Greece Teachers Association

As a result of the May 7th election, the following candidates were the winners of the contested elections:

VP for Finance: Cori Salvaggio

Middle School Adviser: Dave Metzger

Elementary School Advisor (2 Positions): Joe Lombardo & Chris Marino

Congratulations to all of our candidates and thanks to all of our members who voted! 

By Don Pallozzi

GTA Elections: May 7 is Election Day and it is a scoring day. You have a few options
to vote: 1.go to your building during the work day and vote, 2. get an absentee ballot
and 3. vote at the GTA office by absentee ballot. If you would prefer the absentee ballot
please contact the office at 621-7970.

The contested elections include: VP for Finance with incumbent Cori Salvaggio
challenged by Carol Jean Miceli, Middle School Advisor with incumbent Dave Metzger
challenged by Jo Melecca-Voigt and current Elementary advisor Joe Lombardo is
running along with Chris Marino and Lisa Farina. The elementary race will choose 2
advisors from the three candidates.

On the ballot will be representatives for both the TRS and NYSUT Rep Assembly.

Buildings should also be electing reps for next year. Buildings are allocated 1 rep per
15 members.

June 8 Rally Join NYSUT in Albany: It was brought to my attention that people were
not aware of our stance on testing. Everything about this year’s testing is wrong. It is
wrong for students. It exemplifies how not to roll out new systems and materials. The
way the Common Core Learning Standards have been implemented as well as this
year’s testing is another example of the complete disconnect between what happens in
classrooms and the State.

BOE Election: I’m sure you are aware that only two candidates are running for the
three positions available in this year’s election. This year there is the potential for a
write in candidate. This is an important opportunity to vote and shape the Board of
Education. I encourage all of our members who are Greece residents to vote on May
21.

District Art Show, May 9 – May 15: The District Art Show opens this week at the
mall. It’s a great opportunity to see the tremendous work our kids do with our talented
teachers.

Last Pay Day: The last pay day for school year 2013 is June 21.

Members- Please see the attached file, which is a letter that NYSUT President Richard Iannuzzi sent to Commissioner King regarding SED’s authority, or lack thereof, over agreements negotiated between districts and unions under the Taylor Law.

LettertoCommissionerKing – 4-30-13

By Don Pallozzi

Political Action App: NYSUT has developed a mobile app for virtually instant political
action. The attached link will bring you to the site and give directions for the app. https:/
/mac.nysut.org/

Last Pay Day: The last pay day for school year 2013 is June 21.

Computer Use and Social Media: NYSUT Legal did an overview of current issues
prominent around the state based on disciplinary issues they have been involved in.
One of the biggest concerns is the increase in social media posts, particularly during
the work day. Their caution is the obvious; don’t assume the computer is your personal
property or that you have any assurance of privacy on equipment belonging to the
District. They also cautioned against posting information on opting out of the state tests
on your Facebook page. More details were posted below.

June 8 Rally Join NYSUT in Albany: NYSUT will be sponsoring the Saturday trip to
Albany. If you are planning to attend please notify Cathy as soon as possible. This is
one more opportunity to let Albany know our stance on testing.

GTA Elections: May 7 is election day and it is a scoring day. You have a few options
to vote: 1.go to your building during the work day and vote, 2. get an absentee ballot
and 3. vote at the GTA office by absentee ballot. If you would prefer the absentee ballot
please contact the office at 621-7970.

The contested elections include: VP for Finance with incumbent Cori Salvaggio
challenged by Carol Jean Miceli, Middle School Advisor with incumbent Dave Metzger
challenged by Jo Melecca-Voigt and Elementary advisor with Joe Lombardo being
challenged by both Chris Marino and Lisa Farina.

On the ballot will be representatives for both the TRS and NYSUT Rep Assembly.

Rep Assembly: Brian Casey and Dave Metzger attended the NYSUT Representative
Assembly, held in Washington D.C. this year, in April. Look for their feedback on our
website.

APPR Review: The Association and District are meeting to review the current APPR
with an eye on improving the process. The hope is to have it completed by the
September 1 deadline set by SED. The deadline really is no threat, as it was last year,
since the regulations now allow for the Triboroughing of past agreements. We will
continue to update members as we proceed.

Members, please take a few minutes to review the attached file from NYSUT.  It covers responsible use of technology and social media both as an employee and as a parent/citizen/individual.

Notably, it says that “Off-duty conduct can be disciplined if the conduct harms the employer’s mission, adversely affects the employee’s ability to perform the job, or leads other employees to refuse to work with the offender.”  This is important to keep in mind when considering what to post on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Social Media GTA

Attached you’ll find the résumés for the candidates for the upcoming election on Tuesday, May 7.

candidates resumes 2013

By Don Pallozzi

Political Action App: NYSUT has developed a mobile app for virtually instant political
action. The attached link will bring you to the site and give directions for the app. https:/
/mac.nysut.org/

Lobby Day: Brian Casey and Dave Metzger went to Albany this week to meet with
Legislators and worked their magic regarding many issues including the tax cap,
Common Core, and the APPR. Dave and Brian will also be attending the Legislative
Breakfast to continue lobbying on our behalf.

Rep Assembly: Brian Casey and Dave Metzger will be attending the NYSUT
Representative Assembly, held in Washington D.C. this year, in April. I will also be
there for the President’s Conference. We will report back in May.

Calendar Committee: The calendar committee will be meeting within the next week
to set our calendar for school year 2013/14. We will be bringing it back to our rep
assembly for feedback.

Elementary Report Card: The elementary report card has been increasingly
problematic and we’ve discussed this with the District on many occasions but the letter
from the Pine Brook staff caught the District’s attention. At our most recent problem
solving meeting the District brought this up. I believe they have a clearer understanding
of the software limitations as well as the increased demands all for a document of
limited value to parents and teachers. It appears that there will be a District committee
in the future to address the utility of the document and in the short term there will be
conversations with Infinite Campus about the problems with the format. I don’t know
how quickly these things can or will happen but thank you to our Pine Brook colleagues
for their effort.

Teacher Grants: The Central Western Zone of The New York State Retired Teachers
Association is awarding grants of $100.00 or more to full time teachers who are
pursuing advance study in an educational field. We have the application here in the
office if you are interested.

Building Visits: By the end of this week we will have visited 15 of 17 buildings
discussing the current state of negotiations. It’s been great to have these
conversations. Thanks to all who gave up time to participate in these discussions.
Between the APPR visits and the contract talks we’ve been in most buildings twice this
year.

APPR Survey: The APPR Teacher Leaders, Amy McCabe, Rob Stalter, Brian Ebertz,
Jason Cooney and I met this week to create a brief survey that you will be receiving
soon. Your feedback is important and will help shape the revisions to the process. This
will be resubmitted to the State by September 1, 2013 for approval.

Elementary Advisor Joe Lombardo and Buckman Heights Sr. Rep Chris Marino recently attended the NE TURN Exchange with the superintendent.  The focus of the two-day event was on building partnerships with administration focused around APPR and the Common Core.  Chris and Joe will speak to the School Board on March 12 about their experience at the TURN Exchange.