Mr. Chuck Anderson, Director of the MEA came to speak to the Legislative Board regarding Senate Bills 55 and 56 and House Bills 4274 & 4534. These bills attack public school benefits and bargaining. The MEA will enlist several other major labor unions to assist with lobbying against these bills. THEY MUST BE STOPPED! We do not want them to get to the Governors’ office; we want to stop them while they are in committee.
· What can you do?
o Write a letter to your House and Senate Representative. U.S. mail is the most effective method to get their attention. Sample letters will be provided on this website or see your building rep.
In addition:
· There will be a K-16 Rally on June 21st, 2005
This rally demands a change in the way schools are funded. Let legislators know that you support the passage of SB 246 and HB 4582 and you want them to support it too.
· You may register online for the K-16 rally at www.michigank16.org . Thank you!
· See your building reps regarding transportation to Lansing.
· The NEA has lodged a lawsuit against the Federal Government regarding No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The Federal Government had not provided funding for this law and the NEA is seeking reparations.
· Teachers regarding NCLB, especially senior educators, must be sure that they are Highly Qualified under the law! The district has noted numerous teachers who are not yet Highly Qualified. There will be a workshop facilitated by Mary Ann Adams from the MEA. You should have received a purple flyer in your mailboxes regarding the date and time.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Southfield High School / Media Center
For the upcoming year, 4 of the 7 Board seats are up for election. Election for the first 3 seats will be held on MAY 3rd, 2005. The 4th seat will be up in June 2005. This election is VERY important because new members will replace over half of the Board.
There are three dynamic, highly qualified and articulate candidates that the SEA endorses and they are: Fern Katz, Darryle Buchannan and James Jackson. Their biographies will be posted on our website.
PLEASE VOTE! OUR FUTURE IS AT STAKE!
We need your help with phone banks. Please sign-up with your building representatives. The dates for the phone bank are as follows:
Saturday, April 23 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 26 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Monday, May 2 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 –8:00 p.m.
You will only be calling current and retired MEA members who live in Southfield. There will be a script for you to follow.
As of bid day, there were 16 new positions added and 27 new hires. The concern is whether we have the money for these new hires.
The Legislative Board voted upon two new letters of understanding. The first was to change the way course reimbursements are distributed. The proposed change will allow all first courses to be paid at a percentage and any second courses paid if there are funds left over. This will allow for equal distribution.
The second letter of understanding is to outline the criteria for using teachers as administrators.
Teachers are only to sub during their prep hours only for an emergency. Teachers are to be compensated by restoring their prep time at a mutually agreed time or compensated monetarily at the summer school rate.
Human Resources is in the process of checking and reviewing teacher absenteeism.
The District must comply with NCLB law and administer a second standardized test to all students in each of the core disciplines in addition to the MEAP. This is why the Terra Nova will be given to all SPS students April 25, 2005.