Maine
Educator
May/June 2014
Vol. 74 • Number 9
It’s your assocIatIon. read all about It.
Weight Lifted
Maine educators now have a voice in evaluations. What do you do now? Page 8
PLUS
MEABT Helps Students Receive Free Glasses page 4
MEA Gives Books to All 1st Graders page 11
An Educator’s Guide to Summer in Maine page 14
Essay Contest Winners Announced!
Legislative Scorecard See how your legislators voted on education issues
page 21
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See back page
Top Issues In Education
Build Your Relationships
MEA held its Representative Assembly on May 17 and 18. Below I share with you an excerpt from my President’s Speech on Saturday afternoon.
your schools. First build a base of support within your local association—whether it is statewide like higher ed and SEAM, or a tiny little local, or our retirees. Yes, you have leadership that keeps the local going, but that won’t be enough over the long haul…
“…This year I have had more of a chance to get out into the schools and communities than I ever have. Thanks to all of you for inviting me into your locals and sharing your love for education with me through your pride in public schools. What have I seen that works in schools?
Lois Kilby-Chesley,
Then include a few community members. Find that second-cousin-once-removed and ask her to join you for a conversation about anything school related. Maybe that person is a master gardener and can help with a school garden. Invite the elders or grandparents to a tea with your class. Have a Read Around the Community activity that gets people into the schools…These relationships build support for our schools.
School cultures with lots of collaboration. MEA President Not long ago I read an article about the biggest myths about education. One of those was that competition is a motivator for educators. I don’t believe that for a minute. I believe that educators are natural sharers. We love And my request of you is to keep in close contact with your to meet. I am not talking about meeting just to meet. I mean state Senators and Representatives. When we only contact them important gatherings that reinforce good teaching for students and when we want a vote to go our way, they have no reason to listen sharing with colleagues as kids learn. to us. Build a relationship over a cup of coffee. If you call they will come. And get involved in the fall election. Find a candidate that We get better teaching from sharing what we know about our believes in public education and help out. Let’s fill Augusta with students. We get better students by sharing what we know about strong supporters of public education Pre-K to post graduate in teaching. November…” Here’s what I am talking about...We need collaborative environments where professional development is tailored for the Excerpt From Executive Director Rob Walker’s school, the content area, the program and the individual. No more of the canned professional development from outside “experts.” We Speech at the Representative Assembly need to be demanding time to work with colleagues, time to be We must enlist a larger reflective on our practice, and time for thorough training. contingent of supporters of public education. That And I don’t mean just for teachers. I mean Higher Ed members includes new members, who need to be sharing their knowledge with colleagues. I mean political activists, and ESP training in the work they do. If they are working with students politicians. with particular challenges they need training. Bus drivers need training for responses to events that they encounter—what do you Martin Luther King, Jr said, “Power is the ability do when a child has an allergic reaction on the bus, for instance? to achieve purpose. Custodians and maintenance members need to stay current on Whether it is good or bad, safety issues. And all these groups need the chance to talk with depends on the purpose.” each other. Our purpose is good We have extraordinary schools in Maine and I applaud you for and just. We must acquire what you do. But we need to have the support to keep them that power to achieve the way. So I am encouraging you when you leave here tomorrow to purpose in our MEA go back to your districts and start organizing a base for support of Constitution. As uncomfortable as that is we must seek and use power. We must become more powerful.
Maine
Educator
Volume 74 Number 9 Copyright 2014
ISSN #1069-1235 Published by Maine Education Association Periodicals rate paid at Augusta, Maine and additional mailing offices.
President Executive Director/ Managing Editor Comm. Director/ Editor Layout/Ad Manager Questions/comments:
Lois Kilby-Chesley Rob Walker Giovanna Bechard Allison Coombs gbechard@maineea.org
Subscription $10 per year. The Maine Educator is published 9 times annually, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April & May. POSTMASTER: send address changes to: Maine Educator, 35 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330-8005
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If you talk to anyone who teaches physical sciences and ask them what is power, the reply will be instant. It is the ability to do work. A strong membership creates power. That power enables us to do the work of the Association. Your superintendent and business manager see the printouts for the dues deduction. They know how deep your
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Top Issues in Education membership goes. More members means you speak with more authority—your power increases. MEMBERSHIP! We can create value so educators will join our Association. Those dues dollars create the possibilities that allow us to afford justice.
Excerpts from NEA Vice President Lily Eskelsen García’s Speech to MEA Members at the Representative Assembly We have 3 million members who have passionate hearts, and who show up every day to give their students everything that’s inside of them regardless of what a legislator gave them to do their jobs. They are the source of pride. They are the source of our power. If we can unleash the power of those passionate hearts, we need them. We cannot do our work without them.
For the first time Maine is honoring Teachers of the Year for every county in the state. MEA congratulates the members who were selected and wishes all of them luck as they move on to see who will be selected as Maine’s 2015 Teacher of the Year. • Aroostook – Kara Beal, Valley River Middle School, Northern Aroostook EA • Cumberland – Sara Brokofsky, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook EA • Kennebec – Dan Crocker, Hall-Dale Middle School, KIDS EA • Knox – Kristi Todd, Union Elementary, Medomak Valley EA
We are not failing inside our schools, we are failing outside our schools. Poverty hurts children. Poverty hurts families. Poverty hurts America. The income gap is what I want to see us addressing. We have policies in our country today to make the obscenely wealthy obscenely wealthier, so that we don’t have the resources to give our families, our communities what they need. We are failing working families by not giving them a living wage. We are failing senior citizens by destroying their retirement security. The truth is, in our schools we can stretch a dollar until you can see through it. We know how much money we pull out of our own pockets to give kids what they need because we weren’t given what we need to just buy the simple things we need for teaching. The truth is 85% of the most affluent families in the United States today send their kids, where? To their neighborhood public school. Why? They have excellent neighborhood public schools. Why isn’t our goal instead of hitting some artificial cut score on a standardized test, why isn’t it to walk into some of those amazing schools in those amazing wealthy neighborhoods and say that’s what we’re going to make every public school in America look like—every public school will look as good as our best public schools. We know we’re right and the facts are on our side. But the public is going to listen to us in a different way when we take the faceless mask off, when we start talking about who we are and what we want for our students. One in every 100 Americans is a member of the National Education Association—is that not cool? That is amazing power. We are over 3 million passionate educators. There is no better way for us to defend ourselves than to take off that faceless mask and let them see who we really are. Let the public see who we really are and what we do for their kids, their grandkids.
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Congratulations Maine Teacher of the Year Finalists
• Lincoln – Cordelia “Cory” Chase, Boothbay Region Elementary School, Boothbay Region EA • Oxford – Jeffrey Bailey, Mountain Valley High School, Western Foothills EA • Penobscot – Victoria Grotton, Glenburn School, Glenburn EA • Piscataquis – Dyan McCarthy-Clark, Se Do Mo Cha Middle School, SAD 68 EA • Sagadahoc – Eric Varney, Morse High School, Sagadahoc EA • Somerset – Jennifer Dorman, Skowhegan Area Middle School, SAD 54 EA • Waldo – Phyllis Frkuska-Heeren, Drinkwater Elementary, Education Association by the Bay • Washington – Ann Luginbuhl, Charlotte Elementary, Charlotte EA • York – Kate Smith, Central Elementary, Quamphegan EA
Congratulations to all of the honorees and good luck!
May/June 2014
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One Sight Vision Van
MEABT Helps Students Receive Free Eyeglasses Nearly 300 students received free eye exams and new glasses thanks to a partnership with the Maine Education Association Benefits Trust and OneSight, a global vision care non-profit. Pre-screened students from Biddeford, Westbrook, Bonny Eagle and Sanford district schools received comprehensive eye exams onboard “EyeLeen,” OneSight’s state-of-the-art mobile vision center and optical lab. The Clinic team manufactured the majority of prescriptions on-site, ensuring students immediately receive the quality glasses they need to see and learn their best. “This is great—this is fabulous. The kids that can’t afford glasses are now going to leave with a free pair of glasses. Their academics will have to improve because they will be able to see and hopefully we can identify any other problems they have so we can move forward,” said Ann Brown (Westbrook EA), a nurse at Canal Elementary. Students who complained of not being able to see the board in class, including one student who was found to be legally blind during the screening, all received free glasses thanks in part to the MEABT. “It’s going to be pretty easy for me to see the numbers and letters now,” said Nadia, a 3rd grader from Westbrook.
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News & Notes
WateRville students appeaR on ellen sHoW George J. Mitchell School students, Gabbie and Alice, raised $20,000 for their school food pantry with help from the Credit Union League’s Campaign for Ending Hunger, which caught the attention of The Ellen Show. When they appeared on the show Ellen surprised them with $20,000 more. Way to go girls! You can watch the segment here: http://tinyurl.com/watervillestudentsonellen
FiFe demonstRation at RiveRton elementaRy
Read acRoss WinsloW MEA President Lois Kilby-Chesley recently visited Winslow Elementary School as part of the local association’s Read Across Winslow event. For the entire spring, different visitors read to students in the Winslow schools. Mike Thurston, Winslow EA President started the initiative in order to encourage children to read. Teachers say the students are enjoying the guest readers in the schools each week.
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Bridget Kazukiewicz, a music teacher and MEA member at the Riverton Elementary School in Portland invited UniServ Director, Judi Beverage, to do a fife demonstration in early April for her fifth grade class who are learning to play the fife. A long-time Civil War re-enactor in the Third Maine Infantry, Judi arrived at the school wearing her infantry uniform to the delight of the students. Judi said that the high point of her fife demonstration was when the students, near the end of the class period, asked her to play “The Star Spangled Banner” on her fife. “They all stood up to face the flag with their hands over their hearts and sang along as I played our National Anthem,” said Judi. “It was a wonderful ending to the presentation.”
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Pride In Public Schools ARTS EDUCATORS RECOGNIZED AT STATE HOUSE Congratulations to Suzanne Goulet (Waterville EA) and Gloria Hewett (SAD 03 EA) for their work in art education. During the annual celebration of Arts Education Day, each received a distinguished award for their work in making a difference in the lives of students through arts education. Goulet, a visual arts educator from Waterville High School, received the Bill Bonyun Award, given to an artist, educator, or community member who has made significant contributions to the arts in our schools, shown outstanding commitment and dedicated service in arts education, and been an inspiration to students, teachers, and the community. Hewett, an art teacher from Mt. View Middle School in Thorndike, received the Distinguished School Leadership Award, given to a school leader or administrator who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and support of the arts, established exemplary or innovative arts education programs, and promoted the importance of arts in the education of every child.
