Friday, January 31, 2014

Board Highlights from 1/13/14 Meeting: OEA reports

 Video link to Board Meeting 1.13.2014
Charles Shannon, OEA President invited the School Board Members to the 2/8/14 CTA breakfast.

Employees of the Month: Mike Agers (OIS), Pam Chang IA (SH)

Minutes:  Trustee Butler requested that committee assignments be included in the minutes for the purpose of public transparency. Approved 3-2 (Trustees Krumholz, Butler and Severson approved).

This item was presented as the last item of the evening, however I have chosen to move it to the front of the minutes as it concerns OEA membership. (CS)
Under the PERS benefits “umbrella,” OUSD pays a lifetime $50.00 per month medical supplement to its retirees. About half the Contra Costa districts have these benefits. Loreen Farrell presented this information to the Board with the interest of ending the ongoing supplemen optiont via restructuring the districts benefits with PERS or a new provider. At this point it is unclear whether current retirees would be “grandfathered” and continue receiving the medical supplement. Trustee Moran expressed concern that lifetime benefits will eventually encroach on general fund.
A committee will be formed with OEA and management representation to study the issue. OEA has requested the option of selecting an outside expert who may assist all involved in making a sound decision. To be continued.

Annual Financial Audit Report by Cichella and Tokunaga
The accountants found that OUSD is compliant in its financial accounting as of the close of June, 2013. Available reserve should be at 3%. The auditor found that the school district has reserves of 20%. Report approved 5-0

Interdistrict Transfer Policies
Strustee Butler asked how many transfers accepted from 2012-2014
Employee requests:
2009 – 2010:  23 applied, 21 approved
2010 - 2011:  17 applied, all accepted
2011 – 2012: same as above
2012  - 2013: 15 applied, all accepted
2013 – 2014:  15 applied, all acceptd
Lottery process if more applicants than spaces available, however the lottery includes all requests (employee, locally employed, out-of-district)

Trustee Butler and Trustee Krumholz suggested that “random” (lottery) in ed code could be after a priority. Trustee Butler extensively researched districts in our county in terms of acceptance of employees’ children. Found many other districts to be more conducive.

OEA President pointed out that Pulte Homes has stated in its public documentation that priority will be given to those working in Orinda for a minimum of one year for consideration of below market rate homes. Why may that agency publicize its priority w/o concern for legal action?

An OIS teacher requested priority for teachers.
An OIS employee: out of district students who attend Miramonte are notified of acceptance in April and May and questioned why OUSD waits until the end of August to notify applicants of admittance or denial
Local citizen: asked about fiscal impact
Former student spoke in favor of priority
OIS teacher reminded the district that positive news reports about OUSD are preferable. Private schools recruit teachers at 5-year increments. Employees’ children attending school in OUSD is a strong incentive to remain.

Trustee Severson stated that the OUSD policy was legally challenged and that legal counsel for the district has recommended against any change in policy.
Trustee Butler pointed out that the legal challenge was about the Allen Act, not interdistrict transfer of employees’ children. Trustee Krumholz stated that because the interdistrict transfer has not previously been challenged he is less concerned about that possibility. He sees the opportunity as an amenity that will attract teachers to the district. Trustee Rossiter spoke in favor of the AcalanesUHSD policy where employees’ children are given priority. Trustee Severson, as Board President requested that more legal detail be provided and recognized the Board consensus is for employee support if possible. Dr Jaconette spoke to his concern about possible liability for the district. He also noted that the CCCOE often finds in favor of the child during a transfer appeal.

Common Core Funds designations:
Instructional materials increased from 9% to 19% ($94,345.00)
Staff Development increased from 32% to 49% ($245,860.00)
Technnology reduced from 59% to 32%  ($159,750.00)
CCF is a one-time funds and the allocation is based on enrollment. The aportionment is for two years and must be spent by July 2015.
Technology $ reduction will be supported via Pulte facities funds.
Bandwidth will be a general fund expense; $34,000.00 per year
The OEA Prsident and VP thanked Mrs. Marshall for revisiting and adjusting the percentages for expenditures and emphasized the significant efforts of the district teachers who are creating their own CC transition materials.
Board approved 5-0

