The Voice, January 2010

The

Voice The Nebraska State Education Association ď ś January 2010

January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 1

On the Cover: As soon as Shari Miller read her Reduction-in-Force notice, she knew it to be wrong. It took a Nebraska Supreme Court decision to convince her school district.

For the story, see

Page 8. the

VOICE Nebraska State Education Association 605 S. 14th Street, Suite 200 Lincoln, NE 68508-2742 · www.nsea.org (402) 475-7611 · (800) 742-0047

Volume 63, No. 5 ISSN Number: 1085-0783 USPS Number: 000-369 Executive Director Assoc. Executive Director Director of Public Affairs Assistant Comm. Director

Craig R. Christiansen Neal Clayburn Karen Kilgarin Al Koontz

NSEA Board of Directors President Jess Wolf, Hartington Vice President Nancy Fulton, Wilber-Clatonia NEA Director Mark Shively, Omaha NEA Director Leann Widhalm, Norfolk

Official publication of the Nebraska State Education Association, Suite 200, 605 South 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to NSEA Voice, Suite 200, 605 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742.

Published 10 times yearly according to this schedule: September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May and August.

Payment of annual NSEA membership dues entitles Nebraska educators to receive The Voice. Total cost of producing 10 monthly issues of The Voice each year is about $4.84 per member.

Advertising rates of The Voice are available from the assistant communications director. All advertisements and advertisers are screened prior to publication.

Appearance of an advertisement in The Voice does not necessarily imply NSEA endorsement of either the product being advertised or the views being expressed.

Great Public Schools For Every Child Page 2 n The NSEA Voice n January 2010

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

And Many Nebraska Children Aren’t Clothed for Winter Weather The ‘thank you’ letters are moving.

One teacher from western Nebraska thanked the NSEA Children’s Fund for acting so quickly after a child’s home burned. “He desperately needed clothes, and because he was to have surgery, he wasn’t going to be able to obtain them as easily later.

“This is a tremendous service, and our local association is very appreciative of your help and financial support.”

Another teacher was pleased that three students, with aid from the Children’s Fund, were able to get warm clothing.

“I’m sure that it will help keep them healthy by being warm. I am proud to be part of an organization that looks at more than just education to help our children,” wrote the teacher.

Clearly, those testimonials indicate the ability of the NSEA Children’s Fund to make a difference.

Every NSEA member knows of children in such heartbreaking situations: children who wear thin jackets to school in cold weather because they have nothing else; students who get decent meals only when school is in session; of stu-

dents who can’t see the front of the room clearly because they need eyeglasses.

Teachers often use their own dollars to help these children, knowing that they can’t help every child. That’s why NSEA created the Children’s Fund, and continues to work to raise money for that Fund.

Since 1994, donations to the Children’s Fund have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to help children in need. In the past two years, the Children’s Fund has provided nearly $120,000 in relief.

Contributions to the NSEA Children’s Fund come from teachers and businesses across the state. A golf tournament raises nearly $20,000 a year for the Fund. Contributions are tax deductible — and it’s important to note that every penny contributed goes to help children. NSEA picks up all the administrative expenses.

To receive funding to help a student, there is no red tape, no form for teachers to fill out. Simply contact the NSEA at 1-800-742-0047 and ask for Sally Bodtke. Or e-mail her at: sally.bodtke@nsea.org

Have You Helped Feed a Child?

When surveyed by the global relief organization Share Our Strength, 63 percent of American teachers reported using their own money to buy food for children in their classroom each month.

Sixty-two percent of teachers said they see students come to school hungry each week because they aren’t getting enough to eat at home. Those were among the findings of the report entitled Hunger in America’s Classrooms.

Teachers know that children with empty stomachs are more focused on a next meal than a next math problem.

Have you purchased food for a student’s family recently? Have you

steered a child or his or her family toward a food bank or relief organization in recent months? Told a parent about free or reduced lunch eligibility?

We’d like to share the story of hunger in America’s classrooms with a broad audience. Please share details about what you’ve done – we’ll not use names and we’ll be as nonspecific as you like.

Go to the NSEA Web site, and click on the ‘Hunger in America’s Classrooms’ link. Tell us your story. The site is at: www.nsea.org Here’s a link to the Share Our Strength survey: http://strength.org/teachers/

From the President

Resolve and Renew

NSEA President Jess Wolf ‘..despite the outstanding value of such a good education, some folks seeking the ‘Good Life’ here in Nebraska need to be reminded of education’s true value every once in awhile.’

Isn’t education a great career?

Along with all the advantages of developing young minds and sending young people off on careers of their own, educators get to enjoy two New Year’s celebrations each year.

Our first observance is the beginning of the new school year each fall. The second is the traditional New Year’s celebration we share with the rest of the world. Thus, we as teachers enjoy two chances to re-evaluate our lives, to make resolutions to improve on skills or habits, and to rededicate ourselves to our work.

I believe that our second New Year’s celebration also gives teachers a chance to recommit ourselves to the values and vision that we hold most dear.

Re-establish, Build For the founders of our country, one of those great visions understood that an educated populace was of utmost importance to our democracy’s survival. Public education, they understood, was the great equalizer for the citizenry, the value that allowed for the development of the new country and the evolution and support for those principals we hold most dear: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, freedom of speech, religion, the right to assemble peacefully, and all the rest.

It seems, in my opinion at least, that too many folks forget how we re-establish and build on these beliefs over and over and over, generation after generation.

Every despot in the history of man has understood the importance of education – and taken advantage of it. You may recall the Hitler Youth or the Soviet Union’s Komsomol. Fortunately, good and well-intentioned people throughout

our history have also realized the positive aspects importance of a balanced and indoctrination-free education. And despite the outstanding value of such a good education, some folks seeking the “Good Life” here in Nebraska need to be reminded of education’s true value every once in awhile.

Shared Goals As a firm advocate of equality, I fail to understand the thinking of those who choose to deny every school-aged child or young adult access to the educational system they deserve. There are some who will argue that “These are tough economic times and we cannot afford to invest in education.” The simple fact is we cannot afford not to invest in education during tough economic times! Education is the foundation upon which we build our nation, and upon which we maintain our nation in such difficult times.

Still, as good as our system of public education is, it does have imperfections.

There are improvements that must occur, changes that must be made. We all share the goals of raising graduation rates, closing achievement gaps, and providing the best education we can for every child.

As a new year dawns, let us each resolve to work with policymakers, parents, students and all Nebraska citizens to renew our commitment to education in our state and country. Only the resolve of all these people will allow for meaningful change and provide the necessary resources to keep our nation strong and prepared for the future.

Together, this New Year can be the best ever for education and the youth of Nebraska!

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Remodeling is Under Budget Final Figures Show NSEA Headquarters Project $182,000 Below Estimates Good news on the budget front: The remodeling of NSEA’s nearly 50-yearold headquarters building has come in under budget.

NSEA Associate Executive Director Neal Clayburn told the NSEA Board of Directors in December that the $4.86 million project was not only completed six weeks ahead of schedule, but $182,468 below budget, as well.

The remodeling involved complete demolition of the interior of the building, including all mechanical and electrical systems. Asbestos was also removed from the building.

The newly-remodeled space includes an energy efficient geo-thermal heat pump to heat and cool the building; energy efficient windows; a new roof, which is energy efficient and constructed of “green” materials; and use of motion sensors to control lighting and conserve energy.

The remodeling added new mechanical, hydro and electrical systems throughout. A new fiber optic data spine and state-of-the-art wiring should allow the flexibility to remain current with technological changes well into the future.

Cost savings, said Clayburn, were found in these areas: n Moving expenses: Moving furnishings to and from a temporary location during the remodeling came in at $13,000 less than the estimated $70,000 cost. n Temporary lease: The cost of a leased site during the 18-month remodeling came in at $92,000 less than the estimated $300,000 cost. n Asbestos removal: the $336,000 cost was $30,000 below estimates. n Contingency: Spending on con-

Final touches: A construction company employee puts the final touches on the sign in front of the newly-remodeled NSEA building.