GOOGLE THIS! Congratulations are in order for student Inga Zimba and her Art and Design teacher Holli Hilton (Waterville EA). Zimba’s 2014 Doodle for Google was selected as one of the finalists for the grade 4-5 age group. The design and statement were created as part of an assignment introduced in Hilton’s art class. Zimba’s art is a pictorial image of her invention of robotic bees that could follow living bees to their hives and record data in order to reverse the effects of Colony Collapse Disorder, known as the mass disappearance of honey bees. The image was part of an online voting contest where the winner’s picture would be turned into the Google image online. Inga learned of her success with her teacher at a surprise assembly.
THE "GO TO" GUY Congratulations to Robert “Bob” White (MEA-R) who is among the first class of inductees into the recently formed Maine Principal’s Association’s Hall of Excellence. After serving in the U.S. Army, Bob returned to Maine and continued his 35 year career in education and retired after spending his last twenty-six years in Limestone in 1991. Bob was appointed by the Maine Principal’s Association as State of Maine Soccer Rules interpreter and served for more than twenty years. In addition, he was Director of Class C Eastern Maine Wrestling Championships. Through the years Bob became known nationally as the “go to” guy. Though retired professionally, Bob remains very active and among other things, serves on the Board of Directors of MEA-Retired. Job well done, Bob. MEA-R and the MEA are proud of your accomplishments.
STUDENT NAMED PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR, THANKS TEACHER Congratulations to high school math teacher Scott Rivard (Waterville EA) for being selected by student Herbert Johnson as his teacher of recognition when named one of the 2014 U.S. Presidential Scholars. Herbert Johnson is one of 141 outstanding American high school seniors that have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. Johnson chose to recognize Rivard, showing student success is linked to teacher accomplishments. The U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C. in June.
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Pride In Public Schools WINSLOW TEACHER WINS AWARDS, HEADS TO ISRAEL A four-month trip to Israel is on the horizon for recently named Fulbright Distinguished Award winner Sarah Hardy (Winslow EA) who teaches eighth-grade at Winslow Junior High School. Hardy will study the best ways to incorporate technology in the classroom while she conducts research with two Israeli companies that develop wireless censors for iPads that help gather data and information for experiments. Hardy was one of only 43 teachers across the U.S. selected for the award; more than 200 applied.
FROM SEED TO TABLE CAREER CONNECTION
ELEMENTARY TEACHER WINS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FELLOWSHIP Kelley Holmes (Portland EA) has been selected as one of this year’s Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Education Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. Twenty-five fellows in total will embark on Lindblad voyages aboard National Geographic Explorer for 8- to 14-day hands-on expeditions to locations including Arctic Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, the Canadian Maritimes and Antarctica. Holmes will experience local landscapes, wildlife and cultures by hiking, kayaking, Zodiac excursions and cultural outings. Holmes teaches first and second grade at Longfellow Elementary and is participating in an ongoing collaboration with Project Zero of the Harvard Graduate School of Education to design lessons and units that develop students’ global competence. Holmes will use her trip and knowledge learned to develop activities and lesson plans for her students and to share with professional colleagues and communities when she comes back to Maine.
With guidance from Shapleigh Memorial School teacher Deborah Wintle (Massabesic EA) and custodian, Jodie Dyer over the last year the students in the From Seed to Table group learned how to plan and measure a garden, ordered seed catalogs, held fundraisers for fencing, seeds, and supplies, scheduled volunteers and started all their plants from seed in a greenhouse kept in Miss Wintle’s first grade classroom. The group worked as a team to plant tomatoes, cabbage, squash, purple carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes and one giant pumpkin plant with a pumpkin that weighs close to 400 lbs. The students have since harvested their vegetables and eaten them for lunch in honor of Maine Harvest Day. The project continues through the school year and Miss Wintle and Mrs. Dyer are guiding a group of 15, K-5 students through the process of starting seeds in a classroom greenhouse that will soon be transplanted into the garden behind the school. The garden began as a project that would create hands-on career related activities for the students.
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Main Office 15 University Drive Augusta, ME 04330 207-623-3857
May/June 2014
Chestnut Branch 60 South Chestnut St Augusta, ME 04330 207-623-8396
CATC Branch 40 Pierce Drive Augusta, ME 04330 207-430-0788
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New Teacher Evaluation Rules
Take a Deep Breath: New Teacher Evaluation Rules
On May 1st teachers all over the state were able to take a deep breath. If done correctly, for example, a social studies teacher doesn’t have to worry about a large percentage of his evaluation being based on a student’s standardized test score in English, a subject he doesn’t even teach. The way teachers are evaluated in Maine will now be helpful, fair and reflective thanks to a new set of rules surrounding evaluations made possible by the hard work of the Maine Education Association and its members. Lawmakers approved a new set of teacher evaluation rules by overriding a Governor LePage veto. Politics aside, the new rules will help all teachers and requires teachers to have a voice in the evaluation process. The changes in rules are significant and were not easy to achieve. MEA worked extremely hard to make sure teachers have a strong voice in the development of evaluation systems locally so they are fair, help educators improve their craft and are aligned with improving student outcomes. This was a difficult process and could not have been possible without the strength of our membership. It takes a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate to override a veto—no small task. In the end, many lawmakers said it was the emails MEA members sent to stress the importance of the issue that turned the tide. After much debate a new set of evaluation rules which all school districts must follow are now law.
How the New Rules Affect Teachers •
Calls for the creation of an initial group of stakeholders in each school district comprised of a majority of teachers to develop the district’s performance evaluation and professional growth system (PE/PG)
•
The focus of the PE/PG system is on reflective practice and professional development to improve teaching practice
•
The PE/PG system, which must be aligned with InTASC standards, includes: • professional practice standards • descriptors and rubrics student learning and growth measures • • the method of combining measures into a summative effectiveness rating • other documents describing implementation of the PE/PG system
•
Multiple measures of student learning and growth must be used for each educator being evaluated, standardized tests may not be the sole type of measurement and student learning objectives (SLOs) and IEP goals may be used
Evaluation Measurement •
Collective (i.e. school, districtwide) growth measures may be used if agreed to by the affected teachers but can’t constitute more than ¼ of the student growth measure
•
A teacher can only have a student’s learning and growth attributed to him/her, if the student is: • • •
enrolled in a course taught by the teacher the student was present and was subject to instruction by the teacher for at least 80% of the scheduled instruction time for the course the student took both a pre-test and post-test designed to measure achievement in the course
•
Evaluators must be trained in the specific model selected in the district, including: • conducting pre-observation and post-observation conferences • observing and evaluating the professional practice of teachers based on evidence and without bias • developing and guiding professional growth plans • having a high level of inter-rater reliability and agreement and maintaining an identified minimum level of inter-rater reliability and agreement as defined in the PE/PG system
•
Educators will be rated and placed in categories as highly effective, effective, partially effective or ineffective based on the evaluation. Two consecutive years of summative effectiveness ratings of ineffective constitutes just cause for nonrenewal unless the ratings are the result of bad faith
Steering Committee •
An ongoing steering committee must be formed prior to piloting the PE/PG system to regularly review and refine the PE/PG system to ensure that it is aligned with school district’s goals and priorities. The committee will consist of: • teachers appointed by the local Association • administrators • other school staff
Timing •
School districts must pilot the PE/PG system and have it approved by the Department of Education before implementation in the 2015-16 school year
•
If the initial group of stakeholders does not reach consensus by June 1, 2015, the district must adopt one of the State’s model PE/ PG systems, which will include a 20% weight for student learning and growth measures. If the district agrees on all components of a new model except student learning and growth, it can use that model and student learning and growth defaults to 20%.
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New Teacher Evaluation Rules
The Importance of the Initial Group of Stakeholders (previously called the Implementation Committee by MEA prior to the new rules)
One of the biggest changes the MEA worked to include in the new rules is the requirement that teachers have a voice in the development of the evaluation process. Research shows evaluation systems work best and are most effective when teachers are heavily involved beginning with the development of the evaluation system. These new rules give teachers that input. The Initial Group of Stakeholders must use a consensus decision-making process, where all parties agree, to reach agreement on the PE/ PG system, including the proportionate weight of student learning and growth measures. The rules require teachers to vote on the composition of the district’s initial group of stakeholders. For districts who don’t currently have a group formed to develop a process, the following format must be used to appoint a majority of teachers to the group:
Teacher Representation on Initial Group of Stakeholders
1/ 3
TEACHERS APPROVED BY TEACHERS
+
1/ 3
TEACHERS APPROVED BY SCHOOL BOARD
+
1/ 3
TEACHERS APPROVED BY TEACHERS AND BOARD
=
Local association initiates a vote to endorse teachers on Initial Group of Stakeholders.
If the school district has established an initial group of stakeholders to develop a PE/PG system prior to the effective date of this rule chapter (May 1, 2014) that doesn’t meet the composition above, it can continue as currently constituted if a majority of teachers in the district vote to continue with the current format. If the majority votes against the current formation, it must be reconstituted following the process above.
Please see the chart on next page to see what to do now that you have learned about the new teacher evaluation rules.
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May/June 2014
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New Teacher Evaluation Rules
You Know the New Rules, Now What?
Since the new rules require teacher input, your local Association needs to get involved. Local Association should call for a meeting of all teachers, even non-members, to give an overview of the rules, the composition of the current Initial Group of Stakeholders, if there is one, and the process called for in rules for selecting the Initial Group of Stakeholders.
Have you formed your Initial Group of Stakeholders?
YES
NO
The local Association should have a conversation with all teachers to decide if teachers’ voice has been strong in the development process, if the teachers are comfortable with the decisions that have been made for the evaluation process and that the issues remaining will be decided appropriately, and if there have been any problems with the current composition and process. Consideration should be given to if teachers on the current committee constitute a majority, if decisions have been made by consensus and if teachers on the committee have been to MEA Take Charge Teacher Evaluation Training.
Are you comfortable with the current composition and/or PE/PG system being developed?
YES
NO
Endorse the current composition with a YES vote.
Reject the current composition with a NO vote.
The Association should facilitate a vote of all teachers with the question being:
Should the Initial Group of Stakeholders continue working as currently constituted?
YES
NO
Continue on with the current composition.
Follow the process for districts who don’t have an Initial Group of Stakeholders
1. The Association should meet with the district to determine the size of the Initial Group of Stakeholders and how many teachers will be on it. 2. The Association should work to recruit members who are willing to serve on the Initial Group of Stakeholders, who are interested in and aware of PE/PG systems, are respected professionally by their peers, and who have either been to an MEA Take Charge Teacher Evaluation Training or are willing to go. 3. The Association should endorse its recruits who are willing to serve. 4. The local Association should facilitate a vote of all teachers with the question being: Select up to XX (number to be determined by the size of the group) of the following teachers who you endorse to be on the Initial Group of Stakeholders. 5. The local Association should facilitate MEA Take Charge Teacher Evaluation Training on teacher evaluation for all teachers on the Initial Group of Stakeholders to make sure everyone serving on the committee has background in the law, rules and essential components of a PE/PG process.
