Vol. 7 September 2007
The Professional
A Publication of the Minnetonka Teachers Association
Members of Education Minnesota, NEA, AFT, Minnesota Local #7173
http://www.minnetonkateachers.org
Editor, Mary Tingblad, mary.tingblad@minnetonka.k12.mn.us
MM-West, 6421 Hazeltine Blvd., Excelsior, MN 55331
2007-2008 Minnetonka Teachers Association Governance Board
~ President Mark Chalupsky ~ Vice-President Margaret Ruffino ~
~ Secretary Mary Tingblad ~ Treasurer Ramona Anderson ~
~ DEC Linda Morantez ~ Deephaven OPEN ~ Groveland Pam Wertjes ~
~ Excelsior Sue Alexander ~ Minnewashta Julia Antonsen ~
~ Clear Springs Debra Drexler ~ Scenic Heights Kim Diekmann ~
~ MM-East Sandy Gosen and Sarah Berger ~
~ MM-West Mary Tingblad and OPEN ~
~ MHS Ramona Anderson, Jan Nelson, Mike Matthias, Kristy Burgeson & Bonnie Munger ~
~~ From the President ~~
MTA President, Mark Chalupsky
Hello everyone! We are off to another exciting and busy school year. Hopefully
most of you are settling into normal routines.
I want to update you on a couple of issues. Our revised Q-Comp plan has been
approved by the state. This year, under the revised plan, we will meet fewer times per
month, and teachers who are granted tenure in the spring will receive a $1,000 stipend
when they come back in the fall.
The task force that will look at the workload and stress issues has met once and
will be meeting throughout the year to try to find ways to reduce stress for everyone. The
committee will make recommendations that will be implemented next year. MTA
members joining me on the committee are Mark Broten, Peggy Glaccum, and Margaret
Ruffino. Administrators on the committee include Mark Larson, Adam Ehrmantraut, Pete
Dymit, and Curt Carpenter.
The MTA All-Staff Talent Show to raise money for our MTA scholarships with
be help on Friday, February 8, 2008. The show last year was great, and I know this one
will bigger and better. We are hoping to raise a lot of money so we can give out more
than two scholarships. Joel Gotz will be heading up the show, so contact him if you
would like to be a part of the show. Of course, donations to the MTA Scholarship Fund
will also be accepted.
The loss of two of our MHS students is really very tragic. I know our staff at the
high school will pull together and help all the students get through this very sad time.
It was great to see some of you at the Homecoming game last week. I hope to see
many of you at future games, too. Have a great school year!
The Professional, September 2007
~~ Referendum and School Board Elections ~~
MTA Political Organizer, Jan Nelson
On Election Day, November 6, 2007, there will be two election items of great
importance to teachers, students, and parents in our district.
1. Referendum: MTA members, this referendum must pass or the Minnetonka
School District will face a 3.4 million dollar deficit next year. The School Board
elected to put the following referendum questions the on the ballot:
Operating question: To renew and increase the District's Operating Levy
by $436 per pupil
Technology question: To extend the District's Technology Levy through
2017 at the current tax rate
If you are an MTA member that lives in the district, your vote is needed. If you
live outside of the district, we need you to help get the referendum passed. Many
people will be needed to make phone calls and to knock on doors as the election
approaches.
The Governance Board recently acted on President Chalupsky’s recommendation
to donate $5,000 to the Referendum Steering Committee. Please note that some of
this money will be reimburse to the MTA by Education Minnesota. Anyone and
everyone is urged to make individual donations, as well.
2. School Board Election: We need to elect School Board members who have a
vested interest in teachers and the education of all students. The following eight
candidates have filed for four seats:
Doug Anderson
Alice Everett
Calvin Litsey
Paul Luehr
Renee Schubbe
Lisa Wagner
Karen Walkowski
William Wenmark
There will be three Open Forums for the School Board candidates sponsored
by the PTOs/PTAs:
Oct 9, Tuesday, MHS, small auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
Oct 15, Monday, DSC, 7:00 p.m.
Oct 23, Tuesday, Excelsior, auditorium, 11:30 a.m.
The MTA School Board Election Committee will also be screening these
candidates, and President Chalupsky will be contacting members with the
committee’s findings.
For Referendum Election information, contact Jan Nelson, President Chalupsky, or
Sue Alexander. For School Board Election information, contact Jan Nelson, President
Chalupsky, Kristy Burgeson, or Margaret Ruffino.
Prepared and paid for by the Minnetonka Teachers Association in support of the School District
#276 Levy Referendum.
