REGION 19 MINUTES REGION COUNCIL MEETING
September 27, 2012
Region Chair, Tracy DiestelmeierRiver Ridge EA
Region Vice-Chair, Kelly EverdingFreeport EA
Substituting Secretary, Susan NicholasLena-Winslow TA
Treasurer, Larry McBrideBureau Valley EA
GPA, Pau EverdingFreeport EA
CaristKoehlFreeport EA
Cathy EberleOrangeville EA
Marilyn MeinersOrangeville EA
Craig HafnerRiver Bend EA
Lionel McCallisterRiver Bend EA
Scott RudeRegion 19 UniServ Director
1.The Region 19 Region Council Meeting was called to order at 5:36 pm byRegion 19 Chair, Tracy Diestelmeier, at the Sterling IEA Office Thursday, September 27, 2012.
2. Secretary’s Report:Larry McBride moved to accept the minutes amended with the inclusion of the balance of $6223.44, and Marilyn Meiners seconded the motion. Motion carried.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Larry McBride reported payments of $59 for food at the August region meeting and $105.62 for food at the membership meeting, leaving a balance of $6058.82. A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made by Cathy Eberle and seconded by Marilyn Meiners. Motion carried.
4.Local Reports:
Bureau Valley: Things are going well. Seven school board members are up for election due to a new district alignment.
Freeport: Negotiating this year and has a new superintendent.
Lena-Winslow: All is well.
Orangeville: Has new superintendent and AD, also rehired part-time special education position.
River Bend: Two hot issues, including a dismissal hearing last night for a teacher who had two different evaluations and a time off versus personal business costing 4 dock days.
River Ridge: Negotiation team just formed and started. The new android tablets, KUNOs, are scheduled to be out to teachers tomorrow and to high school students second semester.
5. GPA Report:Paul Everding reported…
Pension reform is basically tabled until the January (lame duck) session, after elections. Obama is expected to be safely re-elected in Illinois, so we can spend our efforts in neighboring states where he needs our help. There is a revised list of targeted races for other candidate positions.
6. Uniserv Director Report:Scott Rude presented activityfrom 8/27 – 9/26, 2012.
General—Spent time doing political work for the Region’s IEA recommended candidate’s (U.S. Rep—Bustos, State Senate Jacobs, State Rep SmiddyVerschoore). This included phone conferences, meeting the candidate, picking up items from the Moline office, delivering items to various locals and working with colleagues to set up phone banks. Attended a GNA Bargaining Work group meeting, and assisted in setting up a GNA Roundtable Discussion. Attended the staff meeting in Springfield. Worked on setting up a meeting with a group of UDs and Miller, Buetnner & Parrott (mtg ended up being cancelled & now are looking at October dates).
Lena-Winslow ESPA—Had significant correspondence with their president, secretary-treasurer, and two members regarding an incident between a member and the president. The president resigned as a result of the incident; they did not have a vice president so working with sec-treasurer in organizing their association and finding willing and able leaders. They are working on dates for a membership meeting in early October. Also assembling a bargaining team and starting work on next contract.
Morrison EA—Met with the president to deliver some political packets and explain what they were to do with them. Had a couple conversations with the president about various political activities and the need to get an MVC hired and people who might be interested in this part time position.
Prophetstown-Lyndon Tampico—Spoke with the president about a variety of issues such as the district’s new “policy” regarding field trips. Encouraged him to start meeting with the superintendent regularly to discuss various issues.Also delivered political packets to the local.
River Bend EA—Worked with the president about the dismissal of an ESP for various reasons—had a personal attorney (don’t know the outcome since the hearing is tonight). Spoke with the president about other items and delivered political packets.
RRVR—Attended their first meeting of the year. It was well attended. Guests included Jim Reed (Gov’t Relations IEA) and Mike Smiddy (candidate for IL HD 71).
Scales Mound—Reviewed contract and met with their bargaining team to offer possible changes and strategies for the upcoming negotiations year.
West Carroll EA—Met with president to discuss a number of issues, including the Board’s implementation of a dress code without first bargaining said dress code. Spoke with him about the possibility of excluding the superintendent’s wife from the bargaining team (she requested it—still working on this with Springfield). Delivered political packets. There’s an insurance issue there, too.
West Carroll ESPA—Spoke with the president frequently about several issues; including a members insurance and RIF status, a members insurance and benefits during extended absences (filed 2 grievances on this- won one, the second was presented to the Board and are still awaiting a response). Spoke with the superintendent about all of these issues repeatedly. Delivered political packets.
Scott also distributed a flyer for the Libertyville Office-wide Training Night, Wednesday, October 17th. The five key topics include Social Media and Its Dangers, FMLA, IEA Election Training, Tier II/403b/TRS Retirement, and IMRF Benefits.
Scott also informed us of a new MVC, Member Volunteer Coordinator, for political action. We continue to accept new volunteers.
7. IEA-RA Delegate Nominations:
Nomination forms are available, due Thursday, October 18, 2012. We are still looking for someone who would like to attend as an Ethnic Minority Delegate and consider the priorities of such a delegate.
8. Board Updates:Tracy reported…
Congratulations and Thank You to River Bend Education Association for making all payments by the due date 2011-2012. Region 19 had 2 locals with unpaid balances for 2011-2012, as of 9/11/12, with $10 and $597 due.