The new rules will allow teachers to have a great impact on the development of the teacher evaluation system to make sure it is fair, helps educators improve their craft and keeps the focus on what is aligned with improving student outcomes. For districts that have started development without teacher input, with limited teacher input or have a system that the majority of teachers aren’t comfortable with, this is an opportunity to take corrective action and get the system untracked. There are no exceptions or exemptions from the rules, so all districts must comply including districts participating in Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) or School Improvement (SIG) grants. The MEA will be working with our members through this process and offering training sessions on how to make sure we take the lead and take charge in this effort. If you have any questions about the new rules or how to proceed from here, don’t hesitate to call your local MEA office and seek guidance. South Portland - 774-6133 Auburn - 784-4006 Bangor - 942-2907 Augusta - 622-4418 Caribou - 498-3191
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RADER G T S IR F E IN A M Y R E V E O MEA GIVES BOOKS T
ts k to all first grade studen an delivery of a free boo beg of on end iati the soc By As t. tion den Educa every Maine stu -long readers, the Maine great public schools for ate cre to n In an effort to create life sio mis A’s ir reading skills. The effort is part of the ME e home and practice the across the state in April. s will have a book to tak der gra rst fi t every ool sch lic school first graders. No the school year, all pub providing a book to public by MEA can ors the y cat wa edu all our sm of rk one cessful readers is e to support the wo suc abl be ing to om ited bec in exc n is ldre EA "M ng our chi ks at home and encouragi President of the MEA. y-Chesley, teacher and student has access to boo Kilb s Loi d sai rs," rne lea e life-long Some Snow to Amazing help our students becom ld Lady who Swallowed Co a s wa ere Th develop a ing lud mes inc skills while helping them k titles with different the our first graders reading te tiva cul p hel There are 16 different boo to d nde a Bear. Each book is inte Animal Families to About do to g we as a community can love for reading. a literacy coach, anythin e As ng. hom at azi ks am is boo on any iati e students don’t hav my Maine Education Assoc of the me m So fro l. n school rfu atio ve nde don lea wo is “Th ut learning is that matter, to and get them excited abo schools, and the state for my in s der gra rst ls. fi hoo the encourage kids to read r all of and Congin Sc money to buy books. Fo y coach at Saccarappa because there is no extra d Becki Wellman a literac sai ” ng, azi am tely olu abs with a brand new book is
honey reads to students UniServ Director Rose Ma ntary in Auburn. me Ele urn at Washb
ts show off their new Albion Elementary studen You MEA” sign. ank books and a “Th
k School Students at Crescent Par books proudly display their new mer! sum this d rea to dy rea and are
students are excited Saccarappa Elementary MEA bookmark. new about receiving a
coln School in Bangor Students at Abraham Lin their books. e couldn’t wait to div into
School Students at East Belfast d. got some quiet time to rea
School in Cumberland Students at Mabel Wilson on the class carpet. ks boo ir the enjoyed reading
from y-Chesley with students MEA President Lois Kilb d tlan Por in Reiche Elementary
Affiliate News WASHBURN TA HELPS FAMILY OF STUDENT WITH CANCEROUS BRAIN TUMOR Teachers in Washburn pulled together to help 10-year-old Reed, a student who just had brain surgery. The local association helped coordinate and provide drinks for a benefit dinner to raise money for Reed’s family to help cover medical costs, ongoing treatments, travel and lodging. The family lives in Aroostook County and must travel to Portland often for treatment. In addition to the benefit dinner, Washburn TA donated money as part of a penny drive conducted by the students in the school. The local raised $800 from the penny drive, another several hundred dollars was collected by the teachers from staff. The money collected from staff was used to purchase gift cards for gas, lodging, food and entertainment while they are going through this ordeal.
WINDHAM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PUBLISH WATER MAINE Congratulations to Windham High School students who with the guidance of teacher Jeff Riddle’s (Sebago East Shore EA) presented their published book, entitled “Water Maine,” at the Maine State Librarian Conference. During Riddle’s Earth Science class students researched, wrote, illustrated and designed the book as a way to help middle school students learn about Portland Water District’s environmental education programs. “‘Water Maine’ engaged students, asked them to produce something real, something others could learn from. There was never really anything easy about this project, which was one of the lessons we learned. Real projects facilitate authentic learning with effective outcomes for all involved. An authentic learning experience is at the heart of the curriculum as it holds the power to motivate, reach and teach students. These experiences provide students with the skills and knowledge they will use throughout their lives,” Riddle told a local newspaper.
ROCKLAND EDUCATORS RECEIVE $2,000 GRANT FOR READING PROJECT Mary Ann Giasson and Maurie Stockford (Seacoast EA), of Oceanside High School in Rockland, ME received a $2,000 Student Achievement Grant from the NEA Foundation to implement the “March Community Read” project. A common book title will be read by all students and staff at the school. Students will enhance their communication skills by working in small groups to create student-run blogs and participate in weekly group discussions. Students will also encourage members of the community to read and discuss the book throughout the course of the project.
OLD TOWN HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM VICTORIOUS
Old Town High School Robotics coach and science teacher Lisa Gagnon (RSU 34 EA) led her team to victory in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, also known as FIRST, competition held in Boston. The group was the first runner-up at the New England competition. The robotics team is made up of 23 students; seven made the trip to Boston. “I saw a huge change in the [students’] confidence levels,” Gagnon said. “They were hesitant about working on the robots at first— always looking back at us [teachers] for answers,” Gagnon told the Bangor Daily News.
RSU 28 VOTES TO KEEP CUSTODIAL SERVICES LOCAL The community in Rockport stood and applauded after the School Board in RSU 28 voted unanimously not to outsource the school’s custodial services for the coming year. Board Chairman Matthew Dailey said, “the board is paying what we negotiated and the public okayed, and I don’t think it’s honorable, or the right thing to do.I would say at this time I’m not in favor of this subcontracting.” In order to beat back the outsourcing Bob Calderwood (Megunticook Bus Drivers and Custodians) helped organize the community to rally in favor of keeping the local custodians employed, reminding the public they know and care about the students and their safety.
CAPE ELIZABETH EDUCATORS RECEIVE GRANT TO DESIGN TEACHER EVALUATION SYSTEM Congratulations to Mark Ashe and Marguerite LawlerRohner (Cape Elizabeth EA) of Cape Elizabeth High School for receiving a $5,000 Learning & Leadership Grant from the NEA Foundation to lead a team of educators in the design of a teacher evaluation system that will incorporate student growth measures, teaching standards, and peer review. The group will research evaluation models, assess the school’s current evaluation system, and design a new system. Ashe and his colleagues will learn about current best practices, discuss student learning, and share findings with one another.
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May/June 2014
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Affiliate News TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK—THANK YOU! During Teacher Appreciation Week people took to social media to “thank a teacher.” Here in Maine and nationwide people posted videos and pictures thanking their teachers for all they’ve done for them over the years. In Saco, Director of Curriculum and Instruction in RSU 23 Julie Smyth and Saco Schools organized an event where educators came together to mix and mingle. Students in the chorus sang during the event which was also used as a way for teachers and support staff to talk about how they can improve student learning together.
TRIPP MIDDLE SCHOOL WINS TOP NUTRITION AWARD Tripp Middle School is the first middle school in Maine to earn a Gold Medal in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s HealthierUS School Challenge. With the award comes a $1,500 check for food service to use to enhance healthy eating at school. Food Services employee Lisa Keen (TriTown EA) and health instructor Marcia Fuller (TriTown EA) were also honored with individual awards. “Teaching students to make healthy food choices is one of the components of health curriculum at Tripp Middle School,” said Fuller. The HealthierUS School initiative, which is voluntary, improves children’s health by increasing the quality of food served in schools while providing students with nutrition education and physical education. Less than 1% of all schools nationwide have achieved HealthierUS status at the Gold level.
Photo Credit: Tripp Middle School Website
MEA-R Day of CARING www.maineea.org
Make plans now to take part in MEA-Retired’s Day of Caring in September 2014. MEA-R began the Day of Caring projects to combine the concept of NEA’s Outreach to Teach and AARP’s Day of Service. This is an opportunity to volunteer to give back to your community by working with the Student Education Association of Maine (SEAM) to help a local school and make a difference in each of the state’s 16 counties. For more information contact: Jan Cerabona at jecerab2805@aol.com
May/June 2014
13
An Educator’s Guide to Summer in Maine Do you get bored taking the same trips to the same places? Want to save and learn? Wondering what you should put on your reading list? Then this is the guide for you!
$AVE, $AVE, $AVE
Professional Development
Magazine Subscriptions
NEA Academy
Take a magazine to the beach or lake this summer and save with the NEA Magazine Service®! More than 900 magazine subscriptions are available to choose from at a huge discount. Some of the great discounts include 88% off Time, 86% off Sports Illustrated, 50% off National Geographic Kids Magazine and 45% off People. Go to www. neamb.com for more information.
Did you know that your NEA membership allows you to get discounts on degree programs? From peer-approved, discounted courses to tips on lesson planning and Common Core integration. NEA Academy is your source for continuing education, peer-reviewed resources, and tips to help in your classroom. Check it out at www. neaacademy.org
NEA BetterLesson Designed by NEA’s Master Teachers and aligned with Common Core, check out the BetterLesson website as you prepare for next year. Log on to cc.betterlesson.com to browse the lesson plans.
Smilemakers Back to School Savings Save up to 50% (at least 25% off on everything) on Smilemakers items—everything from classroom décor to stickers to computer paper.
Free shipping on all orders of $25 or more...use promo code NEAMB. Offer valid through 9/8/2014
Go to www.smilemakers.com to check out the deals!
NEA Great Public Schools Access free open source peerreviewed resources through the NEA Great Public Schools (GPS) Network. On the GPS Network you can connect with other educators to share content, contribute to key educational issues, take part in professional development workshops and help improve public education at no cost to you. GPS Network Content Includes: • Multimedia Assets: ebooks, etextbooks, videos, podcasts, animations and photos • Activities: games, experiments/labs, assignments, problem sets, and webquests. Log on to the GPS Network here: http://www. gpsnetwork.org/
Connect with MEA this summer
www.maineea.org /maineea
@maineea
Catch up on this year’s news www.maineea.org/maineeducatoronline
Summer Reading 1. 2.
The Teacher’s Book of Wit
6.
Growing Minds
7.
- Mark Ortman
- Char Forsten
- Herbert R. Kohl
3.
Fred Jones Tools for Teaching, 3rd Edition
8.
The Courage to Teach
9.
School
10.
- Patrick Jones
4.
5.
- Parker J. Palmer
- Sarah Mondale
You Know You’re a Teacher if...
See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers by Teachers - Roxanna Elden
Positive Discipline in the Classroom: Developing Mutual Respect, Cooperation, and Responsibility in Your Classroom - Jane Nelsen
What Makes a Good Teacher? Here’s what the kids say!
