August 2007

Dear Fellow Members,

As we begin this new year I want to thank you for your support and trust as I embark upon the greatest professional challenge in my twenty-two years of teaching. I know that you count on the LMEA to advocate on your behalf, and I will work very hard to represent you and to make sure our union remains strong and influential in this district. We are truly a unique labor organization that effectively brings together all employees of Lower Merion schools into one body or “bargaining unit”. As long as we embrace this concept of solidarity and agree to pull for everyone we cannot fail; and as we go about the tasks of providing an excellent educational opportunity for our students we need to remember that nearly everyone we work with is a member of our team – the LMEA. I feel privileged to lead this team at such a critical time in this district, and I look forward to working with all of you on the challenges that lie ahead.

Chris SantaMaria

President 

Quick Facts about Your LMEA

• The LMEA is comprised of over 1300 professional and support professional employees working every day in ten schools, our operations department, over 100 buses, our technology center and our administration building.
• The LMEA is one of only three “merged” education locals (out of more than 500) in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This makes us unique and a very strong bargaining unit.
• We have an outstanding group of officers who put in many hours on your behalf. Together, they have over 60 years of experience in LMEA leadership!:
• President - Chris SantaMaria……………………Teacher, Harriton HS
• First Vice President – Arlene Flicker………...…Teacher, Cynwyd ES
• Vice President Support – Victor Fedeli…………Receiving, LMHS
• Vice President Professional – Aimee Avellino…Teacher, Cynwyd ES
• Secretary Professional – Mike Stettner…………Teacher, Lower Merion HS
• Secretary Support – Lisa McDevitt………..……Secretary, Cynwyd ES
• Treasurer – Darlene Mandarino………………....Secretary, Lower Merion HS
• The LMEA has its own office located at 306 Parsons Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. Members are invited to stop by at any time and check it out. Besides record keeping and other tasks involved in running an organization as large as ours, the office is used for committee meetings and our monthly Executive Council meeting.

• The Executive Council meets every month and is comprised of officers, committee chairs, and building reps and is the major decision-making body of the LMEA.
• The LMEA has its own website lmeaonline.org where you can find information about the organization (such as our Constitution and By-Laws), minutes of prior meetings, and links to the PSEA, PSERS, NEA and important other sites. You are welcome to post a classified advertisement on our website by contacting Amanda Wuest, our webmaster.
• There are two very important standing committees in the LMEA. Each has elected representatives from the major job categories:
• Combined Negotiations (CNC) which bargains new contracts (our current contract expires in 2010) and new positions created by the district.
• Professional Rights & Responsibilities (PR&R) which meets monthly and monitors the grievance process through levels I, II, III, and arbitration.
• The LMEA honors retirees every year with its annual banquet. This festive occasion is a great way to salute the years of service of our colleagues and wish them well as they embark on new adventures.
• Building Reps are key players in the LMEA. They are the “eyes and ears” that the leadership relies upon to monitor and report issues as they arise. All members are strongly encouraged to know their building reps, they can quickly answer most questions about your contract and argue on your behalf when issues come up in your building.
  

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB)

When Congress returns from its summer recess it will take up the issue of renewal of NCLB. Attached to this Applecore is some important information from the NEA about this legislation and a call for all those interested in improving public education to contact their representative. The easiest way to send the message is through this link: http://capwiz.com/psea/state/main/ After entering your zip code you will be able to send a targeted message to state representatives with just a few clicks.

NEW IRS TAX RULES REGARDING DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Some teachers became concerned after seeing news reports about a new IRS rule that may force a 20% excise tax on employees who have their salary paid over twelve months when their contracted days are less than a full year. This rule will not go into effect this year. A bulletin from the IRS is attached to this Applecore. The PSEA has said that contracts with language referring to payment made over 12 months should meet the IRS requirement. If that opinion should change the LMEA and the district will work to develop a simple form for teachers to sign before the 08-09 school year.

NEW STAFF WORKSHOP

All new staff are invited learn more about their employment benefits, financial planning, and have their contractual questions answered on Tuesday, October 2, at 4pm at the LMEA office. Food and snacks will be provided. Please contact Chris at santac@lmsd.org if you plan to attend.

DID YOU KNOW THIS WAS IN YOUR CONTRACT? [a new monthly feature of AppleCore] After getting the approval of their building principal, teachers may “visit and observe schools and institutions” within a one day radius. The district will not cover expenses but will pay for the sub. For details see Article 41 on page 43.