I am forwarding you today a message from the NEA regarding a media push that will begin this Sunday and Monday (September 26th & 27th). There are also opportunities to PARTICIPATE in the town hall meeting and submit questions to President Obama. Check out the new connections on Twitter and Facebook!
FROM THE NEA (National Education Association):
We expect a great deal of national focus on education as NBC hosts its Education Nation initiative (www.educationnation.com) across all its properties and Waiting for Superman is released. We appreciate the collaboration with affiliates to challenge wrong ideas. and advance a pro-public education message. Here are just some of the actions underway. And see below how you can join the effort to Speak Up! to make sure your voice and the voices of our members are heard.
· Participate in MSNBC’s virtual Teacher Town Hall on Sunday September 26th from 12 -2p EST To sign up, click on this link - TEACHER TOWN HALL
· Ask President Obama a question about how we can make a great public school for every student on the Today Show Monday, September 27th. To submit a question for President Obama, click on SUBMIT A QUESTION
· Watch President Van Roekel during his LIVE MSNBC interview with Contessa Brewer at noon EST on Monday, September 27
· Watch President Van Roekel during his LIVE CNBC Power Lunch interview at 1:30 pm EST
· Watch President Van Roekel’s panel during Education Nation: 4:45-6 pm EST “Good Apples: How do we keep the good ones, throw out the bad ones and put a new shine on the profession” broadcast LIVE on www.msnbc.com
· Watch President Van Roekel on Monday evening during his 7:30 pm EST LIVE interview on New York’s Evening News with Chuck Scarborough
· Follow us on Twitter and tweet using the hashtag “#stopteacherbashing". Click on NEA TWITTER
· Become a “fan” of Speak up for Education and Kids on Facebook – a community of educators and concerned citizens – now more than 37,000 strong. Click on SPEAK UP FOR EDUCATION AND KIDS ON FACEBOOK
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
"Budget Move Shortchanges Our Children"
"Budget Move Shortchanges Our Children" -
The title from today's editorial in the Livingston County Press......Livingston County tends to be pretty conservative and almost wholly Republican (except for a few of us), and THEY even get that the Legislature's and the governor's (notice I don't call her "our" governor anymore) actions were a total disservice to the children in Michigan.
I've reprinted part of the editorial below and have provided a link to the entire editorial at the bottom of today's posting.
"..........If that sounds cynical, then what else to make of the state's so-called budget solution that is crafted by transferring — swiping — $208 million from the state's K-12 education fund?
The only reason the education fund has a surplus is because some state revenue came in higher this year than projected, a rarity in light of the cuts that have been forced on K-12 education funding. Rather than give the money to schools already adjusting to budget restrictions, the state decided to hold on to the surplus to provide a cushion against further cuts as the state's downtrodden economy refuses to recover.
It wasn't a bad idea, until the state's dysfunctional government hijacked the money to help cover up the fact that it has continually failed to effectively balance the state's budget. This, despite the fact that the federal government has poured into state coffers hundreds of millions of dollars that it doesn't have.
Swiping the money from the education fund might even violate the state's constitution, although it is unlikely anyone in Lansing has the backbone to tackle that fight."
For the entire editorial click below:
The entire Livingston County Press Editorial
The title from today's editorial in the Livingston County Press......Livingston County tends to be pretty conservative and almost wholly Republican (except for a few of us), and THEY even get that the Legislature's and the governor's (notice I don't call her "our" governor anymore) actions were a total disservice to the children in Michigan.
I've reprinted part of the editorial below and have provided a link to the entire editorial at the bottom of today's posting.
"..........If that sounds cynical, then what else to make of the state's so-called budget solution that is crafted by transferring — swiping — $208 million from the state's K-12 education fund?
The only reason the education fund has a surplus is because some state revenue came in higher this year than projected, a rarity in light of the cuts that have been forced on K-12 education funding. Rather than give the money to schools already adjusting to budget restrictions, the state decided to hold on to the surplus to provide a cushion against further cuts as the state's downtrodden economy refuses to recover.