Financial Health ‘Excellent’; Dues Goal Set In addition to good news on the lower-than-expected cost of remodeling the NSEA building, there is also good news on the dues front. NSEA’s Board of Directors has set a goal of $7 for the 2010-11 dues increase. If approved by delegates at the April 2010 Delegate Assembly, that would be the smallest dollar increase since the 2001-02 Association year, and the 2 percent hike would be the lowest since at least 1981-82.

The Board also accepted the annual audit report by BKD CPAs & Advisors.

The report showed the Association to be in excellent financial health.

The NSEA Board also approved matching funds for two local associations to be used to promote school elections. They include: n $100 to the Prague Education Association for a Dec. 15 levy override.

Preliminary returns show the override passed on a 138-132 vote. n $500 for the Adams Central Education Association for a school bond election tentatively set for March 9. tingency items was about $44,000 less than the $70,000 projection. n Impact fees: City of Lincoln impact fees were half the estimated $14,000 projections.

A 20-year bond will cover the ma-

jority of the cost, with monies from the Association’s cash reserve and other line items paying for the remainder.

NSEA Comptroller Sheri Jablonski said the savings will mean fewer dollars spent from the cash reserve.

Douglas County West Earns National Distinction Douglas County West Elementary School (DC West) has been selected as Nebraska’s National Title I Distinguished School Program.

The program is a project of the National Association of State Title I Directors, and provides an opportunity for Title I schools from every state to be publicly recognized for their positive educational achievements.

The application packet had stringent state and national criteria. State criteria include sustaining three years of data and maintaining adequate yearly progress (AYP) goals. National criteria include having a poverty rate of 35 percent or higher for the nominated year; demonstrated high academic achievement for two or more consecutive years; and to have met or exceeded

state standards for making AYP for two or more consecutive years.

DC West will now represent Nebraska at the 2010 National Title I Conference in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21-24. Attending from DC West will be District Assessment Coordinatory Sandy Perry; Elementary Principal Duane Krusemark; and Title I Teachers Denise Fischer and Desirae Samson.

January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 5

Meet and greet: In December, NSEA members from the Association’s Capitol District met over dinner with state senators to talk about legislative issues. Seated, from left, are Pat Etherton, NSEA-Retired, Lincoln; State Sen. Amanda McGill, Lincoln; Cheryl Karr, Lincoln; and Marcia Benner, Lincoln. Standing, from left, are Nebraska NEA Director Leann Widhalm, Norfolk; Sara Halama, Lincoln; Burke Brown, Palmyra; and NSEA Director of Instructional Advocacy Jay Sears.

A Focused Agenda In a Short Legislative Session, NSEA’s List of Goals is Brief and for pre-service teachers.

The 2010 session of the Nebraska Legislature is short – n Work to preserve the $7.5 million in HELP Fund dollars 60 days – and NSEA’s Legislative Agenda for the session is that are scheduled to sunset in 2011. Those dollars currently focused. flow to the public employees’ retirement fund each year.

The NSEA Board of Directors adopted the Legislative n Seek passage of Agenda in December (see LB107, a bill that would sidebar), after it was recgive due process rights to ommended for approval NSEA’s 2010 Legislative Agenda public employees such as by the Association’s GovNSEA’s legislative goal for the 2010 session of the Nebraska Legeducation support profesernment Relations team. islature is to maintain the state’s investment in public education. sionals. LB107 advanced Within the theme of the Meeting that goal will save and create education jobs, which keeps to General File last year. agenda, NSEA will: schools fully staffed; will keep class levels at sizes that will help raise Funding – and the n Push to protect or student achievement, thereby ensuring our state’s educational economy – will be closely improve state aid and and economic competitiveness; and will help keep key staff in our watched during this sesfunding for K-12 schools schools at a time when many students’ families are suffering finansion. Meeting in Special and the state’s colleges cially, thereby creating undue stress on children.

Session in November, the and universities.

NSEA will also work to secure additional state funding for proLegislature cited declining n Seek additional lotgrams that will enhance Nebraska’s ability to recruit and retain revenues and the economy tery funds for the tuition quality teachers, higher education faculty and education support professionals. These programs shall include legislation that will imin cutting 2010-11 state reimbursement program prove compensation, benefits and working conditions. aid by $32 million. for certificated teachers “We will be watching to earn advanced degrees Page 6 n The NSEA Voice n January 2010

revenues closely,” said NSEA President Jess Wolf. “If revenues are on the upswing, we’d like to see some or all of those cuts restored.”

NSEA will also push for more money for the wildly-successful Enhancing Excellence in Teaching program.

Last year, acting on short notice, nearly 400 teachers applied for the roughly $800,000 spent on reimbursement.

Unfortunately, there was not nearly enough money to go around, and 111 applicants were turned away.

There likely would have been even more applicants had there been more publicity and more than a one-month application window.

“This program has already been successful,” said Wolf. “It’s a win-winwin situation for students, teachers and Nebraska colleges and universities.”

Preserve HELP Funds NSEA will also work to make certain that $7.5 million in HELP dollars are not eliminated or diverted to other purposes.

The HELP fund originated with LB89 in the late 1980s, and included $20 million sent annually to school districts to enhance teacher salaries.

When funding dwindled to $7.5 million, lawmakers agreed the funds should flow instead to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement System to pay for annual cost of living increases for teaching, state patrol and judicial retirees. The funding is set to end in 2011, and NSEA will work to eliminate the sunset and keep the dollars flowing to the retirement system.

Long-awaited due process language for state employees could become a reality in 2010. LB107 was introduced last year by Sen. Ken Haar of Malcolm, and made it to General File.

The bill would cover school employees such as bus drivers and school secretaries, and would require employers to give staff a reason for termination, should they be fired.

What’s Up In the Legislature?

It’s Never Been Easier to Keep Up With the News The Nebraska Legislature plays a key role in everything you do. From funding to curriculum, from the bus barn to the lunch room, Nebraska’s Legislature can affect public school students and employees.

That’s why it has become imperative that Nebraska teachers know what happens inside the legislative chambers. It’s also important that NSEA members let state senators know of their concerns about legislative actions that affect public schools.

Follow the Legislature It’s so very easy to be in the know! Here’s how: n NSEA text message alerts: NSEA has created three text messaging groups. Sign up for one, two or all three options. The all member group will receive messages on general information relating to NSEA activities. The legislative group will receive texts pertaining to state and federal lawmaking. The SEAN group will focus on events and issues for that NSEA affiliate. To sign up for the text messaging service, provide the requested information at this Web site: http://www.nsea.org/text.htm You can also sign up by e-mailing your first and last name and a cell number to: kristi.capek@nsea.org n Via telephone: Call the NSEA toll-free at 1-800-742-0047. An experienced NSEA team watches the legislative process closely. n Read The Voice: NSEA’s monthly magazine keeps members on top of the latest legislative happenings. n E-Updates: Add your name to NSEA’s e-mail list to receive regular legislative updates. You can also become one of NSEA’s cyberlobbyists. E-mail Cathy Schapmann at: cathy.schapmann@nsea.org n On the Web: Follow the progress of bills on the Nebraska Legislature’s Web site at: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/ n

By Mail: Receive the Legislature’s weekly newsletter, Unicameral Update, by calling the Legislature’s 24-hour Request Line at 1-402- 471-2788. You may also request limited copies of bills, resolutions or amendments, but you must provide the bill number of any legislation you wish to receive.

Talk to Your Senator!

There’s no better way to affect legislation than to get to know and talk to your state senator. Most senators return home on weekends and set up meetings with constituents. Meet with your senator at such opportunities.

You can also e-mail your senator through the Legislature’s home page at: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/ Or you can e-mail your senator through a link from NSEA’s Web site at: www.nsea.org Finally, write your senator! Address the envelope with your senator’s name and district, and complete the address with: State Capitol, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 685094604.

Beware! There’s Legislative Turnover Ahead!

Term limits, Nebraska voters have decided, are a good thing. But when Election Day rolls around in May 2010, there will be 24 seats in the Nebraska Legislature on ballots across the state.

Bi-partisan teams of NSEA members will review each and every candidate for those seats, before making a recommendation in each race.

“It’s important that we have a wide range of teachers, higher education members and education support personnel involved in this recommendation process,” said Brian Mikkelsen, NSEA’s director of Political Organizing.

