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Member NEA RA
Our Democracy. Our Responsibility. Our Time!
At NEA Representative Assembly, Educators Prepare to Make an Impact in 2020 By Tim Walker and Giovanna Bechard
Thousands of educators from all 50 states gathered in Houston, Texas in July during the 98th annual NEA Representative Assembly (RA). The NEA RA is the highest decision-making body of the more than 3-million-member association. The theme of the 2019 RA was Our Democracy. Our Responsibility. Our Time! After four busy and exciting days, the more than 6,000 delegates left Houston ready to carry the momentum of the #RedforEd movement into 2020 and play a pivotal role in choosing the next president.
“This movement has created something better for millions of students and educators, but it’s bigger than that,” NEA President Lily Eskelsen García told delegates in her keynote address. ” We’ve created something better for communities—for this country that we love.”
Electing a new U.S. president in November 2020, she said, should be a priority of anyone who cares about public education. “Political action isn’t subversive,” Eskelsen García said. “It’s the essence of democracy. … We will use our collective power to listen and learn and teach and reach and engage and organize.”
At this year’s RA, NEA took a big first step in leading the conversation around public education and Election 2020 with the #StrongPublicSchools presidential forum. NEA mailed every candidate, including President Trump and Bill Weld questionnaires prior to the forum. Invitations to the forum were sent to those candidates who returned the questionnaire. Neither President Trump nor the Weld campaign responded to the questionnaire. The forum consisted of ten presidential hopefuls – former Vice President Joe Biden, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Sen. Kamala Harris, Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Tim Ryan, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. For two hours, each made their case to the delegates (and viewers nationwide who watched the forum via livestream). They fielded questions from NEA members on everything from education funding, privatization, testing, school safety, and student debt.
“It was refreshing to have these presidential hopefuls come to us, the teachers and support staff, the ones who really know what’s going on in our schools and what is best for students. They answered questions that our NEA members had submitted. The ability to bring in these candidates shows the power of a collective voice that we have as union members,” said MEA President Grace Leavitt.
WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE
During the NEA RA, delegates in attendance also debate the ideas put forward by other educators. Since the RA is a democratic body, delegates spend most of their time discussing and voting on new business items, or NBI’s – policies, resolutions, amendments that will direct much of the Association’s work in the coming year.
This year, delegates adopted more than 60 out of 160 proposed, dealing with topics as far ranging as the impact of technology on students, the opioid crisis, immigration advocacy, charter school “co-location,” and ethnic studies.
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UNION FAST FACTS
The National Education Association and Maine Education Association have rich histories with continued benefits for members. Here’s a brief look at the then and now of the Union.
1859
Year MEA formed as an Association, originally called the State Teachers Association, with Membership restricted to “gentlemen” drawn from the ranks of superintendents, principals, college professors and teachers in large towns.
NEW NEA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“In our search for NEA’s new executive director, we wanted a
leader who shared our values and whose commitment to our mission was equal to our
own. The leader had to be an exceptional strategic thinker and have a deep understanding of the strengths and needs of our members and students.
In choosing Kim Anderson, we have more than achieved
those goals.”- Lily Eskelsen Garcia, NEA President on the announcement of NEA’s new Executive Director, Kim Anderson.
30%
How much more union employees earn on average compared to non-union workers 3 MILLION Number of NEA members across the country, creating a large network of educators to advocate for the profession.
Every organization, including schools and higher education institutions, can benefit from the ideas and expertise of its employees. Bargaining gives education professionals a genuine voice. Negotiations ensure that education employees have a respected voice in the workplace and are involved in both identifying and solving school and classroom issues, which in turn promotes student learning.
1ST MEA FEMALE PRESIDENT
In 1927 Helen Robinson became the first female President and hosted a convention in Portland attended by 5,300 registrants.
