El Centro Elementary Teachers Association

March forth on March Fourth!!! The following is from CTA President David Sanchez

Our March 4th. "Start the Day for Students and California’s Future" is quickly approaching, and momentum is building around organizing activities and engaging members, administrators, parents, students and community members to get the word out about the pain billions in cuts are causing our schools.

It is crucial that we get as many members and local chapters to participate in this statewide day of action as possible. Our schools and students are suffering due to drastic budget cuts, and the additional $2.5 billion that the governor is proposing to take from schools in his 2010-11 budget will make things even worse.

On March 4th, we have an opportunity to mobilize with other educators, parents, faculty, students and unions up and down the state in a massive protest against further cuts to education and other essential community services, and for changing the debate around the need for additional revenues.

March 4th is also about reminding corporations that it’s time for everyone to pay their fair share in this time of crisis. That is why State Council voted to support the Repeal Corporate Tax Loopholes Act now being circulated to get on November’s ballot. It will rescind the $2 billion in tax breaks that were given to big corporations and wealthy oil companies last year by the Legislature.

Each CTA Board member will be contacting their chapter presidents to find out what kinds of activities are being planned for that day.

More information at www.standupforschools.org.

Retirement Incentive!!!

Employees eligible for retirement incentive under contract Chapter VIII Article 1 Section F and the additional incentive being offer by the District as agreed to in the MOU are advised to attend Group Orientation meeting on Feb. 2 and sign up with the District for individual SERP counseling sessions Monday through Wednesday Feb. 8-10 from 2:30-7:30 at the District office, and sign up with the District for a CALSTRS benefits counselor mini-review to be held at the Uniserv office on Tuesday and Wednesday Feb. 9th and 10th.

CTA President David Sanchez released the following information at the Imperial County Uniserv/Service Center Council meeting held on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. This is a follow-up press release I received today. Please reserve the half hour prior to your school starting on March 4th.to participate!

Holly

We’re just one month into the New Year and it is already a tough budget year for public education with the governor’s recently proposed budget shorting public schools and colleges by more than $2.4 billion — that’s on top of the $17 billion cut over the last two years. CTA is taking a stand against these cuts by joining in a statewide day of action for our students and the future of California on March 4th.

The CTA Board of Directors approved the recommendation from State Council to participate in a spring statewide day of action to support funding for public education and other social services. We are asking every member to participate in demonstrations and activities at their school on the morning of March 4 before school starts. We are asking you to help lead this effort and “Start the Day for Students” as part of our ongoing campaign to make our voices heard about the painful effects of these cuts on students and teaching, and to engage our communities in supporting public education and building a better California for all of us.

CTA’s “Start the Day for Students” actions will be part of a larger day of protests that includes college students, faculty and other labor unions. Local chapters and schools will have the flexibility to do various actions and activities, but we are targeting our actions in the morning to encourage and make it easier for more members to participate, and to capitalize on the early morning news coverage. We need an immense number of actions across the state that morning to convey just how desperate the situation has become in our schools. CTA also supports the other activities going on throughout the day and encourages members to attend those events as they like. I know some local chapters have already planned events on that day.

You will be getting more information soon, but we need everyone to save the date and start planning now. March 4 is a key opportunity for every CTA member to “Start the Day for Students” to bring attention to the real victims of education cuts and to encourage parents and community members to do the same.

We must also use this day as part of our first step toward reforming the state’s tax structure and providing additional revenues for schools, colleges and other critical services. This starts with closing the corporate tax breaks that were handed out to the state’s largest corporations last year. When class sizes are increasing, educators are being laid off and taxpayers are paying more, everyone must be paying their fair share.

Take urgent action now to save our students and our future. Join “Start the Day for Students” on March 4! We must stand up for students, public education and our future.

The following appeared in NEA's "Opening Bell" on January 19, 2010

Opinion: Business Model Not Appropriate For Schools.

