Important Union Update

Dear Colleagues:


First, more than 40 of you signed up to join the Contract Action Team and more than 50 of you signed up to be a silent rep for 3/25.  

We will have our first Action Team Meeting on Thursday, 3/21 at 3:30 PM (location TBD). If you can’t make the first meeting, no worries. However we want to get the ball rolling ahead of our first “expanded” bargaining session on 3/25 at GMHS.

We will send out an RSVP email later this week with a specific location. 

Secondly, we are aware that some members have received audit letters from HR Director, Michael Cassidy regarding sick time discrepancies due to potential clerical issues.  Please see the attached letter we sent to Dr. Ferrick.  If any member receives an audit letter regarding sick time discrepancies, please do not reply back to them until we have received the requested information that can be found in the attachment.

Third, the School Committee vote on the proposed school budget is this Thursday 3/14 at Georgetown Town Hall.  We are asking members to continue to write to the School Committee with your thoughts and concerns about the proposed budget and its negative impact.  Your emails are impactful and important.  

Finally, our crack mathematician staff is working on a response to the latest stat stated in the latest Superintendent blog.  It states:

Regarding math, "At this time, our data shows that 2/3 of our students are not testing at the proficient or higher levels."

This immediate response (See below) was sent to us from a member regarding the attached chart of data from DESE that contradicts this claim.  Currently, we are unaware of what data the superintendent used to make that claim but it would appear that DESE'S data does not support it.

" The first two columns are the district and state percentages for meeting or exceeding expectations. In math, grades 4, 5,7, and 10 were all above the state for meeting, or exceeding expectations. Grade 6 is basically equal, and currently, grade 8 is lower than the state."

Facts matter and so do you.  You are doing a great job and a high majority of the Georgetown community knows this. 

Joe




Popular posts from this blog

Post Override Fail Update

Image
Dear Colleagues: The override vote has been devastating for membership.  The GEA will be pushing hard for any and all cuts to come from other areas that do not involve direct service providers.  We want to assure members that we will be going over every cut with a fine tooth comb to make sure all contractual language was followed.  We would like to direct membership to Article XXIV-Layoff and Recall clause located on pages 19-22 of our current contract to learn more.  That language specifically outlines the steps that the district needs to follow.  We would like to specifically point out Section 2 A and B on page 20. 2A- To the extent possible and practical, normal attrition will be the first method used, to reduce the number of teaching positions in those classifications and/or department in which reductions are necessary.  That is, teachers who resign, retire, or otherwise terminate their employment shall not be replaced.  Also, includ...
Read more

Union Update

Image
Dear Colleagues: On the heels of a successful parent/educator forum, we have our first combined (GCAT)-Georgetown Contract Action Team and (PAT) Parent Action Team meeting slated for this Thursday, May 2nd.  At this meeting, we will discuss our next collective steps to address district leadership and the serious morale issue.   The Negotiating Team will also be meeting on May 2nd to discuss the district's last set of proposals and formulating our responses.  This Friday, May 3rd, MTA Rep Kevin Tierney and I will be listening to a district response regarding the "Involuntary Transfers" grievance filed and heard a few weeks back.  We will update membership with the district response, asap. Tuesday, May 14th is our next Negotiating Bargaining session.  A reminder that the session will be held in the GMHS Cafeteria beginning at 4:30 PM.  Silent members please be in the cafeteria by 4:15 PM and we need as many members to be there as possible. Finally, I wan...
Read more

Update

Image
Dear Colleagues: Here is the latest update. The GEA GCAT members are asking members to attend a short 5-10 building meeting to learn more about this upcoming, important meeting. Penn Brook had a great turnout at our meeting last Thursday. GMHS Members will meet tomorrow, Monday, May 20th right after school in the Community Room. The GCAT/PAT Team Co-authored a strongly worded letter that will be read at Thursday's School Committee Meeting.  We are hopeful that every GEA member signs this petition that can be found by clicking the link below no later than Monday, May 20th but also make plans to attend the School Committee Meeting next Thursday night, May 23rd.  The meeting will be held at Town Hall and we are asking ALL members to attend and be there no later than 6:00 PM.  We are asking members to park at the Park and Ride and walk over to Town Hall due to limited parking. Signing the petition and attending the School Committee Meeting are extremely...
Read more