focus

focus on educators is an award winning publication of the Pittsburg Education Association/CTA/NEA www.peateachers.org

California Teachers Association

Statement of Mission

The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of

teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity

and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Volume XXIV, Number 1

Dear PEA Members,

Welcome back to a new school year

full of extraordinary possibilities! I

hope you are all well rested and

excited about what will happen here

in very sunny and HOT Pittsburg,

California. As you know, our former

president, Dawn Cova, has moved

into a staff position with CTA. With

the vacancy of the presidency I had

the opportunity to step into the role

for the full term of office as your

president for the next two years. Im feeling energized by the many

messages of encouragement and

congratulations Ive received from members. Thank you all for your

support and confidence as we begin

this new journey together.

Not to take us back to summer, but I

need to describe something awesome

I want all of us to think about doing in

the future. I was a NEA RA State

Delegate this summer in Orlando,

Florida. My second assembly was

better than my first one because I did

have some concept of what to expect.

The first choice I made was to be a

Green Delegate. That meant not

picking up all the papers one needs to

accomplish the job of learning of the

proposed amendments to the

constitution, bylaws, and standing

rules that would be discussed and

voted on. Instead I used my phone to

access the information. The

Assembly still held that sense of awe

for me as I recognized that policies

for public education would be

discussed and decided on that week.

There of course was down time for

one day and I ventured out to

Universal Studios solo. I walked the

two parks only to see one thing,

everything Harry Potter!!! I geeked

out and smiled broadly in Diagon

Alley and Hogsmeade. I rode the

Hogwarts Express, drank butterbeer

(non-alcoholic), toured Hogwarts

School, and watched a dragon breathe

fire on top of Gringotts Bank. I

couldnt stop taking pictures!

The rest of the week was full. I was

able to meet new people, listen and

learn what NEA and its members

proposed for us as educators, vote as

a state delegate, and cheer on many

speakers that inspired me with the

vision of our future and our students futures. It was amazing and all I

wanted was to see more of us from

Pittsburg there together. So, next

year lets make it a party!

Back to the new school year of 2015-

2016, we have a lot to look forward

to. I want us all to have that broad

smile on our face. I hope you feel

geeky and giddy with anticipation for

all you want to accomplish with our

students. As PUSD educators youve shown your dedication to your

profession and your willingness to dig

deeper in advocating and gaining

success in your students learning. I know you will make this year count!

Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Tammy Carr

PEA President

On educators

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PEA Leadership 2015-2016

President

Tammy Carr

Highlands Elementary/PEA Office

Elementary Vice President

Vacant

Secondary Vice President

Bertha Ramos

Rancho Medanos

Secretary

Michell Redfoot

Willow Cove Elementary

Treasurer

Vicky Krywokulsky

Stoneman Elementary

Committee Chairs:

Grievance Committee

John Kleinjans Pittsburg High

Chris Coan Willow Cove Elementary

Negotiations Team

Mark Maselli - Chair

Political Action Committee Chairs

Chris Coan

Jim Vaughan

Elections Chair

Ruth Foster

Human Rights & Womens Issues Chairs

Yvonne Burton

Najah Perkins

O-Team Chairs

Arthur Pruyn

Marissa Young-Padilla

CTA State Council Representatives

Mark Maselli PEA

Arthur Pruyn (Alt.) - PEA

Membership Chairs

Lisa Gunderson

Yvonne Burton

Technical Editor

Susan Harrison PEA Office Administrator

Focus on Educators

is a publication of the

Pittsburg Education Association CTA/NEA

159 East 4th Street

Pittsburg, CA 94565

Phone: (925) 432-0199

email: info@peateachers.org

website: www.peateachers.org

Rep. Council Meeting Calendar (Tuesdays)

September 15

October 20

November 17

December 15

January 19

February 16

March 15

April 19

May 17

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School Board Meeting Calendar

September 9 & 23

October 14 & 28

November 18

December 9

January TBD

February TBD

March TBD

April TBD

May TBD

June - TBD

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Are You Getting Your PEA Information?

