The Voice, May 2010

The

Voice The Nebraska State Education Association May 2010

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 1

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. 9 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

On the Cover: The efforts of a small group of NSEA members turned the tide on a key retirement bill during the recently concluded legislative session.

For the story, see

Page 8.

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Lincoln, Elkhorn Valley Teachers Are Grantees Six NSEA Members Earn Grants from NEA Foundation Six Nebraska teachers – and their students – will benefit from grants awarded by the NEA Foundation in April. Receiving awards were: Andrew James and Grace Aubert of the Lincoln Public Schools Science Focus Program have received a $5,000 Student Achievement Grant from the NEA Foundation and Staples Foundation for Learning, a private foundation created by Staples, Inc. Physics students will design and build an ‘energy bike’ that transforms mechanical energy (pedal power) to electrical energy. The bike will be available at the Science Focus Program Science Day, an educational outreach to fourth and fifth grade students, and to other science teachers in the school district.

Beverly McKillip and Lee Burenheide of the Elkhorn Valley Schools in Tilden will receive a $5,000 Student Achievement Grant.

Their ‘Green Energy’ project is designed to empower their students to solve environmental problems that relate to energy production. Through research and experimentation, students will develop a better understanding of energy-related issues that focus on conservation and renewable energy sources. The project will utilize the wind turbine the school constructed as a member of Wind for Schools.

Chris Tee Weixelman of the Umonhon Nation Public Schools at

Apply for NEA Foundation Grants The NEA Foundation awards two primary categories of grants to public education professionals spanning all subjects: student achievement grants for initiatives to improve academic achievement, and learning and leadership grants for high-quality professional development activities.

The NEA Foundation awards its grants to educators three times a year. Deadlines for the next review periods are June 1, 2010 and Oct. 15, 2010.

Descriptions of current and past recipients, online application forms, and an instructional video for on-line applications can be found at: neafoundation.org Macy, won one of 43 awards for $1,000 through the NEA Books Across America program, which brings the gift of reading to economically disadvantaged public school students.

Angela Von Hagel, South Sioux City, also won one of the 43 Books Across America program awards. She teaches at Harney Elementary School in South Sioux City.

New NSEA Membership Cards Will Arrive in December In past years, the NSEA membership card has arrived in the mailboxes of members during the summer months. Again this year, that date has been moved to later in the calendar year.

In an ongoing effort to provide great service and continued discounts, and to save Association dollars, the

cards will again be delivered to your mailbox on or around Dec. 1.

Because the 2010-11 cards are valid for membership discounts through the end of December 2011, service to members will be uninterrupted.

Watch for your new NSEA membership card, set to arrive in early December.

From the President

Ever Vigilant

NSEA President Jess Wolf ‘...the scores on Nebraska’s proposal reflected more on the proposal than on the state of education in Nebraska.’

Another school year is winding down, and there are a number of topics I need to share, and some requests I need to make before summer activities begin in earnest.

I know this is an especially busy time of year for everyone in education. Please try to find time in your schedules to give your attention to the requests made below.

Delegate Assembly has come and gone for another year. Leann Widhalm of Norfolk was re-elected to a second term on the National Education Association Board of Directors; several minor amendments were made to the Association’s Bylaws; nine new business items were considered; and Association dues were set for 2010-11.

See complete details beginning on page 6 in this issue of The Voice.

Candidates and Issues The May 11 Primary Election is quickly approaching and your participation is needed to elect pro-education candidates.

This issue of The Voice contains the full list of candidates recommended by your colleagues. The NSEA recommendation process relies on members from across the state, in your school districts and communities, serving on interview committees for the sole purpose of interviewing the candidates and reviewing their records. Their recommendations to you are based on the candidate’s positions on educational issues, their voting records, and other issues that affect education employees and their students. Please remember to vote.

Preventing Further Cuts At the national level, NEA has become very active on two pieces of legislation.

Both will affect Nebraska. The Education Jobs Bill would provide $23 billion to prevent job losses in education. It could affect every education job and prevent some of the cuts school districts and institutions of higher education may be contemplating.

Across the country, more than 200,000 education jobs are at risk this year.

Here in Nebraska, cuts have not been as

severe, but many school districts are leaving vacant positions unfilled. These positions may not show up as cuts. The effects on class size, courses offered, or programs being eliminated exist for every grade, from pre-kindergarten through college.

ESEA Woes Also on the national agenda is reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known for the past eight years as No Child Left Behind. Major changes are needed, and a blueprint from the Obama Administration is already under review.

NEA believes there are problems with the blueprint and will work to correct these as the legislation moves forward. NEA lobbying alone, however, will not be enough to bring about changes. Your voice must be heard. It’s easy to do that by sending your congressional representative a personal note, and your thoughts on why these bills need to pass. To do so, and for more details, go to: www.educationvotes.nea.org/ RTTT Reflections Another national issue which has received negative attention recently is the Race to the Top (RTTT) competitive grants. It appears that competitive grants may be the future for federal education funding. Nebraska’s recent application didn’t receive high marks from the five reviewers who read the application. It was a good proposal; one NSEA was heavily involved in developing. It met many of the needs and goals of education in the state, but failed to meet the evaluation rubric used by the evaluators. Unfortunately, the scores on Nebraska’s proposal reflected more on the proposal than on the state of education in Nebraska. Achievement levels in Nebraska remain high, and our proposal’s scores failed to reflect on our continued good work in educating our youth.

I hope you have a good summer, but I caution you to be ever vigilant as education continues to be the focus of attention here at home and across the nation.

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 3

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Court Favors Manning — Again Supreme Court’s Second Opinion in Case Also Favors Fairness for Teachers correct: the district had engaged in a prohibited labor practice Nebraska school districts are on notice: there should be no and Manning should have been given probationary status. more hiring of ‘temporary’ employees or long-term substitutes April’s Supreme Court ruling stemmed from a second filto fill teaching vacancies. ing by NSEA against the school district. In that case, NSEA On April 23, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued its second alleged that the district violated Manning’s statutory continuruling in favor of teacher and NSEA member Bethany Maning employment rights when she ning. The high court affirmed was fired, without notice, shortly an earlier Dakota County Disafter she filed the December 2007 trict Court decision that said the grievance.

South Sioux City Public Schools A lower court sided with Manviolated Manning’s statutory ning, and ordered the district to continuing employment rights pay her more than $80,000 in when she was fired in Decemsalary and benefits, covering two ber 2007. years of employment. The school The case stemmed from Mandistrict again appealed and the ning’s hiring, in August 2007, Supreme Court produced the as the deaf and hard of hearing April decision affirming the lower teacher for the South Sioux City court’s finding.

Public Schools. Hired to replace “The Supreme Court has made a teacher who was leaving the clear in the two South Sioux City state, Manning, with years of decisions that Nebraska school teaching experience, was classidistricts will pay a high price for fied and paid as a long-term subignoring the employment rights of stitute, rather than as a first-year, certificated staff,” said NSEA Atprobationary teacher.

Two wins: Bethany Manning’s grievance against the torney Scott Norby. “I would think Manning said the school district’s long-term substitute South Sioux City Public Schools has produced two vic- that the days of school districts ardesignation didn’t seem appro- tories in the Nebraska Supreme Court.The court con- bitrarily treating teachers as substitutes when they are not serving priate, and her South Sioux City venes in the Nebraska State Capitol, background. as substitutes are behind us.”

Education Association (SSCEA) With the two Manning rulings, NSEA has now won three colleagues agreed. With NSEA’s help, the association filed a Supreme Court cases in defense of teacher employment rights grievance against the district, asking that Manning be given all in the past seven months. In December, the court ruled in favor rights due a first-year teacher. The school district denied that of Shari Miller, a Harvard teacher for 23 years, who had her request, and the SSCEA appealed to the Nebraska Commission contract terminated due to a reduction in force by the district so of Industrial Relations (CIR), which ruled in Manning’s favor. the district could replace her with a probationary teacher hired Dissatisfied with the CIR outcome, the district appealed. In through an agreement with a neighboring school district.

September 2009, the Supreme Court ruled that the CIR was

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 5

Colorful showing: Higher Education delegates to NSEA’s annual Delegate Assembly stood out in their orange garb.

From left are: Karen Granberg,Wayne State College; Jane Ziebarth-Bovill, University of Nebraska-Kearney; Barbara Beck, Central Community College-Hastings; Karen Bostic-Frederick, UNK; Michelle Meyer, Wayne State; Kevin Throne, Metro Community College; Karen Rodgers, Metro CC; Jerry Haugland, Chadron State College; Linda Chandler, Metro CC; Joan Trimpey, Metro CC; David Eledge, Metro CC; Helen Tanderup, Metro CC; Ron Wirtz, UNK; and Roger Davis, UNK. Not pictured are Christopher Waddle, Central Community College-Hastings; Lael Churchill, Vickie Lilis and Heidi Farrall of Central Community College; Andrew Lenzen of Nebraska Western Community College; and Tim Bowling, Metro CC.

A Rosier Outlook Governor Paints Healthy View of State Finances, Says Education a Priority Nebraska teachers got high marks from Gov. Dave Heineman at NSEA’s annual Delegate Assembly in Lincoln in April.

So, too, did the state’s finances.

Heineman told more than 300 NSEA members that Nebraska is “financially stable” and in “much better shape than almost every other state in America.”

