September 2014 news bulletin final

NCAE

NEWS BULLETIN September

2014

NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS

Volume 45, No. 2

“Not On Our Watch!”... NCAE Victorious in Stomping Out Vouchers in North Carolina

VOUCHERS

SEE PAGE 2 FOR STORY

“This victory is for everyone who supports and values public education!”-- NCAE President Rodney Ellis

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News Bulletin

September 2014

Court RulesThat Vouchers Are Unconstitutional 10:23 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2014, marked the end of a long battle for NCAE in the fight against vouchers in North Carolina. NCAE President Rodney Ellis, Vice President Mark Jewell, Executive Director Rachelle Johnson and two members of NCAE’s legal team – Ann McColl and Carrie Bumgardner, sat front-and-center as Judge Robert Hobgood read his ruling in Wake County Superior Court. It was the victory that everyone had been anxiously awaiting – a permanent injunction to any further implementation of the opportunity scholarship program.

“Yes!,” whispered President Ellis as he pumped his fist in satisfaction and flashed a broad smile.

The other members of the team were equally pleased and expressed their gratitude and congratulations with handshakes, hugs and thankyou’s to all involved once court adjourned.

“Today is a truly great day for our 1.5 million students, the public schools that serve them, and all North Carolinians,” said Ellis, one of the 25 plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit against the State, along with NCAE and the NC Justice Center. “This victory is for everyone who supports and values public education, and knows that the idea of using taxpayer money to fund unaccountable private schools is not acceptable. We thank the Court for protecting and upholding the North Carolina Constitution and finding opportunity scholarships unconstitutional.”

Ellis also added that the ruling is not a solution to the ills public education has been facing over the last few years, but it is a huge step in solving some of the problems that have been occurring. “It’s a step in the right direction toward finding adequate funding for a high-quality public education for ALL students in North Carolina.”

Judge Hobgood, who stated that the General Assembly fails the children of North Carolina by trying to send students to

NCAE Vice President Mark Jewell

LEFT: The NCAE leadership team was all smiles as Judge Hobgood read his ruling on the voucher case. BELOW: The group celebrates with a hug.

private schools without any requirement to teach them, granted a summary judgment on all four constitutional grounds associated with the lawsuit: that the opportunity scholarship program violated school funding requirements, that the state failed its constitutional obligations to guard and maintain the right to public education, that taxpayer funds can only be used for public purpose, and that discrimination based on religion is prohibited.

NCAE and the NC Justice Center filed the lawsuit in December 2013 challenging legislation by the General Assembly that would have funneled $4,200 per year in taxpayer money (for eligible students) to pay for part of the tuition at a private school.

This would have siphoned money from public schools that are already underfunded.

The injunction issued by the Court not only prevents implementation of the opportunity scholarship program, but denies a request by the defendants to appeal the stay of the order. The State plans to appeal the ruling.

Public Education...the Brand of NC

NCAE Law Conference Set for Sept. 13

As Vice President Jewell reflects on what drew him to North Carolina as an educator, he believes that NCAE needs to use the two lawsuits it has recently won as a springboard to take the momentum we’ve gained to the ballot box! Change is going to come, and it’s going to have to come in the form of propublic education candidates we elect on November 4. Click here to read more.

Join NCAE’s legal team on Saturday, September 13, in exploring hot topics including legislation and litigation updates, using changes in laws to create more effective School Improvement Teams, and election strategies. The theme for this year’s conference is “State Trends: Local Action.” The cost for the conference is $25 and it is open to all NCAE members.

Click here to register.

News Bulletin

September 2014

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Slashed Textbook Funding...Another Budget Woe Affecting Educators and Students Across the state thousands of students and educators have returned to school filled with the excitement that a new year brings. But as they embark on the next 185 days, many school systems again are facing challenges due to a state budget that does not adequately fund public education.

One area that is creating a hardship for schools is the lack of textbooks, a tool that is vital to student learning. New textbooks are not within reach for many schools because funding for textbooks has dropped since 2009-10 from $111 million (or about $76 per student) to $23.3 million ($15.37 per student) for 2014-15, according to the Department of Public Instruction. Students are faced with having to share books, many of which are outdated.

