E-Mail Address for NEA-Santa Fe

If you need to get in touch with NEA-Santa Fe, send us an email:

neasantafe@gmail.com

The employee rights hotline remains the same:

505-986-2851

Welcome Back to School!!!!!!

NEW LEADERSHIP FOR NEA-SANTA FE
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS
NEW PRIORITIES FOR OUR LOCAL
AND A WELCOME BACK PARTY, AS THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS!
Mark your calendar for our welcome back party on Friday, August 21, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at NEA-NM headquarters. Refreshments, beer and wine will be provided! Take some time before classes begin to reconnect with old friends and meet new people.

Working in the field of public education isn’t easy. If it were, you could do it alone. Fortunately, as NEA-Santa Fe members, you don’t have to. This coming year you will see new leadership, new priorities and a renewed commitment to improving public education through attracting and retaining the professionals we need to do the job of teaching our community’s children.

New Leadership: After serving more than three years as NEA-Santa Fe’s president, Grace Mayer resigned for personal reasons on June 25, 2009. A special thanks to Grace and her executive board for such hard work. As vice-president, Laurie Longiaru became president, and she appointed John Morrison as acting vice-president. Laurie and John share a passion for making our school system the best it can possibly be. This is Laurie’s tenth year as a teacher in the Santa Fe Public Schools and an NEA member. Before teaching, Laurie practiced law in New Mexico and California. She received her law degree from the University of California at Berkeley. She is the mother of two daughters, ages 19 and 16; one is a graduate of the Santa Fe Public Schools system who just successfully completed her first year of college, and the other currently attends Santa Fe High School.

John has been teaching in the Santa Fe Public Schools as an NEA member since 2001. Prior to teaching in New Mexico, John served as a Legislative Assistant for then-Congressman Bill Richardson for five years in Washington, D.C. He has a Masters degree from Fordham University in International Relations and is beginning his eighth year as head baseball coach at Santa Fe High School. He and his wife Lisa have two children, ages 7 and 10.

New Priorities: We are committed to improving communication with you. We will keep you apprised through regularly distributed newsletters and fliers and by posting new information on the NEA-Santa Fe Action. We want to hear your ideas and concerns. The schedule for next year’s membership meetings is on the back of this letter. In addition, once the school year begins, Laurie will maintain regular office hours when she will be available to discuss any and all matters of concern. Look for more information on this soon in our newsletter and blog!

We will prioritize the need to streamline systems to make it easier for you to access the many benefits NEA membership offers. Whether you wish to address an employee rights issue, influence pending legislation or get tips for preparation of your Level II or III dossier, we are here to help.

New Opportunities: Finally, we will strive to increase grassroots involvement in NEA-Santa Fe. Your support and active participation is the backbone of our organization. For this reason, we are asking you to become an Association Representative (AR) for your school site. Superintendent Gutierrez has agreed that each school site will provide a brief period of time during the first few days of school for the election of ARs. If you have served as an AR in the past, please continue to do so. If you haven’t ever been an AR, and you have ideas to contribute to NEA-Santa Fe, please run for election! We will provide several comprehensive trainings on the important roles played by ARs beginning at our membership meeting on September 24. Please help to facilitate these important AR elections at your school. You need only observe a few simple procedures:

(1) Only NEA members can run for the position of AR;
(2) Only NEA members can vote in the election;

(3) Each school site can elect one AR for every ten bargaining unit members. Bargaining unit members include all teachers, counselors, librarians, educational assistants, ancillary personal, and cafeteria workers at your site whether they are NEA members or not.

Once nominations have been made, voting can be done by a show of hands or by asking each voter to write his/her choice(s) for AR on a sheet of paper. After the election has been held, please notify NEA – Santa Fe at neasantafe@gmail.com.

At our first membership meeting on September 24, we will also be holding an election for the positions of executive vice-president, membership chair and legislative and political action chair. If you would like to nominate someone to any of these positions, send an email to NEA – Santa Fe at the above address no later than September 10. You must have been an NEA member for the past year to either nominate someone or be nominated for one of these positions.

