Met Life, the endorsed life insurance carrier of AFT + Member Benefits, is providing a special enrollment window until January 28, 2013 to allow UFF members to purchase term life insurance protection for up to 2x salary on a Guaranteed Issue basis.   There will be no medical questions, exams, or blood tests.  As long as you are actively at work (not disabled) and an AFT member in good standing, you will  be accepted into the program.  In addition, if you are applying for $100,000 or more and are a nonsmoker, you will automatically qualify for the new, preferred rates.  For example, the premium for $100,000 for a 30 year old nonsmoker is just $4 per month.  The rate for a 40 year old is $7 and $15 for a 50 year old.  Plus, each enrollee receives free will preparation service from the Hyatt Legal Plan.  

You will be receiving additional plan details and an enrollment package via US Mail in the very near future.  Please consider this special offer as you make your insurance choices. 

Please forward this message to members.

CALL TO ACTION: Proposed rule change for issuance of continuing contracts

To College Faculty,

The State Board of Education is conducting a rulemaking hearing on November 29  in Heathrow at Seminole State College of Florida on Rule 6A-14.0411: Issuance of Continuing Contracts for college faculty Tom Auxter, UFF President, and Mark Richard, UFMDC President, will offer testimony as the union presidents. We need as many faculty to testify from their perspective. They should be diverse in terms of colleges, disciplines and years of teaching experience. We are asking for commitments to attend now and also submit your comments online.

The “post-award performance criteria” will impact the future of all faculty.

This rule change is not in response to identified problems. It is a political agenda from Governor Scott. The changes from the May, 2012 proposed rule to the current version are from the Governor.

Ed Mitchell
Executive Director
United Faculty of Florida
FEA, NEA, AFT, AFL-CIO
850-224-8220 Fax: 850-222-1767
(813) 240-9301 - Cell
Ed.Mitchell@floridaea.org
www.UnitedFacultyofFlorida.org

Submit your comment online

All faculty should go online and register their opposition to the proposed rule change. To submit a comment on this rule, go to:

https://app1.fldoe.org/rules/default.aspx

Look for Rule “6A-14.0411” and click on “Submit Comment.”

State that you are “writing in opposition to the proposed rule change.”

State your name, college and discipline.

Talking points on continuing contracts:

Faculty are awarded a continuing contract after completing a rigorous process that includes:

• Completing three (3) full successive years of services.

• Be reappointed

• Be recommended to the college President.

• Completed faculty development hours.

• Be recommended for a continuing contract by the College President.

• Complete performance evaluations for each year.

• Be approved by the College Board of Trustees.

• Faculty on a continuing contract may be terminated for just cause.

Talking points in opposition to the proposed rule changes:

• Diminishes local control by the College Board of Trustees.

• Moving to five years before eligibility will place Florida at a competitive disadvantage in hiring faculty compared to other states.

• What does “quantifiable measurable effectiveness in the particular area of practice” mean?

• How does “feedback from employers of students” measure the contribution of a single faculty member when the student was taught by twenty or more faculty?

Notice of Development of Rulemaking

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
State Board of Education

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
6A-14.0411: Issuance of Continuing Contracts
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule development is to update the current process of issuing continuing contracts. The effect will be a rule aligned with Florida Statutes.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Continuing Contracts.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.025(1), 1012.855 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.83 FS.

A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: November 29, 2012, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

PLACE: Seminole State College of Florida, Heathrow Campus, 1055 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Ms. Kasongo Butler, Assistant Chancellor, Division of Florida Colleges, Florida Department of Education, 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1544, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400;850.245.9455; Kasongo.Butler@fldoe.org

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

6A-14.0411 Employment Contracts for Full Time Faculty Issuance of Continuing Contracts. Continuing contracts are to be awarded for service in a full-time faculty capacity as determined by the college consistent with the following rules.

(1) District Boards of Trustees shall develop, maintain and distribute a policy governing the issuance of contnuing contracts and other employment contracts for employees serving in a full time faculty capacity as determined by the college. Such policy shall be consistent with this rule.