Adrienne Hollifield, an English teacher at Owen High School in Buncombe County, knows firsthand the effects of this shortage. For the five English classes that will be offered to seniors this semester, there is only one set of new Common Core-aligned textbooks available. The set consists of 32 books that remain in her classroom for student use.

“Thirty-two online textbooks are available as part of the package, but there are only 32 access codes provided, which means there aren’t enough access codes for the number of students who need them,” Hollifield said. “And, not all students have access to computers or the Internet at home.”

With the implementation of 21st Century Skills by the Department of Public Instruction, students are required to use technology to demonstrate new knowledge and skills needed to be lifelong learners in a competitive international environment. But, Hollifield said, it’s really difficult to have an emphasis on technology without an adequate number of desktop computers, laptops and other resources such as mobile computing devices. “If we were required to access all of our textbooks online, we would be hard-pressed to do so because we also don’t have enough technology tools for every student to get online here at school. This is a real problem!”

Throughout the school the same story is being repeated, Hollifield said. A colleague who teaches American Literature has no textbooks at all. No new

textbooks were ordered when the U.S. History course was changed to American History, now a two-semester course. And another colleague who teaches AP World History does not have enough textbooks for her students either.

To keep students from suffering academically, Hollifield said teachers are being resourceful by purchasing materials with their own money, even though the cost of doing so can get expensive. “What else are we going to do? We have to educate these students.

We do what we have to.”

Hollifield said as a professional, it makes her very angry knowing it’s her job to educate students and the state can’t provide the needed resources because of cuts to public education funding by the General Assembly. “I have been angry for three years now. As a teacher, I have been used to getting the directive from the Legislature and DPI, and just kind of complaining about this or that and sucking it up while doing my job. But the last couple of years I have had to suck it up so much that I can no longer be silent.

I have found a voice and I’m going to use it. Come November, I certainly will remember when I cast my vote.”

The Value of NCAE Membership Outweighs the Cost!

Being a member of NCAE has its benefits and Annie Hill clearly knows the value of belonging to an organization that works to save career status, fights against vouchers, and ensures public education is fully funded. A few months ago, she made a difficult decision to cancel her membership but quickly renewed it after receiving the pay increase, a result of the Association’s actions to move teacher salaries to the national average.

A teacher at Merrick-Moore Elementary School in Durham County, Hill was a 20+ member prior to cancelling for brief period. Students loan payments were due so she began

looking at costs she could eliminate or cut back on. “My membership was important to me, but without a raise for several years, my income was already stretched to the limit,” she said.

“Terminating my membership was something that I had to take a chance with. I had to make a decision quickly.”

Hill was faced with this dilemma during the time the General Assembly was going back and forth on whether to give educators a raise. The money she felt she would save would be used to fulfill her financial obligation. But, when she saw that a salary increase was eminent and what her raise would

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(See Membership on page 5)

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News Bulletin

September 2014

Raising Our Voices for Truth, Raising Our Voices for Public Education

Chatham County NCAE Silent Protest event.

NCAE activists, along with community citizens, took to the streets recently to speak out against the 2014-15 budget passed by the General Assembly and the ongoing attacks to public education.

Members coordinated “Silent Protest” events in their locals, as well as participated in Teacher Truth Tours, which were coordinated by Progress NC, one of the Association’s coalition partners.

NCAE member Dianne Jones speaks at the Teacher Truth Tour at the State Capitol in Raleigh.

Stanly County NCAE Silent Protest event.

Macon County NCAE Silent Protest event.

UniServ Director Amy Bridges and Rowan County NCAE member Marian Thompson stand in silent protest.

Liz Hackney, second from right, and Amy Harrison represent GCAE at the Teacher Truth Tour in Greensboro.

Members of the Rutherford County NCAE stand in silent protest.

The Elizabeth City/ Pasquotank and Camden locals stand together at a Silent Protest event.

Granville NCAE President Angela Clayton, center, stands in silent protest with active and retired members.

News Bulletin

September 2014

NCAE

It’s a Matter of RESPECT! As if educators in this state haven’t been disrespected enough, Kings Mountain Middle School teacher Julia Clore-Laurich recently received the ultimate form of disrespect – being called an “idiot teacher” for calling the office of her state representative.

