CHTU President
ARC (Appraisal Review Committee): First meeting September 24.
COMMUNITY IN SCHOOLS TASK FORCE: Met Wednesday, Sept 11 with Superintendent, Josephine, Nancy Peppler, and OFTs Stuart McIntyre to update the Superintendent on progress to this point and to get a go ahead for implementing a plan moving forward.
CCES (Cuyahoga County Educators Summit) – First meeting October 23.
DISCIPLINE: First quarterly meeting is October 2.
DLT (District Leadership Team):
ER&D (Educational Research and Dissemination): No news at this time
GRADING TASK FORCE: A meeting was held on September 12. The group is looking to use the site-based PD in October to gather interest of teachers who are willing to pilot any of the 4 professional practices on Grading, and then host a PD on November 5th. A meeting was added for October 3rd to prepare for the upcoming site-based PD.
INSURANCE: Meeting dates requested.
MAKE-A-WISH: We are paired with a Heights High Freshman. Join a team, create a team or donate at http://site.wish.org/goto/CHTU So far we have raised $3,269 with a goal of $10,000. We need your help.
MASTER TEACHER: Committee to meet September 18
MOBILIZATION: Thanks to Nancy MacDonald, Debbie Frost, Ditte Wolin, Michelle Jackson, Carolyn Pavel, Kay Milkie, and Miranda Faust for staffing open houses. We registered 18 voters! (sorry if I missed anyone)
OFT (Ohio Federation of Teachers): Leaders weekend will be September 27-28 in Columbus. Ari, Debbie, Brian, and Darrell will be attending.
POLICY TASK FORCE: requested meeting dates.
PTA: First meeting was held August 30. Next meeting September 26.
RETIREMENT: no report
SOCIAL: We are planning an open house/TUSH this fall at our new CHTU offices. Details to follow.
SUMMIT: First meeting was held on August 30. It was mostly organizational. Next meeting September 20.
1. Grievances and Unfair Labor Practices
a) Unfair Labor Practice – the Union filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the District on July 22, 2019 over the District’s refusal to bargain over changes in terms and conditions of the member's job. A mediation in Columbus was held September 6 where it was not resolved. If an investigation determines there is a foundation to support our claim, then there will be a hearing before the SERB Board.
b) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – a member asked for the union leadership to assist in a mediation with the District over a claim filed by the member over disparate treatment based on a disability. The mediation was held September 12. There was no resolution. EEOC will investigate to determine whether or not the claim is justified.
c) HR adjusting differentials –three members received a $500 differential reserved for Teachers of Special Education Classes and for Speech Language Pathologists. Although we believe these members earn this differential because of the nature of their special work they are not entitled to it by contract. Additionally, last year was the only year for which they received this differential. The district will be recovering this money.
d) Student Code of Conduct implementation issues – We have heard concerns from all levels about the new Student Code of Conduct. Please talk to your building representatives so that we can discuss this issue at our Executive Board meeting on Thursday to determine if there is interest in filing an Administrative Union Concern.
2. Fact-Findings/Discipline
a) A member was called to a fact-finding on September 5, 2019 over concerns about supervision. Awaiting disposition.
b) A member was placed on paid administrative leave August 29, 2019 pending an investigation over concerns that we thought had been resolved last year. No interviews have been scheduled as of Sept 16.
c) A member has been called to a fact-finding for September 24, 2019 around administrations concerns of inadequate supervision, dishonesty, and inappropriate, abusive, or offensive conduct.
3. Political Pow Wow – Representative Janine Boyd organized an informal get together with CHTU President Klein, the superintendents of CHUH, Shaker, and Cleveland with Senator Sandra Williams and State Superintendent Paolo DeMaria. The discussion ranged from getting to know one another to EdChoice Vouchers and the impact that changes have had on our districts. President Klein has been working closely with Rep. Boyd and Sen Williams on this issue.
5. Glenn Altschuld 1930-2019 – Past CHTU President Glenn Altschuld (1970-1990) was responsible for many of the things we do and the way we do them. Glenn had strong opinions and was not shy about sharing them. He fought for so many causes in many different arenas. A memorial service will be held October 19. Learn more about Glenn from this link to his obituary (link)
6. COPE – there will be a Committee On Political Education campaign to raise funds for election campaigns coming your way. It is important to all members to donate at least $1 per check. Voluntary contributions help us contribute across the state to politicians who share our beliefs and interests in public education.
7. Survival Guides – will be given to building stewards to distribute.
8. Heights Coalition For Public Education – The first steering meeting will be held September 25 at 7:00 PM at our office. Co-Conveners Ari Klein and Susie Kaeser have been active throughout the summer trying to influence the budget bill. At one point we got an amendment introduced into the bill to assist CHUH with money lost to EdChoice. Although the amendment did not pass it did show that we could get something introduced. Currently, State Representative Boyd and State Senator Williams have appointed OFT legislative director to act as their representative with the Legislative Service Commission (LSC) to research questions that Ari and Susie have created. The LSC is the organization that writes laws for members of the legislature to introduce.