Fiscal Year 2008-09 Teacher Quality Money Amounts Disclosed

ISEA provided us with the following information related to the distribution of the TQ money for 2008-09.

The payments from the State to the school districts will remain the same as in the current law. They will begin in October and end in June. The new law only deals with the distribution of money from the school district to teachers. It was designed to require the distribution of TQ money starting in October and stretching for the remainder of the pay periods in the teacher’s contract.

The intent of the law was to require payment through the end of the teacher’s contract (August). It is legal to extend the payment by starting earlier than October, if the district is willing.

Lewis Central Teacher Quality Money Fiscal Year 2008-2009

LCEA Executive Board Meeting Minutes May 15, 2008

LCEA Meeting Minutes
UNOFFICIAL MINUTES TO BE APPROVED
Date: 5/15/2008
Place: High School Room 403
Time: 4:15

Roll Call: Sharon Crawley, Kim Muta, Jennifer Doorlag, Maggie Bennett (absent), Dave Bergman
HS Reps: Tom McLaughlin, Allison Towne, Brian Johnson (absent), Christina Woodward (absent)
MS Reps: Margot Argotsinger, Beth Frank, Al Lorenz, Barb Motes (absent)
TH Reps: Susan Drustrup, Maggie Miller (Lisa Gundlach subbing), Jennifer Hake (absent), Joanna Stenlund
Kreft Reps: Kathy Moe, Melinn Ruzicka, Tara York

Approval of Agenda: Sharon Crawley
• Beth Frank moved that the agenda be approved with the addition of Nancy Haigh, Dave Bergman seconded the motion and it passed.

Nancy Haigh from Valuebuilders

Secretary’s Report/ Approval of Minutes: Kim Muta
• Dave Bergman moved that the April minutes be approved, Allison Towne seconded it, and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Jennifer Doorlag
• The spreadsheet is up to date. Susan has some receipts to turn in, yet. Tom McLaughlin needs to turn in the dinner receipt from Delegate Assembly.
• Allison Towne moved that we accept the treasurer’s report, Dave Bergman seconded it, and the motion passed
• Allison Towne moved that the officers be given authority to decide the 2007-2008 budget, Joanna Stenlund seconded it, and the motion passed.
• Allison Towne moved that we buy teachers for new teachers again in August, Tom McLaughlin seconded it, and the motion passed.
• Beth Frank moved that we purchase plaques for Teacher of the Year, Allison Towne seconded it, and the motion passed.
• Tom McLaughlin moved that we purchase and present a gavel to Sharon Crawley for her service as President, Kathy Moe seconded it, and the motion passed.

Negotiations: Beth Frank
• The District said no to $950 and then to $925. John Phillips got PERB involved and there is a tentative agreement of $915 added to the base. That would be a 5.89% package.
• Next year, we should be getting Phase II and TQ money spread out equally over twelve months.
• The new language: add grandchildren to family leave, distribution of TQ money, signature clause was changed to reflect the change in LCEA leadership, addition of Special Olympics supplemental position.
• Dave Bergman moved that we accept the $915 to the base, Tom McLaughlin seconded the motion, and it passed.
• Beth Frank handed out ballots to give to the membership, and those need to be distributed and returned by the end of the day tomorrow, May 16.

TQC: Barb Motes/Kim Muta/Al Lorenz/Tom McLaughlin
• We shared the discussion of the two staff development days and the discussion of the market factor pay being discontinued. All minutes for those meetings are on the LCEA blog site.

President’s Report: Sharon Crawley
• There is nothing to report today.

Committee Reports:
• High School: We have a Nelson Award winner, and the person will be honored at the awards ceremony on Monday, May 19. Dave Bergman talked about the new District Leadership Team (DLT). The Task Force has been disbanded, but there isn’t clear direction about what form the DLT would take. There is discussion about compensation, which, of course, would be an issue since the positions were not posted. There are several other issues involved—the DLT usurping the role of the TQC, the inclusion of non-members on a committee making decisions about professional development, compensation of instructional strategists, the elimination of summer curriculum writing, etc.
• Middle School: Things are normal for this time of year.
• Kreft: Nothing to report.
• Titan Hill: The visit by Linda Nelson went very well. Pictures are on the blog.

Old Business:
• ISEA President, Linda Nelson, will be visiting our unit April 22-23-24. See Titan Hill’s report.

New Business:
• Buildings: Teacher of the Year: Susan Drustrup for Titan Hill, Phyllis Hamling for the middle school, and the other two buildings aren’t sure yet.
• Retirees: Phyllis Hamling’s picture is done, and she’s finishing up Jan Pellant’s. We’ll get frames for them, and they’ll be presented at the last meeting for their buildings or at their retirement parties.
• Scholarship winner (awarded by Dave Bergman): Kristen Schweer.

Adjournment
• Allison Towne moved that we adjourn, Melinn Ruzicka seconded it, and the meeting adjourned at 5:30.

CLICK HERE for a WORD version of the LCEA Unofficial Meeting Minutes 05.15.08

Culver Vetoes Collective Bargaining Bill

Culver vetoes collective bargaining bill
Gov. Chet Culver announced in a news conference late this afternoon that he will veto HF 2645, a bill which would have expanded the scope of collective bargaining for educators and other public employees. Here is a statement ISEA President Linda Nelson issued to the news media:

Statement by ISEA President Linda Nelson on Gov. Culver's veto of HF2645

We are deeply disappointed by Gov. Culver's veto of HF 2645. This legislation would have leveled the playing field for educators and other public employees at the bargaining table. It would have allowed us to negotiate over issues that impact student achievement like class size, preparation time, in-service, and a whole host of other topics that under the current law are deemed "permissive" and off-limits for discussion. While we appreciate the Governor's support for funding public schools and for making teacher salaries competitive, he missed a great opportunity to recognize educators as true professionals and full partners in educational decision making. We are committed to working with Gov. Culver Culver to craft a bill which accomplishes that objective.

Highlights of education appropriations and other key bills

The following is a brief overview of how major education-related bills fared during the 2008 legislative session.

Community colleges. Funding for community colleges will increase by $9.1 million with an additional $1.5 million allocated for faculty salaries. That's in addition to the $2 million already in effect. Although the figures fell short of what the ISEA had pushed for, the increase is significantly higher than what Gov. Culver had called for in his budget message and will help move us closer to the goal of raising faculty salaries to 25th in the nation. In addition, all faculty must now be included in the quality faculty plans and new committees will be formed at the state level to increase faculty input and create more professional development opportunities.

Funding roll-in. The ISEA won a huge victory will the passage of a bill to roll funding for several key categorical programs into the school foundation aid formula. That means that allocations for teacher compensation, Phase II, professional development, and class size reduction will be better protected from future budget cuts and will be able to keep pace with inflation.

