October 2022 NCAE News Bulletin

Tamika Walker Kelly President

ALL Elections Are the Most Important of Our Lifetime

How many times have we heard this statement, “This the most important election of our lifetime?” usually in reference to those held every four years. Well scratch that … EVERY election in which we participate as educators is important because the future of our

public schools is always on the ballot, whether it’s a local, statewide or a national election.

More than ever, we’ve seen a lot of activity from candidates vying for your vote. This is what we know –choosing pro-public education candidates on all levels is vital to our continued success. In the General Assembly, it will be important to secure Governor Cooper’s veto and keep a super majority at bay. Electing the best candidates for the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina Court of Appeals could be pertinent to the voucher lawsuit in which NCAE is involved, as well as women’s rights, civil rights, voting rights and other issues happening here in North Carolina. And as for Congressional representation, we need candidates in Washington who will have the best interest of North Carolina in mind, from our senior residents to our youngest citizens. This midterm election has an urgency and an energy that could determine what kind of state and nation we want to be. But more than anything, it could determine in which direction North

Carolina will be heading as we look toward 2024.

Voting is key and a powerful tool we can use to make a difference in our communities. But we also have to pair it with other actions to extend its power -- activities such as participating in phone/text banking, canvassing, distributing Apple Cards at the polls, and volunteering in a candidate’s campaign. All of these things increase the power of our vote because as educators we can’t do this alone; we must get everyone we know involved. So, talk to your family, friends, community members and anyone else who will listen about how important it is to vote for public schools in this election.

As you begin thinking about making your way to the polls on November 8, have a plan in mind to vote, just like you would if preparing lessons for your students. Check to ensure you are registered to vote in the right county, locate your polling place, familiarize yourself with NCAE’s list of endorsed candidates, obtain and mail your absentee ballot if necessary, and Vote Early beginning on October 20. Unfortunately, turnout for midterm elections is usually low, but we have an opportunity to change that by electing and maintaining pro-public education candidates during this cycle and supporting and electing even more in 2024 and beyond. It’s not going to happen overnight, so that’s why we need everyone to be as active in this election as possible, because everything that affects public education and public schools is a result of the candidates we vote, or don’t vote, into office. We have the power to determine our future so let’s all do our part. To get involved, click here to connect to local volunteer opportunities and events supporting our endorsed candidates. It’s important our students see us being active participants in our democracy in order to save it from those who would try to take it from us.

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here for information on Early Voting and everything dealing with the voting process

NC

O T I N G I S Y O U R S U P E R P O W E R ! E A R L Y V O T I N G R U N S O C T

Make a Plan to Vote

The 2022 midterm elections are our chance to send a clear message that we’re not going back to slashed budgets and harmful policies that leave too many students behind. Make sure you’re ready to vote with this step-by-step guide.

STEP 1: MAKE SURE YOU’RE REGISTERED!

If it’s been a while since you’ve voted (or even if it hasn’t), now’s the time to make sure you’re registered at your current address. Visit https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/faq-voterregistration to see the North Carolina Board of Elections Voting Registration FAQ.

STEP 2: REQUEST OR TRACK A MAIL-IN BALLOT

Any North Carolina registered voter may request, receive, and vote a mail-in absentee ballot. No special circumstance or reason is needed. Registered voters in North Carolina must request an absentee ballot with an official N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form. There are two ways to access and submit the form:

1) Online with “Option 1 – Request an Absentee Ballot” at the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal.

2) On paper with the English N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF) or the Spanish N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF). Track your absentee-by-mail ballot through the mail: Once you have requested your absentee ballot, you can track its status from printed to accepted by signing up online for status notifications through BallotTrax.

STEP 3: PREVIEW YOUR BALLOT

Before you head to the polls or fill out your mail-in ballot, familiarize yourself with who is running and see which pro-public education candidates are recommended by NCAE and NEA.

STEP 4:

FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE AND CHECK YOUR DEADLINE

Polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Any voter in line at their assigned polling place at 7:30 p.m. will be able to vote. The busiest times tend to be early in the morning and just before the polls close. Avoid longer lines by voting at off-peak times. Find your Election Day polling place by entering your information into the Voter Search, or search using your address with the Election Day Polling Place Search.

