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Building Visits
& Welcome Back Welcome
back to the 2008-09 school year. We
have had many changes across the district and are facing a myriad of
challenges. . I was apprehensive about
this start because of all the change which has taken place, but am pleasantly
surprised with how well you have adjusted and made this an excellent start
for the students of District 279. As I
have been out visiting buildings the first few days of school, I have been
very proud of the professionalism I see being exhibited across the
district. Thank You for doing what you
do for the students of District 279. Levy/School Board
Elections/General Elections As
you may already know we have another Levy question which will be on the
November ballot. There will be 2
questions on the ballot independent of each other. The first will be to max out the Operating
Levy in the District by asking for about $8,000,000 per year over the next 10
years. The second will be asking for
$5,000,000 a year for 5 years for technology.
I encourage all of you to help support the passage of this levy for
the students of the district. We
also have 3 school board seats up for election on this ballot. I will be asking for members to screen
school board candidates and make recommendations of who to support in the
election. These 2 items are critical
to us as we look to negotiate a new contract this spring. So again I encourage you to be actively
involved. I have heard countless times
this summer and fall: “If you are in Public Education then you are in
politics.” and it has never been truer for us than this political season. I will be sending out information similar to the last levy
campaign and ask for donations to help the Vote YES committee and to support
our endorsed candidates for School Board.
I will use the same idea Dick Rainville had and ask that you
contribute a dollar for each year of service to the district. This information will be coming on our next
payday this Friday September 19, 2008.
So please consider donating to this very crucial cause for the
students and teachers of District 279. In the general election, we have been screening candidates all summer long for Education Minnesota, and they have come out with a list of endorsed candidates who will support education at both the State and National levels. I am also testifying at the House of Representatives meetings on the Educational Funding issues which face our districts. There is an opportunity to be involved by manning a phone bank out of our offices on the evenings of Oct. 5- 9 from 6:00-9:00 PM. If interested in helping contact Rick Theisen at: rmtheisen1@comcast.net. This independent expenditure is
prepared and paid for by Education Minnesota – OSSEO, 10200 73rd
Ave. N., #126, Maple Grove, MN 55369, in support of District #279 levy
referendum and in support of Education Minnesota recommended
candidates. The recommended candidates did not approve the expenditure,
nor are they responsible for it. Celebration of the
Union With
direction from your Executive Board the first “Celebration of the Union” was
held at the Lookout Supper Club in Maple Grove on September 3. We had about 150 members attend and
received rave reviews. This being the
case we are planning on asking General Membership at the September 18th
meeting if they would like to hold another during the year. The tentative date would be March 5,
2009. If they agree, put this on your
calendar as we would like as many of you to attend and enjoy the camaraderie
of your fellow teachers. It is a great
time to reconnect with friends from other sites across the district. The celebration was funded with money
previously used for the $1 per member reimbursement for treats for the United
Way Campaign. Training
Opportunities The
attachment to this Pipeline has information for regional trainings being
offered by Education Minnesota. I
strongly encourage you to participate in trainings that include Special
Education, Member Rights Advocacy, and Negotiations. The attachment contains a description of
each session, logistical information, and a registration form that must be
returned to EM-O by Friday, October 10th. Please take this opportunity to become
better informed about your Union! Committee Service
Opportunities The
following are opportunities for members to serve on committees this year: Negotiations
Selection Committee (1 Meeting to interview Negotiations Team Candidates and
select the team) Negotiations
(Up to 5 members to represent the Union in Negotiations Starting this spring/
2 year commitment) Labor
Management Committees (1 year commitment/meetings throughout the school year
as needed) ·
Transfer (8 members) ·
Workday/Workweek (5 members) ·
Retirement Incentives/Sick leave
Incentives/Saving for post 1990 hires. (5 members) ·
District Re-Evaluation committee (2
members to review challenged curriculum materials) Both
past committee members and those who
have never served on a committee are encouraged to apply to serve on these
committees. Invite a Colleague
to Attend If
you are a member who attends General Membership Meeting (GMM) please invite a
colleague or two to join you at the meetings.
