Dear SAEOPs:

As the year comes to a close I would like congratulate each of you for a job well done.  Your dedication to students, families, staff, and each other is truly one of our district's greatest treasures.

As we get ready to disperse for the summer, I would like to update you on the following:

1.  Bargaining will continue throughout the summer.  Please check the district and SAEOP websites for updates as we progress towards settlement.  If you have not already done so, please be sure your building AR has your home or cell telephone number and home email so you can be kept updated throughout the summer.

There is an important change and date that you need to mark on your calendars:

        August 31, 2009      4 pm   General Membership Meeting and Vote  (Location to be announced)

It is important to mark your calendar now for several reasons:  a) We hope to have a settlement for members to look at and vote on; b) the quorum requirements to vote have changed; and c) we will be using a new electronic voting system.

In order to have a quorum to vote on any contract settlement or other work action, the new numbers are:  20% of the membership in each SEA Department (Certs, Paras, and SAEOPs) and representatives from at least 40 buildings must be present.  If that is not met, there will be no meeting or vote.  SEA is also changing the manner in which we vote; we will now use an electronic system which requires your ID number on your WEA membership card.  More information will be forthcoming from SEA regarding the new procedures.

2.  We have set the date for our first SAEOP General Membership Meeting.  It will be September 24, 2009, at the SEA Building.   Please save the date; this will be our annual Soup Night where your officers and board members host you for a light supper!  The agenda will be published when the membership returns from the summer break.

3.  Please take advantage of the two-day professional development opportunity Kim van Atta has planned in mid-August.   The classes will prove valuable as you begin your start of school duties next fall!  At this time we still have the six professional development days in our contract so this would be a perfect opportunity to use them.

Thank you so much for your continued support.  It is so encouraging to your officers and board members as we advocate on your behalf.  Have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you in August.

Warmly,

Debbie Passi, SAEOP President