- Donna Whyte
99 Ways to Get Kids to Love Reading: and 100 Books They’ll Love - Mary Leonhardt
What is on your list of summer reads? Take a “shelfie” of your bookshelf or list and show us on Facebook and Twitter with #TeachMESummerShelfie
One Tank Trips For the Artist or Historian in You
Joshua Chamberlain Museum in Brunswick Called by some a “must stop for Civil War buffs” The Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum celebrates the Civil War General, hero of the Battle of Gettysburg and other engagements, past Governor of Maine, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and former President of Bowdoin College. The museum includes a collection of Chamberlain artifacts from the Civil War. Guided tours are offered from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Learn more at: http://pejepscothistorical.org/chamberlain/jlc
Winslow Homer Studio at Prouts Neck In 2012, the Portland Museum of Art opened Winslow Homer’s Prouts Neck studio where the painter lived and created many of his masterpieces from 1883 until 1910, when he passed. Homer created some of his most known works such as Weatherbeaten, The Fog Warning, and The Gulf Stream in the oceanfront studio. One visitor has said of the studio, “standing in the studio puts you right at the scene, and the docent-led tours will explain the artist’s importance in American art.”
Pejepscot Historical Society Facebook
Guided tours are available. Reservations, made through the Portland Museum of Art, are required or visit: http://www.portlandmuseum.org/about/homerstudio/visit.php
Old Fort Western Old Fort Western, built in 1754 and a National Historic Landmark, is Maine’s and New England’s oldest surviving wooden fort - a reminder of the great contest of cultures that dominated New England life 250 years ago. Old Fort Western is a living history museum
Old Fort Western Facebook
See the rest of the trips on page 16
One Tank Trips Cont.
offering tours to groups and individuals, engaging hands-on activities and unique interactive experiences involving the history of the Kennebec Valley and New England during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Benedict Arnold used the Fortsite as a staging point for his assault on Quebec during the American Revolution. The staff of the attraction dress in period costumes and allow children to experience the environment; visitors say their children were allowed to lay on the old cots and “load” the cannons. Call for hours and prices, 626-2385 or visit: http://www.oldfortwestern.org/
See Acadia National Park off the Park Loop Road Hiking/Biking/Relaxing
You may have seen Cadillac Mountain, but have you seen the Bubbles? For many people, The North and South Bubbles go hand in hand with a visit to Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park. While you can reach the Bubbles via the Park Loop Road at the Jordan Pond House, take a carriage road on the western side of Jordan Pond for an amazing view of the mountains. You can bike the carriage roads which surround the pond and also provide spectacular views of the mountains. Foodie tip: Stop at the Jordan Pond House (which is on the Park Loop Road) and eat some popovers. They’re amazing.
Swimming and Fishing For locals and visitors-in-the-know, Echo Lake is a place not to miss. Echo Lake has become the most popular freshwater swimming site on Mount Desert Island, but still remains a small secret to the mainstream tourist. The lake is a beautiful spot with a sandy beach and is staffed by a lifeguard from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Echo Lake is south of Somesville and just north of Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine, on the west side of Route 102. There is also hiking from this spot along the western shore of the lake. A trail leads up the side of the cliffs of Beech Mountain from the parking area. You can also fish for brook trout in Echo Lake. Motors over 10 horsepower prohibited. For more information on fishing in Acadia, visit: http://www.acadiamagic.com/fishing-details.html
Gardens
www.acadia.ws
The Wild Gardens of Acadia, managed by the Bar Harbor Garden Club, reflects the typical habitats of Mount Desert Island. More than 300 native plant species are organized into nine display areas and labeled for easy identification. Within the gardens there are several paths that lead from open space to thick bushes and trees. There are also walking and hiking trails to view the beautiful home of the native flora that the National Park Service says are sometimes “quite showy.” The Gardens share the general space with the Nature Center, Sieur de Monts Spring, and the original Abbe Museum whose focus is on the Native American culture and its history in Maine. The gardens are open year round and are free to visitors.
Screw Auger Falls
Described by some visitors as a very nice, small scenic attraction with a really strange name, Screw Auger Falls offers something for the whole family with a beautiful waterfall easily accessed by a short hike, picnic tables for lunch and a series of small pools where kids can dip their toes. The falls are located in Grafton Notch State Park that features a series of hiking trails that connect to the Appalachian Trail where the adventurous can attempt to summit some of the region’s most impressive peaks. If you’re not into hiking, you can drive the Grafton Notch scenic byway which begins in Newry, just north of the Sunday River Ski Area, and travels along Route 26 to the State Park. Find more information here: http://www. exploremaine.org/byways/lakes-mtns/graftonnotch.shtml
Acadian Culture Takes Center Stage in Aroostook County The Acadian World Congress, or Le Congrès Mondial Acadien, is a festival of Acadian culture and history, held every five years. The 2014 Acadian World Congress will be co-hosted by Aroostook County and its neighboring counties in Canada. Organizers have planned, among other things a giant tug of war across the St. John River. The event includes no less than 125 registered family reunions, the planning of over 200 activities in the communities, and work on more than 50 heritage and outdoor projects. The two week event, with Aroostook County as a center point of festivity will begin on August 9 and last through the 21st. For more information http://www.cma2014.com/en/.
www.northeastwaterfalls.com
86th MEA RA
“We forget we have to make this personal...”
Every time Lily Eskelsen García walks into her office she stares at the pictures of her 6th grade classes. Each class picture, dating back to 1980, hangs on her office walls at the National Education Association headquarters in Washington D.C. Eskelsen García is the Vice President of the NEA, but says she’s still a teacher from Utah at heart. With wit and passion, Eskelsen García encouraged MEA NEA Vice President members at the 86th annual Lily Eskelsen Garcia Representative Assembly to look into their own hearts and remember why they work in public education.
good guys and people need to see why we are the good guys.”
“All of us can put the picture of a student from preschool to graduate school, someone that was counting on us to fight for them and sometimes we forget we have to make this personal, it has to be something that touches us. They’re the hokey pokey, they’re what it’s all about.”
“I see kids who don’t fit neatly into some pre-packaged, forprofit model. But instead, kids who are dreaming of a better future. I share their dream. And that’s why I’m running for governor; because I love this state and the people who live here. And I think that together, we can build a brighter future for Maine.”
Improving the profession for students and all educators brought MEA members from across the state to the annual Representative Assembly (RA) in South Portland in late May. At the RA, elected delegates, who are members from each local association, decided how the Association should move forward in the coming year by defining key issues to focus on—ranging from Common Core training and support which will help students succeed to approving the creation of a new MEA Negotiators Conference to help members learn the ins and outs of bargaining. (To see a complete list of new business items approved by MEA member delegates see the box on the next page) The RA also helps energize members in our common goal to create great public schools for every Maine student. MEA President Lois Kilby-Chesley stressed the importance of collaboration in our schools and sharing our successes with the public. “We have extraordinary schools in Maine and I applaud you for what you do. But we need to have the support to keep them that way. So I am encouraging you when you leave here tomorrow to go back to your districts and start organizing a base for support of your schools.” “We must enlist a larger contingent of supporters of public education. That includes new members, political activists, and politicians,” added Rob Walker, MEA Executive Director. Eskelsen García took it one step further and told members flat out—they need to brag. “I don’t always get the humble part of what we do, but we have to learn to get over that and tell the truth about who we are, not out of the sense of arrogance, but out of the sense of truth so that people really understand why this is more than a job for us, why this is our cause. We are the
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Someone who understands that fact is Congressman Mike Michaud who addressed MEA members at the MEA Awards Banquet which honors members and Sarah Rubin (Gorham TA) community members who support public education. Michaud received a standing ovation from educators who were especially pleased to learn that Michaud is committed to getting rid of, as he called it, Governor LePage’s “demeaning and degrading” letter grade system for our schools.
A brighter future for all Maine students drives our educators Rep. Mike Michaud speaks with Brian to take the lead in their Banton (Lewiston EA) profession and speak up at the RA to create MEA policy that will improve the quality of public education available to all Maine students.
MEA-R Holds 62nd Annual Convention and Meeting During the annual representative assembly MEA-Retired President Larry Given told educator retirees the strength of any organization is sustained by the dedication of the members and those who participate and promote the ideals of the organization. “We are proud of the progress and activities of our affiliate organizations at the county level. They are the mainstays of our association. Retirees continue to give the gift of their experiences and time to help others.” The convention was a time for retired educators to share those experiences with others and meet old friends. Through annual programs like the Day of Caring retired members continue to give back to local schools to among other things create beautiful gardens outside schools in districts across the state.
May/June 2014
www.maineea.org
86th MEA RA Election Results Delegates at the RA re-elected NEA Director Michael Thurston and MePERS Trustee Ken Williams. Thurston is the MEA liaison to the National Education Association. Williams represents the MEA as the Retirement System Trustee.
Michael Thurston, NEA Director
Joan McGovern ESP Award Lori Croman (Woodland EA) is an important piece of the puzzle in her local association. Her peers describe her as a dedicated professional who takes pride in her work while having a caring ease with her students at Woodland High School. For the last 24 years Lori has worked in special education, making a difference in the lives of both students and staff members. For Lori, learning is a life-long process. Lori is very active in her local association, was a charter member in 1990 and developed the education support staff union.
Ken Williams, MePERS Trustee
Clyde Russell Scholarship Winners
Sophia Bunnell from Mt. Blue High School received a $9,000 scholarship to help her pay for college at Tufts University this fall where she will enroll as a pre-med biology student. Her ultimate goal is to become a geriatric physician who practices in Maine. For a challenge to herself, she is also taking a physics course at the University of Maine at Farmington and an independent study in “Spanish for community health care.” Sophia is also an accomplished musician and volunteers to help others at local nursing homes. Erik Taylor, the Spruce Mountain High School valedictorian will also receive a $9,000 scholarship. Erik has been accepted into his “dream school,” M.I.T, where he will pursue a course of study in biomedical engineering. He has a strong love for math and science, “inherited” in no small part from his parents, who are both teachers and members. In addition to completing an academic schedule that, in the words of his math team coach, included “every top-level subject that Spruce Mountain has to offer,” he was also a 4-year member of the first robotics team, soccer, basketball, and baseball teams, president of Student Council and National Honor Society.
Honoring a Clyde Russell Trustee Bill Shumaker, a long time trustee, is retiring from his position which he says he’s loved over the years. The Clyde Russell Scholarship family appreciates the insights he has given to the fund over the years and will miss the “historical perspective” that he held as being one of the original trustees, dating back to the inception of the Trust in 1992.
www.maineea.org
Golden Apple Award Gisele Faucher (Madawaska EA) was described by her colleagues as the epitome of an education leader in service in her community, academics and the infrastructure of her local association. Gisele Faucher, a member of the Madawaska Education Association, believes that educating a student goes far beyond the four walls of a classroom. Gisele is committed to elevating a student’s cultural education. Beyond Gisele’s strong commitment to the local schools and their students, Gisele is dedicated to her local association. Gisele was instrumental in a recent negotiation helping members and parents understand what was truly at stake.