Teacher salaries. The additional $75 million in funding necessary to raise teacher salaries to 25th in the nation is maintained and legislation was approved to ensure that once the additional salary distribution is determined, teachers will be paid in equal installments throughout the year beginning in October. In addition, the market factor pay incentives for shortage areas was eliminated and the allocation for pay-for-performance pilot programs was reduced from $2.5 million to $335,000. The minimum teacher salary will be $28,000 in 2008-09 and the minimum salary for career teachers will be $30,000.

K-12 and AEA funding. Early in the session, the Legislature approved - and Gov. Culver has signed into law -- a 4 percent K-12 allowable growth rate for 2009-10. Lawmakers also restored $2.75 million of the budget reductions for the area education agencies for next year and they indicated their intent to restore the remaining $2.5 million in 2009-10.

ESP salaries. The ISEA was successful in getting the following language included in Chapter 279 of the Iowa Code: "It is the goal of this state that every employee of a public school corporation be provided with a competitive living wage."

Core curriculum. After striking down a provision which would have created new student performance standards and would have forced the state to completely revamp its student assessments, lawmakers approved a bill to require school districts to adopt the model core curriculum. Under the new law, the mandate will be fully implemented by the 2012-13 school year for grades 9 - 12 and during the 2014-15 school year for grades K - 8.

Statewide penny tax. Lawmakers approved a compromise version of a bill which eliminates the local option sales tax and replaces it with a statewide penny tax for school infrastructure and property tax relief. The final bill is an improvement over earlier versions because it provides more equity across the state. It is our hope that the money generated will be used to provide for student needs rather than being diverted solely for property tax relief.

IPERS. ISEA-backed legislation was approved which will allow the IPERS actuary to adjust contribution rates beginning in July of 2011 after the current statutory increase of 2 percent is fully implemented. This change is necessary in order to address fluctuating funding needs. In addition, school districts will be limited in the number of 403b providers it can use but local associations will still have a voice in determining the providers.

ISEA members should take time out to thank Democrats in the House and Democrats in the Senate for their hard work and support for educators and students this session - particularly Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, Senate President Jack Kibbie, Speaker of the House Pat Murphy, and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy . Please also thank Senators Bob Dvorsky and Frank Wood and Representatives Jo Oldson and Cindy Winckler who played critical roles in pushing through the appropriations bill at the end of the session.

Join Now and Pay Nothing Until Fall 2008

Join now and pay nothing until fall!

There's never been a better time to join the Association. Effective April 1, 2008, NEA and ISEA are offering the "Early Enrollment" Membership Incentive Plan where you can join now and pay nothing until September 1. Meanwhile, you'll have access to the NEA's comprehensive Educators Employment Liability Program as well as select NEA Member Benefits and ISEA discount programs.

Join now and take advantage of these benefits immediately:

*Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program benefits
*NEA Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Program
*NEA Automobile and Homeowners Insurance Program
*NEA Car Rental Plan
*NEA Credit Card Program
*NEA Magazine Services
*NEA Term Life Insurance
*ISEA's Access Card with savings on travel, dining out, recreation, and more!

When you join us, you're joining with 3.2 million members nationwide. Our membership includes four levels-national, state, UniServ, and local association. Our state is divided into 19 UniServ units (field offices) whose staff provides you expert help and assistance to members in their area. UniServ unit and local association dues vary, depending on where you are employed, but the NEA and ISEA dues amounts for professional and half-time members are:

Full-time: $160 NEA Half-time: $86 NEA
$356 ISEA $178 ISEA

ISEA dues are determined by the percentage of time members are employed. Full-time first-year teacher members have an option of receiving $100 cash back or a $1,000 interest-free loan and part-time first-year teacher members receive a portion of $100 that is equal to the percentage of time they are employed.

Just complete the form on the ISEA Website to join now and get four months of coverage for no money at all!

Access the website at:
http://ia.nea.org/earlyenroll.html

LCEA Executive Board Agenda May 15, 2008

LCEA Executive Board Meeting
Date: 5/15/2008 Place:
High School
Room 403
Time: 4:15

Roll Call: Sharon Crawley, Kim Muta, Jennifer Doorlag,
Maggie Bennett, Dave Bergman
HS Reps: Tom McLaughlin, Allison Towne, Brian Johnson, Christina Woodward
MS Reps: Margot Argotsinger, Beth Frank, Al Lorenz, Barb Motes
TH Reps: Susan Drustrup, Maggie Miller, Jennifer Hake
Kreft Reps: Kathy Moe, Melinn Ruzicka, Tara York

Approval of Agenda:

Secretary’s Report/ Approval of Minutes:

Treasurer’s Report:

Negotiations: Beth Frank

TQC: Barb Motes

President’s Report: Sharon Crawley

Committee Reports:
High School:
Middle School:
Kreft:
Titan Hill:

Old Business:

• ISEA President, Linda Nelson, visited Titan Hill on April 22-23-24 (How did it go?)

New Business:

• Buildings: Teacher of the Year
• Retirees
• Scholarship winner (awarded by Dave Bergman)

Adjournment

No Child Left Behind : The Hype vs. Reality

Listen to Joel Packer, NEA Expert on No Child Left Behind, and His Podcast on the Facts Behind NCLB.

Please be patient while it loads. You will be taken briefly away from the LCEA Insider page.

It’s time for Congress to reject the hype and outright falsehoods too often marking the final months of Bush policy.

Send your questions about NCLB to Joel@nea.org.

----------

The transcript follows:

Joel Packer Has All the Answers Podcast -- May 13, 2008

Hi. I’m Joel Packer. Welcome to the podcast.

Get ready for some numbers. I promise you’ll be smarter in just a few minutes with our famous Joel Packer Has All the Answers individualized instruction. And there will be no test needed to move on to the next podcast.

What’s the main objective of No Child Left Behind? Increasing student test scores. Sure, the law is more than 1,000 pages long and contains some 50 programs, most of them unfunded mandates by the way. But the major “bright line” to quote Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, is that by the year 2014, every single student – 100 percent - will be proficient on statewide reading and math tests.

Every year from the start of the law in the 2002-03 school year through the year when all children will be above average and living in Lake Wobegon, increasing percentages of students must score proficient or higher on these two tests.

So, has it worked? Are the children now all above average, just as in Garrison Keillor’s fantasy world?

Secretary Spellings says everything is fine. She says scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NEAP) have increased, so she says NCLB is “like Ivory soap: It’s 99.9 percent pure…there’s not much needed in the way of change.” Even President Bush said, “These scores confirm that No Child Left Behind is working.”

But is it?

The percentage of fourth graders who scored at the proficient or higher level on NEAP only increased by 2% between 1998 and 2002 (pre-NCLB). Yet from 2002 to 2007 - after NCLB began - the increase in the percent proficient was also just 2%. Based on 4th grade math scores, the percent proficient rose by 9% from 2000 to 2003 but only 8 points from 2003 to 2007.

