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“How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg?
Four — calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
February, 2007 — Please ponder the quote above. Now, quickly list examples of how that applies to all of us in this school district. If this was not such a serious topic, I would suggest that a timer be set, notepads and pencils be distributed, and a prize be awarded for the longest number of items. Rather, I think we need to ponder the riddle and after the first chuckle or two, we need to let the seriousness of the answer sink into the reality of where we are as teachers in this district.Just because something is called by a particular name doesn’t make it true. The distortion of language and the use of smoke and mirrors cannot fool us, and we will not allow ourselves to be deluded into thinking otherwise. WE know the truth, and the challenge is in how to systematically reveal what we know so as to not lose credibility and, most importantly, not compromise our members.The MTA Task Forces are perfect examples of how we can examine areas of vital concern, thoroughly analyze the results of well-constructed surveys presented to our members, and professionally report the results on a district-wide basis. By the time you read this article our inaugural task force on the loss of instructional time will have distributed the results of their survey to you. The results are mind-boggling in terms of the impact district decisions have had on teachers and students. Clearly, the results of this survey should be used by the district, in collaboration with its teachers, as a catalyst for change.

The Superintendent of Schools, building administrators, and Board of Education members all received copies of the survey results. It is quite apparent that the “calling a tail a leg” must stop!

I must offer a large thank you to our members who have committed to working on the MTA task forces. This is a new and different opportunity for our union’s voice to be heard, and I could not be more proud of who we are and what we represent. I also need to recognize that there could not be a collective voice without the contribution of individual voices. I want to thank all who completed the first survey and urge everyone who receives future surveys to please take the time to share your thoughts and opinions. We know when a tail is a tail and a leg is a leg. Each and every voice matters. In unison our voices will be heard and in unity we will make a difference!

– Sheila

I am currently in a temporary position filling in for a teacher on leave.  If I return next year to replace the same or another teacher on leave do I move along the pay scale and accrue seniority? You should move along the steps of the salary schedule if you completed at least  of the year.  As far as accruing seniority, that only occurs when you are either a probationary or tenured teacher.  Teachers who are serving in a temporary position accrue no seniority.  If you secure a probationary position next year, your service this year might be credited toward your 3-year probationary period.

If teaching assistants and nurses are MTA members, why can’t they access the legal plan that the teachers utilize for wills, health care proxies and real estate closings?  The legal plan is a benefit that is provided for teachers through the MTA Benefit Fund.  The benefit fund, not the MTA, administers benefits to individual bargaining units, not the entire local (MTA).  Each bargaining unit (teachers, teaching assistants, nurses and MECA) makes arrangements with the fund to have benefits available for that unit’s members.  The benefits that are offered are limited to those which the bargaining unit can afford to purchase based upon monies that have been secured through collective bargaining.

I have had people ask me what tier I am in.  What exactly are they referring to?  They are referring to the level of the retirement system to which you belong.  Depending on when you joined the retirement system, you have different levels of retirement benefits and regulations.  You should browse through the retirement system website at www.nystrs.org, fully review the Retirement Benefit Profile that should be mailed to you by the end of the month, and participate in the next retirement workshop offered through the MTA.

If you are contemplating retirement at the end of this school year please keep in mind the information regarding health insurance that was distributed by the MTA on June 2, 2006.  That memo outlined that the MTA and the District approved a Memorandum of Agreement (it is not printed in the new lime green contracts) that extends “active employee” health and dental insurance benefits until August 31st if the teacher-member notifies the district by June 1st of intent to retire as of June 30th.  This benefit is only in effect through the 2009 – 2010 school year.  Contact your senior building rep if you have misplaced your memo.

NYSTRS Pre-Retirement Planning Seminars are quickly filling up.  There are still openings for a May 10th seminar in Fishkill and March 20th and April 27th seminars in Albany.  To make a reservation at either location, call system headquarters at 800-356-3128 (ext 6180).  The seminars are day-long events.  To see a complete listing of the seminar’s topics visit the TRS website (www.nystrs.org).

Your paperwork for retiring from TRS cannot be submitted more than 90 days in advance of the date of your retirement.  Do not send it in too early.  If you do, TRS will send it right back to you.

by Lois Samsel-Cronk, Grievance Committe Chairperson

There is one pending Stage 2 grievance.  We have asked the district to provide a functional student information system for the high school.  There were also few administrators issued stage 1a grievances, but all have been resolved to the aggrieved member’s satisfaction.