The employer is field testing the new call out service next week. It is the expectation of the employer that the new call out system will be in place and 'up to speed' as of January 5th, 2009.
So, here are the parameters:
1. You call the call out system (soon you'll also be able to do it online too!).
2. You do NOT call your own TTOC (if you do, you'll end up paying their salary out of yours!)
3. The Call out personnel will be working 6 AM - 2:30 PM. They will contact and hire all TTOCs.
4. The Call out personnel will email AO's daily with who has been booked for whom.
5. You are never to call the 'system' to confirm a booking.
6. Admin are not to hire TTOCs directly either. They call the call out system too!
7. TTOCs will need to take responsibility for updating their preferences. (having a specialty may mean you are not considered for other work...)
8. Call out is rotational, off one list. TTOCs need to make themselves available to answer the phone.
9. TTOCs will no longer be contacted at night for work - mornings will be busy for TTOCs!!!!
Friday, December 12, 2008
FSA vote outcome
As announced yesterday - by fax to all schools (funny how some of those faxes have not made it into staff rooms....).
19,027 teachers voted 'YES' while 3,370 voted 'NO'.
22,397 votes cast, 84.95% in support of action. A pretty solid backing, I'd say!
19,027 teachers voted 'YES' while 3,370 voted 'NO'.
22,397 votes cast, 84.95% in support of action. A pretty solid backing, I'd say!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
December School Board meeting
Last night saw the first school board meeting of the newly elected (and acclaimed) SD5 board of school trustees. The meeting was held in Cranbrook, at the board office. It was called to order at 7:00 PM. there were refreshments afterward. It was a late night.
The meeting began with the swearing in ceremony. Then a chair was elected. Chris Johns (Cranbrook trustee) was nominated, as was Frank Lento (Fernie trustee). Trustee Lento won the election by secret ballot. Throughout the rest of the meeting Mr. Lento showed his skills and experience as a participant in various boards. He did a great job of keeping the meeting going and of 'calling a spade a spade'.
A decision was made to continue holding the public meetings at 5 PM (not 7 PM), due to the resulting late nights that a 7 PM start time resulted in for trustees, combined with the very low public participation in board meetings (the unspoken comment being that since no one shows up anyway, why make all of us have really late nights?).
Trustee Casey (Cranbrook) was elected as the BCSTA councillor, and Trustee Mildenberger was elected as the alternate. Trustee Bellina was elected as the BCPSEA rep, and Trustee Ellis was elected as the alternate. The various local committees will be selected by the trustees over the next few weeks.
The Superintendent of Schools (Bill Gook) had a long and detailed report, in which he touched base on the district accountability contract (areas of success, areas needing improvement), the planned 'EduData' report that will be expected of teachers (to identify and track 'at risk students'). He also discussed how the employer has to 'increase the capacity' of teachers in the area of assessment for learning. The core driving message seemed to be "what can we do to improve achievement?"
Superintendent Gook also referenced the FSA testing regime. He admitted it was very political, and that it had a limited applicability as far as reliability of data. He made mention of dropping participation rates and the effect that had on district percentages (because the percentages are all calculated 'over the total enrollment' not 'over the number of children who took the test'. A telling quote from the Superintendent was "we use FSA results with a grain of salt."
The monthly trustee bouquets again revolved around what a good job they are doing, and what a good job administration does. Once again, there was very little (only a passing reference to actually) the hard work being done day in and day out by CUPE and teachers in the district - the very people who do the trench work day in and day out. Children? No, they were never mentioned....
The next board meeting will be in Jaffray (school library) on Tuesday January 13th @ 5:00 PM.
The meeting began with the swearing in ceremony. Then a chair was elected. Chris Johns (Cranbrook trustee) was nominated, as was Frank Lento (Fernie trustee). Trustee Lento won the election by secret ballot. Throughout the rest of the meeting Mr. Lento showed his skills and experience as a participant in various boards. He did a great job of keeping the meeting going and of 'calling a spade a spade'.
A decision was made to continue holding the public meetings at 5 PM (not 7 PM), due to the resulting late nights that a 7 PM start time resulted in for trustees, combined with the very low public participation in board meetings (the unspoken comment being that since no one shows up anyway, why make all of us have really late nights?).
Trustee Casey (Cranbrook) was elected as the BCSTA councillor, and Trustee Mildenberger was elected as the alternate. Trustee Bellina was elected as the BCPSEA rep, and Trustee Ellis was elected as the alternate. The various local committees will be selected by the trustees over the next few weeks.
