2011 Topics for Bethel Members
To view statements made by EEA in Bethel, please see below:
EEA Welcome Back Statement, August 30, click here.
Bethel Vice President Report
December 2010
1. Monthly Superintendent Meeting
The EEA President, OEA Consultant and myself attend a monthly meeting with Superintendent Colt Gill and Assistant Superintendent Chris Parra. The topics that have come up include budget, a possible city wide income tax and/or sales tax, the Assessment bill, snow days and inclement weather, insurance for job shares and of course personnel issues. Mainly the union drives the agenda, although there are times when Colt wants to share something usually around the budget or ask our opinion on a topic such as the Assessment bill.
2. School Board Meetings
Sarah Campbell Long, Elementary Director and Amanda Forester, Secondary Director and I share attendance at these meetings. Our main goal is to create a union presence at the school board. Typical school board items have come up including the Homesource Charter School that Dayna spoke about, the budget, the essential skills report, and the idea of floating a bond.
3. RIT—Resolving Issues Together
This is a district wide committee with one teacher per building and Colt and Chris. There are no building administrators present. This committee is charged with bringing concerns of any kind from their buildings to the group for discussion and solving. Issues that have come up so far this year include the possibility of snow days and the budget reduction days, workload issues, class size. This is a catchall committee that will address issues ranging from building specific concerns about heating or cooling to contractual issues, to the budget.
4. Long Term Budget Planning Committee
This committee is made up of teachers, classified members, administrators, two high school students, board members, parents and community members. Colt refers to this committee as the Bethel School District Financial Planning Think Tank. This committee is tasked with three charges: to maximize instruction with the current budget, to take care of the physical structures tax payers have already provided for and to prudently plan for the future. Right now we’re looking at ways to further cost cut, the idea of a construction bond, the Mayor’s proposal of a city wide sales and/or income tax and effectively communicating with staff and patrons so nothing comes as a surprise. We’ve met twice so far and won’t meet again until after the first of the year.