Akron Education Association
Random Notes
Alternative Middle School Moves Closer to Reality
Plans are moving rapidly forward for the opening of an alternative middle school in Akron next fall. While many details have yet to be decided, including the location of the school, several critical issues have been agreed to by administration and Association representatives.
Funding for the new alternative school will come primarily from the dollars now being allocated for alternative programs in most middle schools. Those programs will cease operations at the end of this year. The alternative school is being patterned somewhat after the highly successful Akron Alternative High School at the old Crosby School.
Alternative school capacity is targeted at 200 students. Staff will include one teacher in each core academic area, a counselor, program manager and several part time tutors and assistants.
Teachers will be selected through the application/interview process. The time schedule will include extended time, the amount of which has not yet been determined. Members interested in assignment to the Alternative School should watch for a posting in the buildings later this winter or during the spring.
DATES SET FOR SPRING GOLF OUTING, AEA NIGHT AT THE STADIUM
Dates have been set for two very popular annual AEA spring outings. Our golf scramble at Brookledge Country Club is scheduled for May 26 (Saturday).
The 26th Annual AEA Night at the Stadium is Friday, June 1 at 7:05. The Tribe will take on the Detroit Tigers, last year’s American League champions. As usual, a pre-game picnic will be a part of the package. Watch for applications for both events in the coming weeks!
Officer, Trustee Elections
Scheduled for May
AEA officer and Secondary District Rep. elections will take place during the month of May. Any member interested in running for an officer position must file a petition with 50 valid member signatures by March 7. Secondary members interested in a seat on the Board of Trustees must file a petition with 5 valid signatures by March 14. Petitions are available through the AEA Office, 434-2181.
NEGOTIATIONS TO OPEN IN APRIL
Negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement will begin early in April. The current CBA expires June 30, 2007.
Representatives from APS and AEA met last week with Mediator Rob Stein to discuss preliminary plans and scheduling. Mr. Stein has guided the district’s negotiations since the late 1990’s.
AEA team members include Ranay Hatherill (Elementary VP, Pfeiffer), Jeff Moats (Secondary VP, LPDC), John Robishaw (Treasurer, Firestone), 1st VP Mike Rusnak and President Bill Siegferth.
AEA will survey members on negotiations issues in March.
Early College High School Set to Launch in 2007-08
The Akron Early College High School, a partnership between APS and the University of Akron, will open its doors for business next fall. The school is being supported in part by KnowledgeWorks Foundation with assistance from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Representatives from APS, UA, AEA and KnowledgeWorks have met several times in recent weeks to work on the details of the new program. Students will be selected via application, recommendation and interview, with an emphasis on enrolling certain first generation college students. Enrollment next year will be limited to 70-100 freshmen, some of whom may be open enrollment students from outside the Akron district. All students who attend the school will be counted as APS enrollees.
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Early College High School
Classes will be held on the UA campus, and students will enjoy the same privileges as UA students excepting, of course, participation in Greek life activities. They will also be permitted to participate in extra-curricular activities at their originating high school.
All core high school courses will be taught by APS teachers, but students will also take UA Summit College courses, increasing the number of such courses as they advance through their high school years. The goal is to overlap earning a high school diploma with the opportunity to earn college credits toward completion of an associate’s degree.
The Early College High School will adopt both the district’s Code of Behavior and all UA rules and regulations.
The school will follow the UA calendar, including starting and ending times, vacation periods, calamity days, etc. The calendar will include two weeks of extended time before and one week after the school year.
Four teachers, a counselor, a director and a secretary will join the first ECHS class on campus. Teachers and counselors will be selected via application and interview. Interested members should watch for the job postings which should be in buildings on or about April 15. Final selection will take place in May.
Get in the know! Find out what the Legislature and State Health Care Board are up to in Columbus. Read the latest about what’s happening in education in Ohio and around the country. Read about upcoming Association social events. Visit our website at www.akronteach.org today.
AEA, HR to Offer Help on Transfer Form
Need help filling out your transfer form? Want to maximize your chances of getting the assignment you want? Plan to attend a transfer form seminar on April 16, 3:45 p.m. at AEA. Pat Carlson (Human Resources) and an AEA officer will share tips and answer questions on the right way to file a transfer form. Attendance will be limited, so call ahead to register.
March 1 Meeting for AU Master's Cohort
Dr. Zacariah from Akron U's Outreach office will hold a meeting about the Cohort Program on Thursday, March 1st at the AEA office (681 N. Main St.) at 3:30 p.m. Information on the program, start date and specialty area(s) offered will be reviewed at this meeting. The Outreach office also will assist teachers with much of the application & paperwork process. Dr. Zac indicated that he would also be contacting teachers who returned the interest survey. If you are interested and did not complete the survey, please visit our website to complete the survey and attend the meeting at AEA.