The Superintendent of Schools (Bill Gook) had a long and detailed report, in which he touched base on the district accountability contract (areas of success, areas needing improvement), the planned 'EduData' report that will be expected of teachers (to identify and track 'at risk students'). He also discussed how the employer has to 'increase the capacity' of teachers in the area of assessment for learning. The core driving message seemed to be "what can we do to improve achievement?"
Superintendent Gook also referenced the FSA testing regime. He admitted it was very political, and that it had a limited applicability as far as reliability of data. He made mention of dropping participation rates and the effect that had on district percentages (because the percentages are all calculated 'over the total enrollment' not 'over the number of children who took the test'. A telling quote from the Superintendent was "we use FSA results with a grain of salt."
The monthly trustee bouquets again revolved around what a good job they are doing, and what a good job administration does. Once again, there was very little (only a passing reference to actually) the hard work being done day in and day out by CUPE and teachers in the district - the very people who do the trench work day in and day out. Children? No, they were never mentioned....
The next board meeting will be in Jaffray (school library) on Tuesday January 13th @ 5:00 PM.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The 'new' SD5 board of school trustees is... (are)....
| Elkford | Corey | Mildenberger |
| Sparwood | Bev | Bellina |
| Fernie | Frank | Lento |
| South Country | Shaun | Damstrom |
| Cranbrook | Trina | Ayling |
| Pat | Casey | |
| Chris | Ellis | |
| Dan | Hall | |
| Chris | Johns |
Christmas chocolates
'Tis the season (almost)... Expect to see your chocolates on December 10th!!!! Note that the SD has decided that they can not guarantee a 'peanut free' environment,so the new term is 'peanut aware'.
President's visits...FSA information
Steve will be visiting each school over the next two weeks in order to present some information (DVD, overheads, and Q & A) with respect to the upcoming FSA campaign vote.
All visits are at lunch, and they will include pizza!
RMES Monday Dec 1st
ESS Wednesday November 26th
FJMES Wednesday Dec 3rd
SSS Tuesday December 9th
IDES Tuesday Dec 2nd
FSS Tuesday November 25th
JEJSS Thursday Dec 4th
All visits are at lunch, and they will include pizza!
RMES Monday Dec 1st
ESS Wednesday November 26th
FJMES Wednesday Dec 3rd
SSS Tuesday December 9th
IDES Tuesday Dec 2nd
FSS Tuesday November 25th
JEJSS Thursday Dec 4th
Upcoming in-school vote
All members will have the opportunity to cast their ballot in the 'in school' vote that will take place on December 10th, 2008 over the lunch break. Ballots and the ballot box will be located in the staff room and each one will be maned by the staff rep.
An advance poll will occur at the FDTA union office in Fernie on Thursday December 4th and Tuesday December 9th until 4:30 each day.
As usual, these will be secret ballots.
An advance poll will occur at the FDTA union office in Fernie on Thursday December 4th and Tuesday December 9th until 4:30 each day.
As usual, these will be secret ballots.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
October Board Meeting - Sparwood
Tonight's board meeting was again ignored by the Valley. Once more more people from Cranbrook (ok, we had 3 principals give 'required' presentations to the board, then they left, and we had some parents there while children were introduced, but no one stayed. 3 people from Cranbrook, the Fernie radio station guy, and I..... that was the public gallery.... 3 from Cranbrook, and 2 people from the valley, both of whom were there because it was their job to be there...) showed up to see the board announce how well it is meeting the Bill 33 guidelines.
The senior management team of SD5 do seem to put more money into Special Needs support than they have too, BUT WITH A 1.2 MILLION DOLLAR UNRESTRICTED SURPLUS, they can afford too!!!!!
The board voted to sell Max Turyk Elementary School to the City of Fernie. I wonder if the response they got from the MLA, or the comments from the Mayor of Fernie had any impact? I asked if they considered how the Independent School might benefit from their new (likely) access to the school building, and was told that it was considered, and that the Independent School could have purchased the building anyway.
At least then they would have had to pay for the building!!!!!
Gee, and with no elections for trustees in the valley, maybe it should come as no surprise how little the public seems to be interested in the state of public education in the valley.
The senior management team of SD5 do seem to put more money into Special Needs support than they have too, BUT WITH A 1.2 MILLION DOLLAR UNRESTRICTED SURPLUS, they can afford too!!!!!
