COMMUNIQUÉ Publication for Members of Central OEA/NEA
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Winter 2017
Adrienne M. Bowden, President
The Work of Education Advocacy Continues Adrienne M. Bowden (Pickerington EA), Central OEA/NEA President As educators, it is important that we talk with our students about the election. We can help them process what occurred during the campaign season and help them make sense of the new reality, especially those who come from the communities who have been attacked and who now face what they feel is an uncertain future. Our number one priority is to ensure our students feel safe when they come to school each day.
The presidential campaign was filled with divisive expression, some of which we have seen filter down into our classrooms and worksites. Members have expressed that after this election, students have felt less safe in our buildings, particularly those who are immigrants (or children of immigrants), people of color, part of the LGBTQ community, part of the Muslim community, and females. Rightfully,
members want to take a stand against the hatred and intolerance that has been shown. As members of Central, we must continue to be vigilant education advocates, even when faced with potential Secretary of Education nominee Betsy DeVos, a public education privatization supporter. We need to put our time and energy to good use. We need to concentrate on activities we can perform to improve our schools and ensure they are a safe place for all.
We need to work to ensure that a licensed educator teaches in each classroom, and that each worksite is staffed with trained support professionals, not outsourced to the cheapest option. Regardless of our political affiliations, it is incumbent upon all of us to challenge the limiting stereotypes, biases, and injustices that were brought up during the election, and to create schools that are safe, high quality places for all students and staff members. Whether it is attending an OEA Education Lobby Day, writing a letter to your representative, collecting
Central OEA All-Area Meeting and Delegate Briefing David Schottner (Bexley EA) Area 5 Representative.
The November 4 Central OEA All-Area Meeting and Delegate Briefing saw a high turnout of members and opened with two breakout sessions.
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Stuart Graham and Darren Clum from OEA led a session educating members about technology. Topics covered included using technology to communicate with members, increasing publicity using programs such as Mail Chimp, creating a website for your local association, and being aware of data security. Soozie Hetterscheidt from Olentangy TA led the new delegate briefing, informing delegates about basics of the representative assembly, voting procedures, FCPE, and the delegate handbook. Following dinner, Central and OEA officers addressed delegates about a wealth of topics, including how to stay involved after the election, how to lobby for successful implementation of ESSA, expanding local capacity through communications, and educating your members about hot topics like the state report cards, STRS, and advocating for public education in public forums.
COMMUNIQUÉ Volume 45, Number 2
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Winter 2017
Published four times a year as a service of
CENTRAL OEA/NEA, INC. 947 Goodale Blvd. Columbus, OH 43212
Adrienne M. Bowden, President Kevin Griffin, Vice President Russell Hughlock, Communications & Organizing Coordinator Editors Ann Eblin, Judy Furnas, Carla Noll & Tricia Sanders Fiscal Manager Tim Skamfer Production Russell Hughlock Design Pam McClung Phone 614-222-8228 E-mail aa@centraloeanea.org
Central OEA President Adrienne Bowden and Vice President Kevin Griffin updated members about the implications of Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA. Under ESSA, some testing mandates remain, but the federal government cannot dictate what tests or what standards are used. You can see a summary of the law, what other states are doing, and what NEA is advocating for at www. getessaright.org. Following the dinner and program, all delegates gathered for a solidarity photo to support the striking Louisville Education Association. Recipients of Central OEA’s first Local Technology Award, which is open to all locals, were able to pick up their laptops. In total 39 local associations received laptops to assist them in communicating with their members.
Continued from page 1. signatures for a petition, or writing a letter to the editor, grassroots activism can have a powerful effect in reshaping our political environment and its impact on public education. Thanks to all the Central members who volunteered countless hours during the election. Special thanks to the Central Political Action Coordinators Billie Sarich, Jim Templeton, and Soozie Hetterschidt, and Central Staff Members, Russell Hughlock and Tim Skamfer, who worked hard to ensure we put together campaign volunteer opportunities and communications with members. Difficult days may lie ahead. We need to work together and organize against any of the challenges we might face. Know that we at Central are committed to that organizing now more than ever, and we will continue to need your help to advocate for what is best for public education.
