May 19th – Special Election to keep schools funded – please don’t forget to vote and ask how you can help!
All initiatives below will appear on May 19, 2009 Special Election ballot.
If these initiatives don't pass, we can expect teacher layoffs in July and August of this year.
Prop. 1A – Reform and Stabilize State Budget (Budget Stabilization Fund). Prop. 1A provides long-term reform to our broken budget system by stabilizing future state spending and creating an enhanced rainy day reserve fund. Without impacting the state’s minimum school funding guarantee, Prop. 1A requires the state to direct 3% of revenues into a rainy day fund each year, except when the fund is full or during economic downturns. It increases the overall size of the state’s rainy day reserve from 5% to 12.5% of the budget. Part of the money from the Prop. 1A reserve fund is used to repay the $9 billion owed to public schools. If Prop. 1A fails, there will be no mechanism in place to restore the funding to schools and community colleges. Prop. 1A does not downsize government, or give the governor authority to make midyear cuts to education. By stabilizing state spending, Prop. 1A puts the brakes on the state budget roller coaster; prevents wild peaks and valleys in state spending; and helps protect funding for vital programs like education, public safety and health care. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1A.
Prop. 1B – Protect Education Funding (Prop. 98 Restoration). Read Ballot Argument on Prop. 1B.The budget crisis has cut more than $12 billion from our schools and colleges. Over 5,000 teachers and education support professionals have been laid off and thousands more are threatened. Prop. 1B starts the process of paying back our schools and community colleges as economic conditions improve. Prop. 1B sets up a repayment plan to ensure schools are repaid the $9 billion they are owed under the state’s minimum school funding law. The payments to schools would come out of the newly-created rainy day fund established in Prop. 1A and are dependent on the passage of Prop. 1A. Payments would not begin until 2011-2012. If we don’t pass 1B, CA will be permanetly downgrading its public school system. The future of our state depends on the investment we make in our public schools. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1B.
Prop. 1C – Lottery Modernization Act. Prop. 1C will increase the performance and accountability of the state lottery and bring immediate funding to the state without raising taxes. By modernizing the lottery, Prop. 1C will immediately raise $5 billion in new revenues to immediately help with this year’s budget deficit and billions more in future years. The measure also guarantees that public schools will receive the same amount of funds they currently receive from the lottery. In fact, Prop. 1C takes education funding out of future lottery proceeds and places that money under the Prop. 98 minimum school funding guarantee. So schools will actually receive more money in future years due to cost of living increases. If Prop. 1C fails, there will be a $5 billion hole in the state budget, meaning schools and other programs could face additional cuts. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1C.
Prop. 1D – Children’s Services Funding. Prop. 1D temporarily redirects a portion of excess funds from the voter-approved tobacco tax to pay for children’s health and social services over the next two years. Currently the Children and Families Trust Fund has about $2.5 billion that has not been spent. Prop. 1D diverts a portion of this unexpended money to prevent deeper cuts to Children’s health care and other human services programs. Only a portion of these tobacco tax funds would be redirected, thereby protecting existing programs currently funded by the tax. Failure of Prop. 1D creates a more than $600 million hole in the state budget and means deeper cuts for children’s health and social service programs. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1D.
Prop. 1E – Mental Health Funding. Prop. 1E would temporarily redirect a portion of the funds from the Mental Health Services Trust Fund approved by voters in 2004 to fund children’s health programs that are at risk of elimination due to the state budget crisis, including health care screenings, diagnosis and treatment for children’s health. Failure of Prop. 1E means the state budget deficit grows by $227 million and means those programs face deeper cuts or even elimination. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1E.