For 8th graders in reading, the percent proficient improved by only 1% between 1998 and 2002 but actually went down by 2 points between 2002 and 2007. The only area where performance was better post-NCLB than before was in 8th grade math, where the percent proficient went up just two points between 2000 and 2003, but rose 4 points between 2003 and 2007.

FairTest co-Executive Director Monty Neill criticized the Administration for its claims saying, “NEAP shows educational improvement across the nation slowed significantly since NCLB went into effect…despite the fact that curriculum narrowed in many schools to little more than test preparation in reading and math.”

The NY Times in a September 2007 article said, “…gains in reading achievement have been marginal, with performance declining among eighth graders… The results also showed that the nation had made only incremental progress in narrowing historic gaps in achievement between white and minority students, a fundamental goal of the federal law.”

The Civil Rights project at UCLA (formerly at Harvard) in a 2006 study, Tracking Achievement Gaps and Assessing the Impact of NCLB on the Gaps, reached the following conclusions:

* NCLB did not have a significant impact on improving reading and math achievement across the nation and states.
* NCLB has not helped the nation and states significantly narrow the achievement gap.
The Bush administration’s hard spin on its failed education policy doesn’t straighten out away from NCLB issues either. Spellings recently said about the Reading First program, “If ever there was a program that was rooted in research and science and fact, this is it,” she said. “This is [like] the cure for cancer.” Two months later her own Department’s research arm issued a report saying the Reading First program had no real effect on reading comprehension in Grades 1-3.

It’s time for Congress to reject the hype and outright falsehoods too often marking the final months of Bush policy.

It’s time to fundamentally overhaul NCLB and shift its focus from testing, labeling, and punishing. It’s time to support states and districts to build capacity, use comprehensive meaningful measures of student learning and school quality, and provide resources for proven programs like smaller class size.

And finally, it’s especially time to stop pretending when it comes to closing the achievement gaps – to allow school systems flexibility to put in place appropriate interventions targeted to the underlying problems in struggling schools – instead of failed one-size-fits-all mandates.

Thanks very much. I’m Joel Packer

Now Hear This!

Teaching to Build Better Listening Skills

Listening is an important skill to cultivate. It helps you learn, develop friendships, and show your good manners by being attentive and sharing the talking time.

But not everyone has the same idea of what good listening behavior is.

This article offers some ideas for building better listening skills. As you read them, think about how you teach good listening practices in your classroom. If you teach in a multicultural classroom, you probably teach some of these ideas with sensitivity because for some of your students, some of these practices are actually considered bad listening practices. In fact, bad manners.

Read the article and then tell us what you think.

Listening Helps You Learn

Listening is a lot like reading - it's an opportunity to learn something new and it requires focusing on what's being said. You have to pay attention to the ideas and details that the speaker is telling you about. Unlike reading, when you're listening, you have a chance to ask the speaker questions to help you understand or to get more information. Asking such questions is an important part of listening. It tells the speaker what you've learned and what more you'd like to know. And by answering your questions, the speaker can help you and others learn more.

Listening Helps Build Friendships

Listening is a good way to build a friendship. Good listeners know that others like to be heard, that they enjoy sharing stories about themselves, and they like the sense of connectedness when they share information, confidences, and jokes with another person.

Listening Attentively Is Sign of Good Manners

Listening to people when they're speaking to you shows them that you respect them. So, how do you learn to become an attentive listener? Start by looking at the behaviors of a poor listener and a good listener.

A poor listener:

• Interrupts the speaker
• Thinks only about what he or she is going to say next
• Looks away from the person speaking
• Pays attention to other things going on
• Makes side comments to others

A good listener:

• Focuses on the person talking and allows him or her to finish talking
• Looks at the other person - to indicate readiness to listen, and to observe the person's body language to learn more about how the speaker is feeling
• Gives nonverbal signals to show he or she is listening - a nod, smile, or frown, for example
• Uses verbal signals to show interest in what the speaker is saying or to give feedback, with phrases such as
  • "Uh huh" or "I didn't know that." (showing encouragement)
  • "I'm not sure what you mean." (asking for clarification)
  • "You said that…" or "If I understand you correctly…" (showing an understanding of what the speaker said)
• Tries to use the same energy and emotional level as the speaker, to show an understanding of what the speaker is feeling

Effective listening skills are important - whether you're in a classroom with thirty people or in a conversation with one. As with any skill, listening takes practice, so keep these four things in mind as you begin:

1. Look the speaker in the eye
2. Encourage the speaker with smiles, nods, and "uh-huhs"
3. Pay attention to the facial expressions and body language as well as the words
4. Remain interested in understanding the speaker

Tell Us What You Think

How do you teach good listening skills?

Are you being culturally sensitive as you help students understand the cultural "norms" of the United States?

In fact, Is it politically correct to teach the dominant cultural "norms"?

Related Content

How to be a good listener - What is active listening? (Texas Women's University)

Assessing your listening ability - From Integrated Curriculum for Achieving Necessary Skills (I-CANS).

Activity: Face Match - Listen and find the face that matches the description. This Web site has other listening exercises for young students.

Listening Skills - The Face It Solution for Effective Listening. From Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors.

Alternative Teacher Certification Oversold

Report concludes that programs such as Teach for America lack evidence of demonstrated success

EAST LANSING, Mi. (May 12, 2008) – Programs that bypass traditional education training and certification receive good publicity, but there is no consensus from research evidence that they work, according to a new policy brief released today by the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice.

The policy brief, “Alternative Certification of Teachers,” was written by Gene V Glass, Regents’ Professor at Arizona State University.

Glass writes that alternative certification programs have been driven in part by the need for certain districts—often poor, urban, or both—to quickly find more teachers. But they have also been promoted, according to Glass, by ideological hostility toward traditional teacher education programs and toward government regulation as represented by conventional certification.

The policy brief examines research into various alternative certification programs. These include various local and state programs as well as prominent programs like the New York City Teaching Fellows and Teach for America (TFA). Such programs have “become a prominent part of the teaching profession,” writes Glass, who reports that the number of such alternatively certified teachers working in public or private schools currently exceeds 60,000 in the U.S.

Glass says that the current body of research on the subject is limited, but we do know that teachers participating in alternative programs such as TFA:

• Are clustered in poor, urban schools;
• Are no more likely—and possibly are less likely—to remain teaching after their initial commitment period (two years in the case of TFA) than regularly certified teachers; and
• Have yielded conflicting data as to their effectiveness compared with their fully certified counterparts.

“Investigations that contrast the lived experiences of beginning teachers placed quickly in the classroom are needed,” he writes. “Research must also honor teaching as something more than the production of scores on paper-and-pencil tests.”

