Saugus Teachers Association

The STATIC

President's Message, Site Rep Meeting Summary,

and Message from Membership

President's Message:

11/29/2011

Good Morning Colleagues,

Next week STA will be having a general meeting, and we’d like to have everyone plan to attend. We’ll be at Highlands, beginning at 3:45 PM.

I’ve been informed that the District has sent out verification letters to all certificated staff, requesting current information regarding credentials for each of us. Along with these forms is a cover sheet with the DISTRICT'S worse case scenario for budget information. Our recent CTA meeting shared that the state triggers have NOT come to fruition. STA has requested information to support the District's conclusions and will share it, along with the latest information, at the gala next week. In addition, we’ll be discussing details regarding bargaining as our team returns to the table the following week.

Please be sure to attend the gala, December 8th, @ Highlands, 3:45 PM. We’ll share the latest information.

As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact our STA eboard.

Sincerely,

Debbie Rocha

srdstraighteningreins.org

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

(Helen Keller)

Reach out and make a difference in honor of my Samantha.

Deborah S. Rocha, M.Ed.

661.803.1641

drocha@earthlink.net

Summary of the 1/26/12 STA Site Rep Meeting:

(Summarized and submitted by Lynn Dickinson, STATIC Editor)

Old Business

~It was confirmed that beginning this July, we will be switching to 12 months of paychecks for the coming school year, 2012-2013!

New Business

~All members are encouraged to attend this coming Tuesday's, 1/31, Board Meeting at 6:30. It is the best way to keep up with all the information.State budget information and effects on Saugus for the 2012/2013 school year will be discussed.

Much depends on what happens with the November election. Unfortunately, school districts must submit their budgets to the county, prior to then and pretty much have to plan for the worse case scenario. STA is requesting that A.) the District cut everything before teachers are cut and B.) we work together to find the best possible solution.

Governor Brown requested and met with CTA recently, first in CA! He does not want to see massive layoffs in the schools and then rehiring in Nov., if the budget initiative passes. He is VERY pro-education, but nothing is set until the election in November.

All members are advised to vote in the November election and save their money with the unpredictable future.

~STA has 490 voting members

~STA is hosting a retirement meeting on 2/2, as was emailed previously to all. All reservations are completed. There will only be paperwork for those who did RSVP. Please be sure to arrive at the CTA office on Bouquet Cyn Thursday, 2/2 @ 3:45 PM.

~If you are the STA rep. at any district meeting, please keep a written summary of the meeting and forward a copy to our STA e-board.

~The first bargaining meeting with the District, regarding the 2012/13 school year, is set for 1/31/12

~shared contract applications are due by 2/24/12, through your site administrator and STA has been assured that the admin will carefully review contracts beyond the 50/50.

Site Concerns

~Teachers with a 1 year temporary contract are not automatically renewed

~there is concern regarding the required Brain-based training and being out of our classes. This is required as a result of Saugus being placed in Program Improvement

~as a district we are over staffed by at least 10 teachers,as we are staffed for 10,500 and only 10,300 students

~teachers not holding a CLAD certificate at CC and RO will be transferred. There is a likely chance the district will require the CLAD certificate of all teachers at some point. It has always been understood, that without it, you could be transferred to any site or grade level.

Add-ons from our membership chair, Wendy Humphries

Entry Deadline Extended for Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant Program

<http://www.calcasathleticsgrant.com/>

Recognizing how hectic end-of-year and new-semester start times are for educators, California Casualty has extended the application deadline for its Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant program to February 15, 2012.

“We want to ensure that as many schools as possible are able to apply,” said Doug Goldberg, Senior Vice President for the company.

Following a successful inaugural year, the 2012 California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant program will distribute a total of $75,000 in grants of $1,000 or more to support public high school athletics programs across the nation.

California Casualty established the grants program because education budget cuts have drastically reduced support for school athletics, in some cases forcing programs to shut down altogether. Chairman Thomas R. Brown experienced the positive impact of playing sports as a youth. “Athletes learn teamwork, discipline and that hard work pays off,” he said. “They’re a valuable complement to what’s learned in the classroom.”

Applications must be submitted by a member of CTA who is an employee of the school that seeks grant support, and they should be received by California Casualty no later than February 15, 2012. California Casualty will notify selected schools and present them with checks by May 2012. For more information, as well as application forms and guidelines, visitwww.CalCasAthleticsGrant.com <http://www.calcasathleticsgrant.com/> .

A trusted partner of CTA since 1951, California Casualty provides auto and home insurance for educators, peace officers, firefighters and nurses. Learn more at www.calcas.com <http://www.calcas.com/cta> .

News from The Standard

Family status changes

Remember that within 31 days of a family status change, you can add Disability Insurance and/ or increase Life insurance coverage up to $200,000. Family status changes include: birth/adoption, marriage/domestic partnership, loss of spousal employment, and other qualifying events. For more information about this enrollment opportunity, or to file a claim, visit us atwww.cta.org/thestandard <http://www.cta.org/Member-Services/Member-Benefits/Insurance/Life-Disability.aspx> .

For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions, benefit waiting periods and any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact The Standard’s dedicated CTA Customer Service Department at800.522.0406 <tel:800.522.0406> .

Keep your records up-to-date

With 2012 underway remember to call The Standard if you’ve moved to a new address, changed districts or need to make changes to your beneficiary designations. It’s very important to keep your records up-to-date, and it’s easy to do. Simply call The Standard’s dedicated CTA Customer Service Department at 800.522.0406 <tel:800.522.0406> or go online towww.cta.org/thestandard <http://www.cta.org/Member-Services/Member-Benefits/Insurance/Life-Disability

--Wendy Humphries

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