 Mr Silvas recommended that the district bandwidth be increased from 100MB to 200MB for the district office at the cost of $22,228.56. Bandwidth is equally available to all school sites, where bandwidth is currently 50MB and will increase to 100MB. Board approved 5-0

Energy planning for the district: use Prop 39, solar and energy efficiency funds
Newcomb, Anderson and McCormick Company
Energy planning, energy efficiency, and solar = $69,970.00
W/o solar = $41,775.00.  Approved total contract 5-0

RGM  Assoc. Project Management
Mr. Silvas recommended RGM, a company that has provided past positive service to OUSD. The purpose is to use the company to manage the Facilities Priority List.
$523,500.    close to $700,000. Projects are expected to take more than one year to complete.  Trustees expressed concern about cost although consider $130.00 per hour for a project manager as a fair rate. Trustee Krumholz pointed out that the amertization equals a full time employee for two years. Approved rate structure 5-0.
Will later approve contract.

Corovan Moving
This company moved the DO to the current location. Mr. Silvas is recommending the same company to move to new district office location: $8,060.38
Approved 4-1 abstention

Mr. Inglesby recommended Goldbook, an online tool that enables a teacher to view student profiles for IEP students and create a differentiated goal with tools and resources to achieve that goal. Goals are measured 3-4 times per year. The program correlates to elec. IEP docs. Goldbook was piloted this fall. Mr. Inglesby reported a positive response from teachers who used the program. Common Core funds can support the adoption purchase.
Approved 5-0

Portables (discussion item): the Board reuested information about costs to buy out the current 14 leased portables and also the cost to replace 31 portables throughout district.
American Modular Gen 7 portables are highly sustainable, energy efficient and meet CHPS and LEED standards for Green Schools. Installed on a 5” slab foundation with steel frame and meet CA seismic regulation. 14 leased = $4,081,200.00.
17 owned = $6,156,000. Solar may be an option on rooftops. There is interest by the Board to improve the portables’ quality in the district. Cost is a significant factor. Discussion to be continued.

Board reports:
Trustee Butler: Advocacy Day meetings
Trustee Severson: bus report
Superintendent Report: complimented business office re: audit, 1/22 state budet meeting at CCCOE
Trustee Butler suggested reviewing school climate/discipline at school sites and requested information about principal’s evaluations

Respectfully submitted by,
Colleen Sullivan

OEA VP

Thursday, January 30, 2014

CTA endorses Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti for California's 16th Assembly District


California Teachers Association
 supports Damian Carroll for State Assembly

With seemingly everyone trying to "reform" education it's critical to stand behind candidates who will bring your values to the State Capitol.
In the 16th Assembly District, that candidate is Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti. This afternoon, you have two chances to hear him.
With over two decades of experience as an educational leader, including 15 years as a classroom teacher, Tim will support teachers and make sure that excellence is resepected, your experience is rewarded, and well-earned retirements are secure.
Please join California Teachers Assocation's recommended candidate for the 16th Assembly District today at these two events:
Tim Sbranti teaching
Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti brings 15 years as a classroom teacher, 8 years as a statewide education leader and 10 years of public service to his candidacy for the California State Assembly's 16th District. Sbranti's well-rounded and broad dedication to public service puts him in a unique position to take on today's challenges.

Democrats of Rossmoor Club
Tahoe Room
Rossmoor Event Center
Social hour: 2:30
Meeting: 3 p.m.


 Candidate Debate
Layette Library
3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA
7:00 p.m. 

Come out and show your support for teacher, educational leader, and Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti today.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

A teacher deserving of the 2014 Comcast SportsNet All-Star Teacher Award?

Submit Your Teacher Nomination Today

The Winner Will Receive $20,000 for His/Her School!