That’s in stark contrast to the fearful doom and gloom budget outlook being cast by many in the administrative ranks of Nebraska’s school districts – just as 2010-11 contract talks and budgeting begins.

The governor noted that Nebraska’s unemployment rate is among the lowest two or three of all states, and said Nebraska is ranked among the top 10 for business. The state operates with a balanced budget, and $325 million in the state’s cash reserve fund will ease any potential budget shortfall.

An upward trend on tax receipts over the next few months will reduce any budget concerns, he said. And March tax revenues were slightly above projections.

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U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson’s work to help craft and pass the federal stimulus package helped the governor and state lawmakers continue to make education a priority.

Calling education “the best investment we can make,” the governor and lawmakers used those federal dollars to increase state aid to schools.

Heineman said job creation and education will continue to be at the forefront of his policy goals. “We have to give kids the best education we can give them, and then create jobs to keep them here in the state,” he said.

Heineman drew applause when he pulled out a signed copy of LB1071 and presented the bill and signing pen to NSEA President Jess Wolf. LB1071 was needed to continue the state’s tuition loan forgiveness program for teachers and was a top priority for NSEA in the just-concluded legislative session.

Delegates Challenged Teacher Leann Widhalm of Norfolk also received high marks at Delegate Assembly. A special education

teacher, Widhalm was elected by acclamation to a second term on the National Education Association Board of Directors.

President Wolf restated challenges to delegates he issued several years ago. “We need to stop thinking of NSEA as 25,000 members and start thinking about 30,000 of us,” he said.

Active members, Wolf said, grow the association.

“We create active members by empowering them to have impact,” he said.

Wolf also suggested that delegates might, at some point, consider setting as an Association goal a $35,000 or $40,000 base salary in Nebraska. Although there are pros and cons, Wolf said that, overall, “if you raise the bottom, it will lift all salaries.”

New Business Items Pass Delegates also approved a $7 increase in dues for 2010-11; made minor revisions to the Association’s Bylaws; and gave the OK to seven of nine New Business Items. Approved NBIs included:

A proposal noting NSEA’s full support of NEA efforts to remove harmful elements of the Obama administration’s Blueprint for the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The action also asks that the harmful elements be replaced with “measures that are proven to help students to succeed in education and in life.” It was submitted by Mark Shively, Omaha, and Leann Widhalm, Norfolk.

A proposal by Tom Whisinnand, Millard, that NSEA’s delegation to the NEA Representative Assembly in New Orleans this summer propose a New Business Item directing the NEA president to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns on National Teacher Day each year.

A proposal by Vernon Miller, Macy, on behalf of NSEA’s Elkhorn District, that the appropriate NSEA committee investigate engaging, recruiting and retaining members through the use of social media.

A proposal to continue, for the 2010-11 year, a committee on higher education studying UniServ staffing.

The committee was formed at the direction of delegates a year ago.

A proposal requiring NSEA to conduct a study on the effect of changing the NSEA dues structure to a formula based on the average salary for Nebraska teachers, or on some other multiplier determined by a member’s salary. It was submitted by Maddie Fennell, Omaha, and Mike Foyt of Millard.

A proposal directing the NSEA Board of Directors to increase the NSEA Ballot Political Action Committee contribution by $1 for each of the next six years, beginning in 201112. The item was submitted by board members Christopher Waddle, Central Community College-Hastings, and Leonard Hartman, Alliance.

A proposal directing the Bylaws Committee of the NSEA Board of Directors, as well as the board, to review the beginning and ending dates of terms of office for NSEA officers.

The item was submitted by Waddle and Hartman.

Failing to pass was a New Business Item directing NSEA to study whether holding Delegate Assembly every other year would be feasible. A proposal to investigate the feasibility of a full-time release vice president at NSEA also failed.

Education’s friends: NSEA honored retiring State Board of Education members, from left, Joe Higgins, Omaha; Kandi Imes, Gering; and Fred Meyer, St. Paul, with the Friend of Education Award, the Association’s highest honor.

Honorees: Cited by NSEA were Rookie of theYear Katy Herbold, South Sioux City; Teaching Excellence Award winner Matt Dykstra, Millard; and Education Support Professional of the Year Ann Peterson, South Sioux City.

Thanks: Retired NSEA Government Relations Director Herb Schimek received the thanks of the Association, as well as a plaque from Omaha Education Association President Doreen Jankovich.

Top District: NSEA Vice President Nancy Fulton presented the Gallagher Award, representing the district with the highest percentage of potential membership, to Robert Beck of NSEA’s Tri-Valley District.

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 7

Face-to-Face: Nine teachers were among constituents who met with Gov. Dave Heineman and Sen. Dave Pankonin at the Cass County Republican Party dinner earlier this year. The meeting helped move forward a key piece of retirement legislation. From left are: Joel Dix, April Brodersen, Sen. Pankonin, Mike Brodersen, Judy Roach, Gov. Heineman, Cheryl Blue and Wanda Wiemer.

Making Politics Work NSEA Members Meet with Governor, Senator, Help Push Key Retirement Legislation to Passage would extend the annual contribution indefinitely. But in tight Just call them ‘The Cass County 9.’ budget times, some lawmakers favored letting the contribuNine educators – connected mostly by geography – came totion expire. While the NSEA Government Relations team was gether in February to effectively change the course of retirement working diligently to push the bill along, it languished in the legislation then pending before the Nebraska Legislature.

Legislature’s Retirement Committee – until shortly after the Their work illustrates both the effectiveness of political acannual Cass County Republican Dinner. That’s when The Cass tion by teachers, but also the importance of such action. Within County Nine attended the dinner, which days of their action, an important piece featured Gov. Dave Heineman and Louof retirement legislation that had become bogged down in the Legislature, was freed “I told the governor that I hoped isville Sen. Dave Pankonin, chair of the up and slowly sailing toward passage. he would consider all of the retired Legislature’s Retirement Committee.

At issue was LB899, a bill to extend teachers in the state who truly deCompromise Approved the state’s annual $6.9 million contribupend on that retirement money to The nine advocated for LB899, and, tion to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement System. In 1996, those dolmake ends meet. Making changes soon after the dinner, the Retirement Comlars were shifted from the Help Education to the fund really threatens the mittee approved a compromise to extend state contribution for two more years, Lead to Prosperity (HELP) Fund into the living conditions of many of those the to June 30, 2013. The bill was amended retirement system. The move was in reindividuals.” into LB950, and passed the Legislature sponse to an actuarial study that identified — Cheryl Blue in early April. That’s a key win for active the lack of a cost of living increase as a major weakness of the retirement system.

Peru State College and retired school employees.

“Grassroots, member action is so very The money bolstered the retirement funds valuable,” said NSEA President Jess for school employees, including those in Wolf. “Lawmakers and policymakers Omaha’s separate and older retirement want to know how their constituents feel about issues, and in system; for judges; and for the State Patrol. With the exception this instance, nine members helped move a bill that might othof the contribution to the Omaha system, which had no sunset erwise have gone the wrong direction – or gone nowhere. provision, the 1996 legislation was set to expire in 2011.

“This absolutely illustrates the value of member involvement Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist introduced LB899, which Page Page88 The TheNSEA NSEAVoice Voice May May2010 2010

in politics. These members and others will eventually benefit from the work they put in on this legislation,” said Wolf.

Here’s a summary of what ‘The Cass County 9’ said to Gov. Heineman and Sen. Pankonin:

wards education. I appreciate the efforts that they have made in assuring that our students receive a quality education; that our teachers are supported; and that our school districts receive the funding necessary to accomplish these goals. I asked them to continue that support and we would continue supporting them.”

Wanda Wiemer Wiemer, 53, is a high ability learner/facilitator for the Jonathan Anderson Plattsmouth Community Schools, and a negotiator for the An agriculture and biology instructor for the Conestoga Plattsmouth Education Association.

Public Schools, Anderson, 28, is a neighbor of Sen. Pankonin.

Her message: “As they consider the school retirement His message: “I thanked the governor and senator for their system, I asked that they keep state contributions equitable support of education and agriculture in the past, and encouraged for all teachers across the state. As a single teacher, my salthem to continue their strong ary has not left me with an support in the future.” abundant amount of disposable income to put toward Mike and April retirement. As I approach Brodersen retirement, I’m dependMike, 33, is a physical ing on a secure Nebraska A legislative bill that worked out technical glitches in the education teacher and NSEA school retirement system to state’s forgivable loan program for teachers has passed and has leader in Bellevue, and is help make ends meet.” been signed into law by Gov. Dave Heineman. running for the Plattsmouth All that remains is for the State Board of Education to hold a Board of Education. April, Joel Dix hearing on, and then approve, the Rule 25 changes.

31, teaches first grade at An English teacher In the meantime, the Nebraska Department of Education has Plattsmouth. for the Bellevue Public opened the application process for the 2010-11 Enhancing ExTheir message: Mike Schools, Dix, 36, lives in cellence in Teaching Program (EETP), which provides forgivable spoke with Pankonin about Plattsmouth. loans to teachers enrolled in an eligible graduate program at an the importance of continuHis message: “My wife eligible Nebraska institution. Reimbursement dollars are availing the state’s annual conand I decided to have her able for coursework taken between July 1, 2010, and June 30, tribution. “I reminded Sen. stay at home and raise our 2011. Eligible students may apply, on an annual basis, for an EETP Pankonin that a $14 million two kids because of our loan in an amount of up to $175 per credit hour, or a maximum lump sum had been used a Christian values. We knew of $3,000, for coursework that has been identified by the instifew years ago to get the sysit would be difficult to raise tution as part of the student’s graduate program. tem solvent, and if we don’t a family on a single income; Funding is limited – there is $600,000 available. In the 2009 continue the annual $6.9 therefore, I work two fullprogram, not all applicants were funded. Immediate application million contribution, it may time jobs. Most months is advised. take a bigger lump sum in we’re happy to break even.

