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Majority of Afghan Refugees are coming in to California, and we in the Bay Area have the highest percentage of the state.

"Islamaphobia" has been the other reaction to 9/11 besides patriotism.  We as teachers can give extra support, learn and use their names correctly, and help them to feel welcome.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16zlMMyAvMfl80nHdfN4xg-m-EYhgxxBrG3vJdUfQqVY/edit?usp=sharing

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New logo: "Our Students Deserve the Best"

Contract expired June 30, 2021

4 sessions of bargaining scheduled through October 5th

Goals:
Avoid layoffs
Salary Increase
Eliminating combo classes
Additional nurses
Increase benefits

Do need to have a balanced budget at the end of the 3rd year (23-24), MDEA is focused on keeping the budget healthy.

State receiving an extra 5% for education funding this year.  Compounded COLA for the 6 years (18-24) is 19%.  Salary is 80% of the budget, not 95% as was stated by Dr. Clark

Our current salary schedule is way below the surrounding districts around us.

What district presented to us at Bargaining meeting today was appalling.

MDEA asked for (17% total):
21-22: 7.5% increase
22-23: 6% increase
23-24: 3.5% increase

MDUSD counter:
21-22: 0% increase (2% one-time off schedule bonus)
22-23: 2% increase
23-24: 0% increase

There is no structural deficit in our district.  Cuts were made of $21.6 million 1.5 years ago.  Government $ coming isn't in our budget yet - $53 Million that they are going to get from state/fed that aren't in the budget yet (not for salary, but should be in budget for transparency).  So $ is coming and there is surplus left over from the past.

Board not being presented with accurate budget data from the district.  They need to start with the 5.5% that was agreed upon previously. Strong push by MDEA members to fire our CBO.

Bargaining Team cannot move to impasse until they see the reaction of us, the members.  We need 98% member agreement to push forward.  District won't budge if they think we don't care.  Now is the time for members to be vocal and speak out and let the Board know what we think of this offer.

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We need overwhelming numbers of members emailing and speaking to the Board.  And posting in Social Media.

Main message:
We deserve a raise.
We need a raise.
We expect a raise.

Salary information sheet and Bargaining email update will be forthcoming from MDEA.

Next Board Meeting: September 22nd (Monte Gardens @ 6pm). REP Unity Meeting next Wednesday!  3:30-6pm at Monte Gardens.  MEMBERS come at 5:45pm! Wear your MDEA shirts. Matching masks will be passed out.

Upcoming Membership Virtual Info Meetings: Sept. 16 & 17, October 7 & 14, 3:30pm

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SEA Shortage: huge problem for SDC teachers.  Multiple conversations with Wendy Agilly & Dr. Clark.  Let us know if you have a SAFETY issue due to a lack of SEA's.

Substitute Shortage as well! Librarians & Music teachers too.

Error in Open Enrollment form.  No box for MDEA.  Half got correct form/half got incorrect.  Just draw in a box and write MDEA, and that should be fine.  Or use corrected form here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HTdxdI7A4uOPii1uWvUN7ujby17jfY2A/view?usp=sharing

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Class Size Overages: Keeping track and resolving

Grievance Assistance: Receiving ones that are not complete, District is using that as an excuse to deny it.  If you have a concern or don't know how to fill it out, contact Linda Ortega.

Independent Study Packets: Teachers are being asked to stop what they're doing and create packets for those waiting for Horizons.  Linda spoke to Jenn Sachs.  Jenn said she will contact principals to download packets from iReady to download and give to students.

For students that are home on Covid or quarantining, tell the Office they must wait 72 hours.  Or tell them we will do it after school and submit a timecard.

Per Nancy Coffee, who works for Horizons, she said it is chaotic. It went from 200 to 750 kids. They have one principal, one registrar. The districts bargaining team did not bargain for the virtual academy. Lack of planning in the spring, now they are scrambling at every level.

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Cash in lieu issue - For bargaining members who get cash in lieu of medical, we filed a district wide grievance. Waiting for their response...

Covid supplemental paid sick leave for 10 days expires September 30th.  For people who get Covid, emergency paid sick leave has been paid.  There was hope the State Legislature would extend it, but they did not move to continue it at last Friday's meeting.  We have it for 17 more days.  Must use your own sick leave if you really are sick.

If you are just quarantining, we are trying to do teaching online from home.  MDEA has asked.  Waiting for district to respond.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE "NO" ON THE GUBERNATORIAL RECALL BY TOMORROW!  We need to keep a pro-education Governor.  Current lead Republican wants to defund schools and remove mask requirement.

Still working on issue with Summer School sick leave being incorrect on the August paycheck, less than 10.0 hours.  Linda Ortega is looking into it.

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Parent
October 18-29
Like pre-pandemic days, early out at 1:30pm.  No staff meetings.  Conferences may be conducted virtually but teachers must be on site during site time.  If after site time, and you are doing it virtually, you can do the zoom from home.

Why Horizons limit is 24:  With virtual academy, connected to Horizons.  Horizons has always had a 25:1 virtual academy.  District didn't think anyone would be in it, thought K-3 or 4-8 for each teacher.  Not enough teachers were set aside, only 2 positions, thought they would have to do multiple grade levels so that's why numbers are lower. That's how it happened, even though it's completely unfair. MDEA is not going to fight to give them more now, even though it's unfair to us in the classroom.