.

Jordan UniServ Training Retreat

Yesterday the Jordan UniServ (JEA and Canyons Education Association, CEA) met for training.  Ross, CEA President, and I were pleased with the attendance with only one person excused due to taking classes for an administration certificate.  After showing the NEA Standing Strong Video, we did an ice breaker then went into the "Learning to Listen" training.  We did an assessment to see how well we do in each of the Three Dimensions of Listening:  Staying Focused, Capturing the Message, and Helping the Speaker.  I learned a lot about myself and some of the behaviors I need to change to become a better listener.  In being a better listener, I hope to be a better president.

Cindy and Laura then led a discussion on establishing a plan for helping members change their payment of dues from payroll deduction to EFT (electronic funds transfer).  You will hear more about this as UEA and JEA work out the logistics of this change.

In the afternoon, the JEA Executive Board met.  We discussed how each Executive Board Member can best serve their liaison schools, which have been changed to be roughly by feeder system for closer proximity to facilitate more personal contacts.  We also discussed items we want built into the JEA budget this year.

The training retreat was quite successful!

Jordan District Budget Hearing

Mr. Burke Jolley, Business Administrator for Jordan District, presented the proposed 2011-2012 budget Tuesday night.  He said the budget did not include any compensation increases (steps, lanes, COLAs) for any employees.  He said the budget should be revenue neutral, meaning that the District spends what it receives or uses reserves to pay for priorities.  He also said this budget is long-term and sustainable. 

I spoke to the School Board stating that a long-term, sustainable budget must include steps and lanes.  I talked of the implied contract of the salary schedule and that not funding steps and lanes violates the integrity of the salary schedule.  I also pointed out the possible problems that will come 5 to 10 years down the road as other districts continue to honor their salary schedules, and Jordan does not.  Veteran teachers who have already topped out on the salary schedule will retire.  New teachers will either go to other districts after a couple of years in Jordan when they realize they are not receiving increases, or Jordan will only be able to hire teachers who have not been hired by other districts. 

I expressed these same ideas on Wednesday to School Board President Rick Bojak when the School Board and JEA Executive Board met for lunch.  I told him I was concerned that the impact of the decisions to not include steps and lanes in a long-term, sustainable budget will not be seen immediately, but that in 5 to 10 years, the quality of education received by the students will decline due to the points mentioned above.  Other JEA Board members also gave personal examples or examples of teachers within their schools who have left or considered leaving Jordan to teach elsewhere.  In addition, we explained that a teacher with three years of experience being hired by Jordan from out of state is likely placed on Step 3 of the salary schedule, while a third year teacher who has only taught in Jordan is still on Step 1, making an inequity and not rewarding loyalty.

At the budget hearing, Representative Jim Bird also spoke.  He called Mr. Jolley out about hazardous busing.  He asked why the district was maintaining the legal maximum 5% in reserves ($14.5 million) when there are children who must cross Highway 111 or 9000 South.  Mrs. Peggy Jo Kennett pointed out that the School Board made that decision.

I appreciate the 10 JEA members who attended the Budget Hearing.

Executive Board Meeting

The JEA Executive Board met last night for our regular monthly meeting.  This one was early, because next Wednesday is graduation!  We wish Melissa Brown well as she will no longer be on the Executive Board but will be representing the Jordan UniServ on the UEA Board of Directors.  The new high school representative on the JEA Board is Debbie Brown who teaches at Bingham.

Executive Board Meeting

The JEA Executive Board met last night.  We discussed the upcoming UEA Leadership Conference, NEA Representative Assembly, meetings for next year, the JEA budget, and membership.

Negotiations with the District begin this evening.  The JEA Negotiations Team includes:

• Melissa Brown, Chairperson, secondary
• Janeen McMillan, counselor
• Karl McKenzie, special education
• Kara Goodwin, elementary

The District Negotiations Team includes:

• June LeMaster, Human Resources
• John Taylor, Interim Riverton/Herriman Feeder System Administrator of Schools
• Herb Jensen, Transportation

Executive Board Meeting

The JEA Executive Board met last night.  We discussed upcoming events including UEA House of Delegates, UEA Leadership Academy, and NEA Representative Assembly.  We also addressed membership and budget items.  I appreciate the work and cooperation of the members of the Executive Board.