To find the application, go to the NSEA Web site and look for the future to keep the system Many months we don’t even the Tuition Reimbursement story. The NSEA Web site is at: solvent.” do that. When I got into www.nsea.org Cheryl Blue education, it was reassuring Blue, 62, is an assistant knowing that there would be professor of education, Peru a minimal amount when I State College. retire. This is especially nice Her message: “I told the governor that I hoped he would since we’re not able to put money away from month to month. consider all of the retired teachers in the state who truly depend I’m definitely in education for the right reason, and I know I on that retirement money to make ends meet. Making changes make a difference in children’s lives; however, it gets harder to the fund really threatens the living conditions of many of and harder to be a teacher if I cannot support my family.” those individuals.”

Lois Meeske Eric Dennis An elementary school nurse for the Plattsmouth Community Dennis, 37, is an elementary school principal for the ConesSchools, Meeske, 65, retired from Conestoga, helping the distoga Public Schools. trict out of a financial crisis by allowing the district to replace His message: “When I was able to speak to the governor, her with a lower-wage nurse. It was difficult to live on retireI told him that his wife was coming to my school on Tuesment, and Meeske needed health insurance, so she went back day, March 2, and that I will miss her because I will be in to work, this time at Plattsmouth.

Kansas recruiting a special education teacher. He asked what Her message to Heineman and Pankonin: “Teachers (and I say to the applicants to pull them out of Kansas. I said I use other school employees like nurses) take lower pay for a decent the State of Nebraska’s retirement plan. I firmly believe that retirement. Please preserve the retirement fund.” we have a better retirement plan than the State of Kansas.

I also said that I can recruit easier from Kansas because of Judy Roach the financial crisis school districts are facing in the State of A secondary counselor at Louisville, Roach, 49, is a buildKansas. We need to keep funding our public education, so ing representative for the Louisville Education Association and the schools in Nebraska don’t have budget shortfalls like the a member of NSEA’s Capitol District Board.

State of Kansas.”

Her message: “I thanked them for their evident support to-

Tuition Reimbursement: Apply Now!

May2010 2010 The TheNSEA NSEAVoice Voice Page Page9 9 May

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Legislative Goals Met Tuition Reimbursement, State Aid, Retirement Bills all Earn Unicam OK Facing a short session and a shortage of revenue, the Nebraska Legislature still managed to push to passage several key bills that will benefit public schools, students and teachers.

In fact, the 101st Nebraska Legislature, Second Session, was among the most successful in recent memory for NSEA and its members.

Each of the Association’s top four goals was met: a bill tweaking the state’s tuition reimbursement law was passed; continuation of a state contribution to the retirement fund was OK’d; state aid to schools received a modest increase; and a performance pay bill was passed.

Especially good news: The state budget included no cuts to higher education.

“This was an especially productive session,” said NSEA President Jess Wolf. “Our members, working in concert with NSEA leaders and staff, pushed the passage of good, new legislation, and halted progress on several bills that would have been harmful to public schools, teachers and students.”

Here’s a summary of accomplishments: Tuition Reimbursement Gov. Dave Heineman signed LB1071, which provides loan forgiveness for teachers in graduate degree-granting programs. Sen. Greg Adams and members of the Education Committee prioritized, and Speaker Mike Flood expedited, the bill so that funding would be available for teachers for summer 2010 courses (see story, Page 9). This was NSEA’s No. 1 priority legislation.

Retirement Fund LB950 includes provisions that help ensure security of the state retirement system for both active and retired teachers. It continues a $6.9 million annual state contribution to the school employees, judges and state patrol retirement funds until June 30, 2013. Those funds were to sunset on June 30, 2011. This was NSEA’s No. 2 priority legislation for the session.

State Aid The state budget for fiscal year 2010-11, as passed, includes a $16.4 million increase in state aid to K-12 public schools. A state aid increase was NSEA’s No. 3 priority.

Performance Pay Sen. Ken Haar’s LB1014 earmarks wind and solar energy lease revenue for locally-negotiated performance pay.

This was NSEA’s No. 4 priority legislation.

Under LB1014, teacher performance pay is a supplement to the salary schedule provided in local collective bargaining agreements; teacher performance pay measurements, criteria and payout amounts are mandatory topics of collective bargaining; and each school district shall use

Signed, sealed, delivered:At NSEA’s annual Delegate Assembly, Gov. Dave Heineman presented President Jess Wolf with a signed copy of LB1071, which refined the state’s tuition reimbursement program for educators.

the Temporary School Fund apportionment earmarked for teacher performance pay only for the purpose of performance pay amounts provided in locally-negotiated collective bargaining agreements.

The teacher performance pay apportionment to each school district begins in fiscal year 2016-17.

Higher Ed Budget There are no additional budget cuts to the Nebraska State College System and the University of Nebraska for 2010-11. NSEA worked to ensure no additional cuts were made.

In addition, six Nebraska community colleges reached a settlement reflected in Sen. Adams’ LB1072, signed by the governor. LB1072 terminates the existing state aid formula to community colleges. College leaders and senators will create a new aid formula. NSEA monitored this legislation.

Kindergarten Eligibility LB1006, an Education Committee priority bill, moves the kindergarten eligibility age date from October 15 to July 31. The bill would take effect for the school year 2012-13. NSEA supported LB1006.

CIR Changes Averted Sen. Tony Fulton introduced three bills that would have made dramatic changes to the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations. LB1040 would have given the CIR new ways to determine comparable wage rates May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 11

for municipalities. LB1041 would have limited comparability to local job markets. LB1042 would have introduced the idea that the CIR consider a public entity’s “ability to pay” in determination of a wage case. NSEA, and a coalition of allied groups, effectively organized to oppose these bills.

Truancy Sen. Brad Ashford’s LB800 addresses student truancy by involving the county attorney and a team composed of community and school staff, and parents. NSEA supported the bill.

NSEA worked to include an amendment which ensures that the scheduling of meetings with parents, administrators, school resource officers, counselors, and appropriate community officials (e.g., county attorney) is not a responsibility added to teacher workloads.

School Nurses Sen. Mike Gloor’s LB713 allows school districts to perform student health inspections at any time during the school year, as opposed to during the first quarter of the year as now required. NSEA supported LB713.

Signature Threshold LR300CA would have reduced the signature threshold needed to place a statutory or constitutional initiative on the ballot. NSEA successfully opposed LR300CA, as it would have allowed a special interest group to buy its way onto the Nebraska ballot for less than $50,000.

Public Records LB742 recognizes that public settlements are public records and subject to the state’s open records law. NSEA testified in opposition to LB742, and was party to negotiations that produced key amendments to LB742. Those amendments protect personnel details in settlements that may affect an NSEA member.

Charter Schools LB1028 would have permitted three or more residents or a Nebraska non-profit organization to seek approval by the State Board of Education to charter a PK-8 school. NSEA testified in opposition, and LB1028 did not advance out of committee.

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Special Olympics Conference Scheduled in Omaha Focus Will Be Motivation, Education Not only will Lincoln host the 2010 Special Olympics, Omaha will play host to the inaugural 2010 Special Olympics National Education Conference.

The conference will engage teachers in large and small group sessions focused on building their knowledge, skills and attitudes to motivate and educate students with and without intellectual disabilities. In addition, it will examine how Special Olympics Project UNIFY is an effective youth engagement, school climate and sports-oriented set of strategies that will identify future leaders of the movement.

The conference is a collaborative effort between the University Of Nebraska Omaha College Of Education and Special Olympics Project UNIFY. The conference is set for Sunday, July 18, through Wednesday, July 21, at

UNO. The registration deadline is Saturday, May 15.

Among the unique conference components are: interactions with students with and without intellectual disabilities in shared experiences focused on effective youth engagement and advocacy; and teacher peer exchanges to share and learn effective teaching and learning strategies.

The conference faculty includes university faculty, national education and social leaders, current teachers and students. Registrants will have the opportunity to receive graduate credit or continuing education units.

For more details, or to register, go to: http://coe.unomaha.edu/sonec/

NEAMB and Target Sponsor Green Across America Grants The National Education Association and Target have partnered for a new program that will award $50,000 in grants to educators to implement innovative activities, lessons or events that get students excited about ‘going green,’ and raise awareness of schoolbased environmentalism.

The NEA’s Green Across America Grants program is a national competition aimed at helping educators and students design activities that raise environmental awareness and develop ecosustainable behavior. To enter, educators must submit an application at: http://www.neamb.com/green “Our members are committed to helping students practice and model sustainable, earth-friendly behav-

iors, so I know they will be excited about these environmentally focused grants,” said NEA Executive Director John Wilson. “We appreciate Target’s support to help educators and students celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in this way.”

The Green Across America Grants support environmental literacy by enabling students to: Actively participate in innovative, awareness-raising, content-rich, activities-based programs; Develop hands-on skills for taking positive, practical, and personal action on environmental issues.