Golden Apple Award Margaret Hill (SAD 29 EA), Rhonda Shaw and Lindsay Martin’s (SAD 29 EA) efforts have made a difference in the lives of their students. Together, the group organized a learn to ski program as part of the Ski for Life Program at Big Rock Mountain in Mars Hill. The three women do everything from advertising the program to collecting fees and permission slips to actually teaching the children to ski while promoting physical health and education.
May/June 2014
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86th MEA RA
2014 FINAL CHANGES TO THE BYLAWS Article 1. Membership Section 4. Membership Dues 1. The annual assessment for the MEA Legislative Crisis Fund (50%) and Pro Education Media Campaign (50%) will be increased from $2 to $6 per active/retired member and from $2 to $4 per active educational support/student member for one year (2014-2015) only.
2014 PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS ITEMS 1. RESOLVED: That the MEA promotes discussions with legislators and encourage legislation that would allow educators to bargain educational policy. CARRIED. 2. RESOLVED: That the MEA initiate discussion with legislators and policy makers regarding implementation 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. CARRIED. 3. RESOLVED: That the MEA provide leadership development and opportunity for women and minorities at every MEA conference. CARRIED. 4. RESOLVED: That the MEA encourages local associations to sponsor a potential SEAM member(s) by paying the dues for that academic year. CARRIED. 5. RESOLVED: That the MEA will create a training curriculum for locals to deal with the implementation of such new mandates as the Common Core, a proficiency-based diploma, and educator evaluations. After the curriculum is developed the MEA will attempt to engage all locals in this training. CARRIED. 6. RESOLVED: That the MEA hold a one day drive in Negotiators Conference to provide local negotiators with training on collective bargaining issues. CARRIED. 7. RESOLVED: That the MEA will promote legislation that exempts qualifying Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students and students with special education services from proficiency-based graduation expectations without consequence to the district. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE 8. RESOLVED: That the MEA evaluate the possibility of utilizing the resources of the University of Maine Bureau of Labor Education (e.g. collective bargaining, stewards training grievance handling, labor history, etc., etc.) and report back at the next RA. CARRIED. 9. RESOLVED: That the MEA support legislation that would amend the University of Maine System Labor Relations Act to provide that, in the event of a bargaining impasse, the determinations of arbitrators will be binding with respect to all subjects, including salaries, pensions and insurance. CARRIED. 10. RESOLVED: That the MEA monitor the implementation of the Common Core Standards statewide and provide support to individual associations or to cohorts of local associations as implementation progresses. REFERRED TO COMMITTEE 11. RESOLVED: That the MEA Structure and Bylaws Committee explore a “bridge” membership between SEAM and the MEA that would allow prospective educators who haven’t otherwise secured qualifying employment to maintain membership in the MEA for a period of 3 years after graduation/program completion. CARRIED.
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May/June 2014
www.maineea.org
Legislative Scorecard
Did your legislator vote for public education? While you are working hard in your school districts, politicians in Augusta are deciding education policy that affect your work. It is important to learn whether your state legislators voted for or against Maine educators and hold them accountable for their actions on Election Day. Please take a minute to review this legislative score card. The closer a legislator scores to 100% indicates he or she voted in support of educators and public education. LD 1747 – Fair Teacher Evaluations
LD 232 – A Small Increase for Retirees
In March, the Education Committee unanimously passed the evaluation rules MEA could support. The rules protect teachers’ voice in the process by ensuring the local committees charged with developing and implementing the teacher evaluation systems are comprised of a majority of teachers. Compared to the systems being established in other states, Maine’s goes to great lengths to protect teacher voice.
In the state budget passed in 2011, Governor LePage focused on making deep cuts to the pension system and he was largely successful in causing a tremendous amount of pain for current and future retired teachers. LD 232, if funds are available, will give a small increase to already retired teachers. The bill will increase the amount of the next ad hoc COLA for retired teachers. Instead of the increase being based on the first $20,000 of earnings, it will be based upon the first $30,000 of earnings. The bill uses “excess state funds” collected at the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2014) to pay for the increase.
Sadly, the Governor vetoed the rules and in his veto letter he attacked the MEA. He also went on to claim the teacher evaluation rules were giving too much power and authority to teachers. By huge margins, legislators voted to override the Governor’s veto and the MEA-supported rules became law. For more information about the new rules and how they will affect your work, please turn to page 6. LD 39 – Fairness for Retired Teachers In the budget that was passed in 2011, a provision was included that caps the salary of a retired teacher returning to work at 75% of the normal salary. Republican Representative Pete Johnson of Greenville sponsored a bill to get rid of this nonsensical provision. Some schools bring back retired teachers to help fill hard to fill teaching positions, but this provision was making it harder for districts to do that. LD 39 removed the penalty on retired teachers returning to work so they are able to make 100% of the regular salary for the position. The Governor vetoed this bill but the veto was overwhelmingly rejected by the Legislature in bipartisan fashion and became law despite the Governor’s objections. LD 1736 – Moratorium on For-Profit, Virtual Charters LD 1736 would have placed a temporary moratorium on virtual charters AND it would have created a statewide and state-run virtual charter that all public schools could access for specific courses. The bill passed but was vetoed by the Governor. The Legislature was unable to override the Governor’s veto. LD 1843 – Restore Funding to Public Schools The Governor’s Office proposed a nearly $10 million cut to public schools and an additional cut of nearly $3 million to the University of Maine and Community Colleges. Even after the Governor refused to present a supplemental budget to balance the state’s books, legislative leaders presented a budget that prevented deep cuts to public schools and our institutions of higher learning. The Legislature passed LD 1843 and it became law without the Governor’s signature.
www.maineea.org
The Legislature overwhelmingly passed LD 232 and it became law without the Governor’s signature. LD 1762 – Restore Money to Cities and Towns Part of the Governor’s budget proposal last year included drastic cuts to state aid that cities and towns receive. LD 1762 prevented an additional $40 million cut to local municipalities for next year. Had the bill failed to pass, it is likely there would have been tremendous pressure on local school budgets as municipalities and towns would have been forced to cut schools in order to maintain other critical public services, such as police and fire services. The Legislature passed LD 1762 and it became law without the Governor’s signature. LD 995 – For Profit Virtual Charter Moratorium This bill would have created a virtual school moratorium and prevented the Charter Commission from opening any virtual charter schools. Research shows students who attend these schools do not perform as well as students who attend brick-and-mortar schools. In addition, virtual schools pull funds away from public schools at the expense of the majority of students in the state. The bill needed a 2/3rds vote in order to become law and failed largely on a party line vote. LD 1530 – Expansion of Pre-K Programs The benefits of high quality pre-Kindergarten programs are clear—students perform far better if they have had access to good pre-K programs. While Maine technically has a universal pre-K system, we still have many districts that have been unable to afford the up-front financing necessary to start such a program. This bill will provide an additional $4 million to help school districts establish pre-K programs for 4-year-old students and will help target those districts that have the highest concentrations of poverty. This bill became law without the Governor’s signature.
May/June 2014
Scorecard is continued on page 22
21
Legislative Scorecard
Gov. LePage Fails Maine Students Over the course of the 126th Legislative Session, Governor LePage issued more vetoes than any other governor in the state’s history. Six of those vetoes impacted public education and Maine students. While the Legislature was able to overturn some of those vetoes including the new Teacher Evaluation Rules and retirees returning to work, the Governor failed our schools and students multiple times including his refusal to fund charter schools in a way that wouldn’t negatively impact existing public schools. The Governor even refused to sign a bill to institute universal pre-K which research shows helps students succeed in the long run and even reduces incarceration rates. Fortunately that bill became law without his signature. Please take a minute to review the Governor’s votes over the course of this Legislative session and hold him accountable for his anti-public education agenda come November.
126th Legislature - Year 2
126th Legislature - Year 1 LD 609 - Suicide Awareness
Signed
LD 243 - Amending Restraint & Seclusion Rules
Did Not Sign, Became Law
LD 667 - Public School Funding
Signed
LD 671 - Require Charters to be Non-Profit
VETO
LD 1057 - Fix Charter Funding
VETO
LD 1509 - Budget Bill
VETO
LD 39 - Fairness for Retired Teachers
VETO, OVERRIDDEN
LD 1736 - Moratorium on ForProfit , Virtual Charters
VETO
LD 1747 - Fair Teacher Evaluations
VETO, OVERRIDDEN
LD 1843 - Restore Funding to Public Schools
Did Not Sign, Became Law
LD 232 - A Small Increase for Retirees
Did Not Sign, Became Law
LD 1762 - Restore Money to Cities and Towns
Did Not Sign, Became Law
LD 1530 - Expansion of Pre-K Programs
Did Not Sign, Became Law
perspective
Gain a whole new
at Summer Session on Sebago Lake
For Educators
Save the Date
July 7-18, 2014
Summer courses and workshops provide educators professional development in a collaborative environment. Topics include: • Autism in Society • Standards-Based Learning & Teaching • Student Support Process RTI/PBIS For complete course listings and to register, visit sjcme.edu/summer.
