ROEA REPORTER

June 12, 2001

Lack of Work for ROEA President

There are many important jobs that I did not do this year. Here is a list of them: 

I didn’t gather the issues and concerns expressed by our Association Reps and convert them into meaningful dialogue for the Joint Committee (and persist at the Joint Committee until each concern was addressed); Linda Flynn, Executive Vice President did. I did not arrange our Teacher Appreciation Day luncheon nor did I do the work involved in arranging this year’s immensely enjoyable retirement dinner; Program Vice President, Bertha Arribas did those jobs. I didn’t organize our annual PAC drive; Barbara Pollis, our PAC Chair, did that one. I did not accurately record the minutes of all of our meetings and have them ready for review at the next meeting; Secretary Marcia Rauschendorfer did that job. I did not keep track of our expenses and insure that the budget was sound, because Monty Weathers, our Treasurer did. Our High School, Middle School and Elementary Directors, Cheryl Goodgine, Maureen Altermatt, and Dave Copp represented their respective constituencies on the Executive Board and in their work on the Curriculum Subcommittees. I didn’t. (Cheryl edited THE REPORTER, too). MEA delegate Dave Pontzious represented your concerns on the Executive board. Delegates Jacquline Williams and Marty Sauer represented us in Lansing at the MEA convention. And this summer, Stuart Asch and Jacqueline Williams (and I, in this case) will represent you at the NEA’s national convention. 

I didn’t take care of enrolling all members; Sue Sandtveit did. I didn’t operate our cool website; Cadine Nicholson did that. I didn’t represent us at PTA meetings, Ann Davies did. And I didn’t organize and conduct this year’s elections because Bill Spurgeon, Steve Lawson, and Cherylynn Ross do that.  

How many others help to do the job of protecting teacher’s rights? How about our Association Representatives and our Building Faculty Committee members. More jobs that I didn’t do this year.  

The success of our Union (and my success as President) is wholly dependent on the efforts of all of the members I have mentioned. Thank you everyone.  

Administration Attacks ROEA

The year is ending on a contentious note. The administration has intentionally violated the contract by reducing release time for the ROEA President. The established practice has been for the President to have half-time release to conduct Association business. My predecessor, Dave Mariotti, taught 3 classes at Dondero in the morning; in the afternoon he was released for Association business. Similarly, former President Gary Houck taught the morning session at OTC and had the afternoon for Association business.

The actual reason for the Administration’s actions is that they don’t approve of the content or the editorial viewpoint expressed in THE REPORTER. Their stated reason has to do with contract language (page 4) and administration’s arcane logic as to what constitutes an elementary “period”. And though Administration is quick to utilize an established past practice to meet its own ends, they do not view a past practice as meaningful when it favors us.

A reduction in the President’s release time is a reduction in ROEA services. As such, it is an attack on your right to Association representation, protection, and services. Your rights, however, are not the Administration’s main concern in their zeal to suppress the expression of teachers’ views via the Union.  

Our plan is to continue with the grievance, and go to arbitration if necessary, to reestablish President’s release time at the past practice level of 50%.  

ROEA Supports Board Members

All three of our MEA units - Royal Oak Educational Support Association, Royal Oak Educational Support Personnel Association, Royal Oak Education Association - joined together to interview Board candidates Chris Hartwig and Kevin McLogan. We were impressed with the credentials and commitment of both Kevin and Chris and unanimously voted to support them. As a result, MEA contributed PAC funds to each candidates’ campaign. Additionally, 961 letters of support were mailed to MEA members residing in Royal Oak. The mailing was supported by PAC funds, also. 

Our ability to offer substantial support to Board Candidates whom we endorse is a great reason to support PAC as the funds directly benefit us. 

Job Postings

Although it has not been evident in terms of the weather, summer will be here soon. The administration posts positions during the summer. If you would like postings sent directly to you, send a letter to Hal Light requesting all summer postings so you can apply for any job for which you are qualified. Getting the job is a whole different matter, but we will be willing to fight for your job rights based on seniority.

Elections

Thank you for your participation in this year’s ROEA election. Although the candidates ran unopposed for Executive Board positions approximately 185 members voted. Barbara Pollis has been reelected to the position of Political Action Committee Chairperson. Cheryl Goodgine, formerly our High School Director, has been elected as an MEA delegate. And Vince Caruso, whose name did not appear on the ballot, received strong write-in support and is our new High School Director. Congratulations to our new Executive Board officers and congratulations to our members who can expect a high quality of leadership from Barbara, Cheryl, and Vince.

More Election Related Information

Bill Spurgeon is resigning his position of Elections Committee Chairperson. Bill has chaired the committee for many years. Steve Lawson will be taking over as Chairperson. Steve has served as a committee member for several years. Although Bill is resigning as Chairperson he plans to continue to serve the ROEA as an Elections Committee member. Thank you, Bill, for years of dedicated work.