Do you know a teacher deserving of the 2014 Comcast SportsNet All-Star Teacher Award?
Presented by CTA-endorsed credit union, Provident Credit Union, and Comcast SportsNet, the award recognizes Northern California teachers at the middle- and high-school levels.  They are looking for teachers who go above and beyond in their dedication to their students and who make a difference in their communities.  CTA member Ruben Modesto of Turlock Teachers Association won $20,000 for John H. Pitman High School last year.  His award was announced at AT&T Park prior to a San Francisco Giants/San Diego Padres game in June.  Click on the link below to see the article and video:
Nominations are being accepted through February 3 for this year’s award, so don’t delay.  Nomination forms have been distributed to hundreds of schools.  The form can also be accessed here and is available at your Provident community branch.  An online form can also be filled out and submitted at www.csnbayarea.com as well.
Once the nominations have been received, a panel of judges will select five finalists.  Voting for your favorite among the finalists will be done online at www.CSNBayArea.com starting April 7th through June 1st.  The website will also feature biographies and short videos of the five finalists.
In addition, the finalists will be featured in personal video vignettes that will air on Comcast SportsNet, and they will be interviewed on select Giants Pregame Live and A’s Pregame Live shows.
The winning All-Star Teacher will be announced this summer at an on-field ceremony prior to a San Francisco Giants game and live during a telecast of Giants Pregame Live.
Join Provident in celebrating our extraordinary teachers – submit your nomination today!
To learn more about Provident Credit Union’s services for CTA members, go to 


Monday, January 27, 2014

CTA'S State Council Update - January 26, 2014

“The time is always right to do what is right.” –MLK
Submitted by State Council Reps: Charles Shannon, OEA; Joanne McClellen, MTA; Meritt Davies

CTA State Council occurs three times a year. State Council is CTA’s policy-making body. Representatives, as part of an assigned committee, propose, discuss and/or vote upon CTA policy and CA State legislative issues. This summary is intended to be brief and to highlight upcoming issues; you can find more information in the California Educator or on the CTA website. Please contact us if you have any questions.

CHAPTER INFORMATION:
  From the FINANCE COMMITTEE: Bargaining Advisories will be out in the next three weeks or so to address the state budget, LCFF (Local Control Funding Formula) and LCAPs (Local Control and Accountability Plan).

  From PRESIDENT DEAN VOGEL:  Be an active part of the conversation about your district’s LCAP plan. Anything you want to bargain in the future should be mentioned in the plan or the district can say that because (your issue/topic) is not in the plan, it doesn’t need addressing. 

  From the ASSESSMENT AND TESTING COMMITTEE: Although the Smarter Balanced Field Tests will be conducted over the next 3 years, individual/student/school/or district score reports will not be generated from the field tests.

  From the BUDGET COMMITTEE: This committee is recommending to the CTA Board that in order to participate in the arbitration fund, minimum chapter dues will need to increase from $150 to $170 a year, @ $5/year. (CTA bylaws currently state that the goal is for local dues to be 30% of the CTA dues.) The increase would not be immediate and could be implemented over a few years.

  A Region 1 Organizing Academy will be held on the first weekend of April to address the presidents’ request for training on current budget and bargaining issues. Scholarships will be available from Alcosta. Teams of 4 from each chapter are encouraged to attend...the chapter president and 3 others.
  BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! The Summer Institute will offer a Political Action Strand at the 2014 Summer Institute.
MEMBER INFORMATION:
     From the RETIREMENT COMMITTEE: CalSTRS will offer Annual Progress Reports ONLINE (hardcopies by request only). Remember to be diligent in checking your balances—that your D.O. has made accurate reports.
     From the CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION COMMITTEE:
    Members are encouraged to review and comment on the draft of the ELA/ELD Curriculum Framework by grade level. A draft of the framework can be found at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/rl/cf/elaeldfrmwrkchptrs2014.aspAfter reviewing the framework members should go to the Department of Education survey to provide comments. The survey can be accessed at http://surveys.cde.ca.gov/surveylogin.asp?k=138677921630
    Members are encouraged to apply to serve on the Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee for the revision of the Science Framework K-12. More information, including the application, is available on CDC Science Curriculum page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/sc/cf/
    Training test for smarter balanced assessments will be available in early Feb. See http://www.smarterbalanced.org 
     From the CIVIL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION COMMITTEE:  Due to the number of initiatives being circulated for signatures that attack teacher tenure, seniority, and teacher dismissal, it is recommended that members do not sign any petitions at this time. Be aware of people gathering signatures in public places.

    CTA Strategic Long-Term Planning

    Your Voice. Our Union. Our Future.

