Meeting Preparation

Today was a busy day at the office.  I was working on a preliminary budget, preparing for my meeting with Dr. Johnson tomorrow, as well as preparing for the next JEA Executive Board Meeting and JEA Legislative Council Meeting.  I am also trying to fill committee openings.  Please submit an application e-mailed to you today if you are interested in joining a District committee.

Reflections on my First Year in Office

I was elected president of JEA just as the negotiation process was beginning in 2010. I became president right after JEA declared impasse. What a way to start! We finally settled through the use of a hearing officer. Since then, I have been meeting with the superintendent or interim superintendent on a monthly basis as negotiated. A joint committee established in negotiations has also been meeting monthly. These negotiated meetings have helped to repair the relationship between JEA and District administration.


Following negotiations, the campaign season was in full gear. Working for education friendly candidates at the legislature became a focus. I also watched the Jordan School Board races closely. In between negotiations and campaigns, Superintendent Barry Newbold announced his retirement. I watched the School Board as they searched for the new superintendent, Dr. Patrice Johnson, who will begin June 1. I spoke with her, and our first meeting is scheduled for June 8.

In January came the Legislative Session. It was not a good year for teachers at the Legislature. We are still waiting to see what the grading schools, reduction-in-force, and evaluation changes are going to look like. I was up at the Legislature nine days watching the proceedings and talking to legislators about how various bills will impact teachers every day. Some of them listened, others did not.

I also attended many meetings, some monthly, others as needed: DAC, Insurance Committee, Sick Bank Committee, Calendar Committee, Jordan Education Foundation, JEA Executive Board, JEA Legislative Council (AR), Jordan UniServ Staff, UEA Council of Local Presidents, School Board Study Sessions and Board Meetings, We are One Rally, and UEA House of Delegates.

One of the best parts of the job is being able to meet and visit with members and to recognize them for all the good they do in and out of the classroom. I wanted to visit every school, but I have only been to about half. This will be one of my goals for next school year.

I want all of you to know what great UniServ Directors we have in Laura Black and Cindy Carroll. They do so much to advocate for members. Michelle Anzlovar, our new administrative assistant, has been great at keeping things organized for meetings and making sure I am prepared. I could not do my job without their support.

I appreciate those of you who stepped up and did something you have never done before. That was my request to all members at the beginning of my term. Some of you were an AR for the first time. Some of you participated in Educator Day on the Hill. Many of you wrote to your legislators. Some of you have attended School Board Meetings. If each JEA member does one thing again next year that you have never done before, we can truly make a difference in our profession and our association. Thank you for your membership in JEA!

Days in the Office

I have been in the office the last couple of days.  I have been preparing for the Executive Board meeting next week, organizing and delivering retirement gifts to JEA members who are retiring this year, and working through problems with a couple of schools.  Linda White, Rosamond, won the $50 drawing for the ARs who had recruited the last 25 new members.  I have enjoyed going to the schools to deliver the retirement gifts.

Work Days in the Office

Yesterday and today I was in the office.  I worked on an item for House of Delegates after attending the Sick Bank Committee meeting.  I prepared the agenda for the Joint Negotiated Committee that will meet next week.  I finalized my preparations for the monthly Legislative Council meeting as well.  I also looked at the Negotiations Survey and the HS PTC Survey to see what the common themes were.  Tony Romanello, Canyons Education Association President, and I met with both UniServ Directors, Laura and Cindy, to review their evaluations with them.  They both serve all of us well.

New Administrative Assistant

Cari, the great JEA administrative assistant, is expecting a baby girl in January and has decided not to return.  Laura, Cindy, and I have interviewed six candidates for the position.  We should be making a decision in the next week.

It was a learning experience for me.  I have been involved in interviewing teachers for positions on my team, but I have never helped to hire an administrative assistant.  I'm so grateful for the experience of Laura and Cindy in this regard.  They knew how to narrow the candidate pool, what skills to look for, and the best questions to ask.