Maine
Educator
April 2014
Vol. 74 • Number 8
It’s your assocIatIon. read all about It.
Appetite for Learning How breakfast in the classroom is helping Lewiston students succeed
PLUS
MEA Changes Course on Common Core page 2
Take the Lead MEA Launches Teacher Leader Program
page 9
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Mission: Possible
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Educators learn from one another at the 2014 Spring Conference
page 16
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Top Issues In Education
MEA Changes Course on Common Core The Common Core State Standards are part of Maine's Learning Results. The Maine DOE website says, "The Maine Learning Results were most recently updated in 2011 to include Common Core as the standards for English language arts and math, better preparing our students for success in college, career and civic life by creating deeper, more rigorous and clearer expectations for learning. The updated standards, adopted after a public process in 2011 and fully implemented in the 2013-14 school year, emphasize more complex content and concepts and the development of needed real-world skills like problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking and communication..." Throughout the 2013-14 school year MEA has been asking our members 1. if the CCSS have been fully implemented in their districts, 2. what the impact has been, including the resulting pilot of Smarter Balanced Assessments, and 3. what MEA should be doing to help our members cope. As a result of input from our members, the MEA Board of Directors voted on Sunday, March 30 on a CCSS position for: * The immediate end to the use of high-stakes standardized testing. Why? MEA has been gathering information that the overuse and misuse of standardized testing is impacting the time teachers have to help students learn. This lack of student learning time and the overemphasis on "teaching to the test" is detrimental to our students both academically and emotionally. Some students can be given the NECAP in the fall, the NWEA in fall, winter and spring, NAEP bi-annually, and this year may be part of the Smarter Balanced Assessment pilot. In addition
* A thoughtful, collaborative approach to curriculum development that meets the needs of all students while meeting expectations of CCSS.
Lois Kilby-Chesley, MEA President students are taking PSAT, SAT, and tests for specific needs - ELL, speech and language, learning disabilities. Our educators are questioning the value that all this data really has on the success and student growth of our students. We share this quote,"Believing we can improve schooling with more tests is like believing you can make yourself grow taller by measuring your height." Robert Schaeffer of FairTest. * A moratorium on the use of Smarter Balanced Assessments. Why? We believe that until the Smarter Balanced Assessment has gone through the piloting and field testing process and has been proven to be an exemplary standardized test, Maine students should not be judged on the results, nor should teachers be evaluated on the results. Before our students and teachers are judged to determine success or failure, the assessment must be proven to pass rigorous validity and reliability criteria. But, in searching for research we found this information has not been published. Maine signed on to Smarter Balanced Assessments when they were only a name with little or nothing on which to judge the value. We still don't have any proof the test will help us help our students.
Why? The Department of Education gave PARCC and Smarter Balanced Assessments $300 million for development. The tests will impact what we teach because, likely what we test will be taught and what isn't tested will be dropped. This is an open invitation for CCSS aligned teaching materials produced by the corporations that designed the tests to take away our ability to make informed decisions on what to teach based on the developmental appropriateness and interests of our students. As professional educators, we know what is best for our students and need to be at the table whenever curriculum is discussed so educators are the ones who determine what is best for our students. If we continue to support CCSS, we need to look for innovative and exciting ways to integrate the standards into our teaching. More often than not, right now, MEA hears, "The joy has gone out of teaching." * Resources, including necessary technology, be made available to all school districts and practitioners that ensure support at all levels for successful implementation of CCSS. Why? At MEA's request we are receiving information about the implementation and assessments from members. Foremost, members say the implementation of CCSS is all over the place. Members in some districts feel they have successfully completed alignment of curriculum to CCSS. Others haven't started.
Here is just one comment we received: "Our school did a math pilot of SBAC. It was, as suspected, disastrous in many ways. No teachers were given any Volume 74 Number 8 President Lois Kilby-Chesley direction as to how to help students with Copyright 2014 Executive Director/ difficulties logging on. Other than being ISSN #1069-1235 Managing Editor Rob Walker sent limited directions from our tech Published by Maine Education Association Comm. Director/ people, no communication was had prior Periodicals rate paid Editor Giovanna Bechard to the pilot. Not one student had an easy at Augusta, Maine and additional Layout/Ad Manager Allison Coombs Questions/comments: gbechard@maineea.org time with the questions. Most of the mailing ofďŹ ces. problems were high school level, multiSubscription $10 per year. The Maine Educator is published 9 times annually, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April & May. step (unnecessarily), and students were
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Top Issues in Education required to have memorized formulas that even adults do not know." When we hear stories such as this one, we have to wonder what the agenda is behind CCSS. Without resources our schools will not meet levels for expected progress, our teachers will not demonstrate adequate student-growth and our students will see themselves as failures. * Ongoing monitoring of CCSS and periodic opportunities to revise and refine CCSS. Why? In the next couple of years, as the CCSS move from the abstract to reality for our educators, we need to have a voice in suggesting changes and alternatives when problems arise. There must be a system set up in which educators can share concerns with other professional colleagues, administrators and the Maine DOE. Without any system MEA fears we will become mired in education reforms that do nothing to improve public schools for our students.