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May/June 2014
www.maineea.org
Legislative Scorecard = Pro-Education Vote X = Voted Against Public Education RC = Roll Call Number A = Unexcused Absence E = Excused Absence ** = Not In Position to Vote * = Endorsed Candidate Senator
JUSTIN ALFOND (D - Cumberland) * JAMES BOYLE (D - Cumberland) * DAVID BURNS (R - Washington) EMILY CAIN (D - Penobscot) JOHN CLEVELAND (D - Androscoggin) * RONALD COLLINS (R - York) MARGARET CRAVEN (D - Androscoggin) ANDRE CUSHING (R - Penobscot) DAVID DUTREMBLE (D - York) * PATRICK FLOOD (R - Kennebec) STAN GERZOFSKY (D - Cumberland) * GEOFFREY GRATWICK (D - Penobscot) * JAMES HAMPER (R - Oxford) ANNE HASKELL (D - Cumberland) * DAWN HILL (D - York) * TROY JACKSON (D - Aroostook) CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON (D - Lincoln) * ROGER KATZ (R - Kennebec) COLLEEN LACHOWICZ (D - Kennebec) * BRIAN LANGLEY (R - Hancock) GARRETT MASON (R - Androscoggin) ED MAZUREK (D - Knox) REBECCA MILLETT (D - Cumberland) * JOHN PATRICK (D - Oxford) * GARY PLUMMER (R - Cumberland) THOMAS SAVIELLO (R - Franklin) * ROGER SHERMAN (R - Aroostook) MICHAEL THIBODEAU (R - Waldo) DOUGLAS THOMAS (R - Somerset) JOHN TUTTLE (D - York) Senator LINDA VALENTINO (D - York) * ELOISE VITELLI (D - Sagadahoc) *
RODNEY WHITTEMORE (R - Somerset) RICHARD WOODBURY (U - Cumberland) EDWARD YOUNGBLOOD (R - Hancock)
Maine Senate 126th Legislature Scorecard - Senate
LD 1747
Fair Teacher Evaluations RC 648
LD 39
LD 1736
LD 1843
LD 995
LD 1530
Faireness for Retired Teachers
Moratorium on ForProfit, Virtual Charters
Restore Funding to Public Schools
For Profit Virtual Charter Moratorium
Expansion of Pre-K Programs
RC 474
RC 601
RC 567
RC 442
X X X X LD 1747 X Fair Teacher X Evaluations RC 648 X
RC 471
X X X E LD 39 X X Faireness for E X Retired Teachers RC 442 RC 471 X X
RC 445
RC 460
126th - 2nd Session
100% 100% X X X X 25% 100% 100% X X 75% 100% X X X X 38% 100% X X 63% X 100% 100% 38% X X X X 100% 100% 100% 100% X X 75% 100% X 88% X 13% X X X 100% 126th 100% Legislature Scorecard - Senate 100% LD 1530 LD 1843 LD 995 X LD 1736 X X X 43% 100% For Profit Restore X X 63% X 126th - 2nd Expansion of Virtual Moratorium onXFor- Funding to X X X 13% Session Pre-K Charter Public Profit, Virtual X X 0% X X X Programs Moratorium Schools Charters 100% RC 445 RC 460 RC 474 RC567 RC601 100% 100% X 13% X A X X 100% X X 50% X
126th - 1st Session
Total 126th Session Score
100% 100% 100% 100% 25% 25% 100% 100% 92% 95% 33% 50% 92% 95% 17% 25% 92% 95% 42% 50% 100% 100% 100% 100% 33% 35% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 67% 70% 100% 100% 58% 70% 25% 20% 100% 100% 100% 100% 92% 95% 33% 37% 83% 90% 50% 55% 126th - 1st Total 126th 25% 20%Score Session Session 25% 16% 100%* 100% 92% 95% ** 100% 25% 20% 92% 95% 50% 50%
= Pro-Education Vote X = Voted Against Public Education RC = Roll Call Number A = Unexcused Absence E = Excused Absence ** = Not In Position to Vote * = Endorsed Candidate
Maine House 126th Leg Session Scorecard LD 1747
LD 39
Fair Teacher Evaluations
Fairness for Retired Teachers
LD 1736
LD 1843
LD 232
LD 1762
LD 995
LD 1530
Moratorium on For Profit For Profit, Restore Funding A Small Restore Money Virtual Charter Expansion of Virtual to Public Increase for to Cities and School Pre-K Charters Schools Retirees Towns Moratorium Programs
126th session 2nd year
126th 126th Session Session - 1st Total Score year
RC 656
RC 752v
RC 541v
RC 518
RC 555
RC 480
RC 493
RC 704
BERNARD AYOTTE (R - Caswell)
X
X
X
A
A
A
X
22%
21%
135
PAULETTE BEAUDOIN (D - Biddeford)
X
89%
**
89%
68
MICHAEL BEAULIEU (R - Auburn)
100%
50%
70%
Dist. 3
Representative
RC 696 22%
148
ROBERTA BEAVERS (D - South Berwick) *
100%
100%
100%
76
HENRY BECK (D - Waterville) *
100%
79%
87%
141
PAUL BENNETT (R - Kennebunk)
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
22%
29%
26%
67
SETH BERRY (D - Bowdoinham)
100%
93%
96% 39%
90
RUSSELL BLACK (R - Wilton)
X
A
X
X
56%
29%
142
ANDREA BOLAND (D - Sanford)
X
89%
79%
83%
69
BRIAN BOLDUC (D - Auburn)
100%
64%
78%
93
SHERYL BRIGGS (D - Mexico)
X
89%
93%
91%
42
JOSEPH BROOKS (U - Winterport)
100%
100%
100%
138
JAMES CAMPBELL (U - Newfield)
100%
100%
100%
40
RICHARD CAMPBELL (R - Orrington)
X
X
X
X
X
44%
21%
30%
72
MICHAEL CAREY (D - Lewiston)
A
A
A
67%
93%
137
ALAN CASAVANT (D - Biddeford)
A
X
56%
71%
100%
86%
www.maineea.org 32 KATHERINE CASSIDY (D - Machias) *
May/June 2014 X
A
83%
23
65%
91%
Legislative Scorecard Dist. 3 135 68 148 76 141 67 90 142 69 93 42
= Pro-Education Vote Representative
BERNARD AYOTTE (R - Caswell)
BEAUDOIN (D - Biddeford) XPAULETTE = Voted Against Public MICHAEL BEAULIEU (R - Auburn) Educati on ROBERTA BEAVERS (D - South Berwick) * HENRY = BECK (D - Call Waterville) * RC Roll Number PAUL BENNETT (R - Kennebunk) A Unexcused Absence SETH=BERRY (D - Bowdoinham) RUSSELL BLACK (R - Wilton) EANDREA = Excused Absence BOLAND (D - Sanford) BRIAN BOLDUC - Auburn) ** = Not(DIn Position to Vote SHERYL BRIGGS (D - Mexico) BROOKS (U - Winterport) *JOSEPH = Endorsed Candidate
138 JAMES CAMPBELL (U - Newfield) - Orrington) Dist. 40 RICHARD CAMPBELL (RRepresentative MICHAEL CAREY (D(D - Lewiston) KAENRATH - South Portland) 72 BRYAN 124 ALAN CASAVANT - Biddeford) KENT (D -(D Woolwich) * 137 65 PETER KATHERINE CASSIDY (D - Machias) * KESCHL (R - Belgrade) 32 DENNIS 83 RALPH CHAPMAN KINNEY(D(R- Brooksville) - Limington) 37 JONATHAN 99 KATHLEEN CHASE(R(R- -Livermore Wells) Falls) GARY KNIGHT 147 81 L. JUSTIN CHENETTE * KORNFIELD(D(D- Saco) - Bangor) 134 17 VICTORIA BENJAMIN CHIPMAN - Portland) * KRUGER (D -(U Thomaston) 119 48 CHUCK TYLER CLARK (R - Easton) KUMIEGA III (D - Deer Isle) * 6 WALTER 36 JANICEKUSIAK COOPER(D(D- Fairfield) - Yarmouth) * * 107 84 KAREN H. DAVIDLAJOIE COTTA(D (R--Lewiston) China) * 55 MICHEL 71 DALE CRAFTS (R -- Waterboro) Lisbon) LIBBY (R 104 AARON 139 DEAN CRAY (R - (D Palmyra) LIBBY - Lewiston) * 28 NATHAN 73 91 30
JARROD CROCKETT LAWRENCE LOCKMAN(R(R- Bethel) - Amherst)
66 9
MATTHEA (D - Brunswick) * RICKY LONGDAUGHTRY (R - Sherman)
Fair Teacher Evaluations
Fairness for Retired Teachers
126th session 2nd year
RC 752v
RC 541v
RC 518
RC 555
RC 480
RC 493
RC 704
X
X
X
A
A
A
X
22%
21%
X
89%
**
89%
100%
50%
70%
A
X
LD 1747
LD39
for Fairness Retired Teachers
Fair Teacher Evaluations
RC 696
Maine House Cont.
100%
100%
100%
X
100%
79%
87%
X
X
X
22%
29%
26%
100%
93%
96%
LD 1843 A
LD 232
LD 1530 X
56%
29%
39%
LD 1762
LD X995
X
89%
79%
83%
X
126th Leg Session Scorecard X LD 1736
For Profit Moratorium on X of For Profit, RestoreFunding A Small RestoreMoney Virtual Charter Expansion School Pre-K Virtual to Public Increase and for to Cities Towns Moratorium Programs Charters Schools Retirees
100% 126th session 89% 2nd year 100%
100%
RC X 518
RC 555
RC 480
RC 493
RC X 704
RC X 696
44%
21%
30%
A
A
A
67% 100%
93%
83% 96%
A
X
A
A
X
56% 89%
71% 79%
65% 83%
X
X
X
X
100% 56%
86% 43%
91% 48%
XA
X
X
A
A
XA
XA
44%
93% 29%
74% 35%
X
XX
A
XX
XX
X
44% 56%
36% 14%
39% 30%
100% 100%
100% 93%
100% 96%
100% 100%
93% 100%
96% 100%
A
X
X
X
56% 100%
43% 100%
48% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%
X
X
