: PLAN AHEAD
April 2009
e WEAC Representativ-26 24 ril Ap is bly Assem VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 6
Pages 3-5
The spring elections
You
Going on spring break? Vote by absentee ballot Some school spring break periods come during the week of the April 7 election, during which the state superintendent of public instruction race will be decided as well as numerous local school referenda for building projects and budget aid.
What if you had the power to influence major decisions about school spending, achievement gaps, student assessment and a host of other significant educational priorities? On April 7, you do. That’s Election Day, and it’s your chance as an educator to raise your voice for public education.
Don’t let your voice go unheard because you’re away. Absentee ballots can be requested by mail up until the Thursday (April 2) before the election from your local municipal clerk.
From local referendum questions to important statewide races, the outcome of this spring’s election will directly impact your day-to-day work and the lives of your students.
Absentee ballots can be filled out and submitted in person up until the day before the election at your local municipal clerk’s office.
And don’t forget – you can significantly influence the results of this election. Turnout is typically low for spring elections, and getting out to vote can really make the difference.
Many of the items on the April 7 ballot directly impact your profession and your school. Go to http://elections.state.wi.us and click on “FAQ” to find out more about absentee balloting. ■
Take some time to become familiar with the candidates that WEAC continued on page 6
insideandonline Teacher shines using light, color
Staying strong on WEAC priorities
Dollars & Sense: Get more for your money
Oh, the places we’ll go
This Waterford teacher brings art to life for her students.
You can be sure your union is working hard to protect public education.
Get the latest information and tips to ride out the rocky economic tide.
WEAC leaders travel the state for Read Across America.
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Page 8 www.weac.org
Page 11 www.weac.org/dollars
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Member Spotlight Sonja Kipper High school art teacher Waterford
Sharon’s story Imagine what it would feel like to choose between buying the medicine you need to breathe and paying your electric bill. What about owing so much in past hospital bills that a collection agency begins to call? And what would you do if you experienced a heart attack at school, but knew you couldn’t afford to call an ambulance? Would you ask your co-workers to call your spouse instead? For Sharon Millard, an aide for children with emotional behavioral disabilities in Oak Creek for 11 years, these are life experiences. She lives each day with the constant worry about what might happen next. She works hard every day, and her husband – a self-employed welder – works every day. But they can’t get health insurance. And every decision they make about seeking care is based on what they can – or most often can’t – afford. They are among the thousands of Wisconsin residents without health insurance. Watch Sharon’s story at www.weac.org/healthcare, and find out how you can help. ■ For more information about health care reform issues, visit www.weac.org/healthcare
At Waterford Union High School, stained glass panels adorn 19 of the school’s windows, the product of six years of work students have put in under individualized art study in Sonja Kipper’s art classes.
surroundings. For a piece in the special education office, four panels depict different facets of special education, from early childhood to elementary, middle and high school and on to post-secondary learning.
“And there are plenty of windows left,” says Kipper, who started the endeavor in 2003.
Trisha Savignac, now a student at Carroll University in Waukesha, worked on the special education office panels before she graduated. She become so proficient in stained glass work that her parents helped her create a stained glass studio for her at home to continue her art.
Kipper has been an art teacher for 32 years – all but one of them at Waterford – and helps students through six to eight weeks of stained glass work each fall. Students collaborate on the panels, which can be more than four feet long and feature as many as 300 pieces of individual stained glass. “I wanted to challenge them,” says Kipper, who also teaches pottery, sculpture, arts metals and crafts. “I see this as commissioned artwork. When you do a commissioned piece, you work with the client to determine what they want.”
