May 17, 2019 

Newsletter: Bargaining & Legislation Updates 

 
 
Hello GPA Family:  

We are nearing the end of the school year - only 26 days left, but who’s counting?! 

But first: TESTING! We are hopeful that this round of state tests reveal the hard work 
and dedication our students have put toward their work this year. 

As this year ends, and the bargaining process moves forward, there is more and more 
information out there, and more and more going on. Let’s all be aware and careful that 
the information we are spreading is true and accurate. 

There are many ways to be involved in the next steps of the process. If you have 
questions, or want to help, please let us know!  

In this newsletter, you can find information on the following topics:  

● Bargaining Update  
● Committee Updates 
● GPA School Calendar Survey Results 
● How to Stay Informed & Involved in the Bargaining Process 
● Mark Your Calendars! 
● Stay in Touch 
________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
Bargaining Update 
 

*A Message from your  

GPATA Bargaining Team* 
On May 16, 2019, the GPA and GTA Bargaining 
Teams met in the Wingspan room of the GPA 
library for another bargaining session.   

The meeting was productive and the overall 

tone and tenor of the meeting was very 
collegial. Both parties cited their appreciation 
for the hard work and cooperative attitude of 
all team members. 

We submitted the following proposals to GPA which they will review: 

● Article 6: Discipline and Dismissal 

○ Progressive Discipline system (outlines system of verbal warning, written 
warning, letter of reprimand, suspension and dismissal process) 

● Article 7: Employment Status  

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Newsletter: Bargaining & Legislation Updates 

 
○ First two years probationary  
○ After probationary period, all unit members subject to ¨just cause¨ 

Summer School: ​GPA offered the following specifics for summer school and will be 
drafting a joint Memorandum of Understanding (for this summer only) including the 
following details: 

● 3 periods throughout the day (2 hours 15 minutes each) 

○ Period 1: 7:30 - 9:45 am 
○ Period 2: 9:50 - 12:05 pm 
○ Lunch 12:10 - 12:40 pm 
○ P3 12:45 - 3:00 pm 
● Teachers will teach 2 classes and have 1 prep each day 
● Typical work hours: 7:00am - 3:30pm 

Graduation:​ Due to space constraints at the Jacobs Center, the only teachers 
attending graduation 2020 will be those with a key role. Other creative ideas are being 
discussed by both teams such as teachers attending a mass live screening outside the 
Jacobs Center, teachers volunteering to help work (with limited job availability), etc .   

We look forward to our next bargaining session on June 3, 2019, when we plan on 
proposing articles on evaluations, leaves, safety, and the advisory committee. We will 
be sending out a survey within the next few days gathering feedback for these topics. 
 
Elected GPATA Bargaining Team: 
● LOTE/ENS:​ Christina  ● At-Large and  ● Sciences:​ Alexandra 
Avila  Organizing Committee  Mobley 
● Special Education  Liaison: ​Azucena Garcia  ● Non-Classroom 
(SPED): ​Erik Brault  ● Teacher on Staff on Call  Educator:​ May 
● Electives/ Visual &  (TOS): ​Ryan Hall  Manookian 
Performing Arts (VAPA):  ● Math: ​Trisha Harding  ● English: ​Spencer Mills 
Mary Davis  ● History/Social Science: 
Kelly Martinez 
 
Leadership Bargaining Team: 
● Cheryl McCree Cooley  ● Jane Leverson  ● Anne Robinson 
● Michelle Evans  ● Ivette Limon  ● Cecile Steppe 
● Judith Franceschi  ● Lisa Maples  ● Sergio Suarez 
● Dolores Garcia  ● Jenny Parsons  ● Wendy Tucker, Attorney 
 
 
Committee Updates: 
We will be having our monthly Union Membership Meeting soon! It will be held on 
Wednesday, May 29 in room 66 at 3:30pm. 

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Newsletter: Bargaining & Legislation Updates 

 
We want to be able to share what has been happening with the GTA Bargaining Team 
and discuss our plans moving forward into the summer. We hope to see you all there! 
________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 

 
GPA School Calendar Survey Results 
Thank you so much to each of you that participated in the survey we created and sent 
out regarding the proposed 2019-2020 Calendar and 6-period day. 

Your feedback has and will continue to be used in our collective bargaining process. 
We have compiled and summarized the results of the survey. We have removed all 
names to protect anonymity. ​Please take an opportunity to take a look at the results.​ If 
you have any questions, please feel free to reach out! 

Hard copies can be made available upon request. 

________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
How to Stay Informed and Involved in the Bargaining Process!   

● The Bargaining Team strives to keep the process transparent and encourages 
feedback from everyone. To ensure this is possible and that we are meeting the 
needs and availability of everyone: 

○ Each department has a democratically elected bargaining team 

representative, we encourage each unit member to share your personal 
contact information so your bargaining team representative can keep you 
informed and get your input throughout the bargaining process. 

○ Each bargaining team member will hold meetings to report back and listen 
to any concerns or questions you may have to ensure all departmental 
teachers are given access equally. Bargaining team members may also 
elect to communicate via email, text or phone as needed. 

○ When issues arise that need unit member feedback the bargaining team 
will send out surveys to every department so that everyone can participate 
in discussion even if they cannot meet.  

○ Following every bargaining session, a Bargaining Update will be sent to 

every member. A general membership meeting will occur at least once a 
month where all unit members can be updated on the status of bargaining 
and any other issues or concerns that arise. 

○ Our hope is that each Bargaining Team member will be at every scheduled 
bargaining prep meeting and bargaining session however we know that 

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Newsletter: Bargaining & Legislation Updates 

 
emergencies or things can come up unexpectedly. When this happens, a 
Bargaining Team member will work to ensure the department members 
that are affected by this absence are still included in the discussion. This 
could be through individual meetings, phone calls or feedback surveys. 

The Bargaining and Organizing Teams will continue to work hard for students, parent, 
teachers and the GPA community. If you have suggestions, feedback or would like to be 
more involved please email us at ​gpa.teachersassn@gmail.com​. While everyone is 
doing the work of building our union voluntarily, we will make our best effort to respond 
back to everyone within 72 business hours.   
   

 
Mark Your Calendars!  

 
● May 14th………………………………………………………………………...GPA Board Meeting 
● May 16th​……………​………………………………………………​…………...​GPA Bargaining 
● May 29th.…………………………………………………………………….Membership Meeting 
● June 3rd​……………​……………………………………………​…………...​GPA Bargaining 
● June 11th……………………………………………………………………..GPA Board Meeting 

 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 

 
 
 

Stay connected by visiting our website ​https://gpata.weebly.com/​ ​for more updates.  

 
Have Questions or want to be involved in building our union? 
You can reach us at​ ​gpa.teachersassn@gmail.com  
 
Thank you for joining us in these exciting efforts to improve our schools in the service 
of students and teachers!  
 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

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