X
67% 100%
36% 93%
48% 96%
X
X
X
XX
A
XX
XX
44% 44%
14% 14%
26% 26%
X
X
X
X
X
44% 100%
29% 93%
35% 96%
X LD 1762
XX LD X995
X LD 1530 X
29% 14%
43% 17%
LD 1843 X
LD 232
67% 22%
LD 1736 X
100% 33%
100% 14%
100% 22%
X
X
X
X
X X X LD 1747 X
LD 39
51 132
MICK DEVIN (D - Newcastle) * SHARRI MACDONALD (R - Old Orchard Beach)
47 61
ELIZABETH DICKERSON(D (D- -Boothbay) Rockland) * W. BRUCE MACDONALD
A Fair Teacher Evaluations RC AA 656
RC 752v
Fairness for Retired A Teachers RC 541v
126thXA Leg Session Scorecard AA
For Profit Moratorium on For Profit, Restore Restore A Small of Funding X X Money Virtual XCharter Expansion X Virtual to Public Increase School Pre-K and for to Cities Charters Schools Retirees Towns Moratorium Programs X X RC A 555 RC 480 RC XA 493 RC RC RC X696 X704 X518 A XX XX X X X X X A A X
56% 100% 100% 100% 126th session 89% 56% 2nd year 89% 100% 100% 78% 78% 33% 67% 78% 100% 100% 67% 100% 22% 100%
X
X
X X
X X
X X
X
X X
X X
44% 100% 100% 33%
A
X
A
12
JEFFREY GIFFORD (R - Lincoln)
X
X
X
X X
A
126 122 106 1
AARON FREY (D - Bangor) * STEPHEN MORIARTY (D - Cumberland) ANDREW GATTINE (D (D -- South Westbrook) * * TERRY MORRISON Portland) SARA GIDEON ALLEN NADEAU(D (R--Freeport) Fort Kent)*
X
A A A
100% 78% 100% 89% 22% 67%
LORI FOWLE (D - Vassalboro) * (D - Cape Elizabeth) * KIMBERLY MONAGHAN-DERRIG KENNETH FREDETTE (R - Newport) MATTHEWWADE MOONEN (D - Portland) *
X
X X
X A X
X X
X
87
PAUL GILBERT (D - Jay) *
41
JAMES GILLWAY (R - Searsport)
A
X
15
ADAM GOODE (D - Bangor) *
A
109
ANNE GRAHAM (D - North Yarmouth) *
59
GAY GRANT (D - Gardiner) *
146 4 117 149 8 129 58 121 25 118 18 108
JEFFREY EVANGELOS Friendship) MICHAEL MCCLELLAN (U (R -- Raymond) MARK EVES (D - North Berwick) * CAROL MCELWEE (R - Caribou) RICHARD FARNSWORTH (D -*Portland) * PAUL MCGOWAN (D - York) JOYCE FITZPATRICK - Houlton)* ANDREW MCLEAN (D(R- Gorham)
100%
100%
RC 541v
PAUL DAVIS, SR. (R - Sangerville) THOMAS LONGSTAFF (D - Waterville) *
105 85 49 103
78% 64% 126th 126th Session Session 91% 93%- 1st Total Score year 100% 100%
X RC 752v
JENNIFER DeCHANT (D - Bath)** LOUIS LUCHINI (D - Ellsworth)
LARRY DUNPHY - Embden) ANDREW MASON(R(D - Topsham) * BRIAN DUPREYMASTRACCIO (R - Hampden) ANNE-MARIE (D - Sanford) * ELEANOR ESPLING - New Gloucester) JEFF MCCABE (D -(R Skowhegan) *
22%
RC X 656
26 77
88 60 39 143
126th 126th Session Session - 1st Total Score year
RC 656
62 38
JAMESMAKER DILL (D(R- -Old Town) * Calais) 14 JOYCE 31 Representative Dist. MARK DION (D - Portland) * MALABY (R - Hancock) 113 34 RICHARD PETER DOAK (R - Columbia 33 DONALD MAREAN (R - Hollis)Falls) 131 ANNE DORNEY (D(D - Norridgewock) 86 TIMOTHY MARKS - Pittston) * * 53
Moratorium on For Profit For Profit, Restore Funding Restore Money Virtual Charter Expansion of A Small Virtual to Public Increase for to Cities and School Pre-K Charters Schools Retirees Towns Moratorium Programs
X
35% 100% 21% 100% 96% 100% 126th 93% 100% 126th Session Session 96% 48% 100% 43%- 1st Total Score year 87% 100% 86% 100% 100% 57% 100% 43% 93% 29% 36% 29% 100% 93% 14% 86% 21% 100% 14% 100% 93% 21% 100% 43% 100% 93% 36% 93%
87% 30% 48% 48% 100% 96% 35% 91% 22% 100% 26% 100% 96% 26% 100% 57% 100% 91% 30% 83%
X
X A X
100% 100% 100% 100%
X
X X
X X
100% 44% 11%
100%
A
X
X
44%
36%
39%
A
78%
100%
91%
100%
93%
96%
100%
100%
100%
100% 100% 44% 89%
100% 100% 36% 100% 86% 100% 100% 100% 100% 29%
100% 100% 39% 96% 91% 100% 100% 100% 100% 35%
21%
17%
93%
96%
22
STACEY GUERIN (R - Glenburn)
X
X
X
X
56%
14%
30%
123
SCOTT HAMANN (D - South Portland) *
A
89%
100%
96%
116
DENISE HARLOW (D - Portland) *
A
89%
93%
91%
89
LANCE HARVELL (R - Farmington)
X
A
X
X
56%
21%
35%
94
TERESEA HAYES (D - Buckfield)
43
ERIN HERBIG (D - Belfast) *
78%
86%
83%
100%
93%
96%
LD995
LD 1530
100%
93%
96%
LD 1762
100%
93%
96%
100%
93%
96%
X
A
BRIAN HUBBELL (D - Bar Harbor) *
100
ROGER JACKSON (R - Oxford)
X
20
DAVID JOHNSON (R - Eddington)
27
PETER JOHNSON (R - Greenville)
A A Fair Teacher Evaluations
DENNIS KESCHL (R - Belgrade)
X
LD232
35
83
LD 1843
LD 1747
LD 1736
CRAIG HICKMAN (D - Winthrop) * BARRY HOBBINS (D - Saco) *
RC 656
LD39
82 133
45 BRIAN JONES (D - Freedom) * Dist. Portland) * 115 ERIK JORGENSEN (D - Representative 124 BRYAN KAENRATH (D - South Portland) 65 PETER KENT (D - Woolwich) *
X
126th Leg Session Scorecard
RC 752v
Fairness A for Retired Teachers RC 541v
A A X X X Moratorium on For Profit For Profit, RestoreAFunding RestoreA Money Virtual ACharter Expansion A Small of A A A Virtual to Public Increase School Pre-K for to Cities X X and X Charters Schools Retirees Towns Moratorium Programs X RC 704 RC 696 RC 518 RC 555 RC 480 RC 493
11% 126th session ** 2nd year 67% 89% 100% 100%
13% 126th 14% 126th Session Session 14% 14%- 1st Total Score year 35% 14% 83% 79% 100% 93%
100% 96%
A
89%
79%
83%
X
X
X
X
56%
43%
48%
99
JONATHAN KINNEY (R - Limington)
X
X
X
X
X
44%
29%
35%
81
L. GARY KNIGHT (R - Livermore Falls)
X
A
X
X
56%
14%
30%
17
VICTORIA KORNFIELD (D - Bangor)
100%
93%
96%
48
CHUCK KRUGER (D - Thomaston) *
100%
100%
100%
36
WALTER KUMIEGA III (D - Deer Isle) *
100%
100%
100%
84
KAREN KUSIAK (D - Fairfield) *
100%
100%
100% 96%
71
MICHEL LAJOIE (D - Lewiston) *
100%
93%
139
AARON LIBBY (R - Waterboro)
X
X
A
X
X
44%
14%
26%
73
NATHAN LIBBY (D - Lewiston) *
100%
93%
96%
30
LAWRENCE LOCKMAN (R - Amherst)
X
X
X
A
X
X
X
22%
14%
17%
9
RICKY LONG (R - Sherman)
X
X
X
X
X
X
33%
14%
22%
77
THOMAS LONGSTAFF (D - Waterville) *
100%
100%
100% 100%
38
LOUIS LUCHINI (D - Ellsworth) *
100%
100%
132
SHARRI MACDONALD (R - Old Orchard Beach)
X
X
X
X
56%
43%
48%
61
W. BRUCE MACDONALD (D - Boothbay)
100%
100%
100%
31
JOYCE MAKER (R - Calais)
X
X
78%
43%
57%
34
RICHARD MALABY (R - Hancock)
A
X
A
X
X
X
33%
29%
30%
131
DONALD MAREAN (R - Hollis)
X
X
78%
29%
48%
53
TIMOTHY MARKS (D - Pittston) *
100%
93%
96%
100%
100%
100%
100%
24
60
ANDREW MASON (D - Topsham) *
143
ANNE-MARIE MASTRACCIO (D - Sanford) *
May/June 2014
www.maineea.org 91% 86%
65
PETER KENT (D - Woolwich) *
A
83
DENNIS KESCHL (R - Belgrade)
X
X
X
89%
79%
83%
X
56%
43%
48%
99
JONATHAN KINNEY (R - Limington)
X
X
X
X
Legislative Scorecard X
44%
29%
35%
81
L. GARY KNIGHT (R - Livermore Falls)
X
A
X
X
56%
30%
= Pro-Education Vote
14%
VICTORIA KORNFIELD (D - Bangor)
100%
93%
96%
CHUCK KRUGER (D - Thomaston) *
100%
100%
100%
17 48 36 84 71 139 73 30 9 77 38 132 61 31
KUMIEGA III (D - Deer Isle) * XWALTER = Voted Against Public KAREN KUSIAK (D - Fairfield) * Educati on MICHEL LAJOIE (D - Lewiston) * AARON = LIBBY (R - Waterboro) RC Roll Call Number NATHAN LIBBY (D - Lewiston) * A = Unexcused Absence LAWRENCE LOCKMAN (R - Amherst) RICKY LONG (R - Sherman) ETHOMAS = Excused Absence LONGSTAFF (D - Waterville) * LOUIS LUCHINI (D - Ellsworth) * ** = Not In Positi on to Vote SHARRI MACDONALD (R - Old Orchard Beach) W. BRUCE MACDONALD (D Boothbay) * = Endorsed Candidate JOYCE MAKER (R - Calais)
34 RICHARD MALABY (R - Hancock) Dist. Representative MAREAN (R 131 BRYAN KAENRATH (D- -Hollis) South Portland) 124 DONALD
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
96%
X
X
X
X LD 1747 X
LD39
for Fairness Retired Teachers
Fair Teacher Evaluations
Maine House Cont.