“It was a lot of hard work,” Savignac says. “It was fun, but a lot of hard work.” The panels are a way for students to give back to their school. “They’ve left a part of themselves here,” Kipper says. “This is their contribution to the school.” ■
Students work with the staff of the department in which the panels will be permanently installed. The result is artwork that reflects its
Mary Bell, President Guy Costello, Vice President Betsy Kippers, Secretary-Treasurer Dan Burkhalter, Executive Director Kim Haas, Public Relations Director Bill Hurley, Editor Laura DeVries, Graphic Design Specialist
Read the full Spotlight interview, and see some of the school’s panels at weac.org/spotlight
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RA to decide WEAC officers One contested race will be decided at the 2009 WEAC Representative Assembly to be held April 24-26 in La Crosse. Two people are running for a three-year NEA director-seat 1 position. Additionally, candidates are running unopposed for secretary-treasurer and NEA director-alternate. Here are some details about the officer candidates, written in their own words: Betsy Kippers Secretary-treasurer I have served as secretary-treasurer for the Wisconsin Education Association Council for the past two years. Before being elected in July of 2007 I was a Physical Education Teacher in Racine and held a variety of leadership roles in the Racine Education Association. I started my activism with the union as a building representative who wanted to make sure all voices were heard and I have continued to be an advocate and activist since; I have continued to learn and grow while serving as WEAC Secretary-Treasurer. I believe the role of secretary-treasurer goes beyond the typical skills of note taking, budgeting, and dues collection. To be a good steward of the members dues I need to connect with members at all levels. We need to partner with one another to address the many issues within our union and from outside groups. I want to continue to work with members at all levels of our organization in identifying the needs and priorities that we must focus on to make public education stronger and to make our union stronger. I believe it is only through active involvement and working together that we will find solutions to our challenges. Britt Hall NEA director, seat 1 The future of our union depends on having an experienced group of leaders who are willing to work vigorously to advance the goals of WEAC. I believe I am uniquely qualified to be our next NEA Director. I will work on your issues. For the past two years as alternate NEA Director, I’ve been going to Washington to meet with our members of Congress. Which issues? Student achievement, funding, healthcare, and post-secondary education make the top of my list. I have the needed experience. I’ve actively contributed 23 years at the tech college level with increasing amounts of union responsibility including terms as local and UniServ President. I can play in the big leagues. As a leadership consultant, I’ve worked with the state governors of Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri and Wisconsin. I’ve already developed
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2009 Representative Assembly DATES: April 24-26 LOCATION: La Crosse Center, La Crosse FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.weac.org and click on the 2009 Representative Assembly link lobbying relations with the offices of each of our Congressional representatives. I’m team-oriented. Two years on the WEAC Leadership Team have taught me the value of collective action. WEAC is a proud, strong union. The more we stand together, the more power we have to change things for the better. Please vote for Britt Hall for NEA Director so I can continue working hard for you. Jeffery W. Johnson NEA director, seat 1 My name is Jeff Johnson - 'JJ'. I was born and raised in Sheboygan, later living in Elkhart Lake, Crystal Lake and St. Nazianz. I live with my wife, Andrea and son, Seth in Milwaukee and teach High School Art and AP Art in MPS. Association Experiences: - Delegate - NEA RA. - NEA RA, WEAC Steering Committee. - NEA Focus Group participant. - First Alternate NEA Resolutions Committee. - NEA Action Research Fellow. - WEAC - Board of Directors. - WEAC - Budget and Finance. - WEAC - Dues Structure Committee. - WEAC - Legislative Committee. - MTEA - Treasurer. - MTEA - Committee Chair: - Budget - Legislative - Nominations - Art - MTEA committees: - Constitution.
