April, 2015 - Minnetonka Teachers Association

April, 2015
THE ANCHOR
MINNETONKA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
A publication of the
Please contact Brett Bernard with questions/comments/submissions
Brett.bernard@comcast.net
Colleagues,
I hope everyone had a very well deserved spring break! We are down to the last quarter and wow, it’s been a
busy year! I have had a chance to visit many buildings this year and as always it’s incredible to see all the
innovated and great things you are doing for kids! What an amazing group of teachers I have the pleasure of
working with!
Our Negotiators are back at it and appreciate the feedback you gave on the negotiations survey. Your survey
comments are put into categories and along with feedback from the Governance Board will be brought to the
table. We will keep you and the Governance Board updated on the status of negotiations. Please be ready to
provide support as necessary; we can’t do it without your help. Our strength is in our unity!
One of the issues the MTA has spent a lot of time on is work related violence. Work related violence is a serious
and growing health concern in the United States. And the Bureau of Justice Statistics back in 2001 reported
educators have the fourth highest rate of non-fatal victimization in the workplace with 23 events per 1000
educators annually. More recent data shows seven percent of all teachers were either threatened with physical
violence or attacked by a student in the previous 12 months. In fact, studies have shown 1 in 5 teachers leave
the profession due to the dangerous environment and 2 in 10 teachers report safety concerns were a factor in
their leaving.
Studies have found several potential risk factors for workplace violence against educators including: working in
special education (68 per 1000), working in middle schools (54 per 1000) or high school (38 per 1000), being
male, and being strict.
We are not strangers from threats and acts of violence in Minnetonka. They might not exist to the extent of the
national and state figures mentioned previously but, make no mistake, we are not isolated from them either.
There are few if any federal laws that protect us. While federal law mandates employers must provide a hazard
free work environment OSHA failed to prove, for example, that employers recognize assault as a hazard, a
prerequisite. In other words, the implication was that assault is part of the job.
So, what it comes down to is that any workplace protection against student violence must come from either the
state or through local policy or contract.
Minnesota law clearly states that whoever assaults a teacher in the performance of his/her duties and inflicts
demonstrable bodily harm is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. As we are finding out these laws do not guarantee
enforcement, for several possible reasons. Sometimes we feel intimidated to report them, we are resistant to
change, we are undertrained, resources are unavailable, and one more biggie, lack of administrative support.
It is also clear to me then, we must bring our safety concerns to the District. I have been actively engaged in
discussions with District administration and legal teams with limited success in alleviating general safety
concerns and current specific confidential issues. It is now necessary to bring these issues to the bargaining
table. Safety is an issue that concerns us all. Yes, we are dedicated to our students, but we have the right to feel
safe in our classrooms, and feel supported by the District.
Respectfully,
President Mary Benson
Political / Legislative Update from Barb Sherman
It has long been said that April showers bring May flowers. Hopefully this will happen at the legislature
this year…but it may take some time as showers are turning into storms. As of this writing, the House,
Senate and Governor are far apart on finance and policy bills. Policy bill deadlines have come and gone while
finance bills are being heard in their respective committees. Testimony is being heard in the House
Education Finance Committee and the Senate Education Committee (finance division) on their respective
finance bills. Here is a current update on the Education Omnibus Bills (HF 844 and SF 811) and a few
notable policy provisions associated with them.
Notable Provisions within the Omnibus Bills
LIFO (Last In, First Out) Unrequested Leaves of Absence
The LIFO provision in the House Bill attaches an effectiveness category or rating (an evaluation score) to
teacher performance reviews. This rating must be used as part of teacher layoff criteria. Seniority would
no longer be the sole criteria in a layoff situation. The teacher with the higher effectiveness rating would
be retained and the teacher with a lower rating would be placed on an unrequested leave of absence.
Teacher unions will be required to negotiate an Unrequested Leave of Absence Plan as part of their
contract negotiations. The plan must include the teacher effectiveness rating, licensure field and the
extent that seniority will considered in the implementation of the layoff process. This will technically end
seniority as the primary factor in determining teacher layoffs. An underlying and concerning issue is that
the evaluation score has the potential to pit teacher against teacher and to disarm a culture of sharing and
collegiality within a district and/or building. Another concern is whether or not school district
administrators will use this law as an avenue to layoff the most expensive teachers regardless of
effectiveness. As one can imagine, there are many unintended consequences related to the LlFO provision.
The LIFO provision has no support from House Democrats and full support from House Republicans. The
LIFO provision is a top priority for House Republicans this legislative session.
A LIFO companion bill has been heard in the Senate Education Committee. The LIFO provision was not
included in the Senate Omnibus Bill. Senate Democrats have little support for the provision whereas it is
fully supported by Senate Republicans
The House and Senate Bills will be on a collision course in the Education Conference Committee.
Depending on what happens in Conference Committee, or on amendments from the House and Senate floor,
there is a possibility that the LIFO provision could end up in the final education bill.
