President's Message update

January is almost over and already the days are getting longer and spring is right around the corner. We’ve wrapped up bargaining for 2015/16 and now it’s time to start looking forward. Please note the info below on the LCAP forums. That’s our chance as teachers to participate in the budget process and make sure our voices are heard. The website has a new look and if you haven’t visited VISTATA.ORG yet, I hope you will soon.  On the subject of retro pay, don’t expect the money in January’s pay warrant (see below for info).

Thanks again for all you do every day to make Vista the model of educational excellence..  

Sincerely,
Tod Critchlow

FRIEDRICHS vs CTA
​I’ve gotten lots of questions about the Friedrichs vs CTA court case. I am including a couple of links to videos that might help answer those questions. We won’t know for sure until June how the court will rule, but these videos might help explain the situation and what is being considered. The ruling by the Supreme Court will have an effect across the whole country and is not just limited to California. In addition our very own Reagan Duncan was in DC to present her views from the steps in front of the Supreme Court.
REAGAN’S SPEECH         
FAIR SHARE VIDEO    

FEB 10 K-8 PD Minimum Day
Elementary and Middle school teachers will have their second PD on Feb 10th.  On that day you are still entitled to a 40 minute lunch. Middle schools are allowed 90 minutes for their meeting. The PD programs for elementary teachers need to end at the normal student release time.That would be (2:03) for early start schools and (2:48) for the late elementary schools.  The extra PD time is not intended to infringe upon teacher prep time. I will send a reminder to principals as well.

Payroll and New System
You should have gotten an email from the district with directions on how to access your paystub via the new system.  It is very, very important that you check closely and compare your Dec Pay Warrant to your Jan Pay Warrant. If you notice any discrepancies contact payroll. This new system is being mandated by the County Office of Education. It’s a major undertaking and it is just bad luck that the new system is hitting right when our retro payments should be coming out. Please be patient and realize that the people working to implement this new system are trying really hard to minimize problems and make the transition as smooth as possible.

LCAP Forums
The current funding process for education in California is based on local control. Districts need to create a plan with feedback from stakeholders that determines how they will spend their money. There are numerous opportunities to attend LCAP Forums as parents or community members. This year we are going to have two sessions exclusively for teachers.  This is your chance to provide feedback on how money was spent, as well as offer suggestions for improvements for next year. This will be a facilitated meeting and teachers that attend will be guided through the process. Click HERE to access the LCAP Community Forum webpage.
February 2, 2016 LCAP Teacher Forum at the IMC. 3:30 - 4:30
February 4, 2016 LCAP Teacher Forum at Temple Height from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Please contact VTA if you have any questions.

NEA RA
This year the meeting of the National Educators Association’s Representative Assembly will be held in Washington DC. It’s an incredible opportunity to be part of the decision making process that sets policy for the NEA.  The link above gives highlights from the 2015 meeting.  Applications are due no later than January 29.

Good Teaching Conference Feb 26 - 28, Garden Grove
The CTA Good Teaching Conference are designed to support excellent teaching and learning practices for classroom teachers. Offering a variety of diverse workshops in curriculum content areas for K-12 teachers, the conferences provide opportunities for professional development and offer time to network and share ideas with colleagues and experts in the educational field. We have room for 20 new teachers at the CTA Good Teaching Conference. Teachers in their first year of employment in VUSD are invited to attend this conference. Travel, room and board and conference registration will be provided by VTA. Early registration for first year teachers is available until Friday, Jan 29. Any interested in attending should contact VTA.  We will sign you up or put you on the waiting list.