- Staff Bargaining. - PAC. - Speak Out. Having lived in different areas, and having taught K-12 students in both Regular and Special Education, gives me a very unique perspective. This perspective enables me to be YOUR best voice at the state and national levels. I feel that teaching experience AND Association experience should determine the best candidate. I hope that you will vote for me as your NEA DIRECTOR. In Solidarity, Jeffery W. Johnson - 'JJ' Brad A. Lutes NEA director, alternate Over the past 12 years, I have been a P.E. and Health teacher in two districts. As a member of the Sun Prairie Education Association the last 7, I have been fortunate enough to watch and learn from numerous Local, Uni-Serv, State and National leaders of our union. Their leadership and inspiration has directed me toward leadership roles within our organization. As I have accepted new roles, my interest in helping lead our organization has grown immensely. Here are some Leadership activities I have participated in: Local: Local President 3+ years Bargaining Team 3 terms Local Solidarity Team State: WEAC Board Alternate Last 5 WEAC RA’s Wisconsin Way P.A.C., Constitution and Bylaws, and Audit Committees Lobby Day National: NEA RA State Steering Committee Midwest Leadership Conference Presidential Release Time Training These activities, as well as many others, have given me the opportunity to interact and learn from many quality individuals and groups. It has become very apparent that the successful leaders within our organization listen to members, continue to learn, grow, and build coalitions to achieve common goals. I will continue working to represent you, the members of WEAC, as YOUR Alternate NEA Director. ■
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Constitution/Bylaw amendments up for vote at RA At the 2009 WEAC Representative Assembly to be held April 24-26 in La Crosse, four Constitution/Bylaw amendments are being proposed:
Amendment 1 Bylaw 5-3 – Duties of Officers a-9 To conduct a search for a new Executive Director, when necessary, and submit the name(s) of candidate(s) to the Board of Directors. Renumber subsequent paragraphs in 53. Submitted by: Paul Shogren, WEAC Board of Directors Member; Chairperson WEAC Policies & Procedures Subcommittee Purpose/What It Does: Adds the responsibility for conducting an Executive Director search to the list of duties of the WEAC President. Rationale: Although this is the practice that has been followed, who initiates the ED search was not listed as a responsibility of the President, nor the practice of submitting candidates to the Board of Directors. Board’s Recommendation: Support Vote Required: Majority
Amendment 2 Article II, Section 4 – Membership Standards g. An individual who is a member of a negotiating team representing a school board or representing a board of trustees of a higher education institution shall be denied membership if such denial is requested by a governing body of an Association affiliate in the school district or higher education institution in question. Submitted by: Mary Bell, WEAC president Purpose/What It Does: Bring’s WEAC constitution in compliance with NEA Bylaw 2-3d.
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At a glance AMENDMENT 1: WEAC president will conduct executive director search AMENDMENT 2: Brings WEAC Constitution in line with that of NEA AMENDMENT 3: Grants NEA directors, at-large directors privileges of WEAC Board members, except for voting AMENDMENT 4: Changes timeline for NEA delegate election
Board’s Recommendation: Support Vote Required: Two-thirds
Amendment 3 Article VI Board of Directors, Section 2 – Composition a. The Board of Directors of the WEA Council shall consist of the officers, the NEA Directors (excluding the alternate NEA Director), UniServ representatives, representatives for higher education, vocational-technical and adult education, education support professional and organizations of students, and retired persons. The alternate NEA Director and all members elected to NEA at-large positions shall have the privilege of any other members of the Board of Directors exclusive of the privilege of voting. The duties of the Board of Directors shall be as set forth in the Bylaws. Submitted by: Mary Bell, WEAC President Purpose/What It Does: Grants alternate NEA Director and all members elected to NEA at-large positions privileges of WEAC Board members exclusive of voting.