Members interested in participating should contact Cathy Schapmann at: cathy.schapmann@nsea.org January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 7

Two-year battle: Shari Miller, with NSEA’s help, went all the way to the Nebraska Supreme Court to prove that her employment with the Harvard Public Schools had been wrongfully terminated.

‘For All Teachers’

Supreme Court Ruling with Statewide Implications Favors Harvard Art Teacher NSEA at her side, fought a nearly two-year battle against the When Shari Miller found out that the Clay Center Public RIF. Her fight ended in December when the Nebraska Supreme Schools had an opening for a full time art teacher, she thought Court affirmed a lower court ruling in her favor. briefly about applying.

Per the lower court’s ruling, Miller was ordered reinstated, An art teacher by trade, Miller lives in Clay Center. At the with years of service and back pay. time the opening was advertised in February 2008, she was “This is a significant case,” said teaching eight miles away at HarNSEA Attorney Scott Norby. “This vard. But she was happy at Harvard, ‘Teachers shouldn’t have to says that school districts can’t enter and didn’t apply at Clay Center. into staff sharing arrangements at the fear that they might lose their Little did Miller know that the expense of the employment rights of Clay Center job being advertised job just because they further existing staff.” was actually her own – the Harvard their education or teach in a NSEA UniServ Director Midge post she had held for 23 years.

In a quest to save less than $9,000 school for a long period of time.’ Dublinske served the Harvard EduAssociation at the time of a year, Harvard’s administration and — Shari Miller cation Miller’s dismissal. As a former school board planned to cancel Millteacher who knows first-hand what er’s contract through a Reduction-init’s like to get a RIF notice, DublinForce (RIF). They would replace her ske appreciates the ruling. with a probationary teacher hired through a then six-month-old “This is huge for Nebraska teachers. It gives me chills,” she inter-local agreement with the Clay Center Public Schools. said.

On March 3, 2008, the Harvard superintendent handed Miller clearly understands the ramifications.

Miller a RIF letter. Miller knew instantly that she was being “Teachers shouldn’t have to fear that they might lose their wronged. She called her NSEA UniServ director, and with Page 8 n The NSEA Voice n January 2010

job just because they further their education or teach in a school for a long period of time,” she said.

Reduce the Chance of RIFs

Board Warning Though Miller received the RIF notice in early March 2008, her hearing before the Harvard Board of Education wasn’t set until late July. It was delayed in part because Norby had to ask the Clay County District Court to force Harvard administrators to comply with a subpoena for documents related to Miller’s dismissal.

Those documents not only indicated that Harvard officials failed to post adequate public notice of a January 2008 board meeting discussing the inter-local agreement – a fact not lost on Supreme Court judges – they also provided key evidence. In written communications, administrators warned board members to cite only Clay Center’s offer to share an art teacher as the change in circumstance prompting the RIF. Talk of budgetary concerns would only “create a school wide level of fear,” said the note.

Meanwhile, Clay Center leaders knew of Miller’s RIF. On Feb. 13, Clay Center’s superintendent told his school board that Harvard hoped to share an art teacher with Clay Center in 200809. “But this needs to be confidential because [the School District] is going to RIF their art teacher who resides in Clay Center and is unaware of this action.”

At a July 21 hearing, the Harvard Board of Education upheld Miller’s RIF. NSEA appealed, and on Dec. 8, 2008, the Clay County District Court ruled in Miller’s favor.

“The actions of the Harvard School District are a blatantly transparent attempt to hire an art teacher at a lower price than the one it had a legal obligation to continue to employ,” wrote the district court.

The school district, dissatisfied, turned to the Nebraska Court of Appeals. Significantly, the Supreme Court pulled Miller’s case from the Court of Appeals docket, and took jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court heard the case on Oct. 9, 2009, and ruled less than two months later, on Dec. 4.

If there are going to be Reductions in Force in your school district this year, your school board and administrative team has probably started to think about which teachers and programs will face cuts.

Thus, it would be wise for you and your association to begin planning ahead.

There are ways to avert, or at least minimize, RIFs – and your NSEA UniServ director can help you organize and implement such plans.

First, listen closely. If you hear rumblings about budget cuts, contact your NSEA UniServ director to discuss strategies. Consider addressing the school board at the very next meeting. If timing doesn’t allow for that, set up a special meeting with the superintendent, school board president and/or other board members. Choose the best association spokesperson and tell the board about the importance of keeping staff. Expand on these points: n RIFs hurt teacher and school morale, and hurt kids. n Budget cuts should always be made as far from the classroom as possible. n Cuts in staff lead to cuts in programs and curriculum. That means students will be cheated through fewer class offerings, larger class sizes, fewer educational opportunities and overloaded teachers. n School spending is economic development. Job cuts at school are no different than job cuts at the local ball bearing plant.

‘Competent Evidence’ State statute says that “the school district administration shall present competent evidence demonstrating that a change in circumstances has occurred necessitating a reduction in force.”

The Supreme Court said Harvard of-

Locals Can Take Steps, Work with Districts

Other Options Encourage and work with the board to consider other options, such as a levy override or cuts that don’t eliminate staff.

Further, encourage the board to delay or table any motions dealing with RIFs until all other options have been explored. RIFs should be the very last resort.

Meanwhile, if you hear talk of RIFs, let your NSEA UniServ director know at once.

And if you receive a RIF notice, call NSEA immediately at 1-800-742-0047.

ficials failed in that regard, noting that RIF, as used in teacher tenure statues, involves “terminating a teacher[‘s contract] ‘due to a surplus of staff.’”

The high court said the district court “correctly determined that there no reduction in force occurred in this case.

“The School District was not paring its staff to meet reduced needs; it was changing the method by which it secured the services of a .5 FTE (full time equivalency) art teacher in order to save money.”

Or, as Norby said, “Before the RIF, they had a half-time art teacher. After the

‘The actions of the Harvard School District are a blatantly transparent attempt to hire an art teacher at a lower price than the one it had a legal obligation to employ.’

— Clay Co. District Court

RIF, they had a half-time art teacher.”

Further, the court noted that state statute prohibits school districts from firing tenured teachers, and replacing them with probationary teachers.

“A governmental entity may not accomplish indirectly what it is prohibited from doing directly, whether prohibited by constitutional or statutory provisions,” wrote the court.

‘A Responsibility’ “I have no problem with school districts trying to save taxpayer money,” said Norby. “Indeed, they have a responsibility to watch those dollars carefully, and inter-local agreements can be a tool in that effort.

“But they cannot violate the employment rights of their teachers,” he said.

Miller, an NSEA member every year of her teaching career, said working with NSEA was wonderful – “I can’t imagine why any teacher wouldn’t want to be a member.”

And, she said, what happened to her could have happened to any teacher.

“Any two schools could have dismissed their tenured teachers and shared their new, probationary teachers at a lower cost,” she said. “This was a win for all teachers.”

January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 9

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Diligence Pays Off at CCC Central Community College Units Have First Contracts Good things come to those who wait. Good things also come to those who work hard.

Waiting and working is exactly what the members of two new education support professional bargaining units at Central Community College have been doing for nearly three years.

Patience and diligence have paid off: the two units have a first contract in place and are now engaged in negotiations for a second contract, said NSEA UniServ Director Jerry Hoffman, who helped organize the units.

The two units are spread across the Grand Island, Hastings and Columbus campuses of Central Community College, plus satellite campuses in Kearney and Holdrege. Memberships in

the two units include: n The Central Community College Staff Association (Salaried Unit), with 30 members. Unit members are trainers, instructional support staff and counselors. n The Central Community College Staff Association (Hourly Unit), with 125 members. Unit members include administrative assistants, custodians, maintenance workers, technology staff, financial aid technicians and others.

The two units were independent of each other in organizing, elections and settlements, said Hoffman. Staff at the college approached NSEA about organizing in early 2007. The successful organizing election and the ensuing

Chemical Safety in Schools Target of Coordinated Effort NSEA a Partner in Statewide Campaign Safety in the use of school chemicals has been made a priority by educational leaders in Nebraska.

