The MTA Trust Fund and all retiree health benefits will be explained at the Retirement Benefits Workshop Tuesday, March 13, 3:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The workshop will be presented by Dolores Gonzales from MUSD Risk Management and Sandy Eatchel from Allied Administrators. All those considering retiring in the next several years should attend this very informative workshop. Friends and spouses are invited to attend as well.
Grievance Workshop Will Be Presented Tuesday, March 27
Every member always has the right to grieve any portion of the contract if that member believes the contract has been breached. The Association offers grievance processing training annually. The training will be Tuesday, March 27, 3:30 p.m. at La Merced Intermediate.

Early Retirement Option Deadline Is Monday, April 16

If you are planning on early retirement at the conclusion of the current school year, you must complete and return the option form to the certificated personnel office no later than Monday, April 16. You must be between 55 and 60 years of age and have 15 years of experience with the District to qualify for the option. You are not obligated to include a letter of resignation at the time of completing the option form. Call Sylvia Delgado at extension 2293 for more information.

State Grants Available for
Home Visit Program

The Parent/Teacher Home Visits Project helps bring educators and parents together to improve student learning. Teachers and districts statewide can apply for $15 million in grants to launch home visit programs in eligible schools across California.

Funding is intended for Deciles 1-5 schools based on API scores with priority given to schools in the lowest two deciles. Schools have until Friday, February 23 to apply.

The grants range from $15,000 to $35,000. Fifty percent of the sites and fifty percent of the parents must agrees to have the program on campus. The program is strictly voluntary for teachers at school site, and pays all participating teachers for their time. More information is available at www.pthvp.org and www.cde.ca.gov.

Principal May Approve Additional Hours for IEPs at Contractual Rate
Effective (retroactively) July 1, 2006 an IEP rate is specified in the contract.

Bargaining Unit members must attend IEPs during contractual meeting times as directed by the site principal.

The contract allows 2 hours of meetings within the board day and 3 hours outside the board day each staff development month. (Calendars are available at www.montebelloteachers.org on the ìcalendarî page.)

Principals may authorize IEPs after the Board day beyond the 3 hours outside the board day.
Bargaining Unit members may elect to participate in an IEP beyond the Board day with payment at the IEP rate.

Bargaining Unit members are not mandated to attended IEPs beyond the Board day once the 3 hours are exhausted. If Bargaining Unit members volunteer, the IEP rate is required.
Only an administrator can authorize the rate.

Contact the site principal immediately if you believe you should have been paid for an IEP retroactively during the period between July 1, 2006 and now.

The District requires the completion of the ìwhite cardî for payment. Time should be noted in 15 minute intervals.