Prop. 1F – Restricts Elected Officials’ Salaries. Prop. 1F prohibits legislators, the governor and other state politicians from getting pay raises whenever our state budget is running a deficit. By stopping legislative pay raises during state budget deficits, we can save CA millions of dollars when they’re needed most and bring accountability to the Legislature and governor’s office. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1F.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
April Newsletter
Natomas Teachers’ Association Newsletter April 2009
Calendar of Events:
§ Rep Council Meeting – Thurs, April. 1st 4:00 pm, LFG, Room 406
§ School Board Mtg. – Wed, Apr. 8th, D.O. 6:30 pm
Board Member Meetings:
§ Lisa Kaplan - Monday, Apr. 6th, 4:30
§ Jules Tran- Monday, Apr. 6th, 5:30 pm
§ Bruce Roberts- Tues. Apr. 7th, 4:00
§ Teri Burns – Tues. Apr. 7th, 5:30pm
Board member meetings will all be held at Giovanni’s Pizzeria (2701 Del Paso Rd) and are generally the Monday and Tuesday before board meetings each month.
Don’t forget to check out the NTA blog:
http://natomasteachers.blogspot.com
Negotiations Update
There were no negotiations were held in March. The details of the district’s PIE and BRIDGE classes at the elementary level have been discussed and will be resolved shortly. Negotiations are scheduled to resume in April.
May 19th State Initiatives – 1A through 1F – please vote yes! Learn how you can help get the word out to the community.
Natomas Budget Watch
At the last board meeting, it was decided to save 2 million dollars and not open up Hight Middle School. Instead, Natomas Middle School will move to the Hight site, and NP3 Charter will move to the old Natomas Middle site. Other budget saving items that were added to the balance sheet are listed on http://www.natomasteachers.blogspot.com/
Stand Up For Schools
Thanks to all the Natomas teachers who represented Natomas at the Pink Friday event on March 13th at the Capitol.
You can see pictures of us at the event at the http://www.standupforschools.org/ website
or http://www.pinkfriday09.org/ (same site)
Future Events of interest:
Transfer and Reassignment paperwork and processing – April 20th and May 1st
May 3-9th – Teacher Appreciation Week
California Day of the Teacher – May 13th
Election of NTA Officers – May
May 19th – Special Election to keep schools funded – please don’t forget to vote and ask how you can help!
May 19, 2009 Special Election
All initiatives below will appear on May 19, 2009 Special Election ballot. If these initiatives don't pass, there could be more teacher layoffs in July and August of this year.
Prop. 1A – Reform and Stabilize State Budget (Budget Stabilization Fund). Prop. 1A provides long-term reform to our broken budget system by stabilizing future state spending and creating an enhanced rainy day reserve fund. Without impacting the state’s minimum school funding guarantee, Prop. 1A requires the state to direct 3% of revenues into a rainy day fund each year, except when the fund is full or during economic downturns. It increases the overall size of the state’s rainy day reserve from 5% to 12.5% of the budget. Part of the money from the Prop. 1A reserve fund is used to repay the $9 billion owed to public schools. If Prop. 1A fails, there will be no mechanism in place to restore the funding to schools and community colleges. Prop. 1A does not downsize government, or give the governor authority to make midyear cuts to education. By stabilizing state spending, Prop. 1A puts the brakes on the state budget roller coaster; prevents wild peaks and valleys in state spending; and helps protect funding for vital programs like education, public safety and health care. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1A.
Prop. 1B – Protect Education Funding (Prop. 98 Restoration). Read Ballot Argument on Prop. 1B.The budget crisis has cut more than $12 billion from our schools and colleges. Over 5,000 teachers and education support professionals have been laid off and thousands more are threatened. Prop. 1B starts the process of paying back our schools and community colleges as economic conditions improve. Prop. 1B sets up a repayment plan to ensure schools are repaid the $9 billion they are owed under the state’s minimum school funding law. The payments to schools would come out of the newly-created rainy day fund established in Prop. 1A and are dependent on the passage of Prop. 1A. Payments would not begin until 2011-2012. If we don’t pass 1B, CA will be permanetly downgrading its public school system. The future of our state depends on the investment we make in our public schools. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1B.
