HART DISTRICT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

26111 Bouquet Canyon Rd. Ste. H-5, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 661.255.0311

President’s Summary of HDTA Executive Council Meeting

January 25, 2016

Below is a summary of topics discussed at the HDTA Executive Council meeting held on January 25, 2016. Please see your site rep for any clarifications.

  1. Jayme shared her schedule since we last met in November. The meetings seem to be too many to count. From classroom teachers with some major concerns to the superintendent, Jayme has set down to discuss on-going and new issues across the district. She has all been meeting with folks involved in association work in other local districts and with folks from both the Bay Valley Service Center for CTA and with CTA people. The winter break had many calls, texts, and emails to be answered during the three weeks.
  1. We were reminded that Feb. 12 is a non-work day for all members of HDTA. So, if you a certificated person (from teachers to psychologist and everyone in-between), you have a four day weekend.
  1. If you have any questions, concerns, peeves regarding your most recent evaluation or observation, please see either your building rep, member-at-large, or other officer to discuss your concern. We continue have issues pop up in regard to the proper procedures being followed in this serious arena and need to hear from you so that we can address this issue as a whole – district-wide. If you are interested in being on the five-year cycle for evaluations and meet all the criteria, you can access the form on our website at
  1. In light of all the current trainings for lock down procedures, we are reminded that we become “disaster workers” in the event of any sort of disaster (man-made or nature-made) and we are expected to remain at our post until released by our supervisors. This is in accordance with Government Code 3100 and Board Policy 3516.
  1. Sean O’Brien (WR) shared some of the current grievances on the table. One of the biggest issues is the problem of class overages. If you have one, two, three students over the class limit, you are entitled to compensation. That compensation will come in the form of comp. time. Your administrator has to ask you to take the student in your class. Your response should be something like, “No.” Or possibly, “No, but, if I did, what will you give me in return?” They will have to explain to you why it is necessary to put this extra student into your class room and will have to give you comp time for it. Please follow this procedure to maintain the integrity of the contract. We don’t want class overages to become “past practice.” We have worked hard in the past couple of years to return our class sizes to a manageable level and appreciate everyone’s assistance in standing strong in this matter.
  1. John Ahart (HA), our chief negotiator, explained that the Governor’s recent budget speech changed some of the numbers his team is working with for salary and benefit improvements before returning to the negotiations table. In the meantime, the district has also asked to delay sunshining their proposal until the second board meeting of February; at that time we will also bring our proposal to the board. That proposal will include some changes to three different sections of the contract we feel need to be tightened up. They continue to appreciate your patience as they work through this slow process. They are working for the benefit of all members of HDTA.
  1. I will leave these two points on the President’s Summary because the information is important.

One of the many perks that come with your membership in HDTA/CTA/NEA is access to the NEA Member Benefits website. At you will find lots of discounts on shopping and travel and educational opportunities. If you have not yet enrolled, please do so so you can begin to do your holiday shopping. Also available to you is the similar CTA website

If you have not yet done so (or if you can’t remember if you did before or you have changed your personal email address), please sign up for our mailchimp. Go to and sign up. I promise that your information is safe with us!

Have a good second semester and remember that your Association leadership is here to help you whenever a concern, question, or problem arises.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jayme Allsman

President, HDTA