Our Mission
The Cutler-Orosi Unified Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education for all students; to ensure that human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society.
INFORMATION
2021-2022 Executive Board
Raymond Wells
President
COUTApres@gmail.com
Lindsay Mendoza
Vice President
COUTAvicepres@gmail.com
Jonathan Gaspar
Secretary
COUTAsecretary@gmail.com
Sue Hendrixson
Treasurer
COUTAtreasurer@gmail.com
2021-2022 Site Reps
El Monte
Melissa Troncozo
Steve Fesperman
Orosi High School
Jeryll Reed
Sara Vega
Lovell High School
Tom Hosler
Golden Valley
Michelle Cruz
Robin Barnes
Palm School
Tammy Berry
Sylvia McGlothlin
Cutler School
Josh Gonzalez
8-12-21 | Update on vaccination requirements
Realizing that many of you have concerns regarding vaccination requirements, We, your Executive Board, want to keep you as informed as possible with the most current information.
As of today, August 11,
The Governor announced that we as teachers will be required to be vaccinated.
Unvaccinated employees will need to be tested at work for Covid once a week.
The district MAY request to know your vaccination status, but you MAY decline to state. If you decline to state, you will be treated as though you are unvaccinated.
We will continue to update you as information and regulations progress.
Welcome new members
Dear Colleague,
We are pleased to welcome you as a member of the Cutler-Orosi Unified Teachers Association. As a COUTA member, you are also a member of the California Teachers Association (CTA.org) and the National Educational Association (NEA.org). Each of these three organizations provide unique, valuable, and important member benefits.
COUTA represents all teachers in employee/employer relations with the Cutler-Orosi Unified School District. We represent you to bargain contracts regarding working conditions, salaries and benefits; to process grievances; to work with the districts to solve disputes; to serve as vehicles for teachers to address professional issues and concerns; to help you advocate for the best learning conditions for your students; and to keep you informed about state and federal legislation, legal decision, and initiatives affection our profession.
Please be sure to meet your COUTA Site Representative(s), your first resource for job-related questions and your first advocate. You can also contact the members of your executive board at any time with questions.
Also, be sure to follow Cutler-Orosi Unified Teachers Associations’ Facebook page @CutlerOrosiUnifiedTA. Visit our website at www.CutlerOrosiUnifiedTA.com for information including how to apply for CTA and TEA funds to attend CTA Workshops and Trainings for salary credits. Watch for emails with important COUTA information including surveys, upcoming conferences, meetings about leves/absences, contract updates, and upcoming COUTA events.
We are here to help you be the best educator you can be! We are looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming luncheon, August 9th at 11:30 am at Palm School.
Respectfully,
Your Cutler-Orosi Unified Teachers Association Executive Board
Contracted Teacher Work Hours: 7:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Duty free lunch. Coaches work an additional 30 minutes daily.
We appreciate your continued professionalism and dedication to your students and peers.
MEMBERS ONLY
Stay connected on social media.
Our Instagram is a private account where you will find posts on COUTA updates, teacher wellness, stories, and resources. Empowerment and wellness starts with each member.
Our Facebook private group is for members only where you will find COUTA updates and news. You will find discussion boards, polls, articles and resources for teachers and students.
CTA Discounts. You deserve it.
Check out the discounts and benefits for CTA members.
Discounts & Travel
CTA Access to Savings is an exclusive benefit for CTA members, featuring the nation’s largest private discount network. You’ll find savings up to 50% on everyday things such as food, clothing, car care, travel, entertainment, home and garden and more. In fact, use the program regularly and you’ll save enough to offset the entire cost of your dues! Learn more
Renting a car, SUV, or minivan? Take advantage of CTA flat rate pricing from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Learn more
Get discounts on everyday products from CTA and NEA Member Benefits. CTA and NEA Member Benefits offers a unique variety of discount programs like the NEA Magazine Services and more. Learn more
Access offers discounts to our members on entertainment tickets. There are so many venues and attractions offered. Learn more
CTA along with NEA Member Benefits provides various discounts to hotels and travel. Learn more
Know your rights: Absences and leaves during COVID-19
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LEAVES & REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many CTA members have questions about their workplace
rights regarding medical leave, family leave, reasonable accommodations for disabilities, underlying
health conditions, and similar matters. This document summarizes various sources of leave-related
legal rights that might be available to California school employees who have concerns about their
ability to work due to COVID-19.
Any CTA member needing assistance with these issues should contact their local chapter
representative and/or their CTA Primary Contact Staff.
Goals
To fulfill its mission, COUTA pursues the following goals:
I.
COUTA plans and executes programs and strategies designed to enhance the quality of education for students and the professional and personal lives of its members.
II.
COUTA assists in bargaining for salaries and individual and employment rights in keeping with the academic and professional status of its members.
III.
COUTA represents members in governmental relations — to influence state and federal legislation and actions by state and federal agencies.
IV.
COUTA strengthens its role as a voice for public education in California — projects a strong, coherent and consistent image — such that its members play the major role in shaping public policy on education.
V.
COUTA represents members in professional and career development matters.
VI.
COUTA represents members and provides a program of economic benefits and resources for members.
VII.
COUTA works to maintain and expand its membership so as to remain effective in defending and advancing its members’ interests.
VIII.
COUTA maintains a governance system designed to achieve broad membership involvement and democratic decision-making.
IX.
COUTA works to encourage ethnic minority member participation. COUTA works to promote human and civil rights.
X.
COUTA maintains staff, hired in conformance with affirmative action principles, to serve its members.
XI.
COUTA maintains internal and external communication systems to ascertain its members’ priorities, to keep its members informed, and to improve its relations with the public.
XII.
COUTA implements CTA and NEA policies within California and works to influence the development and content of those policies.