(2)(1) In order to be eligible for a continuing contract,full-time faculty shall must meet the following minimum requirements:

(a) Completion Completing of a least five (5) three (3)years of satisfactory service in the same college except as provided below during a period not in excess of seven (7)five (5) years. In all cases, with such service shall be beingcontinuous except for leave duly authorized and granted.The criteria established by the district board of trustees may also provide for including satisfactory service in other institutions of higher learning for purposes of this section.

(b) Receive the rRecommendation of by the president and approval by the board for a continuing contract based on successful performance of duties, and demonstration of professional competence pursuant to criteria establshed by the board and the needs of the college.

(c) Compliance with criteria established by the board pursuant to subsection (3) of this rule.

(3)(2) Each board shall establish criteria which must be met before a contiuing contract may be awarded. Other criteria for a continuing contract colleges may consider including, without limitation, educational qualifications, efficiency, compatibility, character and capacity to meet the educational needs of the community, and the length of time the duties and responsibilities of this position are expected to be needed. Colleges shall provide in writing to faculty a copy of the criteria for a continuing contract.

(a) Such criteria shall at a minimum include the following:

1. quantifiable measurable effectiveness in the particular area of practice.

2. continuing professional development;

3. currency and scope of subject matter knowledge,

4. student and faculty feedback and feedback from employers of students; and

5. service to department, college and community.

(b) Such criteria may include the following:

1. educational qualificiations, efficiency, compatability, learning outcomes, character;

2. capacity to meet the educational needs of the community;

3. the length of time the duties and responsibility of this position are expected to be needed; and

4. such other criteria as shall be included by the board.

(4) Each board may hire full-time faculty positions that are not eligible for continuing contract.

(3) The continuing contract shall be effective at the beginning of the annual college contractual periods.

(5)(4) Each employee issued a continuing contract shall be entitled to continue in their respective full-time a faculty position at the college without the necessity for annual nomination or reappointment until the individual employeeresigns from the continuing contract or, except as otherwiseprovided subsection (7) of in this rule.

(6) Each board shall by policy establish post-award performance criteria for faculty under continuing contract. Periodic review of continuing contract faculty through post-award performance criteria is intended to contribute to their continuing growth and development.

(a) Periodic review shall occur at least every three (3) years.

(b) Periodic review shall include, but not be limited to, factors as evidence of:

1. quantifiable measurable effectiveness in the particular area of practice;

2. continuing professional development;

3. currency and scope of subject matter knowledge;

4. student and faculty feedback and feedback from employers of students; and

5. service to the department, college, and community.

(7)(5)(a) Each district board of trustees The college mayterminate dismiss an full-time faculty employee under continuing contract, or return the employee to an annual contract, for failure to meet post-award performance criteria, or, for cause in accodance with college policies and procedures upon recommendation by the president and approval by the board. The president or designee shall notify the full-time faculty employee in writing of the recommendation, and upon approval by the board, shall afford the full-time faculty employee with the right toformally challenge the action a hearing in accordance with the policies and procedures of the college. As an alternative to the hearing rights provided by college polices and procedures, the employee may elect to request an administrative hearing in accordance with the guidelines ofChapter 120, Florida Statutes, by filing a petition with the board within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of the recommendation of the president.

(b) The board may dismiss a full-time faculty employee under continuing contract upon Upon consolidation, reduction, or elimination of a community college program, insufficient teaching load or restriction of the required duties of a position by the board. The board may determine on the basis of the criteria set forth in subsections (1) and (2) and (3), which full-time faculty employees to retain should be retained on a continuing or annual contract and which shall be dismissed or returned to an annual contract. The decision of the board shall not be controlled by any previous contractual relationship. In the evaluation of these factors, the decision of the board shall be final.

(8) In addition, each college, after receiving input from the faculty, shall develop appropriate criteria to measure student success, which may include but shall not be limited to the following factors, as appropriate: (i) demonstrated or documented learning gains, (ii) course completion rates, (iii) graduation and/or certification rates, (iv) continued success in subsequent and additional courses or educational pursuits and (v) job placements in the appropriate field. Such factors selected by the individual college shall be used, as appropriate, for the particular field of learning and the individual faculty member, as consideration in determining whether to grant a continuing contract pursuant to (3) above. Such factors shall also be used, as appropriate, in the review set forth in (6) above.