Former UCLA Graduate School of Education lecturer and 28-year teaching veteran Walt Gardner wrote in an op-ed in the Sacramento Bee (1/17), "If schools were allowed to be truly run like businesses, they (employers) would be able to deny enrollment (hiring) of students (workers) who have neither the ability nor desire (qualifications) to be there. But public schools, unlike private and religious schools, must accept virtually all who show up at the schoolhouse door." According to Gardner, "This is the antithesis of how business operates. ... If taxpayers were to spend time in the classroom, they might gain more respect for the work that public schools do in the face of daunting challenges. At the least, they'd come away realizing the futility of running schools like businesses.

Attention!!!!!!!

NEA Education Insider: January 8, 2010

Tell Congress And The President: Absolutely No Excise Tax On Health Insurance Plans!

Now that the House and Senate have each passed different versions of health care reform legislation, the two chambers are currently working out a final health care bill.

The Senate bill would pay for needed reforms by imposing a 40 percent excise tax on high-cost insurance plans. The White House has expressed support for the excise tax. The House bill includes no such tax.

The excise tax is bad policy. It would have a devastating impact on exactly the type of good, comprehensive health care plans reform should be promoting. At the same time, despite President Obama’s promise that those with employer-sponsored health insurance could keep what they have, the excise tax would lead to large-scale upheaval in many workers’ current coverage, including increased costs and reduced benefits.

The excise tax will disproportionately hurt women, who are more vulnerable to high health care costs than men.

The excise tax would affect workers who, for decades, have sacrificed salaries for health care benefits, and would be so devastating that entire types of coverage would likely be stripped away.

Tell the White House and the Senate that the House is right! Taxing working families benefits is just plain wrong.

Contact your Members of Congress and the President Today!

Tell Congress and President Obama to pass health reform that is paid for fairly and not on the backs of middle class families.

Read more about excise tax myths vs. facts.
Read about the impact of the excise tax on women.
Learn more about NEA’s position on health care.

Attention!!

We are reminding everyone to use, if possible, the mail in prescription plan. This will help to lower our experience factor and thus keep our rates at the current premium. If you have questions ask your building rep., or call Dave West at 760-352-3411.

Thank you for your attention to this issue.

January 4, 2010

The following needs your immediate attention!!!

Please contact V. Manuel Perez @ 760-336-8912 or in Sacramento @ 916-319-2080 or by e-mail at his web site http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a80/ and click on the "contact us" at the bottom of the page.

Subject: Urge Assembly members to vote NO on new RTTT bill, SBx5 4 by Romero!

Happy New Year. This first week back is going to be a busy one. While the Governor is scheduled to deliver his State of the State address on Wednesday, the Assembly Education Committee today is scheduled to hear another bad Race to the Top (RTTT) bill by Sen. Gloria Romero. This new version--SBx5 4-- goes beyond the requirements of Race to the Top and contains onerous provisions that will create chaos in local school districts, drain resources from local classrooms, and punish lower-performing schools without providing them with assistance.

If the bill escapes from the Education Committee, the full Assembly could vote on the bill today. That’s why it’s urgent that you make contact with your Assembly Member right now. E-mail your Assembly Member and urge your members to do the same. The message is short and simple: Vote against SBX5 4 (Romero).

Read CTA’s Legislative Alert to find out more about why the new Romero bill it still bad for our students and schools.

David A. Sanchez

CTA President

Special Alert: House Voting on Jobs Package Tomorrow - Urge Inclusion of Education Funding

December 15, 2009

SPECIAL ALERT:

HOUSE TO VOTE TOMORROW ON JOBS PACKAGE:

URGE INCLUSION OF CRITICAL EDUCATION FUNDING

The House of Representatives is scheduled to consider an economic recovery/jobs package as early as TOMORROW (Wednesday, December 16).

It is urgent that this package include funding for education, and particularly an Education Jobs Fund to help save and create jobs that help students achieve, run our schools, and strengthen the middle class.

Investment in public education is the best investment for the nation’s economy, both in the short run and the long run.

Contact your Representative TODAY and urge support for a jobs package that includes:

· An Education Jobs Fund to maintain investments in public education, and save and create jobs. Additional federal money for public education will have an immediate impact on improving the employment picture because it is one of the most labor intensive industries. Such a Fund will also help keep schools fully staffed and help address the negative impacts on student learning of economic distress.

· An infrastructure investment program that will modernize schools, put Americans to work, and help students learn.

