As I wrote in my blog from Friday, February 26th, a survey was given to the high school students to determine their preference for a 6 or 7 period day. In summary, the survey has shown that a majority of students have expressed a preference for the 7 period day. As I announced last week, the agreement with Dr. Hamilton was: "The WLEA and the district have agreed that if a majority of students prefer a seven period day, discussion will continue."
This is a bargaining issue. Accordingly, a committee has been charged, by both the WLEA and district bargaining teams, to define the activities and structure of Student Resource Time (SRT), if it were to become part of the high school day. The committee was formed by the district and the WLEA that includes members from both the core and elective areas.
The committee will begin work tomorrow and Thursday under the direction of Dr. Dave Barry and Greg Diamond, Principal of Northern High School. The parameters for the structure of the SRT, as it would apply to a seven period day, include: 1) It must be revenue neutral, 2) SRT must be meaningful for students, and 3) Maintains, not increases, current elective FTE.
A final report from this committee will be given to both bargaining teams.
The Bylaws and Constitution of the WLEA that concern the procedures for ratifying modifications and letters of understanding to an existing master agreement will still need to be adhered to. Those steps include (page 11 of the Bylaws):
**Only proposed modifications and letters of understanding tentatively agreed to by the bargaining team may be submitted for ratification.
**The modifications and letters of understanding shall be deemed to be ratified upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors voting at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors. EXCEPT that the Board of Directors may, by a majority vote, refer the question of ratification to the members.
**If the Board of Directors refers the question of ratification to the members, the following steps must take place:
1. A general meeting will be held prior to the ratification election to discuss issues and allow the membership an opportunity to voice their opinions.
2. Changes from the preceding agreement shall be made available to the members at least forty-eight hours prior to this general meeting.
3. Ratification shall be by a special election following procedures determined by the Election Committee.
4. This election shall take place over a period of forty-eight hours.
5. The contract shall be deemed to be ratified upon affirmative vote of a majority of the active members in good standing voting on the questions.
Terese Fitzpatrick, President
Walled Lake Education Association
