Welcome new Board members Mary Brownell(Hazelwood), Francine Hill (Francis Howell) and Frank Rogan (MNEA Retired)
Vistitors :Charline Shepard MPSO
Discussion Items:
Gov. District meeting feedback:
Matt Agee stated that at the Gov. District 11 meeting there was discussion about the placement of the elections from the floor and not being done in the Governance meeting. President Smith explained that Board policy states that all Board nominations, Heritage House nominations, Review Board nominations and Budget Committee nominations must be taken from the floor. Therefore, President Smith had no choice but to follow the policy at the Spring RA. The Board can change the policy, and we will be discussing the issue further at our Board Retreat in August.
There was another question from Gov. District 11 regarding sending more than 3 new people to Summer Academy. It was explained that all locals can send up to 3 people. After May 20th if there are still openings districts may then sign up to send more than attendees.
Governance District 5 had a question about how many members they needed to add a second Board seat. President Smith had already answered the question but a Gov. district needs to have 2251 members to have 2 Board members.
Summer Academy Board Responsibilities:
Due to the change in Summer Academy it is optional for Board members to attend. Each Governance District needs to send a basket for the PAC auction. If possible please bring them to the Pre RA on June 6. Summer Academy will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Columbia, MO on July 13-15.
SALT Trainings are scheduled for June 3 in St. Charles, June 19-20 in Springfield and July 9 in Kansas City.
NEA RA Details:
Be sure to read Karen Sholes' blog. www.nearainfo.blogspot.com
The pre RA will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Columbia MO on June 6.
NEA Fund:
RA delegates need to bring contributions to the Pre-RA meeting on June 6. More information will be coming about GO Pages.
Back to School Events:
As locals begin to plan back to school events, please let President Smith know of the dates so that they can be put into a master calendar. Any locals wanting Member Benefits to attend can contact Jacquie Shipma.
Information Items:
Membership Reports: We have 392 new members on early enrollment as of May 13. We also have 43 members who are rejoining which brings our total up to 435 new members. There will be losses though as districts make deletions at the end of the year.
Board Roster:
Board members please check the Board Roster that is in the Board packet. Any corrections need to be sent to Brent Fullington.
2015-16 Board Orientation and Retreat:
The Board Retreat will be held July 31-Aug. 2 at the Drury Inn and Suites in Kansas City MO. New Board members need to be in Kansas City by noon on July 31. The retreat should end around noon on Sunday Aug. 2.
Resolutions and ByLaws:
The updated 2015 Resolutions will be uploaded to the Members Only section of the website. The Bylaws will be in the Timeline for Action. A question was asked if the ByLaws could also be added to the Members Only section. President Smith will try to make that happen.
Board Terms:
Board Terms begin on Aug. 1.
State Board Report:
We are continuing to monitor what is happening in the Normandy Collaborative School District. President Smith wrote an OpEd piece about the situation in Normandy.
Reports:
Legislative: Otto thanked his team for all their hard work during this legislative session.
Legislation that passed:
Budget
Transfer Bill: This bill allows for the expansion of Charter Schools. We will be urging the Governor to veto this bill.
Right To Work
There was a bill with language about Community College Boards that passed.
There was a bill with some changes to the MOST Savings program that passed.
Presidents:
Besides what is in the Board Packet President Smith attended the St. Joseph NEA year end celebration. He was also asked by NEA to attend a symposium celebrating male teachers of color.
NEA Directors:
ESEA reauthorization will be active again in June. Be watching for calls to action.
Executive Director:
MNEA will be making the switch to Microsoft 365, getting new bandwidth in all of the regional offices and moving to Centurylink telephones. NEA 360 will be moving to new platforms for membership and all sorts of other things. This switch will take place by May 2016. Karen Struemph and Karen Sholes will be heading a committee of about 10 people to get ready for this change.
Collective Bargaining Update:
Hazelwood picketed and packed a school board meeting with members. They were able to get a step on the salary schedule and are still working through details. Their members showed what working together can achieve.
Ritenour teachers rejected the first salary proposal brought to them. They went back to the bargaining table and were able to get more money in the proposal. They will be voting again next week.
Joplin NEA won exclusive bargaining representation.
Columbia teachers have continued to show up at school board meetings and are gaining respect from the community even after the districts lawyer said he would not negotiate anymore this year.
Managers:
Steve McLuckie asked locals to sponsor student members. More information will be sent out about this on the list serv.
All reports can be found in the Board packet.
Consent Agenda:
The consent agenda was approved
Business Items:
Committee Chairs and Liaisons for 2015-16: approved
2015-16 MNEA Committee Charges: approved
2014-15 MNEA Committee Reports: approved
Budget Committee Election:
Matt Agee and Cheryl Riley were elected by acclamation to the 2015-16 Budget Committee.
Action on proposed amendments to the NEA Standing Rules, Constitution and ByLaws for the 2015 Representative Assembly
Constitutional Amendments (2/3 Vote)
1. Delegate allocation for merged states NEA Board: oppose MNEA Board: oppose
2. Frequency of RA
3. Classroom teacher and ESP on committees NEA Board: support MNEA Board: support
Bylaw Amendments (Majority Vote)
A. Safe harbor for EC members NEA Board: support MNEA Board: support
B. Ballot Measure/Leg. Crisis Fund NEA Board: support MNEA Board: support
1. Great Public Schools Fund NEA Board: oppose MNEA Board: oppose
2. Delegate allocation for merged states NEA Board: oppose MNEA Board: oppose
3. Grouping of NBI’s
Standing Rule Amendments (Majority Vote)
1. Requests for information in speaking order NEA Board:oppose MNEA Board: oppose
2. Suspend the rules for referral of multiple items NEA Board: oppose MNEA Board:oppose
3. Motion to suspend the rules
4. Grouping of NBI’s
5. Contact information for NBI makers NEA Board: oppose MNEA Board:oppose
6. Limiting NBI’s to 100 words
7. Printing of NBI cost breakdowns