The board voted to sell Max Turyk Elementary School to the City of Fernie. I wonder if the response they got from the MLA, or the comments from the Mayor of Fernie had any impact? I asked if they considered how the Independent School might benefit from their new (likely) access to the school building, and was told that it was considered, and that the Independent School could have purchased the building anyway.
At least then they would have had to pay for the building!!!!!
Gee, and with no elections for trustees in the valley, maybe it should come as no surprise how little the public seems to be interested in the state of public education in the valley.
Future Trustees??????
As of the writing of this blog, here is the line up for SD5 trustees:
1. Elk Valley (no elections)
-Elkford: Corey Mildenberger returns by acclimation
-Sparwood: Bev Belina returns by acclimation
-Fernie: Frank Lento wins by acclimation (Heather Meek did not stand for re-election)
-South Country: Shawn Danstrom, by acclimation
2. Cranbrook (5 seats) will have an election;
-Chris Johns (retired teacher and former president of the CDTA)
-Trina Ayling (parent of home-schooled children, activist in the fight to keep schools open)
-Dan Hill (activist in the keep schools open fight)
-Barb Symthe
(the above 4 candidates make up the Cranbrook Advocates for Responsible Education, or CARE, team)
-Chris Ellis (incumbent)
-Pat Casey (incumbent, retired teacher)
-Tammy Taite (new candidate)
Lets see what the future brings....
1. Elk Valley (no elections)
-Elkford: Corey Mildenberger returns by acclimation
-Sparwood: Bev Belina returns by acclimation
-Fernie: Frank Lento wins by acclimation (Heather Meek did not stand for re-election)
-South Country: Shawn Danstrom, by acclimation
2. Cranbrook (5 seats) will have an election;
-Chris Johns (retired teacher and former president of the CDTA)
-Trina Ayling (parent of home-schooled children, activist in the fight to keep schools open)
-Dan Hill (activist in the keep schools open fight)
-Barb Symthe
(the above 4 candidates make up the Cranbrook Advocates for Responsible Education, or CARE, team)
-Chris Ellis (incumbent)
-Pat Casey (incumbent, retired teacher)
-Tammy Taite (new candidate)
Lets see what the future brings....
Thursday, October 9, 2008
2008 Induction Social
The Executive/Staff Rep Committee passed a motion to set Friday November 14th as the date for this year's Induction Social.
It is the hope of the organizers that this year the social will be in Sparwood. Information on tickets, location, and everything else will show up in your staff rooms later this month....
It is the hope of the organizers that this year the social will be in Sparwood. Information on tickets, location, and everything else will show up in your staff rooms later this month....
Highlights from the Oct 6th General Meeting...
The FDTA passed (without dissent) a protection motion that parallels the BCTF protection motion.
The motion reads as follows:
"The FDTA will provide political, financial, and legal support as necessary to any member who may face disciplinary action as a result of participation in a Federation approved job action activity or other collective strategy."
Also brought forward to the membership was a clarification of the employer's new position on TTOC call out. It remains the policy of the FDTA that teachers are not to contact TTOC's directly, and it is also the policy of the FDTA to not give the call out service the names of "preferred TTOC's"
Teachers do not hire, nor do they fire their colleagues. It is the employer's responsibility to do this.
Of critical importance to TTOC's is that the employer will be (in the near future) determining TTOC pay based solely on the record of the Call Out Service - not on the school records. Therefore, TTOC's who accept work directly from teachers will risk not being paid for that work.
The financial statements (FDTA and PD) were accepted.
The 2008 -2009 budget was presented, explained, and approved. It contained an increase in dues of $2.50/month/member. This increase is retroactive to September, so your October pay stub will reflect this.
The motion reads as follows:
"The FDTA will provide political, financial, and legal support as necessary to any member who may face disciplinary action as a result of participation in a Federation approved job action activity or other collective strategy."
Also brought forward to the membership was a clarification of the employer's new position on TTOC call out. It remains the policy of the FDTA that teachers are not to contact TTOC's directly, and it is also the policy of the FDTA to not give the call out service the names of "preferred TTOC's"
Teachers do not hire, nor do they fire their colleagues. It is the employer's responsibility to do this.
Of critical importance to TTOC's is that the employer will be (in the near future) determining TTOC pay based solely on the record of the Call Out Service - not on the school records. Therefore, TTOC's who accept work directly from teachers will risk not being paid for that work.
The financial statements (FDTA and PD) were accepted.
