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.