UBC LUNCHTIME MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH,2008 AT 12:10PM IN THE
LIBRARY
PLEASE ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE
TENTATIVE AGENDA
A. REVIEW OF UBC/ADM MEETINGS
B. SCHOOL SITE PLAN REVISIONS
C. DEVELOPMENT OF MASTER SCHEDULE
D. UNION UPDATES
E. MEMBERSHIP CONCERNS
CAMPUS SECURITY GUARD BLAINE WILSON HAS EXPRESSED HIS THANKS TO ALL
FACULTY , STAFF AND STUDENTS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND LETTERS ON HIS
BEHALF
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Middle School
School Site Council Bylaws
ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this council shall be the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Academic Middle School Site Council. It will be' commonly referred to
here and elsewhere as "the SSC".
ARTICLE II: Role & Domain of Authority
The role of this council is to:
a) oversee the long term policy and planning processes for the school.
b) mediate and resolve disagreements between participating
constituencies.
Appendix A of these Bylaws describes the "domains of authority" of the
SSC and its' various constituencies in more detail.
ARTICLE III: Membership
The membership of the MLK SSC is structured as follows, for a total of
16 members:
1 administrator, specifically the Principal, unless otherwise agreed.
5 teachers - election supervised by the Union Building Committee (UBC)
1 paraprofessional - election supervised by the UBC
1 classified (SEIU) employee – election supervised by SEIU Building
Committee
5 parents (election process determined by the PTSA)
3 students (1 per grade level, election process determined by the
Student Body)
In addition to the above, each constituency should select an
appropriate number of "alternates" who can be asked to substitute for a
member(s) who is unable to attend a specific meeting.
ARTICLE IV: Responsibilities; Voting, & Attendance
a) Each member of the SSC acts as a representative of his/her
constituency and speaks and votes on behalf of the constituency
b) Each member is accorded one vote on, the SSC. Only legitimate
members and alternates who are present at a meeting may vote.
c) Each SSC member must be ready and prepared to meet monthly (more
often if
needed) from October through June of the school year. The term of
office will be 2 years, as determined by the individual constituency.
d) In the event a member is unable to complete the term of office, the
constituency must select a new member within one month of notification
of the vacancy.
e) If a member misses three consecutive monthly SSC meetings, the
constituency may select, a new member for that position.
f) Each SSC meeting will also be open to the general school community.
Everyone attending may participate in discussions, unless restrictions
are pre-arranged by a 2/3 vote of the SSC. However, only official
members/alternates may cast votes when decisions are made.
g) The responsibilities of the SSC shall include the development,
creation, and approval of an Academic Site Plan and Budget for each
subsequent school year.
h) The responsibilities of the SSC shall also include monitoring of the
current Academic Site Plan and Budget for each school year to promote
effective implementation. Any changes deemed significant by an SSC
constituency can be brought to the attention of the SSC. (NOTE: This
does not mean the SSC needs to approve/disapprove specific expenditures
of previously approved budget allocations. However, an SSC member can
ask to have a specific expenditure reviewed if there's a concern about
its appropriateness.)
i) No materials or equipment purchased with funds monitored by the SSC
shall be released for use by another school site without approval by
the SSC.
ARTICLE V: Officers
a) The SSC shall, at the first meeting of each year, elect a
Chairperson and a Secretary. If either person is absent at any
subsequent meeting, a temporary replacement will be selected for the
duration of the meeting.
b) The chairperson's duties shall include:
1. Gathering, posting, and setting the agenda for each meeting.
2. Notifying, in accordance with State legislative and local
ordinances, both SSC members and the school community of the date and
time of each meeting and the preliminary agenda.
3. Presiding over each meeting in a way that insures the effective and
efficient conduct of the SSC's business.
c) The Secretary's duties shall include:
1. Taking accurate notes of the business conducted at each meeting.
2. Preparing an official set of "minutes" describing the business and
events, of each meeting.
3. Distributing these "minutes" to each SSC member as soon as possible
following each meeting, and also posting a copy for the school
community. .
4. Presenting the "minutes" of the previous meeting at each SSC meeting
for review, possible correction, and approval by the SSC.
d) If the Chairperson or Secretary misses three consecutive monthly
meetings during the school year, or is found by a 2/3 vote of the SSC
to be negligent in his/her duties, a replacement will be considered.