We’re looking forward to working with you this year!

Laurie Longiaru and John Morrison

AR MEETINGS FOR 2009-2010

AR meetings are held at the NEA-NM building at 2007 Botulph in Santa Fe.

September 24, 2009

November 19, 2009

January 14, 2010

March 18, 2010

April 29, 2010

WRAPPING UP THE OLD

The collective bargaining contract is in the process of being proofread and printed for distribution at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year. For highlights of the changes in the contract, visit this link

RALLY FOR SFPS AT STATE CAPITOL & MEMBER BENEFITS NEWS

Several hundred people (members of the community and Santa Fe Public School employees), participated in the Stand Up for Santa Fe Public Schools Day in the Rotunda of the State Capitol on Wednesday, February 25th. NEA-Santa Fe had a table with Read Across America information. More than a hundred people signed postcards to state legislators stressing the importance of increased state funding. Then dozens of school employees visited the offices of elected officials. NEA-Santa Fe continues its collaboration with SFPF to go on buses to the state capitol to visit the offices of state legislators.

The NEA Member Benefits representative, Snookie Krunbiegel, visited northern New Mexico during February giving presentations about financial decisions during tough times. One conversation she had with Connie, an NEA member, highlights the content of what she said to many members during formal and informal presentations. Listen to the audio podcast for ideas that you will find useful.

ONE NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, ONE OLD WINS ELECTION

The school board election yesterday brought victory to Barbara Gudwin and a different future for Martin Lujan. Frank Montano won narrowly. For the complete story in the SF New Mexican, visit this link.

SCHOOL BUSES ON THE TRAIL TO THE STATE CAPITOL

Because members of NEA-Santa Fe understand the importance of visibility and political involvement, they’re signing up to travel on school buses to the state capitol during February to make their voices heard about the urgent need to fund public schools sufficiently. The effort is in cooperation with Santa Fe Public Schools which is providing the transportation and working with NEA Association Reps and the local’s representatives to plan.

February 25, 2009 will be a focal point when advocates for the city’s schools gather for Stand Up for Santa Fe Public Schools Day at the state capitol. Speeches, exhibits, and visits to legislators are expected to drive home the point to state elected officials that the schools in the state’s capitol deserve the funding and resources needed to do the job. The Open Forum is from 4:20 to 6 p.m. in the Rotunda of the State Capitol.

There will be six opportunities during February for school employees to board buses at their schools, or schools within a close proximity, and ride to the Roundhouse to lobby. The buses are a convenient way to participate and not have to worry about parking in the capitol district. NEA Association Reps have signup sheets for their schools. Administrative personnel are making announcements over the intercom, at staff meetings and building newsletters.

Ride to the Capitol with our SFPS employees, board members and community members who support our public schools.

Thursday, Feb. 5, 4:15 p.m., ESC-610 Alta Vista— Leave 3:45, Return 5:30 PM
Thursday, Feb. 12, 4:15 p.m., Chaparral Elementary— Leave 3:45, Return 5:30 PM
Thursday, Feb. 19, 4:15 p.m., Santa Fe High School Staff Parking Lot— Leave 4:10,PM, Return 5:40 PM
Monday. March 2, 4:15 p.m., Sweeney Elementary— Leave 3:45 PM, Return 5:30 PM
Thursday, March 5, 4:15 p.m., DeVargas Mall— Leave 3:45 PM, Return 5:30 PM
Thursday, March 12, 4:15 p.m., Alameda Middle School— Leave 3:45 PM, Return 5:30 PM

To urge our lawmakers to SUFFICIENTLY fund our public schools. It will mean $11 million for SFPS to meet the needs of our students –74% are on free/reduced lunch and 45% who are English Language Learners.

On February 25th at the state capitol is Stand Up for Santa Fe Public Schools Day. The Open Forum at the Rotunda is from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Rest up for the holidays! There's a challenging 60-day legislative session ahead.