CONNECT WITH MEA facebook.com/maineea @maineea
Join in the conversation with #TeachMaine and #MaineEd
www.maineea.org
To read the full MEA position on Common Core State Standards log on to http://maineea.org/commoncore
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April 2014
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NEWS & NOTES Public Education Funding Update While the 2014-15 state budget does not include any additional funds for K-12 or higher education it does prevent cuts originally proposed by the Governor’s office. The budget passed: •
Prevents $9.5 million cut to K-12
•
Prevents $2.7 million cut to UMaine System
•
Prevents $500K cut to community colleges
•
Restores $500K to Head Start
The MEA continues to work toward a goal to reach the state mandated 55% level of funding toward the total cost of public education and continues to make education funding a priority.
Health Insurance Rates Released For Next Year
Retirees Now Able to ay Return to Work at Full Pchers
MEABT just released its new health insurance rates for the coming school year. Due to a somewhat healthier population of members across the state and the MEA Benefit Trust's willingness to reduce the cost of insurance for members by buying down the Anthem premium rate, no school district will see a rate increase greater than 9.5%. For reference, last year some school districts across Maine saw increases of 13% to their policy because their districts used the health plan more than others. After the MEABT buy down of the rates the five rate increases for districts are: 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 9.5%.
retired classroom tea A new law will now allow acts. l pay on one-year contr to return to work at ful th into effect thanks to bo The law, which will go erride cans who chose to ov Democrats and Republi eive to, allows retirees to rec Governor LePage’s ve ular rtic n five years in any pa full pay for no more tha n tha re es choose to work mo school district. If retire to m the district the law allows five years in the same ve fi er same district for anoth continue to work for the of their salary. years but at 75 percent
Rate increases are based on a number of factors including claims, medical trend and administration fees. Rates for each school district across the state are determined using a similar Modified Risk Pool Methodology as was used last year. That means school districts that use insurance more (less healthy districts) tend to have higher overall premium costs than those who use the insurance less (healthier populations).
MEA is now on Twitter!
To learn more about your district’s rate, please contact your local MEA office. Auburn: 784-4006 Augusta: 622-4418 Bangor: 942-2907 Caribou: 498-3191 South Portland: 774-6133
Follow @maineea
St. Joseph’s College Special Education Symposium
Child Sexual Abuse
Signs, Symptoms & Reporting Methods
July 14-18, 2014, 8:30-3:30 St. Joseph’s College on Sebago Lake
Tag your posts with #TeachMaine #MaineEd
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Register Now: online.sjcme.edu/edsymposium or 800-752-4723 CEUs or Graduate Credits Awarded for this Symposium: ED 685A-Special Topics
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Hawks Against Bullying
Anti-Bully Pledge Draws Congressional Attention Students, led by Civics teacher Jesse Hargrove (Hermon TA), launched an anti-bully pledge for Hermon High School. Hargrove says the pledge and awareness surrounding the issue were part of a service learning/project citizen unit in all of his government classes. Student, Leah Boucher’s project centered around a solution to school bullying focusing on an effort to improve the school climate. “I was bullied in middle school,” said Boucher. “I recently heard kids were being bullied or they saw it happen and they didn’t know what to do. So, I thought of this anti-bully pledge and the four roles students can play in bullying and how you can step in and stop it,” added Boucher. Hargrove’s classes presented their projects in front of a panel of community leaders, where a representative from Congressman Mike Michaud’s office was a member. When the School Improvement Committee started to look at bullying, Hargrove suggested Leah present her project to the group. “Leah’s project really took off and she wanted to make her idea a reality so we decided to support her and take on anti-bullying head on. As a teacher, I am exceptionally proud to see a student succeed and know I, along with my supportive administration, are really helping her make a difference. It’s why I love my job,” said Hargrove. Two of the focal points of the antibully project are anti-bully wristbands and a poster pledge students signed to commit to anti-bully efforts. On the day students signed the pledge Representative Michaud visited the school, signed the pledge and met with students congratulating them on their efforts. “I think it is fantastic. It goes to show you when you talk about the younger generation—here is a school where we have a lot of students who think positively and now they can improve their school, their community and the state,” Rep. Michaud said.