Prop. 1C – Lottery Modernization Act. Prop. 1C will increase the performance and accountability of the state lottery and bring immediate funding to the state without raising taxes. By modernizing the lottery, Prop. 1C will immediately raise $5 billion in new revenues to immediately help with this year’s budget deficit and billions more in future years. The measure also guarantees that public schools will receive the same amount of funds they currently receive from the lottery. In fact, Prop. 1C takes education funding out of future lottery proceeds and places that money under the Prop. 98 minimum school funding guarantee. So schools will actually receive more money in future years due to cost of living increases. If Prop. 1C fails, there will be a $5 billion hole in the state budget, meaning schools and other programs could face additional cuts. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1C.
Prop. 1D – Children’s Services Funding. Prop. 1D temporarily redirects a portion of excess funds from the voter-approved tobacco tax to pay for children’s health and social services over the next two years. Currently the Children and Families Trust Fund has about $2.5 billion that has not been spent. Prop. 1D diverts a portion of this unexpended money to prevent deeper cuts to Children’s health care and other human services programs. Only a portion of these tobacco tax funds would be redirected, thereby protecting existing programs currently funded by the tax. Failure of Prop. 1D creates a more than $600 million hole in the state budget and means deeper cuts for children’s health and social service programs. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1D.
Prop. 1E – Mental Health Funding. Prop. 1E would temporarily redirect a portion of the funds from the Mental Health Services Trust Fund approved by voters in 2004 to fund children’s health programs that are at risk of elimination due to the state budget crisis, including health care screenings, diagnosis and treatment for children’s health. Failure of Prop. 1E means the state budget deficit grows by $227 million and means those programs face deeper cuts or even elimination. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1E.
Prop. 1F – Restricts Elected Officials’ Salaries. Prop. 1F prohibits legislators, the governor and other state politicians from getting pay raises whenever our state budget is running a deficit. By stopping legislative pay raises during state budget deficits, we can save CA millions of dollars when they’re needed most and bring accountability to the Legislature and governor’s office. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1F.
Transfer and Reassignment
For this year only, T & R timelines have been extended. Teachers will receive their T & R form by April 20th, to return the forms by May 1st. You will then be notified of first round changes by May 15th. By delaying this process, teachers will have a better idea of what job might be opened for the upcoming year. We advise teacher to put on the list your ideal position because you never know what could open up at the last minute.
Calendar of Events:
§ Rep Council Meeting – Thurs, April. 1st 4:00 pm, LFG, Room 406
§ School Board Mtg. – Wed, Apr. 8th, D.O. 6:30 pm
Board Member Meetings:
§ Lisa Kaplan - Monday, Apr. 6th, 4:30
§ Jules Tran- Monday, Apr. 6th, 5:30 pm
§ Bruce Roberts- Tues. Apr. 7th, 4:00
§ Teri Burns – Tues. Apr. 7th, 5:30pm
Board member meetings will all be held at Giovanni’s Pizzeria (2701 Del Paso Rd) and are generally the Monday and Tuesday before board meetings each month.
Don’t forget to check out the NTA blog:
http://natomasteachers.blogspot.com
Negotiations Update
There were no negotiations were held in March. The details of the district’s PIE and BRIDGE classes at the elementary level have been discussed and will be resolved shortly. Negotiations are scheduled to resume in April.
May 19th State Initiatives – 1A through 1F – please vote yes! Learn how you can help get the word out to the community.
Natomas Budget Watch
At the last board meeting, it was decided to save 2 million dollars and not open up Hight Middle School. Instead, Natomas Middle School will move to the Hight site, and NP3 Charter will move to the old Natomas Middle site. Other budget saving items that were added to the balance sheet are listed on http://www.natomasteachers.blogspot.com/
Stand Up For Schools
Thanks to all the Natomas teachers who represented Natomas at the Pink Friday event on March 13th at the Capitol.
You can see pictures of us at the event at the http://www.standupforschools.org/ website
or http://www.pinkfriday09.org/ (same site)
Future Events of interest:
Transfer and Reassignment paperwork and processing – April 20th and May 1st
May 3-9th – Teacher Appreciation Week
California Day of the Teacher – May 13th
Election of NTA Officers – May
May 19th – Special Election to keep schools funded – please don’t forget to vote and ask how you can help!
