- An updated Unit A seniority list should be out next week. Members are advised to look carefully as the new list includes the correction of typos, errors of calculation, elimination of non-contractual categories, and other errata that have accumulated over the past several years. The Unit C list will be addressed shortly.
- Pleased to announce that the Unit C membership ratified the tentative agreement (already ratified by the School Committee) unanimously. The new contract will be distributed and one the website as soon as possible.
- The early retirement incentive announced today is missing some essential specifics (perhaps because it was never mentioned to the Association for necessary feedback and clarification). Association leadership is seeking some of these necessary facts so that people can make an informed decision on something that they can know is contractual.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Seniority, early retirement, and more
I apologize for the rare updates recently. Communications work has gone into updates via the monthly Beacon and the WEA's Facebook page. Below are some updates that have gone out on those media recently:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
FY '15 Changes
Obviously, the current budget proposal is an enormous change to the mission of public education in Wareham, particularly for elementary and special education students. Given that the news was just now shared outside of the administrative team, it is too early to issue any significant reaction.
The WEA will be collecting information throughout the system from multiple sources as part of looking at this plan, as well as the new initiatives pursued by the district at this time of fiscal distress. Please contact me with any thoughts, information, or concerns you think can help ensure that any budget changes have as small an impact on the delivery of quality education by quality educators as possible.
The WEA will be collecting information throughout the system from multiple sources as part of looking at this plan, as well as the new initiatives pursued by the district at this time of fiscal distress. Please contact me with any thoughts, information, or concerns you think can help ensure that any budget changes have as small an impact on the delivery of quality education by quality educators as possible.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Website updates and more
Sorry for the absence of news on this blog; I have been posting most new stuff on our WEA Facebook page with the help of Communications.
The website has been updated with all relevant documents from the November and December board meetings. Also, the board did vote unanimously in November to reject a proposed MoA on the Massachusetts Math + Science Insight grant. The high school applied for this grant without performing the task of working with the Association. Several members testified to the negative academic effects this program is having, distorting the educational progress at the behest of the grant's funders. Since the vote, one member has come forward with a different opinion but at present the vote stands.
Unit C negotiations to succeed the contract that expired in August are still open. Ground rules prevent discussion of the state of those negotiations in a publicly accessible mode such as this.
I am growing concern about the number and range of initiatives that seem to be implemented before the planning is complete. The "Eighth Grade Academy" discussed in the recent School Committee meeting has potential as an idea, but it is curious to see a vote on something that remains so ill-defined.
Evaluations have had no notable change in form recently, and the evaluations committee has not met for several weeks. As always, please contact me or another officer with concerns.
The website has been updated with all relevant documents from the November and December board meetings. Also, the board did vote unanimously in November to reject a proposed MoA on the Massachusetts Math + Science Insight grant. The high school applied for this grant without performing the task of working with the Association. Several members testified to the negative academic effects this program is having, distorting the educational progress at the behest of the grant's funders. Since the vote, one member has come forward with a different opinion but at present the vote stands.
Unit C negotiations to succeed the contract that expired in August are still open. Ground rules prevent discussion of the state of those negotiations in a publicly accessible mode such as this.
I am growing concern about the number and range of initiatives that seem to be implemented before the planning is complete. The "Eighth Grade Academy" discussed in the recent School Committee meeting has potential as an idea, but it is curious to see a vote on something that remains so ill-defined.
Evaluations have had no notable change in form recently, and the evaluations committee has not met for several weeks. As always, please contact me or another officer with concerns.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
October 17 venue change
A quick note that the October meeting with members slated for Decas has had its venue changed. The new location will be announced shortly.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Oops! Sorry to the scholars of Wareham!
Whoops! In the process of recognizing the staff for their work in raising the bar in our MCAS scores, I unforgivably forgot to recognize the students for all their efforts! Sorry to every last one -- it was your work that made the changes happen!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
L'Shona Tovah
Greeting to all members and friends of our WEA on the occasion of the New Year of the Jewish calendar. Hopefully it will bring great happiness and satisfaction.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Welcome back
My colleagues,
It is an honor to serve as the president of such a talented group of educators as we embark on a crucial year for the enterprise of public education in Wareham. A special thank you to all those who attended the opening meeting after school on Wednesday. For those who did not, the presentation has been posted as a PDF in the members-only section of our website. Also, the officers' list has been updated to reflect personnel voted in at the board meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
I'm hoping to spend more time in the buildings this year thanks to a more central location and earlier schedule. The days I am scheduled to be in other buildings is listed on our calendar. I'm hoping for a good year for all, for our students, our community, and this body of dedicated educators. Rest up, and here's to a great year!
It is an honor to serve as the president of such a talented group of educators as we embark on a crucial year for the enterprise of public education in Wareham. A special thank you to all those who attended the opening meeting after school on Wednesday. For those who did not, the presentation has been posted as a PDF in the members-only section of our website. Also, the officers' list has been updated to reflect personnel voted in at the board meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
I'm hoping to spend more time in the buildings this year thanks to a more central location and earlier schedule. The days I am scheduled to be in other buildings is listed on our calendar. I'm hoping for a good year for all, for our students, our community, and this body of dedicated educators. Rest up, and here's to a great year!
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