It is always more fun when you go with someone you know and it is a
great way for more members to become involved. I hope we can pack the house. The Savvy Investor
#1: Are you earning a 100% return on your money? (Paul Wardell, MGSH) Your
hard-earned money belongs in your pocket—not abandoned on a table. However, if you are a tenured teacher on a
continuing contract, you may be doing just that! If you were hired after July 1, 1990, the
District will match $720 or $1500 if you contribute an equal amount (or more)
to a teacher retirement program (457 or 403b). If you were hired before that, there’s a
$780 match waiting for you. Regardless
of your hire dates, you will earn a 100% return on your money in the first
year! If you fear the market will
tank, put your money in a money-market account, where you will virtually take
no risk. Millions of investors would
knock down doors for a chance to gain a 100% return on a no-risk
investment. Yet some of our members
are walking away, leaving the money, unclaimed. Here’s how to claim your share of the
unclaimed pie: District 279 Website, Staff Resources, Human Resources,
Employee Benefits, Retirement Savings, 457 MNDCP Enrollment form or 403b
MetLife Enrollment form (either matches), Print. Fill out the front page of the form
(Beneficiary form, although important, can be filled out later.) and submit
to Pam Zulk in payroll. Since your
match is not retroactive, get going as soon as possible. Nancy LaCroix of MNDCP (612 247-6653) says
to ask Pam to process the papers ASAP so that you don’t miss anymore
matches. If you do the MNDCP, fill in
participant info, Employer name, ignore division #, and write in the
percentages in the appropriate box(s).
Sign and date. Then submit to
Pam. Be sure to thank Pam for
processing your form quickly. Facts from the
Field – The Weingarten Right…… Each
Pipeline will contain “Facts from the Field”, a venue to share information
from Susan Brady, Field Staff in Osseo. The topic for this Pipeline is “The
Weingarten Right”. What is the Weingarten Right? If an administrator questions you in
such a way that could lead to discipline, you have the right to Union
representation. How does it
work? You must assert
this just before or during the meeting.
If you are not sure if the meeting could lead to discipline, ask (for
example: “what is the purpose and the outcome of this meeting?”). If you feel uncomfortable during the
meeting and reasonably suspect that it could lead to discipline, ask to stop
the meeting and respectfully assert your right to Union representation by
saying the following: “If this discussion could in any way lead to my being
disciplined or affect my working conditions, I respectfully request that my
Union representative be present at this meeting. Without representation
present, I choose not to participate in this discussion.” If the administrator refuses to stop the
meeting, stay, take notes, and listen without replying. Do not walk out without the agreement of
the administrator or you may be considered insubordinate. When the meeting is over, contact your
Building Representative, President Jay Anderson, or Susan Brady, Field Staff. Upcoming Events September
18, 2008 Secondary Policies at 3:30
p.m. September
18, 2008 GMM at 4:30 p.m. September
19, 2008 Donations to support
Levy/School Board September
23, 2008 Elementary & Pre K at
4:30 p.m. September
25, 2008 School Board Candidate
Forum at Brooklyn Park City Hall, 6:30 p.m. (League of Women Voters) October
5-9, 2008 Phone Bank 6-9 p.m. October
20, 2008 School Board
Candidate Forum at Woodland Elementary, 7:00 p.m. (Community Education) October
20-24, 2008 Phone Bank 6-9 p.m. October
24-25 2008 Education Minnesota
Training Grand Rios Hotel Jay
Anderson Susan
Brady President Education
Minnesota Field Staff
Training
Opportunities The
attachment to this Pipeline has information for regional trainings being
offered by Education Minnesota. I
strongly encourage you to participate in trainings that include Special
Education, Member Rights Advocacy, and Negotiations (if you are considering
being on the negotiations team this year this would be great training to
attend). The attachment contains a
description of each session, logistical information, and a registration form
that must be returned to EM-O by Friday, October 10th. Please take this opportunity to become
better informed about your Union! You
can also receive clock hours for re-licensure for attending the trainings. Retirement Planning
Meeting Larry
Seavert, Susan Brady, and Jay Anderson will present a retirement seminar for