STEP 5: SIGN UP FOR REMINDERS

With all of the prep work you’ve done, it would be a shame if you missed the big day! To be sure your vote counted, sign up for voting reminders by clicking here. You can opt to receive them by email or text.

STEP 6: HELP SPREAD THE WORD

Encourage your friends to make their own vote plan with a customized “I made a plan to vote” graphic you can share on Facebook or Twitter. Click here

Who is the Best U.S. Senate Candidate for Public Schools and Education? Compare the Candidates’ Records

Judge Cheri Beasley on Education

U.S. Rep. Tedd Budd

Invest in Working Families?

YES.

As a former public defender, judge, and chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, Beasley worked to uphold the Constitution and apply the law fairly, and she partnered with law enforcement to keep communities safe.

NO.

U.S. Rep. Ted Budd opposed efforts to lower costs, tackle inflation, and get the pandemic under control. He opposed the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that provided critical relief for North Carolina small businesses and families, including expanding access to high-speed internet, repairing and rebuilding roads and bridges, creating jobs, and more.

Funded by North Carolinians?

Carolina the people of this state want representation that advocates for public education and our children’s futures,” said NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly. “We need to keep supporting and voting for public officials who understand our children’s education is an utmost priority. We must ensure our children are safe and receiving a proper education by funding schools, educators and staff so they are equipped with the resources needed to create a successful and safe learning environment. We have not doubt Cheri Beasley and our other endorsed candidates will win the midterm election this November and usher in a new area for North Carolina.”

YES.

Beasley’s people-powered campaign has raised more than $9.6 million, doubling what Rep. Budd raised in the same period. She believes candidates should be responsive to people, not corporate special interests. Beasley doesn’t accept money from corporations’ political action (PAC) funds, and she’s earned support from all 100 counties – with 90 percent of contributions at $100 or less.

NO.

To make it through the Primary, Budd needed more than $15 million in outside spending from the Club for Growth, a mega-donor super PAC. The Washington, D.C.-based PAC spent more on Budd’s race than any other race in the group’s history.

Supports Workers and the Middle Class?

YES.

Beasley and her husband raised their sons in North Carolina and understand the challenges many families face. She knows that both political parties have let North Carolinians down, and in the Senate she will always put the people first. Beasley will lead with the values of integrity and justice that have guided her life. She wants to lower costs, keep communities safe, expand access to health care, and grow good-paying jobs.

NO.

Budd supports raising taxes on the middle class. He recently revealed that he “agrees with the major points” of state Senate Republicans’ plan to raise taxes on 40 percent of North Carolinians. That would mean an average of almost $1,500 less in families’ pockets each year.

E N D O R S E M E N T S F O R U

S

C O N G R E S S I O N A L S E A T S

Sen. Don Davis

Rep. Deborah Ross

Rep. Kathy Manning

Rep. Alma Adams

Sen. Wiley

Sen. Jeff

Sen. Valerie Foushee

N C A E ' S S L A T E O F

J U D I C I A L C A N D I D A T E S

The Association knows the vital role the courts play in our government. This year, NCAE is endorsing two candidates for the N.C. Supreme Court and four candidates for the N.C. Court of Appeals based on their experience, candidate questionnaires, judicial records, and interviews. A thorough review of each candidate was conducted by a panel of NCAE attorneys and recommendations were made to the NCAE GRC for approval.

The N.C. Supreme Court is the state’s highest court, and there is no further appeal in the state from its decision. This court has a chief justice and six associate justices who sit together as a panel in Raleigh. The Supreme Court has no jury, and it also only considers error in legal procedures or in judicial interpretation of the law.

The Court of Appeals is North Carolina’s appellate court. Fifteen judges hear cases in panels of three. The Court of Appeals reviews the proceedings that occurred in the trial courts for errors of the law or legal procedure; it decides only questions of law – not questions of fact.