Engage their schools and communities in increased environmental conservation activities.

SEAN Under New Leadership Student Affiliate Elects Officers; Leaders Seeks National Office Good teachers know who their students are, and understand the circumstances that can make learning hard for those students.

That was part of the message that Nebraska 2011 Teacher of the Year Michael Fryda delivered to 50 members of the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN) at the organization’s annual Delegate Assembly.

Good teachers are also experts at detecting when a student really understands a lesson, and when a student is trying to camouflage a lack of Leaders understanding – a situation that puts those students in a vulnerable situation.

And good teachers know how to probe, with sensitivity, for evidence of student knowledge.

“Listening to answers means interpreting whether what a student says is valid evidence of learning, or a way to avoid embarrassment and vulnerability,” said Fryda, a science teacher at Westside District 66 High School in Omaha.

Sometimes, said Fryda, teachers make mistakes in this process. While some teachers don’t deal well with being wrong, such occasions offer an opportunity for self-reflection.

“It’s not about making the wrong decision, it’s how you recover, about finding out how to do it better the next time,” said Fryda. “There is no shame in having weaknesses; there is shame in not trying to improve on those weaknesses.”

Delegates made minor adjustments to

SEAN Officers: Members of the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN) elected 2010-11 officers at the organization’s annual meeting in Lincoln in March. Seated, from left, are Cassidy Pitkin, Hastings College, vice president; Kyle Rotert, University of Nebraska-Kearney, president; Kady Malmberg, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Western Region representative.

Standing, from left, are: Matt Meyer, Northeast Community College, Northeast Region representative; Mark Wollesen, Chadron State College, secretary; Andrea Lostaglia-Hoskovec, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Metro Region representative; Tianna Bradley, Doane College, Southeast Region representative; Jill Henrickson, Outreach to Teach chair; and Megan Brown, Peru State, Underclass representative.

the Association’s Bylaws, and also endorsed 2009-10 SEAN President Tommie Leaders for election to the post of NEA Student Program chair. If elected, Leaders would serve a two-year term in that position. Leaders attends the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

In addition to electing officers for the 2010-11 Association year (see photo), these awards were handed out: Advisor of the Year: Dr. Judith

Ruskamp, Peru State College.

Best Chapter Web site: College of St. Mary.

Chapter Excellence Award: Peru State College.

Rookie of the Year: Ashley Smith, College of St. Mary.

Local Leader of the Year: Cassidy Pitkin, Hastings College.

Newsletter of the Year: Peru State College.

Liability Policy is Part of Your NSEA Membership Package!

Every member of NSEA is covered by the Educator’s Liability (EEL) Insurance policy purchased by the National Education Association.

In general, the EEL policy provides coverage for members arising out of their educational employment activities. Those activities are generally defined as duties performed pursuant to the express or implied terms of their employment or at the express request of the member’s supervisor acting within the supervisor’s school employment.

In addition to defending civil matters, the EEL insurance provides reimbursement for bail bonds in employment-related criminal matters and reimbursement for personal property damages caused by an assault at school or while performing school duties. The specific terms and coverage provided by the EEL insurance policy are governed by the insurance company.

For additional information, contact your NSEA UniServ director, who will be happy to provide you with additional details. Reach your UniServ director at 1-800-742-0047.

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 13

We All Smile in the Same Language Nearing Retirement, Lexington Teacher Reflects on Career and Her District’s Growing Diversity The author, Sue McClure, has been a physical education instructor at Lexington’s Morton Elementary School since 1984.

As I anticipate retirement, I find myself reflecting on the past and sharing stories with younger teachers. Before my teaching career is over, I’d like to share those stories and those of some of my students with other Nebraska teachers.

With the Tyson Beef packing plant a mile down the road, our school has become highly diverse. By January 2010, 448 students are enrolled at Morton. Of these, 387 are Hispanic, 33 are white, 20 are African, seven are Asian and one is American Indian. We didn’t always have this assortment of students. In the fall of 1990, Morton started its first English as a Second Language class, with one student – Toby – in the class.

Toby was an Asian boy with no English. We all loved little Toby, and before the semester was over, the phoA classroom of students to with a h andful of he : Lexington physical e class was full – and has been since. d r Morton E lementary ucation teacher Sue M Today, we have a lower Structured School stud cClure pose ents. s for a English Instruction (SEI) and an Upper ground SEI. The most important goal at our school is the same as at being pulled through the every other public school: to help our students acquire the gravel by friends. knowledge and skills needed to function effectively in our “What are you doing?” I asked. society. Obviously, the challenges we’ve encountered and “We’re playing a game,” one replied. efforts we’ve made to meet this goal have been HUGE and “What’s the name of the game, and how do you play?” I ongoing. But let’s take a more personal look at these past 20 asked. years.

“We’re playing the green card game. We make a line in the dirt and if you don’t have a green card we can drag you Line in the Dirt back over the line,” came the reply.

My multicultural “slip” story goes like this: as a first The “line,” of course, meant the border. grade class was walking toward me, the leader started to run “Wow,” I thought, “what a game to be playing.” past me toward the gymnasium. I said, “NO WAY, JOSE!” They also played a game called immigration tag. The The boy came back to the line and said, “My name is not chasers were the policemen. Those caught had to go to jail, Jose, it is Emmanuel.” which was under the monkey bars.

On another day, I was with students during a noon recess.

On a warm September day, I complained about the heat.

Something caught my eye that was out of the ordinary, so I Mohammad, a third grader from a small village in Sudan, walked over and investigated. Several children were on the Page Page1414 The TheNSEA NSEAVoice Voice May May2010 2010

said, “You think this is hot. This is nothing!”

The Pretty Gift During one kindergarten Christmas party, the teacher was opening her gifts in front of her students.

She received everything from candy to homemade Christmas tree ornaments. One gift she opened that will always be remembered: a bright red pair of lace panties.

The young girl wanted to give her teacher something pretty, so she went to her mother’s drawer and found what she was looking for.

Needless to say, we soon eliminated gift giving as part of our holiday celebration.

During a fourth grade health lesson, we were discussing safety. I was telling students what More students: These youngsters to do if a stray dog approached. offer a sampling of the diversit Lex ington’s Morton Elementary Sch y Fahma raised her hand and said ool. From left are Sariya, Maryam of children at o and Musa. you also need to know what to do if a stray LION comes your storage rooms, offices in old rest rooms with no heat (mine way! for one!), and an extremely small kitchen that served breakLast year, I had a student from the University of Nebrasfast and lunch to our huge numbers each day. Two years ago ka-Kearney observe classes. He was immediately awestruck four classrooms, rest rooms and a new gymnasium with an but especially amazed with Ali, a fourth grader from Sudan. office were added. By next fall we’ll have four sections of I encouraged him to have a visit with Ali and learn about each grade, K-5. his background. After the visit, the student came over and couldn’t believe the fact that not only was Ali’s English No Notes, Just Memories pretty good, but he knew three other languages!

I wish I had taken notes along the way, as I’m sure many entertaining stories have been lost. Yet some will never A Very Long Walk be forgotten. I’ll never forget my fifth grade African girl, Five years ago, Maryamo, Musa and Sariya became the Halimo, who won first place in the high jump. She had first African family at Morton. I interviewed Maryamo this never been at a track meet, never practiced before and she afternoon. They are from Kakuma, Kenya. War destroyed was wearing her African boboi and jalbibu (head cover and their home and they were fortunate enough to escape. They long dress) with flip flops. None of us will forget the bitter flew to New York and then to Texas, where they lived for cold mornings we had bowls of warm water waiting in case four months as their father looked for work. The father heard of frosty fingers. I won’t forget being called “teacher” for about a small town in Nebraska, which had jobs to offer. the first time by ESL students. I won’t forget the teachers They loaded the bus, along with several other families, and who returned from home visits with tears in their eyes, or the headed for Lexington. They have an older brother, Mukogirls who wore turtlenecks and sweaters under their cotton ma, who is a senior in high school. He went out for wrestling sundresses to stay warm. the past two years. This year he is not eligible because he is I’ll remember the kindergarteners who struggle with 19 years old. Last year he won the third place medal at the their numbers and letters at school with their English state wrestling tournament! speaking teacher, and then go home where another lanJuan, now a middle schooler, was six when he told his guage is being spoken. It will always amuse me when, if teacher this story: His father was working at Tyson and his interpreters are busy with other parents, I see the students mother and the two young boys lived in Guatemala. His translating between teacher and parent during confermother wanted to bring her young family up to be with ences. And I’ll always remember the fifth grade girl who their father. The only way they could accomplish this was told me I wasn’t teaching the Mexican Hat Dance corto walk. So Juan, with his mother and little brother, walked rectly. I am now. from Guatemala to Texas. Juan’s father met them in Texas There are those who believe our students and their famiand brought them up to Lexington. lies should not be in our country. Guard the border. Don’t allow them to cross. All of us are entitled to our opinions.

