Opening Bell

PENING BELL

Day of Caring: Retired Educators Support our Schools and Students Early Career Educator Support

The York County Retired Educators Association held its 10th annual Day of Caring at Marshwood Middle School. Each year, as part of a statewide volunteer project, each county association of the Maine Education Association Retired does “something special” for a school in their county on or around September 11th. Retired educators, students from St. Joseph’s College, staff from Marshwood Middle School and MEA President, Grace Leavitt helped prepare the school for students, painting several areas and dusting shelves in the library. The group also donated backpacks, school supplies and a generous check to be used for students and staff.

MSAD 75 Teachers Continue to Fight for Contract

Teachers in MSAD 75 are still without a contract, despite the community’s support to increase their pay by adding $600,000 to the school budget. The local association and the School Board entered into mediation in the summer and still reached no agreement. The local is headed into fact finding. Teachers in MSAD 75 are among the lowest paid in the area, well below their peers in neighboring districts.

Young Education Professionals of the MEA (YEP-MEA) came together at Rising Tide in Portland during an event geared specifically toward early career educators. During the event, educators who’ve “been there, done that” shared what they wished they knew when they started on the job. Educators then took some time to network and meet others who are also newer to the profession. MEA continues to work with early career educators to provide them a space in the association to build personal and professional relationships with other like-minded educators through networking and community outreach. Interested in an upcoming YEP-MEA event? Check out the group on Facebook.

Educators Organize to Help Pass School Budget,

Increase Membership

The first half of 2019 has been challenging and controversial in MSAD #49 (Fairfield area) with the resignation of the Superintendent, three Administrators, and three school board members (including Chair and Vice Chair). In addition, the district budget failed twice. That’s when teachers and educational technicians decided to take action. These dedicated employees along with other MEA members, retirees, and concerned parents turned out wearing red at board and budget validation meetings to urge the communities to support the 3rd budget and the children of MSAD #49. The group also used social media to get their message out. In September, the budget passed in all towns by a healthy margin.

There is a silver lining, the MSAD #49 TA is taking steps to engage members, the community, and the Board to work together to make sure students are a priority. In addition, Ed Techs merged to form the MSAD #49 Education Association representing all Ed Techs. They successfully negotiated one contract for Ed Tech Is and IIs (previously Is and IIs were separate) and the Ed Tech IIIs won an election at the MLRB and will be negotiating their first contract this fall. November 2019 • www.maineea.org 5