Governor Dayton is not in favor of the LIFO provision. It remains to be seen whether or not he will veto a
bill containing LIFO.
Community Experts
School districts will be allowed to hire non licensed community experts without MDE approval if a licensed
teacher is not available. Parents must be notified if their child is placed in a classroom with a non- licensed
teacher. A question yet to be answered, “Does the parent have a choice to opt out of that classroom?”
Education Funding
Despite a 1.9 billion budget surplus, the House bill contains a proposed meager 0.6% increase and the
Senate bill proposes, a not much better, 1% increase to the basic funding formula. Governor Dayton’s
proposal contains a 1% increase to the formula and $343 million to fund a universal pre-k program.
Food for thought…It is interesting that the LIFO bill is being introduced along with the extremely low
funding proposal from the House. Looming layoffs for many school districts due to inadequate funding?
Stay tuned!
Teaching Applicants from Other States
Both bills provide an easier avenue / alternative pathways for teachers from out of state to obtain a
Minnesota teaching license. Concerns arise as to whether or not the same high standards apply to out of
state applicant as they do for Minnesota teachers.
Universal Pre-K Program
A universal pre-k program is a priority for Governor Dayton. It is part of his supplemental budget package.
A universal pre-k program has luke warm support in the House and Senate. They are more likely to be in
support of a pre-k scholarship program.
Meeting with District Area Legislators
On Saturday April 11th, MTA members of the met with a few our area legislators (Sen. Terri Bonoff, Rep
Jon Applebaum and Rep. Cindy Pugh). A dynamic discussion centered on the education bills and the notable
provisions contained within them. A big thanks to Mary Benson, Mike Cutshall, Julie Rathman, Sandy Katkov
for their time representing our association.
Legislators that represent the Minnetonka School District:
SD 33
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Senator David Osmek (GOP)
33A Rep Jerry Hertaus (GOP)
33B Rep Cindy Pugh (GOP)
SD 44
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Senator Terry Bonoff (DFL)
44B Rep Jon Applebaum (DFL)
SD 47
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Senator Julianne Ortman (GOP)
47B Rep Joe Hoppe (GOP)
SD 48
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Senator David Hann (GOP)
48A Rep. Yvonne Selcer (DFL)
*SD= Senate District
The MTA in ACTION!!!
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The MTA is planning educational events for all members with topics such as
Identity Theft, Long Term Care, TRA, and much more.
For a full list of benefits go to http://educationminnesota.org/memberbenefits#discounts
Tips from Coach Heidi Volkart
Do you ever find yourself having a serious SNACK ATTACK mid-morning or right after work? Try these spicy,
roasted chickpeas for a fun snack that is good for you! This is also a fun thing to add to a child’s lunch box. There
are many variations of roasted chickpea recipes out there, so if you like these, look for others such as Parmesan
Rosemary Roasted Chickpeas . Happy, healthy snacking!
Baked Spiced Chickpeas
Recipe adapted from Veggie Grettie
Ingredients
2 cans (14 oz each) Chickpeas
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
3 tsp spice mix (recipe below)
Spice Mix
2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground allspice (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Drain and wash the chickpeas. Place the clean chickpeas on a layer of paper towels and gently rub the tops of them with another paper
towels. Some of the skins will peel away.
*You can trash them, or bake them for an extra crispy little treat. I love burnt foods, so I liked the burnt skins along with the toasted
chickpeas.
You want to get the chickpeas as dry as possible.
While the chickpeas are air drying further, make the spice mix. Pour all of the spices into a bowl and mix well.
*This recipe will not use all of the mix, so reserve the excess for later.
Place the clean and dry chickpeas in a bowl and toss them with the olive oil. Once coated with oil, sprinkle on the spice mix to taste.
Place the seasoned chickpeas on a lined cookie sheet (I used a Silpat) and put the sheet in the oven for 40-60 minutes. Mix them around
about half way through.
Carefully watch the chickpeas at the end as they can quickly burn. Once done, the chickpeas will be browned and crunchy. As the
chickpeas cool they will become even crunchier.
*I took them out of the oven when they were firm, and almost crunchy while still hot. Once they cooled they because SUPER crunchy,
almost like a cornnut. Deeeeelicious!
Staff Announcements
Please share any exciting news about you and your family. This could be the birth of a new child, getting a
Master’s Degree, important anniversary, engagement or an accomplishment you are proud of. Send an email to
Brett Bernard and it will be submitted in our next issue of The Anchor.
Let’s see how many announcements we can get from each school. Deadline for next issue is Friday, May 22. I
can only publish announcements that are sent from the actual person they are about.
Thank you for reading The Anchor…the next issue comes out on May 26. Until then, please check our website
at www.tonkamta.org. Also, thank you to all of those who contributed to this issue.
Anchor Down…GO TONKA!!!
Brett Bernard
Brett.bernard@comcast.net