Still Growing Most would agree to the fact though, that the hundreds of We continue to grow. Our school was completely rebuilt children who have passed through the hallways of schools in the mid-1990s. Before it was finished, we knew we were like Morton Elementary over these past 20 years have made going to be two classrooms short. We added a modular a life much richer and more fulfilling with their presence. year for a total of five. For several years, we had classes in May2010 2010 The TheNSEA NSEAVoice Voice Page Page1515 May

Page 16 The NSEA Voice May 2010

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 17

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 summer semester college course work and should be postmarked no later than Saturday, June 5, 2010. All blanks must be completed for 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 Summer 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, June 5, 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 Application Date: June 5 On three dates each year, NSEA members are invited to apply for scholarships through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska Professional Development Fund. It’s that time again – the deadline for this round of scholarship applications is Saturday, June 5.

Nebraska teachers use the scholarships: Since 1986, 4,390 NSEA members have shared more than $550,000 in scholarship dollars, thanks to 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 June 5 deadline.

Completed application forms must be postmarked by June 5.

Page 18 The NSEA Voice May 2010

We’re Going Paperless!

Future Applications Will be Online Only Scholarship applicants take note: This is the final time that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Scholarship Fund program will include the paper form for application. With the fall scholarship cycle, all applications will be taken online.

Watch for details in the September issue of The Voice.

www.nsea.org Scholarship winners will be notified in June. 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, may re-apply. 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, must accompany the request.

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.

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

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

BCBS Q&A

Spring into Health, Dental Benefits

By Kurt Genrich EHA Plan Advocate Every spring, people in Nebraska trade in their snow shovels for gardening tools to prepare their yards and gardens. Just like a garden, the benefits offered through your school district should be tended to make sure they meet the needs of your family.

Here are some tips on how to use those benefits.

Tip No. 1: Understand how your plan’s deductible and coinsurance work. Look at the deductible you and your family will have to meet before benefits are paid. Review the out-ofpocket maximum that must be met before benefits are paid at 100 percent.

The most popular plans offered by the Educator’s Health Alliance have an 80/20 percent coinsurance to $10,000 ($2,000 out of pocket per individual).

For Ee/Spouse, Ee/Children or Family coverage, the amount out of pocket is double that of single coverage.

Tip No. 2: Review your prescription drug coverage. Every quarter, each member who utilizes prescription drugs receives a statement about his or her benefits. Take a look at this information to see if you could utilize drugs on a less expensive tier level.

Is my drug going to have a generic equivalent? Would the mail-order Rx coverage work for maintenance drugs and save a month’s copay? As with all decisions with your health, please consult with your doctor to see if there are any concerns by making a change.

Tip No. 3: Confirm your dependent’s eligibility status for next Sept.

1. Do you have children graduating from high school, or other post-

secondary schools? Has your child turned the age of 19 if not attending college, or 23 if still in school? If you have questions, please call Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska customer service at 1-800-642-6004.

Tip No. 4: New Year’s Resolutions. Have you kept up with your self-promises at the beginning of the year? If not, it’s time to get back at it and enjoy the spring!

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 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

NSEA Membership Card Now Offers Grocery Coupons Using your NSEA membership card saves you money on dining, movies, golf, hotels and other merchandise.

Now it can save you cash at the grocery store, as well.

Now available from the NSEA membership card Access program are grocery coupons – straight from the manufacturer – good for cash off on grocery items at your local grocery store.

NSEA members can print as many coupons as needed, and save money with every trip to the grocery store.

The coupons offer savings on food, household supplies, pet care and more.

All that’s needed is your 10-digit NSEA membership identification number – found on your NSEA membership card, as well as above your name on the mailing label of every issue of The Voice – and a computer.

Go to the NSEA Web site, look for the ‘Click Here for Savings’ icon in the upper right corner of the home page.

Click on the icon, insert your membership number and you’ll land on the Access home page, where you’ll find the grocery coupon tab, as well as other tabs that will lead you to great

savings opportunities.

Begin saving now at NSEA’s Web

site at: www.nsea.org

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 19

NSEA Resolves Leave Issue Dispute Over Repayment of Insurance Premium Fixed With NSEA’s Aid A northeast Nebraska teacher received an unpleasant surprise while on medical leave last fall. Her school district notified her that over her next 10 paychecks, she would be docked a total of more than $860 to cover the district’s cost of health insurance premiums for a portion of the time the teacher spent on medical leave.

Federal law allows employees to use FMLA leave, at the employee’s expense, once the employer’s allowed sick day allotment is exhausted.

District administrators felt the teacher was responsible for the district-paid health insurance premium for the extra time after accumulated sick leave was used up. Fortunately, the teacher had not accepted the district’s interpretation of federal rules, nor had she signed any paperwork accepting the district’s decision.

The teacher called her NSEA UniServ director. He checked with NSEA’s health insurance experts, verified that the teacher had followed federal rules, and placed a call to the district superintendent. The district quickly backed off and did not dock the member’s salary.

Plenty of Questions at Central City Teachers with the Central City Education Association have gone through a difficult couple of years, winning a negotiations impasse be-

fore the Commission of Industrial Relations, only to see the CIR ruling appealed before the Nebraska Supreme Court.

So while the Supreme Court has yet to rule, CCEA members have many questions about the process, not to mention various other educationrelated issues. When UniServ Director Maureen Nickels invited NSEA Director of Member Rights Trish Guinan to a question and answer session, Guinan expected a handful of members to show. Approximately 40 members attended, and nearly all stayed for two hours of Q&A. Among the questions asked during Guinan’s visit: Can a teacher be required to sub on their planning period, or do they have a choice in the matter?

(Yes, they may be able to require you to sub, depending on the language in the local Association’s negotiated contract.)

Can a teacher have another person go with them to a meeting with an administrator? (The law doesn’t require the administration to allow a representative to attend such meetings, but always request that an association representative be allowed to attend.)

What does a teacher do when a parent has accused you of wrongdoing? (Such accusations could present liability issues: call NSEA at

once).

Nickels reported that one CCEA member told her after the meeting that “While there were things I/we didn’t want to hear about issues related to me/us, I now have an understanding of why things are as they are, and it all makes sense.”

Plan Time Querie When a teacher from south central Nebraska asked a question about plan time last month, NSEA UniServ Director Gary Osborn responded.

The question? Does a classroom teacher have any planning time guaranteed by law, or is plan time left to the discretion of the administration or our district to determine our planning time?

The simple answer, Osborn replied, is that classroom teachers are not guaranteed plan time by state statute.

“But that doesn’t mean you can’t secure planning time some other way,” wrote Osborn. “It’s common for the negotiated agreement to address this issue, and many contracts contain language providing for that guaranteed time.”

If such planning time is not in the negotiated agreement, that issue might be considered for inclusion in the next round of negotiations, Osborn advised. For more details, call your NSEA UniServ director toll free at 1-800-742-0047.

Corman-Vossler, Auten Earn Honors NSEA member and leader Nancy Corman-Vossler has been named the Elementary Teacher of the Year Award from the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA).

A member of the Friend Education Association, Corman-Vossler was honored at the NRCSA convention in Kearney in late March.

First-grade teacher Corman-Vossler has taught for 33 years at Friend’s elementary school, where she is the lead teacher and the primary reading coach.

Corman-Vossler is co-president of the Friend Education Association.

Lisa Auten, a kindergarten teacher Page 20 The NSEA Voice May 2010

at Ralston’s Karen Western Elementary School, has received $250 from the Horace Mann Companies as part of the company’s ‘Educators Run Away With 65K’ sweepstakes. Auten also received an additional $250 to donate to a notfor-profit, education-related organization of her choice.

Omaha-area Horace Mann Agent Kevin Scheiding presented the check.

Auten said she didn’t know what education-related group might receive the $250, but at least some of her winnings will likely end up back in the classroom. Auten said she has spent nearly $1,000 of her own money on classroom materials during the past tax year.

The Commitment Continues: Vote Leann Widhalm for NSEA Vice President in 2011

Resources You Can Use ‘We the People’ Textbooks Available Textbooks focusing on the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are available, at no cost, for both public and private schools for elementary, middle and high school students.

The books are available, on request, from the Center for Civic Education through the state sponsorship by the Nebraska State Bar Association. Classroom sets include 30 student books, a teacher’s guide and an instructional packet containing the information and supplies necessary to complete the program. Free sets are available on a limited basis in each congressional district in the nation.

Further information on the program can be found on the Center for Civic Education’s Web site at: http://www.nebarfnd.org/we-thepeople Requests for free textbook sets should be made locally to State Coordinator Sarah Peetz at: sarah@nebarfnd.org Requests may also be made to these congressional district coordinators: Bill Hayes, First Congressional District, at: billd@hayes.org Stacey Rawlings, Second Congressional District, at: stacey.rawlings@ops.org Ken Meyers, Third Congressional District, at: kmeyers@esu11.org

Free Membership to Social Studies Group Nebraska social studies teachers are being offered a chance for a free one year membership in both the State and National Councils for the Social Studies.

The offer is made possible by a stipend from the University of Nebraska-Omaha History Department and supported via a brokering agreement between the NSCSS and the NCSS. If you are selected to receive the free $62 one-year membership, you will receive publications from the NSCSS and the NCSS, including the NCSS publication Social Education, as well as reduced conference regis-

McCarthy Pens Story for ‘Chicken Soup’ Series Dan McCarthy, Nebraska’s 2009 Teacher of the Year, has published a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Tales.

McCarthy, a teacher at Hastings Senior High School, is one of 54 state teachers of the year who, along with other teaching colleagues and students, are published in the first Chicken Soup for teachers published in a decade.

The 101 inspirational stories will make teachers laugh out loud, shed a few tears, and above all, realize that they really do make a difference and they are very much appreciated.

