ESTA  UPDATE

East Side Teachers Association/CTA/NEA    888 So. Capitol Ave    San Jose, Ca  95127

Marisa Hanson, President   

Ralph Giannini, Vice President/ Treasurer    Jane Voss, Secretary       

EstaPresident@aol.com   fax: (408) 272-7569    voice: (408) 272-0601    website:www.EastSideTA.org

September 12, 2008
 
WELCOME BACK!
It was great seeing the staff all together again at Independence to start the new school year!  At this time, however, we still do not have a state 
budget.   This means our first pay warrant of the school year will be using the salary schedule from last year.  As you know, Assemblyman Joe 
Coto mentioned at the welcome back meeting that 1.78 % COLA was on the table and was also to be included in the state budget proposal.  
In the event that any COLA passes, that amount would add to the salary schedule and pay would then become retroactive.  
 
LIBRARIANS
It seems that many ESTA members would like the Libraries to run the same way they did last year, except this year they do not have Librarians, 
but one period, so how can that happen?  Many Librarians are now teaching classes and have donated their prep time to keeping the Library 
open an additional period, but really, how fair is that?  We can not expect people to work for free during their break and/or lunch or both.  If you are 
upset that the Libraries on our campuses do not have the same access that we had last year, then join me at the Sept. 18th at 6:00 PM School 
Board Meeting and share your concerns with the School Board Members and Cabinet.  
 
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
One of the ways to be more involved with ESTA is to join a committee.  The list below is our current committee chairs:
  
Grievance- Mike Gatenby & Paul Landshof
Organizing – Ralph Giannini
Elections – Rosalind Taylor
Political Action – Wendy Stegeman
Benefits – Bernadette Salgarino
Relief Fund – Nilda Calvo
Scholarship – Neil Wilson 
Sick Leave Bank – Jan Bowen 
 
Since we will begin bargaining a new contract in the spring, we are asking for at least 3 people per site to join the Organizing Committee.  
Contact Ralph Giannini by district email to let him know you are interested in joining this important committee. 
 
NEW TEACHERS
The District has hired a total of 84 new teachers for the 2008/09 school year, which is 17 less than left the district. 
This new hire number is about the same as last year.  If you are one of these new hires, I would like to welcome you 
again to ESTA. I met with almost all of the new teachers for lunch on August 13.  In the brief time we had together, I 
taught Union 101.  So, if you missed the lunch, send me an email and I will email you the handouts to read over.   
 
Building Presidents
The ESTA members at each site in the district elect a Site President each year. These members are the local “go to” 
people for ESTA members with questions or concerns about work-related issues.  Here is a list of the current Building 
Presidents:
 
Andrew Hill                                  Wendy Stegeman
District Office                  Kristine Hulse
Evergreen Valley           Hernan Diaz
Foothill                                         Jennifer Ludwig
Independence                Bill Kirk 
James Lick                                  Mike Gatenby
Mt. Pleasant                                Robert Rumph
Oak Grove                                   Kim Schaupp
Piedmont Hills                Paul Landshof
Silver Creek                                Jerry Dyer
Santa Teresa                  Theresa Flores
WC Overfelt                                 Eleanor Aguirre
Yerba Buena                   Blanca Espinosa
 
 
ESTA ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVES NEEDED
On October 8th at 4:00 PM at Mt. Hamilton CTA, the ESTA Assembly will be meeting for the second time this school year.  
Currently, the following sites have an opening for an additional representative: Andrew Hill, Evergreen Valley, Santa Teresa, 
WC Overfelt, Independence, James Lick, Mount Pleasant, District Office, and Yerba Buena.  If you would like to attend and 
fill in one of the open spots, please let your Building President know.  Each site is allowed an assembly representative for 
every 40 teachers, and only those elected members are allowed to vote on issues during the meeting. Alternates can vote 
if they submit their name at the beginning of the meeting. 
 
SICK LEAVE BANK
Applications for joining the SLB are now on the ESTA website or you can ask your site President.  The applications to join are due September 30, 2008 
to the district office.  Jan Bowen is the Committee Chair, so if you have additional questions, she can be contacted at Silver Creek or through district 
email.  Also, if you are interested in being part of the Sick Leave Bank Committee, please let me know. 
 