It wasn't a bad idea, until the state's dysfunctional government hijacked the money to help cover up the fact that it has continually failed to effectively balance the state's budget. This, despite the fact that the federal government has poured into state coffers hundreds of millions of dollars that it doesn't have.
Swiping the money from the education fund might even violate the state's constitution, although it is unlikely anyone in Lansing has the backbone to tackle that fight."
For the entire editorial click below:
The entire Livingston County Press Editorial
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
On Your Next Pay Check......
As Walled Lake Educators you will be receiving your first paycheck on September 10th, 2010. When you do you will notice the new/additional 3% retirement tax being taken from your pay. It will be listed after the title, “Health Care Fund” at the bottom right corner of your pay stub.
Below is a summary of the MEA’s lawsuit against MPSERS drafted by the MEA general counsel. This was sent today by Lu Battaglieri, the Executive Director of the MEA.
MEA is pursuing a lawsuit challenging the legality of the additional 3% contribution that school employees must make to the Michigan Public Schools Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) on wages earned beginning July 1, 2010. This additional contribution, which is going to be used to pay for the retiree health insurance of current retirees, was included in legislation passed earlier this year. The lawsuit, brought by five MEA members in the Michigan Court of Claims, alleges that the legislation breaches contractual rights of school employees and violates various provisions of the Michigan and United States constitutions.
At the beginning of the lawsuit, Court of Claims Judge James Giddings issued a preliminary injunction requiring that MPSERS place the 3% contribution in a separate interest-bearing escrow account and stopping MPSERS from using that money until further order of the court. By issuing the preliminary injunction, the court is ensuring that school employees will be able to receive a refund of the additional 3% contribution, if the lawsuit is ultimately successful.
Both sides agree that the lawsuit does not present factual disputes that would require a trial. On August 26, Judge Giddings heard oral arguments on the case. He will be issuing a written decision on the legal issues raised in the lawsuit. While a decision is pending, MEA is proceeding with the court procedure for having this case certified as a class action lawsuit.
Although a decision from Judge Giddings is expected in the near future, it is also anticipated that the case will be appealed by the losing party, so the case will most likely continue for a considerable period of time.
Below is a summary of the MEA’s lawsuit against MPSERS drafted by the MEA general counsel. This was sent today by Lu Battaglieri, the Executive Director of the MEA.
MEA is pursuing a lawsuit challenging the legality of the additional 3% contribution that school employees must make to the Michigan Public Schools Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) on wages earned beginning July 1, 2010. This additional contribution, which is going to be used to pay for the retiree health insurance of current retirees, was included in legislation passed earlier this year. The lawsuit, brought by five MEA members in the Michigan Court of Claims, alleges that the legislation breaches contractual rights of school employees and violates various provisions of the Michigan and United States constitutions.
At the beginning of the lawsuit, Court of Claims Judge James Giddings issued a preliminary injunction requiring that MPSERS place the 3% contribution in a separate interest-bearing escrow account and stopping MPSERS from using that money until further order of the court. By issuing the preliminary injunction, the court is ensuring that school employees will be able to receive a refund of the additional 3% contribution, if the lawsuit is ultimately successful.
Both sides agree that the lawsuit does not present factual disputes that would require a trial. On August 26, Judge Giddings heard oral arguments on the case. He will be issuing a written decision on the legal issues raised in the lawsuit. While a decision is pending, MEA is proceeding with the court procedure for having this case certified as a class action lawsuit.
Although a decision from Judge Giddings is expected in the near future, it is also anticipated that the case will be appealed by the losing party, so the case will most likely continue for a considerable period of time.
Monday, August 16, 2010
August Election News and Recall Information
Good Morning.
A few updates on happenings in August.
Michigan House of Representative Election: The Lakes Area Coordinating Council in tandem with the MEA had a “screening and endorsing” meeting and will be supporting Lisa Brown’s re-election bid for the Michigan House of Representatives. Also, the Farmington Coordinating Council held a “screening and endorsing” meeting and will be backing Vicki Barnett in her re-election campaign for the Michigan House of Representatives. I will write more about those meetings later and post it on my blog.
School Board Election: There are three seats up for election this November. Five people had filed to run for the three seats by the August 10th deadline. I will have more information regarding that election later as well.