Rationale: For a number of years (I believe since 1987), WEAC members from our ESP ranks have held positions on the NEA Board of Directors as a result of their election at the NEA RA. For the last six years, we have also had a Wisconsin member on the NEA Executive Committee. Clarifying their status in our governing documents seems appropriate. As regards the NEA Alternate, they have also been granted such rights previously. This just records the practice in our governing documents. Board’s Recommendation: Support Vote Required: Two-thirds
Amendment 4 Bylaw 10 – Method of electing delegates to the National Education Association Annual Convention The timeline changes proposed are as follows: Moving the date so that all nominations shall be postmarked no later than December 1. (This date currently is January 5). Moving the date a list of nominees is distributed to NEA members to the second week of January. (This currently is the second week of February). Moving the date each local association shall be provided ballots to February 1. (This date currently is March 1). Moving the dates all ballots shall be turned in to the WEAC Executive Director to no later than the first business day after March 1. (This date currently is April 1). Submitted by: Brad Lutes, Sun Prairie Education Association Purpose/What It Does: Changes the timelines for conducting NEA delegate elections. Board’s Recommendation: Support Vote Required: Majority ■
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WEAC Board roll call votes January 2009 Director/Rep UniServ/Affiliate Bell President Costello Vice President Sec-Treas. Kippers NEA Dir. Schmidt Hall NEA Dir. Eischeid NEA Dir. Fitzsimmons NEA Dir. NEA Dir. Moore Hansen Bayland #1 Martin Bayland #2 Schrader CAUS-N #1 CAUS-N #2 Bindl Walker CAUS-S #1 Call CAUS-S #2 CLUE-1 Wilcox CLUE-2 Kutz Vogt CWUC #1 Shogren Pharo Kozak CWUC #2 CWUC #3 Traxler CWUC #4 Hill Bratina CWUC #5 Sullivan CRUE-1 CRUE-2 Matchey Head CRUE-3 Koeckenberg Co. #10 Co. #10 Waschow Martin ECAE Kadon GBEA Heideman KEA Lund KMUC #1 Sixel KMUC #2 Klotz LUC #1 Theder LUC #2 Pike MTI-1 Ferrara-ParrishMTI-2 Oulahan MTEA-1 Langyel MTEA-2 A. Johnson MTEA-3 J. Johnson MTEA-4 Eggson MTEA-5 Sims MTEA-6 Anderson NSUE Perala NUE-1 Nelson NUE-2 Niedfeldt NTU-1 Imme NTU-2 Knotek REA Haag RVEP Guenther SCEA Kahl SWEA-1 Waldsmith SWEA-2 Giedd TRUE Atkinson TUC P Johnson UNE-1 Weidner UNE-2 Altenburg UTCC Appleton WCEA-1 Larson WCEA-2 Zigan WSC Malaney WESC Krishka Winn-1 Chan Winn-2 Davis SLUE Wilson SLUE Wanek WTCS Risberg St.WEA Pumphrey MR Braden ESP-1 Martin ESP-2 Decker Co. #1 Stuvetraa WEAC-Retired
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Y=Yes; A=Absent; N=No; X=Not Voting; O=Abstain
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Resolutions on virtual schools, collaboration to be decided Delegates to the WEAC Representative Assembly will vote on the WEAC resolutions document, including two changes being proposed by the WEAC Resolutions Committee. The committee is proposing to amend one resolution and add a new one. The new resolution, which replaces one that was tabled at the RA last year, is: B-14 Distance Education and Virtual Schools The WEAC believes that virtual schools and distance education must provide the same quality education and meet the standards demanded and expected of all public schools. The Council believes virtual school and distance education employees must be bargaining unit members, and their working conditions shall be subject to local collective bargaining agreements. These educators shall be licensed in Wisconsin and certified in the content area in which they instruct. Virtual school and distance learning courses should have a maximum student-teacher and support staff ratio that is comparable to face-to-face student-teacher and support staff ratios found in traditional brick-andmortar schools. The Council believes that personal interaction between students and educators is a component of quality education. Virtual school and distance learning courses must include direct, individualized synchronous feedback to students on a regular basis. The proposed amended resolution, which replaces one previously titled Collaborative Consultation is: B-30 Collaboration The WEAC believes that quality education requires team planning and collaboration. The Council believes collaboration is a valuable professional development vehicle and is most effective when teams of educators have shared vision, engage in collective inquiry, are action-oriented, commit to continuous improvement and focus on results. This collaboration time must be in addition to the regular uninterrupted daily planning time guaranteed to all educators. 09 (B-29) Both of these resolutions were developed in collaboration with the WEAC Instruction and Professional Development Committee. The Resolutions Committee will hold an open hearing the evening of April 24 at the RA in La Crosse. ■ 1. Contribution to Louisiana Assoc. of Educators Hurricane Recovery Fund. Ms. Kippers moved, on behalf of Budget & Finance, approval of $3,000 to the Louisiana Association of Educators Hurricane Recovery Fund. Money to come from Project 105-5090. Carried by roll call vote 2. IWF Request for Funding. Ms. Kippers moved, on behalf of Budget & Finance, approval of $10,000 to the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future. Money to come from Project 105-5090. Carried by roll call vote 3. Contribution to the Association of Retired Americans. Ms. Kippers moved, on behalf of Budget & Finance, approval of $2,500 to the Association of Retired Americans. Money to come from Project 105-5090. Carried by roll call vote 5