Having our Site Reps collect your input, attend the monthly Rep

meeting and then report back to you is vital in the

communication chain of our Association.

Roll call at last June 1st Rep Council Meeting:

Adult Ed. absent Stoneman present

Foothill present Willow Cove present

Heights absent MLK Jr. absent

Highlands present Hillview - present

Los Medanos present Rancho Medanos present

Marina Vista present PHS - present

Parkside present Black Diamond present

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Site Reps Wanted!

Attend 1 meeting per month at the PEA office

$20 stipend per meeting

Hold 1 10-minute meeting at your site per month

Raffle & prizes for attendance and for holding your 10-minute meeting

Stay informed & be the first to know whats happening!

Be selected for joint PEA/PUSD committees and interview panels

Hear what the hot topics are at all the school sites

Become a strong advocate for Pittsburg public schools, teachers, and students

Site rep training provided!

Site Reps Job Description

1. Attend the monthly Representative Council meeting at the PEA office.

2. Represent the views and input of the membership at your school site.

3. Collect the FOCUS and any other materials from the Rep Council meeting and distribute to the members at your school site.

4. Hold a monthly 10-minute meeting at your site after the Rep Council meeting; gather any site concerns or questions to forward to the Executive Board.

5. Collect the email addresses of the members of your school site. Forward messages from the Executive Board to members. Distribute email messages from PEA to your members.

6. Conduct elections at your site: distribute ballots, encourage members to vote, collect and return ballots to PEA by the required dates.

7. Survey site members or collect site data as requested by the PEA Executive Board.

8. Be familiar with the PEA/PUSD collective bargaining agreement (contract). Assist members in answering questions about the contract.

9. Attend meetings with members as their Association Representative, when requested.

10. Know your duty of fair representation.

11. Support teachers at your site in any way you can.

12. Ask for assistance from the Executive Board when you are unable to answer members questions.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Welcome

New Teacher Orientation August 14, 2015

New Teacher Orientation was held on August 14 at the Elks Lodge, Pittsburg. PEA was able to host the lunch portion of the orientation with food from Las Panchitas. It was wonderful to see the 81 new members joining our district (PUSD), as well as, our Association! The new teachers were able to ask questions and learn more about PEA.

Member Benefits Corner

Did you know that your CTA and NEA associations provide you with a wide array of member benefits? I didnt until I attended a CTA Member Benefits Workshop last month. I was amazed at the vast amount of services available for all of us, like the CTA Well Baby Program, a CTA Cash Rewards credit card, or an NEA program guaranteeing savings on new car purchases.

If youre a Facebook friend of mine, you know my 2003 Volkswagen Bug is running on its last leg. Ive taken it to several local mechanics and my dealership only to hear, I can try to fix it for $800, but it probably wont pass smog. In California if I cant smog it, I have to junk it. I needed a new car so I went shopping through my NEA Auto Buying Program. Online, I was able to search for the type of car I wanted and get instant quotes from several local dealers. For each competitive quote, I was issued a certificate stating that my quote was good for 30 days.

So sometime soon, Ill be sporting a 2015 Kia Soul! If youre interested in buying a car, check out: http://www.neamb.com/shopping-discounts/nea-auto-buying-program.htm

The NEA Auto Buying Program offers members Guaranteed Savings through local dealers. Search for any new vehicle and view a wide range of used vehicle listings. There is never any cost to use the service or obligation to buy plus all dealers are prescreened to provide you with the best car buying experience.

See Guaranteed Savings on NEW CARS

Members have seen an average savings of $3,221 off MSRP*

Get a price and your Guaranteed Savings** before going to a dealership

Work with pre-screened dealers for customer savings and a great experience

NEA Member Discounts on USED CARS

Save up to $1,000 off used vehicles Used car pricing tool lets you know youre getting a great

deal Free CARFAX reports and/or warranties on select

vehicles

Respectfully submitted, Yvonne Burton, Foothill Elementary

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This Month in Politics

By, Chris Coan & Jim Vaughan

Political Action Chairs

This article is designed to inform our members of the recent political activity effecting students in the classroom and our professions. For more information, consult your CTA and NEA websites.