SUFFICIENT FUNDING STATE CAMPAIGN

It's American Education Week and the campaign for sufficient funding was kicked off this week when hundreds of representatives from school districts around the state gathered at the state capitol. Members of NEA Santa Fe were there as well.

Select this link to find out what the Santa Fe New Mexican had to say about the event.

GET OUT THE VOTE PARTY

GOTV Campaign Festivities! Thursday, October 23rd. 4:30-7:00 PM. Campaign briefing and dinner, followed by member-to-member phone calls to help elect pro-public education candidates! Program begins at 4:30 pm. Come anytime before 7 pm to join in the festivities!

Where: NEA New Mexico-Santa Fe Office
2007 Botulph Road, Santa Fe
505-982-1916

COMMUNITY BUILDING:What does that look like for you?

The NEA-Santa Fe Executive team invites members to define their Association’s goals for the upcoming year based on this single theme, Bridging Community. We want to use this opportunity to bolster community with our colleagues at our sites directly and broaden our outreach in our community. At our last members’ meeting, we discussed many ideas including.

• Setting up carpooling or Teacher Walk to Work Days;
• Planning after-school tutoring programs for at-risk students;
• Working with the public libraries to volunteer and read to young children;
• Organizing groups to clean up neighborhood parks or start a community garden;
• Making a pledge to fully participate in your local Union activities, state trainings and local politics to urge our legislature to sufficiently fund public education;
• Plan a fundraiser to purchase books to be distributed during NEA’s Read across America.

Whatever you decide, your leadership team is here to support you with resources and a collaborative spirit to get the work done. If you would like to propose an idea that may require monetary resources or have an idea you want to put into action, please review the following criteria.

Submit a one-page description of your idea that includes the following:
Your name and contact information including home telephone number.
A short proposal and the specific community population you are trying to reach.
Budget of expenses or man/woman power you may require.
What the ultimate goals of your efforts will result in.
How you would like the executive team to assist you.
Submit the proposal by e-mail to Gracemayer11@comcast.net

THE NEXT AR MEETING:
November 5, 2008, 4:30-6 p.m. NEA-NM Building, 2007 Botulph, Santa Fe

NEA-SANTA FE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS HOTLINE: 505-986-2851

DISCOUNT HOTEL STAY FOR NEA MEMBERS

The ClubHouse Inn and Suites of Albuquerque has provided a negotiated room rate of $79 plus tax, single/double for NEA-New Mexico members. The rate includes a full hot breakfast buffet and evening cocktails. So, if you are planning a trip to the Albuquerque area and need a place to stay, here is an option for you to try.

HIGHLIGHTS OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

--HOURS AND WORKLOAD/PREPARATION TIME: 7 hour workday, 1/2 hour duty free lunch. Five hours/week of preparation time each week.

--SICK LEAVE/BANK/BUY-BACK: 10 days sick leave (6 sick) (4 personal days). Active employee buy back of sick leave starting at year 5.

--ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE AT SCHOOL SITE AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES: All members are enocuraged to solve problems at the lowest possible level. Contact an AR on site or a NEA member colleague. If there is a clear violation of the contract, call the Employee Rights Telephone number: 505-986-2851.

OUTSTANDING SCIENCE TEACHER AWARD

The New Mexico Academy of Science is soliciting nominations for their annual Outstanding Science Teacher Award -- one for an elementary teacher and one for a secondary-school teacher. Anyone in the district can make the nomination and submit it with supporting evidence to our Awards Committee. The winning teachers will receive an engraved Nambe plate, $250, and other gifts. The deadline for the nomination process this year is Friday, October 10, 2008. Call 505-762-0878 for more information.

ARE YOU AWARE THAT. . . ?

