Association of Professional Administrators

Minutes 2025 11

Date/Time: Friday, November 21, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: North/South Auditorium in the Student Center, Worcester State University & ZOOM Room

Present

APA Statewide

  • Rosa Di Virgilio Taormina, President
  • Rebecca (Becca) Ramirez-McKinley, Vice President
  • Mark R. Powers, Secretary
  • Sharon Francis, Treasurer (Non-voting)
  • Aaron Childs, Membership Coordinator (Non-voting)
  • Julie Dunlap LePoer, Web Manager (Non-voting)
  • Sean Barrett, MTA Field Representative (Non-voting)

APA Chapter Presidents

  • Seth Bean, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
  • Brian Cahillane, Westfield State University
  • Kelly DeMello, Massachusetts Maritime Academy Junior
  • Delgado, VP Westfield State University
  • Peter Fenuccio, Worcester State University
  • Susan McNeil, Massachusetts College of Art & Design
  • Michael Merriam, Framingham State University
  • Jenna Shales, Bridgewater State University (Vice President)
  • Rebecca Shersnow, Fitchburg State University
  • Rosa Taormina, Salem State University

Guests

  • Auditors: Peter Brown, Barrett Bernier, & Kairy Bencosme of Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP

Absent

APA Statewide

  • Sherry Horeanopoulos, Health & Welfare Trust (Non-voting)

APA Chapter Presidents

  • Eric Feibel, Bridgewater State University

Call to Order

  • November 21, 2025 Time: 10:00am

Approval of Minutes

  1. Approval of October 17, 2025 Executive Board Meeting Minutes
    • Amendments: Update to membership information
    • Motion 2025.11.21-00
    • Motion to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2025 Executive Board Meeting as presented/amended made:
      • by: R. Ramirez-McKinley 2
      • 2nd by: M. Merriam
      • Vote: 9 -0-2
      • Action: Motion Carries

Public Comments

  1. N/A

President’s Report –
Rosa Di Virgilio Taormina

  1. CONTRACT QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE – MAAPA.ORG/CONTRACT – JULY 1, 2024-JUNE 30, 2027
    • This guide highlights key sections of our collective bargaining agreement and explains them in plain language. When we understand the rights and protections we’ve fought for and won together, we’re not only stronger— we’re prepared to push back when management ignores, undermines, or violates our contract.
    • MEAL ALLOWANCES
      • These rates were negotiated after bargaining concluded, so they differ from the amounts listed in our contract.
        • Breakfast: $13
        • Lunch: $15
        • Dinner: $26
    • PROPOSED CHANGES TO JOB DESCRIPTIONS
      • A revised job description must be presented to you and explained. You then have seven working days to submit any objections to the changes. Revised job descriptions should not be changed during the annual evaluations process.
    • ANNUAL EVALUATIONS PROCESS
      • Employee completes one self-evaluation using Appendix C on or about 11/1. Supervisor completes their narrative using Appendix D, due on or about 12/15.
    • REQUESTS FOR SALARY ADJUSTMENTS
      • Appropriate when responsibilities have significantly expanded or securing a new professional credentials of relevant significance.
        • Requests: 12/31
        • Notification: 4/30
        • Effective: 7/1
    • GRIEVANCES
      • Bring any issues to your union representative as soon as possible. You only have 15 days to file a grievance. However, even if you’re past the 15-day window, don’t assume you’re out of options—always check with your rep!
    • ACTING PAY
      • These rates were negotiated after bargaining concluded, so they differ from the amounts listed in our contract. They start at $125 per week and increase based on the duties performed.
    • LEAVE
      • Personal Time: 5 days per year; use them by 12/31 or lose them.
      • Sick Leave: 15 days per year; can be carried over from year to year.
      • Vacation: Starts at 20 days per year. You may carry up to 50 days (375 hours); anything above that is forfeited each January.
  2. Power Point Presentation for Annual Statewide
    • Introductions
    • Current Initiatives
    • Emergency Fund
    • Educational Initiatives
    • Updates
    • APA for All
    • Common Contract Violations
    • Systemic Issues
    • How We’re Doing This
    • Recent Victories
    • Member Surveys
  3. MTA Updates – Sean Barrett.
    • MTA Winter Skills coming in January
    • Lucy Hu – Zoom training available on speaking with new members about becoming Dues Paying Members

Treasurer’s Report – Sharon Francis

  1. Auditor’s Report – Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP
    • Clean Opinion on FY25 – A report card.
      • Financial Results & General Discussion
      • Required Communications
      • Tax Filings
  2. Payroll due on Monday, November 24, 2025 by 12:00pm.
  3. Local Chapter Support Funds by Chapter FY2026 – Updated
  4. Approval of October 2025 Treasurer’s Report
    • Amendments: None
    • Motion 2025.11.21-01
    • Motion to approve Treasurer’s report as presented/amended made:
      • by: S. McNeil 2nd by: P. Fenuccio
    • Vote: Unanimous Action: None

Higher Education (HELC) Updates – Rebecca (Becca) Ramirez

  1. HELC Bargaining Council – Next meeting December 5, 2025
  2. HELC Legislative Updates – Concerns regarding the 90-credit degree. DHE Meeting on December 9th – open to the public. Details will be sent soon. Lots of additional upcoming action networks

Membership and Data – Aaron Childs

  1. 1538 Overall Membership since September 2025. An Increase of 12 .
  2. 280 Non-Dues Paying Member. An Increase of 8 since October 2025.

Website – Julie Dunlap LePoer

  1. Regular updates made to website.

Health and Welfare Fund Report –
Sherry Horeanopoulos

  1. No report at this time

Committee Reports

  1. Budget Committee – Bean, Cahillane, Francis, Ramirez-McKinley
  2. Committee on Professional Development – Vacant
  3. Special Committees:
    • Committee on Legislative Action – Vacant
    • Committee on Health & Safety – Vacant
    • APA/Management Working Group – Vacant
  4. Employee Relations Committee (ERC) as per the APA CBA – Powers/Ramirez/Taormina

Old/New Business

  1. MassMaritime Sea Term Issues (K. DeMello)

Institutional Issues

Information has been redacted.

Announcements

  1. Please be sure to send Institutional Issues to the APA Secretary prior to the monthly E-Board meeting to ensure the information can be included on the agenda.

Adjournment

  1. Motion to Adjourn made at 11:14am
    • by: S. McNeil 2nd by: P. Fenuccio
    • Vote: Unanimous Action: Motion Carries

APA Meeting Schedule 2025-2026:

EventTimeDateFormatLocation
APA Executive Board10:00amFriday, September 19, 2025HybridZoom/Worcester
APA Executive Board9:00amFriday, October 17, 2025RemoteZoom
APA Executive Board10:00amFriday, November 21, 2025HybridZoom/Worcester
State University
Annual State-wide Membership12:00pmFriday, November 21, 2025HybridZoom/Worcester
State University
APA Executive Board10:00amFriday, December 19, 2025HybridZoom/Worcester
APA Executive Board9:00amFriday, January 16, 2026RemoteZoom
APA Executive Board9:00amFriday, February 20, 2026RemoteZoom
APA Executive Board9:00amFriday, March 20, 2026RemoteZoom
APA Executive Board9:00amFriday, April 17, 2026RemoteZoom
APA Executive Board9:00amFriday, May 15, 2026RemoteZoom
APA Executive Board10:00amFriday, June 19, 2026HybridZoom/Worcester
APA Executive Board Meeting Schedule 2025-2026

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