Manuel Perez is one of the few legislators supporting education in California. If you are able, take the time to share your appreciation of his support or to share your concerns with him.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
"It's a Grind Coffee House"
44100 Jefferson, Suite 302
Indio, CA 92201
Come discuss legislative issues of importance to you and the community.
Evaluation Deadline Approaching New
For those of you involved in the formal evaluation process, please be advised that the pre-conference, observation and post-observation conference need to be completed by January 25. Please advise our office if your administrator misses that deadline.
January 25 is also the last date to request a SECOND evaluator. Please note this option will provide you with the opportunity to be observed by a SECOND evaluator not to replace your current evaluator.
January 25 is also the last date to request a SECOND evaluator. Please note this option will provide you with the opportunity to be observed by a SECOND evaluator not to replace your current evaluator.
Opportunity for Training
The San Gorgonio Service Center council will be meeting at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School in La Quinta on January 23, 2010.
Special training sessions will be held from 9-10:30 and are open to any interested member. One session will be explaining the NEA KEYS program which is about improving school quality and improving collaboration. There are also sessions on grievance and elections.
Please call PSTA if you are interested in attending.
Scholarships
CTA once again is offering scholarships for CTA Members and for dependent children.
There will be up to 35 scholarships worth $5,000 awarded to dependent children. Also available is one $5,000 scholarship for a dependent child in continuation high school or alternative education program.
Additionally, there are up to five $3,000 scholarships for CTA members. These applications are due February 5, 2010.
Please call the PSTA office if you are interested in applying.
NEA-RA
The 2010 National Education Association Representative Assembly will be held in New Orleans during the week of June 30-July 7. The official state representative Declaration of Candidacy forms are now available in the December/January 2010 edition of the California Educator.
If you are interested in attending, submit this form by January 29, to the San Gorgonio Service Center in San Bernardino. CTA will cover all costs involved including travel, food and housing. Your responsibilities are to represent California in meetings and to participate in the largest democratic gathering in the world. Over 10,000 representatives will be in attendance.
Contact Legislators re: Health Care New
We are at a critical stage in the health care debate in Washington. The House and Senate have passed health care reform measures and are hammering out a final bill. The House plan is far better for CTA members and working families as it does not include the excise tax on employer-provided health plans.
CTA is joining the California Federation of Labor for a National Call-in Blitz this Wednesday, January 13, for health care reform that will help - not hurt - educators and working families.
The proposed excise tax on health care benefits would directly impact CTA members. According to an analysis by the CTA Negotiations and Organizational Development Department, the health care tax would cost some school districts millions of dollars at a time when education budget cuts have already devastated our schools.
CTA is asking everyone to join in this national call-in day on Wednesday, January 13. We want to welcome back Congress with a deluge of calls.
Call 1.877.323.5246 to be connected to your member of Congress. Press 2 to reach your House Member.
Talking points/background information is provided below and through the link at the NEA website.
· The Senate health care reform bill is inadequate. The proposed excise tax on employer-provided health care plans would amount to an enormous tax on middle class health benefits that would impact California teachers, education support professionals and local school districts.
· The proposed excise tax on health care benefits would cost California school districts millions of dollars at a time when education budget cuts have already devastated our schools and the state budget is again facing a $20 billion deficit. Districts will be forced to make further cuts or pass on these tax hikes to teachers. [If available, use a specific example from a school in the member's district.]· A health care benefits tax is the wrong way to finance health care reform. The House bill and its financing does it right. I ask you to support local educators by signing the letter by Representative Joe Courtney against the excise tax.
· I ask you to work with House leadership to make sure that key provisions of the House bill are upheld during the conference discussions for the final health care measure. We need fair financing that does not tax middle-class health benefits and we need a public health insurance plan option to help reduce health care costs. Let Speaker Pelosi know that you cannot support an excise tax on middle class health benefits.
CTA is joining the California Federation of Labor for a National Call-in Blitz this Wednesday, January 13, for health care reform that will help - not hurt - educators and working families.
The proposed excise tax on health care benefits would directly impact CTA members. According to an analysis by the CTA Negotiations and Organizational Development Department, the health care tax would cost some school districts millions of dollars at a time when education budget cuts have already devastated our schools.
CTA is asking everyone to join in this national call-in day on Wednesday, January 13. We want to welcome back Congress with a deluge of calls.