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members have recommended – and be sure to vote April 7 or, if you’ll be on spring break, by absentee ballot before Election Day. Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction: WEAC members recommend Tony Evers Tony Evers has shown a lifetime commitment to public education, from the time he was a teacher to his current role as Deputy State Superintendent. He’s garnered support from education groups from across the state, among them WEAC members. Evers champions the need for working with educators to help more students achieve graduation. He seeks to make sure all students have the same opportunities for success – whether they live in Ashland or Milwaukee, La Crosse or Green Bay. He opposes current standardized testing, as it doesn’t fully measure a student’s performance, and has said he will seek to implement new measures of growth. Evers stresses his deep knowledge of the education system and dedication in his decision to become State Superintendent. His wife, Kathy, is an education support professional in Verona and together they see how schools are struggling to stay viable. Evers’s opponent and the groups supporting her are arguing for merit pay, fewer resources for schools and don’t support an equitable funding system. “As State Superintendent, I will collaborate with the people who work in our schools to reduce class sizes, improve graduation rates and provide safe environments for students and school staff. Working together, we can build on the progress we have already made,” Evers said.
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On the Web Tony Evers www.tonyevers.com Shirley Abrahamson www.abrahamson2009.com
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice: WEAC members recommend Shirley Abrahamson Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson has been a hardworking, dedicated member of the state’s highest court since 1976. She has served as chief justice for the past 13 years and is recognized nationally for her work. In addition to routinely giving out her home and cell phone numbers to whomever she meets, Abrahamson started a justice-on-wheels program to hear arguments in local county courthouses and promotes a program to teach students about Wisconsin’s court system. Abrahamson has consistently decided cases in a manner that protects employee rights and fosters increased educational opportunity. “My strong record on education, in the opinions I’ve written and in the programs I’ve developed, speaks for itself. There is no doubt about the importance of public education, nor should there be in a state that made a commitment to it when Wisconsin adopted its Constitution,” Abrahamson said. ■
For more information, log on to www.weac.org and visit “Issues & Advocacy”
Local referenda need your support It’s not just the state superintendent and Supreme Court races that will affect your school this April. Overcoming operating budget deficits, fixing overcrowded schools and protecting critical education programs will be up to a vote in more than two dozen school districts across the state April 7 through local school referendum questions. But districts are facing a tough track record. Out of six school referendum questions held this past February in Appleton, Clinton, Highland, Salem, Siren and Waupun, all failed to pass. And while our economy is hurting, our schools continue to feel the pain and have little choice but to seek a referendum. Take Oshkosh, for example. Budget cuts have forced districts to make difficult choices and the referendum questions are aimed to alleviate some of that stress, said Oshkosh Area School District teacher Patti Yana. “Do you keep class size reasonable or fix the heat or the leaky roof or add a security camera? No district should be forced into making decisions that sacrifice a quality education for our children,” Yana said. Yana said putting the problem before voters honestly and explaining the budget problems’ effects on students is the best way to handle local referendum questions. “Don’t all Oshkosh children deserve an equivalent education across the district? Is it fair that some have access to resources, but not all? Read the facts, visit the schools, ask questions – like what will happen if this fails – then vote your heart,” she said. ■
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Great achievements Collective bargaining is part of our core mission and every year the WEAC Bargaining Goals Committee and the WEAC Board of Directors recognize those who have excelled in promoting and advancing the economic welfare and rights of their peers.