Perhaps surprisingly, alternative certification approaches that target graduates who have deep subject matter training but little or no teacher education are unlikely to save money: “College graduates trained in science, mathematics, and technology require significantly higher salaries than the market will bear if they are to enter public school teaching.” But if alternative certification of teachers proves in the end to be merely about cheapening the costs of training teachers, Glass notes, we all will pay a price: “Unlike with some professions, the plane may not crash or the patient may not die when teachers are poorly trained, but a society that demeans teaching and degrades education will in time surely see aspirations and hope atrophy and wither.”

Find Gene V Glass’s policy brief, “Alternative Certification of Teachers” on the web at: http://www.greatlakescenter.org.

Teacher Quality Agenda 5/7/2008

LEWIS CENTRAL
Teacher Quality
Committee Meeting
Educational Resource Center
Wednesday,
May 7, 2008
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Tentative Agenda

1. Call To Order – Roll Call

2. Review and Approve Minutes

3. Model Evidence for “Non-Core “ Areas

4. Update for Core Areas

5. February Professional Development Days Reflection

6. Monitor Evaluation Procedures Implementation

7. Future Meeting Dates

6:30 8. Adjournment

Teacher Quality Committee Minutes May 7, 2008

Lewis Central
Teacher Quality Committee
ERC--4:30 PM
Unofficial Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2008

LC TQC meeting was called to order at 4:35 by Dave Black. Members present included: Al Lorenz, Kim Muta, Tom McLaughlin, Pat Thomas, Marilyn Wandersee, Jeanne Barthalow, Barb Grell, Chuck Story, Kim Jones, Mark Schweer, Dave Black, Kent Stopak and Sean Dunphy.

Motion by Barthalow, second by Jones to approve minutes of the April meeting. Motion carried.

Non-Core area model evidence discussion:
Jeanne reported on accessing nurse evidence and providing it to Mark. Amy Cook has electronic version. Dave reported that Cedar Rapids is a possible resource to tap for more standards-oriented look at it.

Jeanne reported on the developed Special Education model evidence. "Very similar but reflective of certain Special education practice (i.e data collection for IEP's, etc.)".

Dave provided copies of subgroup work that has been formatted for user-friendliness. He will format the counselors, nurses and special education evidence the same way, then post all of them on the website for easy access. Approved by general consent.

February Professional Development Days reports:
Dave provided copies of building principal summaries concerning the two days of extended professional development in February. Principals reported verbally to the group. Consensus was that the two days were used well, both from the perspective of follow-up/continuation of individual building action plans and of looking/moving forward with new material or direction. High degree of engagement and attendance was also reported by the principals. Principals articulated the effects of the professional development efforts on teacher practice and thinking. Two days in a row may be challenging for people to maintain energy...

Review of Principal Artifacts and Evaluation Documentation:
The committee review artifacts provided by each building principal documenting the communication and engagement of all teachers in the district in the evaluation process and the three-year rotation. Mark reiterated the importance of consistently providing copies of the summative evals to the central office for placement in permanent employee records.

Dave reported that the tasks of the LC TQC committee have been accomplished for the 2008-09 school year. He thanked the group for their time and efforts on the hard work in this important endeavor.

Jones moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Lorenz. Motion carried, meeting was adjourned at 5:25.

Minutes submitted by Sean Dunphy.

Register now for free giveaways

NEA members can register anytime during the month of May 2008 in the Free Giveaways area of the NEA Member Benefits Web Site for a chance to win one of two Spring Fling Packages: Napa Valley Picnic Set, Aruba Wine Case, and $50 American Express Gift Card! Enjoy the accoutrements of a perfect picnic, including tablecloth, napkins, cutting board and knife, wine glasses, corkscrew, wine bottle case, sparkling cider, plus some cash to shop for provisions at your local gourmet store! Giveaway entry ends at 11:59:59 p.m., ET, on May 31, 2008. No purchase necessary to enter.

Together, we can make a difference!

ISEA members played a key role in kicking off the 2008 Presidential race and now you are uniquely poised to play a key role in determining who is elected on Nov. 4.

Public school educators have been near the top of the list of America's most admired spokespersons for decades; and according to the Harris polling firm, teachers' grades among the nation's "most admired professions" have improved by an average of 23 percentage points over the past 15 years. Our Association's 3.2 million members (more than 33,000 right here in Iowa) live in every state, in every Congressional district, and in every precinct. In fact, there is one Association member among every 100 Americans.

You can truly make a difference. That's why it's time once again for ISEA members to take the lead and do their homework to find out how the candidates stand on education issues. Click on the links below to get started.

How the presidential candidates measure up on public education
NEA President Reg Weaver on Sen. McCain's economic plan
Iowa Secretary of State voter information

Links to candidate Web sites
Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama
John McCain

ISEA President Makes Third Visit to Lewis Central

ISEA President Linda Nelson Makes Visit to Titan Hill Intermediate School on Her "Farewell Tour"

ISEA President, Linda Nelson, on a four year leave from her position as an Elementary Teacher from Carter Lake Elementary School, treated many Titan Hill Students to a reading during as part of her "farewell tour" as ISEA President on April 23, 2008.

President Nelson's planned visit to LC last year was sidetracked by an "unexpected snowstorm" that hit Southwest Iowa. Like many things with this awesome leader for our organization, Linda made well on her promise to give Titan Hill a little more attention than she was allowed to do during her visit in the Spring of 2006 where she visited every building in the district during her one day swing of every building in the district. Each building also hosted several events for Linda.

Titan Hill teachers treated Linda to a breakfast, showed her the improvements made to the building, and then invited her into classrooms to share her special talents and favorite books with
students at Titan Hill.

These pictures are from President Nelson's visit to Susan Drustrup's classroom. The eager students loved our ISEA President's reading.
Later that night, Linda was "treated" to a roast from her friends at a "roast" from Southwest Uniserv Unit.

We are lucky here in Southwest Iowa to have Linda moving into our school district as she returns to the classroom as a science and math interventionist for "at risk" students.
Linda has visited literally hundreds and hundreds of buildings throughout and hundreds of communities in Iowa.

Lewis Central was a proud supporter of Linda Nelson during her two campaigns to become ISEA President. She has certainly served the students and teachers of Iowa with great distinction. We can't wait to have her back in our ranks. Who knows... Maybe we'll recruit her to run for our own school board.

District Leadership Meeting Minutes April 30, 2008

LEWIS CENTRAL
DISTRICT LEADERSHIP MEETING
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Un-Official Minutes

Dr. Schweer called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.

Attendance: Mark Schweer, Dave Black, Laurie Thies, Barb Grell, Heather Nano, Rosie Spangenberg, Allison Toman, Laurie Thies, Kent Stopak, Pam Fox, Jeanie Bartholow, Kristen Johnson, Genie Wickham, Kris York, Breanne Hedrick, Ashley Shipp, Jim Haver, Sean Dunphy, Kathie Lincoln, Dave Bergman, Kim Jones, Mary Langille, Chuck Story, Terri Bush, Facilitator, Anna Boehm, Secretary.