See how much funding your state will lose once monies under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expire, unless Congress provides more funding in a jobs/economic recovery bill.

Our U.S. and state Senators need to hear from educators on two important issues.

1. The current U.S. Senate version of the Health Care bill contains a provision which would tax premiums. The provision would inevitably lead school districts to reduce the medical benefits to their employees to avoid paying the excise tax. Some districts will decimate current benefit plans and some may even decide to eliminate specific benefits — such as dental and vision — for educators.

HOW YOU CAN HELP ON HEALTH CARE!

· Please urge your members to contact U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and tell them to say NO to the excise tax on working families and educators. Dial 1-800-294-9811 to be connected to U.S. Senators Boxer and Feinstein.

· Forward this e-mail to friends and family.

· Download this flyer and share with members.

· E-mail your Senator.

· Learn more.

2. With your help, CTA-supported Assembly Bill X5 8 by Assembly Education Chair Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), which puts California in the best position to apply for federal Race To The Top (RTTT) funds, cleared the Assembly yesterday and is now on its way to the state Senate for debate and a vote. While the governor is threatening to veto this version, we must let our state Senators know this is the best bill to help California submit a successful RTTT application.

HOW YOU CAN HELP ON RTTT! Contact your state Senators and tell them to approve the Brownley bill.

NEA Education Insider: December 11, 2009

Keep Up The Drum Beat: Support Education Funding In Jobs Package

As we reported last week, Congress is considering a second economic recovery package, focused on job creation. A bill could be taken up in the House of Representatives as early as next week. Critical to such a package is the inclusion of an Education Jobs Fund to help save and create jobs that help students achieve, run our schools, and strengthen the middle class.

Investment in public education is the best investment for the nation’s economy, both in the short run and the long run. Therefore, NEA is proposing an emergency jobs package that includes:

An Education Jobs Fund to maintain investments in public education, and save and create jobs. Additional federal money for public education will have an immediate impact on improving the employment picture because it is one of the most labor intensive industries. Such a Fund will also help keep schools fully staffed and help address the negative impacts on student learning of economic distress.

An infrastructure investment program to modernize schools, put Americans to work, and help students learn.

Contact your Representative Today! Urge Congress to include funding for education in any jobs package.

See how much funding your state will lose once monies under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expire, unless Congress provides more funding in a jobs/economic recovery bill.

Tell Congress: No Excise Tax On Health Insurance Plans!

The United States Senate is currently debating the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) – a health insurance reform bill that would pay for needed reforms by imposing a 40 percent excise tax on high-cost insurance plans.

Although the tax would be paid by insurance companies and plan administrators (employers), not by employees, the ultimate result would be a dramatic reduction in benefits as the excise taxes payable would be so high that insurance companies and employers would do everything in their power to avoid paying it.

The health care bill passed by the House of Representatives last month contains no excise tax.

Contact your Senators Today! Tell the Senate to reject any excise tax on high-cost plans in health insurance reform legislation.

Learn more about NEA’s position on health care.
Read more about health insurance reform myths vs. facts.

Check out the New On-Line NEA Today Action Site!

NEA’s newest interactive website, “NEA Today Action” gives NEA members a chance to speak out on education issues. Visit http://www.neatodayaction.org/ and check out the featured articles on education policy by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and top congressional policymakers. Share your comments on their statements and tell us what you think the Obama Administration’s top education priorities should be

New Email Blast

Dennis Van Roekel wants you to know about the following (View Dennis Van Roekel's profile) Today NEA launched NEA Today Action. We've created this new Web site at a time when we expect education reform to begin to move to the forefront of the national agenda. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is up for reauthorization, and the Obama Administration is fully engaged in the Race to the Top and School Improvement Grants. We invited Education Secretary Arne Duncan and the leaders of the Congressional education committees -- Democrats and Republicans -- to share their vision for federal education policy. We also reached out to a governor for perspective from the state level. But this conversation is not complete without you! So check out the site. Consider what the policymakers have to say, then let us know what you have to say. NEA has opened up the channels of communication. Now's the time to talk back and let decision makers know what you think. I want to hear from you! Dennis

Help!!! Help Needed Today. Tell Assembly to Support Brownley Bill.