www.maineea.org
April 2014
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Appetite for Learning
Appetite for Learning “I am hungry this morning,” said 4th grader Marcus Moffatt sitting at his desk in the back of Mr. Gagne’s Montello Elementary School class. That’s when Marcus quickly opened up his cold milk, tore off the top to his disposable cereal cup, poured the milk and took a huge bite of Crispix. Then, he took another and another. After the cereal, Marcus devoured some string cheese while he drank his orange juice. Marcus is one of nearly 400 students at Montello in Lewiston who eat breakfast at school. While many schools in Maine offer students a breakfast program, Montello goes one step further, improving the program by offering the meal in the classroom. “At first, I didn’t like the idea,” said teacher Steve Gagne (Lewiston Education Association). “It didn’t give us a chance to prep and get ready to work with a particular kid if you needed to but now it’s great. The kids are a lot calmer because they’re not hungry, they start gradually, they don’t get slammed into the classroom. They have a chance to settle and ease into the workday.” Research shows that children who eat breakfast at the beginning of the school day have higher math and reading scores, have broader vocabularies, are less likely to be absent and less likely to visit the school nurse. “We already have the kids here—these are some of the neediest kids—let’s feed them,” said Gail Lombardi Maine Department of Education child nutrition services employee who works with schools to qualify for the federal funds to offer the program. The “let’s feed them” motto was exactly what prompted Montello Nutrition Manager Claire Bailey (Lewiston Food Service Managers Association) to see what she could do to increase participation rates in school breakfast. Bailey says Montello Elementary School Food Service since the school stopped serving in the Cool School Café opened up a food pantry in the cafeteria in April and started providing breakfast for students to take back with help from Good Shepherd Food Bank. The to class more students choose to eat in the morning. The school gives at least one child a bag of food each breakfast comes in a plastic bag, students put the trash back in that same bag and then throw it all out in trash day to take home with them to make sure every bins placed in each hall, reducing messes. Bailey says the student has a proper meal both at home and school is no longer limited by the space in the cafeteria at school. Teachers recommend the student in to feed the children which was especially important for need and so far no one has been turned away. the Montello student population where more than 85% of the students receive free or reduced lunch. “For some of This new program is in addition to the breakfast these kids, the breakfast we serve them in the morning is in the classroom program and a fresh fruit and the first meal they get after the lunch we served them the vegetable program, which gives kids a fruit or day before. They’re hungry and when they’re hungry they vegetable each day. can’t learn,” said Bailey. The meal, like lunch for those who qualify, is free or reduced in price. For teachers like Steve Gagne, something as simple as yogurt and cheese is making all the difference.
New School Based Food Pantry
“You’ve got to feed them first—which is their physical need. Until you do those things forget about it,” said Gagne who understands the impact of poverty on education. In his more than 20 years as a classroom teacher Gagne has done everything from sew buttons on student’s clothes, collect sneakers and mittens for kids and even wash clothes at his home—all to help his students be prepared to receive a good education.
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Appetite for Learning “Feeding them, nurturing them, supporting them…all those things come together before you can even start teaching. It’s basic. One day I noticed a student had a bunch of string cheeses stored in her desk. She told me she was saving them for when she was hungry, not realizing the cheese wouldn’t be good to eat after it wasn’t refrigerated; so I always put food aside for them. I don’t want to throw away anything. Sometimes I have a kid I can tell—they are low on energy—I say let’s go give them an extra cereal or juice,” said Gagne. It’s just what kids like Marcus need to make sure he can start and end his school day with his mind focused on learning instead of his stomach. “I don’t want to work on an empty stomach,” said Marcus.
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Your partner in changing lives through education. April 2014
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Gubernatorial Candidate Comparison
In November, Mainers will elect a new Governor. Please, take a minute to learn more about the candidates and where they stand on important education issues.
RESPECT
Issue
Mike Michaud (D) “Our teachers are also more than just teachers—they are well-respected members of our communities who play a huge role in the lives of our children—not only academically but in individuals’ personal lives.” - Interview with MEA for Maine Educator, March 2013
Created an A-F grading system that was intended to shame schools that struggle with high poverty rates - LePage Education Reform Plan: May, 2013
“If you want a good education in Maine, go to a private school. If you can’t afford it, tough luck.” - Speech during an Eggs and Issues event at York County
Community College November, 2012
“...there is too much emphasis placed on testing...we have to get away from teaching “In fact, our school systems are failing...As soon to the test and...spend more time letting as Puerto Rico becomes a state, they’re going to teachers do what they can—and that is beat us because we don’t care about our kids.” teach.” - 2014 MEA Screening and Endorsement Process January 9, 2013 news conference with DOE
with MEA members
Promises, if elected, to eliminate LePage A-F grading system - 2014 MEA Screening and
Endorsement Process with MEA members
FUNDING
Gov. Paul LePage (R)
“I am committed to getting to the 55%. I always felt strongly that you have to invest in education. Some candidates look at it as an expense; education is an investment. It is an investment in our future and we have to be willing to pay that investment.”- 2014 MEA Screening and Endorsement Process with MEA members
In Congress: Votes to fully fund federal programs aimed at raising student achievement and special education services - www.thomas.gov Roll Call Records
