Edina, MN 55439
7242 Metro Blvd, Suite 200
ED MN Southwest Metro Office
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Metro West Governing Board Meeting
Metro West Governing Board Meeting
Thursday,
February 25, 2021
Virtual Metro West Uniserv Meeting – Zoom
Those of Attendance:
Kay Carlson, President
Rose Korst, SLP, Secretary
Megan Lhotka, Treasurer
Melissa Benjamin, VP, Orono
Dave Clark, Richfield
Monica Byron, Richfield
Chris Commers, ECCS
Shelli Sutherland, ECCS
Marc Doepner, Westonka
Ann Hersman, Minnetonka
Mark Broten, Minnetonka
Paula Klinger, Hopkins
Chris Watkins, St. Louis Park
Anne Naumann, Wayzata
Dennis Fisher, EdMN Field Staff
Adam Janiak, EdMN Field Staff
Beth Anderson, EdMN Field Staff
Kay Carlson called the meeting to order at 5:06 pm.
1. Mark Schmiesing, EdMN Strategies for negotiations
Bargaining for this year will be unique.
Bargaining for the common good.
Creating a campaign that goes outside of the usual. This
last has shown us some unique challenges. What kinds of
things emerged this last year?
Distance learning has emerged and will be here for now.
How will the work day look? Defining the contract day
will be a new shift. Teaching. Office hours. Prep time.
Extended learning opportunities. What should it look like?
Licensure. What will it look like?
Transfer language.
MEA online offers many classes. Check them out.
Call field staff if you need help. We are willing to help!
Questions / Issues:
We will need language in our contracts because of
streaming. Vacation vs Sickness? It shouldn't be used
for discipline, for example. Snow days in the future?
External providers? How does your district handle this?
Thanks for joining us Mark and all you are doing.
2. Motion to accept agenda. Moved: Marc D. Seconded: Chris W. MOTION: APPROVED
3. Motion to approve January minutes. Moved: Marc. D
Seconded: Melissa B. MOTION: APPROVED
4. Treasurer's report: Megan Lhotka
Checking balance: $22,692.39
See the treasurer's report Megan sent to everyone.
Megan is meeting with Rose in March on how to notate some descrepancies.,
Motion to approve Treasurer's Report. Moved: Marc D
Seconded: Chris W MOTION: APPROVED
5. Kay Carlson: No IO meeting to report on
6. Monic Byron: Board meets this coming weekend. Any questions or anything, email Monica.
Will you present 2 bylaw amendments.
7. Council Chairs
Marc Doepner: Negotiations. People are already filling out the survey.
Dave Clark: Legislative Contact your reps and senators about flexibility around testing. Waiting for economic funding.
Melissa B. : Communications . Will get January minutes added
8. Adam Janiak, EdMN. Testing flexibility
State Budget forecast is suppose to come out tomorrow. There have been some real surprises from other states. Hoping the good continues here.
Lobby days: Lots to be happening still.
Minnesota school revenue by source will help when explaining funding.
School Funding Dashboard:
The underfunding dashboard was put together for:
a) what has occurred over the years b) useful to use with presentations to parents, etc.
It walks you through what needs to be done and what is actually being done.
Click on your district as the specific information for your district is there. Good resource
Adam will share the link with everyone in the chat as well as the powerpoint.
Some locals are passing resolutions to support full-funding.
Getting signatures in support of resolutions. Sharing stories as educators.
It is NEGOTIATION season. Settlement and Organizing fund. You need to take an assessment in order to apply.
April 22 meeting—crisis assessment from 6:30-8pm.
Rodney and Bernie are coming to the next meeting: topics?
It is our RA meeting and delegates are invited to the
March 18 meeting. Let Taylor know contact info.
If Walz is stripped of his executive orders what happens with EdMN. It becomes a legislative process and will move slower.
What do Rodney and Bernie hear about hybrid learning?
Do they have any sense of what's rumored around?
Summer Seminar is up in the air. St. Ben's doesn't know if they will host it yet.
What about the drop in enrollment? Hold districts harmless?
Anything else you think of, contact Adam.
9. Ethnic Studies. Any new information on it?
10. Local Engagement. Some districts are taking out ads.
11. Don't forget that your local can be reimbursed up to a $1,000.
12. Unity Campaign: Nothing new at the moment.
13. Open Forum:
Orono finally got some help with their prep time. 30 minute prep for everyone in the district.
In Westonka, when everyone comes back students are still allowed to opt out and stay as distance learners.
A lively discussion about teaching in class students and streaming students simultaneously.
Discussion about kids who take extended vacations. If more than 15 days, some districts have them un-enroll and re-enroll upon return. Toggling between 2 models is presenting all sorts of issues, especially concerning prep time and specialist time.
Eastern Carver Cty will no longer do distance learning when kids return to the classroom next week. The district is putting pressure on the teachers to sweeten the deal for high school students as many don't want to return.
ECCS is having a vaccination event tomorrow. Over 300 educators are going to be vaccinated tomorrow at the Waconia Event Center.
It would be great to see that happening in the Metro.
The Allina system is a good place to go. They are giving educators a place in line.
Marc has his first teacher to be leaving the profession here in the US and go elsewhere in the world.
Anything on non-renewals? Concern for ULAs is high.
Has anyone heard of upcoming budget cuts for next year?
Districts are just beginning to talk this issue.
14.
Motion to adjourn: Moved: Ann H Seconded: Mark B.
MOTION: APPROVED
15. The meeting adjourned at 6:33pm.
Repectfully,
Rose Korst