I Want to Know…
(FAQs – MDEA Organizing Fall, 2008)
How can I contact School Board Members?
April Treece opuscomm@pacbell.net phone (925) 672-3759
Linda Mayo mayolk@aol.com phone (925) 935-6938
Dick Allen dickallen_dallen@yahoo.com phone (925) 686-1179
Paul Strange paul@mdusd.net phone (925) 969-9495
Gary Eberhart gary@mdusd.net phone: 925-304-1546
NOTE: These email address are also available on the district website under Board of Education. http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mdusd/boe.php
What can we do to ensure the election of Sherry Whitmarsh and the reelection of Gary Eberhart?
Participate in phone banking and precinct walking. We will be phone banking every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night from Sept 22 until Election Day (November 4) from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Food, prizes, and great fun! Phone banking is at the MDEA office at
Which School Board Members are supportive of teachers?
Gary Eberhart and Paul Strange have called for the resignation of the Superintendent and repeatedly talked about the importance of solving the turnover problem by ensuring MDUSD teachers receive competitive compensation.
Which School Board Members are up for reelection?
April Treece and Gary Eberhart are up for reelection. MDEA has strongly endorsed Gary Eberhart, and is actively supporting Sherry Whitmarsh to replace incumbent April Treece.
Will we do leafleting at Back to School Nights?
Our top priority is the School Board Election – ensuring the election of Sherry Whitmarsh and the reelection of Gary Eberhart. Since phone banking conflicts with Back to School Nights, we suggest that members participate in phone banking rather than spend the time leafleting a partner school. We also encourage interested parents to participate in Phone Banking. If a school wants to find partners to leaflet at Back to School Nights, please contact your Delegate. Posting car signs in teachers’ cars during Back to School Night is very important – get signs from the MDEA office or make your own. Any group that wants to display the four large truck signs should make arrangements through MDEA.
What is Mediation?
During Mediation, both sides meet individually with a state appointed mediator, who attempts to find a resolution. When the mediator determines that no further progress is being made, he or she refers the partiess to the Fact Finding process.
What is Fact Finding?
During Fact Finding, the state appoints a Neutral. The District and MDEA each appoint a representative to the three person panel. Each side presents rationales in support of their position for settlement. The Neutral ultimately issues a report, which is non-binding on the parties and contains recommendations for the settlement. If the factfinding report does not form the basis for settlement between the parties, the
Can the district really afford to return to district-paid benefits?
Can they afford not to? The district budget allocates the $294 M revenue according to the priorities set by the Board. The district needs to reprioritize budget resources to ensure the District is able to attract and retain qualified teachers. While we acknowledge that such a large change is best done in phases, it is critical that the district make a commitment, develop a plan, and begin the process.
Is waiting for a Parcel Tax a good idea?
Some School Board Members are in favor of a Parcel Tax, which would provide additional revenue if approved. Many parents have indicated that they will not support a Parcel Tax until after the current Superintendent resigns in order to ensure that new monies are managed well. MDEA feels strongly that a Parcel Tax should not be relied upon to pay the costs of salaries and benefits.
I am a probationary employee. Can my principal threaten to fire me if she sees me participating in MDEA activities?
All
How can we avoid a strike?
Call Board Members now to explain the problem and let them know you are holding them accountable; talk with everyone you know about the situation; and participate in future actions.
What can I do to help?
Contact School Board Members, explain the situation to the parents of your students, attend PTA meetings to provide information, talk about the problem in the check-out line and with neighbors, write Letters to the Editor, hang signs in your cars, wear your “Teachers Are the Program” button
What difference will it make if I participate?
Each member’s actions make a difference. A union’s strength comes from the collected efforts of many members working together for a common goal. There are lots of different ways to participate: pick one and join in!
2 comments:
My insurance bill just went up. When will we know how much of a raise we will be getting?
Great question and I'd like to know the same. I know that there was a mediation session on Thursday, but I don't know what the outcome was.
After the election, no matter what the outcome, I hope that our district gets more focused and we can FINALLY settle this contract.
I also know that our district is going through another round of budget cuts. There's a board meeting on Tuesday night, October 28th. I encourage you to go to the meeting and ask the board the same question during the public comment section.
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