September 2011 Communique by Central OEA/NEA

COMMUNIQUÉ Publication for Members of Central OEA/NEA

•

September 2011

Scott DiMauro, President

President’s Commentary:

Winning Issue 2 – Our Time to Deliver

Scott DiMauro, President, Central OEA/NEA 1,298,301 is an unbelievable number. Crushing previous records, that’s how many signatures were submitted by over 10,000 public and private sector workers and employees, teachers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, pastors, small business owners, Republicans and Democrats, local elected officials and business leaders, and students from across the state who circulated petitions to place the repeal of Senate Bill 5 (SB 5) on the November ballot.

With unprecedented petition success and polls showing we start with a small lead to repeal SB 5/ Issue 2, it could be tempting to pat ourselves on the back for a job well done and assume we can coast to victory. Nothing could be further from the truth. The other side will do and spend whatever it takes to hide how unfair this bill is, how much it risks public safety, and how badly it hurts middle-class families all over Ohio.

The Secretary of State certified nearly four times more signatures than we needed and has announced that the repeal of SB 5 will be State Issue 2 on the November ballot. The campaign is most assuredly on!

We, along with all of the working people of Ohio who stand with us, will need to fight to preserve our right to negotiate for smaller class sizes for our students, and our brothers and sisters who are fire fighters and police officers to have a say in the life-saving safety equipment they need.

Now that this attempt to roll back our bargaining rights and risk public safety is on the ballot, our next step is to talk to our colleagues, friends, family members, and neighbors. We can win by identifying, persuading, and turning out voters to defeat SB 5/Issue 2, even as our opponents engage in a campaign of misinformation to save this bad bill.

While the 1.3 million people who have signed petitions give us a strong base for a successful campaign, it will not be nearly enough to garner a majority of the vote needed to protect our rights. It’s safe to assume that even if the vast majority of these people

stick with us, we’ll need to convince at least that many more people to turn out to vote to repeal SB 5. The good news is that we already know the additional folks that we need to vote with us; they are our neighbors, our friends and our spouses, parents, kids, and extended family members.

the first weeks that we are back in school.

Reaching out to both petition signers and new supporters requires only that you care and take action. You can do your part by being active in the upcoming OEA campaign and volunteering for We Are Ohio. OEA meetings and trainings are happening throughout

We will do this hard work ahead because the truth is SB 5 would silence the voices of educators, the real experts in public education. It eliminates our ability to bargain for smaller class sizes and ensure that school buses and buildings are safe continued on page 5

For more details about SB 5, please go to http:// www.jointhefuture.org/ senate-bill-5-analysis. For more information on how you can help the campaign to repeal SB 5, check out www.weareohio.com.

Ohio Budget Complicates Development of New Teacher Evaluation System Diana Ball, Vice President, Central OEA/NEA by the local union and Board of Education require it. This likely affects only a small percentage of school districts. The fate of “merit pay” in the rest of our schools will hinge on the outcome of the repeal of Senate Bill 5 in November.

Of immediate concern to many members is the issue of performance-based pay. In the short term, districts participating in the federal Race to the Top grant program stand to be most directly affected by such a requirement. Pay based on student test scores will only be required if the local “scope of work” approved

More broadly, a new statewide evaluation system has been in the works for almost three years. The Educator Standards Board (on which I serve) was charged with developing an Ohio Teacher Evaluation System Model in 2009. A draft of

If you’re confused, you’re not alone. The status of local collective bargaining agreements, Race to the Top provisions, the fall repeal campaign, and rules yet to be finalized by the State Board of Education will all influence the direction of teacher evaluation in the coming months and years. We in Central, working in collaboration with OEA, will be providing implementation support to all of our locals to help navigate these treacherous and unchartered waters in ways that benefit members and students.

Even as this work has progressed, Governor Kasich and the Ohio General Assembly included a complicated new set of evaluation rules in HB 153 that tie fifty percent of a teacher’s evaluation to student growth data and require two 30-minute classroom observations of every teacher every year. These so-called “reform” measures are similar to some provisions of Senate Bill 5.