In fact, with the help of a coordinated campaign led by Keep Nebraska Beautiful, executives of Nebraska’s three leading public school associations have signed off and sent a letter to key personnel in every school in Nebraska. Being urged: proper use of and security for chemicals in K-12 schools.

The Nebraska School Chemical Cleanout Campaign, or NeSC3, promotes the identification of chemicals in every school building; the safe storage and use of those chemicals; and the disposal of unwanted chemicals.

The letter has been sent to school boards, school administrators and key local association leaders. It was signed by Craig R. Christiansen, executive director of NSEA; John A. Bonaiuto, executive director of the Nebraska Association of School Boards; and Mike Dulaney, executive director of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators.

Other NeSC3 partners include the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality; the Nebraska Department of Education; the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office; and Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, who is Nebraska’s Homeland Security coordinator.

School chemicals that are unneeded, outdated, unidentified or held in larger-than-needed quantities can be found in science and biology labs; art classrooms; vocational classrooms; facility maintenance areas; and janitorial closets. Those chemicals pose environmental and safety risks for faculty, staff and students, but also can be a danger to emergency responders during fires or natural disasters.

The campaign offers resource assistance for on-site chemical inventories, training opportunities, sharing of regulations relevant to hazardous chemicals in schools, and resources to assist schools in compliance issues.

For more information on the program, go to this Web site: www.NebraskaSC3.org

certification of the bargaining units by the Commission of Industrial Relations came in late 2008.

Both units began bargaining with college administration soon after. And though both bargaining efforts had to go to mediation, contracts for the 2009-10 Association year were signed this past summer. Hourly unit members received an increase of 3.25 percent of current average annual salary added to the base of each employee.

Salaried unit members received a 3.5 percent of current salary lump sum payment, but no base salary increase.

Both contracts established how future negotiations will be conducted.

The contracts also allowed for payroll deduction of dues.

Fulbright Dates Approaching Application dates for the 2010-11 Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching program have been set.

The program is an opportunity for highly qualified and experienced K-12 teachers, and in some cases community college and university faculty, to conduct a variety of professional development activities in one of eight participating countries during a three-to-six month period. Selected teachers will: n Enroll in graduate level classes at a host university. n Finish a ‘capstone’ project which will be practical in nature and relevant to trends in teaching and learning. n Design and give lectures and/ or workshops for host country teachers. n Observe and assist with classes in host country local schools.

Teachers will be expected to share the knowledge and experience gained with their students and colleagues at their home schools and communities.

Participating are Argentina, Finland, India, Israel, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

The application deadline is Feb. 15.

Teachers have from September 2010 until July 2011 to complete their threeto-six month Fulbright grant. For details, go to: www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 11

Kilgarin Takes GR Reins Hoffman Moves from UniServ Ranks to Government Relations Team to the job. As a former television news reporter, she has exRetirements and a shuffling of job duties have resulted in tensive experience in and a broad understanding of the comchanges to NSEA staff assignments. munications industry.

NSEA Communications Director Karen Kilgarin has Hoffman has been with NSEA for three years, as a UniServ been named Director of Government Relations and Public director and lobbyist. As a UniServ director, he has worked Affairs, combining her communications duties with overwith K-12, ESP and higher educasight of the government relations tion members, and spent two years division. In that capacity, Kilas the statewide UniServ director garin will become NSEA’s chief for higher education. lobbyist and will manage the AsHe was a co-founder, co-direcsociation’s government relations tor and research team leader for strategy and lobbying. She will the Nebraska Coalition for Educontinue to manage both internal cational Equity and Adequacy. and external Association commuDublinske has been a UniServ nications, as well. director for 15 years. She previously Former UniServ Director Jerry taught natural science, biology and Hoffman will move to Governphysical education at Madison. As ment Relations as a lobbyist and Kilgarin Hoffman Mikkelsen a UniServ director, she has served legislative researcher. He will foschool districts in South Central cus on lobbying state senators and and north central Nebraska. Her new unit inthe state’s executive branch, and will also cludes Dodge and Washington counties and perform some research duties. parts of Douglas and Sarpy counties.

Brian Mikkelsen remains as director of Political Organizing, as part of the UniServ Former Local Leader program. He will also oversee NSEA’s poWergin is in his 32nd year teaching litical action and political organizing commath at Seward Middle School. He is an mittees. experienced negotiator and local leader, Those changes are the result of the reand has served on NSEA’s Capitol District tirement of Herb Schimek, NSEA’s veterBoard of Directors, and on NSEA’s Board an director of Government Relations. The Dublinske Wergin of Directors. Wergin will take over duties NSEA Board of Directors approved the in the Platte/Elkhorn UniServ Unit, which changes in December. includes local associations in Boyd, Holt, Longtime UniServ Director Midge Wheeler, Antelope, Boone, Madison, StanDublinske will serve the Missouri Bluffs ton and Platte counties. he will begin his UniServ Unit formerly covered by Hoffnew duties in mid-January. man. Rich Wergin is the new UniServ DiLyons is responsible for tracking and rector for members in Dublinske’s Platte/ managing files in the Member Rights diElkhorn UniServ Unit, located in northvision. That includes working with Memcentral Nebraska. ber Rights Director Trish Guinan; each of There are also two new hires on the NSEA’s 18 UniServ directors; NSEA attorNSEA associate staff. Megan Lyons has neys; and NSEA members. She will also been hired as associate staff member for Lyons Greve file reports on member rights cases with NSEA Member Rights. She replaces KrisNEA, and assist with NEA’s biennial audit ten Sedlacek, whose promotion to the role of the legal services program. of High Plains UniServ director was announced in SeptemA Nebraska Wesleyan University grad, she worked as a ber. graphic designer for two years, later moving into marketing, Teresa Greve, who has served as a Lincoln Education Asproject management and Web site development for seven sociation staff member for 19 years, has been hired to asyears. Lyons joined NSEA’s staff in November. sume the duties of the now-retired Marlene Johnson in the Greve was an associate staff member for the Lincoln NSEA membership department.

Education Association for 19 years, and handled all membership processing duties, as well as managed member benExtensive Knowledge efits programs for LEA members, among other duties. She Kilgarin is a former state senator, deputy chief of staff for previously worked at the State Adult Probation Office, and Gov. Ben Nelson, and former director of the state’s Departis current president of the Cornhusker Chapter of the Interment of Administrative Services. She has been NSEA comnational Association of Administrative Professionals. She munications director for 15 years, and brings an extensive joined NSEA in December. knowledge of state government and legislative operations Page Voice Page1212n nThe TheNSEA NSEA Voicen nJanuary January2010 2010

Retirement and Health Care Eligibility Will You Retire Early? Keep Health Insurance Options in Mind Direct Bill early retire option and not the available COBRA Post-retirement health coverage is a concern for every educoverage. Individuals electing COBRA, at early retirement cator – more so, perhaps, for those teachers and public school and after Aug. 31, 2004, do not have the opemployees who retire early. tion of enrolling in this program at the end of Educators who wish to retire early and COBRA coverage. maintain access to Blue Cross and Blue Retiring Early? n A minimum eligibility age of 50.

Shield of Nebraska health insurance coverThose who would like to retire Educators must also be an NSEA Special age (until Medicare eligibility kicks in) must early and maintain access to Blue Services member in order to continue in the be aware of three conditions that must be Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska plan. met under the Educator’s Health Alliance health insurance coverage (until The EHA plan for school employees retiree direct bill program for retired school Medicare eligibility kicks in) must covers more than 70,000 Nebraskans, and employees. The EHA has mandated these be aware of three conditions that is governed by a 12-member board that ineligibility requirements in order to keep the must be met under the Educator’s cludes six NSEA representatives, and three plan viable.

Health Alliance Special Services representatives each from the Nebraska The eligibility requirements are: program for retired school emCouncil of School Administrators and the n Participation in the plan for the five ployees (see full story).