Urge your Assembly Member to approve a CTA-backed Race to the Top (RTTT) bill--Assembly Bill X 5 8 by Assembly Education Chair Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica). At the same time, your quick action is needed to urge these same lawmakers to reject Senate Bill 5x 1 by Senator Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), which hurts schools and doesn’t help California’s application for RTTT funds.

The Assembly Education and Appropriations Committees are scheduled to consider both measures on Wednesday, Dec. 9. The full Assembly could vote as early as Thursday, Dec. 10.

That’s why it is urgent that you contact your Assembly Member right now.

CTAINVEST.ORG
IS UP AND RUNNING

Educators who want to take more control over their financial futures now have a new tool at their disposal. CTA's financial education Web site, ctainvest.org, launched in late August. This financial resource, developed exclusively for California educators, provides information about voluntary retirement savings plans and education on financial and investing topics. Educators can find the answers to questions such as: "Will I have enough money to support my retirement lifestyle?" "What types of investments should I consider?" and "How does my 403(b) plan work?"

"We've created this resource for educators to help them make informed choices about retirement planning and investing," says David A. Sanchez, CTA president. "We know that our members are eager to learn more about what is available to them, and this site provides a wealth of information in one convenient package.
The ctainvest.org Web site features:

•	Financial articles on a range of topics, including CalSTRS and CalPERS basics, 403(b) and 457 plan basics, investing strategies, saving for education, insurance, estate planning and much more.
•	10 calculators licensed through Standard & Poor's that can help educators estimate everything from retirement income needs to college savings to the potential benefits of refinancing.
•	Webinars, also licensed through Standard & Poor's, that take a step-by-step approach to explaining asset allocation, investment risk, managing debt and credit, and understanding mutual funds.
•	Case studies, which are real-life stories from educators navigating the waters of retirement planning and investing.

Visit ctainvest.org today

CTA developed this site for California educators. So visit ctainvest.org soon to learn more about taking control over your financial future.

CTA Member Benefit of the Week:

CTA Member Benefits is highlighting the CTA Well-Baby Program which provides expert resources to eligible CTA members and their pregnant spouses or domestic partners. This program offers The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy Book, access to the Ask Mayo Clinic 24-hour toll-free nurse line, and access to a Mayo Clinic Pregnancy Advisor nurse available by phone throughout the pregnancy and three months post-partum. This benefit is available free to eligible CTA members enrolled in either the voluntary CTA group life or disability plan with The Standard and to their spouses/domestic partners. Please note, enrollment is only acceptable through the 20th week of pregnancy. However, if you are a CTA member or the spouse/domestic partner of a CTA member who is past 20 weeks of pregnancy, a one-time late enrollment opportunity will be accepted as long as the CTA member is within the first 120 days of new employment. For enrollment in the CTA Well-Baby Program, contact 800-906-1064. Please visit Member Benefits at www.cta.org for additional information or contact us at 650-552-5200.

NEA Member Benefit Article of the Week:

TIPS ON HOW TO NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR CREDITORS

Let’s face it—we live in a credit-dominated society. Most of us can pay cash for our daily living expenses, but when it comes time to make a major purchase such as a house or a car, we need a thick credit file with a long history of responsible payments. Credit is a convenience that keeps us from having to carry large amounts of cash, and also allows us to buy now and pay later. Admittedly, many people have taken that perk to an extreme, but used appropriately, credit can be our friend.

Many consumers are now faced with having their existing lines of credit impacted by changes to the terms of their account. Higher interest rates, lower spending limits, increased minimum monthly payments, or even closed accounts have put many on the financial ropes. If the terms of your account have been altered, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) makes the following recommendations:

Ask for an explanation. Everyone deserves to know why the terms of their account were changed, so definitely inquire. Among other things, the creditor may close an account due to inactivity, because you no longer fit their business model, because you’ve become too much of a risk, or you’re no longer profitable.