• In 1986-1987 the public schools in New Mexico were appropriated 51.6% of the state’s total recurring budgeted revenue.
• 1990-1991 was the last year the Legislature funded public schools at 50 percent of the state’s total recurring budgeted revenue.
• In 2000 – 2001 public schools in New Mexico were receiving 46.37% of the State’s total recurring revenue budget.
• In 2007 – 2008 public schools in New Mexico are receiving 43.8% of the State’s total recurring revenue budget.
• For the 2008-2009 school year, public education’s share of the state’s total recurring revenue fell to 43.3%, with only 36% of new dollars being appropriated to public schools. •

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

NEA-Santa Fe greeted over 100 new employees this week who gathered at Santa Fe Community College to hear presentations from NEA as well as district representatives. Welcome 52 new NEA members. We're looking forward to including more of you in the next few weeks. Susan Turner at Santa Fe High is NEA-Santa Fe's Membership Chair.

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS FOR 2008-2009

Mark your calendars for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year. All meetings are from 4:30-6 p.m.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009

All meetings are held at NEA-NM headquarters.

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS LINE:

NEA-Santa Fe has a new Employee Rights telephone number to assist all bargaining unit members with concerns and possible grievances:

505-986-2851

BARGAINING AGREEMENT NEWS

The tentative agreements finalized this morning provides a better than 5% average for all categories of classified employees covered under the bargaining agreement (all employees, except custodial and maintenance). Educational Assistants averaged 5.7%, Library Para-professionals averaged 5.29%, Secretaries averaged 5.27%, and food service workers averaged 5.36%. Transportation workers received an average increase well above 5% in an earlier executed memorandum of understanding.

The tentative agreement provides an average raise of 7.05% for licensed personnel included in the teacher/ancillary salary schedule(all ancillary personnel—counselors, special education professionals, etc—are included in the three-tier system embodied in the teacher/ancillary salary schedules). No employee in tier I or II received less than a 4.5% actual salary increase. Many Tier III teachers and ancillary personnel received as much as 11% increases and no one in Tier III received less than 5%. The salary increases will go into effect with the December 21 pay check.

AR MEETING TOMORROW

Dear All NEA-SF Members,

NEA-SF AR/MEMBER MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 14TH
4:30-6:30 at NEA-NM 2007 Botulph road *please post at all sites

Thank you, for your participation in last weeks Rally and School Board Meeting.
Thank you, Eldorado Elementary School members and your PTC for your leadership and kicking off the early morning rally at your school.

As colleagues working together united for change, we can influence the public education system in a positive way for our students and the SF community while improving our wages and working conditions.

This is an honorable endeavor. This is our professional responsibility. We will be successful.

The NEA-SF Collective Bargaining team will be meeting with the District on Tuesday morning. We expect a counter proposal from them on salaries for teachers. Other staff salaries have been agreed upon.

I especially want to thank those of you who brought your children and families to the School Board meetings, our community and our employer need to start valuing family and community and deliver our raises and the respect we all deserve.

Thank you! to our dedicated Bus Drivers who show their solidarity and gratitude to OUR Union membership for successfully working to increase their pay last year by showing -up to every meeting and rally we have to advocate for others.

We need to keep the pressure on and continue to write letters to the editor of the newspapers.
letters@sfnewmexican.com jnorth@abqjournal.com editor@sfreporter.com

Wednesday we will work together on the next plan of action if Tuesday's bargaining session proves to be unsuccessful.

United together for Change!

Grace Mayer NEA-SF President

NEGOTIATIONS CAUSING COMMENT

"Fliers urge teachers to take sick day" by John Sena

Anonymous fliers posted at Santa Fe High urge teachers to call in sick Tuesday as a protest for better salaries. Many teachers say they disagree with the strategy; the district and the teachers’ union are in the midst of negotiations.

CLICK HERE for this week's (11/2) article in the New Mexican

NEXT AR MEETING

The next meeting of NEA-Santa Fe is Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. at the NEA-NM headquarters building, 2007 Botulph Road in Santa Fe.

RALLY FOR RAISES AND RESPECT!

Dear NEA-SF Members and friends,

We had a great show of support for increased wages at the last School Board Meeting. It was an invigorating night of passionate voices united in support of all union members and the students of this community. Our dedication and professionalism is undeniable. Our personal and professional concerns illuminated the many challenges and reality of working in education for the SFPS district.