Welcome: Dr. Schweer introduced Terri Bush as the Facilitator for this committee. Introductions were made by all in the attendance.

Teri stated that she is here to assist the LC district in working systemically to align curriculum, instruction and assessment in an effort to increase student achievement. (This class can be used for credit, Terri will check into this for those who are interested in the credit hours.)

This committee will be working systemically – working across all levels, components and competencies to improve student achievement. The key elements of the work will be:
• Levels – Classroom, School, District, and the State
• Components include standards, curriculum instruction, assessment resources, staff, parents and community.
• Competencies for improvement – Creating coherence, collecting, interpreting and using data; ensuring continuous professional learning opportunities; building relationships, and responding to changing conditions.

The committee will be planning professional development, problem solving and making decisions on curriculum instruction and assessment.

Team Building Activity – A team building activity was done to get to know and better trust each other. After the activity the group stated that the activity was about:
• communicating
• fun
• shared work
• conditions in the room
• tried alternatives
• not being afraid to be different
• learned from mistakes
• employed the KISS method (keep it simple stupid)
• strong foundation, keep an open mind

Overview of DLT Model & Questions: PLC’s will be used, then building leadership teams, then to the district leadership team. Outcome will be to problem solve and make decisions regarding curriculum, instruction and assessment in a systemic effort to raise the bar and close the gap for all Lewis Central students.

Task Force/Instructional Council – The work that the Task Force has been done is so appreciated. Lewis Central School District would not be where they are today without your leadership. Your efforts are very much appreciated. The Task Force and Instructional Council will no longer exist. Things have changed for LC and the kids. It is time for the district to change and try something new. This work will be done for one year and will be evaluated at that time. Team work is needed, but don’t forget the work the Task Force has done.

Why did this happen? Four audits have been done in this district in three different buildings. Document review and interviews were done at Kreft, Titan Hill & MS. All LC students are getting core instruction. We need to execute the action plan to raise the bar and close the gap for kids.

Terri opened the floor for questions. There were no questions from the group.


Setting Group Norms:
The Group was asked to write down one group norm that they thought was very important.
• Stay focused on the agenda
• Try to understand each other or each buildings perspective
• Act with integrity
• Don’t pull rank
• Treat everyone with respect
• Hard on issues, soft on people
• Keep an open mind
• Be on time
• Ask questions as they arise even if they are dumb or tough
• Share honestly
• Listen to everyone’s point of view
• All ideas are respected
• Argue as if you are right, listen as if you are wrong
• Flexibility
• Treat people right, no side bars
The eight highlighted norms were chosen by the group as their priorities for this committee.

Roles and Responsibilities:
The outcome of this meeting is to develop roles and responsibilities of each person in this room beyond the monthly meetings. Articles were handed out that support this work. How do you see yourself in the leadership role, when you return to your building?

The group participated in an activity with the following charts:
• Catalyst for Change
• Learner
• Classroom Supporter
• Instructional Coach
• Data Coach
• Resource Provider
• School Leader
• Learning Facilitator
• Mentor
• Curriculum Coach
•
Homeplay:
The group was asked to read the article “Why Coaching?” and to use metacognitive markings on the article
! - It may be new – I want to remember and try it
? - I have questions
+ - Aligns with my thinking

Future Issues:
This work will be extended until on May 6. Roles & Responsibilities will be decided on Tuesday, May 6.

Terri asked the group to use index cards to document the following:
• To state the issue and its significance
• Ideal outcome
• Background information
• What you want from the group.

“Characteristics of Effective Coaches” article was handed out for the group to read and they were asked bring this back on May 6.
The next meeting is Tuesday, May 6, 2008 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the ERC.

Adjournment:
With no further business before them, at 4:00 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.

Tell Congress: America's economy needs a $100 billion jump-start

Tell Congress: America's economy needs a $100 billion jump-start

More than half the states will soon be in the red. Unlike the federal government, states must balance their budgets. Due to today's deteriorating economic conditions:

• Hundreds of thousands of teachers and other public employees are facing layoffs - 20,000 educators in California alone.
• States are contemplating cuts in education programs of all kinds - everything from Head Start to K-12 to higher education.
• New Medicaid and SCHIP regulations will leave low-income children and children with disabilities without health care and further strain state budgets.

Tell your representatives the economy needs a jump start.

Contact Congress TODAY!

Tell Congress a second economic stimulus package is needed to preserve education, health care, and other essential state services.

Tell Congress: the so-called "Academic Bill of Rights" is NOT needed

A conference committee is crafting a final reauthorization bill for the Higher Education Act. The Senate bill includes an "Academic Bill of Rights," which NEA strongly opposes. The House bill does not include this provision.

Like the wolf clad in sheep's clothing, the so-called "Academic Bill of Rights" is NOT what it claims to be. Under the guise of protecting students from purported faculty bias, it would encourage ideologically-driven intervention in course content and teaching.

Contact Congress TODAY!

Tell your representatives NOT to support the "Academic Bill of Rights."

Tell Congress: Pass the Education for All Act (H.R. 2092, S. 1259).

In 2000, the United States and 180 other nations resolved to work together to achieve universal basic education by 2015. The Education for All Act would:

• Make universal basic education a focus of U.S. foreign policy.
• Provide $10 billion over five years to help poor nations create and execute plans to educate all of their children.
• Help carry out a key recommendation of the 9-11 Commission.

Urge your representatives to cosponsor the Education for All Act

Contact Congress TODAY!

Tell your representatives to fulfill the U.S. commitment to basic universal education and cosponsor the Education for All Act.

On-Line Education for You

The Flexibility You Need
These days, you simply don’t have the luxury of time to attend traditional classes. Commuting is impractical and summer hiatus always ends too quickly. Thanks to Drexel Online, you can take classes anywhere, anytime and gain the knowledge, skills and credentials needed to take your education, career – and your students – to the next level!

Programs Designed for Educators
You’ve chosen to make a difference in the lives of many - now choose the online university that will help you lead the way. The School of Education at Drexel offers a full selection of online master’s, bachelor’s and certificate programs. Our in-depth curriculum incorporates current research on teaching and includes the latest developments in pedagogy and instructional technology.

Choose the Program That’s Right for You
Here is a list of some of our online education programs designed specifically for the specializations and career paths of professional educators. Rest assured that all of our online programs provide the same rigorous curriculum, world-class faculty and well-respected credentials as our on-campus programs.

BS in Education
MS in Mathematics Learning and Teaching
MS in Learning Technologies
MS in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum
MS in Higher Education
MS in the Science of Instruction
MS in Educational Administration: Collaborative Leadership
MS in Global and International Education
Post-Bachelor’s Teaching Certificate
Principal’s Certificate
Graduate Intern Teaching Certificate
Instructional Technology Specialist Certificate
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Certificate

Apply NOW!
Classes are now forming for the Summer and Fall terms– so act now to join Drexel Online. There’s no application fee when you apply online. We’re here to help you lead the way! Visit us at www.drexel.com, email us at info@drexel.com or call us toll-free at (877) 215-0009.

