90559_October TAR

TAAAC ACTION REPORT
Your Professional Organization
Vol. 48, Number 2
Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County, An MSEA/NEA Affiliate
October 2015
TAAAC and the BOE Reach
Tentative Agreement
Following a bit over eleven months of negotiations, a declaration of impasse from the Public School Labor Relations Board, and with the assistance of a professional mediator (mandatory under PSLRB regulations), the fiscal
year 2016 Negotiated Agreement between the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County and the Board of
Education of Anne Arundel County has been tentatively settled. At the time this edition is in preparation, the settlement still must undergo ratification by both parties.
In bulleted format, the highlights of the Tentative Agreement are shown below:
Article 24, Duration of Agreement
The Agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016. Retroactive pay checks will be calculated
and distributed as soon as practicable following ratification by the Association and the Board.
Article 3 Salary and Other Compensation
Section A, Teacher Scale, will be amended to reflect that Unit 1 salary scales for fiscal year 2015-2016 are the 20142015 scales increased by two percent (2%) across the board, a 60% improvement over the last offer.
Section A, Teacher Scale, will be amended to reflect the commitment of the Joint Subcommittee on Salary to continue to investigate and/or address inequities in the salary scales during 2015-2016 for 2016-2017.
Section F, Experience Credit, will be modified to provide that: “No Unit 1 employees will receive any automatic
salary step increases pursuant to this section during the year beginning July 1, 2015, and ending June 30, 2016.
Section F, Experience Credit, will be further modified on July 1, 2016 to indicate: “External applicants entering
AACPS service will have their respective credit for prior experience reduced to two (2) years less than this section
would otherwise provide;” and will again be modified on July 1, 2017 to indicate: “External applicants entering
AACPS service will have their respective credit for prior experience reduced to one (1) year less than this section
would otherwise provide.”
Section V, Stipend for Challenged Schools/Annual Measurable Objectives, will be eliminated and the stipends
provided therein discontinued. (It is understood that the amount of the assignment stipend that is so eliminated
has been credited in full and is part of the across-the-board salary increase referenced above.)
(Continued on page 7)
Commentary
settlement reached would have resulted without the impact of FINA,
the PSLRB it created, or the regulations the PSLRB adopted.
Bill Jones
2010 Legislative Effort Pays
a Dividend in FY16
In 2010, with lobbying from MSEA
and its local affiliates including
TAAAC, and with help from other
public sector unions that bargain
in Maryland Public schools, the
Maryland General Asembly passed
a badly needed fix to Maryland’s
antiquated education labor law. The
Fairness in Negotiations Act (FINA)
was passed and the Public School
Labor Relations Board (PSLRB) was
born. The playing field in negotiations between local school boards
and local associations was leveled.
Since PSLRB has been meeting, it
has proven its value as a fair, impartial arbiter in contract disputes between school systems and employees. Fortunately, the sunset clause
that existed in the original bill was
eliminated by legislation in 2014
and the PSLRB became permanent.
In the recent negotiations between
TAAAC and the BOE the parties
became dependent on the PSLRB impasse process to facilitate an
agreement. I do not believe that the
“It seems appropriate
now to recognize the
staff and volunteer
lobbyists for what they
accomplished in 2010
for solidifiying it in
2014.”
Very briefly, this is how and why
FINA and the PSLRB it created generated such an improvement over
the old impasse system that was
unilaterally controlled by the State
Board of Education (SBOE):
• Mediation, voluntary under the prior process, became mandatory.
• Impasses before FINA were disposed of by the SBOE with advsory decisions that could be accepted, modified, or completely ignored
by the employer. Now, bargaining
impasses are disposed of by the
PSLRB by a binding determination.
The lobbying done on an annual
basis by Association staff and volunteer members of the Government
Relations Committee is often taken for granted by members already
overwhelmed by their own growing
workload and family and personal
obligations. It seems appropriate
now to recognize the staff and volunteer lobbyists for what they accomplished in 2010 for solidifiying
it in 2014.
• FINA to the responsibility and authority for disposing of labor issues
like bargaining impasses, unfair labor practices, and scope of negotiations determinations away from the
SBOE and assigned such authority
and responsibility to a Board constituted by persons with experience
and expertise in labor relations.
• PSLRB procedures coerced both
employers and unions to negotiate
reasonably by requiring them to justify requests for impasse determinations and to formally docket “last
and best” offers prior to mediation.