those of you considering retirement this year or in the near future. There will be 2 Sessions on November 6th
one at 3:30 and one at 4:45 at the EM-O office. Please
RSVP: Linda Schugg at 763-315-3416 or email linda.schugg@educationminnesota.org
Phone Bank
Volunteers Needed We
need your help in working phone banks at the EM-O office October 27-30, 2008
from 5:30-8:30. We need at least 7
people each night to do phoning for endorsed candidates. If we can get more than 7 that would be
great, as you can rotate calling or split time with a colleague. Food and beverages provided. Please
RSVP: Linda Schugg at 763-315-3416 or email linda.schugg@educationminnesota.org Committee Service
Opportunities The
following are opportunities for members to serve on committees this year: Negotiations
Selection Committee (1 meeting to interview Negotiations Team Candidates and
select the team) Negotiations
(Up to 5 members to represent the Union in Negotiations starting this spring/
2 year commitment) For
forms needed to apply to be a negotiator contact Linda Schugg at 763-315-3416
or email linda.schugg@educationminnesota.org Labor
Management Committees (1 year commitment/meetings throughout the school year
as needed) ·
Transfer (8 members) ·
Workday/Workweek (5 members) ·
Retirement Incentives/Sick leave
Incentives/Saving for post 1990 hires. (5 members) ·
District Re-Evaluation committee (2
members to review challenged curriculum materials) Both
past committee members and those who have never served on a committee are encouraged
to apply to serve on these committees. Invite a Colleague
to Attend If
you are a member who attends General Membership Meeting (GMM) please invite a
colleague or two to join you at the meetings.
It is always more fun when you go with someone you know and it is a
great way for more members to become involved. I hope we can pack the house. Notification of dates and time will be sent
to members before each meeting. Please
RSVP if you are attending GMM as it helps us in planning food and beverages
as well as places to sit. Upcoming Events October
5-9, 2008 Phone Bank 6-9 p.m. October
6&8, 2008 Screen School Board
Candidates October
20, 2008 School Board
Candidate Forum at Woodland Elementary, 7:00 p.m. (Community Education) October
20-24, 2008 Phone Bank 5:30-8:30
p.m. October
24-25 2008 Education Minnesota
Training - Grand Rios Hotel November
4, 2008 Election/Levy Vote November
6, 2008 Retirement Seminar Jay
Anderson Susan
Brady President Education
Minnesota Field Staff
Endorsed candidates
for School Board This
week the EM-O School Board Candidate Screening Committee interviewed eight
candidates for three open school board seats. Recommended candidates were chosen after
careful review of written answers by the candidates to EMO’s questionnaire and
from responses from the candidate in the interview process. The screening committee endorses Laura
Cottington, Kim Green, and Shelly Korby for election to the District #279
school board. I
want to thank the screening committee for their excellent work in regards to
this screening. If you see one of the
members you could also thank them for their service on this committee.
Members of School Board Screening Committee:
Bridget Bennett, Mary Beth Wells, Rojanne Brown, Becky Hespen
(President of ESP’s), Renee Sawyer, Jenna Diem, Steve Johnson, Tim Hollis,
and Kelly Wilson. Meet the EM-O
Endorsed Candidates/Vote Yes for Kids Opportunities There
will be a meet the candidate event this Sunday, October 12th at
Dave & Buster’s in the Fountains of Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove: Time:
Drop in from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Location:
The event will be located in the meeting room to the right as you enter Dave
& Buster’s Object
of the Event: Learn more about the EMO endorsed candidates Visit
with the Candidates Pick
up a candidate yard sign Pick
up a “Vote Yes for Kids” yard sign Sign
up for a candidate literature drop to be held on Saturday, October 25, please
provide name, phone # and NON District 279 email address Sign
up for a “Vote Yes” literature drop to be held on Saturday, November 1,
provide name, phone # and NON District 279 email address Make
a campaign contribution to the candidates Make
a contribution to the “Vote Yes” campaign This independent expenditure is
prepared and paid for by Education Minnesota – OSSEO, 10200 73rd
Ave. N., #126, Maple Grove, MN 55369, in support of District #279 levy
referendum and in support of Education Minnesota-OSSEO recommended candidates.