May 19, 2009 Special Election
All initiatives below will appear on May 19, 2009 Special Election ballot. If these initiatives don't pass, there could be more teacher layoffs in July and August of this year.
Prop. 1A – Reform and Stabilize State Budget (Budget Stabilization Fund). Prop. 1A provides long-term reform to our broken budget system by stabilizing future state spending and creating an enhanced rainy day reserve fund. Without impacting the state’s minimum school funding guarantee, Prop. 1A requires the state to direct 3% of revenues into a rainy day fund each year, except when the fund is full or during economic downturns. It increases the overall size of the state’s rainy day reserve from 5% to 12.5% of the budget. Part of the money from the Prop. 1A reserve fund is used to repay the $9 billion owed to public schools. If Prop. 1A fails, there will be no mechanism in place to restore the funding to schools and community colleges. Prop. 1A does not downsize government, or give the governor authority to make midyear cuts to education. By stabilizing state spending, Prop. 1A puts the brakes on the state budget roller coaster; prevents wild peaks and valleys in state spending; and helps protect funding for vital programs like education, public safety and health care. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1A.
Prop. 1B – Protect Education Funding (Prop. 98 Restoration). Read Ballot Argument on Prop. 1B.The budget crisis has cut more than $12 billion from our schools and colleges. Over 5,000 teachers and education support professionals have been laid off and thousands more are threatened. Prop. 1B starts the process of paying back our schools and community colleges as economic conditions improve. Prop. 1B sets up a repayment plan to ensure schools are repaid the $9 billion they are owed under the state’s minimum school funding law. The payments to schools would come out of the newly-created rainy day fund established in Prop. 1A and are dependent on the passage of Prop. 1A. Payments would not begin until 2011-2012. If we don’t pass 1B, CA will be permanetly downgrading its public school system. The future of our state depends on the investment we make in our public schools. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1B.
Prop. 1C – Lottery Modernization Act. Prop. 1C will increase the performance and accountability of the state lottery and bring immediate funding to the state without raising taxes. By modernizing the lottery, Prop. 1C will immediately raise $5 billion in new revenues to immediately help with this year’s budget deficit and billions more in future years. The measure also guarantees that public schools will receive the same amount of funds they currently receive from the lottery. In fact, Prop. 1C takes education funding out of future lottery proceeds and places that money under the Prop. 98 minimum school funding guarantee. So schools will actually receive more money in future years due to cost of living increases. If Prop. 1C fails, there will be a $5 billion hole in the state budget, meaning schools and other programs could face additional cuts. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1C.
Prop. 1D – Children’s Services Funding. Prop. 1D temporarily redirects a portion of excess funds from the voter-approved tobacco tax to pay for children’s health and social services over the next two years. Currently the Children and Families Trust Fund has about $2.5 billion that has not been spent. Prop. 1D diverts a portion of this unexpended money to prevent deeper cuts to Children’s health care and other human services programs. Only a portion of these tobacco tax funds would be redirected, thereby protecting existing programs currently funded by the tax. Failure of Prop. 1D creates a more than $600 million hole in the state budget and means deeper cuts for children’s health and social service programs. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1D.
Prop. 1E – Mental Health Funding. Prop. 1E would temporarily redirect a portion of the funds from the Mental Health Services Trust Fund approved by voters in 2004 to fund children’s health programs that are at risk of elimination due to the state budget crisis, including health care screenings, diagnosis and treatment for children’s health. Failure of Prop. 1E means the state budget deficit grows by $227 million and means those programs face deeper cuts or even elimination. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1E.
Prop. 1F – Restricts Elected Officials’ Salaries. Prop. 1F prohibits legislators, the governor and other state politicians from getting pay raises whenever our state budget is running a deficit. By stopping legislative pay raises during state budget deficits, we can save CA millions of dollars when they’re needed most and bring accountability to the Legislature and governor’s office. CTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Prop. 1F.
