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chapter voice CONEJO VALLEY
Newsletter for Classified Employees of the Conejo Valley Unified School District
California School Employees Association - Chapter 620
March 2016
Important Dates
CSEA Chapter Meetings District Office Conf. Rm. F @ 5:15 pm
March 17, 2016 April 21, 2016 May 19, 2016 June 16, 2016
CVUSD Board Meetings District Office Board Room @ 6:00 pm
March 15, 2016
April 5, 2016 April 19, 2016
Board meetings are televised
Time-Warner Educational Channel 20 Verizon Channel 32
Every Wed./Fri. at 6:00 pm, and Saturdays at noon. Any questions about he schedule Call 805-497-9511, extension 201
Personnel Commission Meetings District Office
March 9, 2016 @ 5:00 pm April 13, 2016
Meetings are open to the public
Chapter 620 Officer Roster
President
Matt Waldman
First Vice President
James Wei
Second Vice President
Brian Farrell
Secretary
Dawn Stines
Treasurer
Jennifer Coates
Public Relations Officer
Jo-Ann Flowers
Union Stewards
Debbie Hanna
Jeanne Orth
Michael Reyes
Labor Relations Rep.
Alex Moore
(818)-502-3865
(800) 834-9959 x 3865
Conejo Valley Chapter Voice
Editor: Jo-Ann Flowers
Correspondence may be sent
to: CSEA Chapter 620
c/o CVUSD
1400 East Janss Rd
Welcome Back to a
Positive New Year!
SPRING BREAK March 25 through April 1
2
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Vote held on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 - PASSED
March paycheck
A 3.80% on schedule increase effective July 1, 2015
April paycheck
A 1.75% one-time bonus for the 2015-2016 school year
A .25% one-time salary reimbursement of the employee contribution to District health bene-
fits, which will only apply to members who are enrolled in the District health benefits pro-
gram
WERE YOU AWARE OF THE PAST RAISES WE RECEIVED?
School Year 2013-2014—March 3, 2014 settled in Negotiations, 2% retro to July 1, 2013,1% Bonus,1
day pay salary for Staff Development
School Year 2014-2015 -May 14, 2015 settled in Negotiations, 3% retro to July 1, 2014, 1% Addi-
tional Raise to begin Feb. 1, 2015 raise
Our next Chapter meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 17th at the DO Conference Room F
at 5:15 pm. We are planning on having a speaker come and present from Schools First, a credit un-
ion bank for school employees and share some of the perks. Nominations for Conference Delegates,
will also be accepted, for members in good standing, who are interested in attending the 2016 CSEA
Conference in San Jose scheduled for August 1st through August 4, 2016.
We would like to see more of our Site Representatives attend these monthly meetings and bring with
them someone from their site, so that they can help bring information back to the work site to keep
ALL informed of what is happening. Looking forward to seeing more Classified Employees get involved.
Remember our monthly Chapter meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:15 pm at the
District Office, Conference Room F.
Let’s work together to form an even stronger Union.
Sincerely,
Matt Waldman
Chapter 620 President
3
CHILD NUTRITION PLATFORM (for the ladies and/or men working in the school cafeterias)
“You’ve Got Our Ear, WE Have Your Voice”
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
District Office-Conference Room F
***An Opportunity for YOU to share your concerns/
issues in your present positions*** (Speakers will be given “2” minutes each to share with the group)
**We will have an ice cream social**
Please RSVP to [email protected] by Friday, March 4th if you plan on attending.
*Sponsored by your CSEA Chapter 620 E-Board and the MUP (Membership Unity Program) Committee who are
Debbie Hanna (Committee Chair), Jennifer Coates, Jo-Ann Flowers, John Noble, Jeanne Orth, James Wei, Linda
White.
CVUSD District Management will NOT be present
4
Planning Your Retirement? By Jeanne M. Foster
It's never too early to start thinking about your retirement and it's never too late!
When you retire, you will need money to live on and health benefits in retirement.
So, first things first, read your CSEA Contract to find out how many years you must work for your employer
to qualify for health benefits in retirement. If you need help, contact one of your chapter officers, union
stewards or contact Liz Jacobs at the District Office.
Contact District Personnel if you need to know your hire date.
Next, how much money will you have monthly in retirement? Can you survive retired?
Do an online estimate. Log onto my|CalPERS and estimate your future benefits with current data imported
from your employer. Once you have an account, you just click on the “Retirement” tab – and then on the
“Retirement Estimator” tab and follow the directions.
