PRESENTATION: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP...A NEW REALITY FOR STUDENTS

Our children exist in a world where technology has touched every aspect of their lives, since the moment they were born. They are digital natives.  Join us for a conversation about how students are using the Internet and how to keep your child safe online.  The presentation is free of charge and will be held on Tuesday, January 25 @ 7:00p.m. in Minisink Valley High School Auditorium.  This event is presented by the Minisink Valley Central School District and the Minisink Valley Teachers' Association.

proposed changes to the mvta constitution

The MVTA Executive Committee is proposing three changes to our local’s Constitution. Each change will be separately voted on this fall. The three changes are outlined in different colors throughout the attached document.

The changes in red are designed to automatically make the union president one of the representatives for the NYSUT Representative Assembly. The reason for this change is that the first day or two of this conference is for presidents only. We would only have to send three people instead of four. If approved, this would not take effect until the 2012 Representative Assembly. The currently elected reps would complete their terms. This change would be applied after our election next spring.

The changes in blue are to clarify the size and make up of our negotiation team.

The changes in green deal with contract and amendment ratification. Currently, anyone that does not vote by choice, absence, or any other reason, is counted as a NO vote. This change would correct that.

Click here to access the document.

a word from your negotiator candidates

Brian Golden (HS)
I'd like to be considered for our upcoming Negotiations team for a myriad of reasons. I sat through one session already and have gained much insight on how the process works.  I think my experience will be a valuable asset to the team.  I have done much research on other contracts in our area and I know what our people deserve.  I will continue to fight for what is fair and right.  Know that my heart is in the right place and I am doing this for every member in our union.

Carolyn Russell (HS)
My name is Carolyn Russell and I have been teaching ninth and twelfth grade biology in this district for seven years. I am extraordinarily interested in negotiating on behalf of the high school faculty because I intend to be here for the duration of my career and our contract language matters. I very much value what we have here at Minisink; however, I believe that changes need to be made to preserve the quality of life.

Special election

Special Elections for the negotiator positions will be held in each building on Thursday, June 10th. Ballots will be placed in your mailboxes the morning of the election. See you building reps for the locations of the ballot boxes.

Board of education endorsements

MVTA Informational Update

TO:      All MVTA Members
DATE:   February 11, 2010
RE:       Negotiations Update

As you are all aware, our current contract expired on June 30, 2009.  MVTA representatives have met with District representatives on numerous occasions in an effort to seek a successor agreement.  On May 29, 2009 it was agreed that the parties were far apart on the issues and impasse was jointly declared. 

Once impasse was declared, the parties agreed to a mediator/fact finder to help us mediate a settlement.  We met with the mediator/fact finder on October 24, 2009 and recently on February 3, 2010.  In spite of all parties’ best efforts, the impasse remains and there appears to be no settlement in sight.  While there are many issues on the table, it is no surprise, as in any negotiations, that salary and health insurance remain the most important topics.

With respect to salary, the MVTA has consistently proposed salary increases that are well within the range that other districts in the county have received. Conversely, the District continues to offer a salary increase below what all other teacher bargaining units have received.

While many rumors abound, I wanted to take the time to inform you of some facts:

FACT:  Minisink Valley Teachers have the lowest starting salaries in Orange     County.

FACT:  Over a 25 year career, Minisink Valley Teachers earn less than any other teacher in Orange            County.

FACT:  Minisink Valley Teachers currently contribute more than the average in the County for
            health insurance.

FACT:    Minisink Valley Central School District’s cost per pupil spending is well below the County                  average.

FACT:    The MVTA was instrumental in getting six of nine current BOE members elected.

FACT:    At least three members of the BOE suggested that your salaries should be frozen for the                  2009-2010 school year. (Source: District presentation – 12/18/2008)

FACT:    At least one member of the BOE suggested that the MVTA accept a two year contract with              0% increase! (Source: District presentation – 12/18/2008)

FACT:  Minisink Valley CSD was audited in 2008 and was admonished by the auditors for having an            unreserved fund balance in excess of the State’s legal limit.

FACT:  NYSUT’s Research and Educational Services completed a school budget analysis for the years            of 2006-07, 2007-08, and 2008-09 and determined that during this three year period the                District underspent its budgets by a net total of $2.3 million.

FACT:  The total unreserved fund balance in June 2008 was $9.4 million, not the $6.9 million                    presented to the community by the Board of Education.

FACT:  The unreserved fund balance has continued to grow.  On June 30, 2009 the District had a                total unreserved fund balance of $11,791,699.

FACT:  Based upon the analysis of prior years, a review of the 2009-10 expenditure budget, and                using historical patterns to project, it appears that the District will end the school year with            an unreserved fund balance of over $13 million.

FACT:  Minisink Valley CSD has budgeted a salary increase for this year that is far greater than what            they are offering at the table.

FACT: Your MVTA negotiations team is resolved to achieve a fair and equitable contract!

And finally,

FACT: The members of the MVTA are the Most Valuable Teachers Around!

In closing, I want to assure you that the MVTA negotiating team is working diligently on your behalf.  We are keenly aware of the financial challenges that we, as a country, are facing.  We are hopeful that a fair and equitable settlement will be achieved in the near future. 

Please continue to support your team and volunteer your time when the union calls upon you!

In Solidarity,

Chris D’Angelo
MVTA President

mvta in the news...

The MVTA and our quest for a fair and equitable contract has recenly been featured on Cable 6 News. See the two video segments below.  Video is courtesy Cable 6 News.

Local Action project

What is NYSUT’s Local Action Project (LAP)?
The Local Action Project is a unique, three-year program developed by NYSUT to help local
unions increase member participation, build community support and achieve results in providing
the best education programs, contracts, budget votes and more. LAP has a track record of success
in helping locals become even more effective. The LAP program is an opportunity to partner with
NYSUT in developing an action plan to move your local forward.

Local union commitment

If you are chosen for LAP, your local union must commit to:

-Identifying a core team of local activists to work closely with their NYSUT labor relations
specialist to move your local’s LAP agenda;

-Sending a team to the weeklong LAP summer institute for each of three years;
Developing an action plan with activities funded by the local as well as with additional
funding provided by your statewide union;

-Implementating comprehensive strategic planning, including incorporation of educationbased
initiatives as part of your LAP plan;

-Involving members in community outreach;

and

-Submitting timely budget and program plans
to NYSUT and reporting results.

NYSUT supports LAP locals every step of the way. NYSUT hosts the all-expenses-paid annual
LAP institute and provides training on everything from how to deal with the media
to winning school budget votes to electing pro-education candidates. Each “class” of LAP participants enjoys opportunities to network and collaborate with other locals in similar
situations. At the end of the three-year LAP experience, graduates share what they’ve learned
with other participants. The LAP experience has value for participants from every category of
NYSUT membership: teachers, school-related professionals, health care professionals and members
in higher education. Rural, suburban and urban locals, ranging in size from a handful to thousands
of members, have come together through LAP to win community support for the locals’ work to
educate the children in their community. LAP increases locals’ effectiveness by focusing on
membership participation, political action, community outreach coalition building and  ommunications.

To view/print last year's LAP applications click here.  The new application will be available in October.  Check back here to print yor copy.

did you know?

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