ARTICLE VI: Committees
a) The SSC may as needed establish standing or special committees. Such
committees will make recommendations for action to the SSC, but the
decision-making authority still rests with the SSC.
b) Membership in such committees will be established by the SSC, and
may include non-SSC members. However each committee must include at
least one SSC teacher member and one SSC parent member.
c) Each committee may adopt rules for its own governance, so long as
they are not
inconsistent with these SSC Bylaws.
d) Unless otherwise stated by the SSC, a Committee's. "quorum" business
'is designated as a "majority" of its members.
e) Vacancies in a committee will be filled by a process to be
determined by the SSC.
f) Each year the elected cabinet for the English Learners Advisory
Committee (ELAC) will also serve as a "Standing Committee" of the SSC,
to advise the SSC. They will be asked to submit recommendations to be
taken by the SSC on their behalf.
ARTICLE VII: SCC Meetings
a) The SSC shall meet at 4:30 PM on the second Tuesday of each month
unless a different date is set in advance with the agreement of a
majority of the SSC members.
b) Additional meetings may be called by the Chairperson (under
"emergency" situations) or by a majority vote of the, SSC.
c) The meetings will be held in the library, unless expected attendance
warrants relocating to a larger space.
d) Votes can be taken only if a "quorum" is present. A quorum will
consist of 9 or more SSC members.
e) Meetings will be conducted according to "Robert's Rules Of Order",
except as specified elsewhere in these Bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII: Agenda Process
Items will placed on the SSC agenda by the following process:
1. At the end of each meeting, a preliminary agenda will be set for the
next meeting by a majority of SSC members, consisting of unfinished
business and/or new items raised by members.
2. Between meetings, new items can be submitted by SSC members to the
Chairperson, who will then add the item to the preliminary agenda.
3. New items can also be raised by SSC members at the beginning of
each meeting.
4. The SSC as a whole can then decide the feasibility of including each
new item on the meeting's agenda.
ARTICLE IX: Decision & Appeal Processes
a) Consensus on decisions will be sought at all times. If consensus
can't be reached, the SSC will then determine the best course of action
for dealing with the particular issue.
b) All agenda items shall be made known to each SSC member at least
five days in advance of each meeting, to enable members to seek input
from their constituencies. This will expedite a decision being reached
rather than "tabled".
c) Any decision made by the SSC will be official and cannot be negated
by any other person or group unless it is contrary to Federal, State,
or District regulations and policies.
d) The timing and implementation of SSC decisions will be determined by
the SSC, and will be included in the wording of the official decision.
e) Any decision made by the SSC can be appealed by any member
constituency by:
1. Placing the issue again on the next available agenda.
2. At that SSC meeting, the constituency's concern with the decision
will be
stated and will be followed by further discussion and/or another
vote.
ARTICLE X: Amendments
This set of SSC Bylaws can be amended by the following process:
1. Amendments are made by placing the proposed changes before a full
meeting of the SSC membership.
2. Ample time is allowed for each constituency to discuss the merits of
the proposed amendment.
3. Amendments must not contravene current Federal, State, or District
regulations
and policies.
4. Amendments are ratified through a consensus of members present. If
consensus cannot be reached, the amendment may be tabled, or sent to a
sub-committee for further revision and resolution. Amendments can then
be approved with a 3/4th vote of the full SSC membership.
Appendix A
MLK SSC DOMAINS (And Decision-making Groups)
SSC Domain: Long term policy and planning decisions. Also includes
final site approval of all program Budgets and Master Schedule
Administrative Domain: All decisions regarding enforcement of
SFUSD/CA/USA mandated regulations & procedures. Also all "emergency"
decisions needed due to time constraints.
UESF Staff Domain: All decision-making activities and roles specified
in the UESF Contract, including (but not limited to) concurrence on the
common planning time schedule and the goal of shared consensus with
administration on areas of curriculum, budget, scheduling, staffing,
assignment, and professional development.
SEIU Domain: (Specific language to be arranged with SEIU Building
Representative)
Parents Domain: All decisions related to PTSA policies, activities, and
its budget. Voting membership in SSC, BAC, SAC, and FLU. Also
includes decisions relegated to parents by SFUSD or CA, such as the
decision on uniforms.
Student Body Domain: All decisions regarding the expenditure of
student raised monies, co-approval of fundraising activities, and
co-approval of Graduation, dances, and other student-sponsored
activities.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Question: My principal just established a 'Leadership Team' at my
school.
What should I expect from this new team? What are my rights?
Answer: 'Leadership Teams' are
entirely a creature of the district,
the duties and responsibilities of
which were never bargained with
UESF. What we have seen so far
is that 'Leadership Teams' have
been established to advise the
principal on various areas including
curriculum, student assessment,
and grant implementation.
Many members have contacted
UESF, concerned that 'Leadership
Teams' are doing more than
advising – they are acting as
quasi-management, decision-making
bodies. If so, then we have a
problem.
Because the establishment of
the 'Leadership Teams' was not
bargained with UESF, they have
no authority to determine any
changes in working conditions.