Fight to get your previous terms reinstated. If you’ve had a sporadic pay history, are at or near your credit limit, or rarely use the card, you may not have a leg to stand on. However, if you’ve been a good customer, it’s worth it to call the issuer and plead your case, but you must have your financial ducks in a row before picking up the phone.
Build your case before you call. Know how long you’ve been a customer, the amount you usually charge each month, and underscore your good payment history.
Prove that you’re worth having. Get your credit report for free from www.annualcreditreport.com. Review it for accuracy. After all, you want to make sure that you and the creditor are seeing the same information. Next, pay the few dollars it costs to get your credit score. If you have a solid credit report and high credit score, you should be just the kind of customer any issuer wants.
Be prepared to negotiate. Know what you want before you call, and be willing to negotiate if you have to. In other words, if your interest rate has been raised and your credit limit has been lowered, start off asking that both be returned to the previous levels. However, figure out in advance which is more important to you. Do you need a low rate because you carry a balance over from month-to-month, or does a high line of credit matter more to you? If you end up in a stand-off with the creditor, you’ll know where to give.
Ask for a supervisor. If you’re not getting the answers you want, move up the ladder until you either get what you’re after, or are convinced they are going to stand firm with their decision.
Inquire about the opt-out clause. If it makes more financial sense to do so, ask to have your account closed, with you continuing to pay the balance under the former terms. This option is often the right one for consumers who have had their interest rate or minimum payment raised to an unmanageable level. If it’s going to be a true financial hardship to meet the new terms, then it’s better to close the account.

Even though having more plastic can equal more temptation, it might be smart to have a back-up card in case you lose charging privileges on your primary card. Another card can be a safety net that will keep your access to credit open. Credit can be difficult to obtain, so testing the waters by applying for one more card – not a wallet full - before you actually need it will provide a degree of comfort during these uncertain times.

For help making sound financial decisions, building a budget you can live with, or assistance digging out of debt, reach out to a trained and certified counselor at an NFCC Member Agency. To find the location closest to you, call toll-free to the NEA dedicated line at (866) 479-NEA2 (6322), or go online to the special Web page for NEA members at www.neamb.com/debtadvice.

If you are dealing with pressing financial issues or simply have some financial questions, NEA Member Benefits (NEA MB) has a solution. NEA MB has teamed with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) to provide both free and very affordable financial tools and services to NEA members and their families. Whether it’s one-on-one counseling or an educational workshop, an NFCC member agency can provide you with the financial assistance you need. Take the first step toward securing your financial future—call the dedicated NEA member line toll-free at 866-479-NEA2 (6322) or visit the special Web page for NEA members at www.neamb.com/debtadvice .

Have a great week!

Good Evening,

State Senator Gloria Romero is trying to rush action on unnecessary legislation that she claims the state needs to be eligible to apply for federal Race to the Top funds. She is pushing a hearing and a vote on this bill as early as Monday ? even though the U.S. Department of Education has not released final regulations for RTTT. CTA and the entire education community believe no additional legislation is needed in order for California to apply for these funds. Senator Romero?s bill would do more harm than good.

We are asking you to take time this weekend and Monday to contact your state senator. Ask your senator to oppose Senate Bill 5x 1.

This education legislation should not be voted on without an opportunity for input from parents, educators and the community; or until we have seen the final federal regulations.

Please see the Legislative Alert below. And thank you for your quick action.

David A. Sanchez

CTA President

CTA LegAlert

Block Effort to Turn Race to Top into Rush to Failure

CTA needs your help right now to stop legislative efforts to turn the Race to the Top into a rush to failure.

State Senator Gloria Romero (D- Los Angeles ), a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, is using the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) program to push through unnecessary legislation that will hurt teachers, students and schools. CTA is asking you to call your State Senators and ask them to reject Senate Bill 5x 1.

Background: Hastily Amended Bill, Short Notice

Under the cover of the special session on education called by Gov. Schwarzenegger, Sen. Romero has amended her measure and worked with Sen. President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) to put the bill on a ?fast track.? The bill was amended Thursday night with the intention of having the Senate Education Committee pass it on Monday, followed immediately by a vote of the full Senate. Not only is this ?short cut? suspect, it also prevents lawmakers from giving the measure and its major education changes the careful study they deserve. Members of the education community and the public deserve time to review and have input on this legislation.

What?s even worse ? the bill would change state law before the RTTT federal regulations are even finalized. Those regulations may not be finalized until December. It makes no sense to pass the Romero bill now.

