January 7, 2010 Consultation Agenda

HOUSTON FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

Please include the following to the January 7, 2010 Instructional Consultation agenda:

1. 2010-2011 Calendar

At the December school board meeting Dr. Grier mentioned a possible change in the calendar which would change the five professional development days into instructional days. Was this just an off the cuff comment or is there a plan to make this change?

2. Breakfast in the classroom

This issue is once again rearing it’s ugly head. What is the procedure required for schools to make this decision. Is the SDMC required to approve it, is the faculty required to vote on the plan, or is this decision solely in the hands of the principal? The following is a comment sent to us by one of our members:

Principals have been told that we are moving to a breakfast in the classroom program under the new superintendent. We already have rats and ants galore in our annex building. Our children have to go upstairs, at least one has a physical disability that would be difficult for the child to carry his breakfast. We don't want juice and other food products in our rooms. We also don't feel we should supervise breakfast with the children. Please, can we do anything about this?

3. Fingerprinting

In November we asked the district to pay the cost of fingerprinting for employees earning less than $25,000. Has this suggestion been taken into consideration?

4. Federal Stimulus Money

How does the district intend to spend the approximately $138 million in Federal stimulus money?