Furthermore, a 'Leadership Team'
can in no way usurp the rights of
the Union Building Committee.
We have also received some
reports that Leadership Teams are
composed of hand-picked staff,
with the obvious intention of
undermining the UBC. This is a
serious violation of the
UESF/SFUSD contract.
Some important things to
remember when considering a
'Leadership Team' if one has been
established at your school site:
• You have the right to refuse to
participate in a 'Leadership
Team.' You cannot be negatively
evaluated if you choose not
to be on a 'Leadership Team.'
• The Union Building Committee
and the Building Representative
are the representatives of UESF
at the school site. Under the
contract, principals are
required to share information
and ideas with the goal of
achieving consensus on site
operations and policy, including
staffing, assignment, programming,
facilities management
and planning, staff development,
and budgeting (Article
25.3.7).
• 'Leadership Teams' can discuss
any issues they please, but they
cannot make decisions outside
of a narrow range of items that
are completely under the
purview of the principal. The
Union Building Committee
must be consulted if any site
operations or policy changes at
the school are to be considered.
• Members of a 'Leadership
Team' have no authority at the
school site. They are in no way
supervisors or evaluators of
others' work.
• New meetings and meeting
times must be scheduled with
the concurrence of the UBC
(Article 7.2.7)
• Leadership teams can't implement
proposed district policy
at the site level. Any new district
initiatives or proposals
must go through the UBC.
• UESF suggests that 'Leadership
Team' reports be made at
monthly UBC/administration
meetings.
If a 'Leadership Team' has
overstepped its advisory role, it is
important that you bring the
matter up with your Building
Representative, and discuss the
issue with your UBC. If you are
concerned that your 'Leadership
Team' has been established with
the intention of undermining
your UBC or Building
Representative, contact UESF
immediately at 956-8373.
UESF Requests More Information on
District "Equitable Education for all
Middle School Students" Proposal
On November 13, 2007 UESF
President Dennis Kelly sent a letter to
Joan Hepperly, the SFUSD Assistant
Superintendent of Middle Schools,
seeking more information on the new
district proposal, "Equitable Education
for all Middle Schools."
The proposal includes the establishment
of a seventh period as a pilot program
in a few middle schools.
However, it was unclear whether the
extra period would be established for
the purpose of adding another numeracy
or literacy section or whether electives
would be added.
UESF is very much interested in making
middle schools more successful
institutions for learning. However, if
proposed reforms support more 'drilland-
kill' approaches, UESF cannot support
such measures.
Of course, any lengthening of the
school day is a mandatory subject of bargaining,
and therefore cannot be unilaterally
implemented by the district. If you
have any concerns about such a program,
please attend the next Middle
School Committee meeting, or contact
UESF Middle School representative Allan
Brill at abrill@uesf.org. At press time
President Kelly's letter had received no
response.
Principal's Expectations Cannot Be
Used in the Evaluation Process
According to the UESF contract only the
California Standards for the Teaching
Profession can be used during teacher
evaluations. However, some SFUSD principals
have informed their staff that they
will use their Principal Expectations during
the evaluation process.
This is a clear violation of the contract,
and represents a unilateral change in the
conditions of work. If your principal has
indicated that he wishes to use Principal
Expectations during your next evaluation,
contact UESF immediately at 956-
8373.
Paraprofessionals – Remember to
Use your Paid Family Leave Benefit
In 2002, with the help of the labor
movement, the Paid Family Leave (PFL)
Law was enacted in California. PFL provides
workers with a maximum of six
weeks of partial pay each year while taking
time off from work to bond with a
newborn baby, newly adopted or foster
child, or to care for a seriously ill parent,
child, spouse, or registered domestic
partner.
Paraprofessionals and other workers
who pay into the State Disability
Insurance (SDI) Program are eligible for
this benefit. SFUSD teachers do not pay
into SDI and are therefore not eligible.
PFL benefits will replace approximately
55% of wages up to a maximum of
$882.
The PFL program is 100% employeefunded,
and is currently over-funded,
meaning that people who are entitled to
the benefit are not taking advantage of
the program.
Certain conditions apply. Go to the
UESF website at www.uesf.org, and click
on 'Forms and Documents' for a link to
the claim form and more information
about the program. Additional forms are
also available at the UESF office.
United Educators of San Francisco, California
• District and union working together to reduce the need for
reconstitution by implementing a standards-based accountability system
• Restructured schools will use one of three options for operating
shared decision making programs
• Restructuring will not be imposed but allowed to evolve on a
voluntary basis
• Labor and management serve on the restructuring council to develop
goals/procedures for restructuring, promote site-based decision-making,
and provide guidance on restructuring plans.