Winter 2017
Addressing First Year Teacher Issues Jenny Palguta, Gahanna EA President As many districts move to an earlier start date in August, I believe we need to think about our new teachers who are often just starting in our profession and becoming members of our association. This past spring as the Gahanna Jefferson EA bargaining team drafted our proposal to present to the board, we were worried that our first-year teachers did not receive compensation until 4-6 weeks after they started working. Many of our members graduate with a great deal of college debt and then relocate to be near our district. Most districts, ours included, also require new teachers to attend additional training days in early August without compensation. Because of the demands of the new job, many are forced to quit their summer jobs to be available to set up their classrooms and attend these district-required trainings. As a bargaining team, we were concerned about the financial and mental stress this placed on our new teachers as they transitioned into their new career. Our team initially presented an offer that asked the BOE to pay new teachers a stipend for the training days and for this pay to take place in August rather than September. Of course, the board did not want to agree to pay them. As we continued to discuss this issue, we ultimately ended up moving our pay period up to the end of August. The first-year teachers received their first paycheck on August 31st this year as did all other returning staff. If you were a returning Gahanna teacher, you received your last pay on August 25th and then started your new school year pay on August 31st. Next year, all teachers will receive their step and/or raise on August 25th and will not have to wait until September for their first pay check. As you work on your next contract, think about your new teachers and what you can do to help them receive some compensation for starting work earlier and earlier in August. I really believe this negotiated item will help new teachers see and appreciate the benefit of joining our association. Because we cared enough to remember them as we negotiated, they will care enough to join.
More Grants for NEA Convention Now Available Central OEA/NEA has revised the criteria for grants to the 2017 NEA Convention in Boston to provide locals of all sizes more opportunities to participate in the NEA Representative Assembly/Annual Meeting 8 grants to small locals (up to 225 members) 5 grants to medium locals (225-550 members) 3 grants to large locals (over 550 members) 2 grants to ESP locals Funding for each grant will be set at the dollar amount OEA designates for state delegates. More details and the application are on the website: www.centraloeanea.org Also, your local association MUST conduct an election for NEA delegates by March 31, 2017, and submit results by April 10, 2017. Locals with fewer than 75 members will need to “cluster” with other locals. See Ohio Schools OEA Member Resource Guide for details.
Visit www.neamb.com
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Ty Tatman (Zane Trace EA), OEA Director Unit 1. Post-election news got you down? Winter blues making you wish you didn’t have to stick around? Are you aware of all the travel benefits at your disposal as a NEA member? Check out the NEA Member Benefits page!
Red Roof Inn Hertz and EnterHotels are offered prise car rental at a 20% discount discounts are right nationwide at there at our finger435 locations. tips as well. Discounts for airlines are available through Priceline.
Have you checked out the website? Have you registered? www.neamb.com Guided vacations abroad are aplenty as well. The entire world is available at a fraction of the cost for NEA members, and I encourage every Central OEA/NEA member to explore these wonderful options in 2017! Remember, vacations relieve stress, prevent heart disease, make you happier, strengthen relationships and improve your production at work! Here’s to a great 2017.
Winter 2017
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Winter 2017
! p U r e w o w P ’ Us No S to o N t ’ n i A
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Central OEA/NEA March 4, 2017 Winter Leadership Conference Columbus Airport Marriott
1375 N Cassady Ave
Five tracks to choose from. You need only register for one track to attend the conference. Movement between tracks is permitted. Track A: ESSA The passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act offers a number of opportunities for public school educators to use their voice. In this workshop we will build our collective knowledge about the new policy, learn about the opportunities it provides, and begin to plan for how ESSA impacts changes in the classroom. Track B: Fight The Power
A Political Action track with topics of; finding & recruiting Board of Education candidates, conducting BOE screenings for endorsement, supporting successful levy campaigns, conducting a successful FCPE drive, legislative updates, and lobbying. Track C: Find a Balance to Manage Your Power A nuts & bolts track. Topics discussed include building capacity, rep training, creating a calendar, engaging members, connections with the community, legal updates, and grants.
Track D: Early Career Educators This track will focus on concerns and needs of our early career members. We will look at RESA requirements, and explore the world of NEA Member Benefits.
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Learn how ESSA will impact ESPs and begin to plan for the changes. We will also explore the power ESPs can have through Political Action.