LOTTERY MONEY?
Last year ESTA members were able to have up to $215 reimbursed, if receipts were submitted that confirmed classroom supply purchases. 
Once the state budget is passed, ESTA members will be notified by Assistant Superintendent Jerry Kurr if we will have the Instructional Relief Fund 
again.  Many of you like to call this the old name of Herrera Funds, but this money has restrictions since it comes from the lottery funds given to schools.  
For now, hold on to your receipts and hopefully a state budget will be passed soon.  
 
 
LA RAZA ROUND TABLE
Each month, I attend La Raza Round Table and I would like to take a few ESTA members with me. If you are interested in attending, the meeting is 
always the last Friday of each month from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM.  A few of our board members attend regularly, along with Superintendent Nunez and 
Dan Moser.  Also attending the meeting is; the Mayor, Co-Mayor, Chief of Police, Chief of the Fire Department, Water District, the District Attorney, 
and many city council members who either attend in person or send someone to report for them.  La Raza Round Table really cares about East Side 
kids and has a mentoring program that has been successful for many years.  So, if you are interested in joining me, let me know ASAP.  For more 
information go to www.larazaroundtable.org 
 
 
NEW PROVIDER CERIDIAN
On July 1, our new mental health provider, Ceridian started coverage.  This program costs the district about $3 a month 
per member and is available to help members with various needs.  Below is all the information you will need to get started:
 
From Ceridian to all Members:
A stressful time at work? A child off to kindergarten? A relationship in transition? An aging parent who needs your help? 
Every day of your life brings new changes and challenges.
We’re pleased to announce that effective immediately, East Side Union High School District will offer you 
LifeWorks—your new comprehensive employee assistance program that offers everything you had in previous 
years – plus MUCH more!
 
Face-to-Face EAP Counseling:
Counseling is available for marital and family problems, alcohol dependency, relationships, emotional problems, stress 
and other issues. You and your eligible dependants are able to receive up to 7 sessions per issue, per year – at NO cost!
 
Telephonic Consultations:
You can call LifeWorks anytime at 1-877-510-0556 for help with a wide range of issues, including:
 
Introducing LifeWorks— Your new Employee Assistance Program!
Parenting
Older Adults
Midlife and retirement
Disability
Financial
Legal
International issues
Work 
Managing People 
Health 
Emotional well-being 
Addiction and recovery 
 
Online Resources: 
Employees can also visit the LifeWorks web site at www.lifeworks.com to watch short educational videos, read or 
download articles, take interactive self-assessments, e-mail consultants, find online resources, and much more. The 
user ID is: ESUHSD and the password is: EAP 
LifeWorks Online: www.lifeworks.com
(User id: ESUHSD password: EAP) 
OR call anytime: 1-877-510-0556 
En español, llame al 1-888-732-9020. 
TTY/TDD: 1-800-346-9188 
 
TIPS FROM CERIDIAN: COPING WITH SOARING GAS PRICES 
With gas prices at an all-time high, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their fuel costs.  In this newsletter, 
you’ll find ideas for reducing the amount of gas you use -- and the amount of money you spend.
Driving less
The most basic way to spend less at the pump is to reduce the amount of driving you do. Here are some ways to cut back 
on driving:
Look into public transportation. Taking a bus or train to work could save you hundreds of dollars in gas costs a 
month. If you don’t have public transportation in your area, see if you can carpool with some co-workers.
Approach your errands strategically. If you have to drive to run errands, try grouping them together to reduce the 
distance you have to drive and the number of trips you have to make.
Walk whenever you can. Walk to the closest mailbox instead of driving to the post office. Walk to a friend’s house 
instead of driving. If you can walk to a store, do some errands on foot.
Using gasoline more efficiently
You can also improve your car’s gas mileage through better maintenance and smart driving habits.
Keep your car properly maintained and tuned. A poorly tuned car can use more than 25 percent more gas. 
Pay special attention to oil changes and replacing your air filter. Both of these have a direct impact on fuel economy.
Check your tire pressure regularly. Properly inflated tires can increase fuel economy by 3 percent or more.