OEA Meeting with Dr. Jaconette, March 11, 2014

o When will negotiations begin?  OEA would like to get started.  12:00-3:00 is a preferred time.

Possible Dates for Negotiations:

·      April 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25

·      April 29, 30 & May 2

·      May 15

·      May 20, 22, 23

o April 15^th Meeting to provide input on the Local Control Accountability Plan. 

How will this meeting be structured? 

The District will have 4 people listening to members of our Executive Board give input on the Local Control Accountability Plan

What type of input should OEA be providing?

According to Dr. Jaconette, this meeting is OEA’s only opportunity to give input to the District regarding the 8 areas of the Local Control Accountability Plan.

Is this our only opportunity to give input? 

According to Dr. Jaconette, this meeting is OEA’s only opportunity to give input.

Who will be at this meeting? 

OUSD Attendees:          Joe, Kathy, Lorreen, Brian & Ed

OEA Attendees:              Charles, Colleen, Allison, Katherine

o Site Reps are being told that our Special Education caseloads are high and a real challenge for Spec. Ed. Teachers. 

How can the District address this? 

OEA would like to have Brian Inglesby attend our next Rep Council meeting to talk about this issue.  Joe said Brian can attend our Rep Council meeting as long as he is present as well.

o How can our Kindergarten teachers and other members give input on who provides RTI services, what these services look like, and when they happen?  In addition to this, how can members give input on extending the Kindergarten day?

Joe said the Curriculum Committee may take a look at this at some point but not sure when.

o RTI is not equitable across grades or schools and is not consistently provided for both ELA and Math.  What are the District’s plans for making RTI a program that is fully implemented for those students not meeting OUSD Standards?

Joe said the Curriculum Committee will be discussing this at some point but not sure when.  It also sounded as though the District Leadership Team will discuss this as well.

o OEA Leadership heard the Health Advisory Committee has been set up to convince our membership not to continue funding the retiree health benefit program with CALPERS. 

What is the purpose of this Advisory Committee? 

Loreen said the purpose of this Advisory Committee is to look at more affordable Health Care Programs for consideration.

We have a health benefits expert who was invited to this group.  However, he has not been contacted. 

Loreen needs his contact information.

When will this group be meeting? 

Loreen is trying to schedule this with all participants.

o A member was told the District was not longer allowing new job shares to be established and will only honor those that already exit. 

How will the District respond to any proposal for a new job share? 

Joe said job shares would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

o Technology purchases are occurring at all our sites and being funded by our Parent Clubs.  What are the Districts’ plans for ensuring equity?

Joe said the Curriculum Committee will be discussing this at some point but not sure when.

o Our Tech staff will occasionally go into our rooms and do things to our hardware without letting us know ahead of time.  This work is occasionally done when we are out of our classrooms.  What is the Districts’ protocol?

Joe will discuss this

o Through consensus of the School Board, the Inter District Transfer issue was going to be brought back for discussion/action.  When will this issue be brought back to the Board?

Joe’s only comment was that he and the Board heard OEA say this needs to be on the next Board meeting agenda.

o Field trip money – What do teachers do if they have collected excess funds? What if not enough money? Please advise. 

Joe advises teachers to talk with their Principal about collecting field trip money.  He also said teachers can let parents know, without naming any individuals, the need for additional funds.  All surplus field trip money will roll over from year to year and be used to fund students who were not paid for by their parent(s).  If a fieldtrip is cancelled then Joe said teachers are to talk with their Principal about refunding parents.

o Grandparents Day at our schools is taking up too much instructional time. What about TB clearance?  Could this happen during a holiday class party?

Joe will address this issue another time.

o Special Reserve (Fund 17)

This Special Reserve Fund was set up years ago and Parcel Tax Funds were deposited into this account.  This Fund is in addition to the 9% reserves the Board has set aside for economic uncertainties.  These parcel tax funds have been use for past deferrals.  OEA Leadership is disappointed with the District for not having an oversight committee review the purpose for spending these funds and making sure expenditures are aligned with parcel tax requirements.

o Teacher of the Month – May teachers make suggestions for teacher of the month?

Joe said teachers may nominate colleagues by emailing their Principal.

o Joe is curious about a question of priorities.  He is wondering how teachers would feel about K-3 class size increasing to 24 to 1.  Under our Local Control Funding Formula, only class size 24 to 1 is funded so OUSD would lose money if we stayed at class size 20 to 1.  The loss of funds could potentially impact the amount of money OEA could negotiate.