    Strategic Long-Term Planning
    In early 2012 The California Teachers Association embarked upon a strategic planning process at the direction of its State Council of Education, and under the guidance of the Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) at the University of Oregon. The process – called “Your Voice, Our Union, Our Future” – has been designed to build a long‐term plan for CTA that will engage all members and staff, look at what we are doing now and where we want to go, embrace new ideas, set priorities and focus organizational resources, and build the CTA we want for our future. The resulting strategic plan will be a “road map” for CTA’s future.
    In order to accomplish this goal, CTA relied on the people that know the organization best—the members and the staff Throughout in the process CTA reached out to CTA members in several different ways: two member surveys, including an online survey that was open to ALL CTA members, retired members and student members; discussions at CTA conferences, State Council meetings, Service Center Council meetings and local chapter meetings; and one-on-one interviews. CTA’s current practices and structures were also reviewed and conversations were held with parents, education partners, community groups, state labor unions and business groups.
    After months of talking with, listening to and getting input from CTA members and staff, committees were formed correlating to eight key areas identified upon which to focus and build a strategic plan to lead CTA for the next three to five years. These committees developed goals and tasks in each focus area. Out of those goals and tasks, a final Strategic Plan was developed and was submitted in October to CTA State Council for review. Council will vote on adoption of the plan in January 2014 after additional presentations and discussions with members at Service Center Council meetings, CTA trainings and conferences, and local chapter meetings.
    • Read the Frequently Asked Questions about CTA's strategic planning process
    • Learn more about CTA’s strategic planning process

    Sunday, January 26, 2014

    OEA Updates

    ISSUE                                    ACTION

    Grey week issue - Site Reps will meet with their Principal to bring attention to the importance of this issue.  

    Stipend Committee - Colleen Sullivan and Adam Miller have been appointed to represent OEA on this committee.  Meeting dates have yet to be decided.

    Teacher work load issue - OEA has sent two separate official "Demand to Bargain/Consult" letters and waiting for a response from the district.  

    Pink and Blue Card Issue - OEA Site Reps will meet with Michael first to see what they can do.  Next step - Charles & Colleen will address this issue with Joe in February.

    Resource & Supply Issue - Board approved an additional 10% (A total of 19%) to go towards this.

    Respect Issue - Colleen and I continue to work with the District, the Board, and our CTA Staff Consultant to bring attention to this issue.

    Health Benefits Advisory Committee - OEA will appoint two people to this committee.  We would like to find out if there are less expensive health care plans we could offer to our members.

    OEA Survey Results - Adam Miller will share survey results with our Site Reps.

    Negotiations - OEA has asked the District to provide available dates.  Our bargaining team has had extensive training and ready to get this going.

    WHO Election - Voting will take place at our Site Rep meeting on 1/27/14.



    Saturday, January 25, 2014

    New Strategic Plan Offers Blueprint for CTA's Future

    More than a year in the making, involving a committee of more than 75 educators, leaders and staff and input from thousands of members, the CTA Strategic Plan to guide us into the future and engage members in the work of the union was presented to Council. It was greeted with enthusiasm and hope for change. Council will vote on the plan in January.

    This long-term plan will make CTA stronger in the ongoing fight against corporate reformers "attempting to undermine educators and public education by blaming and demonizing us, individually and collectively," said Council delegate Shannan Brown, president of the San Juan Teachers Association in Sacramento County. "With this Strategic Plan as our guide, the California Teachers Association will once again lead the way."

    The plan, titled "Our Union, Our Future," is available to all members on the CTA website atwww.cta.org/ourfuture.

    After months of talking with, listening to, and getting input from CTA members and staff,committees were formed correlating to eight key focus areas identified as crucial to forging a strategic plan to lead CTA for the next three to five years. These committees developed goals and tasks in each focus area. Out of those goals and tasks, a final Strategic Plan was developed. Council will vote on adoption of the plan in January after additional presentations and discussions with members at Service Center Council meetings, CTA trainings and conferences, and local chapter meetings.
    "The plan centers around building an organizing culture in CTA — so that members are continually engaged and so that we are continually talking with and, more importantly, listening to each other," President Vogel said. It fosters community engagement, and more chances to "reconnect on the issues of social justice, equity and diversity."