TAAAC Action Report
Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County
2521 Riva Road, Suite L7
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
(410) 224-3330
(410) 841-6022
(301) 261-8309
FAX (410) 841-5117
www.taaaconline.org
Officers
Richard Benfer, President
Pamela Bukowski, Vice President
Russell Leone, Secretary-Treasurer
Board of Directors
James Burns
Catherine Snyder
James Vaughn
Elizabeth Brininger
Sharon Moesel
Jacqueline Lubniewki
Robin Beers
Jason Fahie
Kristina Korona
Martin Sears
Page 2
Editors
Bill Jones, Executive Director
and Managing Editor
Roxanne L. Beach, Editor
TAAAC Action Report
From Contentia this month . . . What does it mean to have a
duty-free lunch?
The Negotiated Agreement states that each school shall provide a duty-free lunch period of no less than 25
minutes for each Unit I member.
Maryland State Statute goes further, stating the duty-free lunch period shall be for at least 30 minutes, unless
the regular student lunch period is shorter.
It is clear, therefore, that a Unit I member’s lunch must be at least 25 minutes, but would be required to be at
least 30 minutes, or maybe more, in certain circumstances.
When can your administration schedule your lunch?
While neither the Negotiated Agreement nor Maryland State Statute is clear on this issue, the resolution of
several 1992 grievance disputes in AACPS clarifies the issue.
Grievance Ruling Update #1 – Lunch for Teachers explicitly states:
“The assignment of a teacher to duties during the lunch time must provide a duty-free lunch period during
the normal student lunch time designated in your school. Lunch at 8:30, 9:30 or 1:30 – before or after the
cafeteria is open to students – is not an acceptable time for a duty-free lunch period . . . Therefore, please
schedule Unit I persons with a duty-free lunch during the normal student hours for lunch at your site.”
If your lunch period is otherwise scheduled, and you are unhappy with this situation, please call your MSEA
UniServ Director immediately. This is a grievable violation of your rights.
Please note also that your duty-free lunch period, which is also unpaid, does not include time to deliver students
to the cafeteria nor march them back to your classroom.
Did You Know?
If you are a currently working at a district school you may qualify for special forgiveness programs not available
to the general public. The Teacher Forgiveness program was introduced by President Obama and is designed to
help teachers eliminate their student loan debt while continuing their careers as educators. Participation in the
program will reduce your principal, and after ten years, any balance that remains is totally forgiven.
(800) 508-1626
9:00am - 6:00pm EST Weekdays
www.aessuccess.org
American Education Services will help you through the application process, determine your eligibility and prepare all necessary documents. Even if you aren’t a teacher you may still qualify for some form of forgiveness, all
it takes is a phone call to find out how much you can save.
TAAAC Action ReportPage 3
Inspire Learning—
FREE Workshops Plus Special Program
Open to All
• 32 workshops help you build your professional practice, inspire
student success, and strengthen the social and emotional health of your classroom and school communities.
• Special Friday session on Restorative Practices Learn how a fresh approach to discipline and atmosphere helps students and school communities grow and learn.
G LEAR
BUI
IN
TU
YEARS
L
D
RE
NG
INSP
N
RI
NI
I
It’s been
150 years …
Isn’t it
about time
you came
to MSEA’s
Convention?
G T H E FU
Build the Future of Our Association
600+ Delegates Elected by YOU to Represent YOU
• At MSEA’s 148th Representative Assembly more than 600 delegates elected by members from across the state discuss, debate, and vote on MSEA’s activities, policies, and programs.
• President Betty Weller welcomes special guest U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez
• With 13 bylaw amendments on tap as well as several special
elections and new business items, delegates will be busy guiding MSEA to a strong future.
There’s More …
• Get the MSEA Convention app!
Visit marylandeducators.org/Convention for more.
• Don’t miss the kick off Thursday night, with a networking
reception at 6:45 p.m. in the Convention Center followed byMSEA’s Got Talent at 7:30 p.m. in the brand-new Performing Arts
Center. Learn more and submit your talent at
marylandeducators.org/Convention before September 18!
• Check with your local president to make sure you’ve got your ticket
to Seacrets, the best party in town on Friday, October 16. MSEA takes over Ocean City’s most famous nightspot for a night of fun!
• Education vendors, MSEA’s Member Trade Show, and Apple-a-Day Health Fair
MSEA CONVENTION 2015
OCTOBER
16-17 | OCEAN CITY, MD
Get all the details at
marylandeducators.org/
Convention!