OEA will get member input on this issue.

3/10/2014 School Board Meeting Highlights from OEA

3/10/2014 School Board Meeting Highlights

Notes from OEA

Video of the meeting

Public Comment: a large contingent of parents/community members spoke against the math changes occurring at OIS under Common Core. Their concern is that advanced students will not be able to achieve to their fullest under the new Common Core math program.

Employees of the Month: Marshall Sachs (certificated) and Carolyn Lyons (classified)

Financial Update presented by Lorene Farrell:

$1,757,157 undesignated balance 2014-15

Governor considering eliminating deferrals in upcoming year; should receive  monthly “paychecks.” This did not occur under deferrals during crisis years. OUSD owed 30%. 30% to be paid to OUSD and deferral practice to end this summer.

The LCFF target extends over an 8 year period and there is an annual COLA. At the end of 8 years, all schools in CA should be receiving the same ADA.

State Statuatory COLA:

2014-15 .86%

2015-16 1.12%

81% of expenses are salaries and benefits, just as before LCFF

 Trustee Moran asked about the post retiree pensions lifetime benefits through CALPERS

all employees receive lifetime supplemental medical benfits

certificated = $ 119.00 per month

classified =  “uncapped”

Charles Shannon spoke to the increased workload experienced by OUSD teachers and the challenge of “extra time” needed to maintain a quality program.

Trustee Severson was thanked for attending the Distinguished School audit at Glorietta School 3/7/14.

Trustee Krumholz: under LCFF/LCAP districts need to establish 8 goals for the accountability plan. Attended a CSBA workshop providing guidance for the new structure.

Trustte Butler suggested that the School Board needs to hold public meetings to gather community comment and supports community input

Positive certification authorized for 2014-16, 5:0

Lorene Farrell suggested increase in developers’ fees

$3.36 residential

$0.378 commercial/industrial

$0.245 hotel/motel

OUSD has an agreement with AUHSD to split developers’ fees 70% (OUSD) – 30% (AUHSD). Previously the HS district did not collect fees from the Lamorinda/WC communities ergo new agreement

Increased fees approved: 5-0

Brian Inglesby addressed: non-reemployment of temporary certificated employees.

OUSD has 7 temporary teachers. Brian recommended that this practice continue.

Discussion about leaves of absence (can be granted up to 2 years) and teachers on special assignment (literacy and tech specialist)

Charles Shannon pointed out that temporary teachers are evaluated every year; creates extra work for the teacher and administrator(s)

Trustee Rossitor moved to approve: 5-0

2014-2015 calendar adopted: 5-0

Request for OUSD support for AUHSD Parcel Tax (will be permanent): 5-0

** Board Bylaw 9100- Organization (discussion item)

Trustee Krumholz pointed out that policies are typically reviewed before making a change. 

Trustee Rossiter wishes to select a bylaw that will remove equal opportunity for trustees to serve as officers.

Bob Kadie and Colleen Sullivan spoke to the irregularities of the previous board election and the failure to provide equity and opportunity for each board member.

Trustee Kromholz spoke against Trustee Rossiter’s recommendation with the interest of maintaining trust and teamwork within the board.

** Budget Guidelines:

Dr. Jaconette: operational guidelines; not meant to be part of LCFF piece; first step for next year’s budget. Budget needs to be built and presented to the Board for approval.

Trustee Rossitor pointed out that Budget Guidelines used to be reviewed by the now cancelled Fiscal Advisory Committee and questioned if the Board is giving enough time to these guidelines. Trustee Butler suggested that the budget guidelines need alignment with LCAP.

3% reserve recommended by the CDE

OUSD policy = 9%

OUSD reserve currently at 22%

Discussion item

Mrs. Marshall: Tech Plan:

“Living document; look at each year as technology changes”

E-rate funding discounts to schools for affordable telecommunications and internet access. E-rate plans = 3 years; focus on ethical use and internet safety

Needs to have a strong staff development component

Smarter Balance Assessment Guidelines

Digital media skills outlined in Common Core standards

Internet and cyber safety

Preparation for online testing

School Loop

Student portfolios

International Standards Tech Ed standards for students and teachers

Upgrade paging systems

Establish a baseline for assessments

Annual bandwidth upgrades

Replace outdates devices

Ensure infrastructure and network will be maintained

“Missing component is a tech director.” KM

Plan will be reviewed by County and State to qualify for E-Rate funds

Trustees Moran and Butler thanked those who served on OTAC

Trustee Butler: expressed concern that pg 14 states upgrades will be funded from general fund and facilities. Trustee Butler surprised that general funds would be used since the reference is to equipment. KM: no other source of funding identified (what about Common Core tech money?). 