THE MAINE EDUCATOR - THE ORIGINAL
To disseminate information an educational journal, The Maine Teacher, was developed and circulated to 1,000 educators and friends. The first edition, in June 1858, was intended to teach the teachers with articles on “The Motive to Instruction,” “On Reading for Instruction,” and “The Right Use of Questioning While Teaching.”
MEA Contract Highlights 2019 Best of the Best
PAY
Moose-A-Bec TA (Jonesport/Beals) after completing fact-finding reached a settlement that increased starting pay by nearly $5,000 and the top of the scale by over $6,000, from $45,666 to $52,094, during the three-year term. Moose-A-Bec was also able to reduce steps from 25 to 20 while eliminating “dead zones” (i.e. multi-year steps at the same salary level) and increase career earnings by over 15%. INCREASE
STEP REDUCTIONS
Aroostook County teachers continued to make great improvements to their salary scales during the recent round of negotiations.
•Eastern Aroostook EA, based in Caribou, moved its starting salary from $33,591 to $40,000, reduced the number of steps from 36 to 18 while increasing career earnings (i.e. a measure of the strength of the scale) by over 25%. The top of the scale was also boosted by 10% during the term of the contract. •Easton TA increased the starting salary from $31,235 to $40,000, reduced the number of steps by two to 18, while increasing career earnings nearly 15%. Teachers at the top of the scale will receive over a 9% increase during the term of the contract. • After a year-plus long battle, Houlton-based RSU 29 EA was able to lift starting pay from $31,800 to $39,750, increase career earnings by 18% and lift the top of the scale by 14%.
The average increase per teacher during the three-year term is nearly 18%. •Union 122 TA in Woodland moved starting pay from $33,772 to $38,495 while reducing the number of steps from 21 to 13 and increasing career earnings by over 16%.
Teachers at the top of the scale will receive an 8% increase during the duration of the contract. 30 Maine Educator • September 2019 The Bangor EA made significant gains in this round of negotiations for teachers. Through their organizing efforts, Bangor was able to achieve the largest salary increase and the smallest insurance cost share change in 11 years. In addition to the financial gains, the local made significant language improvements not the least of which was gaining the right to use personal time without providing a reason to administration, which had been a major issue for teachers. Bangor’s contract achievements were only possible due to the high level of member engagement and involvement. Their organizing efforts culminated in a petition that was delivered to the school committee and signed by over two-thirds of the teachers in the District.
1ST CONTRACT
The Building Administrative Assistant, Building Secretary, Secretary Unit of Oakland-based RSU 18 EA reached a first contract after nearly three years of negotiations. Unit members showed incredible fortitude throughout the process that culminated after interest arbitration. The key issue was the RSU’s insistence on a zipper clause – which reduces the Association’s statutory right to bargain over mandatory subjects of bargaining not included in the agreement during the term of the agreement – and the unit members’ concern this provision would have particularly on school closings, consolidation and reorganization, which have been discussed in the district. Unit members’ perseverance paid off as the interest arbitration panel awarded a greatly modified zipper clause where the Association retained its full rights to negotiate on these and other matters. This decision provides a roadmap for other local Associations dealing with the zipper clause issue.
$50,000
Wells-Ogunquit TA became the first contract in the state with a $50,000 starting salary. The three-year settlement with 3% increases each year will make the starting salary $51,366 in 2021-22 for a teacher with a Bachelor’s and no previous experience.
FREE Professional Development
26 Hampden Academy in
OCT Hampden
2NOV Southern Maine Community College in
South Portland
The MEA Learning and Leading Conferences are opportunities for you to learn from your peers while discovering new teaching strategies, learning about innovative and effective practices, and rekindling your passion for your profession. At MEA Learning and Leading, multiple tracks will address the specific needs of our members, regardless of your job title or position. ALL members are welcome. Think of these two conferences as fantastic all-you-can-eat-buffets – choice is where it’s at this fall and we hope you will choose to join us at one or both of our MEA Learning and Leading Conferences.