The Professional, September 2007 2
~~ MTA Budget Report ~~
September 1, 2007-August 31, 2008
MTA Treasurer, Ramona Anderson
Category Actual Budget Difference
Flexible Expenses: Contingency 0.00 2,000.00 2,000.00
EM Representative Assembly 0.00 500.00 500.00
Executive Mtg. Expenses 35.00 300.00 265.00
Governance Board Mtg. Expenses 30.00 630.00 600.00
Mileage 520.82 350.00 -170.82
NEA Representative Assembly 0.00 6,000.00 6,000.00
Office Supplies 226.50 800.00 573.50
Reorganization Meeting 0.00 300.00 300.00
Teachers’ Rights Mtg. Expenses 0.00 180.00 180.00
TOTAL Flexible Expenses 812.32 11,060.00 10,247.68
Income: AFT Advertisement 0.00 960.00 -960.00
Interest Earned 0.00 250.00 -250.00
Reserves 0.00 23,754.41 -23,754.41
TOTAL Income 0.00 24,964.41 -24,964.41
Mandatory Expenses: Audit 0.00 1,700.00 1,700.00
Governance Board Stipend 0.00 13,200.00 13,200.00
Meet and Confer Stipend 0.00 1,260.00 1,260.00
Membership Chair Stipend 120.00 1,200.00 1,080.00
Negotiators Stipend 0.00 6,000.00 0.00
Newsletter Editor 100.00 1,000.00 900.00
Phone Bill 40.00 480.00 440.00
Political Organizer 0.00 750.00 750.00
President Release Time 0.00 24,483.00 24,483.00
President Stipend 458.33 5,500.00 5,041.67
Secretary Stipend 166.66 2,000.00 1,833.34
Teachers’ Rights Chair 150.00 1,800.00 1,650.00
Teachers’ Rights Reps 0.00 4,125.00 4,125.00
Treasurer Stipend 166.66 2,000.00 1,833.34
Vice-President Stipend 275.00 3,300.00 3,025.00
Webmaster 0.00 500.00 500.00
TOTAL Mandatory Expenses 1,476.65 69,298.00 67,821.35
Unassigned: Student Scholarship 0.00 1,000.00 1,000.00
Referendum Donation 5,000.00 0.00 -5,000.00
TOTAL Unassigned 5,000.00 1,000.00 -4,000.00
OVERALL TOTAL 7,288.97 59,393.59 52,104.62
~~ Membership Information Reminder ~~
MTA Membership Chair, Jeri Goodspeed-Gross
Please contact Jeri Goodspeed-Gross at any time during the year whenever your
information changes—name change, address change, phone number change, or contract
time change. It’s important to keep your membership information updated. Thank you!
The Professional, September 2007 3
News From Education Minnesota
~~ Help Minnesota Flood Victims Recover ~~
During the weekend of August 18-19, 2007, up to 17 inches of rain fell in
southeastern Minnesota. Many members of Education Minnesota and their families are
victims of this devastating flood.
The Education Minnesota Foundation is collecting monetary donations to help
flood victims and their communities rebuild. Send checks payable to the Education
Minnesota Foundation to Education Minnesota, 41 Sherburne Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103.
Please include a note stating that your donation is for the southeastern Minnesota flood
relief efforts.
Also, the Foundation will collect monetary donations at the Education Minnesota
Professional Conference at the Saint Paul RiverCentre Thursday, October 18, 2007. The
collection center will be located in the rotunda on the lower level.
Visit www.educationminnesota.org, United Way at www.uwolmsted.org, or the
Minnesota Recovers website at www.minnesotarecovers.org for more ways to help.
~~ Professional Conference Fast Approaching ~~
Mark Victor Hansen, co-founder of the best-selling Chicken Soup books and co-
author of Chicken Soup for the Teacher’s Soul, will be the keynote speaker on the first
day of the Education Minnesota Professional Conference, Thursday, October 18, 2007, at
Saint Paul RiverCentre. Hansen will speak during the 11:00 a.m. general session in the
main ballroom.
Also featured on Thursday is Ron Clark, an award-winning teacher, author of The
Essential 55 and subject of a television movie focusing on his work with disadvantaged
students. Clark will speak at 9:45 a.m. in the main ballroom. His appearance is sponsored
by Great American Financial Resources.
On the second day of the conference, October 19, 2007, author and activist
Jonathon Kozol will speak at 8:45 a.m., and follow up at 10:00 a.m. with a discussion
focused on closing the achievement gap. Kozol’s presentations draw from his latest book,
Letters to a Young Teacher, in which he addresses the destructive consequences of the
high-stakes testing mania, the persistent inequalities of urban education, and the “sheer
joy and passionate rewards” of teaching.
All three authors will sign their books at the conference. The conference is free
and no registration is required. Seating is first come, first served.
The Professional, September 2007 4
~~ Earn Relicensure Credit at Conference ~~
Three free sessions to help teachers fulfill state license renewal requirements will
be offered the second day of the Education Minnesota Professional Conference, Friday,
October 19, 2007, at Saint Paul RiverCentre. The sessions run from 10:00 a.m. to noon
on the ballroom level. They meet state requirements for continuing education units in
reading instruction, identifying early-onset mental illness in students, or instructional
strategies to meet the needs of all learners. No registration is required. Seating is first
come, first served. For details, see the conference program, mailed with the October issue
of the Minnesota Educator, or go to www.educationminnesota.org.
