Please vote on May 3

Dear Friends of Public Education:

Tuesday, May 3, 2011, is the date for this year’s school board election. We believe that this election is critical to the future of Holland Public Schools. After reviewing the candidates for office and meeting with the Holland Education Association’s screening and recommendation committee, we recommend that our members and friends vote for the following candidates: John Sibble and Magdalena Rivera.

As school employees and friends of public education, we know it is extremely important that all of us get out to vote on May 3. This election is another important step affecting the future of our district’s children, as well as those who work with and support them. Please vote for Magdalena Rivera and John Sibble for Holland Public Schools School Board.

Sincerely,

Holland Education Association Executive Board

Lawmakers introduce tired attacks on school employees

Here's an overview of some of the bills introduced to date:

Senate Bill 0007 would prohibit public employers from paying more than 80 percent of the total cost of the medical benefit plans (including medical, dental, and optical) for employees. Public employers with health savings account plans could pay up to 90 percent of the cost. The implementation date in the bill is Jan. 1, 2013, and any contracts in effect at that time would be honored until the expiration date of the contract. The legislation would apply to all union employees, non-union employees, and elected officials covered by the public employer’s medical benefit plans. The sponsor is Sen. Mark Jansen, R- Gaines Township. This measure may require a change to the state constitution, which has been introduced as Senate Joint Resolution C, also sponsored by Jansen.

Senate Joint Resolution B would place a constitutional revision before voters to cut public employee pay by 5 percent and freeze that rate for three years. The resolution will require a 2/3 majority vote in each chamber. Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, is the sponsor.

House Bill 4052 would amend the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA) to prohibit public employees or their unions from using any school facilities or equipment for union activities. The sponsor is Rep. Al Pscholka, R-Stevensville.

House Bill 4054 would amend PERA to allow public schools and other governmental entities to create a "Right to Work Zone" by a vote of the governing body. The sponsor is Rep. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy.

 House Bill 4059 would prohibit release time for union officers or bargaining representatives to conduct union business if the release time is paid for by the public employer. Knollenberg is the sponsor.

House Bill 4128 would prohibit a department, board, or commission from setting a rule or standard on workplace ergonomics. The sponsor is Rep. Bradford Jacobsen, R-Oxford.

House Bill 4139 would require public employers to conduct beneficiary eligibility audits to determine whether dependents covered by public employees' health insurance plans are eligible for benefits. The sponsor is Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills.

House Bill 4140 would create a state-run health insurance plan for public employees. This proposal would cost $870 million to set up and would not guarantee any savings. Melton is the sponsor.

House Bill 4141 would create a new state commission of political appointees to study consolidation of non-instructional services in all public schools. Based on the recommendations, the state could then order service consolidation. Melton is the sponsor.

House Bill 4142 would amend tenure law. Probationary teachers rated ineffective would not earn tenure. Tenured teachers rated "ineffective" for two consecutive years may have to serve another four-year probationary period. Melton is the sponsor.

Congratulations Superintendent Davis

Presented to the Holland School Board's December meeting during public comments by HEA President Rick Slachta-

On behalf of the Holland Education Association, it’s Executive Board and
it’s members, I am here to congratulate Mr. Brian Davis on the honor of
being named the Michigan Association of School Administrators’
superintendent of the year.

To anyone that has been watching, it is evident that Supt. Davis is an
extremely hard worker whose efforts are guided by a deep commitment to
our District’s welfare. Among his accomplishments, I am most impressed
by his ability to channel our community’s support for it’s public school
system into a successful bond campaign that will provide our District
with resources that will help us retool for education in the 21st
Century.

Just as our community values it’s school district, so do we HEA members
value the contribution of Supt. Davis’ effective leadership during these
challenging times. Brian, we congratulate you on this recognition and
pledge to continue supporting your efforts to evolve the Holland Public
Schools towards even more success in the future.

Act NOW before it's too late!

Contact your state representative TODAY -- Urge NO vote on tenure, evaluation changes

Tenure and evaluation are coming under attack today in the state House of Representatives -- and we need your help to stop it.