(9)(6) Any full-time faculty employee holding a continuing contract who accepts an offer of annual employment in a capacity other than that in which the continuing contract was awarded may be granted an administrative leave of absence pursuant to the college’s administrative rules.

(10) Each Board may award multiple year contracts, annual contracts or contracts less than one year to full-time faculty employees. No multiple year contract may exceed three (3) years. Each board that awards multiple year contracts, annual contracts or contracts less than one year shall establish rules and policies concerning such contracts.

(11)In order to provide for a transition period for full-time faculty in the process for being considered for continuing contracts, each board may provide an exemption from the time requirements set forth in paragraph (2)(a) of this rule for faculty personnel being considered for an award of a continuing contracts during the 2012-13, 2013-14 and the 2014-15 fiscal year. In addition, each board shall provide credit for satisfactory years of service incurred prior for purposes of determining eligibility for a continuing contract.

Specific Authority 1001.02(1), (9). 1012.83, 1012.855 FS. Law Implemented 1012.83 FS. History–Formerly 6A-8.33, Repromulgated 12-19-74, Amended 12-9-75, 2-14-77, 12-26-77, 7-16-79, Formerly 6A-14.411, Amended 7-20-04,

When we began analyzing the 2012 Elections, we heard nothing but dire predictions. We were up against an unbelievable funding disadvantage due to the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Citizens United. The Presidential election was not a shoe-in and pundits were positive that the Democratically controlled US Senate was doomed.

What a difference a day – and a lot of hard work - makes.

Although Florida Democrats were outspent four to one, we re-elected Bill Nelson to the U.S. Senate, picked up four congressional seats, and made historic gains in the Florida Legislature.

FEA’s goals were to strengthen the “fire-wall” in the Florida Senate, increase the Democratic margins in the Florida House, defeat Amendments 1,3, 5,  and 8 and retain the Florida Supreme Court  justices.

We succeeded.

One clear result from Tuesday’s election is the elimination of the Republican supermajority in the Florida Senate and House.  This means the Republicans no longer carry two-thirds of all votes. Picking up two seats in the Senate and five seats in the House bring the supermajority to an end:

In recent years, Republicans have been able to limit debate and pass controversial bills. This change may push more debate and deliberation about controversial bills. Further, many seats won by Republicans were won with much more narrow margins – a dynamic that may also give pause for those members to act in more moderate ways since each must run again in two years.

Republicans can still ramrod through any legislation sought but the consequences and costs for doing so may be higher. 

Why?  Due to redistricting, there is now a clear path to achieving a more balanced Florida House of Representatives. A least 12 seats currently held by Republicans could be won by Democrats in 2014.

Local referendums:

Locals had significant success and support for district school funding referendums:

·         Alachua  passed with 68% of the vote

·         Leon  passed with  76% of the vote

·         Miami  passed with 69% of the vote

·         Pinellas passed with 67% of the vote

·         Seminole  passed with 56% of the vote

·         Collier passed with 80% of the vote

·         Pasco  passed with 70% of the vote

Our track record:

• FEA recommended 16 Congressional candidates in the General Election; 13 won their seats -- four were considered flip seats from Republican to Democrat.  The Florida Congressional Delegation went from an advantage of 19 Republicans/6 Democrats to 17 Republicans/10 Democrats (NOTE: Redistricting created 2 additional Congressional seats).  Florida Democrats accounted for about a fifth of all Democratic wins nationally.
• FEA recommended 20 Florida Senate candidates in the General Election; 18 won their seats – two were considered flip seats from Republican to Democrat. The GOP spent millions in their unsuccessful attempt to defeat Maria Sachs, Joe Abruzzo, and Gwen Margolis.
• FEA recommended 50 Florida House of Representative Candidates; 35 won their seats – four were considered flip seats from Republican to Democrat. In an amazing turn of events and pure determination, firefighter Mike Clelland is poised to defeat former incoming House Speaker Chris Dorworth.  The race heads for a recount this Sunday. Other surpise upsets include: FEA member Mark Danish who picked off Republican incumbent Shawn Harrison with the help of loyal and dogged support of his fellow Hillsborough CTA members, and Jose Javier Rodriguez’s defeat of former Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla
• FEA formally opposed four of the 11 Constitutional Amendments – all four were defeated.