Eliot Cutler (I) “...the MEA’s only concern is how to grab for themselves an even bigger slice of a pie...” -
Cutler Opinion Column in Bangor Daily News July 1, 2010
“Too many teachers, too little innovation, not enough excellence...” - Cutler 2010 Campaign Website
Education plan in 2010 called for increases in student-teacher ratios across the state Cutler 2010 Campaign Website
In an interview, LePage said our educators are “not interested in doing what’s right for kids.” -
www.wgme.com, January, 2013
‘12-‘13 supplemental budget created by LePage cut education funding by $12.5 million www.maine.gov/legis/
“In fact, our school systems are failing...I’m not so sure with the current economic crisis and the performance of schools, I’m just apt to do that again.” (in reference to funding education) - Portland Press Herald, January 10, 2013 Vetoed ’13-’14 & ’14-’15 state budget that increased education funding by $42 million www.maine.gov/legis/
“Why are we spending so much on public education in Maine and apparently getting so little in return?” - Cutler 2010 Campaign Website “Teachers are the most expensive component in our under-performing systems.” - Cutler 2010 Campaign Website “...why do we have so many teachers per pupil?” - Cutler 2010 Campaign Website “Maine’s costs per pupil are considerably higher than the national average. We should insist on reforms...” - Cutler 2014 Campaign Website
BARGAINING & VOICE
Supports giving educators a voice in their profession by allowing educators to retain control of the curricula they teach and bargain education policy issues. - 2014 MEA Screening and Endorsement Interview
“He is a 29 year employee of Great Northern Paper Company and is a member of the United Steelworkers. Mike continues to champion labor causes to ensure that Maine’s many hard working families receive the respect, recognition and just compensation that they deserve.” http://michaud.house.gov/issue/labor
“As a card-carrying union member, Mike believes in protecting a worker’s right to organize. Workers in Maine and throughout the country see unions as defenders of their rights, counting on labor unions for support, job stability, and security.” -
Created “effectiveness rating” in teacher evaluation system that includes student growth measures. Initial proposal would terminate a teacher’s contract without any appeal process if that educator received two consecutive years of “ineffective” scores. - LD 1858, 2012 LePage Administration Version
Sponsored legislation that would diminish “just cause” protections for teachers - LD 1858, 2012 LePage Administration Version
“If students consistently fail to improve, their teacher should not benefit from that failure with automatic pay increases based on longevity.” www.edreformnow.org
http://michaud.house.gov/issue/labor
“...provide merit pay and performance bonuses for teachers that are linked to student growth and achievement. The current teacher compensation system in most school districts in Maine is a simplistic, seniority-based system.” - Cutler 2010 Campaign website and “A State of Opportunity” By Eliot Cutler
“I won’t be pressured by the unions...to make collective bargaining “a tool of state economic policy,” or to “make education policy a subject of collective bargaining.”
- March 11, 2014 speech to the Maine Association of Chamber Executives
“Should education policy be part of a collective bargaining agreement? Not in my view if it is agreed on what the evaluation process ought to be...I wouldn’t think of it, at least coming in, as bargaining with a union. I know you are a union I get it...I am not running for Governor because I want to go into another collective bargaining session. God help me.” - 2014 MEA Screening and
Endorsement Interview
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Take the Lead
A group of nearly 20 teachers
TAKE THE mAINE eDUCATION aSSOCIATION
LEAD
from across the state came together and committed to Take the Lead on key education issues that matter to members, things like Common Core, proficiency based diplomas and teacher evaluations. The new MEA program is aimed at giving teachers a voice in their profession and allowing them to share their professional practices with other members across the state in order to learn from each other. The teacher-led discussions have already begun, with the first held in April to discuss Common Core.
To help teachers implement Common Core Standards in a meaningful way, Amanda Cooper (Gorham EA) along with Catherine Geren (Massabesic EA) held the first of the Take the Lead teacher discussions. The discussion, which members from the southern part of the state attended, focused on how to use the Common Core so it focuses on students’ success and not just standardized tests.
Those in attendance shared how Common Core was being used in their districts and learned from each other best practices surrounding the CCSS. In addition, the group discussed how things like teacher evaluations were linked to Common Core, understanding that if your evaluation is based on standardized test scores the Common Core will impact your profession. “For me, that was my ah-ha moment,” said a teacher from York in attendance. Similar workshops will be held across the state with varying topics. Please keep an eye on your e-mail for further information.
Want to show your support? Log on to facebook.com/maineea and make “Take the Lead” your profile and cover photos.
www.maineea.org
April 2014
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Affiliate News RSU 4 Beats Outsourcing Again, Contract Language Key in Fight
Maine Olympian Visits Lewiston Middle School
RSU 4 Bus Drivers, for the second time, managed to prevent outsourcing of their work in the district. Thanks to help from the community and their UniServ Director the 14 bus drivers will keep their jobs. The district tried to outsource the work last year claiming it would save money. Back then, the community voted, in a non-binding vote, to keep the drivers and this time supported the local control of drivers. In addition, the MEA made the RSU 4 School Board and Superintendent aware that subcontracting was a mandatory subject of bargaining and if they wanted to subcontract they would need to bargain the matter. Legally, the district could not arbitrarily subcontract employees because there is no language around subcontracting in the contract. The local association did not have what’s called a zipper clause in the contract. A zipper clause closes the contract to any mid-term negotiations. The MEA recommends all locals remove zipper clauses from their contracts if they currently exist.