Call 1.877.323.5246 to be connected to your member of Congress. Press 2 to reach your House Member.
Talking points/background information is provided below and through the link at the NEA website.
· The Senate health care reform bill is inadequate. The proposed excise tax on employer-provided health care plans would amount to an enormous tax on middle class health benefits that would impact California teachers, education support professionals and local school districts.
· The proposed excise tax on health care benefits would cost California school districts millions of dollars at a time when education budget cuts have already devastated our schools and the state budget is again facing a $20 billion deficit. Districts will be forced to make further cuts or pass on these tax hikes to teachers. [If available, use a specific example from a school in the member's district.]· A health care benefits tax is the wrong way to finance health care reform. The House bill and its financing does it right. I ask you to support local educators by signing the letter by Representative Joe Courtney against the excise tax.
· I ask you to work with House leadership to make sure that key provisions of the House bill are upheld during the conference discussions for the final health care measure. We need fair financing that does not tax middle-class health benefits and we need a public health insurance plan option to help reduce health care costs. Let Speaker Pelosi know that you cannot support an excise tax on middle class health benefits.
"Race to the Top" - Special BOE mtg. 01-07-10 @ 1pm
The PSUSD Board of Education is holding a special meeting Friday, January 8, 2010 at 1 p.m., to discuss the "Race to the Top Memo of Understanding" the state has created. All of this is in effort to make California eligible for federal money.
Our state legislators have recently rushed through legislation in an effort to align California with the expected Race to the Top requirements. Since many of the requirements have not been completely spelled out and the federal government is still developing the actual application, PSTA has decided not to sign giving our approval. While CTA has worked very hard to include language which preserves our ability to negotiate, they have also advised against signing the MOU.
Bev Bricker is presenting at an NEA conference in Florida, so PSTA Vice-President Noel White will be sharing the following speech at the board meeting.
As additional events unfold with the Race to the Top, we will keep you informed.
Good Afternoon
Following the advice of the California Teachers Association, PSTA has decided not to sign onto the Race to the Top MOU being discussed today. This advice stems from the fact that the state of California still has not released a final version of their Race to the Top plan and the language that is contained in the preliminary version is unclear and troubling.
We understand that the lure of possible additional monies is hard to ignore, but California's rush to make long term changes in the educational system without input from educators is unfortunate. Everyone in education is being asked to agree to a moving target as the entire Federal application is yet to be completed. The proposed changes being voted on by legislators to enable California to qualify for Race to the Top funds are being made in haste and in many cases against the advice of the education coalition which includes labor and management groups involved in education including CASBA (California School Boards Association) and ACSA (Association of California School Administrators). Of the 1,000 districts in California there are 302, including Desert Sands Unified, who are not submitting the MOU.
We know that you will carefully consider the decision being put before you just as members of cabinet have done for several weeks. We know it is a difficult decision to make, but the board is becoming quite adept at making tough decisions. PSTA is proud of the working relationship we have with the district, and is equally aware that as we venture into the spring we will be dealing with difficult issues yet again. Our choice to not sign the MOU should not be viewed as a lack of willingness to work with the district but rather with the state and federal decision makers.
Thank you.
Current Hot Topics - "Disability Insurance"New
Benefit Waiting Period:
lesser of 7 consecutive regular days of required attendance or extra duty days, or 30 calendar
Benefit Period:
(With 5 or more years in STRS) - the period for which you are eligible to receive fully paid sick leave and the following 2 benefit years
(less than 5 years with STRS) - the period for which you are eligible to receive fully paid sick leave and the following 2 benefit years plus the following:
59 or younger - to age 65
60-64 years - 5 years
65-69 - to age 70 or 1 year
70 - 1 year
Benefits:
during sick leave: $25 per day
1st and 2nd benefit years: up to 75% of regular daily contract salary, reduced by deductible income payable for each regular required attendance day. Minimum benefit $30 per day of required attendance
After 2nd benefit year: (less than 5 years with STRS) 50% of regular monthly contract salary reduced by deductible income. Min benefit $500 per month.