The Board voted unanimously to extend the contract of Executive Director Audrey Soglin for another three years.
LegislativeSession Update
Jim Reed presented a power point about the latest information from the August 17th legislative session. (available on Moss) Discussion about the challenges: various views within the coalition, legislator views (probably address pensions in early January lame duck session when only need 60 votes to pass –the Senate has already passed a Choice Bill & the pension problem is really a debt restructure problem that will require more revenue to fix it; two key pieces – cost shift to districts and changing cola – continue to be pushed by various legislators). The problem is solving the problem vs making a political move that looks like they’re solving the problem.
The We Are One coalition will be developing a white paper explaining in more detail the four point framework. The four points are (1)Guaranteed funding by the state, (2)Closing loopholes, (3)No inclusion of retirees, & (4)If the above are agreed to, members would be willing to increase their contribution
IEA is also preparing a fact sheet for legislators of data about the four points, continuing to discuss ideas with legislators, working with Ralph Martire to hear ways to restructure the debt, and working with the labor coalition to strategize the best way to move forward.
The Board then discussed views from members –there is interest in continuing the work to develop our own plan was expressed.
Election update
- the targeted(leadership like that on committees, comparison of candidate at home vs in Springfield, and how close the race is, etc) races (chart is available on Moss). Targeted races will have a volunteer to help. Local areas are choosing Member Volunteer Coordinators (MVCs).
- Obama for President (GO TO for a list of activities that members can participate in and DO ONE or more). NEA is asking IEA members to help in Iowa and surrounding states (see sample)
A Do’s and Don’ts list of what is allowed during work time is available. Although these rules have been in place since 2010, many members are unaware of the strict adherence to the rules must be followed. (available on Moss)
Please call two people you know well and highlight the need for work against the Constitutional Amendment. (fact sheet
Campaign activities are ongoing in the three goals set at the SLA (1)Increasing voter registration efforts, (2)Working to alert members about the Constitutional Amendment(3)Sharing differences of candidates with members
Media: new radio ad:
Common Core:Betsy Wysislak and Annice Brave serve on the partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. (PARCC) This will replace NCLB and AYP. More information will be shared on the October 2 webinar.
Note: TRS met & lowered the expected rate of return to 8%, which will increase the amount the state has to pay.Newspaper reported: By voting to move the rate of return to 8 percent, down from 8.5 percent, the TRS board increased the system’s long-term unfunded liability to 57.6 percent, up from 54.8 percent. That likely means taxpayers will be on the hook for an additional $290 million in pension costs during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014. The system, which has more than 360,000 members, has $36 billion in assets. To help fend off the fiscal pain, Democrats are calling for local school districts to pay a bigger share of teacher pension costs. Republicans are opposed shifting pension costs to local schools, arguing it will trigger property tax increases. No legislative action is expected to occur before January. TRS has targeted its rate of return at 8.5 percent since 1997. The actual TRS investment rate of return between 1981 and 2011 was 9.3 percent. But, the report suggested an 8.5 percent rate of return may no longer be realistic, pointing to a number of major pension systems that were using the 8 percent level. “Reducing the rate from 8.5 percent to 8 percent is a prudent move that balances reality with the needs of TRS members,” said TRS chief Dick Ingram. “The board’s decision takes into consideration many things: the volatility of the world economy, the fiduciary duty we have to keep the System strong, the financial problems faced by Illinois and state government’s long-term responsibility to teacher pensions.”
Contract changes: new program based on new teacher program that includes all members and staff to help in transition into a teaching career; new evaluation processes, assistance, remediation, etc. to be implemented by January; expense reimbursement $12,$20,$40 per meals for the day; process for new pilot programs and work load issues; monthly synopsis and reports from all staff to supervisor, including U.D. reports to Region Chairs by 5th day of next month and if not then email request to receive by 10th of month and then forward to area coordinator
The IEA ESP Fall Conference will be held on October 12th and 13th at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton Chicago – Oak Brook. The registration fee is $50.00 per local (unlimited attendees per local) and the deadline is October 5th. Select your sessions, get your registration in, and join us for professional development, collective bargaining, and leadership skills training—see the IEA website for details and registration.
Access mobile app is up and running: Members can now enjoy a deal-finding app that delivers big discounts from the brands you know... and at local places you actually want. Whether you're close to home or on the road, simply show the coupon from your mobile device and save up to 50 percent on dining, shopping and more. You'll find tons of savings in every big city and in most small towns in America.
- Search for "My Deals" in the iTunes App Store or via GooglePlay, or click here for iTunes, or here for GooglePlay.
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- Enter your registration code, which is 9329 plus your IEA 10-digit member ID number.
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9. Region 19 Website
has begun and will continue
10. Membership Information
Please encourage all members to promptly update contact information on the IEA website
11. Other
The Budget Open Hearing has been set for 6:30 p.m. on March 6th, 2013. The Region Council Meeting will be at 5:00 p.m.on March 6th, 2013, prior to the Budget Open Hearing.
12. Adjournment was moved by Kelly Everding and seconded by CaristKoehl at 6:30 p.m. Motion passed.