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Solidarity - October 18, 1999

Volume 33, No. 9
We teach the children ... Collectively we decide ... United we act

REFERENDA: FOR MADISON'S CHILDREN; VOTE YES, YES, YES

If Madison Schools are to receive the attention that they need; if Madison's children are to have the facilities they deserve; if the excellence of education in Madison is to continue, the three referenda on the November 9 ballot must carry. Join the effort to gain voters' approval of these important measures. The referenda have been endorsed by the MTI Faculty Representative Council. Offer your help today by seeing your MTI Faculty Representative or by calling MTI Headquarters.

SABBATICAL LEAVE GRANTED

The Joint MTI/MMSD Sabbatical Leave Committee has granted Katherine Punwar (Sennett) a sabbatical leave for the second semester of the 1999-2000 school year. The Committee consists of Thuy Pham-Remmele (MTI Representative), Timothy Jeffery (MMSD Representative) and Deborah Vandell (Community Representative).

Under the terms of MTI's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Board of Education budgets $45,000 each school year for sabbatical leaves for members of MTI's teacher bargaining unit. Such is for the purpose of advanced study and/or research. Either a one-year leave at half pay or a one semester leave at full pay may be granted. One who receives a leave has a contractual right to return to the position held at the time the leave was granted.

Applications for sabbatical leave are due September 1 and February 1. Applications can be obtained by calling MTI Headquarters.

EA DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES/OCTOBER 28 & 29

Staff development opportunities for all members of the EA-MTI Bargaining Unit are once again scheduled for October 28 and 29. Under the terms of the EA-MTI Collective Bargaining Agreement, $75,000 has been committed to ensure that all educational assistants, nurse's assistants, and special education assistants are compensated at their regular hourly rate for attendance at scheduled sessions

Topics include: Honoring Our Common Differences, Six Traits of Writing, Problem Solving, Computer Training, Benefits Refresher, and Strategies to Support Students. All sessions are open to any member of the EA-MTI bargaining unit.

MTI has negotiated this important benefit and encourages all bargaining unit members to participate in the training opportunities which are made available via the EA-MTI Contract during the school year.

ELEMENTARY PLANNING TIME COMMITTEE APPOINTED

As a result of action by the MTI Faculty Representative Council, President Paula Ferrara-Parrish has appointed an ad hoc committee to study the issue of elementary planning time. Appointed to the Committee are: Kathy Crandall (Van Hise), Nancy Curtin (Crestwood), Kathy Hellenbrand (Marquette), Amy Horton (Mendota) and Greg Vallee (Thoreau).

HORACE MANN SCHOLARSHIPS

Horace Mann, MTI's endorsed provider for auto and homeowners insurance, is dedicated to serving the needs of the educational community. Realizing the need of providing children with a quality education, Horace Mann is offering a total of $50,000 in college scholarships to high schools seniors who are children or legal dependents of union members. One of Horace Mann's scholars will receive up to a $20,000 scholarship payable over four years. Five other scholars will each receive a scholarship up to $4,000 payable over four years, and 10 different scholars will receive $1,000 each.

Scholarship applicants will be judged on a written essay, high school transcript, ACT/SAT scores, school and community activities and letters of recommendation. Completed applications and all materials must be postmarked by February 12, 2000. For more information, call your Horace Mann agent or visit their web site at www.horacemann.com.

USO-MTI ELECTION RESULTS

At its general meeting on October 6, the members of USO-MTI elected: President - David Mandehr; Vice-President (K-6) - Paula Benton; Vice-President (7-12) - Helene Georgalan; Vice-President (at-large) - Suzanne Ginsberg; and Secretary - Gary Matthiesen. Terms are for one year.

LET'S GO TO CHICAGO TO SEE "FOSSE"

Tickets are still available for the trip to Chicago to see "FOSSE" on November 20. MTI members and family/friends can travel to Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts to the musical about the life and work of Bob Fosse, a theater director and choreographer. His work includes such musicals as Sweet Charity, Chicago, and Cabaret. The cost is $75.00 (ticket and bus). For reservations, send checks to MTI.

LONG TERM SUBSTITUTES: SHOULD YOU HAVE A TEMPORARY CONTRACT?

Substitute teachers hired to replace a teacher on leave due to a medical disability may be entitled to a temporary contract and benefits under MTI's Teacher Collective Bargaining Agreement. If the teacher one is substituting for has a definite date of return, there are 46 days or more left in the leave, and if the total duration of the leave is 90 school days or more, the District must issue the substitute a temporary contract. The count begins with the District's receipt of the absent teacher's physician's statement indicating the length of absence.

MTI's Collective Bargaining Agreement was improved in this section during 1999 teacher negotiations to provide that a substitute who is replacing a teacher who is on medical leave of absence will be paid as if they had worked under a temporary contract, if the total duration of service is 90 days or more and the anticipated return date is unknown. Compensation under this section will be retroactive to the date that the substitute was initially placed in the assignment.

A substitute assigned to work for a teacher on a non-medical leave of absence of greater than one semester up to a full year shall be employed under temporary contract. If you think you may be entitled to a temporary contract but have not been so notified by the District, contact MTI for assistance.

KLEINHANS JOINS KELLY & KOBELT

Tara K. Kleinhans, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School and Smith College, has joined the law firm of Kelly & Kobelt in the practice of labor and employment law. She will also lead the firm's family law practice and can be reached at 255-9660. Kleinhans has extensive experience in working with educators. Kelly & Kobelt has served MTI members since 1968 and provides discounted services to MTI members.

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Posted November 4, 1999