Additional Features:
$35 per calendar day while in a hospital as a result of your disability - no waiting period
Up to 75% of extra duty pay lost to disability, reduced by deductible income
Covers disabilities occurring on or off the job
No premium required during disability
Dependent education benefit - monthly benefit to help pay post-secondary costs for children, souse.domestic partner
$10,00 accidental death and dismemberment coverage
Child care expense up to $1000 year
New Website to Support Teachers
PSTA is painfully aware of the work each of you is doing in your grade levels and departments. The Data Analysis Worksheet (DAW) is providing a structure to the work you are required to do for DAIT.
We are investigating creating a website which will enable you to create the DAW with drop down menus, easily transfer data from OARS and provide you with the research of the most effective instructional strategies for each of the standards you are addressing.
If you have any thoughts on what would make this website more useful for the work you do, please let PSTA know your suggestions.
lesser of 7 consecutive regular days of required attendance or extra duty days, or 30 calendar
Benefit Period:
(With 5 or more years in STRS) - the period for which you are eligible to receive fully paid sick leave and the following 2 benefit years
(less than 5 years with STRS) - the period for which you are eligible to receive fully paid sick leave and the following 2 benefit years plus the following:
59 or younger - to age 65
60-64 years - 5 years
65-69 - to age 70 or 1 year
70 - 1 year
Benefits:
during sick leave: $25 per day
1st and 2nd benefit years: up to 75% of regular daily contract salary, reduced by deductible income payable for each regular required attendance day. Minimum benefit $30 per day of required attendance
After 2nd benefit year: (less than 5 years with STRS) 50% of regular monthly contract salary reduced by deductible income. Min benefit $500 per month.
Additional Features:
$35 per calendar day while in a hospital as a result of your disability - no waiting period
Up to 75% of extra duty pay lost to disability, reduced by deductible income
Covers disabilities occurring on or off the job
No premium required during disability
Dependent education benefit - monthly benefit to help pay post-secondary costs for children, souse.domestic partner
$10,00 accidental death and dismemberment coverage
Child care expense up to $1000 year
New Website to Support Teachers
PSTA is painfully aware of the work each of you is doing in your grade levels and departments. The Data Analysis Worksheet (DAW) is providing a structure to the work you are required to do for DAIT.
We are investigating creating a website which will enable you to create the DAW with drop down menus, easily transfer data from OARS and provide you with the research of the most effective instructional strategies for each of the standards you are addressing.
If you have any thoughts on what would make this website more useful for the work you do, please let PSTA know your suggestions.
H1N1 Flu Virus Shots for Anthem Blue Cross MembersNew
REEP for Benefits is always looking for ways to help our covered members strive for wellness. In an effort to ensure that individuals and their families can take the appropriate actions to help protect themselves against the H1N1 virus, REEP has made arrangements with Anthem Blue Cross to cover the administration of the H1N1 vaccine at NO COST to all REEP Anthem Blue Cross members (no co-pay, coinsurance, or deductible) during this flu season.
The H1N1 vaccine is now available at most provider locations. You may be required to meet certain criteria to be eligible to receive the vaccine and the providers will follow the rules for distribution priority. However, we encourage you to contact your provider to schedule your vaccination soon and not assume you will not be eligible.
We understand how important your group medical benefits are, and we're looking forward to continuing to provide you with valuable benefits. If you have any questions regarding this benefit, please call the Anthem Blue Cross Member Services phone number provided on your ID card, or our insurance consultant, Keenan & Associates, at 1.800.654.8347 or 951-788-0330.
The H1N1 vaccine is now available at most provider locations. You may be required to meet certain criteria to be eligible to receive the vaccine and the providers will follow the rules for distribution priority. However, we encourage you to contact your provider to schedule your vaccination soon and not assume you will not be eligible.
We understand how important your group medical benefits are, and we're looking forward to continuing to provide you with valuable benefits. If you have any questions regarding this benefit, please call the Anthem Blue Cross Member Services phone number provided on your ID card, or our insurance consultant, Keenan & Associates, at 1.800.654.8347 or 951-788-0330.
Email your legislator
http://capwiz.com/nea/ca/home/
Please visit www.cta.org and get e-mail addresses of their legislators. It is our responsibility to get the word out on how these cuts are affecting us and our students.
Assemblymember V. Manuel Perez
http://legplcms01.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/
ContactPopup.aspx?district=AD80
Tel: (760) 342-8047
Fax: (760) 347-8704
Senator John Benoit
friendsofjohn@jbenoit.com
760-360-7832
Email PSUSD Board Members