INTERESTED IN OTHER YEP-MEA EVENTS VISIT: MAINEEA.ORG/YEP-MEA
It's hard to believe it's time to get ready for the new school year. As you prepare for returning students, you should also think about preparing for your own financial future.
Supplemental retirement plans offered in your district are one of the best places for you to set aside money for your future. Why participate?
• Earnings in the account grow tax-deferred. • You determine how much you want deducted from your paycheck – which you can change at your convenience. • The contributions you make are saved through convenient, automatic payroll deductions – you won’t even miss them. • Any contributions you make are always 100% vested –so the money you save is always yours.
Grants and Opportunities Exclusive to MEA Members
LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP GRANTS
Educators frequently need outside resources to engage in meaningful professional development due to limited district funding. Through the NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership grants, educators can receive support through the professional development of MEA/NEA members by providing grants to: • Individuals to participate in high-quality professional development like summer institutes, conferences, seminars, travel abroad programs, or action research • Groups to fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson plan development, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff.
How Can Funds Be Used?
Grant funds can be used for travel, room, meals, registration fees, materials, etc. for individual grants. For group grants, funds can be used for educator stipends, substitute fees, materials, travel, meals, etc. Grant funds cannot be used to pay indirect costs, grant administration fees, salaries, conference fees for more than one person, or lobbying or religious purposes.
Grant Deadlines
October 15, February 1, June 1 Preference is given to proposals that incorporate STEM and/or global competence in their projects.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT GRANTS
Educators frequently need outside funding for classroom resources. Through the NEA Foundation Student Achievement grants, MEA/NEA members are helping students learn how to think critically and solve problems. The NEA Foundation has successfully provided funding to thousands of educators to enable them to take the lead on a wide range of projects to improve student learning.
How Can Funds Be Used?
Grant funds can be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, technology, or scholars-in-residence. Although some funds may be used to support the professional development necessary to implement the project, the majority of grant funds must be spent on materials or educational experiences for students. Grant funds cannot be used to pay indirect costs, grant administration fees, salaries, applicant stipends, conference fees for more than one person, or lobbying or religious purposes.
Grant Deadlines
October 15, February 1, June 1 Preference is given to proposals that incorporate STEM and/or global competence in their projects.
HELP WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Give your wallet a break. Let California Casualty help you pay for out of pocket school supplies and instructional materials. Realizing that every dollar counts when it comes to educating children, California Casualty created the $2,500 Academic Award to offset the amount educators use from their own funds to provide essentials for their students.
MUSIC AND ARTS GRANT
The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant was established to provide support for K-12 public schools negatively impacted by reduced budgets. California Casualty has partnered with education associations for nearly 70 years. It understands the importance of music and arts education for children. As a member of MEA, you can apply for a grant award of $250 for a music or art need at your school.
MEA MAGAZINE ART COVER CONTEST
The Maine Educator will feature a cover designed by a Maine public school art student depicting the theme “What I Love About Maine.” Submissions can be any form of art and should be 8.5” by 11” or able to be photographed. Please advise students that the magazine title will be across the top and 2.5” high. The artist will want to make sure there is nothing important to the piece at the top, as it may be obscured by the title. Entries must include the name of the student, the school, and the submitting teacher’s name and email. WHO: Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12 Based on entries, an indeterminate number of finalists will be selected, with one overall winner chosen from the finalists to have their work on the cover of the magazine. HOW: Submit artwork to Giovanna Bechard via email at contest@maineea.org or mail to: Giovanna Bechard 35 Community Drive Augusta, ME 04330
Deadline: April 29, 2020
The MEA is pleased to join with the Portland Sea Dogs for its annual “My Hero Works at School” essay contest. Students are encouraged to write a short essay no more than 300 words, about their school hero. Two winners will be selected and receive tickets to a 2019 Sea Dogs game for themselves, their family and their school hero. Send essays to contest@maineea.org or by mail to: Giovanna Bechard 35 Community Drive Augusta, ME 04330
Deadline: April 29, 2020