What about Social Security? If you are 62 or older, you can begin drawing Social Security too. AND you can
do an estimate by going to ssa.gov and clicking on the Social Security Estimate icon and following the di-
rections.
Okay, now you know about your health benefits and how much money you have to live on. When should you
begin your paperwork to retire from CalPERS and Social Security and get those Retired Health Benefits into
play?
At least 3-4 months prior to the last day you work in the district, because the next day, you are retired, you
need to:
Complete either the CalPERS paperwork or do it online on your myCalPERS page to complete either you will
need the following:
The names, addresses, birthdates and full social security numbers of anyone you want to name as a prima-
ry or secondary beneficiary;
Know your option in retirement (from your estimate);
Direct deposit information (something I recommend);
I recommend you take your estimate to your tax person to determine how you will pay your taxes on your
benefit because that is also on the form;
Notify Social Security of your last work day – so your payments will begin on time.
Retirement for Social Security can also be done on line or in their office – if you go into their office
take your Social Security Card, Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate (if applicable) & direct
deposit information.
Notify the District, in writing, of your last day of work (remember, this may be irrevocable, so once done,
cannot be undone – in some cases)
People seem to think they MUST have an appointment with CalPERS in Glendale before they can retire. That
is not true. CalPERS will review your completed paperwork for retirement, if you like and
will take it from you at the Glendale office too. Again, schedule that appointment through
your myCalPERS on line.
If you have any questions about CalPERS Retirement, please contact me. I’m always
available to answer your questions.
Jeanne Foster, Regional Representative /Region 59
Home: (805) 485-3663 Cell: (805) 750-6489 (Please NO text messages)
Or email me: [email protected].
5
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES REMEMBER
If a supervisor calls you into a meeting, you may have reason to have your union representative present.
This would be one of our Union Job Stewards:
Debbie Hanna [email protected]
Jeanne Orth [email protected]
Michael Reyes [email protected]
These are your rights:
You have the right to know the purpose or subject of the meeting.
If you think the meeting might lead to discipline, reprimand or dismissal, you have the right to union representation.
Immediately notify your job steward or other union representative of your meeting with management.
If the purpose of the meeting is investigatory and could lead to discipline and you have requested union representation,
the employer must stop the meeting to reschedule it until a representative is present.
You must ask for union representation. The employer does not have to advise you of your rights.
If you request union representation and it is denied, you have the right to refuse to answer any questions that could be
used against you. However, do NOT refuse to attend the meeting CONTACT your representative immediately.
CSEA BULLETIN BOARD
**DRAWING WINNER**
Thousand Oaks High School
(Classified Staff Chapter Members)
E-Board representatives, Jennifer Coates and Brian Farrell deliv-
ered Jersey Mikes for Lunch on Thursday, March 3rd to the Staff
Lounge at TOHS to be enjoyed by the Classified Staff that were
Chapter Members.
6
ARE YOU A GENIUS? THEN YOU BELONG AT ACACIA!
Acacia has jumped into an amazing first year of its Schoolwide Enrichment Model! At Acacia,
SEM gives students the power to suggest topics that interest them, subjects they are curious
about, or new things they would like to try. Each trimester the students vote on different
“Genius” cluster classes they would like to enroll in, numbered 1 to 3 in priority. Teachers,
specialists, gifted community volunteers and classified members from our site (librarian, cus-
todian, office staff, etc.) team together to guide these small, student-driven, multi grade-
level groups, to experience authentic methods, ideas and results in their chosen subject. The
excitement is contagious on campus as we see students of all levels grow in confidence and lead
with empowerment over their own learning. We also see the growing collaboration of ALL staff
on site, and the friendships being built among adults and students alike! The excitement grows
week by week and we can’t wait to see Acacia students leading the way in 2016-2017!
#Joyful Learning/#Joyful Work Place/ACACIA .
NEWS FROM CONEJO VALLEY HIGH
Big things are happening at C.V.H.S.!
We now have two awesome Career Education Center (CEC) classes on campus. In Virtual Entrepreneurism, stu-
dents experience the opportunities and obstacles facing small business owners in today’s highly advanced online
environment. Students learn ideas about marketing, brand building, & customer demographics. Also, students
get a chance to learn programs and applications that assist them in creating projects like web pages, social me-
dia accounts, blogs and marketing videos.
Video Production allows students rich, hands on experience of creating, editing and producing videos. From the
storyboard to script writing to cameras and lighting, students will get a very authentic taste of what video
making is from the layman’s perspective. The county hopes to add Advanced Video Production for our school in
which students would be able to receive dual enrollment credit at C.V.H.S. and Community College.