The recommended candidates did not approve the expenditure, nor are they
responsible for it. Retirement Planning
Meeting Larry
Seavert, Susan Brady, and Jay Anderson will present a retirement seminar for
those of you considering retirement this year or in the near future. There will be 2 Sessions on November 6th
one at 3:30 and one at 4:45 at the EM-O office. Please
RSVP: Linda Schugg at 763-315-3416 or email linda.schugg@educationminnesota.org
Phone Bank
Volunteers Needed We
need your help in working phone banks at the EM-O office October 28-30, 2008
from 4:00-8:00. We need at least 7
people each night to do phoning for endorsed candidates. If we can get more than 7 that would be
great, as you can rotate calling or split time with a colleague. No need to stay the entire time, come and
help for a couple of hours if you can.
Food and beverages provided. Please
RSVP: Linda Schugg at 763-315-3416 or email linda.schugg@educationminnesota.org Foundation for
Excellence in Teaching Grants Education
Minnesota is exited to announce the beginning of the 2008-2009 Classroom
Grant Program as part of Education Minnesota’s Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. This year’s
program will again award grants of up to $3,000 for innovative projects
developed by educators from across the state of Minnesota. Applications for the grants are available
at www.educationminnesota.org. Follow the link to the Events and Programs
section and select “Foundation Grants” for additional information. Osseo
teachers Kelli Waalk, waalkk@district279.org
and Donna Ohlgren, ohlgrend@district279.org
are previous grant recipients and have
graciously agreed to answer questions and offer assistance to members who
apply for the grants. Education Minnesota
Fall Conference Workshop,
lecture, keynote speakers, food samples, textbooks, all of this and more will
be on display at the Education Minnesota Fall Conference, October 16th
and 17th, at the St. Paul RiverCentre. The conference is free and open to the
public. Many exhibits are aimed
specifically for children of all ages. Add in a few free food samples and
book discounts and the next thing you know you’ve had a really fun
morning! More information can be found
at www.educationminnesota.org. Committee Service
Opportunities – Last Call! The
following are opportunities for members to serve on committees this year: Negotiations
Selection Committee (1 meeting to interview Negotiations Team Candidates and
select the team) Negotiations
(Up to 5 members to represent the Union in Negotiations starting this spring/
2 year commitment) For
forms needed to apply to be a negotiator contact Linda Schugg at 763-315-3416
or email linda.schugg@educationminnesota.org Labor
Management Committees (1 year commitment/meetings throughout the school year
as needed) ·
Transfer (8 members) ·
Workday/Workweek (5 members) ·
Retirement Incentives/Sick leave
Incentives/Saving for post 1990 hires. (5 members) Both
past committee members and those who have never served on a committee are
encouraged to apply to serve on these committees. Invite a Colleague
to Attend If
you are a member who attends General Membership Meeting (GMM) please invite a
colleague or two to join you at the meetings.
It is always more fun when you go with someone you know and it is a
great way for more members to become involved. I hope we can pack the house. Notification of dates and time will be sent
to members before each meeting. Please
RSVP if you are attending GMM as it helps us in planning food and beverages
as well as places to sit. Upcoming Events October
16 -17 Education
Minnesota Fall Conference- RiverCentre-St. Paul October
20, 2008 School Board
Candidate Forum at Woodland Elementary, 7:00 p.m. (Community Education) October
28-30, 2008 Phone Bank 4:00-8:00p.m.at
the EM-O office. October
24-25 2008 Education Minnesota
Training - Grand Rios Hotel November
4, 2008 Election/Levy Vote November
6, 2008 Retirement Seminar 3:30
and 4:45 RSVP please Jay
Anderson Susan
Brady President Education
Minnesota Field Staff
Endorsed candidates
for School Board The
school board election is still to be decided.
The third seat on the board is only 7 votes apart at this time and
thus will demand a recount. This
undecided seat is between Laura Cottington (EM-O endorsed) with 14,391 votes
and Teresa Lunt with 14,384 votes. The
other two seats will be filled by Dean Henke and Kim Green (EM-O endorsed)
both incumbent board members. Levy Referendum
Questions Both
levy referendum questions on the ballot were defeated. The first question on operating funds was
only defeated by about 4% which in a general election year with the economy
in bad shape I believe is a testament to all the hard work put in by the “Vote
Yes Committee” and the assistance it received from members of EM – O in
both funds and volunteer hours. I want
to thank all of you who were involved in this effort to improve the educational
opportunities for the students in our district. Personally I had many positive comments as
I urged community members to vote yes at two separate polling places on Nov.