School Board Meeting this Thursday, August 19th, 2010 and RECALLS:
The School Board meeting this Thursday will be at 7:30 in the ESC Board Room. The Agenda for the meeting is available on Walled Lake’s Website. You can also contact Cindy Barstow to be placed on a list to receive all Board Agendas and Minutes through your district email.
Thursday’s meeting will include the first recall of teachers who were laid off at the end of last school year. I do NOT have a list at this time and do not believe that the list will be posted to Walled Lake School’s website. According to information I have been given, principals will contact teachers who are being recalled at that meeting. At this time the school district is tentatively planning a Special Board of Education Meeting for August 26th at which they will have a second formal recall of teachers.
The school district seems to be handling the recall of teachers VERY conservatively this summer due to the funding limitations they are experiencing. The 20J funds have not been restored and the per pupil funding increase was only $11 per student, which is still a loss of over $150 per student from the 2008-2009 school year. For Walled Lake that is approximately $170,000. Not much. It is unclear at this time how and when the recent passage of Federal money will be distributed by the State. There are many rumors/opinions out there. When I know more, I will pass it on.
The other factor complicating the recall of teachers in Walled Lake includes a drastic drop in the registration of students. At this time, numbers are appearing that show a loss of over 400 students at the elementary level. In the Spring they were anticipating a loss of 157 students, so the newest numbers are having a dramatic effect on the number of sections of regular elementary classes being needed and the number of FAPES sections needed. Obviously, as the end of August approaches, everyone is hoping that the number of registrations increases significantly.
A few updates on happenings in August.
Michigan House of Representative Election: The Lakes Area Coordinating Council in tandem with the MEA had a “screening and endorsing” meeting and will be supporting Lisa Brown’s re-election bid for the Michigan House of Representatives. Also, the Farmington Coordinating Council held a “screening and endorsing” meeting and will be backing Vicki Barnett in her re-election campaign for the Michigan House of Representatives. I will write more about those meetings later and post it on my blog.
School Board Election: There are three seats up for election this November. Five people had filed to run for the three seats by the August 10th deadline. I will have more information regarding that election later as well.
School Board Meeting this Thursday, August 19th, 2010 and RECALLS:
The School Board meeting this Thursday will be at 7:30 in the ESC Board Room. The Agenda for the meeting is available on Walled Lake’s Website. You can also contact Cindy Barstow to be placed on a list to receive all Board Agendas and Minutes through your district email.
Thursday’s meeting will include the first recall of teachers who were laid off at the end of last school year. I do NOT have a list at this time and do not believe that the list will be posted to Walled Lake School’s website. According to information I have been given, principals will contact teachers who are being recalled at that meeting. At this time the school district is tentatively planning a Special Board of Education Meeting for August 26th at which they will have a second formal recall of teachers.
The school district seems to be handling the recall of teachers VERY conservatively this summer due to the funding limitations they are experiencing. The 20J funds have not been restored and the per pupil funding increase was only $11 per student, which is still a loss of over $150 per student from the 2008-2009 school year. For Walled Lake that is approximately $170,000. Not much. It is unclear at this time how and when the recent passage of Federal money will be distributed by the State. There are many rumors/opinions out there. When I know more, I will pass it on.
The other factor complicating the recall of teachers in Walled Lake includes a drastic drop in the registration of students. At this time, numbers are appearing that show a loss of over 400 students at the elementary level. In the Spring they were anticipating a loss of 157 students, so the newest numbers are having a dramatic effect on the number of sections of regular elementary classes being needed and the number of FAPES sections needed. Obviously, as the end of August approaches, everyone is hoping that the number of registrations increases significantly.
Monday, July 26, 2010
August Primary-July 30th Update
Dear WLEA Members,
The August 3rd Primary Election is less than a week away.
To read more about the upcoming election, go to:
http://www.wleaonline.org/
(go to the members only section)
and
http://www.meavotes.org/
The August 3rd Primary Election is less than a week away.
