PCTA Action April 8, 2008

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LEGISLATURE AT THE HALF WAY POINT 

Proposals in the House and Senate appear poised to take some one billion dollars from Florida’s already strapped schools. The amount to Pinellas would total almost $40 million below last year’s appropriation. “This is a direct result of a tax and spending policy that can only be described as ludicrous,” said PCTA Executive Director Jade Moore. “The state doesn’t provide adequately for its schools, the citizens take matters into their own hands and reduce class size. The state shifts the burden to the local taxpayers. Finally the housing market burst and the state is left holding the bag.”

 

“Keep in mind that Governor Bush bragged about cutting $17 billion in taxes on wealth and business during his term,” Moore added. “Buoyed by sales tax collections on hurricane related expenditures and a super hot housing market, the State could spend with abandon and cut taxes. Now it’s over and the legislature must address the needs of the state. Solutions are everywhere. Cigarette taxes and expanded gambling are unpopular, but possible. Real reform, like closing the loopholes in the sales tax or a state income tax are not seen as real possibilities. But something has to be done and done quickly or the cuts will be permanent and deep.”

 

“Costs, like health insurance and diesel fuel, are not subject to manipulation,” Moore said. “Next year, we face double-digit health insurance increases and diesel at $4 a gallon. Add to that step increases and you begin to get the picture. How would you ‘cut’ $40 million from our current budget? Thankfully, we passed the referendum, but it only provides minimal increases and is subject to the down-turn in the market. Pity the poor districts that don’t have referendum money. Things are far worse there.”

 KRAF-CUSTER TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING TEACHERS 

Planning is underway for the second annual Kraf-Custer recognition dinner. The dinner, held this year at the Kapok Pavilion on May 6th, is named for Anastasia Kraf and Lillian Custer who left PCTA over $200,000 with a provision that the funds be used to recognize “teachers outstanding in the field.” Each school selects two teachers, one less than five years, one with more, from among the members. These teachers are not to include those chosen last year. They, along with the Faculty Representative, are the guests of honor at a banquet and are eligible for gift drawings. “Last year’s event was a huge success and this year’s promises to honor these two ladies in the same way,” said PCTA President Kim Black. Each school establishes its own criteria and selection process. Deadline is April 18th. Members are encouraged to send in digital photos of those selected for a special Power Point presentation.

 NEW TEACHERS CELEBRATION MAY 14 

New teachers will be recognized at our “First Year Teacher Survivor” barbeque on May 14 at the PCTA office. This event is open to the 600 new teacher members who made it through their first year. “We want to say thank you as these teachers have been through so much and have succeeded,” said President Black. “Now we want to  celebrate the end of their first year with them.” Reservations are required. Call 585-6518.

 FACULTY REPS TO MEET APRIL 10 

In light of the budget crisis, the April meeting of the Faculty Rep Council has been changed from a regional meeting to a full Council meeting to be held at PCTA. In addition to the latest news, Reps will be asked to approve a 2008-2009 budget; a position on middle school reform and other matters.

 ON THE BACK – ELECTIONS, SERVICES, HCR AWARDS AND MORE…FIRST HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD TO BE GIVEN 

The Human and Civil Rights Committee (HCR) of PCTA will be giving the Betty Shields Human and Civil Rights Award later this year. The award, named for deceased PCTA-PESPA UniServ Betty Shields, recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions in the area of Civil Rights. Complete details about the award and nomination form are available on our web site, www.pcta-pespa.org. Deadline is April ll.

 THE SUPERINTENDENT’S LISTENING TOUR 

To hear from middle school teachers, Dr. Wilcox is planning three forums, April 8, 9 and 10. The Middle School Reform initiative, now in its third year, is attracting a great deal of attention due to the early (incorrect) information that middle school teachers would be forced to teach seven of eight periods. The information received from Tallahassee was that students would be asked to take physical education on a daily basis. However, the budget problems in Tallahassee have caused this proposal to be weakened to a semester per year.

 

What remains is the question: “Does a six period middle school prepare students for high school or is there a better way?” A student who scores level 1 or 2 on the FCAT is placed in remedial courses and can probably not take an elective. For students who score level 4 or 5, the only problem occurred with the daily P.E. requirement. Everyone else falls somewhere in between. What PCTA attempted to do with the Middle School Reform Initiative was to foster creativity in middle schools, not to change to a one size fits all model.

 HOPE FOR SCHOOLS IN RESTRUCTURING  

In schools that have not made adequate yearly progress (AYP) over a number of years (usually through no fault of their own), the federal government prescribes certain efforts of restructuring to, hopefully, make improvements for our students. One such activity is reinterviewing the entire staff to determine if people still want to teach there. Others include closing the school or turning it over to a private corporation to run. In truth, the people in schools targeted for restructuring are among the finest in the County and there is little to be said for any restructuring other than providing them with students who are better equipped to do the work! PCTA continues to work with the district to stop such ideas as the three year commitment or the mandatory reinterview. If teachers can’t work with these students, allow them to leave gracefully, but don’t force everyone to go through the process.

 ELECTION RESULTS 

In elections held March 19th, Terry Askins, Palm Harbor Middle; Mary Watkins, Hospital/Homebound; Donna Miller, Oak Grove Middle and Joan Procida, Pinellas Park Elem., were elected to two year terms on the PCTA Board of Directors. A special election will be held at the May Council to elect a Director from District 5. Terry Askins was also elected to the FEA Board. Garth Albury, North Shore Elem.; Linda Trombetta, Tyrone Elem.; and Elizabeth Smith, Countryside were elected State Delegates to the NEA Convention. Carmelinda Escuder, Countryside and Carole Robinson, Dunedin High were elected to the AFT Convention.

 

Elected to the NEA Convention as local delegates were Kim Black, PCTA President; Michelle Dennard, Region 3; Kim Parsons, Jamerson Elem.; Carolyn Lofton, Skycrest; Richard Wisemiller, Tarpon Middle; Mary Alice Anders, Mildred Helms; Rob McMahon, Carwise; Barbara Wilmarth, Tyrone Elem.; Mia Sadler, Lakewood; Chuck Parsons, Jamerson; Stu Wilmarth, Hopkins; Kai Rush, Largo High; Tamika Hughes-Leeks, Boca Ciega; Terry Askins; Michelle Branton, Boca Ciega; Donna Miller; Sharon Flory, Region 1 and Janice Blaine, Eisenhower.

 CONTACT US  

With the growing popularity of e-mail, many members are choosing that way to contact us. This can create a problem when an immediate response is desired. The only sure way to determine that your case is being acted upon is to call our staff. This will enable us to follow up on your concern or get it to the right person. E-mail, while good when it works, lacks the ability to have any human interaction.