The 2008 -2009 budget was presented, explained, and approved. It contained an increase in dues of $2.50/month/member. This increase is retroactive to September, so your October pay stub will reflect this.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bill 33 Update
I have just heard of the arbitrator's decision on the objections raised by BCPSEA to our Bill 33 grievances for the previous 2 years. In short all objections were overruled and we now proceed to hearings on the merits of the grievance, starting in late November.
Keep the faith folks....
Keep the faith folks....
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Max Turyk "The truth and nothing but the truth"
The school district did enter into negotiations with the City of Fernie to sell Max Turyk. A property evaluation was done and an offer was made. In the end, the Board of School Trustees did not sell the school to the city (or to anyone else).
Given the number of pre-school aged children I've seen around town, and combine that with the number of expecting mothers in Fernie, I suspect the classroom space may once again be needed.
However, who knows what the next board of trustees will decide?
On a related topic.... who is going to run for school trustee in the 'valley'?
Given the number of pre-school aged children I've seen around town, and combine that with the number of expecting mothers in Fernie, I suspect the classroom space may once again be needed.
However, who knows what the next board of trustees will decide?
On a related topic.... who is going to run for school trustee in the 'valley'?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Request for members to sit on SD5 committees
All applications need to be in the FDTA office before 4:30 Tuesday September 16th, 2008
1. Elementary Math IRP implementation
2. Secondary English IRP implementation
3. French Immersion/Language Programs steering committee.
Get involved, have a say.
Steve
1. Elementary Math IRP implementation
2. Secondary English IRP implementation
3. French Immersion/Language Programs steering committee.
Get involved, have a say.
Steve
Highlights from the September Staff Rep / Exec Meeting
**Make sure your Staff Rep has an FDTA meeting in your school to discuss these items and more!!!****
1. Bill 33 updates (this year AND the last two years worth of work). Plus all the forms YOU get to fill out (in previous years, others did this for you).
2. A reminder that we need members to apply for SD5 committees, and to do this through the union. Watch the faxes coming into your school.
3. The FDTA and local bargaining.
4. Planned executive and general meeting dates for this year.
5. School staff concerns over technology - let your staff reps know so they can tell me!!!
6. Postings - over 120 since July 1st - good luck keeping track!!
1. Bill 33 updates (this year AND the last two years worth of work). Plus all the forms YOU get to fill out (in previous years, others did this for you).
2. A reminder that we need members to apply for SD5 committees, and to do this through the union. Watch the faxes coming into your school.
3. The FDTA and local bargaining.
4. Planned executive and general meeting dates for this year.
5. School staff concerns over technology - let your staff reps know so they can tell me!!!
6. Postings - over 120 since July 1st - good luck keeping track!!
Monday, September 8, 2008
First Staff Rep/Exec meeting of the new school year...
Yessiree bob...today is the day...4:30, FDTA office. Coffee, tea and donuts are on the association.
We're going to look at SURT dates and topics, Bill 33 plans, FSA plans, the FDTA proposed budget....including a fee increase.... "be there or be square".
We're going to look at SURT dates and topics, Bill 33 plans, FSA plans, the FDTA proposed budget....including a fee increase.... "be there or be square".
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Teachers’ Pension Plan members: purchase of service opportunities
By purchasing your ‘service’ missed due to leaves, you can increase your service in the plan.
-There are deadlines to apply for a purchase of service.
-In some cases, employers share the cost of the purchase (for example, maternity and parental leaves of absence).
-There is no cost to increase contributory service by claiming credit for child-rearing time.
-Plan members can use our online estimators to do a pension or purchase cost estimate to find out if it’s advantageous to purchase service.
-Plan members must apply to purchase service before they terminate their employment with the employer. If you return to work with another school district, you will not be eligible to purchase service from the prior district where you terminated your employment.
Information about purchasing service is available to members on the plan’s website. If you have questions about the information in this bulletin, please contact the plan.
Leave with full pay:
Your leave is with full pay. While you are on leave, your contributions to the pension plan will continue and you will be credited with pensionable service as if you had continued to work.
Leave with partial pay:
Your leave is with partial pay. While you are on leave, your contributions to the plan and pensionable service will be reduced in proportion to your salary. For example, if you receive half your regular pay during a leave, you accumulate half the pensionable service.
You can increase the value of your pension by purchasing the pensionable service you were not credited with. The deadline to purchase this service is the earlier of five years from the end of the leave, or the date you terminate your current employment. See the Purchasing Leaves of Absence fact sheet, available on the plan’s website at tpp.pensionsbc.ca, for more information.
