Dues for 2009-10: The annual dues were $677.30.

Teaching Intent Forms: The Survey Monkey intent form arrived last Monday and should have been completed by last Friday.  The form explains the timeline accurately and it is important to understand your rights in the transfer process, especially when the District is projecting a seven million dollar deficit.  Your intention form can be resubmitted until June 30, 2011.  Any amended form should be sent to Becky Little.  The assignments are due on or before June 1, 2011 and if you are transferring you will be notified sometime in May that you are getting first consideration for an open position.  You may decline the position and stay at your current location or go back into the pool however once you have accepted a position you are no longer eligible for further transfer.

Bumping and Building Seniority:  There is no bumping or building seniority.  Seniority is established by date of hire and adjusted for any unpaid time but there is no building seniority.  Bumping does not exist.  It may seem like bumping when there is a reduction in workforce and subsequent transfers but that is still subject to seniority and unencumbered positions.  The new certifications present some nuances that did not exist before but the basics of seniority and open positions remain.  We have established a strong working relationship with Human Resources and we have been very successful intervening with questions of transfer rights.

Budget Cuts: It is too early to tell what the impact will be on our members.  The governor’s budget, retirements and our local budget will all be in the mix. We know that New York State is in fiscal trouble, which does not bode well for us.  We know the District has a $7 million shortfall if nothing changes from 10/11 to 11/12 and we know there won’t be as many retirements this year as there were last year.  Finally, we have to factor in what the BOE values.  Clearly no one area can absorb $7 million in cuts but we will continue to advocate for changes as far from the classroom as possible.  March 8^th is the anticipated date that the budget recommendations will be made to the Board of Education.

NYSTRS:  To schedule a video conference call 1-800-348-7298 extension 6100. For additional information check the website:  www.nystrs.org.

Political Action:  Steve West, our Political Action Chair, has put in a lot of time creating documents for our membership regarding budget cuts and the governor’s budget proposals. He is also in the initial steps of recruiting board candidates.  Steve will have more information at the next rep assembly.  This is our opportunity to begin to change the anti-teacher culture.

Snow Days:  All levels started with 3 days and have a one day balance.

Election Year: This is an election year.  All elected leadership positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Vice President for Public Relations, Vice President for Educational Programs, High School Advisor, Middle School Advisor, and 2 Elementary Advisors plus reps to the TRS and NYSUT Representative Assembly will be on the ballot.  The Problem Solving position is an appointed position.

The Elections Committee still needs members.  They will then create the election guidelines.  Voting occurs on May 24^th and notification of candidacy must occur at least 10 days prior to an election.