FASP Northeast Region

Northeast Region

This is your region if you are in one of the following Counties:
Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwanee, Union, Volusia

Your FASP Northeast Regional Representative is:

Freda Reid

Email: fmr@bellsouth.net

Northeast Region

Friday, September 30, 2011 - Northeast Regional Workshop
Data-Based Decision Making for Instructional Planning (6 CE Credits) - Flyer & Registration | Secure Online Registration

Duval County School Psychologists are supporting teen parents by sponsoring a “Dollars for Diapers” drive. The goal is to raise $1,000.00 to assist teen parents in purchasing diapers, food and clothing for their babies.

Duval County School Psychologists are holding their end of year luncheon on June 3rd. FASP President Monica Murray has been invited and it is being whispered in certain circles that she may attend.

Executive Board Meeting Highlights – April 30-May 1

Budgets cuts impacting school psychologists are a major concern. Duval County School Psychologists have been placed on 10 month contracts resulting in significant financial loss. Palm Beach is anticipating a 10% cut while Polk County School Psychologists are also bracing for cuts.

Advocacy information has been placed on the FASP webpage to assist psychologists in addressing these issues. Also, FASP Executive Board members are available for consultation.

LEGISLATIVE

Bob Cerra, FASP Lobbyist, stated that the upcoming budget is one of the worst for education in recent memory. There is an expected 3.42% reduction in funding.

Retirement – COLAS are being suspended for new employees

Retirement will be based on your highest eight years of your salary rather than the previous highest five years.

With the exception D.R.O.P. enrollees, all employees will be required to pay 3%of their salary into their retirement.

Vacation days and overtime will no longer be used to calculate your final retirement compensation.

NASP

Sarah Valley, NASP Delegate, reported that the prohibition of serving students in your school district has been removed by the NASP Ethics Committee. However, the rule continues to apply to students within the schools served by you.

Sarah also talked about a project “Back the Pack”, a drive to provide food for students who may have little or no food on weekends. Please follow this link to learn more about this most worthy project: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/
vp/42587983#42587983

DOE UPDATE

David Wheeler stated that if parents make a request for an evaluation, the district must proceed or send a notice of refusal. Saying that they must wait for RtI is unacceptable. The evaluation has to be done concurrently with interventions.

IMPORTANT DATES

FASP Elections – May 13 – June 12 PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL

FASP Awards nominations due June 30, 2011

FASP Executive Board meeting – July 18, St. Petersburg, FL – All members are welcome to attend

Summer Institute – July 19-24 – St. Petersburg, FL

FASP Executive Board meeting – October 29, St. Petersburg, FL – All members are welcome to attend

Fall Conference – October 30 – November 1st

Susan Hatcher is in her sixth year as a School Psychologist for Duval County Public Schools. A member of FASP, CSFI and NASP, Susan champions causes for children and the profession even if it comes with personal costs. When Susan saw unethical behavior that had the potential to impact the welfare of children, she did not hesitate to take action. Recently, when budget cuts unexpectedly impacted school psychologists in her county, Susan organized psychologists and is providing guidance and direction in order for them to present their concerns to appropriate officials.

To all of my constituents,
Please contact me if you have any issues or concerns you would like brought before the Board. Also, keep coming back to this page for summaries of Board meetings.