Better Choices Rally" A VERY IMPORTANT RALLY WILL TAKE PLACE ON Wed. 3/25 at the Capitol at 4:30 PM. BETTER CHIOCES for our State Budget is the theme of the rally and all state employees are encouraged to attend. The SVFT is considering incentives for members planning on attending. Call the office with questions.
School VisitsSo far the SVFT leadership has visited Wright, Norwich and OBrien, Prince and Cheney, Grasso, and Wilcox. The CAPT testing and the half days associated with that make scheduling after school union meetings with the SVFT officers difficult in March. We are waiting until the last minute to confirm the visit and appreciate your flexibility. The budget process and political activity impedes our ability to make long range plans at this time. We will visit all the schools this spring and hold a union meeting as soon as the student day has ended.
SVFT Budget The 2009-2010 budget was prepared by the Budget Committee on 2/24 and approved by the Executive Committee March 6th. It will be presented to the Executive Council on March 11th for review and approval. The proposed budget will then be presented to the membership at the General Membership meeting on May 21.
Middle College SystemRick has presented testimony to the Higher Education Committee (on 2/19) and again to the Education Committee on March 7 regarding the SVFT position on the merger of the CTHSS with the Community College System. Copies of the testimony were included in the packets distributed to all building reps. on Wed. 3/11 at the Executive Council meeting. Read his comments here.
Governor Rell's Budget and SEBAC NegotiationsThe discussions and negotiations between the Governors office and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) are continuing. Rick is part of this and he met on Thur. 2/26 until 3 a.m., on Sat. 3/1 for 11 hours, and on Sat. 3/7 for several more hours. Rick is scheduled to be a t Marathon meetings all this weekend (3/20, 21 & 22) Updates of these negotiations are posted on the members only section of our web site. In addition Rick gave testimony before the Education Committee March 9, 2009. Read his comments here.
Higher Education Committee Hearing " On Thursday, 2/19 Rick gave testimony during Higher Education Committee hearings regarding a bill introduced by Rep. Carlo Leone (#5837). This bill calls for greater communication between the V-T schools and the technical colleges. Rick reviewed the articulated agreements that already exist between the V-T schools and the community colleges. Ellis Tech and Quinnibaug C.C. enjoy a very successful relationship, but each relationship is different there is less consistency among the community colleges than in the V-T schools.
Sick Bank Assesment The sick bank has been depleted and all members have been assessed one sick day to replenish it. An e-mail was sent from Linda Jakab to alert all members of the deduction. The last sick bank assessment was in 1995. Questions about this can be answered by the officers.
Seniority List Members have been calling the SVFT office to inquire about seniority. Click here for the link on our web site. You may copy the page(s) for your teaching area if necessary. THERE IS NO SENIORITY LIST FOR PART-TIME TEACHERS. Part-time teachers with questions about their seniority should review Article 11 of the Supplemental Agreement of the contract (page 97). All are encouraged to consult with your building rep. for clarification.
Retirement Information - The number for State of CT retirement information is 860-702-3490. The Retirement Incentive Plan proposed by the Governor is still being negotiated. There is no firm offer. The proposed R.I.P.(poor choice of abbreviation??) is for people who are already eligible to retire. The incentive (3 years right now) could be used ONLY if you had already attained the required age and years of service needed to retire. We will keep you informed as things develop.
Teacher Certification- Many members certifications are due for renewal in June, 2009. Superintendent Abigail Hughes has agreed to allow a bulk submission. If you are one of the affected teachers you should be hearing from the business office in your school shortly. If you are not contacted by them APPROACH THEM FOR INFORMATION. Certification is your responsibility and this bulk submittal is merely a convenience. The application for certification renewal is posted on the CTHSS internal web site available only from your school. If you have questions about the application process call Julie Gottlieb in Central Office.
Scholarship Applications - The 2009 SVFT Scholarship application is posted on our web site. CLICK HEREThe SVFT will be awarding nine - $1,000.00 student scholarships and one -$1,000.00 member grant, or two - $500.00 member grants. Don't hesitate, apply today. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING IS MAY 15, 2009.
Teacher of the Year - All schools have chosen their 2010 Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to all. The 2010 teachers of the year will be honored by the union at a dinner on 5/7 at the Rocky Hill Marriott.Click here to see TOY recipients.