MVTA- Our Collective State of Being
Issue 73
February 2008
FYI
By Lisa Keller-Decker, MVTA President
millsburg@optonline.net
MVTA’s Efforts Most EXCELlent! Many
thanks to our members and our CSEA brothers
and sisters who supported the EXCEL referendum earlier this month. Not only have you
helped make our workplace safer and more accessible for all who enter, but you have saved money
for the residents in the district who would be
compelled to pay for maintenance and mandated
upgrades over time. If you see one of our signs
supporting this vote, please dispose of it appropriately. :-)
Negotiations Update- On February 14 negotiations were conducted regarding the following outstanding items: Virtual HS (VHS), the position
of OT, the Extracurricular areas of Practice Pals
and Media Production Club, as well as the Speech
Medicaid Reimbursement position. Your negotiators will be sharing specifics with you once
language is in place.
IRS Tax Info Alert! Your tax-deductible membership to AFT, NYSUT and MVTA for the 2007
year was $567.80.
MVTA Action Committee Seeks CandidatesThe MVTA Action Committee will be conducting interviews for those Board of Education candidates interested in seeking the endorsement of
the MVTA during the month of April. Please
direct any interested parties to contact us through
www.minisinkteachers.com. If you have any
questions or concerns regarding this process,
please speak to one of your AC members or a
Building Rep.
MVTA Store Has Opened!! Yes, you can now
shop ‘til you drop at our company store. Many
thanks to both Gary Passamonte and Cliff Loretto
(both IS) for putting this venture together. Also
thanks to those of you who are remembering to
wear your MVTA shirts on “Pay Day Fridays”.
Please show your unionist spirit and don our colors. :-)
Potential Negotiators - Please remember that the
nominations process continues to be open; your Executive Committee will accept nominations until April 1. In
the case of multiple candidates, building elections will
be held. If all positions are unopposed, appointment
will be made by your MVTA Executive Committee at
the April meeting. Thus far, your negotiators for the
next round of contracts are the following folks:
Elementary School Intermediate School Middle School High School -
Debra Scarimbolo
Teresia Parker
Chris D’Angelo
Brian Golden
Monetary Donations/Requests- Need to be made to
your Building Rep. at least one month before the funds
are needed. Examples include yearbook ads, charitable
donations, conference expenses, etc. Your Building
Rep. attends Executive Meetings every month. Failure
to submit requests in a timely fashion could cause a refusal of funds.
Building Unit Meetings- These occur monthly in all of
our sectors. I can be available to speak with you on all
matters union during these gatherings, given a timely
request!
Building Reps/Superintendent– Mar. 26 at 4PM
Please bring any questions and concerns to your Building Rep. ASAP so that s/he may deal with issues on a
building level first. These meetings occur every month,
so please plan accordingly.
Executive Meeting– Mar.10 in MS LR at 4PM
If you have something for the good of the order or want
to get more involved with the MVTA, please let me
know.
As questions come up about your professional life
at Minisink Valley, please avail yourself of the
assistance your MVTA Representative can offer.
Building Representatives
High School- Franklyn Cherry
Middle School: Paula Barnes
Intermediate: Jeanne MacDonald
Elementary: Eileen Jacobs
Otisville:
Wendy Ellert
President:
Lisa Keller-Decker
contact her by using your home email account at
millsburg@optonline.net
Ask Mr. Contract
By Chris D’Angelo, MVTA Vice President
This will be a monthly column which addresses specific contractual
issues. To have your question or contract issue addressed, please
forward it to Chris by the first of each month! He can be reached at
cdangelo@minisink.com
This month Mr. Contract would like to discuss an
issue that has become apparent during the past
round of negotiations. Specifically, the situation
when a member approaches an administrator with
the idea for a new Extracurricular club. Perhaps
the member has even had this club for a while.
Mr. Contract would like to remind everyone
where it’s a great idea to discuss the possibility of
creation of this new extracurricular position with
the administration, it is solely the responsibility of
the negotiators to deal with the terms and conditions of employment (such as stipend, group
placement, etc.) According to our contract, “The
Board of Education of the Minisink Valley Central School District hereby recognizes the Minisink Valley Teachers’ Association as the exclusive
bargaining agent for the teachers in the unit.” To
negotiate individually with administration is a
violation of both our contract and the Taylor Law.
If you are currently being paid for a position that
is not in the contract, you are urged to talk to a
member of the Executive Committee or a negotiator immediately.
MVTA Classy-Free Ads
Hosted by MS Teacher Gerry Farrell, this is a monthly column that
advertises things for rent, sale or just general solicitation. It is for
the use of members and retiree members only, please. Ads may be
edited for length or content. Have something to share with the general populace? Leave Gerry an email at gfarrell@minisink.com
before the 10th of the month.
Kiwanis Rose Day- Help support MVHS Scholarships and buy a dozen roses for that someone
special in your life. At the special low price of
$13 per dozen for red or mixed roses, who can
afford not to? The HS Key Club is selling these
beauties, as well as Lisa Keller-Decker (x 5240)
in the MS. Delivery will take place on April 16–
last day for orders placed with LKD will be
March 25. Cash or checks made out to MV Kiwanis will be gratefully accepted.
For Sale– Two Pier 1 bedside tables. They are
rustic pine with a single drawer in each with storage compartments below. Excellent condition! 1
table for $85, 2 for $160. Also for sale– 1 grey
leather rocker/recliner, also in excellent condition. Originally paid $750– NOW $300! For
more information, please contact Stephanie Hoffman (IS) Must sell ASAP. 845-615-1545.
Good News- Dee Kraus would like everyone to
know that she is a grandmother! Her daughter
Diane had a baby girl Zoe Kay Arnett on Feb. 5.
All are doing well!
Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental- Looking
for great vacation spot on Martha’s Vineyard?
This newly acquired and renovated 4 bedroom
house is available for a weekend get-away or
weekly summer vacations. Contact Theresa
Scesa (EL) at X 4327 for more information.
Cape May Vacation Rental- Retiree Paul Ferrari reminds all that he is looking to rent his vacation home. Comfortable 2 bedroom apartment
that sleeps 4. Fully stocked kitchen with microwave. Washer/Dryer, CATV. Small yard with
grill and picnic table. Reserved parking. Walking distance to the beach and town. Great bicycling! $850 per week. Sorry, no smoking, no
pets. Please call Paul or his wife Susan at 845496-3769.
Interior House Painting– Contact retiree John
Zuclich (386-3177 or 597-4772). Your rooms
will be left neat and complete! :-)
Free House Numbering- The Minisink Valley
Kiwanis are offering to provide any district resident with a free house number sign. Specific info
regarding this service may be found on the District’s website at the following link: http://
www.minisink.com/fileadmin/user_upload/pdfs/
kiwanis_help_program.pdf People may also contact LKD at x5240 or Dave Morse at slapshot@frontiernet.net or 858-8920.
Please remember to pass on all info regarding
births, illnesses or deaths to our Social Chairwoman Susan Petrosky (VoiceMail #8364).
The MVTA Remembers - Gifts were sent to
honor the memories of the mother-in-laws of Jamie Merlob (ES) and Susan Petrosky (MS).
Please remember to send any/all submissions for this newsletter by the 10th of the month– I am always on the lookoutfor articles, letters, concerns, etc. (LKD) VoiceMail #8348