Nebraska Association of School Boards. years immediately prior to retirement. This For more details, call NSEA and ask for means that someone who was eligible for the Special Services or membership. They may EHA Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan prior be reached from Lincoln at 475-7611, or from elsewhere in the to retirement, but chose not to participate, is not eligible for state at 1-800-742-0047. direct bill health insurance through the EHA plan. Note that For details, click on “Retirement Info” at the EHA Web site there are special rules for employees and retirees from school at: districts that more recently joined the EHA program. www.educatorshealthalliance.org n At the time of retirement, the member must select the

Nebraska DOE, Teachers Connect Through iTunes U Nebraska a Pilot State for Apple Project The Nebraska Department of Education has unveiled a new iTunes U tool that will deliver informational videos to educators and, in the future, homework help for students.

Nebraska teachers now have mobile access to videos that can be downloaded to their computer, iPhone and iPod touch through iTunes U at: http://www.nde.state.ne.us/ TECHCEN/ “iTunes U is a mobile learning tool that will now allow Nebraska educators to access information developed for them here in Nebraska,” said Mike Kozak, education technology administrator at the Nebraska Department of Education.

The Nebraska Department of Education has worked with Apple, Inc., to develop a K-12 educational component to iTunes U. Apple chose Nebraska as one of 10 states to initiate mobile learning at the K-12 level.

The site offers videos developed

by NDOE staff as part of an ongoing and expanded communications effort with educators statewide. For example, informational videos are available

with the latest information about federal education requirements, federal programs and the new state reading and mathematics standards. Model world language lesson plans in Spanish, German and French are also available.

The NDOE will also use iTunes U

to provide professional development and school improvement information.

And, iTunes U opens up the possibility of Nebraska educators providing homework help to students.

“The potential is unlimited and access is unlimited,” Kozak said.

January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 13

Page 14 n The NSEA Voice n January 2010

District, Statewide Seats Open Will You Serve the Association as District, State Officer?

It’s time to step forward and serve.

NSEA will hold elections in March for a number of regional offices across the state that will fill nearly two dozen district offices, along with several slots on NSEA’s Board of Directors. Those elected will take leadership roles in determining the future of the Association.

The filing deadline for those offices is midnight Sunday, Feb. 7.

Note that NSEA’s Minority Involvement Plan encourages minorities to seek office. The plan says “it shall be the goal of the Association to seek minority representation on governing and appointive bodies at least equal to the percentage of minority membership for that appropriate level.”

To file for office: Simply go to the NSEA Web site and click on the ‘2010 District Elections’ link.

Select your district, and then select the office you are interested in seeking.

All persons seeking to file as a candidate will need their 10-digit NSEA membership identification number. Your number can be found on your NSEA Access membership card, or above your name on The Voice mailing label. Nominations will be posted to the NSEA Web site within 24 hours of being filed.

As a step in the online filing process, all candidates will have an opportunity to provide a 50-word statement about their candidacy. Voters will be able to access that statement during balloting.

It may be easiest for candidates to type the statement in a Word or other text document before beginning the process.

Then paste the statement into the appropriate box during the filing process.

If you do not have access to the Internet, mail your name, address, local association name and a 50-word statement to: NSEA Elections, Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. Be sure to state which office you are seeking.

In all cases, the deadline for filing for office is Sunday, Feb. 7. The NSEA Web site is at: www.nsea.org The vacancies: Higher Ed Academy Vacancies: District vice president and at-large ESP area representative.

Panhandle District Vacancies: District president, district secretary, and two executive committee positions.

Sandhills District Vacancies: District treasurer and district secretary.

Tri-Valley District Vacancies: District vice president, district secretary; one Executive Committee seat from each of the East, Central and West sub-districts; one seat on the NSEA Board of Directors.

Elkhorn District Vacancies: District vice president, district treasurer, district secretary; three slots on the district Executive Committee; a slot on the NSEA Board of Directors.

Capitol District Vacancies: District treasurer, district secretary, two seats on the district Executive Committee; and two seats on the NSEA Board of Directors.

Metro District Vacancies: District treasurer, district secretary; five Executive Committee slots; two spots on the NSEA Board of Directors.

Groundwater Learning Experience Offered with LEAP Protecting groundwater is in the best interest of all Nebraskans. That’s why The Groundwater Foundation is offering teachers, free of charge, the materials for a groundwater learning experience.

The four-phase program is called LEAP (Learn, Educate, Act, Protect) and combines education about groundwater with action toward protecting it.

With the program, students learn about groundwater through hands-on activities, and then plan an event to educate others in their community. Students then make a difference through activities that benefit groundwater. Finally, students recruit or become involved in the Groundwater Guardian Community and/or Green Site programs.

The audience for LEAP can include classrooms, Boy or Girl Scout troops, after school programs, church groups, community centers, 4-H and other youth groups.

The LEAP Into Groundwater manual offers all the educational background and materials needed to begin teaching about groundwater. The manual also provides an extended step-by-step guide through the four phases of LEAP. Manuals are available from Jamie Oltman at The Groundwater Foundation at: joltman@groundwater.org The Groundwater Foundation staff is available to guide educators and answer questions. There are resource links at: www.groundwater.org January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 15

RA Delegates: File Now Deadlines Loom for Those Interested in Attending Representative Assembly for transportation, lodging and meal expenses. Depending Summer schedules are beginning to fall into place, so on several factors, four to five delegate slots will be availthose who want to serve as delegates should begin makable to At-Large candidates. ing plans for NEA’s 2010 Representative Assembly in New After receipt of the nomination information, potential Orleans. delegates will receive details about the 2010 RA. More than 100 NSEA members will be among nearly 10,000 NEA members who will gather at RA, where they District At-Large Cluster Delegates will debate issues and set the national Association’s policy Local associations with fewer than 76 members have and course for coming years. been grouped in clusters in each of NSEA’s six governance All active members are eligible to serve as a delegate. districts for the purpose of electing delegates to the RA. In addition, there are provisions for student members and There are approximately 11 openings for Cluster Delretirees to serve. egates from the Capitol, Elkhorn and Tri-Valley districts; NSEA’s larger local associations — those with 76 memeight from Metro District; seven from the Sandhills District; bers or more — will hold internal elections to select RA four from the Panhandle District; and three from the Higher delegates. In all other cases, those who wish to be conEd Academy. Cluster delegates fund their own Representasidered must qualify through one of the categories listed tive Assembly costs. below.

Members interested in being a Cluster Delegate to RA For those interested, the first step is nomination of delmust complete the online filing process by the Feb. 7 deadegate candidates. Candidates for the NSEA-Retired delline. egation must use the form found on this page. All other candidates for RA must file their intent to seek election as SEAN Delegates a delegate through the NSEA Web site at: Members of Nebraska’s student association (SEAN) www.nsea.org elect their NEA representatives to the RA by statewide balAll persons seeking to file as a candidate will need their loting. SEAN members wishing to be considered as delNSEA membership identification number in order to file. egates must complete the onThat individualized number line filing process by the Feb. can be found on each mem7 deadline. ber’s NSEA Access memetired bership card, or above the NSEA-Retired Delegates member’s name on The Voice epresentative ssembly Members of Nebraska’s mailing label. In all cases, omination orm retired affiliate (NSEA-Renominations will be posted to tired) elect their NEA reprethe NSEA Web site within 24 NSEA-Retired will elect delegates to the 2010 RA in sentatives to the RA by statehours of being filed. If you do New Orleans July 1-6, 2010. Any active member of NSEAwide balloting. not see your name on the Web Retired may be nominated. The NSEA-Retired president is Four delegates will be site list by Feb. 22, contact a delegate by virtue of office. elected.

Two delegates will NSEA immediately.

I have included (or will e-mail) a bio of no more than be elected at large; one delWhen filing online, del50 words and am a candidate for delegate to NEA’s 2010 egate will be elected by the egate candidates have the Representative Assembly from the following district: combined retired memberoption of completing a 50q Metro District ship of Capitol, Elkhorn, word statement that can be q Capitol, Elkhorn, Sandhills, Panhandle, Tri Valley Panhandle, Sandhills and reviewed by voters.

I also wish to be a candidate as an at-large delegate: Tri-Valley Districts; and one Except for NSEA Retired,

q Yes q No delegate will be elected by the deadline for filing is Sunthe retired membership of the day, Feb. 7. Questions? ConName:___________________________________ Metro District. An individual tact NSEA’s Patty Schroer at: NSEA-Retired Dist:__________________________ filing as an area delegate may patty.schroer@nsea.org also file for the at-large delHere are the categories: Address:__________________________________ egate position.