Leave without pay:
Your leave is without pay. While you are on leave, you will not make contributions to the plan and you will not be credited with contributory or pensionable service.
You can increase the value of your pension by purchasing the pensionable service you were not credited with. The deadline to purchase this service is the earlier of five years from the end of the leave, or the date you terminate your current employment. See the Purchasing Leaves of Absence fact sheet, available on the plan’s website at tpp.pensionsbc.ca, for more information.
-There are deadlines to apply for a purchase of service.
-In some cases, employers share the cost of the purchase (for example, maternity and parental leaves of absence).
-There is no cost to increase contributory service by claiming credit for child-rearing time.
-Plan members can use our online estimators to do a pension or purchase cost estimate to find out if it’s advantageous to purchase service.
-Plan members must apply to purchase service before they terminate their employment with the employer. If you return to work with another school district, you will not be eligible to purchase service from the prior district where you terminated your employment.
Information about purchasing service is available to members on the plan’s website. If you have questions about the information in this bulletin, please contact the plan.
Leave with full pay:
Your leave is with full pay. While you are on leave, your contributions to the pension plan will continue and you will be credited with pensionable service as if you had continued to work.
Leave with partial pay:
Your leave is with partial pay. While you are on leave, your contributions to the plan and pensionable service will be reduced in proportion to your salary. For example, if you receive half your regular pay during a leave, you accumulate half the pensionable service.
You can increase the value of your pension by purchasing the pensionable service you were not credited with. The deadline to purchase this service is the earlier of five years from the end of the leave, or the date you terminate your current employment. See the Purchasing Leaves of Absence fact sheet, available on the plan’s website at tpp.pensionsbc.ca, for more information.
Leave without pay:
Your leave is without pay. While you are on leave, you will not make contributions to the plan and you will not be credited with contributory or pensionable service.
You can increase the value of your pension by purchasing the pensionable service you were not credited with. The deadline to purchase this service is the earlier of five years from the end of the leave, or the date you terminate your current employment. See the Purchasing Leaves of Absence fact sheet, available on the plan’s website at tpp.pensionsbc.ca, for more information.
Trustee philosophy...
With trustee elections quickly approaching, we should be canvassing our communities to find 'education friendly' candidates to run for trustee. Here are some desired 'positions' that we should be looking for in our trustees:
Candidates for trustee need to:
1. Support teacher professionalism.
2. Encourage positive, productive relations with teachers.
3. Support local democratic governance of public education.
4. Work to prevent privatization of education in all forms:
5. Support and work towards;
a) a fully funded public education system,
b) improvements in class size and composition limits,,
c) adequate services and funding for students with special needs,
d) elimination of standardized data collection other than randomized sampling, including Foundation Skills Assessment Tests
6. Oppose;
a) contracting out of education services and support services,
b) P3s,
c) school fees,
d) magnet schools,
e) commercialization and corporate advertising in the schools,
f) erosion of teacher professionalism,
g) site-based management of schools,
7. Support the Charter for Public Education.
8. Promote social justice and equity in the schools.
9. Ensure equitable hiring practices across race, gender, sexual orientation, and culture.
10. Oppose military recruiting in the schools.
11. Are willing and able to speak out publicly on these issues.
12. Support K-12 schooling in each community.
13. Support face-to-face instruction in our schools.
14. Support local bargaining.
Candidates for trustee need to:
1. Support teacher professionalism.
2. Encourage positive, productive relations with teachers.
3. Support local democratic governance of public education.
4. Work to prevent privatization of education in all forms:
5. Support and work towards;
a) a fully funded public education system,
b) improvements in class size and composition limits,,
c) adequate services and funding for students with special needs,
d) elimination of standardized data collection other than randomized sampling, including Foundation Skills Assessment Tests
6. Oppose;
a) contracting out of education services and support services,
b) P3s,
c) school fees,
d) magnet schools,
e) commercialization and corporate advertising in the schools,
f) erosion of teacher professionalism,
g) site-based management of schools,
7. Support the Charter for Public Education.
8. Promote social justice and equity in the schools.
9. Ensure equitable hiring practices across race, gender, sexual orientation, and culture.
10. Oppose military recruiting in the schools.
11. Are willing and able to speak out publicly on these issues.
12. Support K-12 schooling in each community.
13. Support face-to-face instruction in our schools.
14. Support local bargaining.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Welcome back....
The title says it all.
