ELEA EXECUTIVE BOARD MINUTES
December 18, 2024
Attendance: Hilary Coughlin, Rebecca Tidlund, Erica Nissenbaum, Suzanne Thomas, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Patrick Morrissey, TJ Howell, Kris Nordin, Abby Steiner, Kris Rueger, Mark Bail, Timothy Mullett
Guests: Leigh Plahna. Stacia Diaz. Danielle Larkin. Alex Lennon
- Treasurer Report. We have $20,000+ in checking and $29,000 in savings.
Motion: Rebecca Tidlund. Second: TJ Howell. Vote: Unanimous
- November Minutes Approved
Motion: Kris Rueger Second: Kris Nordin Vote: Unanimous (TJ Abstained)
- PD Encumbrance for Class and Shortened Time to Complete Classes.
Email from Pam Blair to ~10 people. DESE is mandating PD encumbrances must be closed out by December 31. A couple of people are having a hard time completing the PD in time. They thought they had a full-year to complete the work. The change in DESE policy has made reimbursement difficult. The District will need everything completed by November.
- New Employees know that their January check will include a sick bank donation that is counted as December 25th.
- Lower Pioneer Valley Bargaining Collective. Jason Mathes has convened this to coordinate between locals and share information. Locals were comparing contracts and East Longmeadow’s paraprofessional contract was the second best. The ELEA contract was used as a model. Health and Safety is now being negotiated into contracts. Workers Compensation only pays 60% of their pay. Negotiations are pushing to have Districts cover the remaining 40%. Other Districts are complaining about and negotiating about excessive curriculum implementation.
- Retirement Plus Legislation. Passed the legislature. MTA is requesting people call their state senators about supporting the legislation for people who didn’t buy into Retirement Plus. WEP is up in the senate for social security.
- Grinspoon Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards and ELPS Educator Hall of Fame. There’s information coming out. The Collaborative Committee met. Hilary Coughlin advocated to include paraprofessionals in the Educator Hall of Fame. They would also be recognized at the Recognition ceremony at the end of the year. There are several teachers who have been retired from teaching for five years. And they will be recognized.
- Seniority Lists: Unit A and E. These are out. Seniority is not the same as years for MTRS.
- Western Region Safety Caucus. Tentatively scheduled for 1/13/25 @ 4:30. Abby reported that a Meadow Brook paraprofessional was injured by a student. We are looking to gather facts about incidents that have happened and discuss with Administration.
- Other:
Mapleshade: Concerns were expressed that grades are being departmentalized next year. Apparently, Mountainview is not. Some teachers will team up and share students. One teacher will remain self-contained. Some teachers are being asked what set up they would prefer. She just wants the ELEA to be informed.
Common Planning Time: Mapleshade has more planning time, but they are required to meet with the math coach three times a month and once with Heather Brown. They’ve been told CPT will change to Professional Learning Communities with protocols, etc. Her department head told her to give two days for Terms 2 and 3 to spend four entire days planning. Why are they planning if they expect a change in the format for next year? Questions were raised regarding if the principal and curriculum director are on the same page.
One guest stressed that she wasn’t making a formal complaint. She’s just trying to understand and get context on what’s happening.
Another said the principal at Mapleshade is meeting with people separately, and some people feel left out. There seems to be a lot of buck passing to the District.
Kris Nordin asks what the Mapleshade teachers are specifically concerned about, so she can address their concerns.
Mountain View: Hilary mentioned that there are no nurse substitutes available. Kris and Abby will look into it.
Motion to Adjourn: Timothy Mullett
Seconded: Kris Rueger