Agenda: 9:00 am 9:45 am 11:00 am 12:15 pm 1:00 pm 2:15 pm 3:30 pm
Registration Breakout Session Breakout Session Lunch Breakout Session Thriving & Surviving Closing & Evaluation
End of the Day session: Thriving & Surviving
This end of the day session will have something for everyone. The time will be focused on stress management, wellness, diet, nutrition, plus some Zumba and/or Yoga.
Registration Required
Winter 2017
w w w. c e n t r a l o e a n e a . o r g
December 2016 OEA Representative Assembly Recap
OEA Fund for Children and Public Education Award Winners
Brittany Alexander (Hilliard EA)
The following Central members were recognized at the Fall 2016 OEA Representative Assembly
On December 3, 2016, OEA delegates converged on the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus to conduct the business of our association. Local associations from around the state were represented. It was a productive, albeit relatively somber RA. Central member Soozie Hetterscheidt, of Olentangy Teachers Association, led us in an invocation. After the call to order from President Becky Higgins, delegates discussed and voted on a variety of issues. Among these were: recommended changes to OEA’s Constitution and Bylaws, to be voted on at the Spring RA; proposed restructuring of OEA’s core function committees; and amendments to OEA’s legislative policy. Two New Business Items (NBIs) were proposed; both of them moved by Central members and passed by the assembly.
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The first NBI, moved by Scott DiMauro, Worthington EA and OEA Vice President, calls on Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman to vote against the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as United States Secretary of Education, and further directs OEA to develop an action plan that will engage members and allies in an effort to oppose her appointment. The second NBI, moved by Adrienne Bowden, Pickerington EA and Central President, directs OEA to establish an online legislative scorecard for all members of the Ohio General Assembly. This tool will be invaluable for OEA members as they reach out to elected officials and cast their votes. It was encouraging to see Amber Clark, South-Western EA, lead the newly formed group ONE (Ohio’s New Educators) in addressing delegates about the importance of supporting our early career educators. Readers can learn more about ONE and its work on Facebook by searching for @ OHneweducators.
Lifetime Achievement ($3,000 Total) Troy Combs ~ Worthington E.A. Geoff Mize ~ Westerville E.A. Janice Vaughan ~ Springfield E.A. (Clark) Presidents Club ($1,000 in 8 Years) Joseph Armpriester ~ Plain Local E.A. (Franklin) Heather Miller ~ Pickerington E.A. Bruce Moore ~ S.C.O.P.E. David Palguta ~ Gahanna-Jefferson E.A. Jennifer Palguta ~ Gahanna-Jefferson E.A. Sharon Strock ~ Worthington E.A. Executive Club ($500 in 5 Years) Ned Basinger ~ Pickerington E.A. Tim Mackey ~ Urbana C.T.A. Thomas Cook ~ Westerville E.A. Kimberly Moore ~ South-Western E.A. Kim Cooper ~ Reynoldsburg E.A. Judy Roundhouse ~ Circleville E.A. Jennifer Doan ~ South-Western E.A. Tricia Sanders ~ Pickerington E.A. Ann Grosz ~ Willoughby-Eastlake T.A. Ty Tatman ~ Zane Trace E.A. Deana Hooper ~ Buckeye Valley T.A. Tara Wolfinger ~ Pickerington E.A. Charles Hughes ~ Circleville E.A. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to FCPE in 2016.
Join Us! The Central OEA/NEA Emerging Leaders Program Come learn about… • NEA/OEA organizations (and its many layers) • What is your Leadership Style? • Issues you will encounter as an Association Leader • Skills you will need as an Association Leader • What does it look like to become more involved in your Association? • What does it mean to become an OEA or NEA delegate to Rep Assembly? • What does OEA Headquarters look like.... Led by: Jenny Palguta, Gahanna-Jefferson EA President Donna O’Connor, Dublin EA President Interested? If you are interested in learning more about the program or wish to join, send an email to: emerging.leaders@centraloeanea.org
Winter 2017
Education Inc.
ESP Appreciation!