It’s important for all of us to stay involved and updated on current legislation and issues that affect public education. The complex world of evaluation and compensation systems is highly political and has far-reaching ramifications for everyone who serves students.

COMMUNIQUÉ Volume 40, Number 1 •

September 2011

Published six times a year as a service of

CENTRAL OEA/NEA, INC. 947 Goodale Blvd. Columbus, OH 43212

Scott DiMauro, President Diana Ball, Vice President Kevin Griffin, Executive Board Liaison

Photo ©Jimmy Wayne

The recently enacted state budget bill (HB 153) includes a complicated new framework for teacher evaluation and compensation that could have a major long-term impact on teachers in every school district in Ohio.

Implementation of a new Teacher and Principal Evaluation System also depends, in part, on a district’s participation in Race to the Top. Participating districts are expected to fully implement standardsbased teacher and principal evaluation systems by 2013-14, or earlier, based on approved scope of work and timelines. Evaluation systems must be aligned with state and federal criteria.

the Model was recently presented to the State Board of Education and is posted on the Ohio Department of Education Web site (search “Educator Evaluation Systems in Ohio”). The final draft is expected to be submitted to the State Board of Education for its review in September 2011. This research-based system is designed to identify components of effective teaching and provide a way to measure classroom performance and provide feedback to help teachers in their professional practice.

Russell Hughlock, Coordinator of Communications and Organizing

Editors Fiscal Manager Production Photography Design

Ann Eblin, Judy Furnas & Carla Noll Mark Meuser Patti Degler Mary Jo Armstrong Pam McClung

Voice Fax E-mail

614-222-8228 614-222-8218 Communique@centraloeanea.org

September 2011

One Voice Adrienne Bowden, Pickerington EA, OEA Board of Directors, Central Unit 2

There has never been a time that has required more solidarity than now. The theme One Voice was chosen for the 2011 OEA Spring Representative Assembly (RA). Delegates attending the Spring RA voiced their opposition to Senate Bill 5, legislation that limits collective bargaining rights, and the proposed state budget. They elected new Directors and approved new business items and resolutions.

Was your voice heard? The RA is the highest decisionmaking body for OEA and Central OEA/NEA. The representatives elected to these assemblies help to establish policies and objectives, elect officers, establish dues, adopt the Association’s budget, adopt/evaluate legislative programs, and act on resolutions and new business items. It is important that every Local holds an election and sends delegates to the Representative Assemblies. Locals elect delegates to represent their members’ concerns at the RA. These delegates are the local’s voice in the future direction and operation of our Association.

Over 8,000 colleagues from across the nation gathered in Chicago for the NEA Representative Assembly

September 2011

Fall 2011 OEA Representative Assembly December 3, 2011 ~ Veterans’ Memorial Central OEA/NEA Representative Assembly April 14, 2012 ~ Thomas Worthington H.S. Spring 2012 OEA Representative Assembly May 11-12, 2012 ~ Veterans’ Memorial

To ensure your local is represented elections for delegates must be held by October 10, 2011. The OEA Constitution requires that the names of delegates be submitted to the OEA by October 15, 2011. Local leaders can reference the OEA Manual for the Conduct of Local Association Elections if they have any questions about election

procedures. The Manual may be downloaded at www.ohea.org. Make sure your local is represented at the 2011-2012 OEA and Central OEA/NEA Representative Assemblies. Make sure your voice is heard!

Ohio delegates campaigned for the re-election of Ohio’s Jim McClure for an ESP At-Large seat on the NEA Board of Directors

Ohio Budget Impacts Prison Education September 10 is Final Day for 33 Educators Dominic Marsano, President, State Council of Professional Educators (SCOPE) Correctional Facility (ORV) and is reducing teaching positions at all of its youth facilities.