The Art of Education on Display at MEA The MEA is proud to sponsor, in coordination with the Maine Art Education Association, a display of student art at its headquarters in Augusta. The art exhibit, organized by Kay Allison (Lewiston EA), features work from students from every corner of the state Abbie Howe of Lewiston Middle School stands with her from Lewiston to parents in front of her artwork. Boothbay to Mt. Desert to Skowhegan and all points in between. Art teachers selected the students’ work to be part of the show. The work comes from students in grades 1-12 and ranges in style from mixed media collage to marble paint and marker to water color and colored pencil. Students showcased their work with their parents and teachers in attendance during a special exhibit and presentation in the beginning of March. For agreeing to be part of the show, the MEA with funding from Horace Mann framed the art for each student to keep and take home after the display comes down in the fall of 2014. Glenda Frati (RSU 19 EA) stands with
Augusta area native and Olympian Julia Clukey spent an afternoon with students at Lewiston Middle School in late March. She spoke to nearly 120 students about what it took to become an Olympic luger and the importance of setting goals and overcoming challenges. Susan Grondin, Lewiston EA, invited Clukey to the school after her 7th grade literacy students researched Clukey’s Olympic journey as part of a school project which used the Common Core standards of research to connect to the Sochi Winter Games. The group also developed their own web portfolio as part of the assignment.
a big difference,” said Grondin.
“It is so great to see so many students engaged and excited to meet Julia. They worked hard learning about her and the importance of perseverance while faced with difficult challenges. I hope by giving my students the opportunity to meet with someone like Julia they will be motivated to achieve their goals—and the message coming from a Mainer who made it so far—that should really make
Clukey’s presentation focused on the importance of responsibility and good decision making, the importance of setting goals, her experience as an Olympian, and the importance of persevering when life has unexpected turns.
student Aubrie Trost representing Somerset Middle School.
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Affiliate News School Reverses Faculty Layoffs After USM Student and Faculty Protests After multiple student and faculty protests, the President of USM announced the 12 layoffs are now “off the table.” Still the university says other layoffs could occur as it searches to fill a budget gap. Students and faculty from the University of Southern Maine unveiled options to support student programs and faculty while reducing cuts at the university. The options created by the Faculty Senate, the representative body of the faculty, along with students, impact students as minimally as possible, preserve student learning and the core of the University of Maine System’s educational mission above all else, maximize savings by cutting high cost entities first and preserve revenue generation for the System. Members of the faculty and students filled the halls of the state house to ask lawmakers to support higher education and the options proposed.
Three Schools Receive Athletic Grants Boothbay Region High School, Ashland High School and Hodgdon High School were awarded a total of $4500 in athletic grants by the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant program. The high schools are three of the 79 public schools in 31 states to receive a total of $101,000 in grants awarded. Mark Gorey (Boothbay Region EA), an English teacher and boys’ tennis coach from Boothbay received the check in early April saying he applied after he read about the grants in this newspaper. “I really didn't expect anything to come of it,” Gorey told the Boothbay Register newspaper. He and the other recipients will now spend time deciding how to spend the money to help their students and further athletics in their schools.
Among the options that will save student programs and faculty jobs: •
Place a moratorium on the use of outside consultants; rely on the expertise of faculty and staff at USM to advise USM's administrators.
•
Consolidate small departments into larger, interdisciplinary units to reduce Chair compensation costs
•
Abolish the Faculty Commons and the President's Leadership Institute which does not serve students
•
Require the President, Provost, and Deans each to teach one class per year to offset their salaries via tuition revenue.
CALLING ALL MEA MEMBERS! Do you have anything interesting going on in your district or school? Let us know!
The group asked lawmakers who they spoke with at the state house to contact the Board of Trustees and ask them to support higher education.
This is your member publication and we want to publish what you want to read about. Contact us at meaweb@maineea.org and let us know.
www.maineea.org
April 2014
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MEA RA Information
ELECTION RESULTS - MARCH 8, 2014 MEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS – 3-Year Terms
NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY DELEGATE MEARETIRED – 1-Year Term – 4 seats
DISTRICT A – Phyllis Hunter DISTRICT C – Jesse Hargrove DISTRICT K – Sally Plourde DISTRICT L – Amanda Cooper DISTRICT M – no candidate DISTRICT P – Neil Greenberg DISTRICT R(etired) - Crystal Ward
Delegates: Jim Bryson, Janice Cerabona, Phil Gonyar, Kay Grindall Alternates: Neal Flynn Claudette O’Connell Marta Robbins
NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT SEATS – 2-Year Terms District 20 District 21 District 22 District 23 District 24 District 25 District 26 District 27 District 28 District 29 District 30 District 31
NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY SEAM – 1-Year Term – 1 seat
Delegates: Donna Longley Mary Sue Jackson Ina Demers Robert McCully Susan Grondin Sally Martin Joyce Blakney Jesse Hargrove Gerry French Phyllis Hunter and Alternates:1st – Ben Paradis, 2nd – Robert Zabierek Roger Roy Neil Greenberg
Delegate: Katherine Spahr
MEA-REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY – Statewide seats Delegates MEA-RETIRED - Jim Bryson, Neal Flynn, and Kay Grindall
MEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CLUSTERS DISTRICTS – #1 – Guy LaBranche; #5 – Ken Williams; #8 – Martha Weaver; #18 – Phyllis Hunter; #19 – Robert “Bo” Zabierek
2014 MEA RA Election Candidates
NEA Director - Michael Thurston It has been my good fortune to be a teacher in public schools in Maine for 29 years. The son of educators, I am currently the chair of the social studies department at Winslow High School.