Recently, Governor Brown signed into law legislation that suspends the requirement for high school students to pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to receive a diploma for students who completed their credits to graduate last school year! There is legislation being proposed to suspend the requirement for students to pass the tests (English and Math) in order to receive their diploma this year as well.

CTA is a co-sponsor of a law (AB 709) that will require Charter Schools to comply with public law governing the operation of publicly funded schools. Currently, Charter Schools are not being required to conduct their business with public access to important information and records. This allows them to act as though they are a private entity while they are receiving public funds to operate the school. The bill specifies that Charter Schools have to comply with the Brown Act, the Political Reform Act and Government Code 1090.

Election Year 2016 is upon us! We need volunteers from each site to help get the word out to voters. Volunteers will have the opportunity to express our views on candidates and issues impacting the education our students receive and the conditions under which we work. Please notify your Site Representative if you are willing to help make a change in our political environment that better serves the needs of students in public education.

And locally

Did you know that the School Board makes decisions that affect your teaching and working conditions? We have decided to begin our School Board 2016 campaign by putting together a timeline of action for the next year. With two School Board seats opening up in November of 2016, PEA is committed to filling those two seats with School Board Members who listen and understand the challenges we face each and every day as educators. We will need the support of local Pittsburg teachers and residents of Pittsburg to ensure viable candidates that are effective for our school board. Please stay tuned and be willing to help!

NEWS

2015 Summer Institute Conference

Los Angeles, California The sessions I attended at the 2015 Summer Institute Conference were so informative and current. The presenters were excellent and professional. The scheduling of the sessions offered was well timed and arranged. Staying in the dorms made attendance easy. The evening activities were so much fun. Meeting new fellow educators and working together made the summer one of the most memorable of my Professional Developments, thus far. I look forward to attending next summer and highly recommend the experience to all PEA members for professional and personal growth!

Respectfully submitted, Najah Perkins, Foothill Elementary

Najah Perkins and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsome

Yvonne Burton and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsome

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Know Your Contract

Now that school has begun we still have a shortage of

substitutes and so this is how it may affect you:

If you are asked to give up your prep to cover a

class you need to be compensated at the full class

coverage hourly rate. Please notify your office

secretary and check your pay stub. Article 6.4.1

If you are a prep teacher and are usually the person

who gives up their teaching day to cover a class

without a sub, then that is a problem. Article 6.4.3

states that members shall be requested to

substitute on a fair and equitable basis.

If one person is being asked to cover class without

a sub, then that is a problem of equity. Here is what

your site rep needs to discuss with your principal as

per the contract: Each site administrator shall

compile a list of bargaining unit members who wish

to volunteer for class coverage. The volunteer list

shall be posted at a central location chosen by the

site administrator. A second roster shall be

compiled listing the remaining bargaining unit

members at that site. If no volunteers are available

for substituting, substitutes are to be selected from

the second list. The second list shall be made

available to any bargaining unit member to review

upon request. Bargaining unit members shall be

requested to substitute on a fair and equitable

basis.

Remember that our contract is the AGREEMENT

between PEA and PUSD.

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Coan & Jim Vaughan

Political Action Chairs

Why You Need a 403(b) or 457 Plan

Could you live on just over half of your teaching salary? What would retirement be like on less than two-thirds of your income?

It sounds scary, but in fact, its reality for educators who are counting on CalSTRS or CalPERS as their sole retirement plan. Consider these facts:

60%-65% = Percentage of salary the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) pension replaces, on average, for current and retired members.*

$0 = Amount CalSTRS participants can expect in the form of federal Social Security benefits. (Please note that educators participating in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) do pay Social Security taxes and are eligible to receive benefits. In addition, CalSTRS participants may be eligible for Social Security benefits from a spouse's earnings or earnings from other jobs, but those benefits may be reduced by the Windfall Elimination Provision (or Government Pension Offset.)

90%- 100% = Percentage of salary financial experts recommend replacing in retirement to maintain same standard of living as your working years.

30%-40% = Percentage of CTA members who take advantage of a 403(b) retirement savings plan to supplement their pension plan.

