PVFT Members and supporters rally outside The Towers before the first Mediation session with District Officials and a PERB Mediator

Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers

President’s Report

Welcome back to a new school year. As we all know, there are challenging times ahead not just for our district and union. Although we begin the new school year at impasse over the 2008-09 negotiations, a first mediation session has taken place and a second session has been scheduled for August 25. Mediation may be a first step towards resolving differences between the PVFT and PVUSD. Stay tuned for updates on negotiations from our Chief Negotiator, Jack Carrol. 

A big thanks to all who attended the rally before the first mediation. We had the support of many members and other unions such as the Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers, Teamster 912, Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (HERE) Union and the Communications Workers of America.

As per the June 5, 2008 agreement, PVFT has acknowledge that conditions have been met to take one furlough day, which has been scheduled for November 23, 2009. Conditions have also NOT been met for a previously negotiated "optional work day" that had been scheduled for November 24. Combined with Thanksgiving recess, the result is an entire week off from November 23 to November 27.

Class Size Update

As you no doubt already know, class size will be a huge issue for us as a Union this school year. The Governing Board is supposed to be informed of all classes that exceed the class size maximums as is required in our contract.

We do not believe that Administration will do this. In order to keep PVFT fully informed we would like you to send us your class size totals.  Send us numbers by teacher only for Elementary grades and by both teacher and course name for Secondary.

You can get these totals from your Office Managers, they are reporting them daily to the District. We would like these totals for each Monday preceeding the Board meetings.

Take Action Instant Messaging Tool for Teachers!

You can now share your opinions with the Superintendent and the Board of Trustees with one click! The link below takes you to a PVFT page allowing you to easily send a pre-written email, one you create yourself, or a combination of the two. Enter your name and email on the right side of the page, then at the bottom, you'll find the text that will be sent to board members and the superintendent. Edit it or add to it. It's easy. Then "Tell the Board what you think!" To access the site, please copy and paste the URL below to your browser address.

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/prioritizestudents

Possible Parcel Tax

On Wednesday August 12, the Board of trustees approved the use of up to $30,000 to retain The Lew Edwards Group to survey the community to asses its attitudes and educational priorities and strategically evaluate the level of support if any, for local revenue solutions such as a Parcel Tax and General Obligation Bond. PVFT has been invited to participate and help be part of this effort by the Lew Edwards Group. No meeting dates have been set and we will keep you informed of any proposals or recommendation that may come forth.

Important Meeting Dates!

Watsonville Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Sam Farr
Sept. 3, 6 p.m.
Watsonville City Council Chambers
275 Main St., 4th Floor, Watsonville

PVFT Council of Representatives

OPEN TO ALL PVFT MEMBERS

All meetings are held at the PVUSD District Office:

294 Green Valley Road

Watsonville

• • August 17, 2009
• • September 14, 2009
• • October 12, 2009
• • November 9, 2009

PVUSD Board of Trustees

TEACHERS, PARENTS &COMMUNITY AT-LARGE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

• • August 26, 2009
• • September 9, 2009
• • September 23, 2009

GET ACTIVE!

Would you like to participate and network at the state level?   Want to become more involved in California Federation of Teachers?  Two excellent opportunities for PVFT members…

California Federation of Teachers

Division Council and State Council meetings

September 25-26, 2009

Manhattan Beach, CA

California Federation of Teachers

CFT Committee meetings

October 3, 2009

Los Angeles Valley College

Please contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in getting more involved.