April 2007

Dear Fellow Members of the Lower Merion Education Association,

After 35 years in education teaching K-12 science at the School of Performing Arts in Philadelphia, chemistry and physics at the Yeshiva Academy, computer science and calculus at St. Joseph’s University, physics, computer science and senior project at Lower Merion, and serving as chief negotiator and president for the Lower Merion Educational Association, I am retiring from education at the end of the school year.

As president of the Lower Merion Education Association, my primary charge was to promote sound educational programs in the Lower Merion School District and protect and enhance the welfare of LMEA members. At the national, region, and state level it was a privilege to represent you in developing positions and policies to support/oppose pro/anti public education bills and candidates with the NEA and PSEA. At the local level, I have enjoyed working with the administrative, professional, and support staffs developing policies and practices that have provided opportunities for our children to succeed. Locally, I have also ensured that due process was accessible for our members through the grievance process for contract violations.

Furthermore, I have been chief negotiator or president during contract negotiations the past 12 years. The record shows that the LMSD’s professional and support staffs deliver outstanding services. Music, art, science, and math awards abound. Lower Merion High School’s SATs are among the highest in the country. The Lower Merion School District is one of the finest in the nation. The District and its employees are recognized nationally as being superior. It was paramount that contracts between the LMEA and Board of School Directors enabled the District to continue to attract the best and brightest employees at all levels, so the District may continue to be one of the top public school districts in the United States. That has been accomplished. Everyday, the staff makes a difference in a child’s life! That deserved to be acknowledged and rewarded. I am proud of the results.

In addition, I would like to thank all the LMEA officers, elected committee members, building reps, office staff, and others with whom I have worked. Your dedication to protect and enhance the welfare of the LMEA membership is truly commendable and valued. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with you for the benefit of the entire membership.

Your collegiality and professionalism during my tenure at Lower Merion is deeply appreciated. You are truly remarkable. The Lower Merion community is fortunate to have such a talented staff; a staff that is unselfishly committed to providing their children with an outstanding education and all its support services.

Yours truly,
Dom

Elections

LMEA elections will be held on May 22. The following is intended to help you better understand the election process.

The Association officers are elected for a term of one year.

The Combined Negotiations Committee members are elected for three year terms on a rotating basis; three by and from the High Schools, two by and from the Middle Schools, three by and from the Elementary Schools and one by and from each of the following eight support sub-groups: Building and Grounds, Custodians, Transportation (drivers only), Clerical, Secretarial, Technicians, Campus/Bus Assistants and Food Service (including campus assistants, parking, and bus assistants, cafeteria and recess assistants and food service employees) and Assistants (including instructional assistants, audio-visual assistants, and nurse’s associates).

The Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee members are elected for three year terms, on a rotating basis; four by and from the High Schools, two by and from the Middle Schools, four by and from the Elementary Schools, and one by and from each sub-group of the Support Staff.

The Financial Advisory committee members are elected for three year terms on a rotating basis.

The current Association officers are Dom Pendino, President, Victor Fedeli, Vice President-Support, Christopher Santa Maria, First Vice President, Arlene Waitz-Flicker, Vice President-Professional, Lisa Mc Devitt, Secretary-Support, Michael Stettner, Secretary-Professional, and Darlene Mandarino, Treasurer.

The current members of CNC are Margy Kurtz(1), Elaine DeStefano(2), Joe Mudd(3), MS Open(1), Tim Mohen(2), Chris Santa Maria(1), Pete Dawson(2), Dom Pendino(3), Helen Austin(3), Catherine Muhammed(2), Laurie Davies(2), Darlene Mandarino(1), Vic Fedeli(1), Larry Giaquinto(3), Ed Leber(3), and Amanda Wuest(1).

The current members of PR&R are Jackie Gaines(1), Elaine DeStefano(2), Joanne Cook(3), Gina Sullivan(1), Gary Nieberle(2), Chris Santa Maria(1), Pete Dawson(2), Mike Stettner(3), Cafeteria Open(2), Lynda DiSantis(3), Clerical Open(1), Darlene Mandarino(1), Vic Fedeli(3), Jim Alvord(1), and Frank Toti(2).

The current members of the Financial Advisory committee are Chris Santa Maria(2).

The number in parenthesis next to the name indicates the number of years served in the term. If the number three in parenthesis (3) is next to a name, then the position is open to election.

If you are interested in running for an elected position, please contact Elaine DeStefano at Merion. The rules for nomination and running for an elected position are described in the LMEA by-laws found at www.lmeaonline.org.

Retirement 2007

If you plan to retire this year, the LMEA urges you to let us know and schedule an exit appointment with Human Resources as soon as possible. There is an advantage to declaring your retirement early with PSERS and understanding your retirement entitlements and benefits in advance of your retirement. Congratulations to all upcoming retirees

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment will be held May 14 to May 31. During the open enrollment period you may change your health insurance coverage, drop/enroll in the Flexible Spending Account, drop/enroll in Health and Accident Income Insurance plan, and opt to receive $50,000 instead of 2x your salary in term life insurance.

Please contact Barbara Pollack, LMSD Benefit Specialist, at 610-645-1951 or by email to make changes.

LMEA Spring Banquet

This year, the LMEA Spring Banquet will be held at Clothier Hall in Lower Merion on Thursday, May 31. Please avoid scheduling events that will conflict with this date and mark your calendar to attend. This is always a spectacular event. Come and celebrate. Once again we have combined the Banquet with the Annual LMEA Retiree luncheon. The evening will be an opportunity to reminisce with retired colleagues and co-workers as well. The cost is $35.00. Tickets will be sold as we get closer to event by your building rep.

Upcoming LMEA Events

May 9- Officers’ Meeting

May 14- Exec. Council, PR&R

May 16- Gen Membership Meeting

May 18&19-PSEA House of Delegates- Phila.

May 22- LMEA Election Day

May 31- LMEA Spring Banquet

June 5- Officers’ Meeting

June 11- Exec. Council Meeting,PR&R

June 21- MER Golf Classic

June 30 to July 5- NEA-RA- Phila.

July 22 to 27- Gettysburg Leadership Workshop

If you have any issues or concerns that you need addressed, please contact your building representative.