100%
93%
X
A
X
X
44%
14%
26%
100%
93%
96% 17%
A 126thX Leg Session Scorecard X LD 1736
X LD 1843
X
X
X
22%
14%
LD232
LD 1762
LD X995
X LD 1530
33%
14%
22%
100%
100%
100%
For Profit Moratorium on X X of For Profit, RestoreFunding A Small RestoreX Money Virtual XCharter Expansion for to Cities and School Pre-K Virtual to Public Increase Towns Moratorium Programs Charters Schools Retirees X X
RC A656
RC 752v
RC 541v
RC X518 X
RC A555
RC 480
RC X493
RC X704 X
RC X696
53 65 60 83
TIMOTHY MARKS - Pittston) PETER KENT (D - (D Woolwich) * * ANDREW MASON(R(D - Topsham) * DENNIS KESCHL - Belgrade)
A
X
X
X
X
143 99 85 81
ANNE-MARIE MASTRACCIO (D - Sanford) * JONATHAN KINNEY (R - Limington) JEFF MCCABE (D(R - Skowhegan) * L. GARY KNIGHT - Livermore Falls)
X
X
X X
A
X
X X
X
103 17 4 48
MICHAEL VICTORIAMCCLELLAN KORNFIELD (R (D - Raymond) Bangor) CAROL (R -- Thomaston) Caribou) CHUCKMCELWEE KRUGER (D *
X
149 36 129 84
PAUL MCGOWAN York) * Isle) * WALTER KUMIEGA(DIII- (D - Deer ANDREW MCLEAN - Gorham) KAREN KUSIAK (D -(DFairfield) * *
X X LD 1747 A
LD232
X LD 1762
X X LD995
X LD 1530
121 71 118 139
KIMBERLY MONAGHAN-DERRIG MICHEL LAJOIE (D - Lewiston) *(D - Cape Elizabeth) * MATTHEW MOONEN (D - Portland) * AARON LIBBY (R - Waterboro)
Fair Teacher Evaluations X X
STEPHEN LIBBY MORIARTY (D - Cumberland) 108 (D - Lewiston) * 73 NATHAN TERRY MORRISON (D (R - South Portland) * 122 LOCKMAN - Amherst) 30 LAWRENCE Representative Dist. ALLEN LONG NADEAU - Fort Kent) RICKY (R -(RSherman) 91 CATHERINE NADEAU (D * * 54 THOMAS LONGSTAFF (D--Winslow) Waterville) 77 112 38 80 132 144 61 78 31 140 34 44 131 13 53 125 60 92 143 145 85 57 103 101 4 63 149 111 129 97 121 23 118 136 108 74 122
RC X656
MARY NELSON LOUIS LUCHINI(D(D- -Falmouth) Ellsworth) * MELVIN MACDONALD NEWENDYKE (R (R -- Old Litchfield) SHARRI Orchard Beach)
WILLIAM (D - Sanford) * W. BRUCENOON MACDONALD (D - Boothbay) ROBERTMAKER NUTTING - Oakland) JOYCE (R - (R Calais) WAYNE PARRY (R -(RArundel) RICHARD MALABY - Hancock) JETHRO PEASE (R (R - Morrill) DONALD MAREAN - Hollis) ANITA PEAVEY HASKELL (R - Milford) TIMOTHY MARKS (D - Pittston) * ANN PEOPLES (D -(D Westbrook) ANDREW MASON - Topsham) * MATTHEW PETERSON (D - Rumford) * * ANNE-MARIE MASTRACCIO (D - Sanford) JOSHUA PLANTE - Berwick) ** JEFF MCCABE (D -(DSkowhegan) MATTHEWMCCLELLAN POULIOT (R(R- -Augusta) MICHAEL Raymond) CHRISTINE POWERS - Naples) * CAROL MCELWEE (R -(D Caribou) CHARLES PRIEST (D PAUL MCGOWAN (D- -Brunswick) York) * JANE PRINGLE (D -(DWindham) ANDREW MCLEAN - Gorham)* * HELEN RANKIN (D - Hiram) * (D - Cape Elizabeth) * KIMBERLY MONAGHAN-DERRIG ROGER REED (R - Carmel) MATTHEW MOONEN (D - Portland) * MEGAN ROCHELO (D (D - Biddeford) STEPHEN MORIARTY - Cumberland) MARGARET ROTUNDO - Lewiston) * * TERRY MORRISON (D - (D South Portland) DIANE RUSSELL(R (D- -Fort Portland) ALLEN NADEAU Kent) *
X A X
RC 752v X X
LD39 Fairness X for Retired Teachers RC 541v
126th X Leg Session Scorecard LD 1736
A A Moratorium on For Profit AFunding For Profit, Restore Restore A Small of X A Money Virtual XCharter Expansion X Virtual to Public Increase School Pre-K for to Cities and Charters Schools Retirees Towns Moratorium Programs X X A X X RC RC X704 RC X696 RC A RC 480 RC X518 A493 X555 XX XX XX XX A A X XX XX
A X
A
X
A
XX XX
X
X
X
X
XX
A A
A
A X A
LD 1843 A
A A A
A
A A
A A
X X A
XX XX
XX X X
100% 126th 56% session 2nd year 100%
100% 100% 126th 126th Session 48% Session 43%- 1st Total Score year 100% 100%
78%
43%
57%
33%
29%
30%
78% 100% 100% 89%
29% 93% 93% 79%
100% 56% 100% 44%
86% 43% 100% 29% 100% 14%
48% 96% 96% 83% 91% 48%
100% 56% 33% 100% 78% 100% 89% 100% 67% 100% 126th 100% session 89% 44% 2nd year 100% 100% 22% 44% 33% 100% 100% 100% 100% 33% 56% ** 100% 44% 78% 56% 33% 22% 78%
22% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
X
XX
X
89% 100% 67% 33%
X
78% 78% 89% 89%
X
A X
78% 67% 100% 100% 67% 89%
21% 93% 43% 100% 93% 100%
100% 35% 100% 30% 26% 96% 57% 100% 91% 100% 83% 100%
93% 100% 100% 126th 100% 96% 93% 126th Session Session 96% 100% 26% 14%- 1st Total Score year 100% 100% 96% 93% 100% 100% 17% 14% 35% 29% 22% 14% 93% 100% 100% 100% 14% 43% 100% 100% 14% 43% 21% 29% 29% 29% 36% 93% 100% 86% ** 100% 93% 100% 50% 21%
96% 100% 100% 100% 22% 48%
100% 100% 26% 57% 35% 30% 26% 48% 30% 96% 100% 91% 100% 100% 91% 100% 57% 26% 91% 57% 96% 91%
A A
X
X
A
A
X
A
A
X
X
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 44%
A
89%
93% 29% 86%
96% 35% 87%
100% 43% 100% 93% 86% 93% 100% 100% 14% 100% 100% 100% 93% 100%
83% 83% 100% 100% 35% 96% 100% 100% 96% 100%
DEANE RYKERSON (D - Kittery) *
130
LINDA SANBORN (D - Gorham) *
100%
100%
100%
52
DEBORAH SANDERSON (R - Chelsea)
X
X
X
X
X
X
33%
14%
22%
5
ROBERT SAUCIER (D - Presque Isle) *
X
89%
100%
96%
64
JEREMY SAXTON (D - Harpswell) *
A
89%
93%
91%
100%
120 1 151
16
JOHN SCHNECK (D - Bangor) *
102
MICHAEL SHAW (D - Standish) *
29
STANLEY SHORT (D - Pittsfield) *
LD 1747
128
HEATHER SIROCKI (R - Scarborough)
X
X
10
STEPHEN STANLEY (D - Medway) *
114
PETER STUCKEY (D - Portland) *
Fair Teacher Evaluations
2
C. KENNETH THERIAULT (D - Madawaska) *
96 JEFFREY TIMBERLAKE (R - Turner) Dist. Representative - Orono) * 19 RYAN TIPPING-SPITZ (D 79 SHARON TREAT (D - Hallowell) BETH TURNER (R Burlington) 11
RC 656
LD39
Fairness A for Retired Teachers RC 541v
126th Leg Session Scorecard
100%
100%
LD 1530
100%
93%
96%
LD 1762
LD995
100%
100%
100%
X
X
LD 1736
LD 1843
LD232
X
For Profit Moratorium on For Profit, RestoreFunding RestoreMoney VirtualCharter Expansion A Small of A Virtual to Public Increase School Pre-K for to Cities and X Charters Schools Retirees Towns Moratorium Programs X X X RC 518 RC 555 RC 480 RC 493 RC 704 RC 696 A
RC 752v
X
X
44% 100% 126th session 78% 2nd year 89% 67%
26% 14% 100% 126th 100% 126th Session Session 91% 100%- 1st Total Score year 91% 93% 35% 14%
100% 89%
100% 100%
100% 96%
X
67%
29%
43%
110
THOMAS TYLER (R - Windham)
X
X
X
67%
36%
48%
21
ARTHUR VEROW (D - Brewer) *
100%
93%
96% 78%
98
LISA VILLA (D - Harrison)
A
A
A
67%
86%
127
AMY VOLK (R - Scarborough)
A
A
X
67%
50%
57%
24
RAYMOND WALLACE (R - Dexter)
X
X
X
X
X
44%
21%
30%
150
WINDOL WEAVER (R - York)
X
X
X
67%
36%
48%
46
JOAN WELSH (D - Rockport) *
100%
100%
100%
70
R. WAYNE WERTS (D - Auburn) *
100%
79%
87%
7
ALEXANDER WILLETTE (R - Mapleton)
A
X
A
X
X
X
33%
14%
22%
56
COREY WILSON (R - Augusta)
X
X
78%
57%
65%
50
ELLEN WINCHENBACH (R - Waldoboro)
100%
57%
74%
95
TOM WINSOR (R - Norway)
X
X
X
X
X
44%
43%
43%
75
STEPHEN WOOD (R - Sabattus)
X
A
X
67%
21%
39%
Download a PDF Version of the Legislative Scorecard here www.maineea.org
May/June 2014
25
Essay Contest Winners Announced The Maine Education Association would like to congratulate two amazing students, Katie Halle from Guy E. Rowe School in Norway and Sam Lamontagne from Thorton Academy Middle School. Katie and Sam are the winners of the MEA and Portland Sea Dogs My Hero Works at School Essay Contest. The MEA received nearly 200 essays from students from across the state. There were many wonderful essays. Some submissions even included pictures drawn by the students of their school hero. Katie and Sam, along with their school heroes will attend an August game of the Portland Sea Dogs and participate in an on-field awards ceremony. Congratulations to our winners and to all the students who submitted essays which highlighted the wonderful work our educators are doing each day in Maine’s public schools. Please, take a minute to read the two winning essays below.
My Hero Works at School By Samuel Lamontagne, Thornton Academy Middle School, Grade 6 My hero who works at school has flaming red and brown hair. She has a spark in her heart that qualifies her for greatness. She is caring, fun, and helpful. My hero that works at school was my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Moody. Mrs. Moody was a one in a thousand kind of teacher. Mrs. Moody always knew, and prepared the best academic plans for me. When it came to problems I didn’t know, she would explain them so clearly that I came to know them like the back of my hand. Without her help, I would be behind in schoolwork even today. Mrs. Moody knew how to have fun! At the beginning of the year, until the middle of this year, we read independently quite a bit. She had us do this through a program called motivational money. I came close to 720 coins at the middle of the year. Even though I didn’t have that much, I knew I could earn more. I came up a little short of three thousand coins by the end of the year! Since then, I’ve been saving real coins which has been life changing for me, because I’ve learned that saving coins pays off. Mrs. Moody was always warm and welcoming. She was the reason why fourth grade was my favorite year. She made school fun for me. Mrs. Moody is my school hero.
Congratulations Samuel and Katie!
My Hero and Sage By Katie Hallee, Guy E. Rowe School, Grade 4 I have many heroes, but every day when I come to school I instantly smile until my cheeks start to hurt. My hero is kind, encouraging, believing, and succeeding every day. My hero’s name is Mrs. Wood and she teaches fourth grade! She is definitely one of the top three teachers in the Guy E. Rowe School. Let me explain why Mrs. Wood is my hero! The first reason why Mrs. Wood is my hero is she encourages all her students to do our absolute best. Not only does she make sure her class does their best, but her students have to be proud of it. When Mrs. Wood’s class has work on the bulletin board, our hard work shows off, giving us a satisfying feeling inside. Without Mrs. Wood, it wouldn’t be as professional looking. Doing our best work will carry on with us all through our lives, that is all because of Mrs. Wood and I believe that is hero material. Everyone should have a good attitude, but Mrs. Wood really does have a good attitude and it’s contagious. She also has a great sense of humor and a smile on her face at all times. As you can see Mrs. Wood’s class is a very happy class. There’s no way to not be happy or not to have a good attitude. Mrs. Wood is a great person to go to to cheer up and that shows she has a good attitude. Lastly, Mrs. Wood is my hero because she is a good example to all, big and small. A good example is being kind, thoughtful, and sympathetic. Mrs. Wood has all three character traits! She’s also a good example because she is true to who she is. She always tells her students to be themselves everyone else is taken. Mrs. Wood’s students do want to be themselves and keep their original qualities, that is all from the inspiration of Mrs. Wood. Mrs. Wood is a hero to me in many ways. She makes sure her students are proud of their work, she always has a good attitude, and she is a wonderful example for others. That is why Mrs. Wood is my hero…every single day.