March
Metro West Governing Board Meeting
Thursday,
March 18, 2021
Virtual Metro West Uniserv Representative Assembly – 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
Gretchen Oppriecht, ECCS
Nate Foss, Rep Assembly Rep, ECCS
Mary Jo Naion, Rep Assembly Rep, Chaska
Marc Doepner, Westonka
Ann Hersman, Minnetonka
Mark Broten, Minnetonka
Paula Klinger, Hopkins
Chris Watkins, St. Louis Park
Anne Naumann, Wayzata
Cory Knudson, Wayzata
Bernie Burnham, Local 692, Duluth
Marty Fridgen, So Washington Cty School, NEA director
Marty Sscofield, Adult Ed SRSE
Rodney Rowe, Sec/Treasurer EdMN
Molly Rosen, Rep Assembly Rep SLP
Dennis Fisher, EdMN Field Staff
Adam Janiak, EdMN Field Staff
Beth Anderson, EdMN Field Staff
Kay Carlson called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm.
Move to approve the agenda with flexibility. Agenda Approved.
Motion to approve the 2019 March Minutes. Moved: Chris Commers ; Seconded: Chris Watkins
Motion approved.
1. Rodney Rowe: Legislative Piece
Hybrid? Distance Learning?
Working with Heather Edleson. Distance Learning will be offered next year (one year commitment). Guidelines and boundaries are being established. Prep time. Number of students in class. In person and virtually are two separate jobs. Will be included in Education Omnibus Bill.
Currently, due to lower pupil enrollment, there will be a loss of funding. Gov including 25 million in bill to help cover loss of funding. The house will also include funding to help cover summer school costs, etc.
Assume both of above points will be in Education Omnibus Bill.
2. Bernie Burnham:
Three organizational goals – racial equity, full funding and strong unions.
Racial equity: Constant checking In on people. Currently we have local equity pilots going on. Racial justice planning committee. A group of staff working for the last 2 months (Race Forward) to help us do the work we need to survey 220 people on staff and 220 people who are members. Paper concerning early childhool learning.
Through legislation there are several papers that include pandemic and race.
Under strong unions, we have calls with many from leaders to members. Teachers have the option to rejoin the union again this spring.
3. Questions: Chris Commers – potential for online learning in post pandemic. Chris's district did some polling and found there wasn't any interest in online learning post pandemic.
4. NEA Directors:
Marty Fridgen –
Most of the legislation talk was around Covid. Getting the money that schools need.
Testing: They are NOT waiving tests for this year.
Lobbying for immigration reform. Also lots of energy around the national campaign.
Marty Scofield – Debating new amendments, resolutions, etc. virtually.
Questions: Mark Broten – How is Minnesotans doing compared to other states?
“We've had the opportunity to compare many states. We are all in the same boat trying to teach and the vaccinations. Issues with broadband access.”
“A lot of other states took our information and used it to guide them.”
“Our state is highly regarded by others.”
“Nationally people are rallying around the George Floyd issue. Social justice issues have come to the forefront right now.”
5. Constution Bylaw Amendments: Monica Byron
ByLaw #1: Elections
We are looking at language. It is giving governing board the right to convene the meeting electronically.
Position of Support for Amendment #1. Moved: Marc Doepner; Seconded: Chris Watkins
The Uniserv has takes a Position of Support for ByLaw Amendment #1.
ByLaw Amendment #2: Looking at Language. Looking at the filing form. Take off “Signed” (no hard signature required on these). Now that we have worked through the process people can go online and fill out the form and hit submit. They are notified that the form has been received. It is then printed off. Sleek and Neat.
Position of Support for Amendment #2 Moved: Chris Commers; Seconded: Mark Broten.
The Uniserv has taken a position of support for Amendment #2.
6. Treasurer's Report: Megan Lhtoka
Balance is $22,692.39 (see electronic handout)
Motion to Accept Treasurer'sReport.
Moved Melissa B ; Seconded Mark Broten
Motion Passed.
7. Kay Carlson will attend IO Meeting on May 19.
8. Council Chairs:
Marc Doepner – he will create a warehouse of the different surveys for everyone to see.
Start planning for next year. Look at next year as being an in person opportunity and live streaming.
Whatever we can do to help members to make things less stressful is good.
Possibly the state may add hybrid teaching as an area to assist teachers in relicensure.
All relicensure options are available on NEA online. In person and online.
David Clark (Legislative) EdMN is supporting legislation in regards to layoffs. Also tier 1 teachers in collective bargaining.
Melissa Benjain: Website is up to date.
9. Adam Janiak, EdMn Field Staff
Everyone should have received an invitation to Organizing for Settlement
Some good news and some challenging news -
Potentially challenging news: Statewide, April 15, employers will no longer be required to offer work from home. It does create some issues with advocating. You can ask for accommodations if you do not want to return to onsite work. No guarantees.
Good News: American Rescue Plan has passed. This money is dedicated to schools.
Anybody can join and become a union member at any time.
10.Sharing of Local Engagement Activities
Mtka has been reaching out to the buildings to get info before making their surveys. Once everyone is vaccinated, there will be a big happy hour
Wayzata did a town hall. Goal to end divisions between staff members.
11.Unity Campaign/Legislative Activity
Lobby day next Thursday is set up for ECCS/Minnetonka
Hopkins worked on a funding resolution. Hats off to Paula.
12.Open Forum;
Cory Knudston – anyone worried about losing members?
Adam Janiak – people are concerned . Three years post Janus and the pandemic has added concern. How we finish this year will make a big difference. There are many things none of us have an answer for at this time.
Dues would take an amendment to change.
Discussion about Virtual Academies offered by school districts.
Motion to adjourn. Moved: Mark Broten Seconded:Dave Clark
Motion Passed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:44 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rose Korst