Retirement System Trustee work is intensely rewarding and since 2005 it has been my pleasure to serve MEA members as the Representative Assembly elected Trustee. The work is both challenging and interesting.
My current roles within our Association include serving as the president and chief negotiator for the Winslow Education Association, a trustee for the MEA Benefits Trust, and I’m finishing my fourth year representing Maine’s education professionals as a member of the NEA Board of Directors. I have also been appointed to several task forces and committees at the state and national level. Serving our members has been a wonderful experience and I am asking for your support for a second term as an NEA Director. The lobbying, advocacy, organizing, and administrative duties entrusted to the board is very important work and I welcome the opportunity to continue representing Maine’s membership. I hope to talk to as many delegates as I can at the MEA Representative Assembly, and I hope you’ll consider casting your vote for Michael Thurston for NEA Director. Thank you.
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MePERS Trustee - Ken Williams
MEPERS members benefit from a staff that is hard working and talented. This staff, held accountable by the Trustees, manages our $12 billion portfolio for the sole benefit of members. I hope to continue serving you as the active educator Trustee elected by the members of the MEA. Having an educator voice on the Board of Trustees is crucial and my veteran status on the Board of Trustees puts me in the position of being a few rungs up the learning ladder. Safeguarding system assets is complex, and, as I ask for your vote at the 2014 Representative Assembly, I promise to continue to learn and to remain true to the MEPERS mission. Twin college graduations are keeping me away from the RA this year. Katie graduates from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire and Patrick from Haverford College near Philadelphia. I hope my absence is forgivable and, additionally, hope that you have found my service for the past years reason for allowing me to serve again.
April 2014
www.maineea.org
BYLAWS
2014 Proposed Changes
BYLAWS ARTICLE 1. MEMBERSHIP Section 4. Membership Dues
D. Contested candidates shall be notified fourteen (14) days not less than two (2) days prior to the distribution of ballots.
L. Members shall pay an The annual assessment of $2 per member for an the MEA Legislative Crisis Fund (50%) and Pro Education Media Campaign (50%) will be increased from $2 to $6 per member for one year (2014-2015) only.
RATIONALE: With the use of technology, communications with people is much faster. A two week time frame to notify candidates before ballots can go out is very long and slows the elections process.
RATIONALE: The elections of 2014 are critical to education and to all members active and retired. Vital issues like the Common Core, teacher evaluations, outsourcing, charter schools, virtual schools, Pensions, COLA’s and funding for education will all be on the line. This one year small increase will help MEA mount a vigorous fight.
Submitted by Structure and Bylaws Committee
Submitted by Crystal Ward, MEA-R The S&B Committee recommends “Ought to Pass” The Board of Directors recommends “Ought to Pass”
STANDING RULES STANDING RULE 2. ELECTIONS PROCEDURES Section 2. Elections of MEA Representative Assembly Delegates/ Alternates Conducted by MEA D. The Elections Committee shall inform all candidates of the names of any other who are in the same contest within two (2) weeks days of the deadline for the distribution of ballots or earlier if possible. RATIONALE: With the use of technology, communications with people is much faster. A two week time frame to notify candidates before ballots can go out is very long and slows the elections process. Submitted by Structure and Bylaws Committee The S&B Committee recommends “Ought to Pass” The Board of Directors recommends ”Ought to Pass” STANDING RULE 2. ELECTIONS PROCEDURES Section 6. Balloting/Voting
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The S&B Committee recommends “Ought to Pass” The Board of Directors recommends ”Ought to Pass”
NEW BUSINESS ITEMS 1. RESOLVED: That the MEA initiates legislation that would allow educators to bargain educational policy. Rationale: Ed. policy impacts our working conditions. Working Conditions Goal, Objective #4: Expand the bargaining law to make educational policy issues a mandatory subject of bargaining Submitted by: Statewide Bargaining Committee/Deb Butler, Committee Chair Estimated budgetary impact: $0 2. RESOLVED: That the MEA submit a bill requiring the Department of Education to complete a detailed cost analysis of LD 1422, including but not limited to providing all Maine schools adequate funding for professional development, collaborative preparation time, and resources to create a viable proficiency based system and to delay implementation until adequate funding is provided.
MEA RA Information
Working Conditions Goal, Objective #3: Ensure that all educators have manageable workloads Submitted by: Government Relations Committee/Terry Martin, Committee CoChair Estimated budgetary impact: $ 3. RESOLVED: That the MEA provide leadership development and opportunity for women and minorities at every MEA conference. Rationale: In an attempt to build leadership among women and minorities. Professional Autonomy Goal, Objective #1 & #2: 1. Increase MEA members’ involvement in establishing standards for their professions 2. Expand MEA’s capacity to be a resource for professional information and opportunities Submitted by: HCRCA Committee/Cathy Geren, Committee Chair Estimated budgetary impact: $0 – in house 4. RESOLVED: That the MEA encourages local associations to sponsor a potential SEAM member(s) by paying the dues for that academic year. Rationale: Many of our current college students struggle to find ways to make ends meet. The dues may be a reason why some students don’t join. Encourage a SEAM student by sponsoring them and they will remember your generosity when they land that first contract. The current dues for a SEAM member is $27.00 MEA As An Organization Goal, Objective #1, #2 and #6:
Rationale: LD 1422 – “An Act To Prepare Maine People for the Future Economy” Sponsored by Senator Brian Langley.