Don’t miss it—October 16 & 17 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center
in Ocean City! Visit marylandeducators.org/Convention regularly for details,
including a full workshop schedule, presenter bios, details on special events, and
much more.
msea
Page 4
TAAAC Action Report
Aflac Pays Cash For:
• Illness
• Maternity
• Hospital Stay
• Cancer
• Accident
• Wellness (doctor visits)
To find out how
you and your
family can be
covered contact:
Suzanne Herrmann
301 – 985 – 2020
[email protected]
Cynthia Eckhardt
301 – 381 – 6559
[email protected]
2015-16 TAAAC Financial Workshops
Presented By Bill Bush, CFP®, CPA
•
•
•
•
Contact Us
Sheldon Ray: [email protected]
Senior Vice President, Investments; Portfolio Manager
Douglas Richards: [email protected]
Senior Vice President, Investments; Portfolio Manager
Phone: (202)-872-5911
Web: www.RRGlobalAssetManagement.com
1717 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 1050
Washington, DC 20006
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. member New York
Stock Exchange/SIPC
September 10, 2015: Saving & Investing
October 8, 2015: Understanding your Retirement
January 28, 2016: Understanding your Retirement
February 25, 2016: Saving & Investing
Koons Toyota of Annapolis
Correction: Koons Toyota of Annapolis made a
$1,000.00 donation to our Celebrate Educators Picnic.
We reported in error that Koons Ford of Annapolis
made the donation. We apologize for the error.
All workshops are being held at Severna Park
Middle School. For more details, call Bill at
(410) 480-0007 or email at [email protected].
TAAAC Action Report
Page 5
Welcome New Members
Patricia Appel
John Bailey
Diana Bailick
Donna Bates
Regina Bloomer
Antonia Bongiovi
Andrea Brewer
Chantel Brickhouse
Susannah Brooks
Carolyn Brunnett
Zafer Calis
Corynne Campisi
Maryann Civita
Alsasha Conley
Amy Contesti
Melanie Cooper
Elizabeth Dancy
Robin Failli
Emily Farness
Brandi Goncz
Elaine Granado
Natalie Green
Stacy Greenberg
Karen Huyssoon
Heather Johnson
Michele Johnson
Samantha Jones
Rebekah Kerr
Carolyn Landis
Patiricia Lorenzen
Christopher Lynn
Anne Mahler
Ashley Mantheiy
Christina Manthos
Jessica Martis
Madeline Matotek
Jennifer Mazer
Ryan McCamon
Olivia McCarthy
Joseph McDermott
Zachary McFadden
Brittany Metzger
Nancy Murphy
Shannon Pacheco
Cecilla Pacturan
Jacob Palo
Christian Palopoli
Ma Socorro Panim
Elizabeth Pape
Jessica Papsan
Rachel Park
Karen Parker
Jacqueline Parmanand
James Patterson
Alison Paul
Christie Payne
Stephen Perraud
Gabrielle Perry
Jamie Peters
Serene Peterson
Joseph Phillips
Jessica Pickering
Anna Plummer
Emma Powell
Jessica Powell
Amber Presti
Penelope Prince
Tyler Pullen
Caroline Pusey
Lauren Pusey
Judi Qawiyy
Dana Quainoo
Megan Quigley
Hannah Radi
Suzanne Ramirez
Leodegario Ras
Ma Gia Ras
Steven Rayzer
Timothy Redman
Lauren Reio
Robert Reynolds
Courney Rice
Lauchland Richards
Andrew Ritenour
Catherine Robinson
Stephanie Robusto
Allison Rocco
Taisha Rodriguez
Caitlin Rose
Rodney Roundtree, Jr.