Your school staff rep should have received this year's package on Bill 33 Consent/Consult meetings. Hopefully they'll hold a union meeting with you before the end of the day Wednesday.
Going to press is the first edition of "The Union" for this school year. Hopefully it'll be in schools by the end of the day Thursday.
Many postings remain unfilled. Other positions have been filled, and the employer is waiting for the successful candidate to be offered (and to accept) the work.
The district is up to T118 so far (since July 1st, 2008) - a lot of 'fractional work' is out there this year!!!!
Got a question? Try asking your school staff rep before you call the office.
See you soon,
Steve
Your school staff rep should have received this year's package on Bill 33 Consent/Consult meetings. Hopefully they'll hold a union meeting with you before the end of the day Wednesday.
Going to press is the first edition of "The Union" for this school year. Hopefully it'll be in schools by the end of the day Thursday.
Many postings remain unfilled. Other positions have been filled, and the employer is waiting for the successful candidate to be offered (and to accept) the work.
The district is up to T118 so far (since July 1st, 2008) - a lot of 'fractional work' is out there this year!!!!
Got a question? Try asking your school staff rep before you call the office.
See you soon,
Steve
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ALLOWANCE AWARD
The following schools in SD#5 have been approved for the Recruitment and Retention Incentive:
JEJSS, GRASMERE, ESS, RMES, DLC (ELKFORD), SSS, FJMES, MVES (yes, MVES was included in the award!!!), FSS, IDES, DLC (SPARWOOD), DLC (FERNIE)
DETAILS:
1. TTOC’s are NOT included/eligible for the allowance.
2. Term and temporary employees are eligible for the allowance.
3. Itinerant teachers are eligible for the portion of their job that is in an eligible school.
4. Employees on LOP’s are eligible.
5. Employees on lay-off/recall are not eligible. (until they get a contract!!!)
6. Seconded employees are eligible (some conditions apply).
7. Employees on paid leave are eligible for the allowance.
8. Employees on UNPAID leave are NOT eligible for the allowance.
9. Employees on sick leave are eligible for the allowance.
10. Employees on WCB leave are eligible for the allowance (conditions apply).
11. Employees on SIP are eligible (conditions apply).
12. Teachers on union leave are eligible for the allowance.
13. The allowance shall be paid monthly.
14. The allowance is deemed to be earnings for pension and SIP.
(in case you are curious, 'employees' = 'teachers')
Oh yes, the amount? $2,200 per annum, subject to grid increases in subsequent years.
JEJSS, GRASMERE, ESS, RMES, DLC (ELKFORD), SSS, FJMES, MVES (yes, MVES was included in the award!!!), FSS, IDES, DLC (SPARWOOD), DLC (FERNIE)
DETAILS:
1. TTOC’s are NOT included/eligible for the allowance.
2. Term and temporary employees are eligible for the allowance.
3. Itinerant teachers are eligible for the portion of their job that is in an eligible school.
4. Employees on LOP’s are eligible.
5. Employees on lay-off/recall are not eligible. (until they get a contract!!!)
6. Seconded employees are eligible (some conditions apply).
7. Employees on paid leave are eligible for the allowance.
8. Employees on UNPAID leave are NOT eligible for the allowance.
9. Employees on sick leave are eligible for the allowance.
10. Employees on WCB leave are eligible for the allowance (conditions apply).
11. Employees on SIP are eligible (conditions apply).
12. Teachers on union leave are eligible for the allowance.
13. The allowance shall be paid monthly.
14. The allowance is deemed to be earnings for pension and SIP.
(in case you are curious, 'employees' = 'teachers')
Oh yes, the amount? $2,200 per annum, subject to grid increases in subsequent years.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Random points....
Try out <http://www.freerice.com/> and work on your vocab skills, while you help earn free rice for people.
On Postings and transfers.... there is a meeting scheduled for Thursday morning at 10:00 am to try and start to clean up the potential issues ... from the rescinding of transfers to the continuing/temporary status of some of the postings... (see www.elkvalley.net/fdta or SD5's website to see the current crop of postings....)
SD5 senior management has met with some community groups in Cranbrook, and the issue of future student numbers was discussed - raising concerns over the future of schooling in Sd5.
On Postings and transfers.... there is a meeting scheduled for Thursday morning at 10:00 am to try and start to clean up the potential issues ... from the rescinding of transfers to the continuing/temporary status of some of the postings... (see www.elkvalley.net/fdta or SD5's website to see the current crop of postings....)