Transfer and Reassignment
For this year only, T & R timelines have been extended. Teachers will receive their T & R form by April 20th, to return the forms by May 1st. You will then be notified of first round changes by May 15th. By delaying this process, teachers will have a better idea of what job might be opened for the upcoming year. We advise teacher to put on the list your ideal position because you never know what could open up at the last minute.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Capitol Bathed in Pink on the Eve of Pink Friday
PINK FRIDAY - A teacher rally was held today at the west steps of the Capitol and the President of CTA was joined by the presidents of the Sacramento area school districts to speak to the crowd of pink shirted educators.See video:
http://www.kcra.com/video/18928725/index.html
http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=49910@kovr.dayport.com
Thursday, March 12, 2009
School Board Meeting Update - March 11, 2009
The following was written by school board member Lisa Kaplan. Thank you Lisa for your summary, and thanks to the board and Dr. Farrar for demonstrating that you are truly working with your bargaining units on budget saving ideas. Much appreciated!
Good Evening:
In a short version since it is late tonight, the following is a brief summary of the major actions the Natomas School District made tonight:
1) The Board approved expanding NP3 from a 9-12 to include 6-8, thus creating a 6-12 charter school.
2) The Board approved opening HAH middle school by moving next year all existing students at Natomas Middle School over to HAH middle as a full middle school - by doing this the District saved the start-up costs associated with opening a brand new middle school and ordering all new text books and supplies.
3) The Board approved moving NP3 over to the Natomas Middle School campus to share with Westlake Charter School. This decision saved the District approximately $1.2 million dollars its first year and approximately $700,000 thereafter by not renting property in the community to house NP3. NP3 middle will open next year with 150 - 6th graders / 50 - 7th graders and 50 - 8th graders, thereby easing overcrowding at both middle schools.
4) The Board gave direction to the district to work with the middle school design team (MSDT) to create partnership academies at each middle school (the intent is to create 2 small schools within each middle school with approximately 450 kids at each school)
5) The Board approved approximately $ 6million dollars in cuts (including savings by moving NP3 to NMS campus / increasing class size by 1 student district wide approx $1 million - the other cuts include deferring retirement costs / moving categorical money around with the flexibility given to us in the State budget and a host of other cuts that none of the board really like making). These cuts were needed because the State already reduced our budget by 15% this year and is cutting the District funding by 20% next year.
Don't hesitate to call the District 567-5400 (ask for John Christ - email our business director jchrist@natomas. k12.ca.us) or send me an email if you have further questions.
Lisa Kaplan
General Counsel, L&B AssociatesTrustee, Natomas School Board
Good Evening:
In a short version since it is late tonight, the following is a brief summary of the major actions the Natomas School District made tonight:
1) The Board approved expanding NP3 from a 9-12 to include 6-8, thus creating a 6-12 charter school.
2) The Board approved opening HAH middle school by moving next year all existing students at Natomas Middle School over to HAH middle as a full middle school - by doing this the District saved the start-up costs associated with opening a brand new middle school and ordering all new text books and supplies.
3) The Board approved moving NP3 over to the Natomas Middle School campus to share with Westlake Charter School. This decision saved the District approximately $1.2 million dollars its first year and approximately $700,000 thereafter by not renting property in the community to house NP3. NP3 middle will open next year with 150 - 6th graders / 50 - 7th graders and 50 - 8th graders, thereby easing overcrowding at both middle schools.
4) The Board gave direction to the district to work with the middle school design team (MSDT) to create partnership academies at each middle school (the intent is to create 2 small schools within each middle school with approximately 450 kids at each school)
5) The Board approved approximately $ 6million dollars in cuts (including savings by moving NP3 to NMS campus / increasing class size by 1 student district wide approx $1 million - the other cuts include deferring retirement costs / moving categorical money around with the flexibility given to us in the State budget and a host of other cuts that none of the board really like making). These cuts were needed because the State already reduced our budget by 15% this year and is cutting the District funding by 20% next year.
Don't hesitate to call the District 567-5400 (ask for John Christ - email our business director jchrist@natomas. k12.ca.us) or send me an email if you have further questions.