The bottom line: The majority of educators are facing a retirement savings shortfall. Thats why you need a 403(b) or 457 plan to make up the difference. Lets take a closer look at these sources of retirement income:

CalSTRS and CalPERS state pension funds. Your pension, or defined benefit plan, is an important part of your retirement savings. These retirement systems continue to provide a key benefit to educators. Your benefit is based on your age at retirement, years of service and final compensation level. You can run the numbers and estimate your benefit level by using the calculators on your pensions Web site (www.calstrs.com or www.calpers.ca.gov ).

Social Security. Educators with a CalSTRS pension do not pay Social Security taxes. They contribute a greater percentage of pay into the pension fund instead, and therefore are generally not eligible for Social Security benefits. (They may qualify for benefits earned through another job, although those benefits may be reduced due to

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the Windfall Elimination Provision. For more information, visit www.ssa.gov/pubs/10045.html.)

Educators and school employees with a CalPERS pension pay 6.2% of salary for Social Security and generally qualify for Social Security benefits. Educators are often confused or mistaken about what they will collect from Social Security in retirement. If you are eligible for Social Security benefits, you should receive an annual statement in the mail with an estimate of your projected benefit from the Social Security Administration.

403(b) and 457 plans. The 403(b) is a tax-deferred retirement plan available for eligible employees of public schools and other tax-exempt organizations. A 457 plan is available for eligible employees of public schools and government workers. They are called defined contribution plans, because the participant makes contributions and investment decisions. It is different than your pension or defined benefit plan through CalSTRS or CalPERS, where you and your employer make contributions and CalSTRS or CalPERS make all of the investment decisions. Ultimately, you are in control of your 403(b) or 457 plan.

Prepare for a Financially Secure Retirement

The 403(b) or 457 plan is designed with features to help you make the most of your retirement savings. In 2014, you can contribute up to $18,000, or an additional $6,000 (total of $24,000) if you are age 50 or better. If youre a long-term employee who has not consistently contributed to your plan, you may also be eligible to make lifetime catch-up contributions.

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Open Enrollment Period for Catastrophic Leave Bank:

September 16, 2015 through October 6, 2015 PEA, in conjunction with PUSD is excited to offer an opportunity to join the Catastrophic Leave Bank. The Bank is comprised of sick days that have been donated by those members who join during the Open Enrollment Period. Members will have an opportunity to apply for additional sick leave when experiencing a loss of work due to serious illness or long-term disability. There is a career maximum of thirty days available to members upon approval of the Catastrophic Leave Bank Committee. Since the implementation of the Catastrophic Leave Bank in 2001, we have been able to assist many members in their time of need.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Catastrophic Leave Bank, please complete the form that was distributed, by October 6, 2015 and return it to the PEA Office. If you have any questions, please call the PEA Office at 925-432-0199. We look forward to your support.

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MOU Between the

Pittsburg Education Association

And

Pittsburg Unified School District

Resource Specialists What happens if your caseload exceeds 28?

When a Resource Specialists caseload goes above 28 students, he/she shall have the choice of serving those students and shall be compensated as follows for each student over twenty-eight (28):

1. One (1) student over = $ 225/month 2. Two (2) students over = $ 500/month 3. Three (3) students over = $ 800/month 4. Four (4) students over = $ 1,125/month

Compensation shall be paid for each month in which the Resource Specialist is over twenty-eight (28) students.

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Calendar

SEPTEMBER 2015 1 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM

7 Labor Day 9 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM 13 Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown 15 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 18-20 Region 1 Leadership Conference San Jose, CA 22 Yom Kippur begins at sundown 23 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM 23 Autumn begins

OCTOBER 2015

6 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 6 Catastrophic Leave Bank Enrollment Closes 12 Columbus Day Mandatory Staff Development Day No school 14 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM 20 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 3:45 PM 20 Elementary V.P. Candidacy Forms Due 28 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 7:00 PM 31 Halloween

Next Deadline for Articles is Tuesday, October 13, 2015

STAY INFORMED @ peateachers.org cta.org & nea.org