Franklin Furnace, OH – The Department of Youth Services is closing the Ohio River Valley Juvenile

OEA and the State Council of Professional Educators were notified that students would be transferred from the Ohio River Valley facility to other state detention centers starting in August. The jobs are not following the students. The 2011 Correctional Education Association

Teacher of the Year, Mary LaTorre, is an employee at the ORV. She came in on her day off and assisted the union with making phone calls to her fellow employees. Education is a priority for incarcerated felons, as it provides a means to change behavior and establish economic stability upon release. The return on investment is excellent considering offenders who receive some form of

GED, Vocational, or Higher Educational programming are three times less likely to recidivate. The Department of Corrections plans to sell five prisons to private corporations by December 31, 2011. Over 50 SCOPE/OEA educators are impacted and the future is uncertain.

Building Dynamic Leadership Teams One Local’s Perspective Juliet Litzel, President, Marysville Education Association provided by OEA lobbyist Matt Dotson, was easy to understand. The Senate Bill 5 initiative update and the Getting Politically Organized sessions were inspiring and exciting.

The Marysville Education Association mini-team accomplished a great deal at the Central/Central Ohio Regional Coordinating Council Building Dynamic Leadership Teams conference. The planned sessions were the correct length and were presented by knowledgeable people. The information about the state budget updates,

Our team immediately went to work identifying Marysville EA members who would help get people to the polls. Our team member Jodi Robertson developed a one-fourth page card we plan to give to all staff. The card mentions the importance of stopping SB 5 and of electing two new supportive board members. The back of the card has lines for staff to list ten people they will encourage

to vote on November 8. The internal organizing session presented by OEA labor relations consultants pushed us to get some key people selected to be committee chairs. Having our OEA LRC there also helped guide our work during our team meeting times. We met with OEA Research Consultant Andy Jewell, who talked us through district and state financial forecasts. I’m sure you all know how that looks! We are applying for a Central Growth and Development Grant which will include building representative training for schools in our UniServ Council (Quad West).

Having representatives during this political climate is more important than ever. We’ll plan to encourage our representatives to get home e-mails and cell phone numbers of all members in their building in order to network on election topics. It was great to meet with other locals and hear their ideas, such as Urbana’s focus on community involvement, and Hilliard’s idea to print business cards with key Hilliard EA & OEA contacts. Our team accomplished so much and came out of this conference ready to roll – here we go!

September 2011

In Case You Missed It Russell Hughlock, Coordinator of Communications and Organizing Join the Future, Central OEA/NEA’s public education social media network, recently passed over 1 million views of its posts on Facebook, and we accomplished this in just four months. A big thanks to everyone who reads and contributes to it. Our success would not be possible without everyone contributing! If you’re not one of the thousands reading Join the Future’s blog, or following on Facebook and Twitter, here is a tiny sample of just some of the popular articles you might have missed in July: Time for Governor Kasich to listen. An article recognizing that the Governor must engage teachers if any reforms are to be successful. http://www.jointhefuture.org/blog/380-time-forgovernor-kasich-to-listen In a short time, a big mess, takes a look at the public education policy mess created by the administration. http://www.jointhefuture.org/blog/374-in-a-shorttime-a-big-mess Anatomy of a teacher - an infographic with a whole raft of interesting statistics and demographic data about teachers. http://www.jointhefuture.org/blog/376-infographicanatomy-of-a-teacher

Stay up-to-date on all the latest state politics and education policy, research and studies that affect you as education professionals. Join thousands of educators and public education supporters who follow and contribute to Join the Future every day! www.facebook.com/jointhefuture

www.twitter.com/JointheFutureOH

www.jointhefuture.org/blog

Winning Issue 2 continued from page 1 for students and education professionals alike. It requires that all teachers be paid based on students’ standardized test scores. It guts seniority and returns us to a time of favoritism, sexism and racism in hiring, promoting and firing. It’s a cynical political ploy to undermine the ability of our association to maintain its membership base so that there will be no one left to stop future attacks on middle class Ohioans.

September 2011

Never before have we seen a more brazen attempt to take away the rights of working people, and never before have we seen more people stand up together to protect those rights. If we’re going to prevail on November 8, we simply have to talk with the people we already know. We need to help them understand that overturning SB 5 is about protecting not only the hardworking public employees of Ohio, but about strengthening the communities we serve.

