December 17, 2007

Schoolwide Bonus Committee

In last week’s SBO for the Schoolwide Bonus Committee, I was selected as a member. Since I am now chapter leader, I must recuse myself from the committee to avoid any conflict of interest. The second and third place vote-getters will be on the committee. They are, alphabetically, Patricia Molina and Griselda Quiles. This was decided after meeting with our district representative, Kathy Sharko. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak to me at any time.


From The UFT

Frustrated with excessive paperwork that steals your time from instruction? Email your concrete examples to paperwork@uft.org as we continue our talks with the DOE on paperwork reduction. Please give your name, grade level and school in these emails so we can follow up if need be, but rest assured that we will protect your confidentiality in any discussions with the DOE.

One-click 55/25 updates plus calendar items at uft.org: Now, on the home page of the UFT Web site, you can click on the fuchsia “55/25 Update” button for the latest updates on the progress of 55/25. You will also find background information on the 55/25 retirement option, the dates and locations of this month’s informational sessions, and frequently asked questions about the pension enhancement. Also new on the home page is the “UFT Calendar” button, linking to union- and education-related events.

New, online DOE form for change of status: The way to inform the Department of Education of a change of personal information has changed. Changes of name, Social Security number, tax information and date of birth are now made by downloading a new form from the DOE Web site and following the instructions. One part of the completed form is to be sent to the DOE and the other given to your school secretary. This online form replaces the now-discontinued OP-85 form. Change of address, home phone and marital status can be reported to the DOE’s HR Connect at 718-935-4000. You must also notify the union and the TRS. To notify the UFT, members who are already enrolled in the UFT Welfare Fund can use the new online change of status process to: 1) make changes to your name; 2) update your mailing address, and 3) update your family profile including dependents and beneficiaries. Members may also continue to use the blue “Change of Status” packets that are available through your chapter leader or by calling the UFT Welfare Fund forms hotline at 212-539-0539.

Know your rights: The UFT’s “Know Your Rights” manual, an abbreviated, A-Z ready reference, is online at:

https://www.uft.org/member/rights/your_rights