In addition to the stories from the State Teachers of the Year, Chicken Soup for the Soul selected 46 stories from teachers, and some grateful students, from the thousands of stories that were submitted. The 101 stories represent the honor roll of inspirational stories for teachers.

For more information visit: www.chickensoup.com

tration fees.

To receive the offer, applicants may not have taught for more than three years, and must not have ever had a membership in the NCSS. To apply, e-mail your name, school, school address, e-mail address, home telephone number, home address, number of years teaching, courses taught and grade levels to Bill Hayes at: billd@hayes.org

Social Studies Council Will Host Loewen The Nebraska State Council for the Social Studies and the Omaha Public Schools will sponsor a presentation

by Dr. James W. Loewen on Aug. 11, 2010, in Omaha.

Loewen is a sociologist who spent two years at the Smithsonian surveying 12 leading high school textbooks of American history. He discovered an embarrassing blend of bland optimism, blind nationalism and plain misinformation.

An educator who attended Carleton College, holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University, and taught race relations for 20 years at the University of Vermont, he has been an expert witness in more than 50 civil rights, voting rights and employment cases.

Loewen is a best-selling author who has written several books, including Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your High School History Textbook

Got Wrong; and Teaching What Really Happened.

Loewen’s new book calls on K-12 teachers to teach history and social studies in a new way. It offers teachers specific ideas for how to get students excited about history, how to get them to do history, and how to help them read critically. It also helps teachers tackle difficult but important topics, like the American Indian experience, slavery and race relations.

Details will follow in the May NSCSS newsletter and on the NSCSS website located at: http://www.nebraska socialstudies.org

Tree Planting Grants Available Several grant programs are available to communities and organizations to provide funding and technical assistance for high-quality tree planting projects in communities across Nebraska.

The 2009 Shade Our Streets Grant (SOS) enables the planting of largematuring trees along streets and other public right-of-ways. Projects must be located on public property, and directly affect adjacent streets or roadsides. A minimum 20 percent cash match is required.

SOS is funded by the Nebraska Department of Roads with federal transportation funds. For details, contact Jessica Kelling at 402/472-0220 or at: jkelling2@unl.edu The application deadline is Oct. 30.

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 21

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NEA Member Benefits Snookie’s Snippets NSEA members should know that the opportunities to save are many through NEA Member Benefits.

Consider these savings: The NSEA Professional Library offers discounted books and merchandise.

The NEA Level Premium Term Life Insurance Plan now offers more savings, more coverage and more options.

Krumbiegel Through the NEA Auto Purchase Advantage, NSEA members can save thousands of dollars on automobile purchases.

The NEA Auto and Home Insurance Program saves members an average of $373 per year on insurance premiums. Call 1-866-680-5141, or go to: www.calcas.com/neamb Click – and Then Save!

One of the newest savings opportunities for NSEA members is through the new NEA Member Benefits ‘Click and Save’ program. Look for these May 2010 ‘Buylights’ discounts: Reebok: Save up to 65 percent.

PETCO: Save up to 40 percent, plus an extra $10 off.

Sephora: Save up to 75 percent, plus get free shipping on orders of more than $50.

Restaurant.com: Get $25 gift certificates for $8 each.

1-800-FLOWERS: Order today to save 15 percent, no minimum.

For these and other savings, go to: www.neamb.com/clickandsave Sweepstakes Reminders Don’t forget the regular opportunities to win on the NEA Member Benefits Web site. These offers are available soon: May 7–20: Five $200 Best Buy gift cards.

May 21 – June 3: Four $250 VISA gift cards.

Through June 3: One $5,000 Member Appreciation Grand Prize.

Register to win at: www.neamb.com Snookie Krumbiegel is Nebraska’s NEA Member Benefits representative.

What Does Your Credit Report Say? Stabilize, Revitalize Your Credit Rating When you’re planning to buy or refinance a home – or if you just want to straighten out your financial affairs – the first step in getting your credit in order is to understand your credit report.

There are three major credit reporting agencies (see box) that compile credit information on individuals. Any credit grantor, including your mortgage lender, will obtain your credit history from one or more of these sources to help determine the level of risk.

If you don’t already know what’s in your report, you’ll want to find out.

Each of the credit agencies may have a slightly different report, so it’s a good idea to get a copy from each company.

Correcting Errors If you believe the report contains errors, contact the agency that issued it and tell them you wish to change or dispute information. The best way to contact the agency is in writing and by registered mail, with a return receipt requested.

This way, you will be able to verify that you filed a timely dispute, and assign some accountability to the agency.

Taking Control While some people end up with poor credit through no fault of their own, others just are not sure how to keep on top of their finances. Money can easily slip through our fingers, and cash often disappears without our even noticing how it was spent. A written budget will help you bring your spending more in line with your income.

By taking time to understand your cash flow and eliminating unnecessary

Review Your Credit Rating You may obtain records from these national credit repositories – and get a free credit report from all three agencies once a year: Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374 Phone: 1-800-685-1111 www.equifax.com Experian P.O. Box 949, Allen,TX 75013-0949 Phone: 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com Trans Union National Disclosure Center P.O. Box 97328, Jackson, MS 39288-7328 Phone: 1-800-916-8800 www.tuc.com

expenditures, you will have greater control of your money; improved creditworthiness; and the ability to reach homeownership or solvency goals. Once you’ve identified how much you need to cover expenses, take a look at the ‘extras’ and see if you can ‘find’ additional money each month.

To learn more, call NEA’s Home Financing Program 1-800-632-4968 to talk to a home mortgage consultant.

The benefits of the NEA Home Financing Program are extended to parents and adult children of NEA members.

New NEA Level Premium Term Life Plan Offers More Savings, More Coverage The NEA Members Insurance Trust has introduced several new enhancements to the NEA Level Premium Term Life Insurance Plan, which is underwritten by The Prudential Insurance Company of America. This level premium plan provides supplemental coverage to NEA members at competitive rates that

won’t change for the life of the participant’s term, unless plan experience requires a change for all insureds.

The new enhancements focus on lower rates, higher coverage levels and more length of coverage options.

The new options take effect June 1, For details, call 1-800-637-4636.

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 23

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From the Execu ve Director

This is Not Right There is an idea that the teachers of this nation has nothing to do with setting high can bring every student in America to a standard of goals or promoting higher achieveproficiency by the year 2014. It is a great goal. It is ment. It has everything to do with a noble vision. It is not possible. declaring public education a genYes, we all believe the phrase “All Kids Can Learn.” eral failure four years from now.

What is missing is the ending to that sentence. All kids What Lincoln Public Schools discan learn, but not at the same rate and not at the same covered is that schools that apply for level. Somebody forgot to tell that to Congress when federal School Improvement Grants it passed the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and will only be considered if the district signaled the greatest challenge to the continued sucagrees to remove the principal, close cess — and existence — of the school, Executive public education in the hisre-open the Director Craig R. tory of the United States. school as Since then, schools, a charter Christiansen 1. Not later than the end of the 2013-2014 school teachers and administrators school, or year, all students will meet or exceed the State prohave been humiliated and replace the principal and 50 ficiency level of academic achievement in mathematcriticized for performance percent of the staff. Lincoln ics and reading/language arts. that should often have been chose to replace an adminis— Elementary and Secondary celebrated. The impossible trator that the Lincoln SuperEducation Act (ESEA) Part A. Sec. 1111 standard of meeting ‘annual intendent called “superb.” yearly progress’ (AYP) beAnd the federal money is big 2. If a school fails to meet adequate yearly progress comes statistically more imenough to cause school dis(AYP), even after corrective action, one of the probable with each passing tricts to do this. The danger following actions will be taken: year. Teachers and adminof the No Child Left Behind (i) Reopening the school as a public istrators say, behind closed mentality is that we are puncharter school. doors, that there are entire ishing schools and educators (ii) Replacing all or most of the school subjects that are not being that fail to meet impossible staff, including the principal. taught or that are given little standards. (iii) Contracting with a private time in the school day. If a management company to concept is not on the test, it Spread the Word run the school. has little value to a school No Child Left Behind (iv) Turning the operation of the school whose existence depends on promises the failure of the over to the State. test results. public school system and — Elementary and We all want high perthe end of a rich curriculum Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Part A. Sec. 1116 formance for both students for students. It is a failing and teachers. But No Child policy that becomes more Left Behind holds schools damaging to students every accountable for what they cannot possibly achieve. day…and we need to say so. Every teacher and parent must tell their story of what this is doing to kids.

Your Principal Re-assigned?

Your friends don’t know this. Your neighbors don’t Conservative estimates set the number of schools know this. Congress doesn’t know this. They will that will fail by 2014 at about 70 percent of all the only know if we tell them. schools in America. Some estimates put that numThe impossible demands of No Child Left Behind ber closer to 100 percent. A recent headline in the pose a serious threat to public schools in every comLincoln Journal Star told of an elementary principal munity. NCLB becomes more threatening as the preswho was removed and re-assigned because of the sures from irrational sanctions on schools and teachtest scores of the student body. ers increase. Those who are inside schools and see Don’t think it couldn’t happen in your community. this damage must speak against the harm that NCLB The goal of every child in America being proficient is doing to public education…and to students. It is by the 2013-14 school year is not possible. Period. It time to say as loudly as possible: This is not right.