We’ll be happy to help.

Tell Congress not to cut corners on children's health care!

Tell Congress not to cut corners on children's health care!

More than a million children have been born without health insurance since the start of the 110th Congress - and the number grows daily. New Medicaid and SCHIP regulations threaten essential healthcare for:

• Low-income children and families
  
  
• Children with disabilities

Urge your elected representatives to put a hold on the new regulations and increase federal funding for Medicaid by supporting H.R. 5613, H.R. 5268 and S. 2819.

Contact your representatives in Congress TODAY!

Tell Congress to provide healthcare for more children, not less.

Tell Your Senator: Vote "Yes" on the Fair Pay Restoration Act

This week, the Senate will vote on the Fair Pay Restoration Act (S. 1843), which reaffirms civil rights threatened by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Ledbetter v. Goodyear. This ruling:

• Makes it virtually impossible for women facing pay discrimination to take legal action against their employers.
  
  
• Threatens justice for anyone discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or age.

The House has already passed a bill that remedies the problems caused by the Court's ruling. Now, the ball is in the Senate's court.

Contact Your Senator TODAY!

Tell your Senator to vote for the Fair Pay Restoration Act (S. 1843) and make this bill a law.

Teacher Quality Meeting Minutes 4/17/2008

Lewis Central
Teacher Quality Committee
ERC--Official Meeting Minutes
April 17, 2008

A. The meeting was called to order by Dave Black at 4:37 p.m.

B. Present: Dave Black, Sean Dunphy, Barb Grell, Linda Hahn, Kim Jones, Al Lorenz, Barb Motes, Mark Schweer, Kent Stopak, Chuck Story

Absent: Jeanne Bartholow, Tom McLauglin, Kim Muta, Pat Thomas, Laurie Thies, Marilyn Wandersee

C. Sean Dunphy moved that the minutes from the March 12, 2008 and March 20, 2008 meetings be approved. Chuck Story seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken and the minutes were approved.

D. Model Evidence for non-core areas was presented by Barb Motes. Some of the non-core areas that work was completed or nearing completion on included school counselors, media specialists, nurses, and physical education instructors.

SPED model evidence is being worked on but information was not presented.

Other non-core areas were still being investigated.

Barb was planning on sending e-mails to some of the non-core areas for additional input and reactions to the materials developed.

E. Updates on Core Areas

Kent Stopak shared copies of the format used to assemble the evidence for the core area standards.

Kent supplied copy of the cover sheet to be attached to the evidence for the core area standards. The cover sheet was designed to emphasize how the document was to be used with inclusion of 'fair and consistent' criteria expressed. It was to be noted and clarified that the document is a guide not a check list or prescription of required items. Editing and discussion took place.

F. Other business

Discussion took place as to what other business is in front of this committee for the rest of the year.

The committee needs to reflect on the data of implementation of the process of evaluation--who is on cycle, off cycle, and so forth.

The committee needs to review the staff in-service days reflecting on number of staff who were involved, strengths and weaknesses of the plans for those days, and follow-up activities for the upcoming year.


G. Next Meeting

Wednesday, May 7, 4:30 P.M. at ERC

H. Adjournment

Motion made by Sean Dunphy and seconded by Chuck Story. Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

Lily Eskelsen to Serve as NEA Vice-President

Lily Eskelsen
Secretary-Treasurer, National Education Association

Lily Eskelsen, an elementary teacher from Utah, has served as secretary-treasurer of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association since 2002. Eskelsen will be named NEA Vice-President by acclamation at this year's RA in Washington D.C.

Lily’s constant message is one of pride in the teaching profession, respect for all who work in America’s schools, and the importance of public education as the foundation of everything we hope to accomplish in our country.

Her 20 years of service to children include working as a lunch lady in a school kitchen, a kindergarten aide, and as a teacher at Orchard Elementary School in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. She also taught at the Family Homeless Shelter School and at the K-6 one-room school at the Christmas Box House, which is the county children’s shelter for hard-to-place foster kids.

Lily is a proud “Army Brat.” Her mother is from Panama. Her father is a retired soldier from Mississippi. She was raised in Texas, Georgia, Washington, Colorado, Alaska, and Utah.

Lily and her husband, Ruel, worked their way through the University of Utah on scholarships, student loans, and as starving folk singers. She graduated magna cum laude in elementary education in 1980 and later earned her master’s degree in instructional technology.

After teaching at Orchard Elementary for only nine years, she was named Utah Teacher of the Year in 1989. One year later, she was elected president of the Utah Education Association.

Lily has also served as president of the Utah State Retirement System (only the second woman to ever be elected to the position); as president of the Children at Risk Foundation; as a member of the Utah La Raza Education Committee; and as a member of the White House Strategy Session on Improving Hispanic Education. In 1998, she was the first Hispanic chosen as her party’s nominee for U.S. Congress in Utah.

Lily authored a humor column on parenting that ran in 22 local newspapers. Her interviews have been published in Time Magazine, Working Mother and Woman’s World. Lily has been featured on countless radio and television interviews including Hannity & Colmes and Lou Dobbs Tonight. She’s been the invited keynote speaker for hundreds of education events in virtually every state and was highlighted in Education World in their “Best Conference Speakers” edition.

Lily and Ruel Eskelsen now live in Washington, D.C. They use all their frequent flyer points to visit their children and grandchildren in Utah.

May 2007

Dennis Van Roekel to Take the NEA Helm

Dennis Van Roekel
Vice-President, National Education Association

Dennis Van Roekel, a 25-year teaching veteran and longtime activist and advocate for children and public education, was reelected vice president of the National Education Association in July 2005. An unopposed candidate for NEA President, Van Roekel will be named president by acclamation at this year's RA in Washington D.C.

The high school math teacher from Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, Ariz., has served in numerous key Association offices, including NEA Secretary-Treasurer, Arizona Education Association President, and Paradise Valley Education Association President.

A popular and successful teacher, Van Roekel always works to make sure students are engaged and makes sure he listens to them as well. He brings that same style to his leadership in the organization. He is committed to helping Association members feel good about themselves, the work they do and their efforts to share their vision for quality public education with the community.

His accomplishments include dramatic increases in membership and voluntary political action committee contributions while president of the Arizona Education Association. He chairs the NEA Advisory Committee on Membership and serves on the NEA Strategic Planning and Budget Committee as well as the Board of Directors of NEA Member Benefits.

“To me, teaching and being an Association activist are part of the same thing,” Van Roekel says. “As one of my mentors said early on, ‘I can’t do half a job.’”