North Carolina Supreme Court

Justice Sam Ervin

Justice Lucy Inman

North Carolina Court of Appeals

Judge Darren Jackson

Judge Carolyn Thompson

Judge Gale Adams

Judge Brad Salmon

Candidates

for the N.C. General Assembly

House District 62 – Brandon Gray (D): Guilford

North Carolina House

House District 2 – Ray Jeffers (D): Durham, Person

House District 4 – Wesley Boykin (D): Duplin, Wayne

House District 5 – Howard Hunter III (D): Camden, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank

House District 9 – Brian Farkas (D): Pitt

House District 11 – Allison Dahle (D): Wake

House District 12 – Lillie Williams (D): Greene, Jones, Lenoir

House District 14 – Isaiah (Ike) Johnson (D): Onslow

House District 15 – Christopher Schulte (D): Onslow

House District 17 – Eric Terashima (D): Brunswick

House District 18 – Deb Butler (D): New Hanover

House District 20 – Amy Block DeLoach (D): New Hanover

House District 21 – Ya Liu (D): Wake

House District 23 – Shelly Willingham (D): Bertie, Edgecombe, Martin

House District 24 – Linda Cooper-Suggs (D): Nash, Wilson

House District 25 – James Gailliard (D): Nash

House District 26 – Linda Bennett (D): Johnston

House District 27 – Michael Wray (D): Halifax, Northampton, Warren

House District 28 – Wendy Ella May (D): Johnston

House District 29 – Vernetta Alston (D): Durham House District 30 – Marcia Morey (D): Durham

House District 31 – Zack Hawkins (D): Durham House District 32 – Terry Garrison (D): Granville, Vance House District 33 – Rosa Gill (D): Wake House District 34 – Tim Longest (D): Wake House District 35 – Terence Everitt (D): Wake House District 36 – Julie von Haefen (D): Wake House District 37 – Christine Kelly (D): Wake House District 38 -- Abe Jones (D): Wake House District 39 – James Roberson (D): Wake House District 40 – Joe John (D): Wake House District 41 – Maria Cervania (D): Wake House District 42 – Marvin Lucas (D): Cumberland House District 45 – Frances Jackson (D): Cumberland House District 48 – Garland Pierce (D): Hoke, Scotland House District 49 – Cynthia Ball (D): Wake House District 50 – Renee Price (D): Caswell, Orange House District 51 – Malcolm Hall (D): Lee, Moore House District 54 – Robert Reives II (D): Chatham, Randolph

House District 56 – Allen Buansi (D): Orange House District 57 – Ashton Wheeler Clemmons (D): Guilford

House District 58 – Amos Quick III (D): Guilford

House District 61 – Mary (Pricey) Harrison (D): Guilford

House District 63 – Ricky Hurtado (D): Alamance

House District 64 – Ron Osborne (D): Alamance House District 72 – Amber Baker (D): Forsyth

House District 73 – Diamond Staton-Williams (D): Cabarrus House District 74 – Carla Catalan Day (D): Forsyth

House District 75 – Donny Lambeth (R): Forsyth

House District 88 – Mary Belk (D): Mecklenburg

House District 89 – Mitchell S. Setzer (R): Catawba, Iredell

House District 92 – Terry Brown Jr. (D): Mecklenburg

House District 93 – Ben Massey (D): Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga House District 98 – Christy Clark (D): Mecklenburg

House District 99 – Nasif Majeed (D): Mecklenburg House District 100 – John Autry (D): Mecklenburg House District 101 – Carolyn Logan (D): Mecklenburg House District 102 – Becky Carney (D): Mecklenburg House District 104 – Brandon Lofton (D): Mecklenburg House District 105 – Wesley Harris, Ph.D. (D): Mecklenburg House District 106 – Carla Cunningham (D): Mecklenburg House District 107 – Kelly Alexander Jr. (D): Mecklenburg House District 112 – Tricia Cotham (D): Mecklenburg House District 114 – J. Eric Ager (D): Buncombe House District 115 – Lindsey Prather (D): Buncombe House District 116 – Caleb Rudow (D): Buncombe House District 117 – Michael Greer O’Shea (D): Henderson House District 120 – Karl Gillespie (R): Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon

North Carolina Senate

Senate District 3 – Valerie Jordan (D): Bertie, Camden, Currituck, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Northampton, Tyrrell and Warren Senate District 4 – Milton F. [Toby] Fitch (D): Greene, Wayne, Wilson Senate District 5 – Kandie Smith (D): Edgecombe, Pitt Senate District 7 — Marcia Morgan (D): New Hanover Senate District 11 – Mark Speed (D): Franklin, Nash, Vance Senate District 13 – Lisa Grafstein (D): Wake Senate District 14 – Dan Blue (D): Wake Senate District 15 – Jay Chaudhuri (D): Wake Senate District 16 – Gale Adcock (D): Wake Senate District 17 – Sydney Batch (D): Wake Senate District 18 – Mary Wills Bode (D): Granville, Wake Senate District 20 – Natalie Murdock (D): Chatham, Durham Senate District 21 – Frank McNeill Jr. (D): Cumberland, Moore

Pro-Public Education Candidates Endorsed for the N.C. General Assembly

Continued from page 7

Senate District 22 – Mike Woodard (D): Durham

Senate District 23 – Graig Meyer (D): Caswell, Orange, Person

Senate District 24 – Danny Britt Jr. (R): Hoke, Robeson, Scotland

Senate District 25 – Sean Ewing (D): Alamance, Randolph

Senate District 27 – Michael Garrett (D): Guilford

Senate District 28 – Gladys Robinson (D): Guilford

Senate District 32 – Paul Lowe Jr. (D): Forsyth

Senate District 33 – Tangela (Lucy Horne) Morgan (D): Rowan, Stanly

Senate District 34 – Keshia Sandidge (D): Cabarrus

Senate District 38 – Mujtaba Mohammed (D): Mecklenburg

Senate District 39 – DeAndrea Salvador (D): Mecklenburg

Senate District 40 – Joyce Waddell (D): Mecklenburg

Senate District 41 – Natasha Marcus (D): Mecklenburg

Senate District 42 – Rachel Hunt (D): Mecklenburg

Senate District 45 – Dean Proctor (R): Caldwell, Catawba

Senate District 48 – Stephanie Justice (D): Henderson, Polk, Rutherford

Senate District 49 – Julie Mayfield (D): Buncombe

Senate District 50 – Karen Burnette McCracken (D): Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania,

You May Be Able to Have Your Student Loans Forgiven

Last year, in response to educator advocacy, the Department of Education put in place a Limited Waiver that helps address the gaps in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. In order to benefit under the Limited PSLF Waiver, you must apply by Oct. 31, 2022. NEA has developed tools to help members make use of the waiver and achieve student loan forgiveness. Click here to access the student debt navigator.

We Haven’t Gotten Any Clear Answers and We’re Not Happy About It!

Organizing and mobilizing is taking place in Gaston County, where educators are rallying to have a defective payroll system corrected that has caused issues since January. Over the course of the past few months, the Gaston County Association of Educators organized town hall meetings, coordinated school walk-ins as a form of protest, hosted RedforEd Wednesdays, sent more than 2,000 emails to policymakers, and made impressive showings at school board meetings – all which shows their willingness to bring attention to this issue and ensure the work to find a resolution does not fall through the cracks. These educators are to be applauded for standing firm against a problem that has gone on far too long.

“We need assurances, we need guarantees so we are not constantly worried about this happening again. Our focus should be on educating our students, not whether our paychecks are in our accounts and if it’s going to be right!” – Pam Miller, president of the Gaston County Association of Educators

Open Enrollment Coming Soon!

The 2023 Open Enrollment period for the State Health Plan is October 10-28. Here’s what you need to know to make the right decisions in October to save you money throughout 2023.

All active and non-Medicare members will be automatically enrolled in the Base PPO Plan (70/30) for the 2023 benefit year. Members who wish to enroll in the Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20) or who wish to reduce their monthly premium in either the Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20) or the Base PPO Plan (70/30) by completing the tobacco attestation will need to take action during Open Enrollment.

Here’s some important highlights for 2023:

• No premium increases for the 5th year in a row.

• Members who select a Clear Pricing Project (CPP) Provider as their Primary Care Provider will continue to enjoy a $0 copay.

• Members will continue to enjoy a reduced copay when visiting a Clear Pricing Project Specialist.

• Joint replacement bundle pricing for eligible members.

• Preferred and non-preferred insulin will have a $0 copay for a 30-day supply.