Active members of NSEAAt-Large Delegates E-mail:___________________________________ Retired wishing to be considAny active NSEA member ered as candidates must comis eligible to place his or her Phone: (____)______________________________ plete the form on this page, name on the statewide AtSignature:__________________________________ and return it no later than the Large Delegate ballot by filing Must be postmarked by Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, to: Feb. 8, 2010, deadline. Also through the NSEA Web site.

Rebecca Smith, Elections, NSEA, Suite 200, required: a biography of no Those elected as statewide 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742 more than 50 words. delegates will be reimbursed

NSEA-R

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BCBS Q&A

Survey Provides Input for EHA

By Kurt Genrich EHA Plan Advocate In early November, a survey was sent to NSEA members throughout the state to better understand where the Association and the Educators Health Alliance stand in terms of communication of benefits and services, benefits offered, provider network, and service, for those who participate in the EHA Plan.

More than 2,000 NSEA members completed the survey for the EHA Board of Directors. The results indicate that: n 45 percent of the respondents understand their benefits as offered through the EHA. n 67 percent know whom to ask questions about the EHA plan. n 11 percent have utilized the EHA Web site. n 72 percent are satisfied with the health benefit plan choice and the de-

ductible offered. n 82 percent have had a positive experience with the health plan administrator, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. n 51 percent of members do not want to change their current deductible.

Some of the changes that members stated they would like to see include the addition of or increased coverage for vision care; a change in the copay amount; addition of wellness programs; offering of a post-retirement health care savings plan; and an increase in dental care coverage.

Furthermore, about 32 percent of

the members have options for their health care through their spouse, but more than 61 percent of those who have the option would have to pay more than what it costs through the EHA. All results will be shared with the EHA Board for their review and consideration. For full results, go to: www.ehaplan.org

The Educators Health Alliance has contracted with Kurt Genrich to serve as the EHA Plan advocate. Genrich will work with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska plan participants to answer questions and promote the plan. The EHA Board is comprised of six NSEA representatives and three each from the Nebraska Association of School Boards and the Nebraska Council of School Administrators. NSEA Executive Director Craig R. Christiansen chairs the Genrich EHA Board of Directors.

Call Genrich at 1-866-465-1342; on his cell phone at 402-217-2042; or e-mail him at: kurt@ehaplan.org

Belz/Lynch/Krause Funding Available

Good teachers are constantly learning. NSEA makes learning easier with an award from the Belz/Lynch/Krause Educational Grant Fund. The application deadline for those funds is near.

The Belz/Lynch/Krause dollars are awarded for projects related to improving a local association; development of instructional materials; or for development for local association members.

Eligible are any NSEA member; group of NSEA members; or any NSEA local association.

The application must include a project abstract, not to exceed four typed pages, including these details: need; how the project will address the need to relate to professional growth goals; project description; timeline; a budget statement; and method of evaluating the project’s success. Applications must be postmarked by Saturday, Feb. 27.

A letter describing and evaluating the effort shall be submitted to NSEA within three months of project completion.

The grants are named for John Lynch, NSEA’s executive director from 1959 to 1974; Paul Belz, executive director from 1974-84; and Helen Krause, a former NSEA president, and the first Nebraskan to serve on NEA’s Executive Committee.

For details, or an application form,

visit the NSEA Web site and click on the “Members” tab at the left of the home page, followed by the “Teaching and Learning” link and the “Scholarships” link. The form will be posted through

Feb. 27. The Web site is at: www.nsea.org Get details from Sally Bodtke at 800742-0047 or by e-mail at: sally.bodtke@nsea.org

January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 17

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NEA Member Benefits Snookie’s Snippets We’ve got a lot in store for you in the coming New Year. We at NEA Member Benefits will do everything we can to help you get off to a great start! At NEAMB.com you’ll find all-new giveaways, savings and resources, to provide you with the support you need to take full advantage of the opportunities that await you. Consider these Krumbiegel offerings: n Click & Save: Get up to 70 percent off brand-name merchandise from hundreds of retailers like JC Penney, Target, Omaha Steaks, the Disney Store and more! n New York & Company: When you bring your NEA membership card into any New York & Company retailer, or purchase online, you’ll save 15 percent on fashionable apparel and accessories. n NEA Credit Card: Get a $50 New Year’s bonus! Visit the ‘Happy YOU Year’ section on neamb.com for details. n Kiplinger’s Personal Finance: Set new financial goals for yourself and take advantage of this free subscription to receive guidance from experts. n The NEA Academy: An online resource for professional learning and advancement. It’s free or at low cost to NEA members. Choose from the newest and most popular classes, including classes like Effective Teaching in a Diverse Classroom and more. n The NEA Member Benefits Credit Card Resource Center: Get expert guidance, tools and information – designed to help you make sharper financial decisions and learn about new changes in the laws regarding credit.

Begin to master your financial skills when the CCRC opens at neamb.com in January. n The Progressive Book Club: Get two free books when you join (pay $6.95 S&H), and save up to 80 percent on new titles. You only have to purchase two more books within the year, and there are no automatic shipments.

Happy ‘You’ Year!

New year. New savings. New giveaways.

New support. All at the new NEAMB.com!

It’s an exciting time that is sure to bring you new opportunities, goals and responsibilities. Because we at NEA Member Benefits understand how important it is to be able to save money while you prepare for the New Year, NEA Member Benefits has negotiated several special offers and discounts to help you achieve your goals without overloading your budget. n Whirlpool VIPLINK: Ring in the New Year with a brand new refrigerator! Or a washer/dryer set, or a state-of-the-art oven! NEA members receive substantial savings on kitchen and home appliances from popular brands including Maytag, Amana and KitchenAid. n Giveaways: The new giveaways planned throughout the year are fun, entertaining and valuable additions to the savings and support you can expect at neamb.com. For instance, at the Web site enter to win one of 10 $100 gift cards from The Container Store! Enter before Jan. 21, 2010 – no purchase necessary. Be sure to check the Web site frequently for other great giveaways! n Resources and support: When

you visit neamb.com, you’ll find a variety of resources to help keep your momentum going strong throughout the year. There’s a host of great features, including expert financial advice and tools; professional support; and information on everything from healthy living to planning a vacation. n The NEA Academy: This online resource for professional learning and advancement opportunities is free or at low cost to NEA members.

Choose from the newest and most popular classes, including 5 Practices of a Highly Effective Classroom, and more. n The Credit Card Resource Center: This new tool provides expert guidance and information designed to help you make sharper financial decisions. Start mastering your financial skills this January, when the CCRC opens at neamb.com.

Look for “Happy YOU Year!” on the neamb.com home page every time you visit. Once you register, you’ll start receiving notifications to keep you posted on all this year’s special events. The “Happy YOU Year” event runs until Jan. 21.

Home & Auto Insurance Announcing a New Representative for Nebraska. Susie Flynn is the new California Casualty field manager for Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas.

Flynn comes from a long line of educators and has worked with the NEA program for California Casualty since 1995. She recently left sales to join the company’s Group Marketing team for the field manager post.

She will work to educate and create awareness and interest about the home and auto insurance programs.

NEA MB Sweepstakes Through Jan. 21, register for a chance at one of 10 $100 gift cards from The Container Store. Register at: www.neamb.com Two Nebraskans were recent NEAMB winners. Phyl Woodburn, Wahoo, was one of five winners of a $100 Bank of America VISA Gift Card. New member Shawna Snider, Kearney, was one of 10 national winners of a $150 LL Bean gift card.

Snookie Krumbiegel is Nebraska’s NEA Member Benefits representative.

January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 19

NSEA/Blue Cross Blue Shield Scholarship Application Form

I’m an NSEA member, enrolled with single or family membership in Blue Cross/Blue Shield. This application is for spring semester college course work and should be postmarked no later than Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. All blanks must be completed for your application to be considered. Applications may also be completed and submitted online at www.nsea.org.