Maryline Rowain
Christa Rush
Christina Saldarriaga
Elizabeth Sax
Joseph Schiattareggia
Christopher Schlaich
Anna Schlossberg
Mary Schmedes
Nicole Schoolsky
Matthew Seal
Julie Sechler
Lindsey Seynhaeve
Kristen Sharp
Mandy Sharpe
Brian Shatt
Nicole Shouse
Jerremy Siegel
Victoria Silver
Ikeesha Sims
Jonathan Skovisa
Sinea Slattery
Daniel Smith
Hannah Smith
Rebecca Smith
Sarah Smith
Jody Smith
Kimberly Smith
India Somerville
Marlee Souder
Melissa Souder
Tiffany Spann
Claire Spencer
Anna Rachel Spivack
Stacie Spragins
Brigitte St. John
Magdalena Stanulescu
Jamille Starley
Rebecca Staugh
Pamela Stein
Tammi Stevens
Kristina Stewart
Stephanie Stewart
Alexander Stoltz
Hope Stone
Jennifer Stotler
Elaina Straub
Felicia Strauss
Mandy Surlis
Page 6
Rebecca Sutton
Danielle Swann
Samantha Swift
Kathryn Sylvester
Alicia Szumiesz
Lynn Talbott
Andrew Taylor
Patricia Taylor Holz
Elise Tessier
Nathanael Thacker
Bonnie Thaden
Katerinea Thaxton
Catherine Thompson
Joshua Thompson
Erine Timko
Kelley Tindle
Fred Titus, Iii
Nicole Tourney
Kristina Tschida
Michael Turlik
Jospeh Urps
Kaitlyn Vahsen
Melissa Valeza
Janet Valletta
Melissa Van Gieson
Allyssa Vance
Rowena Ventura
Lauren Vernamonti
Debora Viana-Meheses
Marcus Villano
Kathryn Wachlin
Sarah Wagner
Hannah Walker
Faith Walter
Matthew Walter
Meagan Walton
Jue Wang
Britta Osbourne Ward
Jospeh Warren
Jesscia Washburn
Jesse Washington-Braggs
Adelaide Watson
Lauren Wayment
Kelsey Webb
Sarah Wein
Andrew Welke
Margaret Wells
Sarah Wells
Jason Welsh
Rebecca West
Melanie Whay
Hailee White
Amy Whitesel
Amber Wilkins
Christina Williams
Derronda Williams
Eileen Williams
Isabel Wilson
Phillip Wilson
Odessa Windear
Cynthia Winter
Jessica Withrow-Lafferty
Timothy Woodsmall
Mallory Wrobel
Della York
Stephanie Zaccarelli
Nicole Zaleski
Matthew Zardo
TAAAC Action Report
TAAAC and the BOE Reach Tentative Agreement (Continued from page 1)
Article 11, Work Time and Work Load
Section C, Planning Time, will be modified to provide elementary school teachers in non-Enhancing Elementary
Excellence (“Triple E”) Schools a minimum of 410 minutes of weekly planning time including 225 minutes of individual planning time for delivery of instruction, 210 minutes of which must be scheduled during the student day.
For elementary school teachers working in Triple E Schools, a minimum of 470 minutes of weekly planning time
is provided, including 225 minutes of individual planning time for delivery of instruction, 210 minutes of which
must be scheduled during the student day.”
Article 11, Work Time and Work Load
Section H, Work Year, For the school year, July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, only, the Board agrees that without
reduction in salary the work year for Unit 1employees will be reduced by one day.
Section H, Work Year, will be modified to provide that all non-teaching department chairpersons and department
chairpersons who conduct observations will have a work year of 195 days and will have the option of working one
additional day at per diem rate. Base salary will be adjusted to reflect the 195-day work year.
Section H, Work Year, will be modified to incorporate an expired memorandum of understanding (MOU) that
provides high school test coordinators (STC’s) with the equivalent of a 200-day duty year. The additional time beyond the standard 191-day duty year shall not be standardized across the school system, but shall be scheduled in
increments or hours as mutually agreed upon by the STC and the school principal with the priority being to fulfill
the stated duties and responsibilities of the STC.
Section H, Work Year, will be modified to return all 210-day pupil personnel workers, school psychologists, and
high school guidance counselors to 12-month status.
Article 16, Evaluation and Rating of Professional Staff
Section B4, Department Chairperson, will be modified to reflect the following:
• All non-teaching Department Chairpersons will conduct observations.
• Department Chairpersons who also teach will be allowed to conduct observations subject to the
approval of two-thirds of the department-wide balloting placed into effect in 2014-15.
• The election process referenced was clarified to include:
• Joint administration by principal and faculty advisory committee chairperson.
• Voting by secret ballot.
• The Department Chairperson has an opportunity to vote.
Section C4, Signing of Reports, will be amended as necessary to provide for electronic signatures. Accommodations will remain for Unit I employees who choose not to sign or to submit a rebuttal.
Annapolis High School Memorandum of Understanding
During negotiations the parties agreed to continue the MOU that specified certain terms and conditions of employment that were unique to Annapolis High School. It was initially negotiated in 2007 and has been in place,
although amended periodically, since that time. It is continued for the 2015-2016 school year with the following
changes:
• The work year is reduced to 195 days, although the 12-month positions that existed in 2014-2015
remain 12-months.