Lisa Kaplan
General Counsel, L&B AssociatesTrustee, Natomas School Board
Natomas Teachers’ Association Newsletter, March 2009
Natomas Teachers’ Association Newsletter
March 2009
Calendar of Events:
§ Rep Council Meeting – Thurs, Mar. 5th 4:00 pm, LFG, Room 406
§ School Board Mtg. – Wed, Mar. 11th, D.O. 6:30 pm
§ Sacramento Educ. Coalition, Tues. Mar. 10th, 5:30 pm at CTA on Truxel.
Board Member Meetings:
§ Lisa Kaplan - Monday, Mar. 9th, 4:00
§ Jules Tran, Sue Heredia- Monday, Mar. 9th, 6:00 pm
§ Bruce Roberts- Tues. Mar. 10th, 4:00
§ Teri Burns – Tues. Mar. 10th, 5:30pm
Board member meetings will all be held at Giovanni’s Pizzeria (2701 Del Paso Rd) and are generally the Monday and Tuesday before board meetings each month.
Don’t forget to check out the NTA blog:
http://natomasteachers.blogspot.com
Negotiations Update
Negotiations were held Thursday, February 19th You should have received an update last week. T & R, Class Size, Special Education, Compensation, and Calendar were among the items discussed. Please refer to the update or your site rep for the details.
May 19th State Initiatives – 1A through 1F – please vote yes!
Transfer and Reassignment
For this year only, T & R timelines have been extended. Teachers will receive their T & R form by April 20th, to return the forms by May 1st. You will then be notified of first round changes by May 15th. By delaying this process, teachers will have a better idea of what job might be opened for the upcoming year. We advise teacher to put on the list your ideal position because you never know what could open up at the last minute.
Natomas Budget Watch
A community forum was held this week to discuss the opening or delaying of Hight Middle, and the best use of categorical flexibility. There was some Natomas staff that attended, as well as parents that spoke. In general, the teachers/staff that spoke were concerned about spending the million it would cost to open Hight, but the parents that spoke all spoke in favor of opening. And on the catagoricals, GATE parents spoke up for maintaining and increasing GATE, while others expressed concern about a lack of instructional materials and resources for classrooms, recognizing the need to increase resources. Yes, even the parents can see we are short on resources in the classrooms!
Next Wednesday’s Board meeting – March 11th – will be when board members make their final decisions on budget cuts.
Stand Up For Schools
Pink Friday is March 13th – a gathering /event at the Capitol at 4:30 – supporting teachers across Sacramento County, and our schools that have substantially lost precious funding. There will be stickers and signs at the event for teachers to wear and hold. Teachers can wear their NTA shirts to that event, if they have one, so don’t let the “pink” attire thing keep anyone away.
If you are planning to attend, please let your site rep know or email exec bd so that we can let the organizers know.
Did you know that you can save money as a CTA member and Natomas teacher? Here are some ways:
Cell Phone companies will give you a discount on your plan– call them and find out how.
If you have BlueShield PERS Choice – go to their on-line contact and complete a survey and you can receive $50.
THE 2009 BICYCLE AND BICYCLE ACCESSORY REBATE Opened NOW through April 30th
Who is eligible?
Because you work in North Natomas, YOU are!
How do I sign up?
Just fill out an application and visit a local bike shop for a quote! They will help you get fitted for the correct bike for your needs, abilities and body type.
Just looking for an accessory to make your riding better?
A bike shop can help you pick up just what you need to make cycling a reality.
Detailed instructions are on the application and are available online at NorthNatomasTMA.org or in hardcopy in Heidi Van Zant's Office. If you
have questions, contact the North Natomas TMA at 916.419.9955 or sarah@northnatomastma.org.