    Vogel said CTA cast a very wide net for the data collected for this plan. "The extensive amount of data that was gathered came from all corners of CTA, from our members, from our chapter leaders, from staff, from other labor unions and community groups, and even from the media. The goal of the process from the very beginning was to listen to what members were saying and build a plan around their vision."

    California Casualty Benefits

    For many of us the new year is a time to get our finances in order.  If you are an active CTA member and have either never checked into your California Casualty benefits or if it’s been a few years we recommend that you get an updated quote from our quoting department.  In case you are not familiar with California Casualty, we are the endorsed auto and home insurance program available to educators through their CTA membership. We offer private, discounted rates as well as many unique  coverages that are specifically tailored for educators and teachers.  Some of these coverages include:

    • Deductible waiver- If you ever have an issue with either vandalism or collision to your vehicle when parked on or near school or any school sponsored event California Casualty will waive your deductible up to $1,000.
    • $500 personal property coverage- You can receive up to $500 for any personal belongings stolen from your vehicle. Whether it’s locked or not.
    • $3000 personal property coverage at school- With your homeowners or renter’s policy your personal property is covered at school. If you bring something into the classroom and it “disappears” you are covered up to $3000 with $0 deductible.
    • ID Defense- If your identity is stolen, you receive unlimited one-on-one expert guidance to help you resolve the problem, as well as credit monitoring, credit reporting, and fraud monitoring, at no additional cost.

    You can either e-mail me at arajczyk@calcas.com or call 1-877-654-9316 to receive your no-obligation quote.

    Wednesday, January 22, 2014

    In Strong Common-Core Endorsement, NEA and Firm Unveil Curricula by 'Master Teachers'

    The National Education Association and the for-profit firm BetterLesson today unveiled a jointly designed, $7 million free platform with more than 3,000 lessons aligned to the Common Core State Standards—a move that comes concurrent with NEA's strongest endorsement yet for the standards.


    Published by Charles Shannon

    Tuesday, January 21, 2014

    WHO would YOU like to Honor? We Honor Ours 2014 Award Nominations

    Dear OEA Member,

    The ALCOSTA Service Center Council’s WHO Award 
    is a special event that provides an opportunity for each chapter to recognize one person in the chapter who has made significant contributions to the teaching profession.  

    Please nominate an OEA member who you feel deserves this special recognition.  Email  Charles Shannon at cshannon65@gmail.com with your nomination.


    What is WHO?  WHonor Ours!

    WHOis a way of inspiring members to accept leadership roles by providing recognition of service contributions to the teaching profession;

    WHOis a way of saying thank you to chapter members who have contributed;

    WHOis a way of encouraging recipients to continue to serve.


    Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail at cshannon65@gmail.com Thank you and I look forward to honoring an outstanding colleague.


    Governor's proposed budget includes $10 billion in new funding for schools


    Governor Jerry Brown released his 2014-15 state budget proposal. In it he proposed $10 billion in new funding for K-12 schools and community colleges, which includes $6 billion to eliminate all deferral payments to local school districts and colleges, as well $244 million for CSU and UC systems of higher education. 

    This is definitely a welcome change from the deficits of our recent past. The state surplus was made possible by all of your hard work to pass Proposition 30 during the 2012 election. This is the second budget period since its passing that funding cuts for schools hasn't been proposed.

    What’s a ‘family status change’?

    For CTA-endorsed Disability and Life Insurance provided by Standard Insurance Company, “family status” changes include events like: the birth or adoption of your child, your marriage or initiation of a domestic partnership, divorce or legal separation, the death of your spouse/domestic partner or child, your spouse/domestic partner starting (or losing) a job, and other qualifying events.

    Often these types of life changes are a good opportunity to review your insurance coverage and ensure that you and your loved ones are adequately protected. Within 31 days of a qualifying family status change, eligible CTA members can add Disability Insurance and add or increase Life Insurance coverage up to $200,000.


    For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including exclusions, benefit waiting periods and any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact The Standard’s dedicated CTA Customer Service Department at 800.522.0406 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

    Tuesday, January 7, 2014

    Common Core Implementation Funds

    Jan 14th OUSD Board Meeting Agenda Item information on CCIF

    School districts and charter schools this fall will receive substantial money they didn’t foresee coming their way a few months ago to prepare for the Common Core standards. The catch: They first have to tell the public how they plan to use it.

