A staffing meeting was held on Friday November 5th. Additional sections for semester 2 were allocated to schools. 38 classroom sections were allocated. 9 service sections were allocated for guidance or special ed (schools’ choice) In addition, some schools which had sections allocated in semester one did not use them, and will advertise them again for semester two. As well, some other sections have been made available through leaves, retirements, etc.

As a result there is a posting (on chat as well) with a closing date of this Wednesday

Linda, Pam, and I have visited three schools, Acton, M.M.R., and White Oaks, where Pam administered the survey to staff members. Branch Presidents at schools, which were not visited will have a package of supplementary surveys in an envelope tonight. We need those surveys back by November 30th.

At the staffing meeting, the issue of the obligation of members with part-time assignments vis-à-vis 125 was addressed. Just as with other duties, a part-time member has a pro-rated responsibility for 125. If that member is doing a whole TAP/TAG group, then some of this time should be counted for 125. This was clarified for principals.

As you know, this is a charity, which is being sponsored by OSSTF at the Provincial level. You have materials tonight about a campaign from now through December 10 to raise $45,000 (minimum) in support of this cause. This represents one loonie per member. I have a videotape (it’s very good)- about ten minutes if you’d like to borrow it. Please publicize this and pass the bucket at your next branch/staff meeting.

OSSTF Provincial has initiated a staffing survey across the province. It is not like the old workload surveys, which are done by all members. It is being handled primarily by guidance people, in conjunction with Linda and I. It’s major emphasis is on the number of sections compared with the number of credits school by school, across the board, and by subject.

I know that report cards are/were a huge job for some members. I asked each branch president to give feedback regarding the time being required by members for reports. No branch president communicated any specific information. Linda and I attended at least one in-service for reports, and one session where teachers were inputting data. The district office has gotten differing reports on the success or lack of success in using the reports. Pam will no doubt have more to say on this. The provincial OSSTF has suggested a protocol to deal with the Response Form section of the new report. I will be in touch with the board in an attempt to institute this protocol. (Protocol is reproduced for you)

At last year’s AMPA there was a motion passed which directed that a study be undertaken "to review the OSSTF fee structure, a long-term finance strategy and the staffing of the provincial .." An interim report was presented at Provincial Council. While the recommendations may still be changed, I have included it in the folder going around for your perusal.

Provincial OSSTF has published a response to the EIC’s second interim report. A chart summarizing its position of the EIC recommendations has been copied for you. The actual OSSTF response is being passed around.

Much time has been taken in the last weeks around chat. To go back, you will recall that Superintendent Johnson responded to a number of members’ comments about instructional budgets on OSSTF chat. I subsequently responded to him and sent a very clear message about the appropriateness of him addressing members directly on OSSTF chat, particularly around bargaining issues. He and I met and have agreed on a protocol for the future regarding his communications directly to members. As a follow-up, the board asked us to meet about chat and its use by members. Linda and I met with the Director, Paul Anthony, and Keith Johnson. We first sought provincial advice on our "rights" related to a chat line provided by the board. In that meeting, it was suggested that, as moderator, I should take certain messages off chat, and even be prepared to take members off. I indicated that I was not prepared to do so, as this was not my role, but the board’s, if their rules/protocols were not being followed to their satisfaction. I have checked with provincial office, who have indicated that this is the board’s right, and have checked with Al who has indicated that it was always his understanding that the board had this right as well. In fact, last year as I understand it, several teachers and one administrator were removed from chat.

Subsequent to the meeting, one of our members was removed from chat. I offered to meet with this member to pursue information on his behalf, and to try to negotiate his reinstatement.

In addition, I have obtained the following financial information as was requested of me regarding the purchase of service such as we now have. The Halton Board would sell us the identical service that is now ours for free; the difference would be that they would have no right whatsoever to monitor. This "sale" of service would have to be approved by the board and would cost approximately $1000 per month. I have had discussions with our current service provider at the office, who have said the cost would be much higher for a similar service.