SD5 senior management has met with some community groups in Cranbrook, and the issue of future student numbers was discussed - raising concerns over the future of schooling in Sd5.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Transfers and lay off news
The FDTA saw two teachers apply for and get granted a teacher exchange (Jaffray - Fernie assignments) for one year. The process worked this way: the two teachers involved approached their respective principals, and then once they had the approval of their principals, they then applied to the HR department for the exchange. The HR department approved the exchange for one school year (as per the CA).
The two teachers will return to their original assignments/schools at the end of the next school year, as per the CA.
In the Valley, 7 retirements prevented 7 lay offs. There were 2.75 FTE lay offs this year and one board initiated transfer, and one teacher initiated transfer. A number of people saw their assignments change for next year as well.
June 9th should see the announcement for all administrative shuffles and appointments, then on Tuesday June 10th we should see the 'first round' of posting come out before noon.
Cranbrook saw a similar scenario to us, with many board initiated transfers between schools, and a similar reduction to ours in staffing at their Learning Centre (they lost 1.75 positions to our drop of 1.25 FTE positions).
The two teachers will return to their original assignments/schools at the end of the next school year, as per the CA.
In the Valley, 7 retirements prevented 7 lay offs. There were 2.75 FTE lay offs this year and one board initiated transfer, and one teacher initiated transfer. A number of people saw their assignments change for next year as well.
June 9th should see the announcement for all administrative shuffles and appointments, then on Tuesday June 10th we should see the 'first round' of posting come out before noon.
Cranbrook saw a similar scenario to us, with many board initiated transfers between schools, and a similar reduction to ours in staffing at their Learning Centre (they lost 1.75 positions to our drop of 1.25 FTE positions).
Friday, May 23, 2008
Lay-off and transfer timelines
As per my fax out to schools, I have agreed to giving the employer an extra day to make it out to the few schools (and teachers) who will be impacted by lay-offs and transfers.
The reason for this is that both the employer's representative and I will not be available to do this job next week. On Monday we are both in committee meetings. On Tuesday and Wednesday the employer's rep is not available and I will be away on Thursday and Friday.
It is my hope that I will be able to contact any members who will be facing a notice of lay-off before the end of next week.
I have high hopes that not only will there be very few members losing their jobs this year, there maybe a couple of beneficial transfers happening.
The reason for this is that both the employer's representative and I will not be available to do this job next week. On Monday we are both in committee meetings. On Tuesday and Wednesday the employer's rep is not available and I will be away on Thursday and Friday.
It is my hope that I will be able to contact any members who will be facing a notice of lay-off before the end of next week.
I have high hopes that not only will there be very few members losing their jobs this year, there maybe a couple of beneficial transfers happening.
East Kootenay Teachers' Assocation
Made up of the president's of the Creston Valley, Golden, Windermere, Kimberley, Fernie, and Cranbrook locals, as well as representatives from the BCTF (our Field staff person and sometimes an EC member), the EKTA meets three times a year - before each RA and before the BCTF AGM. We meet to share our local issues and to devise approaches to issues that impact us that will be presented at RAs and the BCTF AGM.
This group often discovers common themes to employer actions (grievances, staffing, accountability, discipline issues, health & Safety, and board decisions) and BCCT actions that we then plan a unified response to.
This body also ends requests and motions to the BCTF EC and to various BCTF committees on your behalf.
At this year's EKTA AGM, Steve Fairbairn was elected as President, and Becky Blair was elected as the Vice-President.
This group often discovers common themes to employer actions (grievances, staffing, accountability, discipline issues, health & Safety, and board decisions) and BCCT actions that we then plan a unified response to.
This body also ends requests and motions to the BCTF EC and to various BCTF committees on your behalf.
At this year's EKTA AGM, Steve Fairbairn was elected as President, and Becky Blair was elected as the Vice-President.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Gifted numbers on the decline
From an unnamed source I received information on 'gifted headcounts by district' this morning. In our very own SD#5, the count is down 94.1% from 2002/3 year to the 2006/7. In hard numbers, in 2002 we had 51 identified gifted students, and in 2006 we had ... wait for it ... 3.
Across the province (out of 59 districts reporting) only 7 districts reported an increase in the number of gifted students.
The provincial average is a decrease of 37.4%.
Now is this drop as a result of fewer gifted children in the public system, or the significant drop in funding support for these children, or is it the result of the significant wait lists for the testing required to get a child legally defined as 'special needs'?
