A Vibrant Union

The NFT received four unprecedented, individual commendations from the California Federation of Teachers at the State Convention Early Childhood-

K-12 Awards Breakfast on March 25, 2006. The first was for Union Activism as demonstrated through the leadership skills of Joe Morgan, NFT President. The second award was for Political Involvement. Local 1986 was recognized for increasing COPE membership and becoming involved in our local School Board elections. The third was for Dedicated Unionist, recognizing the efforts of Fran Rozoff and Jan Delabrandais in creating the Communications Committee which succeeded in bringing the voice of Novato Unified School District teachers to the public through various media forms. Our Speaking Out video presentations were shown before and after each school board meeting which gave NFT excellent exposure. The fourth award was in recognition of NFT's unique Speaking Out video presentations shown on the local education channel in Novato. Fran and Jan wrote the scripts with guidance from President Joe Morgan. NFT has created three “Speaking Out” messages. The first subject was Proposition 98 and the Governor’s proposed initiatives in April 2005. The second subject was Teacher salary and COLA in NUSD in May 2005. The third subject was an egregious, global e-mail sent out by the district in August 2005. Each subject has produced reactions from the trustees, the administration and the community. The union has created an awareness of teacher concerns that heretofore were not recognized.

Leadership

"Leadership is a function of knowing yourself, having a vision that is well communicated, building trust among colleagues, and taking effective action ."

An Effective Leader:
SEES WHAT CAN BE and understands the current conditions, grasps the opportunities and embraces the challenges...

The Novato Federation of Teachers has come a long way in three years under the leadership of President Joe Morgan . During his administration, the union goals have been: 1- to improve salary for all teachers, 2- to establish health care that was more affordable to all, 3-to improve the evaluation process, 4-to support teachers at their worksite, 5- to get recognition for the day to day accomplishments of teachers, 6-to insure fair dealings between the union and administration and 7- to stand strong in negotiations with the district.

An Effective Leader:
KNOWS WHAT IS and believes he can make a difference, has a "can-do" attitude, and is persistent in accomplishing his goals...

Joe Morgan worked with the Executive Board to bring a united message to the administration during negotiations. One small change was to establish a full calendar of meeting dates. One large change was that Novato Unified no longer employs a lawyer to represent their interests during negotiation sessions. Another change was to know the district budget as well or better than the administration’s team. NFT was able to point out areas where money was available for teacher raises. As a result, teachers received an 11.2% raise over a three-year period with an ability to reopen if COLA comes in higher than expected. The medical benefits were changed from composite to 3-tier so that single payers were not bearing more cost per month than family payers. For the very first time, the Novato Unified School District has built teacher raises into the budget. This means that teacher compensation will be a line item in NUSD's yearly budget.

An Effective Leader:
HAS FAITH and works with others to bring ideas to life...

NFT also strengthened it’s relationship with CFT. This NFT Executive Board, under President Joe Morgan, brought resources to Novato’s public school teachers through collaboration with Fred Glass to aid communication, Ken Burt for support in electing teacher-friendly trustees and CFT lobbyist in Sacramento, Mike Weimer. Joe Morgan, representing Novato Federation of Teachers, testified in March, 2005 at a Senate Subcommittee hearing to support Carole Migden’s SB319 designed to rectify the inequity between Novato’s Charter School entitlement and the NUSD’s revenue limit. As a result of NFT’s activism, the bill moved out of Senate Committee and will bring an additional $150,000 to our district.

An Effective Leader:
DOES...

Through the leadership of Joe Morgan a Communications Committee was formed in 2002 and for the first time, teachers were able to get their message out to the larger Novato community. Communication to the school sites was improved via Crisis Bulletins, newsletters, NFT Blog and lively and productive building rep meetings. Union membership is now at an all time high.

With the election of three school board trustees who were endorsed by NFT, open communication with the union has begun and ideas are being shared in ways never before experienced. Novato Unified School District had a large exodus of teachers seeking better pay. By communicating with the trustees, as well as the administration, the union was able to explain that this was indeed a serious problem. As a result, the message from the trustees to the district administration was to do what was necessary to get better pay for teachers to retain qualified, experienced staff.

Joe Morgan has worked tirelessly to open communication between principals and staff. He has repeatedly visited school sites to advocate for teachers and open doors of understanding for the principals. NFT’s message is that the contract is for everyone. It is the guideline for keeping the workplace in balance.

There is now new language regarding teacher evaluations negotiated by NFT. The option exists for a permanent certificated employee to be evaluated on a five-year cycle if the employee meets certain criteria. Through the new and powerful model of shared collaboration, district teachers and administrators have begun an important dialogue which ultimately will create a more meaningful vehicle of communication and support for everyone.

A union is an entity with many parts. Strong leadership brings a focus and mode of execution to achieve the agreed upon goals. Novato Federation of Teachers has been successful in many areas under the leadership of Joe Morgan, NFT Office Manager Arlene Morgan, and the Executive Board since 2003.

Shared Decision-Making: A message from Joe Morgan, NFT President

Teachers are the most important assets in the Novato Unified School District. WE are hightly qualified, well trained professionals who enable our students to do well. WE as teachers are the most important part of a child's formal education, and our voices should be heard when policy is discussed. Teachers have the expertise and they are involved at the student level. Teachers know what is needed. Therefore, NFT is proposing language to promote Shared Decision-Making as part of the new contract.

Characteristics of Shared Decision Making and collaboration:
1.Individuals affected by a decision, participate in that decision, either directly or through chosen representatives.
2.Once a decision has been made, all individuals are responsible for helping implement it.
3.Included in the process is consideration of the consequences of the decision, its effects on students, parents, staff, other worksites, the District and community.

The following behaviors are vital to the shared decision-making process:
a.Valuing all persons involved
b.Listening to all other points of view
c.Ensuring all participants opportunities for input
d.Encouraging innovative thinking
e.Guaranteeing support for risk taking
f.Being allowed to alter preconceived positions
g.Follow through on commitments

Shared Decision-Making will result in more effective learning experiences for all students. NFT further believes implementation of the Shared Decision-Making process will build special relationships between students, staff, administrators, parents and the Board of Trustees. Those who are affected by decisions should be involved in making them. Teachers should be involved when important curriculum changes are deemed necessary, such as text selection or the Early bird/Late bird program.

Other items that should be covered under Shared Decision-Making are:
*Prep time issues
*Compensation for sick days
*Health care issues
*Paid professional development in areas of need
*An 18 step pay scale, not the current 20 step scale.

Remember, your union does not function only as a crises-solution vehicle, rather NFT should be thought of as a leader in the education of Novato students. NFT wants teachers to do more than just survive. Teachers in Novato should be thought of as the leaders in education.

Reviving Evaluations

The Novato Federation of Teachers is supporting teacher involvement in the fledgling District Evaluation Committee. The current process of evaluation is more of a Post-Mortem, rather than a instrument that promotes discussion of best practices and constructive ideas for improvement. Teachers want the process to be relevant, and for new teachers get the proper support they need. A new evaluation procedure should allow for the principal to come into the classroom more frequently, and that suggestions be made at this time so that the teacher can make the necessary changes to improve teaching techniques. Teachers feel strongly that an evaluation should include a support and training component.

Making Progre$$

For the very first time, the Novato Unified School District has built teacher raises into the budget. This means that teacher compensation will be a line item in NUSD's yearly budget. The Board of Trustees feels strongly that retaining and attracting quality teachers is a high priority. As it stands now, there will be a 5.78 COLA possible for teacher raises for the 2006-2007 school year.