1. Applicant Name:______________________________________________________________BC/BS No:__ __ __ __ __ __-__ __-__ __ __ __

(First) (Last) (Complete, with full ID number from BC/BS card) Home Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Street) (City) (State) (Zip)

Home Phone: (____)_________________ E-mail Address:____________________________________________________________________

Local Education Association: _______________________________________________________________Years of Work in Education Field:____

(Full local Association name; no acronyms accepted) College Offering Course:__________________________________________________________________No. of Credit Hours:____________

(Only eligible for 3 hrs. per semester) Course Title:_____________________________________________________________________________Course Dates: ___/___to___/___

(Mo/Yr to Mo/Yr)

(Class must end within spring time frame)

2. Coursework will apply toward (check all that apply): ___Salary Advancement ___Professional Growth ___Additional Endorsement ___Master’s Degree ___Specialist Degree ___Ph.D. ___Other (please list):__________________________________________________________________ 3. The following four criteria MUST be completed and attached and should not exceed one typewritten page. Please be specific: 1. My local/NSEA/NEA association involvement. Be specific.

3. A summary of my work experience in education. Be specific.

2. A summary of my education. Be specific.

4. A description of the class — must be a graduate-level class.

Application postmark deadline: Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 Complete application online at www.nsea.org, or mail this form to: Blue Cross/Blue Shield Professional Development Fund c/o NSEA Suite 200 605 S. 14th St. Lincoln, NE 68508-2742

BCBS Deadline Date: Feb. 27 Three times each year, NSEA members can apply for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska Professional Development Fund scholarships.

It’s that time again! The deadline for this round of scholarship applications is Saturday, Feb. 27.

The program is well-liked by Nebraska teachers: Since 1986, 4,322 NSEA members have shared $543,000 in scholarship dollars, courtesy of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.

Scholarships may be used to pursue an advanced degree, seek additional teaching endorsements or to take course work for certification requirements.

To apply, NSEA members must complete the application form on this page, or the form found on the NSEA Web site. The online form may also be printed, completed and mailed to NSEA. The form will be posted on the NSEA Web site through the Feb. 27 deadline. Completed application forms Page Page2020n nThe TheNSEA NSEAVoice Voicen nJanuary January2010 2010

must be postmarked by Feb. 27.

Scholarship winners will be notified in March. The goal is to award stipends to the largest number of members from each of NSEA’s seven governance districts. To be eligible, NSEA members must be covered by either single or family Blue Cross/ Blue Shield health care.

Previous scholarship applicants, successful or not, are always eligible to reapply. Applicants may be scholarship recipients in only two of the three scholarship cycles during a school year.

Applicants must carefully follow the instructions on the form, and complete it thoroughly. A one-page, typewritten outline, described on the application form, must accompany the scholarship request. To review the criteria the committee follows in awarding scholarships, please log on to the NSEA Web site and look for “BC/BS Scholarships.”

Stipends may cover up to 50 percent of the cost of a single, three-hour college course. Each applicant may apply for scholarship dollars for no more than three hours of course work. Books and other supplies are not covered.

Winners must provide evidence of successful completion of course work at an accredited post-secondary institution before they receive the scholarship funds. All courses must be taken for credit.

The scholarship program does not affect Blue Cross and Blue Shield premiums; funds for the scholarships come entirely from the corporate contributions budget, and are not charged against the NSEA account.

To find the form, or to apply online, go to the NSEA Web site at: www.nsea.org For details, contact Sally Bodtke at 1-800-742-0047 or via e-mail at: sally.bodtke@nsea.org

From the Executive Director

Whose School Is It? My father was a no-nonsense kind of guy. He worked That facility is a visible symbol that the school is not hard and minded his own business. When I asked him separate from its own community. I have visited too if he couldn’t come into town and talk with my teacher many schools in my career that were clearly — and and tell her that she was not teaching the way I thought visibly — disconnected from the very community that she should, he said to forget it. “Teachers don’t tell me gave the school its reason for existence. how to run the ranch and I am not going to tell them how to teach.” We raised cattle. I just couldn’t imagHow to Share Ownership ine teachers daring to tell my father how to do his work.

Very few people have any difficulty understanding So, it made sense that no one should tell them how to the concept of saving money by sharing space. For run their school. Or many, however, it is help them do it. Times still difficult to unhave changed. derstand the idea that Or have they? I schools share a mission thought the question with many other agenthen was whose school cies, both private and was it. The answer, public.

I thought, would tell Family health clinme who should make ics that can serve parthe decisions or do the ents and families at work. There are still the school are still rare many who look at the in Nebraska, but are question “who pays the becoming more commost taxes?” to answer monplace in other lothe question of who cales. A public library owns the school. There on the grounds of a are also those who look public school makes at the issues of citizensense. Municipal swimship or plain majorityming pools, baseball ruled politics to deterdiamonds, parks, and At school: NSEA Executive Director Craig R. Chrsitiansen playgrounds are often mine whose school it Gaby Fritz in the Family Resource Center at Gomez Herireally is. It isn’t that with unnecessarily distant tage School in Omaha. the answers are wrong and disconnected from — they just answer the the schools that is the wrong question. The boundaries between school and center of most families’ lives. the larger community have become very fuzzy. ComGaby Fritz serves as a bilingual liaison for families munity members, parents, non-parents, seniors, preat Gomez Heritage Elementary School in Omaha. The schoolers, citizens and non-citizens — all come to the Parents’ Room is a bright and cheery place where parschool with a sense of ownership. And that is exactly ents can work with her to learn about parenting skills, the way it should be. work skills, and resources for their children. Working with parents and community agencies, she helps to enBlurred Boundaries sure good communication between school, the home, The boundaries between the school and the larger and the many resources that exist in the community. community have become so blurred that, in many casThe goal is that the community works together for the es, it is difficult to tell where the school ends and other success of children. The question is not who owns the public (or private) spaces begin. school. The real question is how to share both ownThere are several examples in Nebraska of shared ership and responsibility for the success of the school facilities between schools and public libraries, city in its own community. There are growing numbers of recreational spaces, zoos, or other public-use spaces. I school districts that understand that challenge. And recently visited Schoo Middle School in Lincoln — a growing numbers of schools that have discovered what beautiful facility — where I had difficulty telling where a difference it makes to bring the community into the the school ended and the adjoining YMCA began. Such school…not as visitors, but as those who come to work, an arrangement is not just an economical use of space. play, and learn in a school they call their own.

January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 21

NSEA-Retired Corner

On the Issue of Taxing Benefits NSEA-Retired President Roger Rea testified before the Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee on Dec. 10, speaking in favor of making Nebraska more retiree-friendly.

Rea spoke at the interim hearing on LR106 – a study to examine the economic impact of retirement income on the State of Nebraska and the most appropriate way to tax such income.

Rea noted that for each $1 a retiree receives in income and spends locally, it generates an economic impact of

$1.32. That money is spent where the retiree lives, “providing direct economic impact to the local economy.”

Nebraska is just one of five states that fully taxes Social Security income to the extent allowed by the federal tax code. Nebraska is one of four states that allows no exemption or tax credit for pension or retirement income.

Social Security and pensions were intended to keep the elderly and disabled citizens out of poverty. They were not intended to be a source of tax revenue.

“As an outcome of this hearing, I ask that you draft a legislative bill or bills that would make Nebraska more retireefriendly,” said Rea. “Anything you can do to make Nebraska more retiree-friendly will be appreciated by retirees. Nebraska will be rewarded by having more retirees stay in the state to spend their pension incomes, and contribute their talents and skills as valued citizens in the state.”

— Tom Black, Editor wpc6296@cableone.net

Elections Will Fill Upcoming Board Vacancies

Elections are scheduled in March to fill vacancies on the NSEA-Retired Board of Directors. Elections will also be held to choose delegates to NSEA’s Delegate Assembly and NEA’s Representative Assembly.

The vacancies on the NSEA-Retired Board of Directors include the statewide offices of secretary and treasurer.

District director positions are open in the Metro, Panhandle and Tri-Valley districts. All of those elections are for threeyear terms beginning Sept. 1, 2010.

Fourteen members will be elected as delegates to the NSEA Delegate Assembly set for April 16-17 in Lincoln. The 14 elected delegates are as follows: Metro District, five; Capitol District, three; Elkhorn District, one; Tri-Valley District, two; Sandhills District, one; Panhandle District, one; and one atlarge delegate.