OUR WORK IS FAR FROM OVER
WE MUST RALLY FOR RAISES AND RESPECT!

We need leadership that is willing to take a hard look at what we are up against. Leadership that will honor their commitments and increase Teachers and staff salaries. The School Board is elected to represent its constituents, the community of Santa Fe, that is everyone of us. We are calling for full financial disclosure from this district. We need an independent audit to find out how public funds are being spent.

This current SFPS district Administration characterizes our teachers as "complainers" they show no support for the tremendous work we do. They threaten and intimidate NEA-SF leaders and all our members from using district e-mail to communicate, they put out erroneous information weekly and deceive employees and the public for their own purposes.

WE NEED TO RALLY FOR OUR RAISES OUR RIGHTS AND THE RESPECT WE ALL DESERVE!
Groups of employees need to organize now and get themselves, their families, students and the community involved in supporting adequate pay raises for educators and staff at SFPS.
Level II teachers all 450 of you need to take action now!

ATTEND THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6TH
4:30 610 ALTA VISTA
RALLY TOGETHER BEFORE THE MEETING

Write letters to the School Board tell them to honor their commitments.
Write letters to the newspaper, the community deserves to know the truth about how the district spends public money and our students deserve qualified teachers and staff .

letters@sfnewmexican.com
jnorth@abqjournal.com
editor@sfreporter.com

Unite for change! Our future and our students future depends on it!

Grace Mayer NEA-SF President

.

CALL FOR 5% RAISES AT BOARD MEETING

Abigail Fox, a math teacher at Santa Fe High School, cheers in response to a call for a 5 percent raise during a Santa Fe school board meeting at E.J. Martinez Elementary School on Tuesday. Photo from the New Mexican

CLICK HERE FOR NEW MEXICAN ARTICLE

BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK: October 16th

The regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, October 16th starting at 4:30 p.m. at E.J. Martinez Elementary School.

As always, it is important for employees of SFPS to attend and make your views known.

THE WORD IS OUT ABOUT SOMETHING WE EXPERIENCE EVERY DAY

Finally, we're seeing in the news media what is a fact of life every day in Santa Fe Public Schools. The lack of subs is a serious problem. NEA reps were at Capital High Tuesday of this week in the lounge during A and B lunch. We heard this everywhere we turned. Staff members at Capital are meeting together on the building level to take action. When will you do the same in your building?

What Does NEA Do for ME?

Subject: A day of professional workshops & exhibits sponsored by NEA-New Mexico and Los Lunas Schools

Professional Development is one thing - See Below - What a list of workshops!

REGISTER ONLINE - SOON - Classes are filling up fast!

Go to our web site : www,nea-nm.org to register for the Fall Professional Conference in Albuquerque. This is an opportunity to take classes in fulfillment of PDP's and to add to your portfolios. In some districts, the locals have arrangements so members can take a professional leave day to attend this conference. In others, individuals either work out an arrangement with their administrators, or folks take personal days to attend. It's worth it!

Friday, October 19, 2007 At the Albuquerque Convention Center
401 2nd Street, NW Albuquerque, NM Light Lunch will be Provided
Registration: 7:30 am - 8:30 am Sessions: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Registration Fee: Early: $25 (by October 11, 2007) Regular: $30 (after October 11, 2007)

Attention Education Assistants: Working with UNM Valencia College, we offer education assistants the opportunity to apply for one credit hour of continuing education. Specific workshops will qualify for the credit hour along with an additional requirement defined by UNM Valencia College. College staff will be on site with registration forms and details. New Mexico's Educational Support Professionals will get new ideas, trends, and techniques to take back to their classrooms.

Conference Topics Include:

Revitalizing High Schools & Middle Schools
Enhancing Elementary Teaching Strategies
Closing Achievement Gaps Among New Mexico Students
Fostering Wellness

BEST WISHES TO FRANK MONTANO

Editorial,- Get well soon, Frank!

