* IMPORTANT PAGES *

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Maybe some good news

Great news! Finally after a year, the MVEA has agreed to furlough days instead of pink slips. Still, Basically a loss in pay: in exchange for saving jobs. I applaud you all. I am a bit confused, though, by some statements in the Press,the MVEA web site and in the Board minutes (still unfinished):

1 Why was David Sanchez, President of CTA down here at the Friday meeting before this unscheduled Monday Meeting 7/13/09? Out of the hugh number of CTA districts through out Southern California? Has something seriously changed in negotiations that would require his attention? Or did Ann just charm him?

2 My understanding was Sanchez made a plea for the DO to use of the districts remaining stimulus moneys? Of course the state will be financially sound by next year so we won't need them.?! I don't recall hearing of sudden support of furlough days from CTA.

3 Who ever brought up and pushed through the furlough idea (my hat's off to you) Especially when it's been shot down so many times. A lot of People got pinked because of that. Who ever you are - Job well done! MVEA said there was a previous agreement with the MVEA, the CSEA and the DO but it was nixed by the board. Why?

4 The Press indicated there was an agreement with teachers? The same article said there was a vote. Was this based on a previous vote?

5 Are all three bodies in agreement now? If so, why is there no mention anywhere? May be everyone is waiting on the official Board vote. Under the best of circumstances, which rarely occur in education, how long before this becomes a reality?Monday's agenda still shows the district readying for almost one hundred lay-offs. see attached.

Moreno Valley teachers agree to furlough days


Moreno Valley teachers

agree to furlough days!


5:26 PM PDTon Tuesday, July 14, 2009

By SONJA BJELLAN
The Press-Enterprise

A tentative agreement reached Monday means 87 Moreno Valley teachers may return to their classrooms next month.

In a packed board meeting, the Moreno Valley Board of Education announced that the district's approximately 1,850 teachers had agreed to each take two furlough days to save jobs threatened by layoffs. Further budget cuts caused the district to consider the layoffs again, officials said.

The agreement reached Monday morning calls for teachers to take two unpaid days off when students are not in school. The association also will work with the district to find money for 9.5 nonteaching positions that otherwise may still be cut this summer.

"This is a first," Moreno Valley Educators Association President Janet MacMillan said of the furlough days.

The school board made $23 million in cuts before approving the district's $284 million budget on June 30. District officials still needed to trim another $20 million because of state budget woes.

The agreement reached Monday came after a teachers rally Friday and letters to school board members.

Sixth-grade teacher Laurie Warner wore a pink shirt Monday as a reminder of the pink slips. "I think in the end, what came through was they cared about their employees," she said.

AFSCME Corrections United

"Tuesday, July 14th: School District’s Future at Risk"

Board will consider motion to hand over new schools to outside groups

On Tuesday, July 14, the Los Angeles School Board will be considering a motion sponsored by School Board member Yolie Flores Aguilar, Richard Vladovic, and Monica Garcia creating a process, funded and managed by outsiders, which basically gives away new schools to non-LAUSD groups under the guise of improved education. An outside "leader" will also "develop a template and process" for plans to operate new schools, including instructional practices.

See motion text (Item #33) from School Board agenda as of 11 am, 7/13/09 (4 pages)

Instead of passing off their duties to outside entities, the LAUSD Board should accept accountability for what the motion calls the "chronic academic underperformance of public schools" and take responsibility to establish and run quality schools for the community.

It is imperative that many of our members attend the Tuesday, July 14, School Board meeting to protest and block the "giveaway" of our schools. If passed, this motion will start the process of privatization of public education.

LAUSD School Board Meeting
at LAUSD Headquarters
333 So. Beaudry, Los Angeles
Board of Education Meeting Room

The motion is expected to be heard around 5:00 pm.

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Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Tomorrow - interesting reading




My Favorite Links:


 (office of civil rights - Education)





Tomorrow - interesting reading




My Favorite Links:


 (office of civil rights - Education)