NSEA-Retired Nomination: Board of Directors I am a candidate for a three-year term on the NSEA-Retired Board of Directors, beginning with the 2010-11 Association year. I have included (or will e-mail) a bio of no more than 50 words. I am seeking the following office: q Metro District Director q Panhandle District Director q Tri-Valley District Director

q Secretary q Treasurer

Four retired members will be elected to serve as delegates to the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting and NEA Representative Assembly set for June 27-July 6 in New Orleans (see page 19).

Members interested in seeking election to any of these posts must complete and submit the form(s) on this page by the Feb. 8, 2010, deadline. Candidates for the Board of Directors are asked to submit a 50-word biography, which will be sent to NSEA-Retired members with ballots in March. If possible, e-mail your 50-word biography to Rebecca Smith at: rebecca.smith@nsea.org Questions? Call Smith toll free at 1-800-742-0047.

NSEA-Retired Nomination: NSEA Delegate Assembly

Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln, NE, April 16-17, 2010

NSEA-Retired will elect delegates to NSEA DA on a district as well as an at-large basis. Any active member of NSEARetired may be nominated. The NSEA-Retired president is a delegate by virtue of office.

I am a candidate for delegate to NSEA’s 2010 Delegate Assembly from the following district: q Metro q Capitol q Elkhorn q Sandhills q Panhandle q Tri Valley

Name:___________________________________

I also wish to be a candidate as an at-large delegate:

q Yes q No Name:___________________________________

Address:__________________________________

Address:__________________________________

City/State/Zip:______________________________

City/State/Zip:______________________________

Phone: (____)______________________________

Phone: (____)______________________________

E-mail:___________________________________

E-mail:___________________________________

Signature:__________________________________

Signature:__________________________________

Postmark or fax by Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, to: Rebecca Smith, Elections, NSEA, Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742 Fax: 402-475-2630

Postmark or fax by Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, to: Rebecca Smith, Elections, NSEA, Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742 Fax: 402-475-2630

Page 22 n The NSEA Voice n January 2010

Access Card, But No Internet?

No Problem!

Computer Not a Must If you’re an NSEA member without Internet access at home, don’t fret. You can still save through the NSEA Access Card program!

The Access program is delivered via an online Web site – the least expensive, easiest and most accurate way to deliver the merchant discounts and offers to NSEA members. However, not all members have Internet access. There are three ways members can save without logging on to a computer: n Spend a moment with a borrowed connection. Members can use a public library or borrowed computer connection. Use the information on your membership card to log in, and search your ZIP code to learn about savings in your area; to print off coupons for your area; or to review offers in your area where you are expecting to travel. n Call Member Services for assistance. When you call the Access number, you can find out where you can save in your area. A Member Services representative can also help you get discount codes for certain offers. That phone number is 1-888-313-6591. n Know the Code! For discounts at thousands of hotels, you can make your reservation by telephone, and get discounts using the appropriate Access code. Get the code from your Member Services representative, and then keep the code handy for future use.

If you do have Internet access, check out the NSEA Web site for savings.

Click the Access Card icon in the upper right corner of the home page at: www.nsea.org

Musical meeting: When NSEA hosted a booth at the annual convention of the Nebraska Music Educators, Milford Public Schools music teacher Sean Nutzman stopped by for a visit.With Nutzman are NSEA’s Sally Bodtke and UniServ Director Duane Obermier. Conference attendees also registered for prizes at the booth.Winners were Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson Hubbard; Larissa Schuele, Medicine Valley; Frank Kucera, Waverly; Kris Ganoung, Sandhills; Teresa Christensen, Superior; Senja Stephens, Arapahoe; Nicole Csipkes, Papillion-LaVista; and Nancy Sunderman, Nebraska City.

PAC Refund Requests Due NSEA’s Political Action Committee (NSEA-PAC) is supported by voluntary donations collected with NSEA membership dues.

Support for the election of recommended candidates is provided by an annual contribution of $14 from each NSEA member.

Any NSEA member may request a refund of those contributions for the current membership year. Members may also direct that the $14 contribution be used only for non-partisan issues.

Refund requests must be in writing to NSEA President Jess Wolf. Each letter must be individually composed, and contain an original signature of

the member. Photocopied, computer copies or e-mail messages will not be accepted. Each letter must indicate whether all or part of the contribution is to be refunded, or whether the entire contribution is designated for non-partisan statewide ballot issues.

Requests for refunds must be postmarked for delivery to NSEA Headquarters no later than Feb. 15, 2010.

No refunds will be returned until after that date.

Send your request to NSEA President Jess Wolf, Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. The Association’s toll-free telephone number is 1-800-742-0047.

Central Community College’s Uzendoski was 67 Dr. Emily Jane Uzendoski, 67, of Columbus, died Dec. 7 at Columbus.

An English instructor at Central Community College in Columbus since 1978, Uzendoski also taught at Omaha North High School. A long-time NSEA member, Uzendoski was well-known for her literary skills and involvement in Nebraska literary circles.

In 1977, her bibliography, A Handlist of Nebraska Authors, was published by

the Nebraska Department of Education. She also had articles published in Nebraskaland, A River and It’s People and The Journal of American Culture.

With poet Ted Koozer, she edited The Salt Creek Reader.

Uzendoski served as co-chair of the Nebraska Writing and Storytelling Festival and was involved in other literary magazines, publications and gatherings. She won several awards for her

teaching, and was called a “visionary” for her grant-writing proposals.

Survivors include a daughter, Michele Uzendoski of Columbus; two brothers and two sisters and their families. Memorials are suggested to Central Community College Foundation, 2727 West 2nd, Suite 211, Hastings, NE 68901; or Nebraska Center for the Book, c/o Mary Jo Ryan, 1200 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508.

January 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 23

Speaking of Teaching “It is not the IQ but the I will that is most important in education.”

— Anonymous.

Mailed By: The Nebraska State Education Association

Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742

Summer Packet Helps Retain Learning

Family of Teachers

From Lynn Cashell, a fourth grade math teacher at Springfield, PA:

“I teach a fourth grade math class with low-achieving students, so summer work is critical. I give them a packet that contains all of the topics we covered throughout the year.

Each section has specific directions and examples, so the parents can also understand the concepts. Since the packet is large, I suggest to the students that they work on those areas in which they feel they need the most support. I also assure them that if they did only one page per day over the summer, amounting to about 15 minutes each day, they would walk into fifth grade with confidence. Any student returning his/her packet to me in September earns a small prize.

“I also strongly encourage students to practice their multiplication math facts – an area of weakness for most.

From the beginning of the school year, I tell them to practice the ones that they have difficulty with, mainly the 6, 7, and 8s. One strategy that makes it fun is to use the ‘Bs,’ which means to take a few flash cards and practice them in Bed, in the Back seat of the car, at Breakfast, with your Brother (or other sibling), and the favorite...in the Bathroom.

Keeping a few cards in those places and zipping through them for a few minutes each day can really make a difference” Sign up for Works4Me at this link: http://www.nea.org/tools/Works4Me. html Page Page2424nnThe TheNSEA NSEAVoice VoicennJanuary January2010 2010

The Libal Family of Teachers: The children and grandchildren of Berenice Libal have scores of years of teaching experience.

Pictured, in front, from left, are: Janet (Libal) Schlattmann, who has taught at McCook, Bladen and Alliance St. Agnes, and has now been teaching math at Alliance Middle School for 21 years; Berenice Libal, who taught at Bayard and Virginia in Nebraska, and also at Salt Lake City; and Annette Fitzgerald (Janet’s daughter), who taught at Rushville-Gordon and is now completing an internship as a school psychologist at Shannon County Schools in South Dakota.

In the back row, from left, are: Gene Libal, who taught vocational agriculture at Minden and Battle Creek and is on the board of ESU No. 10; George Libal, who taught at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and South Dakota State University; George’s wife, Melissa Libal, who taught at South Dakota State University and now teaches at Texas A&M University; and Cheryln Libal, who taught home economics at Orchard and Arcadia in Nebraska, and at Mission, SD. If you have a family of teachers, snap a photo and send it to Family of Teachers, c/o NSEA, 605 South 14th St. Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742.