4. Swap Shop
Information This
year we are distributing the Swap Shop differently than in the past. Because of budget constraints we are not
printing paper copies for every member.
Instead we are sending each site secretary 2 paper copies to post at
the sites, and the Swap Shop is being posted electronically on the following
websites: http://edmnosseo.com/ and http://osseoswap.tripod.com/
The
first site is our Local’s website and it is under News and Services, the second site contains pictures of items
when available. These sites give you
better access to the Swap Shop and save members dues money by not printing
multiple copies, many of which are recycled without being viewed. Retirement Planning
Meeting Larry
Seavert, Susan Brady, and Jay Anderson will present a retirement seminar for
those of you considering retirement this year or in the near future. There will be 2 Sessions today November 6th
one at 3:30 and one at 4:45 at the EM-O office. Please
RSVP: Linda Schugg at 763-315-3416 or email linda.schugg@educationminnesota.org
Foundation for
Excellence in Teaching Grants Education
Minnesota is excited to announce the beginning of the 2008-2009 Classroom
Grant Program as part of Education Minnesota’s Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. This year’s
program will again award grants of up to $3,000 for innovative projects
developed by educators from across the state of Minnesota. Applications for the grants are available
at www.educationminnesota.org. Follow the link to the Events and Programs
section and select “Foundation Grants” for additional information. Osseo
teachers Kelli Waalk, waalkk@district279.org
and Donna Ohlgren, ohlgrend@district279.org
are previous grant recipients and have
graciously agreed to answer questions and offer assistance to members who
apply for the grants. Reminder:
Education Minnesota Foundation Grants - Applications are due by December 12th.
For more information, application
materials, and grant writing tips visit www.educationminnesota.org/events/foundation. Facts from the
Field – Susan Brady In
a previous Pipeline I shared teacher protection under the Weingarten
Right. As a follow up I want to share
a quick overview of the Top 5 Reasons for Teacher Discipline. My intent is to be proactive and my hope is
that in sharing the reasons for teacher discipline EM-O members will avoid
disciplinary action and continue to maintain their high level of
professionalism. ·
Inappropriate
use of the Internet -
Your computer belongs to the district and you must follow district internet
policy. ·
Sexual
Harassment -
Includes unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and verbal or
physical conduct of a sexual nature when the conduct interferes with the work
environment. ·
Corporal
Punishment or Physical Abuse
-
Minnesota law prohibits any school district employee from using corporal
punishment or unreasonable physical force that causes bodily or emotional
harm. ·
Off-duty
Conduct -
You
can be fired if off- the- job conduct is proven to be related to your
job: Embezzling or stealing,
drug-related offenses, illegal gambling, DWI convictions or other negligent
driving convictions, sexual misconduct, trafficking in the Internet
pornography at home. ·
Lapsed
Teaching License -
You must hold a valid teaching
license! You are responsible for
renewing your license. Information is
available on the MDE website. Invite a Colleague
to Attend If
you are a member who attends General Membership meetings (GMM) or Pre K &
Elementary Policies please invite a colleague or two to join you at the
meetings. It is always more fun when
you go with someone you know and it is a great way for more members to become
involved. I hope we can pack the
house. Notification of dates and time
will be sent to members before each meeting.
Please RSVP barb.warhol@educationminnesota.org
if you are attending either meeting as
it helps us in planning food and beverages as well as places to sit. Upcoming Events November
6, 2008 Retirement Seminar 3:30
and 4:45 - RSVP November
13, 2008 Negotiators Interview
& Selection Process November
17, 2008 American Education Week –
Pencils distributed to licensed staff November
18, 2008 Pre K & Elementary
Policies meeting 4:30 at EM-O - RSVP November
20, 2008 GMM 4:30 Please RSVP if
attending Jay
Anderson Susan
Brady President Education
Minnesota Field Staff |
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