| Meeting Minutes
Staff Rep and Unit General Meeting - Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003
The meeting was convened at 5:10pm with the OECTA prayer and pledge.
There were two additions to the agenda to be included in other items:
- Report cards and technology.
- Health and Safety for teachers and computer work.
Motion: That the agenda be approved.
Moved by: Ron Tyo
Seconded by: Dave Giroux Carried.
Issues and Information:
Marilies Rettig, Unit President and Ann McGahey, Vice President, provided information and updates on the following items:
Council of Presidents report regarding recertification and PLP’s. The provincial executive is working with OTF and the other affiliates to effect changes to the current recertification program. Motions passed by the Council of Presidents were reviewed, which reaffirm our opposition to recertification and provide the framework for lobbying at the provincial and the local level. OECTA continues to encourage teachers to pursue professional development activities, but not to participate in the PLP process.
Elections 2003: Staff reps and all teachers were thanked for their participation in the recent provincial election. It was noted that there will be two elections for trustees, and teachers were once again encouraged to exercise their democratic rights by participating in the election process. Information was sent out to schools in jurisdictions, in which elections were to take place, about the positions of candidates on issues pertaining to students, teachers and education.
Performance Appraisal: Teachers who are on performance appraisal and who have any questions or concerns should contact the Unit Office. It is important to know the steps of the process and for these steps and timelines to be followed. Teachers develop their annual learning plans – in consultation and with the assistance of the principal. Encourage teachers to call the unit office if there are any concerns.
OECTA – The Next Generation: See the pamphlet for information and details about the conference. Eastern Unit will be sponsoring delegates with the individual PD fund. The registration form is on the last page of the conference information package – send a copy of the registration to the Unit as well as Provincial Office.
Technology Teachers: QECO has approved changes to the current evaluation program for technology teachers to make it synonymous with OSSTF recognized qualifications. In the past QECO did not recognize these Ministry courses for evaluation purposes. It is important for all teachers applying for category changes to inform the Board before December 31 of application for such changes to secure retroactive pay to September 1.
Professional Development: OECTA continues to offer a number of professional development programs for teachers. The summer institute offered four courses here in the region and thousands of teachers from across Ontario participated in the courses. Teachers are encouraged to visit the OECTA website for information about PD short course offerings. . Teachers should contact the unit office if there are any courses they would like to have at their school over the course of the year. Resources were made available to teachers at the meetings to assist them with report card comments.
Unit Levy: A report regarding the levy was distributed and reviewed for the teachers at the meeting. After the report was given, there was considerable discussion about not lowering the levy to $2. per person per pay, thereby allowing the unit to use that money both for PD and for collective bargaining.
Motion: That the unit levy be reduced to $2/member/pay as of December 1, 2003.
Moved by: Ron Tyo
Seconded by: Francis Scholten
After debate, there was a ballot vote taken.
Defeated
Motion: That the additional revenue generated by maintaining the levy would be directed to professional development and collective bargaining.
Moved by: Mark Melville
Seconded by: James Roy
Carried
Report of the Treasurer:
Dale Fobert provided an overview of the audit which reported out a surplus of $6,000. The response from the auditors was very favourable relative to the significant deficit incurred by the Unit last year.
Motion: That the Auditors report be approved.
Moved by: Kevin Hogan
Seconded by: Dave Giroux
Carried.
Dale reviewed the assumptions on which the budget was developed.
1. That the budget be based on a membership of 780.
2. That the budget be based on a levy of $3. per member/pay.
3. That the unit approve a balance budget (+/- 1%).
Motion: That the budget assumptions be approved.
Moved by: Dave Giroux
Seconded by: Barb LeBlanc
Carried
Dale Fobert reviewed the proposed budget and highlighted the revised and compressed budget categories. It was recognized that the budget as presented would be amended to reflect increases to both P.D. and collective bargaining.
Motion: That the budget be approved as amended.
Moved by: Ron Tyo
Seconded by: Chris Beacom
Carried
Other Business:
Report Cards: There were significant concerns voiced regarding the current process of completing report cards by internet access. Problems were experienced with home access, concerns with respect to the significant time it takes to log on, to work on line, inability to access from home, costs incurred by teachers, frustration with inability to print reports at home, a number of serious concerns with respect to privacy – particularly with special education teachers accessing files of students from other schools.
Staff reps were asked to ensure that they secured feedback from their teachers at school and forward that to the Unit Office. Concerns will be raised at the Joint Labour Management Committee.
Health and Safety: Concerns were raised with respect to poor seating for teachers working on computers and the health implications for working with inadequate back support. This issue will be raised by the Health and Safety representatives at their next meeting.
Letter to Minister of Education – Gerard Kennedy: Ruby Mekker read the letter she wrote to the Minister of Education voicing her concerns about funding and the need to support students with appropriate resources. Ruby was thanked and commended for her letter – a great example for all.
The members of the Unit Executive present were asked to assemble for a brief meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
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