Jeanne Melvin (OEA-R)
Cheryl Williams (Dublin SSA) Central ESP Representative
Education, Inc. is an award-winning documentary that examines the for-profit interests that have been systematically dismantling America’s public education system under the banner of “school choice.” (https:// vimeo.com/157617318) Although the movie highlights privatization efforts in Colorado, Chicago, Washington D.C., New York, Wisconsin, and Los Angeles, it also reflects what’s happening to public education here in Ohio.
On November 14th, Central OEA/NEA came together to kick off American Education Week at OSU Golf Course Clubhouse with a focus on Education Support Professional (ESP) Appreciation Day. President Adrienne Bowden and several board members were in attendance as well as OEA Vice President Scott DiMauro. Reynoldsburg, Grandview Heights, Dublin, Worthington, Big Walnut, Unioto, Westerville, Northeastern, Licking Heights, Northwestern and Springfield support staff associations were all represented.
Central OEA/NEA and Public Education Partners, a public education advocacy organization (https:// publiceducationpartners. org/), hosted a free screening of the film Education, Inc. at the Gateway Film Center in Columbus. The film-maker, Brian Malone, came to this public education event to talk about his documentary and lead a follow-up discussion with an audience of students, parents, teachers, professors, candidates, and more. Malone definitely put the school privatization movement in layman’s terms, and after the showing, a thoughtprovoking conversation ensued about high-stakes testing, charter schools, vouchers, ALEC, and other pieces of the privatization agenda. Brian and Cindy Malone funded the production
Winter 2017
The night began with a social hour that gave everyone a chance to mingle and get to know each other better. This was followed by a great dinner and lots of prize drawings. of Education, Inc. themselves to educate people about the school privatization movement. As parents, they witnessed how education profiteers were able to take over their home school district by spending lots of money to elect privatization-friendly school board members, and it bothered them that uninformed voters allowed it to happen. The same thing is happening in Ohio- the state school board seems to have shifted its emphasis from traditional public schools to school choice, and some local school boards have also been infiltrated by those who favor charters and vouchers. Education, Inc. would be an exceptional film to show audiences around the Buckeye state to ensure that voters understand the real purpose of school choice and to encourage them to be informed education voters.
Cam Vaughn from School Employees Retirement System (SERS) came to share with us a snapshot of the changes that are being made that will affect ESP retirement. Guy Kendall Freas from NEA Member Benefits informed us about a variety of opportunities that are provided by NEA. He also told us a story from his childhood and the positive impact some support staff had on his life. We recognized the nine classifications of ESP’s as identified by NEA. They are clerical services, custodial & maintenance, food service, health & student services, para-educators, security services, skilled trades, technical service and transportation. Appreciation for the vital contributions education support professionals make in our schools was expressed throughout the entire evening. Thank you, ESP’s, for all you are doing for the children of Ohio every single day. They are counting on us to give them our best. Continue to unite, inspire and lead!
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COMMUNIQUÉ In this issue
Central OEA/ NEA
2 Central OEA All-Area Meeting
Jan. 28 Central Diversity Conference at the Central Office
3 Addressing First Year Teacher Issues
Feb. 7
Area 2 Meeting at The Warehouse, Marion
3 More Grants for NEA Convention Now Available
Feb. 9
Area 4 Meeting at the Watt St. Tavern
3 Visit www.neamb.com
Feb. 13 Area 3 Meeting at the Simon Kenton Inn
Upcoming Events
Feb. 15 Area 5 Meeting at the OSU Golf Club
4 Central OEA/NEA Diversity Conference: Gender Issues in Public Education
Feb. 23 Area 1 Meeting at Chef T’s Pub, Pickerington Mar. 4
5 Winter Leadership Conference 6 December 2016 OEA Representative Assembly Recap
Winter Leadership Conference at Columbus Airport Marriott.
Apr. 21 Central Representative Assembly & All Area Meeting at Columbus Airport Marriott
6 OEA Fund for Children and Public Education 6 Join Us! The Central OEA/NEA Emerging Leaders Program
Registrations for all events are available on Central’s website at www.centraloeanea.org
7 Education, Inc. 7 ESP Appreciation! Winter Leadership Conference
Diversity Conference
Central OEA All- Area Meeting
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ESP Appreciation!
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p! w U r e w o P Stoppin’ Us No Ain’t No
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Central OEA/NEA March 4, 2017 Winter Leadership Conference Columbus Airport Marriott
1375 N Cassady Ave