If you have any association questions or issues please contact your site rep(s):
· American Lakes: Naomi Nakahara
· Bannon Creek: Linda Wells
· Discovery HS: Therese Collentine
· H. Allen Hight: Allyson Kirby
· Heron: Kou Moua, Peter Talbot, Cara Kruse
· Inderkum HS: Patricia Hite-Leach, Ken MacPherson, Scott MacMillan
· Jefferson: Maureen Ramos
· Leroy Green MS: Kristen Rocha, Justin Vorhauer
· Natomas HS: Joel Schweiger, Ruth Ward, Ben Layne
· Natomas MS: Emilio Moran, Anthony Katsaris
· Natomas Park: Lauren Frazer
· Two Rivers: Phil Cox, Jerry Lovejoy
· Witter Ranch: Tanya Praest, Jim Clarke, Kim Chambers
Here are the school board members home
e-mails. Feel free to contact them:
Bruce Roberts bruceroberts4natomas@yahoo.com
Jules Tran jules.tran@sbcglobal.net
Sue Heredia heredias@csus.edu
Teri Burns terib@sia-us.com
Lisa Kaplan kaplan4kids@yahoo.com
Future Events of interest:
Pink Friday – March 13th – Capitol at 4:30 pm
Transfer and Reassignment paperwork and processing – April/May
May 3-9th – Teacher Appreciation Week
California Day of the Teacher – May 13th
Election of NTA Officers – May
District Outlines New Priority List at February Board Workshop
The district outlined at a recent board workshop their own personal wish list of priorities for the categorical flexibility and here is what they mentioned:
1. 90 minute weekly collaboration time ($500,000)- [NTA estimated the cost to be $1,300,000]
2. Hire instructional coaches for ELA, Math and EL – 4 for Elem, 3 for Middle and 3 for HS, at approx. $900,000. [Maybe TESA?]
3. Professional development, Professional Learning Communities, Cultural Competency $100,000+ instructional materials adoption at approx. $1,000,000
4. Basic Core Instructional Materials approx $1,000,000 + intervention, acceleration, culturally diverse pops. $250,000.
These are items we might want to speak with board members and district office staff about. I am not sure what teachers groups were consulted when coming up with these priorities. Maybe this was gathered by talking with administrators. In any case, it doesn’t appear that the catagoricals in Tier 3 add up to these amounts, but perhaps as funds permit these will be looked at to be adopted. Although all of these are aimed at teacher training and classroom materials, I would be interested in gathering further information from teachers as to their thoughts on these items. Please send us your input!
March 2009
Calendar of Events:
§ Rep Council Meeting – Thurs, Mar. 5th 4:00 pm, LFG, Room 406
§ School Board Mtg. – Wed, Mar. 11th, D.O. 6:30 pm
§ Sacramento Educ. Coalition, Tues. Mar. 10th, 5:30 pm at CTA on Truxel.
Board Member Meetings:
§ Lisa Kaplan - Monday, Mar. 9th, 4:00
§ Jules Tran, Sue Heredia- Monday, Mar. 9th, 6:00 pm
§ Bruce Roberts- Tues. Mar. 10th, 4:00
§ Teri Burns – Tues. Mar. 10th, 5:30pm
Board member meetings will all be held at Giovanni’s Pizzeria (2701 Del Paso Rd) and are generally the Monday and Tuesday before board meetings each month.
Don’t forget to check out the NTA blog:
http://natomasteachers.blogspot.com
Negotiations Update
Negotiations were held Thursday, February 19th You should have received an update last week. T & R, Class Size, Special Education, Compensation, and Calendar were among the items discussed. Please refer to the update or your site rep for the details.
May 19th State Initiatives – 1A through 1F – please vote yes!
Transfer and Reassignment
For this year only, T & R timelines have been extended. Teachers will receive their T & R form by April 20th, to return the forms by May 1st. You will then be notified of first round changes by May 15th. By delaying this process, teachers will have a better idea of what job might be opened for the upcoming year. We advise teacher to put on the list your ideal position because you never know what could open up at the last minute.
Natomas Budget Watch
A community forum was held this week to discuss the opening or delaying of Hight Middle, and the best use of categorical flexibility. There was some Natomas staff that attended, as well as parents that spoke. In general, the teachers/staff that spoke were concerned about spending the million it would cost to open Hight, but the parents that spoke all spoke in favor of opening. And on the catagoricals, GATE parents spoke up for maintaining and increasing GATE, while others expressed concern about a lack of instructional materials and resources for classrooms, recognizing the need to increase resources. Yes, even the parents can see we are short on resources in the classrooms!