Across the province (out of 59 districts reporting) only 7 districts reported an increase in the number of gifted students.
The provincial average is a decrease of 37.4%.
Now is this drop as a result of fewer gifted children in the public system, or the significant drop in funding support for these children, or is it the result of the significant wait lists for the testing required to get a child legally defined as 'special needs'?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Upcoming dates - May and June 2008
May 20th: EKTA AGM @ the CDTA office
May 21st: Local bargaining meeting, CDTA office AM, SSS staff meeting, PM
May 22nd: Lay-offs and transfers meeting @ CBO (Cranbrook board office)
May 26th: SD5 committee meetings @ CBO
May 27th: Lay-off and transfer notices, Elk Valley / South Country
May 28th: Lay-off and transfer notices, Cranbrook
May 30th: Rep Assembly in Vancouver (Saturday too)
June 2nd: Rehab meeting @ CBO
June 10th: Board meeting 5 pm @ CBO
June 11th: FDTA Executive meeting and dinner (FDTA office and the 'Blue Toque')
May 21st: Local bargaining meeting, CDTA office AM, SSS staff meeting, PM
May 22nd: Lay-offs and transfers meeting @ CBO (Cranbrook board office)
May 26th: SD5 committee meetings @ CBO
May 27th: Lay-off and transfer notices, Elk Valley / South Country
May 28th: Lay-off and transfer notices, Cranbrook
May 30th: Rep Assembly in Vancouver (Saturday too)
June 2nd: Rehab meeting @ CBO
June 10th: Board meeting 5 pm @ CBO
June 11th: FDTA Executive meeting and dinner (FDTA office and the 'Blue Toque')
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Transfering a pension?
BC has now got a reciprocal pension transfer agreement with NFLD.
That is correct – the Newfoundland government contributed enough money to the Newfoundland Teachers Pension Plan to “fully fund” it. As a result, you can now apply to have your Newfoundland Pension (and service) transferred to your BC Teachers Pension Plan.
For full details, please visit the BC Teachers’ Pension Plan website at <> directly.
That is correct – the Newfoundland government contributed enough money to the Newfoundland Teachers Pension Plan to “fully fund” it. As a result, you can now apply to have your Newfoundland Pension (and service) transferred to your BC Teachers Pension Plan.
For full details, please visit the BC Teachers’ Pension Plan website at <
Thinking of moving on?
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL BC TEACHERS CONTEMPLATING EMPLOYMENT IN THE GREATER VICTORIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Greater Victoria Teachers' Association is advising all BC teachers to refrain from applying for employment as a teacher in District #61.
The employer has mandated principal-directed Common Planning Time and Student Services meetings for its middle school teachers during their prep time. 50% of teachers' 168 minutes of prep time has been redirected to facilitate these meetings. Middle School teachers in Victoria now have only 84 minutes of individual prep instead of 168 minutes. These teachers have the fewest number of prep minutes of any K - 12 teachers in the province.
In addition, Victoria middle schools are severely challenged with the most class size and class composition violations in the district. Some of the highest frequency of medical leaves originate in Victoria middle schools.
Until this prep time dispute is resolved, the GVTA is asking BC teachers to think twice before applying for a position in District #61.
What to know more? Contact the GVTA president, Thierry Ponchet: thierry@gvta.net.
The Greater Victoria Teachers' Association is advising all BC teachers to refrain from applying for employment as a teacher in District #61.
The employer has mandated principal-directed Common Planning Time and Student Services meetings for its middle school teachers during their prep time. 50% of teachers' 168 minutes of prep time has been redirected to facilitate these meetings. Middle School teachers in Victoria now have only 84 minutes of individual prep instead of 168 minutes. These teachers have the fewest number of prep minutes of any K - 12 teachers in the province.
In addition, Victoria middle schools are severely challenged with the most class size and class composition violations in the district. Some of the highest frequency of medical leaves originate in Victoria middle schools.
Until this prep time dispute is resolved, the GVTA is asking BC teachers to think twice before applying for a position in District #61.
What to know more? Contact the GVTA president, Thierry Ponchet: thierry@gvta.net.
Welcome to cyberspace
Welcome to the FDTA blog. The intention of this site will be to provide members with up-to-date news in a new format. The content of this blog will be factual, and will contain not only excerpts from our print newsletters, it will contain timely tid-bits as they arise.
Everything from meeting agendas and events....
Steve
Everything from meeting agendas and events....
Steve
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