• In-network Preventive Services remain covered at 100 percent – no copay or deductible – on either plan. Starting in October, the State Health Plan is offering several convenient Open Enrollment webinars to help you get all the information you need to make the best choice for your 2023 health plan benefits. These Open Enrollment webinars also include information on how to complete the online Open Enrollment process. Click a time next to a date below to register for a webinar most convenient for you!

Webinar Dates and Times

Oct. 5 10:00am

Oct. 6 12:30pm & 4:00pm

Oct. 11 10:00am

Oct. 13 10:00am & 4:00pm

Oct. 18 4:00pm

Oct. 20 12:30pm & 4:00pm

Oct. 25 11:00am

NOTE: Although the 80/20 and 70/30 plan names have changed, these are still the same plans offered previously to State Health Plan members.

Wake, Alamance County Members Recognized by NEA Foundation

Equity, Excellence, Opportunity is the tagline of the NEA Foundation, which recently recognized two North Carolina members – Victoria Mahoney, a sixthgrade English/Language Arts teacher at Mills Park Middle School in Wake County and Shavon Via, an exceptional children’s teacher at Eastlawn Elementary School in Alamance County.

Mahoney has been named our state’s 2023 Global Learning Fellow. As a Fellow, she will engage in online coursework, webinars, reading and reflection, and participate in a two-day professional development conference and an international field study trip to South Africa. Upon completion of the program, she will become a member of a 400+ person alumni group that supports continued growth and leadership.

An educator for 20 years, Mahoney is a firm believer in global awareness for her students. “Understanding the perspectives of others is key to building empathy and relationships with all. I am excited about travel to schools in South Africa to share my teaching experience, but more importantly to gain more perspectives on their schools and teaching and to bring those experiences back to my own classroom.”

Via received a $1,299 Learning and Leadership Grant, which she used to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in New York. “I was humbly honored to receive the email that I had been selected. But more importantly, obtaining this funding showed support for agriculture literacy for school-aged students. That, to me, is the most heartwarming gesture.”

Learning and Leadership grants are intended to provide resources for educators hoping to engage in professional learning that can be implemented in their classrooms. Grants range between $1,500 and $5,000 and fund activities for 12 months from the date of the award.

To learn more about the Global Learning Fellowship program or available grants, visit https:// www.neafoundation.org

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Click here for micro-credentials that will help you as an educator develop skills and understandings to support a bully-free environment in your school.

TEACHER APPRECIATION NIGHT GAME

Friday, October 21

TIPOFF: 7 p.m.

Spectrum Center in Charlotte

tickets at https://

outing. Tickets must be purchased through this link in order to have access to the special fan experience.

Educators get an advantage with Horace Mann auto insurance

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NEA Discount Marketplace

NEA Discount Marketplace, powered by Rakuten,

members to earn cash back

on brand-name merchandise from over 3,500 top retailers and online stores. Check out the following

deals in October 2022 at neamb.com/ marketplace:

Macy’s -- Enhance autumn style and comfort with seasonal apparel, footwear, accessories, cosmetics, and home furnishings from Macy’s. Same-day delivery and curbside pickup available.

• Shiseido -- Glamorize your look for fall and the upcoming holidays with skincare products and makeup for women (and men)! Gift sets -- perfect for holiday giving -- are available too!

• Omaha Steaks -- Get ready for your next party with fully prepared steak or seafood entrees, scrumptious appetizers and sides, plus tantalizing desserts from Omaha Steaks. Check out special package deals or customize one to your liking!

• PetSmart -- Find everything you need to pamper your pets: food, furnishings, toys, treats, and more. Orders of $49 or more ship free!

• 1800FLOWERS -- Celebrate the new school year or any special occasion by sending your colleagues, a family member or friend a flower arrangement, lush indoor or outdoor plant, or gourmet gift basket. Get extra cash back on your purchase too!

Cruise & Travel Sale is Back

Save your spot in line for the World’s Largest Cruise & Travel Sale through the NEA Travel Program ready for launch on October 10-23. Find out how members book two, three, or even four vacations for the price of one (HINT: it's by booking during this sale)! Access prices so low, the NEA Travel Program is only allowed to offer them once a year. Sail over to www.neamb.com/cruises to learn more.

genius asks

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