Next Wednesday’s Board meeting – March 11th – will be when board members make their final decisions on budget cuts.
Stand Up For Schools
Pink Friday is March 13th – a gathering /event at the Capitol at 4:30 – supporting teachers across Sacramento County, and our schools that have substantially lost precious funding. There will be stickers and signs at the event for teachers to wear and hold. Teachers can wear their NTA shirts to that event, if they have one, so don’t let the “pink” attire thing keep anyone away.
If you are planning to attend, please let your site rep know or email exec bd so that we can let the organizers know.
Did you know that you can save money as a CTA member and Natomas teacher? Here are some ways:
Cell Phone companies will give you a discount on your plan– call them and find out how.
If you have BlueShield PERS Choice – go to their on-line contact and complete a survey and you can receive $50.
THE 2009 BICYCLE AND BICYCLE ACCESSORY REBATE Opened NOW through April 30th
Who is eligible?
Because you work in North Natomas, YOU are!
How do I sign up?
Just fill out an application and visit a local bike shop for a quote! They will help you get fitted for the correct bike for your needs, abilities and body type.
Just looking for an accessory to make your riding better?
A bike shop can help you pick up just what you need to make cycling a reality.
Detailed instructions are on the application and are available online at NorthNatomasTMA.org or in hardcopy in Heidi Van Zant's Office. If you
have questions, contact the North Natomas TMA at 916.419.9955 or sarah@northnatomastma.org.
If you have any association questions or issues please contact your site rep(s):
· American Lakes: Naomi Nakahara
· Bannon Creek: Linda Wells
· Discovery HS: Therese Collentine
· H. Allen Hight: Allyson Kirby
· Heron: Kou Moua, Peter Talbot, Cara Kruse
· Inderkum HS: Patricia Hite-Leach, Ken MacPherson, Scott MacMillan
· Jefferson: Maureen Ramos
· Leroy Green MS: Kristen Rocha, Justin Vorhauer
· Natomas HS: Joel Schweiger, Ruth Ward, Ben Layne
· Natomas MS: Emilio Moran, Anthony Katsaris
· Natomas Park: Lauren Frazer
· Two Rivers: Phil Cox, Jerry Lovejoy
· Witter Ranch: Tanya Praest, Jim Clarke, Kim Chambers
Here are the school board members home
e-mails. Feel free to contact them:
Bruce Roberts bruceroberts4natomas@yahoo.com
Jules Tran jules.tran@sbcglobal.net
Sue Heredia heredias@csus.edu
Teri Burns terib@sia-us.com
Lisa Kaplan kaplan4kids@yahoo.com
Future Events of interest:
Pink Friday – March 13th – Capitol at 4:30 pm
Transfer and Reassignment paperwork and processing – April/May
May 3-9th – Teacher Appreciation Week
California Day of the Teacher – May 13th
Election of NTA Officers – May
District Outlines New Priority List at February Board Workshop
The district outlined at a recent board workshop their own personal wish list of priorities for the categorical flexibility and here is what they mentioned:
1. 90 minute weekly collaboration time ($500,000)- [NTA estimated the cost to be $1,300,000]
2. Hire instructional coaches for ELA, Math and EL – 4 for Elem, 3 for Middle and 3 for HS, at approx. $900,000. [Maybe TESA?]
3. Professional development, Professional Learning Communities, Cultural Competency $100,000+ instructional materials adoption at approx. $1,000,000
4. Basic Core Instructional Materials approx $1,000,000 + intervention, acceleration, culturally diverse pops. $250,000.
These are items we might want to speak with board members and district office staff about. I am not sure what teachers groups were consulted when coming up with these priorities. Maybe this was gathered by talking with administrators. In any case, it doesn’t appear that the catagoricals in Tier 3 add up to these amounts, but perhaps as funds permit these will be looked at to be adopted. Although all of these are aimed at teacher training and classroom materials, I would be interested in gathering further information from teachers as to their thoughts on these items. Please send us your input!
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