Metro West Governing Board Meeting
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Virtual Metro West Uniserv Meeting – Zoom
Those of Attendance:
Kay Carlson, SLP, President
Rose Korst, SLP, Secretary
Megan Lhotka, Treasurer
Melissa Benjamin, Orono VP
Chris Commers, ECCS
Shelly Sutherland, ECCS
Chris Watkins, St. Louis Park
Dave Clark, Richfield
Monica Byron, Richfield
Marc Doepner-Hove, Westonka
Ann Hersman, Minnetonka
Mark Broten, Minnetonka
Paula Klinger, Hopkins
Anne Naumann, Wayzata
Cory Knudtson, Wayzata
Dennis Fischer, EdMN Field Staff
Adam Janiak, EdMN Field Staff
The meeting was called to order at 5:09 pm by Kay Carlson.
You are all heroes for what you are doing .
Approve the agenda with some modifications. APPROVED.
1.MOTION TO APPROVE FEBRUARY MINUTES.
Moved: Marc Doepner-Hove Seconded: Chris Watkins
MOTION APPROVED.
2. Treasurer's Report, Megan L.
Balance: $19,494.39 Savings: $39,628.74
Proposal to rebate $5 per member to locals who pay dues to Metro West since our meetings have been by Zoom and haven't incurred the usual costs.
MOTION TO REBATE $5 PER MEMBER FOR THIS YEAR.
Moved: Anne Naumann Seconded: Ann Hersman
MOTION APPROVED. Rebates will be mailed out as soon as possible.
Megan will have a budget proposal for next year at our May meeting. Look over the document she sent out.
Chris has a question about the vouchers. Please get your
stipend requests in to Megan as soon as possible.
3. Kay will have a report for us at May 27thIO meeting.
4. Monica. They have a meeting tomorrow . They will be looking ahead to RC on Saturday. Looking ahead to July. There will be a governing board meeting to set next year's agenda.
5. Council Chairs:
Melissa Benjamin. Communications. Website is up to date.
Marc Doepner-Hove. Negotiations. Each month in the negotiations folder Marc has added new items. Counselors. How do your districts handle summer work and pay for Counselors? Go on and see what other districts do for this.
Dave Clark. Legislative. He has a link to EdMN Omnibus
bill. See comparison. If you live in a district with a
Republican Senator, please give them a call.
The House Bill went to vote. 3 GOP members voted for it.
A 2 and 2 isn't really enough, but it's something.
The 1065 Omnibus Bill? Equity and people of color. The
Layoff Bill. It allows for negotiation of agreement as to
who is to be retained to meet the equity needs of the
district.. Not to exceed 5% Locally negotiated and
decided at a committee level. Has not been voted on yet.
It does not do away with tenure or continuing contract.
6. Lobbying before the meeting. Wayzata had 8 teachers attend. Successful turnout. Minnetonka also had several go lobby. Richfield also had 11 participate. Chris Commers said his group was ready to lobby, but there legislators weren't there. EdMN is organizing for retired teachers to lobby next week.
7. Adam Janiak, EdMN
We need more teachers to contact their legislators. Lobby, call. The RC is this Saturday.
SAVE THE DATE: May 15 Rally at the Capitol in conjunction with allies and partners. More info to come.
Superintendents need to have their summer school plans in to MDE by tomorrow, April 23.
8. Kay asked about an update with the Ethnic Studies Coalition. There is a feeling that the bill is making progress. Will check and let everyone know.
9. Open Forum:
Next month at our May 27th meeting we will have officer elections. If you want to nominate someone, please let Kay or Melissa know.
10.MOTION TO ADJOURN.
Moved: Ann Hersman
Seconded: Marc Doepner-Hove
MOTION PASSED.
The meeting adjourned at 5:55pm.
Respectfully,
Rose Korst
Secretary