~~ Conference Offers Sessions for New Teachers ~~
New teachers can take advantage of several one-hour career development
workshops for new and student teachers on Thursday, October 18, 2007, at the Education
Minnesota Professional Conference. Instructors include members of Education
Minnesota’s legal staff, practicing teachers, administrators and human resources
personnel. All sessions take place in Ballroom E at Saint Paul RiverCentre. Sessions
include:
A Few More Rs: Roles, Responsibilities and Rights: Learn how to avoid situations
that could jeopardize your career, license and reputation.
Enhanced Teaching Practice: A panel of newer teachers will share experiences and
advice.
Making the Most of It: Successful First-Year Teaching.
Launching an Education Career: School administrators, recruiters and human
resources personnel will provide suggestions for those seeking employment.
~~ Win Three $100 Target Gift Cards ~~
Education Minnesota members can register anytime during October in the Free
Giveaways section of the NEA Member Benefits website, www.neamb.com, for a chance
to win one of three $100 Target gift cards. Use the card to decorate your classroom or
home for fall! Giveaway entry runs October 1-31, 2007. No purchase necessary to enter.
~~ It’s Time to Check Out ESI Member Benefits ~~
If you are like most, summertime was spent doing fun things. ESI Member
Benefits is ready to help you get back on track with your insurance, your plans to reduce
your credit load, and your contribution paperwork to set money aside for your retirement.
Once you get settled in for another school year, call ESI at 651-292-4856, or visit
www.esi.educationminnesota.org.
The Professional, September 2007 5
So, What’s New at YOUR School?
There are “good news” things happening everyday in our schools. Send your school’s
good news to mary.tingblad@minnetonka.k12.mn.us to be included in the next issue of
The Professional. I’ve been told that this is one of the favorite features of the newsletter.
It’s the way that we can share all the good things going on with our MTA members!
MHS Summer Weddings
Math teacher Darren Best was married on July 28, 2007. Special Education
teacher Dave Olmstead was also married on July 28, 2007. Social Studies teacher
Michelle Manke was married on August 11, 2007, and her new last name is Ronning.
Special Education teacher Pauline Riza was married on August 16, 2007, and her new
last name is Fetheroff. Congratulations to all!
More News From MHS
Look who was walking and running this summer. MHS teachers Kim Seamans,
Susan Walker, and Kathy Wipperling participated in the 2007 Woodbury Chamber
Country Mile Half-Marathon, 5K Run, 5K Walk. Ask us who finished what!
The Professional, September 2007 6
Editorial/Commentary/Opinion Page
Editorials, commentary, opinions, and letters to the editor are not necessarily the position
of the MTA. All members are invited to share their unedited views, thoughts, concerns,
etc., by submitting them to: mary.tingblad@minnetonka.k12.mn.us.
Fall Is Really Here!
It’s that time of the year again. You know the time, when you start out needing
long sleeves and a sweater in the morning, but then regret your choice of attire by the
afternoon. We really do need the temperatures to cool down and stay cool now. It’s easier
to keep the kids engaged when they aren’t complaining about how hot the schools are.
For that matter, it’s easier on the teachers, too! The ideal weather now that school’s in
session would be cool and a little dreary during the weekdays, but let it clear up for us in
the evening. Of course, every weekend would have glorious, clear weather so we could
get out and enjoy our time away from school.
By now, we all are into school full-swing, getting to know our students, their
personalities and little idiosyncrasies. That’s all part of fall, too. It’s hard to believe that
conferences are just around the corner. Some days I can’t get over how much we’ve
already done since the beginning of school. Then again, there are other days when I can’t
help but wonder where the time has gone and how in the world will I ever be able to get
everything done! Unfortunately, that’s a part of fall, too.
I wish for you all the good things of fall—a lazy afternoon drive on a cool, sunny
day, just out looking at the fall colors; a weekend trip to the farmers’ market to pick out
the perfect pumpkins and apples, and to take in some fun people-watching; a hayride with
silly people and hot apple cider, hot chocolate, or the beverage of your choice; and just
the time to yourself to enjoy whatever it is that helps you unwind from school.
Mary Tingblad, Editor
WANT ADS
Advertise here for FREE. Sale items or career avocations are welcome. You never know
who may need just the item or service you have to offer. Send your want ads by e-mail
to: mary.tingblad@minnetonka.k12.mn.us.
Please note: At the request of the district, The MTA newsletter that is sent out using the
district e-mail will no longer contain the want ads. The want ads will be available on the
MTA website: http://minnetonkateachers.org/want_ads.htm.
The Professional, September 2007 7