LAASP Meeting Minutes

Friday, February 3, 2012

2:00 pm-4:00 pm (Board Votes 2:45 - 4pm)

Esperanza Elementary School Library 680 Little Street Los Angeles, CA

Board Meeting officially started at 3:10pm

1. Roll Call

In attendance: Jeannine Topalian, Troy Leonard, Seble Gebremedhin, Tim Taylor, Heather Miles, Richard Danlang, Jenna Lizarraga, Beshid Nickpay, Breanna Demail, Celia Adame, Beverly Williams, Veronica Hernandez

2. Minutes for 09/20/11 & 8/12/11 meetingsCelia Adame

  • Breanna motioned for minutes to be approved; Jeannine seconds the motion; minutes were approved

3. Executive Board and Committee Chair person Reports

  • Treasurer and Newsletter Chair report Danielle Reyes
  • Current balance is $6182.09
  • Funds generated to date: $6,790.00 from member dues ($6,690.00 Regular members; $60.00 Student members; $40.00 Associate members)
  • Expenses included: $0- LAASP event in North Hollywood (01/05/12); $100.00 for LAASP event at J Lounge (1/17/11)
  • Shirley’s Luncheon- Breanna motioned to use $150 to purchase plaque, scrapbooks and Shirley’s lunch; Tim seconds the motion; motion was approved
  • Membership Chair Report Beth Doshay & Christine Toleson
  • Current membership includes 223 LAUSD Members, 6 Student Members, 2 Associate Members, 72 Emeritus Members
  • UTLA Liaison: School Psych. Standing Committee Chair Report Julie Schoenfeld

UTLA District Representative Report Troy Leonard

  • Greg Solkovits, Secondary Vice President, attended the meeting and appeared supportive of school psychologists. He spoke about focusing on students moving to charters and the new Memorandum of Understanding that has been adopted to address this issue. He spoke about the budget crisis and proposals (raising taxes, sales tax, and progressive tax).
  • Bob (former UTLA rep) stated that it would be difficult for school psychologists to create a new union; he instead suggested to try to get UTLA to hear and support us, attend area meetings, educate chapter chairs, create a one page flyer to introduce ourselves, go to parent meetings, support issues that affect student mental health, and try to include a regular piece on school psychologists in UTLA paper.
  • Discussed if the new report requirements and ERHMS constitute a change in work condition to become a negotiation factor.
  • Discussed a possible name change for UTLA to UELA (United Educators of Los Angeles) to be more inclusive of all groups represented.
  • Suggestion to meet with school board reps to share concerns and promote positions
  • Julie suggested boycotting Z-time days, since only 8 hours are given to complete one assessment and report
  • Scholarship Fund – Chair Report Jan Murdock
  • Scholarship awards are for students who want to be future educators
  • Current funds generated for the Scholarship Fund are $2546.87
  • Each year LAASP has to vote for the amount we put into the fund from membership dues- Jeannine motioned for $500 awards; Jenna seconds the motion; Board voted and motioned approved
  • Scholarship committee includes 17 people; they will create a promotional flyer
  • The committee asked that we begin raising funds and select one person per unit to assist
  • A notice was sent to career and college counselors on 01/12/12
  • A roster of previous award winners will be generated to post on the LAASP website; Troy will assist by getting names from previous LAASP newsletters
  • Election & Nomination - Board Member Report Troy Leonard
  • February 1 to March 1: Nominations are made for board positions
  • March 5 to April 30: Ballots are sent to members for voting
  • May 1 to May 31: Run off ballots are sent if needed
  • Open positions include: President Elect, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Area Representatives
  • Outstanding School Psychologist Award Jeannine Topalian
  • There have been challenges because principals and administrators are asking to know if certain psychologists are eligible. Jeannine has attempted to contact these psychologists, but has not received responses from a few.
  • Jeannine will write an email to the coordinators. Also suggested to contact administrators from whom we haven’t heard and encourage them to speak to their own psychologists to determine membership status.
  • End of Year Luncheon Heather Miles
  • June 9th 11-2pm at Maggiano’s at the Grove
  • Heather will meet with them next Friday at noon
  • The date and time have already been provided
  • There is a $4000 food/beverage minimum; Last year it was noticed that people were ordering from the bar instead of from servers which impacted meeting the minimum
  • CASP Region IV report Seble Gebremedhin
  • Seble passed out flyers on CASP Annual Conference
  • LAASP needs ideas for a donation for PAC at CASP conference; last year we donated $500 for a gift basket
  • Breanna suggested donating $500 directly to CASP versus a raffle item, since they don’t seem to get the same amount back in the raffle
  • Breanna emailed Heidi at CASP to ask what is preferred
  • Heather motioned for $500 to be spent for the raffle; Troy seconds the motioned; Board voted and motioned approved
  • Unit Representative Report
  • SUE/Richard Danlag- Breanna attended to speak about LAASP; East Unit raised money from the December meeting; a colleague wants to join and was motivated by her principal wanting to nominate her for OSP
  • SUCW/Tim Taylor- a colleague resigned and another psychologist was rehired
  • SUN/Veronica Hernandez- no updates
  • SUS/Jenna Zies Lizarraga- no updates
  • NPS- Position Open

4. New Business

  • Presentations for the 2012 calendar year Breanna Demail
  • 48 members have attended LAASP events this year
  • Breanna suggested that for each event there should be one unpaid volunteer (board member) to assist with organizing the event; the discussion will be tabled for the next meeting
  • Jeannine Topalian & Joan Kelleher- NASP Prepare Crisis Intervention Certificate
  • Workshops 1 or 2 days, 20-25 people is maximum for the group
  • Breanna has 15 names from the needs assessment that would be interested
  • Scheduled for April 2012
  • Jason Thomas- LEP Exam Preparation and License
  • Summer 2012 or if a date is available before the end of the school year
  • Angelica Contreras- Sign Language Classes for parents and children
  • Fall 2012
  • School Psychologist Positions
  • Consider creating a new promotional flyer that includes the information that is not on the already existing flyer,
  • 274 categorical funded positions may receive RIF notices for 2012-13 year; the District is only funding special education allocated positions; 12 psychologists were called back for 6 month contract

5. Old Business

  • Polo Shirts Jeannine Topalian
  • LAASP polo shirts have been sold; need to calculate the number sold
  • Website Breanna Demail
  • Per website tracker, 129 members read about BBS
  • Neuropsychology seems to be the most interesting topic for those who visit website

6. Announcements

  • Next LAASP meetings are April 27 (North) and May 23 (Central/West)

7. Meeting Adjourned

LAASP Policies and Procedural Manual - Policy 4200 – Meeting Agenda Format (page 24)