1. Strive for 100% membership by positioning the MEA to be indispensable to educational employees
Teachers across Maine are being asked to build a new system without adequate time and training. It is creating a crushing workload, often without clear direction or clear goals.
2. Increase members’ level of grassroots participation
April 2014
6. Expand and strengthen the relationships with academic nongovernance affiliates for professional development
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MEA RA Information Submitted by: Patricia Scully, Winslow Education Association/IPD Committee
a one-year conditional certificate, leading to the provisional certificate:
Estimated budgetary impact: $0
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alternate route is available to candidates in all endorsement areas who have a bachelors degree, have passed a pedagogical assessment, and have passed Praxis 1,2, and PLT
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supports and resources shall be available and will include trained mentors providing assistance who are compensated and provided release time to carry out their responsibilities
RESOLUTIONS Amendments and Deletions B3. RESOLVED: That the MEA encourages and supports the development and implementation of site-based decision-making and restructuring processes that involve the local governance affiliates, including Education Support Professionals, as full partners from the outset, which are based on contractual agreements between districts and governance affiliates. to develop and implement an educatordriven plan for restructuring in their schools. (Adopted 1992; Amended 2000) B9. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports those site-based decisionmaking processes that involve the local governance affiliates, including Education Support Professionals, as a full partner from the outset, and are based on contractual agreements between districts and governance affiliates. (Adopted 1992; Amended 2009) Rationale: To combine Resolutions B3 & B9 – they are similar resolutions The Instruction and Professional Development Committee submitted the proposal of combining Resolution B3 and B9 B5. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports adequate training, salary and working conditions for members involved in pre-service teacher education through its higher ed and preK-12 affiliates. (Adopted 1986; Amended 1996; Amended 1997; Amended 2002) Rationale: Added “pre” to be inclusive. The Instruction and Professional Development Committee submitted the amendment to the language of B5. B15. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports the strengthening of Maine’s certification process. This shall include the statewide integrated alternate route into certification for second career purposes and the provisional certification period for new teachers. Alternate route teachers will be granted
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the state should provide mandatory, regional, year-long professional development programs of not less than 90 hours with follow-up classroom practice activities shall be documented in a professional development portfolio assessed against state standards
A two-year three-year standard term for provisionally certified new teachers shall be maintained, with the exception of fasttrack options for experienced teachers from other states. The two-year threeyear standard term must continue to have a third-year fourth-year extension option. The assessment process and standards shall be the same for provisionally certified and alternate route teachers and shall be administered by an autonomous standards board. Restoration of permanent full state funding to local certification support systems must be guaranteed. (Adopted 2001; Amended 2008; Amended 2009) Rationale: It provides teachers an opportunity to develop their practice more fully prior to being rated as a professional teacher. The Instruction and Professional Development Committee submitted amendments to the language of B15. B17. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports the effort to reach out to new teachers within during their first five years of teaching in order to encourage professional development and membership entry into in their professional association. (Adopted 2002) Rationale: It is in parallel language this way (grammatical revision). The Instruction and Professional
April 2014
Development Committee submitted amendments to the language of B17. B23. RESOLVED: That the MEA believes that school districts should develop policies on a continuing basis, with input from educators, that provide guidelines for responsible and safe digital citizenship. (Adopted 2006; Amended 2009; Amended 2012) Rationale: Students should be taught that they are responsible for what they choose to post and need to be safe in what type of information they share. The Instruction and Professional Development Committee submitted amendments to the language of B23. C11. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports encourages local affiliates to include local retiree MEA-R having local association representation from MEA-R while planning the bargaining of for health insurance issues benefits. (Adopted 1995) Rationale: Retirees must travel with the group if changes occur. It is possible the retirees would suffer great hardship depending on the possible outcome. Jim Bryson on behalf of the MEA-R submitted amendments to the language of C11. C14. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports school consolidation/ regionalization, or “de-consolidation” (i.e.: withdrawal), only if it results in better educational opportunities for students and maintains or improves the wages, hours, working conditions and benefits for all affected bargaining unit members. (Adopted 1997) Rationale: RSU’s are now withdrawing and the same standards of support should apply. The Statewide Bargaining Committed submitted amendments to the language of C14 D8. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports through collective bargaining clerical assistance for teachers. (Adopted 1991) Rationale: What is the relevance of this language? What is the history? The Statewide Bargaining Committee submitted the proposal of deletion of Resolution D8.
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MEA RA Information D9. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports its governance affiliates in following site-based decision-making guidelines and utilizing suggested site-based decision-making contract language as promulgated by the Statewide Bargaining Committee. (Adopted 1993; Amended 2002).
