November 28, 2012 Meeting

Agenda

Taft College Faculty Association Agenda

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

 

  1. Welcome and Lunch

 

  1. Approval of Minutes from October meeting

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report

 

  1. TCFCBC Update
    1. Academic Calendar
    2. Voluntary Severance Package
    3. Salary Credit Language Clarification
    4. Flexible Spending Open Enrollment

 

  1. Board of Trustees Meeting – Public Hearing on 50% Law

 

  1. YES on Prop. 30 – NO on Prop. 32 (Thank you! Thank you!)

 

  1. Other

 

  1. Next Meeting: January Inservice, Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 12:10pm, Location: Cougar Room (Lunch will be provided) (Every 4th Wednesday)

Minutes

Taft College Faculty Association

Minutes of November 28, 2012

 

Call to Order

President Diane Jones called the meeting to order at 12:13 pm.

 

Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the October 24 meeting were approved as presented.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Cash Balance

Treasurer Ruby Payne reported that the current balance in the association account is $8788.11 after lunch.

 

Taft College Faculty Collective Bargaining Committee (TCFCBC) Update

Academic Calendar 2014-2015

President Diane Jones reported that a taskforce has been established to begin looking at the 2014-2015 academic calendar. Darcy Bogle and Craig Johnson are the faculty representatives on the taskforce. They will meet again later today and bring their recommendations to the bargaining group. No major changes are expected.

 

Voluntary Severance Package

President Diane Jones stated that this agenda item is normally addressed in our August TCFCBC meeting. It was postponed this year due to interest based bargaining training. Diane met with HR Director Jana Peters to run the two years of service credit STRS numbers for all faculty members eligible to retire (55 and older). Those numbers were taken to the last TCFCBC meeting, and the group went through its normal process. The calculations did show a savings for each individual. Even though there was not much faculty interest in the severance package this year, it was important expose Superintendent/President Dena Maloney to this process. Consensus was reached to not offer a voluntary severance package this year. Diane reminded members that a severance package is never guaranteed, and we should keep this in mind when one is offered.

 

Salary Credit Language Clarification

President Diane Jones stated that historically, most people were sending memos to their appropriate Vice President to get prior approval for salary credit courses or activities. Some had done activities without prior approval. One was denied, went before the AEER committee, and was approved. Diane worked with Interim Vice President of Instruction Patti Bench to draft contract language, which was then brought to TCFCBC for discussion. Consensus was reached in the last TFCBC meeting on revisions to sections 7.2.3.5 and 7.2.3.6 of our contract. New language (7.2.3.7) was also agreed upon. A copy of this language is attached to the official minutes. Diane reminded members to keep track of salary credit units, sick leave, overload sick leave, etc. A motion was presented by Tony Thompson and seconded by David Layne to ratify the consensus agreement. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

 

 

Flexible Spending Open Enrollment

President Diane Jones stated that this is not a bargaining topic, but an informational item. The changes to our health benefit plan take effect December 1st. We should be hearing soon about the details of an open enrollment period for flexible spending accounts that we can use to pay for copays and deductibles with tax deferred dollars. This is a use it or lose it situation with money put into this account, so plan carefully.

 

Board of Trustees Meeting – Public Hearing on 50% Law

President Diane Jones expressed her appreciation to those able to attend the 50% law public hearing November 8th at 4:00 pm in the Cougar Room. The Administration appears committed to making sure that we don’t fall on the wrong side of this law again. She also reminded the association that the Board of Trustees remains very positive toward faculty. Diane was able to report to the Board that Eric Bérubé and Vicki Herder had gone to a conference.

 

Yes on Prop. 30 – No on Prop. 32

President Diane Jones thanked members for any help in passing proposition 30 and defeating proposition 32.

 

Other

President Diane Jones informed the Association that Vice President of Administrative Services Ron Errea is on extended leave, and will not be returning to the district. Vice President of Instruction candidates will be ranked next week, with interviews expected to take place Tuesday and Wednesday of finals week. Open forums for the finalists should take place in January. Tony Thompson, Kanoe Bandy and Diane Jones are the faculty representatives on the screening committee. Brian Jean stated that we should be able two bank all twelve units prior to the year the jump is made from step 18 to step 24 on the salary schedule, instead of the nine currently allowed for. Chris Chung-Wee stated that he appreciates the newsletters from Superintendent/President Dena Maloney, and asked about progress on contract sabbatical language. Academic Senate President Tony Thompson reported that a subcommittee formed out of the senate will report back in January. Diane Jones reported that she and Craig Johnson will make a Frey report presentation to Dena Maloney similar to the one they made to the Board of Trustees last year.

 

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 12:42 pm.

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