In addition to the above, we have 2 Moorpark College Professors teaching classes on our campus; Orientation to MC, and Introduction to College Writing. Students will earn dual credits in these classes as well.
Ms. Beck’s Community Service class has been very busy planting our spring garden with herbs, vegetables, and
daffodils. Students are learning about sustainable gardening and farm to table practices. They have completed
many beautification projects around school.
As an Office Manager, I am proud to call Conejo Valley High my home. The students at CVHS are more than the
sum of their pasts. Many grow up in a completely different world than the traditional student. Yet they are
kind, smart, funny and so empathetic. They are amazing!
7
UNION JOB STEWARD
TRAINING
March 12, 2016
Union Steward Training Level 3
Locations: Glendale, Lancaster, Santa Barbara,
Fillmore
To register, please call Victoria Tergalstanian at
(818) 502-3843 or email her at vtergalstani-
Please provide the following information in
your message or email:
First and Last Name/CSEA Chapter Name and
Number/Contact Phone Number/Email Ad-
dress/Location of the training you would like to
attend
Maintenance and
Operations
Trainings
SAVE THE DATE!
Register NOW
-FULL-SOUTHERN CA: March 12
At Santa Ana Unified District Office,
1601 E. Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana
-OPEN-NORTHERN CA: April 23
At CSEA Headquarters, San Jose
DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS
VALUABLE TRAINING!
TOPICS include the Williams Act, Know
Your Rights, and School Action for Safety and
Health (SASH) Training
COST IS : $25
(subsidy grants may be available)
Contact your Department Supervisor and/or
our Personnel Department—Marina Mihalev-
sky , at 805-497-1573, ext. 204, or email her at
[email protected] to see if there
are any funds that can be used for this train-
ing, OR
Visit csea.com for more information, or con-
tact Carolyn Ballard at (800) 632-2128, ext.
1316, or email her at [email protected]
8
PARAEDUCATOR CONFERENCE
SAVE THE DATE
Register NOW (PRE-Registration Deadline is April 1, 2016)
You Can do it! Inspire . . . Engage. . .
Lead the students that you work with every day!
April 12—14 , 2016
Ontario Convention Center
This conference is open to ALL Classified Employees with a special
focus on Paraeducators.
Scheduled Classes to include: Autism and Asberger’s A-Z, Assessment to Zany Conversations
Behavior 101
Child Abuse Reporting Law
Cognitive Behavior Intervention
Cool Zone for Students with ADHD
Dealing w/ Difficult Behaviors, Could It Be Communication?
Do This, Not That!
Enhancing Literacy Through UDL, Assistive Tech Supports
Exercise, Antecedent Based Interventions
How to be a Para-Pro
Interventions for Student with Autism and Anxiety
Keeping the Day Sane: Mental Health 101 for ParaEducators
And many more!
REGISTRATION COST IS : $109 (includes all class instruction, materials, and “2” continental breakfasts) (subsidy grants may be available through your local Personnel Department—contact Marina
Mihalevsky at 805-497-9511, ext. 204 and/or your Local Chapter, you can contact Jennifer Coates at
Deadline for Reduced Hotel rates is March 21, 2016. Rates range from $95 to $119 per night.
For more information please visit the conference webpage at www.csea.com/paraconference
9
QUESTIONS ASKED BY MEMBERS AND ANSWERED BY THE PRESIDENT
#1 What are you hoping to come out of these Platforms you are holding?
Answer: Our hope is to be able to hear employees’ concerns/issues and bring forth these
concerns /issues to management in a Labor and Communications meeting which meet the 2nd
Monday of each month. Some of our groups are unable to attend our Chapter meetings and
“we” the E-board and MUP Committee thought this would be a great way to bring better
Communication back to our Chapter.
#2 How many more Platforms will you be hosting?
Answer: We are hoping to host one per month. The next Group we will be focusing on is
Maintenance and Operations in April.
#3 How can we make sure we have the CORRECT information regarding a VOTE?
Answer: We would encourage you to contact any E-Board member OR your Union
Job Stewards. Our E-Board members names and our Union Job Stewards names are located
on the FRONT page of each of our Newsletters.
#4 How can we find out more about our local Chapter Union?
Answer: We encourage you to attend the monthly Chapter meetings. If you are unable, you
may contact any of our E-Board members or Union Job Stewards with any questions.
#5 How do I access work email?