It’s the Law

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 25

Page 26 The NSEA Voice May 2010

NSEA-Re red Corner

Large Crowd at Spring Conference Retired Association Also Awards Scholarships to Students More than 120 retired members attended the NSEA-Retired annual meeting and Spring Conference in Lincoln on April 15.

The highlight of the event was a morning keynote presentation by Dr. Richard O’Brien, director of Creighton University’s Center for Health, Policy and Ethics.

O’Brien’s presentation, Health Care Reform: What Did We Get? Where Do We Go From Here?, identified several sources where the public can find details of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Reconciliations Act of 2010.

Those Web sources include: http://:www.kff.org http://www.kff.org/healthreform/ sidebyside.cfm http://www.FactCheck.org http://www.Politifact.org O’Brien’s slides will be hosted on the NSEA-Retired Web page at: www.nsea.org/members/retired Also on the agenda was Joe Starita, Pike Professor of Journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Starita talked about his new book, I Am A Man, the story of Chief Standing Bear and his fight for justice.

Elsewhere on the agenda were sectionals about antiques, genealogy, health care, social networking and other topics.

SEAN/NSEA-Retired 2010 Scholarship Winners Each year, the NSEA-Retired awards four $750 scholarships to members of the Student Education Association of Nebraska. Applicants must be juniors or seniors; must have been members of SEAN for at least two years; must complete an essay explaining their decision to join the teaching profession; and must include three letters of recommendation – one from a faculty or staff member of the university or college they are attending, one from a local chapter officer, and one from their SEAN chapter advisor.

This year’s winners were Michelle Pietzyk, College of Saint Mary; Heather Sullivan, University of Nebraska-

Intent: Some of the crowd of more than120 at the NSEA-Retired Spring Conference listened intently to a breakout session on social networking.

Kearney; Emilee Svec, Wayne State College; and Mark Wollesen, Chadron State College.

2010 Election Winners In balloting this spring, NSEARetired members have elected or reelected officers to the organization’s leadership spots. They include: Treasurer Ruby Davis, Omaha; Secretary Art Tanderup, Tekamah; Metro District Director John Jensen, Omaha; Panhandle District Director Twila Griffiths, Scottsbluff; and Tri-Valley Director Jan Barnason, Hastings.

Retired Delegates to NSEA DA Also elected this past spring were NSEA-Retired delegates to the NSEA Delegate Assembly, held in Lincoln.

Leading the delegation was Roger Rea, NSEA-Retired president, Omaha. District representatives included Lorene Behrends, Linda Brown, Pat Etherton and De Tonack, all of Lin-

coln, representing the Capitol district; Tom Black, West Point, and Art Tanderup, Tekamah, representing the Elkhorn District; Ruby Davis, Walta Sue Dodd, John Jensen and Liz Rea, all of Omaha, representing Metro District; Jim McDermott, Scottsbluff, representing Panhandle District; John Kruse, O’Neill, representing Sandhills District; and Jan Barnason, Hastings, and Guy Roggenkamp, Grand Island, representing Tri-Valley District.

NEA Representative Assembly Delegates Named NSEA-Retired President Roger Rea will lead the NSEA-Retired delegation at the National Education Association Representative Assembly, set for New Orleans June 27-July 6.

Also attending will be Ruby Davis, Walta Sue Dodd and John Jensen, Omaha; and Tom Black, West Point.

— Tom Black, Editor wpc6296@cableone.net May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 27

Governor Gov. Dave Heineman

Your Vote Counts Above the entry on the south side of Nebraska’s state capitol building are the words: “Political society exists for the sake of noble living.”

Those words are attributed to Aristotle, a founding father of Western philosophy. In addition to his contributions to philosophy, Aristotle was a teacher. In that role, he undoubtedly understood that teaching also furthered the sake and cause of noble living by educating a society’s citizens.Today, 2,400 years after Aristotle’s birth, Nebraskans are on the verge of another primary election. Politics plays a role in every aspect of teaching, from standards to salaries to playground duty schedules.

As shown earlier in this edition (see pages 8-9), teachers can – and should – influence and shape the issues and politicians who act on education-related legislation.

Primary Election day is Tuesday, May 11. Be a good example. Cast a ballot on Election Day.Your vote makes a difference in every election, and this election will be no different.

Voting in the best interest of children and public schools speaks loudly to candidates about the importance of quality education.

Please vote.

The following pages include the list of candidates for Legislature that have been recommended by NSEA. In each case, the candidates were interviewed face-to-face by local, bi-partisan teams of NSEA members. Those teams then selected the candidate that best exemplified NSEA’s stance on education issues.

Those candidates are presented here.

Page 28 The NSEA Voice May 2010

Gov. Heineman, seeking a second full term, has established himself as a supporter and believer in a strong system of public education. He has backed better pay for the state’s public school teachers; the state’s tuition forgiveness program for teachers; parental involvement in education; and strong anti-truancy programs. He has met to discuss education issues with NSEA members around the state, from the NSEA Board of Directors, to small groups of teachers in school settings. Heineman rightly believes that quality education today drives the state’s economic engines of tomorrow.

Heineman

Nebraska Legislature he is not taking the campaign for granted.

Legislative District 2 Sen. Dave Pankonin, Louisville Sen. Pankonin has the respect of his constituents and, as chair of the Legislature’s Retirement Committee, has served teachers well, according to the interview team. He is wellread, knowledgeable and works to compromise. His Pankonin four years in the Legislature are an asset, and Pankonin has developed valuable contacts in Lincoln that serve his district well.

Legislative District 4 Sen. Pete Pirsch, Omaha Sen. Pirsch is supportive of NSEA positions, and is a good listener, both to fellow senators and to citizens in his district. He sees the ‘broader picture’ in terms of priorities for education and human services. Though unopposed,

Legislative District 6 No recommendation The interview committee decided not to recommend a candidate in this district.

Ream

Harr

Legislative District 8 Richard Ream, Omaha; Burke Harr, Omaha

Pirsch

The committee came up with a dual recommendation of Ream and Harr.

Ream has a strong financial background and a strong social justice orientation. He is pro-teacher and pro-public education, and

understands the need for adequate funding for schools.

Harr is well-connected in the education community, and also has a strong social justice orientation, with a demonstrated track record of social justice support.

Legislative District 10 Sen. Bob Krist, Omaha

property taxes. He also supports improving teacher salaries. Hartfield is personable and a strong speaker.

Whitehead supports extending due process to all education staffers, and is a teacher herself, having taught at Creighton.

She is personable, has excellent speaking skills and is at ease with people.

Legislative District 16 Sen. Kent Rogert, Tekamah

Appointed to fill a vacancy last year, Sen. Krist quickly earned the respect of his colleagues. He is very well informed, is politically savvy, and has a good understanding Krist of government funding and the financial needs of the state and of education. Krist is also good on education issues.

Legislative District 12 Sen. Steve Lathrop, Omaha Sen. Lathrop, said the interview team, took a lot of personal time to listen and learn from the committee. “He has been a consistent proponent of teachers and the NSEA,” wrote the committee. He supports improved salaries for educators, Lathrop and his voting record indicates strong support for teachers and children.

With a very strong campaign and a strong support for public schools, the local interview team recommended that Tekamah farmer and agri-businessman Kent Rogert be elected in District 16.

Rogert is viewed as energetic, bipartisan Rogert and good on all educational issues. He also has wide support in the education community.

Legislative District 18 No recommendation The interview committee decided not to recommend a candidate in this district.

Legislative District 20 Sen. Brad Ashford, Omaha Ashford has a broad knowledge and understanding of educational issues, and has a proven record of support for education, having served in the Legislature from 1987-95. He was a sponsor of LB89 – a teacher pay bill that passed the Legislature Ashford in the late 1980s. An attorney, Ashford is also a former judge on the Commission of Industrial Relations.

Legislative District 22 Mike Moser, Columbus; Rebecca Rayman, Columbus; Paul Schumacher, Columbus Hartfield

Whitehead

Legislative District 14 Ian Hartfield, Omaha; Teresa Whitehead, Omaha In this dual recommendation, Hartfield is viewed as “intelligent and thoughtful,” and Whitehead is liked for her strong support of NSEA positions.

Hartfield drew praise for his support of increased state aid as a way to lower

In this triple recommendation, the team felt that each candidate has a positive history of collaboration for the benefit of the district. Each has a strong constituency and base of support. All three are strong supporters of public education and teacher rights. In addition, each expressed a desire to build a working relationship with NSEA. Rayman is executive director of the East Central District Health Department head-

Moser

Rayman

quartered in Columbus. Schumacher is an attorney in Columbus. Moser is mayor of Columbus.

Schumacher Legislative District 24 Sen. Greg Adams, York Sen. Greg Adams – a retired social sciences teacher from York – is the recommended candidate from District 24.

Adams was first elected in 2006, and quickly became a leader in the Legislature. He is chair of the Legislature’s Adams Education Committee, has helped shape and guide effective public education policy, and has been a keen watchdog over legislation that affects public schools.

Presidents of local associations in District 24 signed off on an early recommendation for Adams.

Legislative District 26 Sen. Amanda McGill, Lincoln Sen. McGill is articulate, has excellent knowledge of issues, has experience and is energetic, said the interview team. She has garnered the respect McGill of her colleagues in the Legislature, as demonstrated by her election as chair of the Urban Affairs Committee. She has also done excellent work as chair of the Children in Crisis Task Force.