“We need to make sure our members understand the connection between what happens in the classroom and what influences decision making,” Van Roekel says. “It means listening to educators and parents talk about what they want and then working through political action, lobbying, bargaining and instructional advocacy to get members and students what they need.”

Van Roekel was born in LeMars, Iowa. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City and a master’s degree in math education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

He and his wife, Julie, have two married adult sons, and are now proud grandparents.

May 2007

Get the inside scoop on the core curriculum

Although a majority of Iowa school districts have already adopted Iowa's model core curriculum, it will soon be mandatory if a bill moving through the Legislature is approved this session. Developed by the Iowa Department of Education with input from a variety of educators, the curriculum is "rigorous and relevant" in order to better prepare students for success not only in post-secondary education but also for success in a changing workforce. The core curriculum also provides specific examples of instructional practices designed to help students become active learners and critical thinkers. To learn more, listen to our latest ISEA In Focus podcast episode featuring an interview with Iowa Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey.

Tell Congress: End the DC voucher experiment!

President Bush is asking Congress to extend the problem-ridden DC voucher experiment, set to expire this September, even though it:

· Has not demonstrated a positive impact on student achievement.

· Diverts $14 million per year from public education and is opposed by three-fourths of DC’s own residents.

· Pays tuition for students to go to private schools with unqualified teachers – some do not have even bachelor’s degrees.

Urge your elected representatives to say “no” to President Bush and put an end to the unproven, poorly managed DC voucher program.

Contact your representatives in Congress TODAY!

Tell Congress the DC voucher experiment deserves to die on schedule this September.

LCEA Executive Board Agenda April 10, 2008

LCEA Executive Board Meeting
Date: 4/10/2008
Place: Kreft: Room 20. (Come in the main doors, take a left, and then a right on Butterfly Blvd. First door on the left side).
Time: 4:15

Roll Call: Sharon Crawley, Kim Muta, Jennifer Doorlag,
Maggie Bennett, Dave Bergman
HS Reps: Tom McLaughlin, Allison Towne, Brian Johnson, Christina Woodward
MS Reps: Margot Argotsinger, Beth Frank, Al Lorenz, Barb Motes
TH Reps: Susan Drustrup, Maggie Miller, Jennifer Hake
Kreft Reps: Kathy Moe, Melinn Ruzicka, Tara York

Approval of Agenda:

Secretary’s Report/ Approval of Minutes:

Treasurer’s Report:

Negotiations: Beth Frank

TQC: Barb Motes

President’s Report: Sharon Crawley

Committee Reports:
High School:
Middle School:
Kreft:
Titan Hill:

Old Business:
Election results/ Destroying of ballots
Committees for: Retirees, Scholarships, etc.

New Business:
ISEA President, Linda Nelson, will be visiting our unit April 22-23-24?

Adjournment

Other education bills still awaiting action

Here's a brief summary of where other education-related issues now stand:

Funding 'roll-in.' SF 2329, a bill to roll funding for four important categorical programs -- teacher salaries, class size reduction, Phase II, and professional development -- into the school aid formula is still awaiting action by the full House. This measure is critical in order to preserve these programs and to provide growth to keep pace with inflation.

Community colleges. HF 2679, the bill which includes funding for community colleges, has cleared the House Appropriations Committee and is now awaiting action on the House floor. It provides $6.5 million for community college general aid and $1 million for community faculty salaries. In addition, the bill mandates that all faculty meet minimum hiring standards and are part of the quality faculty plans. Faculty are also included in several parts of the bill giving them a voice with the Department of Education regarding accreditation, professional development, and other significant issues. While the funding levels are an improvement, there isn’t enough money to raise community college faculty salaries to 25th in the nation. Click here to read all the ISEA community college legislative initiatives for 2008, and click here to listen to episode 22 of the ISEA In Focus podcast series featuring ISEA Higher Education Standing Committee Chair Lee Skeens.

Senior Year Plus. The "Senior Year Plus" program proposed by Gov. Culver has been rolled into the Department of Education appropriations bill, HSB 787. This measure would provide for more oversight and coordination between existing high school programs like concurrent courses (formerly known as dual-enrollment), post-secondary enrollment options, and AP courses. The ISEA supports this bill because it requires the incorporation of best practices in teaching. The bill also sets eligibility requirements for students, teachers/instructors, and the institutions before a course can be offered.

Statewide penny tax. HF 2663, a controversial bill that would eliminate the local option sales tax and replace it with a statewide penny tax earmarked for school infrastructure or property tax relief, was approved yesterday by the House. While the ISEA supports the concept of a penny tax, we strongly oppose HF 2663 as it is currently written because it doesn't give local school districts the spending flexibility they need to meet student needs. Click here to read a statement by ISEA President Linda Nelson.

Core curriculum. The future is uncertain for SF 2216, a bill to require school districts to adopt the now-voluntary core curriculum after the House last week filed amendments to create new core standards and student performance standards. This would force the state to create new assessments at an estimated cost of more than $50 million. The ISEA strongly opposes the amendment. The measure is likely to go to a joint House-Senate conference committee. To learn more about the core curriculum, tune in to episode 23 of the ISEA In Focus podcast series featuring an interview with Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey.

National Board Certification stipends. Despite repeated efforts by the ISEA and the Department of Education, the version of HF 2680 which passed out of the House Education Committee does not reinstate support for newly Board Certified teachers. The Legislature last year required teachers to be registered to take part in the rigorous National Board Certification process by Dec. 31, 2007, in order to be eligible for reimbursement of fees and to receive a stipend of $2,500 a year for ten years. The bill is awaiting action in the House.

Area Education Agency budgets. Funding for the AEAs won't be determined until the end of the session, but it appears that the Legislature will approve the Governor’s recommendation to restore $2.75 million that was previously cut. AEAs will also benefit from SF 2329, the funding "roll-in" bill.

IPERS. SF 2373, has passed out of the Senate State Government Committee and has been referred to Appropriations. It includes language allowing the actuary to set the IPERS contribution rate beginning in July of 2011 after the current statutory increase of 2 percent is fully implemented. In addition, the bill would limit the number of 403b vendors that a school district can use.

ESP salaries. ISEA lobbyists are continuing to work to get language included in the education appropriations bill making it a state goal to provide a competitive living wage to all public employees. Please contact your representatives in the House and urge them to include this language in the Education Appropriations Bill, HF 2679. To learn more about living wage campaigns, listen to episode 21 of the ISEA In Focus podcast series. http://www.iseapodcast.org

Bargaining bill in limbo as adjournment nears

Gov. Chet Culver has been meeting with legislative leaders as well as with the ISEA and other stakeholder groups in an attempt to reach a compromise over a bill to expand the scope of bargaining for public employees. But the bill, HF 2645, faces an uncertain future as the countdown to adjournment begins. Lawmakers' expense money runs out on April 22, which is the expected adjournment day. Some observers, however, are predicting that the gavel will fall before that.