The Green Bay Education Association Negotiations Team received a 2009 Paul Bierbrauer Award for excellence in bargaining. Pictured at Winter Conference in February, from left, are WEAC Bargaining Goals Committee CoChair Kay Hansen; GBEA members President David Harswick, Greg Sawyer and Linda Jaeger; WEAC President Mary Bell; and WEAC Bargaining Goals Committee Co-Chair Anna Wendt. Other members of the 2007-09 GBEA Negotiations Team who are not pictured are Melissa Hanmann, Michelle Van Lieshout and Chief Negotiator and Executive Director Keith Patt.
The Kenosha Education Association Education Support Professionals Negotiations Team receives its Paul Bierbrauer Award at Winter Conference. From left are WEAC Bargaining Goals Committee CoChair Kay Hansen, KEA Executive Director Joe Kiriaki, Kathy Lusiak, WEAC Bargaining Goals Committee Co-Chair Anna Wendt, Helen Thomas, Rose Colwill, WEAC President Mary Bell, and Becky McCarthy. Not pictured are Negotiations Team members Louise Redlin, Pagette Tilsner, Patricia Parker, Lisa Hummel, Julie Pelkowski, Blanca Brown and Ray Heideman.
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Staying Strong It takes commitment, courage to do what’s right. This spring, you’ll be hearing a lot about issues that are directly related to your profession and your school. That’s because the budget introduced by Governor Jim Doyle in February will be taken up by the State Legislature, opening it up to plenty of public debate. And President Barack Obama’s ideas around public education and other issues that affect you – such as health care – are also center stage. To be sure, there will be much said about all of these issues. Some of these ideas will signal positive change. Some won’t.
always agree on everything. During this time, you can be sure your union is working hard to protect the promise of public education by advancing the priorities you have set forward: Change the way
“I’m willing to sit at the table,” says WEAC President Mary Bell. “But I may not stay for dinner.”
The good news is that Governor Doyle, President Obama and Congressman Obey are committed to the importance of public education and they are valuable partners working with NEA and WEAC to address our challenges and create policies to benefit our great schools. But this does not mean that we will
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Wisconsin funds its public schools. Provide health care for all. Strengthen the collective bargaining process. These topics are crucial to everything you do on behalf of our state’s students and the education profession.
WEAC leaders will be part of the discussions around these topics, and will assess each new or different approach
with an open mind – determining how each might help us accomplish our goals – or hinder our progress. “When policymakers are willing to talk about how to adequately fund schools, improve professional practice, increase student achievement and appropriately compensate education employees, I’m willing to sit at the table,” says WEAC President Mary Bell. “But, depending on how they intend to go about it, I may not stay for dinner.” April 2009
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Get involved: • Help change the way Wisconsin funds its public schools. Sign up to be part of the School Finance Network at www.sfnwisconsin.org. • Cyberlobby your legislator. Log in as a member at www.weac.org and visit “Issues & Advocacy.” • Stay tuned. Follow the latest happenings as the Legislature takes up the state budget by visiting www.weac.org. ■
For more information, log on to www.weac.org and visit weac.org/priorities
ON THE
R A D A R School Funding You know how the current school funding system shortchanges your students. This top WEAC priority calls for changing the way Wisconsin funds its schools. That’s why WEAC is part of the School Finance Network, a group of educators and parents with a solid plan to uphold Wisconsin’s tradition of education excellence. This plan ensures that all students have the opportunity to succeed by creating a better funding system – one that targets money where it’s needed most. Even in this time of economic uncertainty, we must work together to advance public education. There is no better economic investment than building the next generation.
www.sfnwisconsin.org Health Care Health care is more than a state issue – it’s a national issue. This second WEAC priority affects each and every member in day-to-day life and at the bargaining table.