Tech Director: indicated a need to clarify value of this position and asked if the OTAC teacher representatives confer with teachers at their sites. She also asked for Board updates re: monitoring the tech plan

Trustee Rossitor raised question about how extensive list of harware on pg 13 of report would be funded. 

Trustee Krumholz estimated the value of purchase at half a million dollars. Dr. Jaconette indicated that a bill is being introduced for additional Common Core money. 

Mrs. Marshall indicated a need to prioritize purchases over a three-year period. 

Trustee Butler raised question about current tech techs in terms of full 12-month employment rather than 10 month contracts. She also asked if we have a tech director, do we have to continue our reliance on Marin IT.

Charles Shannon asked if the school Parents’ Clubs’ tech purchases are equitable throughout the district.

Board member activity reports:

Trustee Severson: Bus Committee: more $ available as funding is tied to sales tax; attended meeting at Glorietta during Distinguished School visit

Trustee Butler: attended music program at OIS; complimented program 

Dr. Jaconette: district choral program at OIS; complimented program

Trustee Butler requested Common Core math for OIS as agenda item due to parent expression at opening at meeting; and school discipline policies (different policies at each school site)

Trustee Butler requested that the Board look at how Board Meeting agendas are posted online.

OEA Site Rep Mtg Report Feb. 24th 2014

4-5:30  Glorietta, Room 7

Welcome & Approval of Agenda

Guest speaker J

Charles will look up clarification on job shares and who gets them.

Site Rep Reports

·      Del Rey (Margaret Sawyer)- not present

·      Glorietta (Ashley Ho)

         -Professionalism of those coming on campus (IT)

·      OIS (Katherine Palmer-Collins & Sue Boudreau)

         -Class size issues continue with special ed. Brian I. goes by Ed code for

               the weighing of students. BRIAN I. TO BE INVITED TO THE NEXT REP

              COUNCIL MEETING – CHARLES WILL FOLLOW UP.

            -Chris Severson wrote back to Sue about her email concerning inter-

              district transfer saying that it doesn’t address the question the board

              had.  Sue will write him back with a question.

·      Sleepy Hollow (Cathy Shipp)

         -K teachers wrote a letter wanting to explore a longer day.  Kathy M. came

              to the principal and the teachers and said she was taken aback that they

              wrote it.  The teachers asked for clarification on how she had wanted it to

              be handled. 

            -RTI programs aren’t consistent throughout the district.

·      Wagner Ranch (Katy O’Neill)

         -Upper grade teachers has release time for report cards.  The lower

              grade teachers have lost prep over the years.  Teachers would like

              release days for all teachers.  Could it be a negotiaton?  Teaching hours?

            -A concern from a teacher about being pulled out for inservices.  Parents

              are making comments about being out a lot.  When in reality it isn’t a

              personal day, it’s a district meeting.  Make sure to add this to newsletters

              so parents know this so if it comes up then they will know.

            -a concern about field trip money and what happens if a classroom

              collects too much vs doesn’t collect enough.  The Principal should deal

              with the overage…teacher should check with Principal.

            -grandparent’s day.  How much time is this going to take? Teachers are a

              bit stressed about this. TB clearance?  We need to check on this.

Discuss Rep Council Meeting Structure

·      Instead of just reporting on what is happening at the sites.  More about continuing the discussions we want to talk about.  Have a list of topics that we want to disuss.  Asking staff if there are any issues that we should cover, etc.

NEA RA Election Announcement & Voting Procedure (Charles S)

·      Every state is represented.  Starts March 4^th and returned to Terry S. no later than March 18^th.

·      Charles passed out all the ballots to the site reps. They can be returned via inter district mail.

Treasurer’s Update (Colleen Sullivan)

·      Checking $29,202.26

·      Savings $2,025.08

·      Total….$31,227.34

Adjournment