PCTA ACTION - January 12, 2010

      PCTA Unable to Sign Race to the Top
Memorandum of Understanding

At today’s School Board meeting, PCTA President Kim Black announced that PCTA was unable to sign the Florida Race to the Top Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). As Black explained, “To reiterate my comments from last Thursday, in no way is PCTA opposed to the ongoing discussions we have had with the Superintendent and her willingness to work collaboratively and thoughtfully on the difficult issues surrounding transforming our struggling schools, standards and assessments, current and new teacher evaluations, performance pay and differentiated compensation.” PCTA also has significant concerns over whether the grant funding over four years is sufficient and if there would be continuing funds to implement the proposals required under the MOU’s Scope of Work.

Black expressed the disappointment of both PCTA and FEA, our state affiliate, when she said, “As you know, negotiations were ongoing until late yesterday (in Tallahassee) on the issues outlined in this letter. Unfortunately, the DOE was unwilling to alter their current MOU to address our concerns.  Even when presented with language from various states designed to protect the collective bargaining process, the Commissioner was unwilling to compromise.”  The signed memorandum will go to the DOE with the signatures of the Superintendent and School Board Chairperson, but without President Black’s signature on January 12th.

At the January 7th Special School Board meeting, the School Board agreed to sign the MOU, but reservations were expressed by several board members. Both Black and Ogletree addressed the Board on the 7th and asked that the Board delay their vote until the January 12th School Board meeting. While there was a motion to reconsider at today’s meeting, it did not pass.

JOIN US AT THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE

In what has become an annual tradition, members of PCTA and PESPA will be marching in the Drum Major for Justice (Martin Luther King Day) Parade on Monday, January 18th in St. Petersburg. Marchers will distribute pencils to children along the parade route. It is great fun, good exercise and helps our community celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. T-shirts will be provided to those marching with our group.

The parade begins at 11:00 A.M. and we must line up at 9:00 A.M. in the Tropicana Field parking lot. We will have a red Ford F-150 courtesy of Countryside Ford. The parade ends at Vinoy Park where your vehicle can be parked.  Get a group together from your school!

PCTA MEMBERS TO ELECT DIRECTORS AND CONVENTION DELEGATES

PCTA holds elections in March each year. In even years, five directors are elected by geographic district. PCTA Board Directors are elected for a two-year term. The Board is responsible for the business affairs of PCTA and meets monthly. Directors must have been Faculty Representatives for at least one year or a member for three consecutive years (except leaves). National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teacher (AFT) delegates will also be elected in March. The Nomination Form is on the reverse side of this Action.