Opening Bell

Clarifying Certification

As MEA has reported in the past, the legislature proposed several changes to the certification process. MEA had multiple, concerns surrounding these changes. MEA members voices made a difference, and the teacher and ed tech certification process will maintain the local certification committees in rule and keep the current rules/ responsibilities/qualifications in place for Ed Tech I's, II's and III's.

MEA's President, Lois Kilby-Chesley, MEA Executive Director Rob Walker and MEA Training and Professional Development Director Dan Allen met with the Maine Department of Education Commissioner Robert Hasson to discuss the upcoming transition to the online teacher and ed tech certification program. MEA has clarified that those educators who were due on July 1, 2017 and had completed requirements by that date will use those credits. Any credits earned between July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018 will be available for use in the next five-year cycle ending in 2022-23.

Supporting Policies, not Politicians

Members in SAD 46 EA are going into fact finding after more than 300 days without a contract. The two sides are at a standstill despite the Association's willingness to settle on a proposal which is less than 1% difference in cost between proposals from the Association and the Board. On paper, the Board's proposal shows healthy increases to some, however most of the increases simply raise wages to meet the current minimum wage law. The current scale had several steps that were well below minimum wage requirements. Senior support staff who have stuck with the district for many years through tough times will again take it on the chin. The Board's proposal with the additional amount the Board wants employees to pay for insurance (currently 100% single coverage) offers senior employees increases of less than 2% a year (less than 1% in year 3). The Board isn't concerned that some employees won't even get a cost of living increase. The two sides are also at odds with a number of language issues, the Board refuses to even make some benign housekeeping changes. 4 Maine Educator • June 2018

2018 County Teachers of the Year:

Androscoggin: Katie Toothaker, Minot Consolidated School Aroostook: William "Bill" Guerrette, Presque Isle Middle School Cumberland: Connie Russell, Mabel I. Wilson School Franklin: Jessica Ellingwood, Spruce Mountain High School Hancock: Jennifer Farnham, Hancock Grammar School Kennebec: Katy Jones, Winslow Junior High School Knox: Anthony Lufkin, Friendship Village School, Prescott Memorial School, Union Elementary Lincoln: Daniel Hupp, Great Salt Bay Community School Oxford: Jessica McGreevy, Oxford Hills Middle School Penobscot: Shana Goodall, Orono High School Piscataquis: Joseph Hennessey, Piscataquis Community High School Sagadahoc: Christine Del Rossi, Mt. Ararat High School Somerset: Patti Champagne, Bloomfield Elementary Waldo: David Coffey, Belfast Area High School and Troy Howard Middle Washington: Kailee Colbeth, Washington Academy York: Kristin Klin, Bonnie Eagle Middle School

Photo credit: Maine DOE

Athletics Grant Winners

Congratulations to Lewiston High School (left photo) and Woodland Consolidated School (right photo) who will benefit from the 2018 California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant Program. Each school plans to use their grant money to purchase much needed new uniforms.