In response to the change in longevity, Clore-Laurich wanted to voice her concern over losing the earned benefit and decided to call her legislator. She expected to speak with the legislative assistant but was not prepared to hear the statement “some idiot teacher called that made my blood boil.”

“The legislative assistant thought the call had been placed on hold, but a colleague alerted her that it was not,” said Clore-Laurich, an 18-year teaching veteran in Cleveland County. “She proceeded to disconnect the call. I immediately called back, reintroduced myself and shared the reason for my call. To my surprise, she asked if she could put the call on hold, to which I reluctantly agreed.”

Upset and angry is how Clore-Laurich describes her frame of mind while on hold. She thought to herself that the legislative assistant was probably uncomfortable at the fact she heard the comment and was trying to do damage control.

Usually a very private person, Clore-Laurich turned to social media to air her frustrations. She posted her feelings on Facebook (only her second post in two “My right as a citizen to have my voice years) and received heard should never be taken lightly.” tremendous support.

The post went viral with more than 4,000 shares. “I have no problem stepping out of my comfort zone if I can in some way affect change,” Clore-Laurich said.

“My right as a citizen to have my voice heard on an issue that affects my livelihood should never be taken lightly and I, nor any educator, should ever be subjected to name-calling by someone who works for politicians we help get elected.”

As for the legislator, Clore-Laurich said he called and left a message for her the day after the Facebook posting. She returned his call a week later. “The conversation was as I expected and I did not engage in further debate,” she said.

Although the comment is inexcusable, Clore-Laurich said this experience is making her more determined to have her voice heard and she encourages her colleagues to do the same. “I expect the students I teach to be respectful and expect the same behavior from adults. Our elected officials are in office to serve ALL people and what they say matters, or at least should. If we continue to elect politicians who cut education and other important services, they will continue to disrespect us!”

5 September 23 is National Voter Registration Day

National Voter Registration Day is a great opportunity for you to get started (or ramp up your work) in non-partisan civic engagement. You can join this national, non-partisan effort on September 23 by hosting a voter registration event or encouraging other volunteers, and those you serve to register to vote. National Voter Registration Day received a major bipartisan endorsement recently when the National Association of Secretaries of State passed a resolution declaring the fourth Tuesday of September National Voter Registration Day through the end of the decade.

The new National Voter Registration Day website makes it easier for you to sign up as partner, host an event, or simply spread the word.

Membership a “Must-Have” for Hill Continued from page 3

be, she called the Membership Department and re-joined. “I realized that I could meet my obligation and remain a member. I was so excited!”

Prior to cancelling her membership, Hill was an active member of the Association, often sharing information about NCAE with colleagues. When she worked in Person County, she served as president of the local and held the position of association rep at her school. The benefits she received were a nice perk, but Hill said it was the value of belonging that prompted her to renew her membership.

“Even if I had not received the raise, I had made the decision to come back. I was considering looking for a parttime job if I had to.”

Hill said she knows it’s not easy out there for educators and her story is just one of thousands that reverberates across the state. “If and when I encounter a colleague who says to me, ‘I just don’t think I can maintain my membership in NCAE or I can’t afford to join,’ I am going to tell them that they can’t afford NOT to be a member.

After sharing my story, I’d advise them to cut back on something if possible because the value of being a member definitely outweighs the cost. NCAE is an organization that advocates for the profession and helps us as members to advocate for ourselves and our students. It’s the only organization that has been vocal in the community and in the General Assembly on behalf of ALL educators, not just its members! And, it’s the only organization that cares enough to organize educators around the issues that affect them in the classroom every day.”

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NCAE

News Bulletin

September 2014

Tips and Tricks to Redesign Your Classroom If you’re thinking about a classroom make-over project, here are some tips you can implement right away. If you do something bigger, you can start planning immediately and schedule time when it’s convenient. Either way, much of the prep work can be done now. Whether you are looking to reorganize one corner or redesign the entire room, here are some strategies that may help you throughout the process. Ø Get Students Involved – Ask parents, colleagues or friends to donate a variety of appropriate magazines.