To read more about the upcoming election, go to:
http://www.wleaonline.org/
(go to the members only section)
and
http://www.meavotes.org/
Monday, July 12, 2010
Report on the 2010-2011 School Aid Act
This report came from Ruth Beier on July 8th. Ruth is the MEA's Economist.
The Governor signed the 2010-11 School Aid Act yesterday with a few vetoes. You have received updates, but here are all of the important items in one place: (My comments are in red in the text of the message).
1. All districts will receive an additional $11 per pupil for 2009-10. (This is approximately ONLY $170,000 for the Walled Lake Schools..not much). The money will be distributed to districts in the July 2010 and August 2010 state school aid payment. This has the effect of reducing the cut in the foundation allowance from $165 to $154 per pupil for 2009-10. This is extra money for 2009-10 that the district did not budget.
2. For next year, districts will receive the same foundation allowance that they received in 2009-10. Most districts budgeted an additional reduction in the foundation allowance for 2009-10. The foundation allowance will not be reduced, and will actually be $11 per pupil higher than it was at the beginning of 2009-10.
3. For example – if a district’s foundation allowance was $7,165 per pupil in 2008-09, that district started out the 2009-10 year thinking it would see a cut of $165 per pupil, or an effective foundation allowance of $7,000 for 2009-10. That district will actually receive $7,011 per pupil for 2009-10. That district will also receive $7,011 per pupil in 2010-11.
4. There is no provision to restore the 20j payments in 2010-11. (The section that would have restored up to ½ of the 20j funds if a tax amnesty bill passed was vetoed by your governor.)(Vicki Barnett - House Rep (D) and Lisa Brown - House Rep (D) voted AGAINST this School Aid Bill BECAUSE they did NOT restore any portion of the 20J funds).
5. Declining enrollment, At-Risk, School Readiness, Special Education, Adult Education, and Vocational education categoricals are largely unchanged from 2009-10.
6. The 5-hour online PD requirement is eliminated.
7. Districts are still allowed to count up to 38 hours of PD as instruction if it takes place when students are not scheduled for class. It can occur any time between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.
8. Districts are NOT allowed to count a PD day as an instructional day to meet the instructional day requirement. PD can only be used to meet the instructional hour requirement (1,098 hours).
9. The instructional day requirement remains the same as current law: Districts must provide at least 165 days of instruction in 2010-11 and 2011-12, and at least 170 days of instruction in 2012-13. In addition, districts can’t provide fewer instructional days than they provided in 2009-10. If a district had 173 days in 2009-10, it has to have at least 173 in 2010-11 and beyond.
10. The “30 hours worth” of snow days is changed to the number of days "equivalent" to 30 hours, which for most districts would be between 5 and 6 days. In other words, districts are allowed to count between 5 to 6 days that are cancelled due to uncontrollable circumstances toward the day requirement.
11. A “day” for the purposes of meeting the day requirement is still not defined. In the past, if students came to school, the day counted as an instructional day. So far, the MDE has not published any rules about days having to be at least a certain number of hours.
12. The MPSERS rate increased from 16.94% in 2009-10 to 19.41% in 2010-11. There is no indication that the 3% tax on school employees will reduce this rate. (This 2.47% raise in the MPSERS is DESPITE or IN ADDITION to the 3% of salary each of us is now required to pay into the "Health Trust".....which has no guarantees.)
13. The $500,000 grant for Pontiac Schools that was included in the conference report was vetoed by the governor.
14. The $300,000 grant for a new Agriculture program at Saginaw Valley State University was vetoed by the Governor
The Governor signed the 2010-11 School Aid Act yesterday with a few vetoes. You have received updates, but here are all of the important items in one place: (My comments are in red in the text of the message).
1. All districts will receive an additional $11 per pupil for 2009-10. (This is approximately ONLY $170,000 for the Walled Lake Schools..not much). The money will be distributed to districts in the July 2010 and August 2010 state school aid payment. This has the effect of reducing the cut in the foundation allowance from $165 to $154 per pupil for 2009-10. This is extra money for 2009-10 that the district did not budget.
2. For next year, districts will receive the same foundation allowance that they received in 2009-10. Most districts budgeted an additional reduction in the foundation allowance for 2009-10. The foundation allowance will not be reduced, and will actually be $11 per pupil higher than it was at the beginning of 2009-10.