    The state budget that Gov. Jerry Brown is poised to sign includes $1.25 billion – about $200 per student, based on 2012-13 enrollment – for schools to transition to a new set of English language arts and math standards that students will be tested on in spring 2015. Pressed by districts needing all the help they can get, Brown added $1 billion in his revised budget in May for the new standards, and legislative leaders negotiated an additional 25 percent – $250 million – in the budget awaiting Brown’s signature this week.

    “This is a strong indicator that the governor and Legislature will help districts be successful in the shift to Common Core,” said Assembly member Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, who, as chair of the education subcommittee of the Assembly Budget Committee, fought for additional Common Core money. Districts also have other sources of money they can direct to Common Core: federal Title I money for low-income children, as well as Title II, targeted for principal and teacher training, and extra money they’ll be getting this Fall under the new Local Control Funding Formula.

    The trailer bill, spelling out details in the budget, gives districts latitude to spend the $1.25 billion on teacher training, textbooks and materials and technology. The latter is needed for districts to offer the online, standardized Common Core tests and to begin the shift to digital learning.
    “We wanted to keep flexibility, because there are all levels of readiness in the state. Some are ahead of the curve,” said Bonilla.


    Districts will be able obtain the money in two installments, in September and then November. But first they must create a plan for it and hold two hearings: the first to present the proposal to the public, the second to vote on it. This will be sort of a trial run for the accountability plan that districts will have to write, starting in 2014, under the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), giving districts more flexibility to spend state education money.

    California Now Ranks 49th in the Nation in K-12 Spending...


    • Adjusted per-pupil expenditures of $8,482, well below the national average of $11,824
    • Last year, California ranked 47th
    • Source: EdSource, click here
    What is the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)?
    Below are links to a short video in English and Spanish explaining what the Local Control Funding Formula does, and why the formula works they way it does.
        
    How Education is Funded in California
    • California schools today receive the large majority of their funding from the State, primarily from income and sales tax revenues, but also from local property taxes that are collected at the local level but distributed by the State.  
    • By their nature, income and sales taxes are more volatile revenue sources than property taxes.  California school districts therefore face dramatic cyclical funding variations as the economy rises and falls.
    • Further, California's Governor and State Legislature, whose vote on the State Budget Act determines how State funds may be spent, have enormous control over the ability of local school districts to utilize funding to meet the specific needs of their students.
    • It is estimated that approximately 60% of all school district funds in California are general purpose in nature; the remaining 40% are restricted to specific purposes, such as the needs of special education students, low income students, limited English-proficient students, and specific grade levels.  This greatly constrains local boards of education in their spending decisions.
    • They are further constrained in their ability to raise taxes independently of the State.  Bond issues, usually limited to building programs, require a 55% vote for passage; parcel tax measures require a 2/3 vote.

    History of California Education Laws and Court Orders
    Serrano v Priest (1971):
    The California Supreme Court in Serrano v. Priest ruled education a fundamental constitutional right.  The ruling challenged the traditional method of locally funding schools which resulted in wealth-based disparities throughout school districts in the state.
    SB 90 (1972):
    In response to the Serrano case, in 1972, the state legislature established the current revenue limit scheme composed of state aid and local property taxes to bring about statewide parity among districts. It established the base finance amount for all districts to ensure districts were within $100 per pupil of each other. It was the first time since 1910 that the state reversed course on having a limited role in education financing.
    Serrano v Priest II (1976):
    The California Supreme Court found that the state’s education finance scheme (based on local revenue generated by the value of property) violated the equal protection clause of the California constitution. It resulted in the Supreme Court requiring the state to reduce funding disparities among districts within $100 per pupil.
    Proposition 13 (1978):
    Proposition 13 limited local property taxes to 2% annual increases based on value of property and capped taxes on property purchased after 1979 to 1% of the purchased value. An important feature in this initiative was that it required all parcel tax measures to pass with a 2/3rds vote.
    For more information click here.
    AB 8 (1979):
    Although Proposition 13 was a boon to property owners, the loss of revenue to localities and districts was staggering. It resulted in a 50% loss in revenue to both cities and school districts. The state passed legislation that shifted the majority of tax dollars to local governments and created a new state fund to support schools that had lost property tax dollars.
    For more information click here.
    Authorization of the State Lottery (1984):
    Voters approved the establishment of the California Lottery. It provided a guarantee of 34% of all collected funds to be distributed to k-12 schools, colleges and universities throughout the state. These funds can only be used for instructional purposes and are restricted from being used for non-instructional purposes, i.e. real estate acquisition, facilities maintenance, administration, etc.
    For more information click here.
    Proposition 98 (1988):
    Voters approved Proposition 98 in November 1988 and amended in June of 1990 by Proposition 111. It provides a minimum funding guarantee (~40% of the state’s General Fund expenditures) for school districts, community college districts, and other state agencies that provide direct elementary and secondary instructional programs for kindergarten through grade 14 (K–14). The guarantee varies from year to year and changes throughout the year from the Governor’s initial proposal to when the budget is finalized based on April/May tax receipts.
    For more information click here.