Have students find and add magazine pictures to create a visual wall of spatial inspiration. The pictures can portray any space at all – not just schools. When complete, have them use sticky dots to indicate places that stand out and why. Digitally, you can utilize Pinterest (https://pinterest.com) as a way to create a “board of inspiration. As you or your students find items or spaces that stand out, they can be pinned to your board.

involved. The key is to ensure that it’s easy to identify and know who is handling each task and responsibility. Ø Clearing the Clutter – Spend some time considering what you most frequently use and where those items should be in relation to where you spend most of your time in class. Once you define those needs, begin to search sites like Lifehacker (http://lifehacker.com/search? q=organization) for some tips on how to reorganize your materials. Ø Obtaining Supplies and Support – Once you’ve identified your required materials for the remake, reach out to your locally owned stores and tell your story. In many cases, the owners may donate or discount certain supplies.

Ø Research and Brainstorm Methods – You don’t need to be a designer in this process. All you need is the ability to conduct the research to do the brainstorming that is essential to the process. When remaking your classroom, the first step is to define the right “need” and then ask the right questions. For example, when defining your need, you might ask, “How could we create more collaborative space in our classroom?”

Ø Repurposing Materials You May Already Have – Do you have old plastic containers from the grocery store, milk crates or old hardbound books? Use them as storage containers in your classroom.

Ø Organizing and Managing Volunteers – When assigning tasks and responsibilities to your volunteers, use something very simple. Create a spreadsheet with the tasks and responsibilities and share with all parties

Ø Additional Resources – Click here for resources that can help with your project.

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.

-- Sydney J. Harris

Ø Organizing Your Tools – Consider using containers or boxes that you or your students can easily identify and access. Use some color and visual labels to ensure that containers stand out.

Published August 2014@ Edutopia.org; The George Lucas Foundation.

Correction Below is a correction to the story on the budget that appeared on page 2 of the August News Bulletin.

Are you a life-long learner interested in furthering your education? The NEA Academy may be what you’re looking for. Click here to see the more than 600 courses available and see how you can get special member-only pricing.

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Principals and Assistant Principals earn a step movement on the new salary schedule averaging a 2 percent increase. They will also earn a bonus of $809 in addition to last year’s pay, if the new 2014-15 pay step is less than the total salary earned last year.

News Bulletin

NCAE

September 2014

DEALS for NEA Members Click & Save “Buy-Lights” for September NEA Click & Save, the online discount buying service for NEA members, highlights select retailers and merchants each month. Check out these featured “Buy-Lights” for September at www.neamb.com/clickandsave and begin shopping today!

Kmart – Save an extra 10 percent off $100 or more; free shipping on orders of $59 or more.

Home Depot – Get 10 percent off appliances of $397 or more.

Sears – Save 5-20 percent off selected major appliances BackCountry.com – Save up to 70 percent on selected items; get free shipping on all orders Sports Authority – Enjoy free shipping on orders of $49 or more.

AutoAnything.com – Enjoy free shipping.

TireBuyer.com – Save $25 on purchases of $450 or more.

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Did You Know?

Every state legislator is on the ballot on November 4. It is critical for us to hold legislators accountable for their decisions. Did you know that you can encourage voter participation by hosting nonpartisan voter registration drives at your school?

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-82.23 mandates that every public high school make voter registration applications available to students and other eligible voters. Moreover, a local board of education may designate high school employees to provide assistance with completing the forms.

Let’s show our love for public schools by supporting pro-education candidates. The last day to register to vote is October 8.

NEA Travel See the world your way.

Introducing NEA Travel.

Created exclusively for educators, NEA Travel can help you go anywhere from a trip in the U.S. to Eastern Africa for less. You can: • Explore: G Adventures – the Great Adventure People • Discover: Trafalgar Guided Vacations • Drive: Alamo, Hertz and others • Stay: Red Roof Inn Sign up for the NEA Travel e-newsletter by October 31 and you could win a $500 American Express gift card. Your next adventure awaits. Visit www.neamb.com/travelsignup.

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Dates to Remember September 2014 13th 15th 22nd 23rd

NCAE Law Conference, NCAE International Day of Democracy First Day of Autumn National Voter Registration Day

B U L L E T I N

Follow NCAE events and activities on:

Positions stated in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official position of NCAE unless so identified. The NCAE News Bulletin, a journal of the Association, is published by the North Carolina Association of Educators, 700 S.Salisbury St., Post Office Box Box 27347, Raleigh, NC 27611, 1-800-662-7924.

Linda Powell-Jones, Editor/Designer

www.ncae.org