D14. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports state and local compensation for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. (Adopted 1995; Amended 2013) Rationale: Clarifies that this language was meant for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Rationale: No longer relevant. The Statewide Bargaining Committee submitted the proposal of deletion of Resolution D9 D10. RESOLVED: That the MEA believes governance affiliates should not agree to any cuts in working hours or days that might affect the ability of its members to meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993,; furthermore the MEA believes that governance affiliates should and negotiate greater leave rights for all educators. (Adopted 1994; Amended 2002)
D11. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports local affiliates moving toward total inclusion of membership into one wall-to-wall local association unit per District, Union, SAD, RSU, AOS, etc. (Adopted 1994; Amended 2002) Rationale: Updates language; clarifies wall-to-wall local association because wall-to-wall bargaining units are illegal. The Statewide Bargaining Committed submitted amendments to the language of D11.
sabbatical leave
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the utilization of support professionals in well-defined support positions
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contract grievance provisions, including: •
The Statewide Bargaining Committed submitted amendments to the language of D14.
binding arbitration to resolve disagreements
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D25. RESOLVED: That the MEA believes that the collective bargaining process is the most effective guarantee for economic and professional security of school personnel.
due process and just cause in the layoff or dismissal of members, or the non-renewal of member contracts
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a procedure for monitoring of the contract by a grievance committee advocating and guarding member rights
Negotiated comprehensive contracts between governance affiliates and the appropriate educational governing body should include agreements on: •
compensation commensurate with the fundamental importance and worth of education to society that reflects the skill, training and experience brought to the education profession
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working conditions, including but not limited to:
Rationale: Updates to include ramifications of the ACA and provides clarification. The Statewide Bargaining Committed submitted amendments to the language of D10.
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establishment of viable limits on class size and work loads
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release from non-teaching duties
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health and dental insurance benefits
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duty-free lunch period
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time for planning
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personal and sick leave plans
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child care leave
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professional leave
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full salary compensation for members selected for jury duty, or ordered to training duty with a military unit
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financial responsibility clauses which require each non-member in a bargaining unit to pay a fee equivalent to unified dues (Adopted 2004)
Rationale: It is illegal to charge full dues to non-members. The Statewide Bargaining Committed submitted amendments to the language of D25. D28. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports legislation that would allow educators to bargain educational policy. establishing a decisive educator role regarding the total educational process of the student. (Adopted 2008) Rationale: Ed policy impacts our working conditions. The Statewide Bargaining Committed submitted amendments to the language of D28.
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April 2014
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Overheard in the classroom: “I feel like I am in a foreign land. This is so new to me so I need this,” said Florine Wilkins (KIDS EA). Florine sat with another group of members—all with their tablets, computers or smartphones in hand—trying to figure out how to make herself not look like an egg—a Twitter egg—which automatically posts as a profile picture if you don’t have a photo to choose. The question of what can you do with 140 characters was just one of the issues raised at a session on better teaching and learning through Twitter, presented by Dan Ryder from Mt Blue High School (Mt. Blue RSD EA). The social media lesson was one of 26 unique sessions offered during the 2014 MEA Spring Conference held in Augusta on April 5th. More than 250 members, including student members who are part of the Student Education Association of Maine (SEAM) attended. “I am having a good time. There is a lot of provocative discussion,” said Patty Bernier (Augusta EA) who has never attended an MEA conference before. “Most of the conferences I go to are in speech and language therapy so it is nice to get a more rounded experience.” While some members learned how to connect with other educators and use Twitter for professional development purposes through scheduled Twitter chats, others across the hall spoke with the 2014 Teacher of the Year Karen MacDonald (Portland EA) about teacher leadership and teacher recognition, explaining the importance of being a leader in school. “Principals can’t do it all because they have the title of principal,” said Shana Goodall (Riverside EA). “Teacher leaders are the real experts in the trenches.” That leadership model was on display in yet another classroom where teachers from Reiche Elementary, a teacher-led school in Portland, explained how they became a principal free zone and how they govern their school through distributed leadership. “I am looking at this as having so much potential and trying to figure out how, for the powers that be, this would click in their brain,” said Howard Ellis (Lewiston EA).
Maine Teacher of the Year Karen MacDonald (Portland EA) presented to conference attendees about teacher leadership and recognition.
There was a lot of clicking down the hall, inside a classroom full of educators with their iPads on their desks. Here, Eric Brooks (RSU 18 EA) led a session on how to effectively use an iPad in the classroom. “For me, it’s not really about the apps. You’ve got to start with your lesson design first, plan your lesson then find an app or something that this device can support,” Brooks told the room. The group then learned how to use the voice recorders in the device to supplement reading programs so a teacher can hear a student read aloud without actually having to be by their side. The variety in professional development offered was especially helpful for the student members who are preparing to head into schools in the coming years. “SEAM has given me an opportunity to communicate with the community in different schools and get involved in different aspects of education. This conference is a perfect example of that,” said Jenna Soucy (SEAM) from University of Maine Presque Isle.
If you would like to see the presentations from the Spring Conference, Leading the Profession - Mission: Possible, please log on to www.maineea.org/SpringConferenceResources