3. For example – if a district’s foundation allowance was $7,165 per pupil in 2008-09, that district started out the 2009-10 year thinking it would see a cut of $165 per pupil, or an effective foundation allowance of $7,000 for 2009-10. That district will actually receive $7,011 per pupil for 2009-10. That district will also receive $7,011 per pupil in 2010-11.
4. There is no provision to restore the 20j payments in 2010-11. (The section that would have restored up to ½ of the 20j funds if a tax amnesty bill passed was vetoed by your governor.)(Vicki Barnett - House Rep (D) and Lisa Brown - House Rep (D) voted AGAINST this School Aid Bill BECAUSE they did NOT restore any portion of the 20J funds).
5. Declining enrollment, At-Risk, School Readiness, Special Education, Adult Education, and Vocational education categoricals are largely unchanged from 2009-10.
6. The 5-hour online PD requirement is eliminated.
7. Districts are still allowed to count up to 38 hours of PD as instruction if it takes place when students are not scheduled for class. It can occur any time between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.
8. Districts are NOT allowed to count a PD day as an instructional day to meet the instructional day requirement. PD can only be used to meet the instructional hour requirement (1,098 hours).
9. The instructional day requirement remains the same as current law: Districts must provide at least 165 days of instruction in 2010-11 and 2011-12, and at least 170 days of instruction in 2012-13. In addition, districts can’t provide fewer instructional days than they provided in 2009-10. If a district had 173 days in 2009-10, it has to have at least 173 in 2010-11 and beyond.
10. The “30 hours worth” of snow days is changed to the number of days "equivalent" to 30 hours, which for most districts would be between 5 and 6 days. In other words, districts are allowed to count between 5 to 6 days that are cancelled due to uncontrollable circumstances toward the day requirement.
11. A “day” for the purposes of meeting the day requirement is still not defined. In the past, if students came to school, the day counted as an instructional day. So far, the MDE has not published any rules about days having to be at least a certain number of hours.
12. The MPSERS rate increased from 16.94% in 2009-10 to 19.41% in 2010-11. There is no indication that the 3% tax on school employees will reduce this rate. (This 2.47% raise in the MPSERS is DESPITE or IN ADDITION to the 3% of salary each of us is now required to pay into the "Health Trust".....which has no guarantees.)
13. The $500,000 grant for Pontiac Schools that was included in the conference report was vetoed by the governor.
14. The $300,000 grant for a new Agriculture program at Saginaw Valley State University was vetoed by the Governor
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
What Educators REALLY do during their summer break!
Here is the email I sent WLEA members a week ago:
If I could ask for your help for this Thursday's Board of Education Meeting, I would appreciate it.
In my 3 minutes of Audience Participation time during the next School Board Meeting, I would like to share information regarding members of the WLEA who are working on classes and/or additional degrees this summer. I would also like to know what classes or seminars you are teaching this summer! Or perhaps you are working with colleagues on curriculum and/or materials!
I want to continue to reinforce the idea that educators don't just get free time all summer! We all work hard to continue our educations, develop educational materials, and plan for the year ahead!
Thank you!
The response was overwhelming! I have 8 pages of responses thus far, and I am still receiving new ones every day!
Click on the link below to read the document!
WHAT EDUCATORS REALLY DO DURING THEIR SUMMER "VACATIONS"!
If I could ask for your help for this Thursday's Board of Education Meeting, I would appreciate it.
In my 3 minutes of Audience Participation time during the next School Board Meeting, I would like to share information regarding members of the WLEA who are working on classes and/or additional degrees this summer. I would also like to know what classes or seminars you are teaching this summer! Or perhaps you are working with colleagues on curriculum and/or materials!
I want to continue to reinforce the idea that educators don't just get free time all summer! We all work hard to continue our educations, develop educational materials, and plan for the year ahead!
Thank you!
The response was overwhelming! I have 8 pages of responses thus far, and I am still receiving new ones every day!
Click on the link below to read the document!
WHAT EDUCATORS REALLY DO DURING THEIR SUMMER "VACATIONS"!
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