Speaking up Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association member Julio Santiago never misses a chance to lobby for his causes. “Every week I get information about what WEAC is doing, so I sign in to the Web site and see what I can do,” Santiago said. How do you stay active in voicing your opinion to your elected representatives? Log in to www.weac.org and go to “Issues & Advocacy” to cyberlobby your legislators. Also, you can share your advocacy story by e-mailing it to pr@weac.org. ■
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WEAC members – through action of the Board of Directors – have identified principles for health care reform that will guide us in evaluating any federal or state proposals that may be offered in the coming months. Our organization will use these principles to evaluate whether we will support any future reform plan, in order to be sure the plan meets our expectations for social justice as well as for fairness at the bargaining table.
www.weac.org/healthcare
Collective Bargaining Collective bargaining is key to our united strength. The collective bargaining process is what we use to advocate in favor of a high-quality education for students and adequate working conditions and fair pay for us as professionals. Over the years, we have seen a gradual eroding of this give-and-take approach to contract negotiations. We are committed to again establishing a fair footing on which to bargain our professional contracts. To restore the balance of power at the bargaining table, we will work to advance a series of measures such as repealing the QEO; implementing a fair arbitration process, including professional and instructional policies in bargains; and giving our locals the right to join with other locals to form larger bargaining groups.
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Preserve post-employment health care benefits for retirees in the future on their financial statements. That is prompting many employers to create arrangements to set aside a certain amount for their employees’ retirement benefits while the employees are still working. That is, these plans are set up to prefund some of the costs for retirees.
O
ne of the financial challenges facing WEAC members is dealing with the cost of health insurance after retirement. The WEA Trust recently introduced a product, TrustSecure, that is designed to help members with this challenge. In many districts, the union and the board of education have negotiated contracts that call for the employer to pay some portion of the health insurance cost for retirees. However, new government accounting standards are causing many districts to revisit these post-retirement benefits. That's because the new standards require districts to show what they expect to pay
Many such plans offered by commercial companies are more favorable to the employers than to the employees. The Trust plan, TrustSecure, is more favorable for union members.
How it works TrustSecure is designed for employers to make tax-exempt contributions and for retirees to get tax-exempt reimbursements for qualified medical expenses. Money contributed to the plan is invested in a
WEA Trust investment portfolio. This money accrues for employees to use for reimbursements. One benefit that sets TrustSecure apart from other post-employment funding options is the tax-exempt reimbursements. All qualified earnings and reimbursements from TrustSecure are tax exempt, which means every dollar contributed equals a dollar in payment for qualified health expenses. TrustSecure is also portable, meaning if an employee leaves a job at a district, the employee keeps the rights to the accrued funds. Also, spouses and qualified dependents can use TrustSecure for eligible medical expenses. TrustSecure is a group plan that is available to all districts with a WEACaffiliated collective bargaining unit. It must be bargained between an employer and the union before an employee can participate. If your bargaining team wants to learn more about TrustSecure, call the WEA Trust at 800-279-4000, or go online to www.weatrust.com. ■ – Submitted by WEA Trust.