    Sunday, January 5, 2014

    COLLECTIVE BARGAINING - LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

    Our union contract is a critical document that's the culmination of the collective bargaining process. 

    During the bargaining process, a team of OEA teachers sit down as equals with administrators/directors and both sides negotiate the terms for working in the district.  This team bargains a contract that defines the issues for all members of the bargaining unit:  teachers, counselors, and all certificated staff.

    Not everything is negotiable. Critical job issues that are within the legal scope of bargaining include compensation, hours of work, safety matters, class size, evaluation and disciplinary procedures, health care, access to personnel files, preparation time, seniority, transfer rights, a grievance procedure with binding arbitration to settle major disputes, discrimination, job assignments, and early retirement.

    Issues not within the scope of bargaining include a district’s staffing needs, the district budget process, matters affecting employees outside the bargaining unit, the timing of layoffs, an advisory committee formed by the employer, and access to information unrelated to union representation.

    Both OEA and the district have embraced what is known as “interest-based” bargaining — a model that can be effective if all parties have a sincere desire to make it work.  In interest-based bargaining, the parties brainstorm to find a “win-win” solution that doesn’t start with specific bargaining proposals. The focus is on developing mutually beneficial agreements based on the interests of the parties — the needs, desires and concerns important to each side. The goal is to keep the conversation flowing and avoid “stopping points.”

    Please make sure your voice is heard by taking a few minutes of your time to complete OEA's online bargaining survey that will help determine our interests before meeting with the district.  This survey must be completed by 3:00 on Friday, January 10th. Here's the link again: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CTGD6ZV

    Thank you,

    Charles Shannon

    OEA President

    Thursday, January 2, 2014

    CTA's Strategic Long-Term Planning

    In early 2012 The California Teachers Association embarked upon a strategic planning process at the direction of its State Council of Education, and under the guidance of the Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) at the University of Oregon. The process – called “Your Voice, Our Union, Our Future” – has been designed to build a long‐term plan for CTA that will engage all members and staff, look at what we are doing now and where we want to go, embrace new ideas, set priorities and focus organizational resources, and build the CTA we want for our future. The resulting strategic plan will be a “road map” for CTA’s future.

    In order to accomplish this goal, CTA relied on the people that know the organization best—the members and the staff Throughout in the process CTA reached out to CTA members in several different ways: two member surveys, including an online survey that was open to ALL CTA members, retired members and student members; discussions at CTA conferences, State Council meetings, Service Center Council meetings and local chapter meetings; and one-on-one interviews. CTA’s current practices and structures were also reviewed and conversations were held with parents, education partners, community groups, state labor unions and business groups.

    After months of talking with, listening to and getting input from CTA members and staff, committees were formed correlating to eight key areas identified upon which to focus and build a strategic plan to lead CTA for the next three to five years. These committees developed goals and tasks in each focus area. Out of those goals and tasks, a final Strategic Plan was developed and was submitted in October to CTA State Council for review. Council will vote on adoption of the plan in January 2014 after additional presentations and discussions with members at Service Center Council meetings, CTA trainings and conferences, and local chapter meetings.  

    Go to CTA.org to find out more.