·         FEA recommended retention of all three Florida Supreme Court Judges –all three justices were retained despite being targeted by the right wing -- putting a stop to an unprecedented effort to hijack Florida’s highest court.

• Despite Democrats being outspent, four incumbent Republican legislators were defeated.  Democrats have not seen a net gain in the state Senate since 1980. 

Our partners and the 2012 Ground Game:

Florida ran the strongest and largest ground game the state has ever seen.  Progressives dominated the I-4 Corridor winning every major state legislative race in Orlando and picking up nearly every one of the legislative and local races in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

·         Voter registration: Democrats surpassed Republicans in voter registration, and out-registered the GOP with Hispanics and women – surpassing the GOP in registration.

·         Democrats cut the historical Republican absentee ballot advantage in half.

·         Democrats dominated early voting, winning every day of in person early voting by substantial margins.

Through coordination with the Labor Community through the AFL-CIO and the progressive community through America Votes, we did what at times seemed impossible.  Of course, we don’t have all the data compiled at this time, but our America Votes partners shared these preliminary numbers:

America Votes partners outlined five goals for the 2012 Election cycle.  They met and exceeded those goals:

1. Carry FL electoral votes for President Obama by boosting turnout amongst segments of the electorate that America Votes (AV) partners are trusted messengers.

AV partners knocked on 1,302,158 doors and had 288,335 conversations at the door.  In a race that Obama leads by about 50K votes, it’s clear AV’s effort made a difference.  Thanks to AFSCME, FNM, SEIU, Fair Share Alliance, Mi Familia Vota and NCLR for doing the bulk of this work.

2. End conservative super-majority in the state Senate by targeting three competitive state Senate races and winning two.

We picked up two seats, SD 14 and SD 34.  While SD 14 was put away early, AV still knocked on 178,393 doors (see below for more). AV partners also knocked on 81,287 doors in SD 34 doing specific persuasion and GOTV for Sachs.  AV’s ECO sent 8 pieces of persuasion mail (more than 400K pieces total) and two pieces of GOTV mail.

3. Execute a Hispanic persuasion program in Orlando and Osceola counties and under 50 years old Cuban persuasion program in south Florida to build long-term voting patterns in these important and growing constituencies.

AV partners blanketed the Hispanic community in Orlando and Osceola counties.  Partners worked together to avoid duplication and maximize resources.  NCLR and Mi Familia Vota alone hit 71,000 doors in Orlando and Osceola.  In HD 112 in South Florida, Florida New Majority executed a canvass and mail program that targeted 20,000 Cubans under 50 years of age, regardless of party registration, that helped pull Jose Javier Rodriguez across the finish line.

4. Maximize turnout in Congressional districts that layer with targeted state Senate districts and strategically important areas for the presidential campaigns. 

Nearly half a million of AV’s 1.3 million knocks took place in targeted Congressional districts that we won– CD 9, CD 18, CD 22 and CD 26.

5. Minimize down ballot vote drop-off by communicating to voters the importance of the entire ballot.

AV mailed (with funding from FEA, AFSCME, SEIU, Planned Parenthood, and BISC) 440,000 pieces of mail to urge voters to vote no on Amendments 3, 5  and 8.  Partners also carried tens of thousands of pieces of various No on Amendment literature and Yes to retain our judges.  We won all of these important down ballot votes.

Looking ahead:

We’ve had significant victories to celebrate … but there is no time to rest on our laurels! We have much to accomplish in the next few months.  On the national level, the ‘lame duck’ Congress must address the impending funding crisis or face billions in cuts to education and other programs. The 2013 Legislative Session is just around the corner with new faces, new leadership, and new dynamics to maneuver through.   The Legislature will meet on November 20 in Organizational Session to set the stage for the March 5 start of Session.  Interim Committee meetings begin on December 3 and run through February – so time is short.   And then there’s VAM…

But before too much time passes, we each need to take time to think about the wins and the losses and begin planning now for victory in 2014.  

~Jeff

Wednesday October 24th, so you can stop by on your way to the NCUFF meeting.

Tuesday, December 4th

Thursday, February 14th

Monday, April 15th