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April 2009
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WEACinPrint
By Bob Moeller – WEAC Member Benefits Take control of your personal finances
Don’t waste money to spur stock market This goes directly to the “I had no idea” category. There are actually people who pay $25 for a package of razor blades! Not a skid-sized box from Costco, but rather a regular package of eight. Now I vaguely knew that five-bladed razor blades existed (I do try to keep up with important events) and I read the article predicting these in The Onion a couple of years ago. The subject came up seriously in a Wall Street Journal article (10/06/08) with the title “Will frugal shoppers still pay $25 for razor blades?” The commentary was that sales of these blades (called Fusion blades) would be a good reflection on whether American consumers would keep spending and thus help save the economy as they have done so many times in the past. This was a
lengthy, serious article in the “Marketing” section. I found it fascinating. Personally I can’t imagine even spending 1/5 of that on a package of razor blades. Gillette (purchased by Procter & Gamble, making Warren Buffet a huge profit), would inform us that this type of expenditure was a sign of a good healthy economy. My initial reaction would be it is a sign of populace which has had absolutely NO money management training. If consumers insist on spending their money so foolishly while at the same time overusing their credit cards and saving almost no funds for the future, we’re going to have a long recession. As yet another indication, the Journal recently posted an article about how coffee maker manufacturers were advertising in this economic downturn
Upcoming Free Financial Seminars With Bob Moeller, WEAC Member Benefits Specialist All seminars are 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required. March 31 ..........Sheboygan ..........920-565-2913 or 800-834-7076 April 2 ..............Brookfield ............262-789-6000 or 800-354-7816 April 7 ..............Racine ..........................................262-632-6181 April 15 ............Madison ........................................608-257-0491
that even $1,000 home coffee makers (again I had no idea) would save money for you as opposed to going to Starbucks. Can any reader imagine spending $1,000 for a home coffee maker? Finally, a local paper had an ad for Cadillac Escalades, regularly $75,000, now only $60,000. Fortunately, my wife and I couldn’t agree on what color we would get. Admittedly, I never see Escalades or Hummers at my seminars, which demonstrates how much more sensible members are. The point of all this is that indeed our economy depends a great deal on the American public wasting their money. And the latest developments seem to be that some of the spenders have decided to stop spending so much. Only one major retailer had an increase in sales last year (Wal-Mart). Every single automaker, including Toyota, has experienced severe reductions in sales. In fact, Toyota has announced that it expects to actually lose money for its latest fiscal year, the first time in decades. Speaking of Toyota, Japan went through a long period of people just deciding to save money instead of spending it. It became a matter of pride for many there. What does this mean for your money? Don’t count on the stock market coming back quickly. Pay off your credit cards. Become familiar with just how you are spending your money. Make sure the $1,000 home coffee maker is on sale before you buy it. ■ Leave a comment at the Dollars & Sense blog at www.weac.org/ dollars
Planning a spring break trip? Stretch your travel dollar with the WEAC Savers' Club Travel Services. Visit WEAC.org and click on Savers’ Club for more information. www.weac.org
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April 2009
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Share Your our Photos
To share photos of activities in your local association or school district, please e-mail photo files to InPrint@weac.org. W W W. W E A C . O R G / S H A R E P H O T O S
33 Nob Hill Road, P.O. Box 8003 Madison, WI 53708-8003 800-362-8034 www.weac.org
From there to here, from here to there, the Cat in the Hat was everywhere!
Schools across Wisconsin celebrated Read Across America in early March, and your leaders were there to help them. Among their travels, Vice President Guy Costello visited Green Bay (top right), Secretary/Treasurer Betsy Kippers visited students in Stevens Point (top left), and WEAC President Mary Bell (above) celebrated in Janesville, along with State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster (seated at right).
Share your story with us! Tell us what you did to celebrate Read Across America 2009, and help other educators get ideas for next year. Send your story to pr@weac.org.
NEA: Obama’s budget invests in education President Barack Obama's federal budget proposal calls for important investments in quality public education, from preschool through higher education, to prepare students to compete with 21st century skills. The budget continues the administration's ambitious plans of once again making education a national priority and moving toward the goal of great public schools for every student. “Money is tight in nearly every American household, and it's reassuring that President Obama is focusing scarce resources on education,” NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said. ■ For the latest news and headlines,visit www.weac.org