• Challenged School and AMO stipends are treated in the same manner as other schools similarly so identified.
• The $1,000 retention bonus is eliminated.
TAAAC Action Report
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PRE-RETIREMENT
WORKSHOP AT
MSEA CONVENTION
Do you have members who are considering retiring in the next 4-5 years? Encourage them to
come to this year’s Pre-Retirement Workshop at
the 2015 MSEA Convention. The workshop will
feature a speaker who will present all the information an interested member will need as she/he
plans for retirement. The workshop will be held
in Room 208 starting at 1 p.m.
Link up with
TAAAC on
Social Media
Please scan the
code to follow us on
Twitter
Please scan the
code and Like us
on Facebook
TAAAC Events Calendar
October 2015
October 2 & 3 – Association Representative Retreat – Chesapeake Beach
October 5 – Public Relations – 4:30 PM @ TAAAC Office
October 7 – Daytime Board of Education Meeting –
10:00 AM @ BOE
October 7 – ARC – 5:00 PM @ Severna Park Middle
October 7 – Middle School Concerns – Following ARC Mtg.
October 8 – TAAAC ASI @ TAAAC Office
October 8 – IFS Workshop – 4:45 PM @ Severna Park Middle
October 12 – Sick Leave Bank @ TAAAC Office
October 12 – Special Ed Task Force - 4:30 PM @ TAAAC
October 13 – Community Outreach – 4:30 PM @ TAAAC Office
October 14 – High School Concerns – 3:40 PM @ TAAAC Office
October 16 & 17 – MSEA Convention, Ocean City
October 19 – Government Relations – 4:30 PM @ TAAAC Office
October 19 – Instructional Professional Development –
4:30 PM @ TAAAC Office
October 20 – Bylaws – 4:30 PM @ TAAAC Office
October 21 – TAAAC Executive Team @ TAAAC Office
October 21 – Evening Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 PM @ BOE
October 22 – Membership – 4:30 PM @ TAAAC Office
October 26 – Sick Leave Bank @ TAAAC Office
October 28 – TAAAC BOD – 4:30 PM @ TAAAC Office
*Please Note*
November 4 – ARC
5:00 PM @ Severn River Middle
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TAAAC Action Report
Let’s focus on what matters most
MSEA: LESS TESTING, MORE LEARNING
It’s time to hear from the experts—classroom educators who see and feel the frustrations of present day education policy
and the overbearing focus on standardized testing. This fall, MSEA put educators in front of cameras and microphones
to kick off our back-to-school Less Testing, More Learning campaign. We’ve raised the volume on how high-stakes tests
steal what public education is intended to provide—a lifelong joy of learning and healthy, well-rounded citizens.
As educators, we need the public on our side. We need them to understand the impact that testing has on our students
and schools. That’s why you saw and heard educators from across the state talking about testing everywhere in online
ads, broadcast and cable TV, and radio spots through late September. Local editorials penned by members plus a social
media and petition drive boosted our message during the four-week campaign.
Be sure to join the conversation—educators are deeply trusted by the public on this issue. MSEA’s goal is to create a lot
of buzz with parents and the public about testing in schools and communities to create real momentum for change at the
state and local levels. TAAAC and MSEA need your voice to push for commonsense actions by local boards of education
and the General Assembly to reduce the overwhelming focus on testing.
“As educators, we know that our students need less testing and more time to learn,” said Richard Benfer. “Your association—both TAAAC and MSEA—will be working hard to reduce the amount of time spent testing so we can focus on
what really matters for students.”
Visit LessTestingMoreLearning.com to sign our petition against over-testing, and stay tuned for updates from Annapolis
on MSEA-backed testing legislation. In many school systems, the bulk of tests are county-mandated and thus change
needs to run through the local board of education. Contact TAAAC to get involved in testing reduction work closer to
home; Learn about what AACPS is doing to give students more time to learn and teachers more time to teach.
We need less testing and more learning in our schools—and we need your activism to help make it happen.
BJ’s Wholesale Club
For Renewing or Applying - TAAAC members get $10 off the $50 annual membership fee or $20 off the
Rewards Fee, PLUS 15 months = 3 months FREE! A Free household card is included. You can renew
ahead of time. For the application, contact Joyce Turpin at [email protected]. Be sure to put “TAAAC” in
the subject line.
TAAAC Action Report
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TAAAC Action Report