By THE NEW MEXICAN
October 2, 2007

If anyone personifies the Santa Fe community servant, it’s Frank Montaño. Today he’s president of the school board. Before that, he was a dedicated, conscientious and hard-working member of the City Council.

Many who’ve served where he has have done so less energetically — or more concerned about converting public office into private gain.

Not Frank Montaño. As long as we’ve known him, he’s scrambled at several jobs to make a living, then put in the long, sometimes tedious hours it takes to be an effective elected local official.

Is that what led to the heart attack he suffered Monday morning? Who knows?

We hear he’s making a good recovery. We join the many Santa Feans who’ve witnessed his thoughtful service in wishing him a rapid return to good health

ATTEND SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY

It is crucial that concerned NEA members attend Tuesday's School Board meeting at 4:30 at 610 Alta Vista and bring supporters and your families.

The District's salary proposal is unacceptable. We need to unite as a community of educators and workers and assert ourselves.

POSITIVE CHANGE IS POSSIBLE WHEN WE ALL UNITE TOGETHER!

Sincerely,
NEA-SF Executive Team
Grace Mayer, NEA-SF President

GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. Uphold the CBA. Educate employees of their rights and responsibilities. Successful grievances for ancillary. New employee pay for orientation. More members stepping forward to advocate for themselves. NEA-SF leadership in constant contact with HR department to resolve issues at the lowest possible level.

2. Improve public education for students in Santa Fe. Improve lowering class size and case load ratios. Provide diverse instruction. Promote recruitment and retention of highly-qualified fully-licensed educational staff. Progress made through collective bargaining, sick leave buy-back incentive. Increased salary to be more competitive for all employees. Bilingual coach, all stipends increased. Reinstatement of SPED consult. Case maximums established. Push for diverse instruction. NEA-SF challenges the need for more testing. Asks for increased electives, extracurricular activities and the elimination of substandard portables.

3. Transparency. To be open with our constituency and community about policies and actions taken by the Association in collaboration with the district. Appointing members to committees with district and reporting back. Having regularly scheduled AR meetings open to all members. For new articles, visit: www.actionline.blogspot.com

4. Strengthening the Association by increasing membership and encouraging active participation. Signed up 55 new members during the first two weeks of school. $50 rebate for new members until November 1, 2007. Site visits planned with NEA-NM.

WELCOME TO NEW NEA MEMBERS

Welcome to the 55 new members of NEA Santa Fe. Some joined during the New Teacher Institute last week at Santa Fe Community College. Others signed up at our table outside the auditorium in the hallway where NEA-Santa Fe had an information table.

NEA representatives also made a presentation at the in-service for bus drivers held early this morning. NEA-SF president Grace Mayer explained the changes in the collective bargaining contract that reflect significant raises for bus drivers. Joe Martinez is stepping into the role of NEA rep at the bus barn.

$50 FREE CASH FOR NEW MEMBERS

There's a one-time only offer through November 1, 2007 for a $50 cash rebate to all new members of NEA-Santa Fe. Contact the Association Rep in your building or Membership Chair Susan Turner at Alameda.

WELCOME BACK: FIRST NEA-SANTA FE MEETING

The first meeting of NEA-Santa Fe is set for September 19, 2007, 4-6 p.m. at the NEA-NM headquarters, 2007 Botulph, in Santa Fe.

NEA-Santa Fe will also have an information table at the meeting of new employees on August 14, 2007 at Santa Fe Community College. NEA-NM president Sharon Morgan will give a presentation about the goals and visions of the Association.

NEA-Santa Fe will meet on a regular basis throughout the school year. Mark your calendars now for the following dates: November 14, March 12 and April 16th. Check the blog for an announcement of the other meeting dates. And if you can't remember to check the blog, subscribe. A news update will come automatically to your box. See subscription form below:

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NEWS FROM NEIGHBORING NEA LOCALS

Things are happening in our sister locals in Espanola and Pojoaque. Check their online newsletters to see what's going on there:

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