Culver has said he is considering vetoing the measure which, if signed, would mark the first significant change in the collective bargaining law since it was passed in 1974. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has filed a "motion to reconsider" on the bill. That, in effect, puts it on hold for now.

The bill levels the playing field for educators and other public employees at the bargaining table by allowing them to negotiate over such issues as class size, preparation time, in-service, and a whole host of other topics that under the current law (Chapter 20 of the Iowa Code) are deemed "permissive." It also streamlines the teacher termination process by eliminating the board hearing and making the adjudicator's decision binding on both parties.

ISEA members should contact the Governor immediately and urge him to put educators on an equal footing with management and give them a stronger voice in discussing professional issues that impact student achievement. Call 515-281-5211 or click here to send him an e-mail message. Please also take a moment to thank the Democrats in the House and Senate for their support on this important issue. Click here for contact information.

LCEA Executive Board Meeting Minutes April 10, 2008

LCEA Meeting Minutes Date: 4/10/2008 Place: Kreft Room 20 Time: 4:15

Roll Call: Sharon Crawley, Kim Muta, Jennifer Doorlag, Maggie Bennett (absent), Dave Bergman
HS Reps: Tom McLaughlin (absent), Allison Towne, Brian Johnson (absent), Christina Woodward (absent)
MS Reps: Margot Argotsinger, Beth Frank, Al Lorenz, Barb Motes
TH Reps: Susan Drustrup, Maggie Miller (absent), Jennifer Hake (absent), Joanna Stenlund (absent)
Kreft Reps: Kathy Moe, Melinn Ruzicka, Tara York (absent—LoriAnn Brogham subbing in for her)

Approval of Agenda: Sharon Crawley
• Dave Bergman moved that the agenda be approved, Allison Towne seconded it, and the motion passed.

Secretary’s Report/ Approval of Minutes: Kim Muta
• Dave Bergman moved that the minutes be approved, Allison Towne seconded it, and the motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Jennifer Doorlag
• There is no print out right now. Jennifer Doorlag said that we are taking in less money than we have budgeted for. We should be more careful about setting next year’s budget. We haven’t looked carefully at the budget for a couple of years.
• Barb Motes moves that Jennifer Doorlag be given permission to get into savings to adjust for this year, Allison Towne seconded the motion, and it passed.

Negotiations: Beth Frank
• Beth Frank reported the last positions taken. Grandchildren have been added into the language for family leave. The TQC money will be distributed thusly: $2500 to each person and then their percentage from the remaining money.
• The Board’s last position on salary was to add $900 to the base. LCEA’s last position was to add $1000. Beth Frank needs to know what the LCEA Board wants her to do. The consensus seems to be to suggest splitting the difference ($950) and avoid arbitration.
• Arbitration is set for May 9 or 12.

TQC: Barb Motes
• Barb Motes said that we are still discussing the model evidence for portfolios. She will suggest at the next meeting that model evidence documents for the “specials” be distributed at a staff development so the people in the “specials” could give some feedback.

President’s Report: Sharon Crawley
• ISEA President, Linda Nelson, will be visiting our unit April 22-23-24. Titan Hill wants to have her come in during the morning on Apr. 23. They would like to do a breakfast for her.

Committee Reports:
• High School: Nothing to report.
• Middle School: They would like to be a part of the hiring of new staff. They will raise the issue with their building principals first. Another issue is about contract and rights. We should revisit our contract to make sure that due process looks very clear to avoid future problems.
• Kreft: They have been told to be packed by May 30, but the staff work day is June 2, and they will have to be doing grades at the same time. Kim Muta said that it’s time for Mark Schweer to be brought into the conversation because this has happened every year since construction started in the district. They have also had some break-ins lately—Monday night.
• Titan Hill: The above issue might be true of Titan Hill.

Old Business:
• Committees for: Retirees, Scholarships, etc. Curt Mace has been contacted. Sharon Crawley will bring the completed applications to the committee members. Phyllis Hamling and Jan Pellant are the two retirees. Kari Lewis will be approached about doing the sketches for them.

New Business:
• Budget—This will need to be approved during the May meeting for the incoming Executive Board.
• Teacher of the Year—Each building should nominate its own person (or persons), and the building reps should take care of balloting and voting.

Adjournment:
• Allison Towne moved that the meeting be adjourned, Melinn Ruzicka seconded the motion, and it passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:10.

CLICK HERE for a WORD version of LCEA Meeting Minutes 04.10.08

Pending bill would make salary funding permanent

A bill to roll funding for four important categorical programs -- teacher salaries, class size reduction, Phase II, and professional development -- into the school aid formula has passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House. Now known as SF 2329, the bill is critical in order to preserve these programs and to provide growth to keep pace with inflation. The teacher salary appropriation, for example, has only been set through the 2008-09 school year. Unless SF 2329 is approved, funding to maintain the salary increases will have to be approved each year. But as Iowa educators have learned the hard way, annual appropriations can be easy targets for the budget axe during economic downturns. Stay in the loop by reading our online legislative updates; or better yet, subscribe to the ISEA Hotline e-newsletter and get up-to-date news and information delivered right to your e-mail inbox.

Make your views known

Nearly 500 Association leaders and guests are expected to converge on the Hilton Coliseum in Ames April 3-4 to set policy and chart the Association’s course for the coming year. Among the highlights of the 2008 ISEA Delegate Assembly will be guest speakers, award presentations, action on resolutions and new business items, and the adoption of the ISEA budget. In addition, the delegates will elect a new ISEA president and vice president to lead the Association for the next two years. The March issue of the ISEA Communique includes an overview of the action items as well as biographical sketches of the candidates. Please take a look and let your local delegate know where you stand.

Teacher Quality Minutes March 20, 2008

Lewis Central
Teacher Quality Committee
ERC--Official Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2008

• The meeting was called to order by Dave Black at 4:50 p.m.

• Present: Kim Muta, Jeanne Bartholow, Linda Hahn, Al Lorenz, Dave Black, Barb Grell, Kent Stopak, and Mark Schweer.

• Absent: Tom McLaughlin, Barb Motes, Marilyn Wandersee, Pat Thomas, Laurie Thies, Chuck Story, Kim Jones, and Sean Dunphy.

• Kim Muta moved that the minutes from the March 12, 2008 meeting be approved. Kent Stopak seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken and the minutes were approved.

• Discussion revolved around the “model evidence” that a teacher might use to demonstrate support of the standards and criteria. The “model evidence” was gleaned from ISEA documents, the evaluation documents from Cedar Rapids, and from what was already being used in buildings throughout the district. A suggestion was made that an accompanying cover sheet would be helpful. This will appear as an agenda item for the April 17 meeting.

• The next meeting is scheduled for April 17 at 4:30 p.m. In addition to the item mentioned previously, the 3rd group (special teachers, i.e., counselors, nurses, etc) will present.

• Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.