Legislative Council (AR Meeting)

We had a good meeting this evening.  Everyone in attendance wrote a postcard to one of their legislators.  Your AR will be asking at least one other person in the building to write a postcard too.  The postcards are pre-addressed and paid for.  All you do is add the name of your legislator, your return addres, and your message about public education.  Please take the time to do this if you are asked.  We need our stories to be heard on the hill.  Tell your legislators how cuts will hurt your classroom.  Tell how cuts this year already have hurt.

The AR's moved to recommend Robin Frodge as NEA State Director in the current UEA primary election.  You will receive your voting card from your AR.  Please vote!  This is a statewide election, and we are supporting Robin.  Go to myuea.org/vote to vote today.

Candidates for JEA High School Representative on the Executive Board include Debbie Brown, Bingham and Jack Duffy, West Jordan High.  Lauren Flygare is the candidate for Middle School Representative on the Executive Board.  JEA elections will begin mid-March.

Executive Board Meeting

The JEA Executive Board met this evening.  We discussed the legislature, House of Delegates, NEA RA, membership, the negotiated Joint Committee, and Western Region Leadership Conference. 

JEA is hosting a table at the Jordan Education Foundation Breakfast on Wednesday, February 23 at 7:45 a.m.  JEA is proud to support the JEF in providing mini grants for teachers and scholarships for students who have turned their lives around.

January Executive Board Meeting

The JEA Executive Board met this evening for our monthly meeting.  We discussed the budget, upcoming negotiations, UEA elections, and the upcoming legislative session.  More information will be presented to the AR's next week.

Lots of Meetings

Last night was the Executive Board Meeting.  We approved committee assignments and the budget, which will be presented for approval by ARs at the Legislative Council meeting next week.

Today was a Sick Bank Committee meeting.  If you need to use Sick Bank, Critical Family Illness, or Adoption Leave, read the policy carefully.  Sick Leave Policy  Ask for clarification through Human Resources if needed.

District Advisory Committee was this afternoon.  Issues discussed were time for PLCs at the elementary level (work with your principal and be creative), salary items from negotiations, Herriman Fire make-up day for C track will be on Presidents' Day in the middle of their off track time (plan for it now), secondary Teacher Salary Supplemental Program application at http://www.tssp.utah.gov/, classroom temperature either too hot or too cold (talk with your custodian and principal first, then Auxillary Services), license renewal finger prints can start now if your license expires in June 2011, food policy that you can purchase food for students but not for employees, and legislative supply money starting at $50 now and the remainder will come in December.  More details later.

I forgot about the Special Education Task Force that met in between the other two meetings.  I will be finding out what was discussed there. 

Executive Board Retreat

Today the JEA and CEA (Canyons) Executive Boards met together with UniServ Directors Laura Black and Cindy Carroll for training. The information and activities they provided about communication helped us learn how to listen and discuss Association information with members. We also looked at the strengths of each person on the Board and how we can use those strengths within the Association. We learned more about the UEA message of "Speak for Tomorrow Today", how it relates to the NEA TEF/EDX (taxes, economic growth, education funding/educational excellence) campaign, and how the message applies to us in the Jordan UniServ. I will be working to bring that message to every school throughout the year.

After lunch, the two Executive Boards met separately. We discussed expectations for Board members, mediation, and liaison schools, with assignments to think about goals, the budget, and committee assignments for our next meeting in September.

Following the Executive Board meetings, the UniServ Council met. The main item of discussion was the UniServ Budget.

It was a long but very productive day!

Ready for Executive Board retreat

Today I finished all the necessary items for the Executive Board retreat for tomorrow. Your elected association leaders should come away ready to help you!

I continued to work on the information for the General Membership Meetings.

I also worked on organizing committee information, so JEA has appropriate representation on District committees. I will be sending out requests for vacant positions in the next couple of weeks.

FYI: The School Board is having an Emergency Closed Study Session tomorrow morning to discuss negotiations.