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 29

Legislative District 28 Sen. Bill Avery, Lincoln Avery is an articulate coalition builder with a broad knowledge base. He is viewed as a strong supporter of public education and teachers, and is very qualiAvery fied to serve in the Legislature. Avery is a professional lecturer, author, teacher, and trade consultant. He is a professor at the University of NebraskaLincoln, where he has taught political science for more than 30 years.

Legislative District 30 Sen. Norman Wallman, Cortland Sen. Wallman’s experience, his history of involvement in education and his belief in local control are reasons for Wallman’s recommendation. The interview team reported that Wallman’s “qualifications so strongly outweighed the other candidates that the Wallman Association should do everything in its power to re-elect Sen. Wallman.”

Legislative District 32 Sen. Russ Karpisek, Wilber Sen. Karpisek is well-liked in his district and has been a strong supporter of NSEA and education.

His 12 years’ experience as Mayor of Wilber, his business background and his community-oriented interest in education have been an asset in the Legislature.

issues before the Legislature. She is organized and well-liked in the district and the Legislature. She has been a strong supporter of education, supporting improved teacher pay, the collective bargaining process, and an improved state aid program that would take more burden off property taxes in the state.

Legislative District 36 Sen. John Wightman, Lexington Sen. Wightman has developed a reputation as having a true open door policy for any NSEA members who need to meet with him on an education issue. Several members noted that e-mails to Sen. Wightman usually receive quick responses. Wightman’s Wightman long resume includes much involvement in local government, and he is seen as a strong advocate for public education.

Legislative District 38 Sen. Tom Carlson, Holdrege The interview team that recommended Sen. Carlson said the senator’s first term has given him a growing understanding of educational issues.

Carlson, the team said, is supportive of raising teacher salaries, albeit without raising taxes.

Carlson has been supCarlson portive of many NSEA issues and has a good working relationship with Sen.Adams, chair of the Legislature’s Education Committee.

Karpisek

Legislative District 34 Sen. Annette Dubas, Fullerton Sen. Dubas has gained valuable experience the past four years in the Legislature and has built a reputation for fairness and reasonableness in considering

Dierks

Dea

Legislative District 40 Sen. Cap Dierks, Ewing; Adam Dea, O’Neill Dubas

Page 30 The NSEA Voice May 2010

In this dual recommendation, the interview team saw the veteran Sen. Cap Dierks

as very knowledgeable in the workings of the Legislature, while Dea, from a family of teachers, has a ready source of people in education from which to draw information and support.

“Each has individual strengths,” wrote the interview team, “that would benefit education, and both showed a willingness to communicate with NSEA.”

Legislative District 42 No recommendation The interview committee decided not to recommend a candidate in this district.

Legislative District 44 No recommendation The interview committee decided not to recommend a candidate in this district.

Legislative District 46 Sen. Danielle Conrad, Lincoln Sen. Conrad has gained valuable experience in the Legislature over the past four years and is a promoter of public education and teacher rights. She’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable on social issues, and serves on the powerful ApproConrad priations Committee.

She stands up for Nebraska’s working families, and comes from a teaching family.

Legislative District 48 Sen. John Harms, Scottsbluff Sen. Harms is seen as an extraordinary candidate and a leader in the education field. A former president of Western Nebraska Community College, Harms spearheaded the development of a technology center at the college. He is articuHarms late, thinks globally and has clearly-stated goals. Local association presidents in his district gave him the ‘thumbs-up’ for a recommendation for the second time, as he was also recommended in the 2006 election.

State Board of Education has the following attributes: She is a ‘competent and confident’ candidate for public office and is a ‘good communicator,’ and is also familiar with the P-16 concept. O’Holleran also has demonstrated a passion for education.

District 5 Patricia Timm, Beatrice Timm, a six-year member of the board, is a former teacher who spent nearly 20 years on the Beatrice Board of Education. She was appointed to the Board in 2004, and won election in 2006. Timm is a strong advocate for early Timm childhood education, and has been supportive of NSEA positions during her Board tenure.

District 6 Lynn Cronk, Grand Island Cronk has spent 16 years on the Grand Island Board of Education, the past 11 as president. She is a strong proponent of public education and understands that ev-

Cronk

O’Holleran

ery child is unique, every classroom is different, with different challenges daily. She looks for student growth as opposed to how many students were proficient on a standardized test, said the interview team.

District 7 Molly O’Holleran, North Platte The interview team said O’Holleran

McIntyre

District 8 Dennis McIntyre, Omaha

McIntyre has a passion for educational issues, and places emphasis on the student, rather than elsewhere. The interview team said his experience, education and background would serve him well on the State Board. McIntyre also understands the difference – and the importance of that difference – between merit pay and performance pay.

NSEA Election Results Revealed NSEA members have elected or reelected nearly three dozen of their fellow members to represent them at the state level on the NSEA Board of Directors, or at the district level on one of NSEA’s seven district governance boards.

The online election, which took place in February and March, put three new members on NSEA’s board.

Here is the list of those elected: Capitol District NSEA Board of Directors: Linda Freye and Tammy Schafer, both of Lincoln.

Treasurer: Rita Bennett, Lincoln.

Secretary: Debra Rasmussen, Lincoln.

Executive Committee: Marcia Benner, Lincoln; Scott Gregory, Youth Development Center, Geneva.

Elkhorn District NSEA Board of Directors: David Schrader,Verdigre.

Vice Pres.: Stacy Brasch,Winnebago.

Secretary: Carrie Sheppard, Battle Creek.

Exec. Committee: Christy Henjes, South Sioux City; Patricia Schipporeit, Norfolk;Doug Sheppard,Fremont;Janie Mark, South Sioux City; Stacy Brasch, Winnebago.

Metro District NSEA Board of Directors: Maddie Fennell and Carol Krejci, both of Omaha.

Treasurer: Barb Lund Irvin,Westside.

Secretary: Rose Pope, Omaha.

Executive Committee, Subdistrict 2: Kelly Smith, Omaha.

Executive Committee, Subdistrict 4: Jan Machmuller, Omaha.

Executive Committee, Subdistrict 8: Janeen Kollar, Bellevue.

Panhandle District President: Leonard Hartman, Alliance.

Secretary: Ann Hurt, Leyton.

Executive Committee, Area 1: Renae Noble, Chadron.

Sandhills District Treasurer: Marcia Smith, Wheeler Central.

Secretary: Troy Fetters, Ogallala.

Executive Committee: Joy Schott, Garfield County.

Tri-Valley District NSEA Board of Directors: Melissa Boutwell, Lexington.

Vice President: Dan Schiefelbein, Doniphan-Trumbull.

Secretary: Carol Eng, Hershey.

Executive Committee, East Dist.

Denise McNeel, Grand Island Northwest.

Executive Committee, Central District: Terry Cook, Overton.

Omaha; Tammy Schafer, Lincoln; Scott Gregory, Youth Development Center, Geneva; Linda Freye, Lincoln; Sarah M. Brown, Wilber-Clatonia; Carolyn Grice, Omaha; Patricia McLaughlin, Alliance; Gloria Best, Lincoln; Carolyn Escamilla, Scottsbluff.

Capitol Cluster Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly Sarah M. Brown, Wilber-Clatonia; Nancy Fulton, Wilber-Clatonia; Scott Gregory, Youth Development Center, Geneva.

Elkhorn Cluster Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly Vernon Miller,Macy;JessWolf,Hartington; Tiffanny Heese, Winnebago; Broderick Steed, Macy.

Metro Cluster Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly Carolyn Grice, Omaha.

Panhandle Cluster Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly None elected.

Sandhills Cluster Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly William Walters, O’Neill.

Higher Ed Academy District Vice President: Joan Trimpey, Metropolitan Community College.

At-Large ESP Representative: Lael Churchill, Central Community College.

Tri-Valley Cluster Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly Robert Beck, Dundy County-Stratton.

At-Large Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly Debra Rasmussen, Lincoln; Carol Krejci,

Higher Ed Cluster Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly None elected.

May 2010 The NSEA Voice Page 31

Mailed By: The Nebraska State Education Association Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742

Vote May 11: Support Candidates Who Support Public Education NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE LD LD LD LD

2: 4: 6: 8:

LD 10: LD 12: LD 14: LD LD LD LD

16: 18: 20: 22:

Sen. Dave Pankonin Sen. Pete Pirsch No Recommendation Richard Ream & Burke Harr Sen. Bob Krist Sen. Steve Lathrop Ian Hartfield & Teresa Whitehead Sen. Kent Rogert No Recommendation Sen. Brad Ashford Mike Moser, Rebecca Rayman & Paul Schumacher

LD LD LD LD LD LD LD LD LD

24: 26: 28: 30: 32: 34: 36: 38: 40:

LD LD LD LD

42: 44: 46: 48:

Sen. Greg Adams Sen. Amanda McGill Sen. Bill Avery Sen. Norm Wallman Sen. Russ Karpisek Sen. Annette Dubas Sen. John Wightman Sen. Tom Carlson Sen. Cap Dierks & Adam Dea No Recommendation No Recommendation Sen. Danielle Conrad Sen. John Harms

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION District 5

District 7

Patricia Timm

Molly O’Holleran

District 6

District 8

Lynn Cronk

Dennis McIntyre

GOVERNOR Gov. Dave Heineman

Page 32 The NSEA Voice May 2010