Answer: From Any browser—Example: Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox
Go to: http:// owa.conejousd.org
Type in your Username and password
If you are unsure of your login, contact your Site Tech or Technology Services Department
#6 Can I use my OWN doctor should I get hurt at work?
Answer: Only if you have the form filled out in your personnel file, stating which doctor
you would like to use.
#7 If I need to go out on Catastrophic Leave and am COMPLETELY out of sick and/or vacation
days what steps should be followed?
Answer: Talk to your immediate Supervisor advising them of your situation. The next step
would be to find the “Sick Leave Donation” form online. Fill it out and submit it to
Mark McLaughlin along with any pertinent documents for approval. Once approved by
Mark McLaughlin, the President of CSEA, would then need to sign off on this form. The next
step is the President of CSEA Chapter 620 would then go to the Secretary of the Chapter and
an email would be sent to Classified Employees asking for donations of Sick Time hours/days.
10
SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, May 15, 2016
CSEA Chapter 620
ANNUAL PICNIC Willow Bend Conejo Creek North Park
(behind the TO Library)
11:00 am—2:00 pm
Food, Fun, and Games for the Family
CLASSIFIED EVALUATIONS
Administrators’ Time Line
MARCH 15TH THROUGH MAY
15TH
Reminder: An Evaluation CANNOT be used as a
tool for Discipline. It is a tool to evaluate your
performance and, if necessary, to give you the
tools needed to help you improve.
11
Monthly Member Benefits Highlight March, 2016
Make Stars out of your Members!
Nominate them for
CSEA Member of the Year!
Isn't there someone who exemplifies dedication and commitment? Someone who
continues to provide co-workers and students with outstanding service, or who
goes above and beyond in their community?
Be sure to recognize them.
CSEA recognizes five (5) exceptional members of the year annually. There is
a simple form to be completed. Chapters are encouraged to submit as many
nominations as you choose.
Winners are honored guests of the Association at the Annual Conference on
the day of the Awards presentation, as well as a local chapter celebration with
refreshments and door prizes.
The District Superintendent is also invited to Conference for presentation of
the trophy to be placed on display in the district in the recipient’s honor.
Nominations are due April 1st - Nominate Someone Today!
Additional Awards Programs:
Merit/Outstanding Service (Members and Non-Members are eligible)
(Nominations accepted year round)
Richard C. Bartlett Activist of the Year (Nominations due June 1)
William P. Schwartz Humanitarian of the Year (Nominations due June 1)
All nomination forms are available at www.csea.com/forms or by calling the Mem-
ber Benefits Service Center at (866) 487-2732
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
12
LIST OF ADVANTAGES TO BE A
CHAPTER MEMBER: (COST: $2.00
per month taken out of your pay)
Voting Rights
$5,000 Accidental Death Benefit
Free Legal Advice on personal matters
Retirement Planning Services
Discount buying—i.e. cars, computers,
etc.
Discounts on tickets i.e. Disneyland,
Knott’s Berry Farm, movies, See’s Can-
dy, water parks, travel, and much more!
College scholarships and grants for
members and their dependents
Representation ALL work related issues
WHAT DOES A SERVICE FEE
PAYER GET? (a person who does NOT
have the $2.00 per month taken out of their
pay)
Representation on contractual issues
ONLY
American Fidelity
SECTION 125
The Conejo Valley Unified School District in conjunction with CSEA is pleased to announce open enrollment for your Section 125 plan.
As a reminder, Section 125 allows employees to use tax-free dollars for certain employee benefits. These benefits include employee-paid health insurance contri-butions and other insurance benefits including cancer and accident coverage. In addition, employees can uti-lize the Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan for Depend-ent Day Care and Unreimbursed Medical expenses.
American Fidelity, our Section 125 provider, will be conducting site visits through June at each site to con-duct this open enrollment. Please speak with your
Office Mgr to find out what specific dates American Fidelity will be at your site.
In addition to child care expenses, flex accounts allow employees to “pre-tax” medical expenses not fully cov-ered by insurance. These include but are not limited to co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, weight-loss pro-grams, orthodontia as well as vision and dental expens-es. With expenses of this nature rising rapidly, having the ability to use “pre-tax” money to pay for these things is a great employee benefit. Our plan year is July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. The maximum annual amount for these accounts is $5000 for Depend-ent Day Care and $2550 for Unreimbursed Medical.
COMMITTEES NEEDING VOLUNTEERS
Constitution and Bylaw Committee
CSEA Chapter 620 Picnic Committee
Scholarship Committee
Wellness Committee *Contact Jo-Ann Flowers @ [email protected], if interested.