We’ve Gone Green!

Upcoming Events Diversity Task Force Mixers Thursday, September 8, 2011 Bonefish Grill Polaris at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2012 UNO Chicago Grill, Pickerington 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2012 Location TBA. Additional information will be available soon on Central’s Web site.

OEA Retiree Drive-In Conference The OEA Retiree Drive-In Conference is being held on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the STRS Building, 275 E. Broad Street in Columbus. The registration fee is $15 and covers lunch and materials. For additional information, please contact Vivian Brown at Vivian.brown@centraloeanea.org.

Registration for 2011-2012 Central meetings and events

Registration for September through December 2011 meetings and events will be available on Central’s Web site by mid-August.

Tracy Guerin and Donna O’Connor from Dublin EA enter the assembly hall at the NEA RA

This Communiqué is the first that was delivered as an electronic version via email. If you haven’t received an e-mail Communiqué, you should check your spam folder, or drop by http:// www.centraloeanea.org/ view.php?nav_id=106 and sign up to receive it by providing your name, personal e-mail address, and local association. We’ll send you a verification e-mail; click the link and you’ll be all set! If you wish to continue to receive the e-mailed version instead of the paper-mailed version, you don’t have to do anything. If you would prefer to continue to receive a mailed copy of Communiqué, simply click on the “Manage Your Subscription” at the bottom of any of the emails you receive from us. From there you can choose to unsubscribe from the e-mail list. If you do so, you will no longer receive e-mail from us. We will, of course, ensure that you receive a mail-only copy of Communiqué. Obviously, we hope you choose to continue to enjoy receiving our e-mails.

Sam Liebfreund and Chris Williams, Westerville EA, on the floor of the NEA RA

September 2011

A week of standing strong for students, for members and for public schools Seventy Central OEA members spent the first week of July joining over 8,000 colleagues from across the nation for the annual NEA Representative Assembly in Chicago. Delegates made several major decisions that will guide the organization into the future, demonstrating the Association’s commitment to quality education for all students and to leading school transformation and the professionalization of teaching. The Dayton Education Association was one of five local affiliates from throughout the country that is successfully transforming struggling public schools through NEA’s Priority Schools Campaign.

The Priority Schools Campaign, in combination with a groundbreaking decision to adopt a policy statement regarding teacher evaluation, reflects the very real desire of teachers and other school employees to be fully engaged in the national education policy debate and in on-the-ground action to improve schools. “Our members have stated loudly and clearly that they will no longer allow the voice of teachers and educators to be silenced and marginalized,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. Van Roekel, along with NEA Vice President Lily Eskelsen, was re-elected for a second three-year term.

Among other leaders reelected was Ohio’s own Jim McClure, who finished first among six candidates seeking to retain ESP AtLarge seats on the NEA Board of Directors. Ohio’s 350 delegates contributed over $92,000 to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education to support pro-public education candidates for office. (Dues money cannot be used for this purpose.) Retiring NEA Director Lee Schreiner (South-Western EA), who co-chaired the Ohio caucus fundraising effort, noted that this was the third highest total among all NEA state affiliates.

Vice President Joe Biden received resounding applause when he addressed delegates, telling them, “We should be listening to you, not lecturing at you. We should be embracing you, not pushing you away. You are not the problem.” His address preceded a secret-ballot vote to recommend President Barack Obama for a second term. That vote passed by a margin of 72% to 28%.

For comprehensive coverage of the RA, please visit educationvotes.org or nea.org.

“We should be listening to you, not lecturing at you. We should be embracing you, not pushing you away. You are not the problem.” Vice President Joe Biden

September 2011

CE N T R A L

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

O E A/N E A, Inc.

PAID

947 Goodale Boulevard Columbus, OH 43212

COLUMBUS, OH PERMIT No. 204

COMMUNIQUÉ Central OEA/ NEA

In this issue 2

House Bill 153 – How the Ohio Budget Bill Affects Local Associations

One Voice

Ohio Budget Impacts Prison Education

Building Dynamic Leadership Teams