A last-minute, lame-duck deal is in the works that would enact tenure and evaluation changes that were first proposed before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Learn more about what's happening -- then please contact your state representative IMMEDIATELY and urge him or her to vote NO on HB 4410 and SB 638 (or any other bills during lame duck that change tenure or evaluation law). Point out to your representative that:

1) Evaluating and maintaining a professional teaching force is a complex matter. A two day "lame duck" session where late night deals are rammed through the Legislature is not the way to address these critical issues. That requires time, hearings, input from all sides and careful deliberation.

2) Right now, to get votes, all kinds of deals, earmarks and back-room enticements are being offered. This kind of "politics as usual" is not the way to secure and maintain the kind of professional teaching force our children deserve.

3) We believe that these bills will actually slow down the process of removing unsatisfactory teachers and also add substantially to the cost of the process, something that does not benefit the students, the schools, the state or educators.

Please contact your state representative right away -- there is still time to stop these attacks from coming to fruition.

Reminder: Many school districts have policies about communicating with legislators on school time and equipment, so wait until you are away from school to contact your legislators or use your personal cell phone when you are off duty.

Vote on Nov. 2

The Nov. 2 election is especially important because those elected to the state Legislature and the governor's office will oversee redistricting, a contentious decennial process that will impact elections for the next decade. Redistricting can shift power from one political party to another simply by moving district boundaries by a few streets or miles to include voters who are more (or less) likely to lean Democrat or Republican.

These elected officials have an impact on how much you earn, or whether you have health benefits or a pension. If you care about these, then you must vote this year! To see a list of recommended candidates, click here.

Tell Lawmakers, "ME TOO!"

MEA calling on Legislature to match sunset provision granted to state employees last week

Last week, the Legislature passed a retirement bill for state employees similar to what passed for school employees last spring. However, since then, lawmakers have heard your angry reaction about the additional 3 percent of salary going toward retiree health insurance, forcing them to think twice about the state employee bill. This prompted a compromise in last week's action -- a three-year limit on the 3 percent retirement health insurance contribution by state employees.

This week, lawmakers need to hear from school employees again, this time with a simple message -- "Me too!"

In the interest of fairness and consistency, MEA is calling on the Legislature to amend school employees' additional 3 percent retirement contribution to include the same three-year limit they included for state employees. If it was the right thing to do for state workers, then it's the right thing to do for school employees and their families, many of whom are now struggling with total payments into the retirement system of between 7 and 12 percent!

Contact your state representative and senator today and urge them to take up this issue and do what is right for Michigan's dedicated school employees and communities.

Update: School employee lawsuit over pension change.

A Michigan judge issued a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by five MEA members against the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS). The state will have to escrow the additional three percent MPSERS contribution that school employees must make beginning July 1, and it cannot use the money for any purpose until further order of the court.

Five MEA members recently filed the lawsuit in the Michigan Court of Claims against MPSERS, challenging the legality of Public Act 75 that requires all school employees to pay an extra 3 percent of their compensation into a fund for retiree health insurance with no guarantee that the benefits will be available to them upon retirement.

Michigan Court of Claims Judge James Giddings’ preliminary injunction has the effect of requiring the state to escrow the additional three percent MPSERS contribution beginning July 1. MPSERS cannot use those funds for any purpose until further order of the court. Giddings found that the MEA members who brought the suit raised important issues that need to be addressed prior to the state spending the money.

The case will proceed while the additional revenue that is collected is protected, in case it ultimately needs to be refunded to school employees. It is unclear whether the state will appeal Giddings’ ruling.

The three-count lawsuit alleges that Public Act 75 violates school employees’ federal and state constitutional rights and asks the court to place new retirement contributions in an interest-bearing escrow fund until the matter is decided by the court.

The complaint maintains that Public Act 75: violates the contract formed when the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System was set up in 1980; causes the Legislature to impair an existing contract; and unlawfully abridges the pension system’s financial liabilities.

The five members who filed the suit are: Deborah McMillan, a Lansing teacher; Thomas Brenner, a Novi teacher; Theresa Dudley, a Grand Rapids head secretary; Katherine Daniels, a Tuscola Intermediate School District school psychologist; and, Corey Cramb, a Huron teacher.