SB 5x 1 has numerous problems:

It locks into state law unnecessary changes Sen. Romero claims are needed to implement RTTT even before the federal regulations governing the program have been adopted.
It repeats the mistakes of the fatally flawed No Child Left Behind Act, including the overreliance on test scores as the only measure of student achievement.
It modifies regulations governing the entire School Improvement Grant Program in hopes of helping California get one-time RTTT funds, but it would also cause schools to lose SIG money if they do not comply with the new state regulations.
It forces irresponsible and punitive changes in teacher and administrator evaluations.
It allows unfettered increases in under-regulated charter schools that are not responsible to the community.
It substitutes narrow compliance in place of innovation and local flexibility vital to schools? success.
It increases costs and mandates at a time schools are staggering under $17 billion in cuts and 20,000 educator layoffs.

CTA Coordinators: Contact Senators

Contact your State Senator today and over the weekend, and urge other CTA members at your school to do the same. The message is short and simple:

? Vote against SB 5x_1.

? Don?t change state law before federal RTTT regulations have been finalized.


	Calculators \| Webinars \| Case Studies \| Articles

Announcing comprehensive investment
education exclusively for members of CTA at
ctainvest.org

Check out these valuable financial tools for educators at ctainvest.org


	Check out these valuable financial tools for educators at ctainvest.org:
	CALCULATORS from Standard & Poor's – such as a 403(b) Planner and Asset Allocation Profiler

	WEBINARS Managing Debt and Credit, Understanding Mutual Funds and more

	CASE STUDIES CTA member testimonials

	ARTICLES – read about your CalSTRS plan, 403(b) investing and financial planning

	Plus, SIGN UP for e-mail updates on your choice of 403(b) and investing topics.

Happy Halloween!
News from The Standard

Fall is here and as always, The Standard is available to answer
any of your questions about coverage. Their dedicated CTA Customer
Service Department can be reached at 800.522.0406 7:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. Pacific Time or write to ctaservice@standard.com with
any questions or concerns.

Have voluntary Disability or Life Insurance with another carrier?

From October 1 to November 30, 2009 you can switch your coverage
to the CTA-endorsed plans offered by The Standard - without proof
of good health. Members can transfer to a coverage amount equal
to their current coverage or if an equal amount is not available,
they can choose to transfer to the next closest higher option or
any lower option. Simply provide proof of your existing coverage
with your application.

You can find forms online at MyCTA at www.cta.org. Call The
Standard's dedicated CTA Customer Service Department at
800-522-0406, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with any questions.

Newly hired CTA member, or new to your district?

If you're a newly hired CTA member, or transferring to a new
district now's the time to get coverage. During your first 120
days of new employment, you have a one-time opportunity to apply
for Disability Insurance and/or up to $200,000 of Life
Insurance – without showing proof of good health. Don't miss this
great opportunity - call The Standard's dedicated CTA Customer
Service Department at 800-522-0406 for more information.

Wedding or baby due this fall?

Congratulations! Remember that within 31 days of a Family Status
Change, you can add or increase Life Insurance coverage up to
$200,000 and/or add Disability coverage, all without providing
proof of good health. For more information about filing a
maternity Disability claim, visit us at www.cta.org and click
through to The Standard to get our helpful Maternity Guide.

Organizing your desk?

Make sure to call The Standard if you're moving to a new address
or needing to make changes to your beneficiary designation. It's
important to keep your records up-to-date, and it's easy to do.
Simply call The Standard's dedicated CTA Customer Service
Department at 800-522-0406.

Jack-O-Lantern Jar – a fun and easy craft project from The Standard

Supplies: jar (pickle jar works best), candle, orange poster
paint and black electrical tape.

Instructions: Paint the outside of the jar with orange poster
paint. Once dry use black electrical tape to create eyes and
any other facial features you want. Place a candle in the jar
and you have a cute jack-o-lantern for your window.

Questions?

Call The Standard's dedicated CTA Customer Service Department at
800.522.0406 (TTY), 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Or, email
ctaservice@standard.com. And if you haven't taken a look at CTA's
Web site, visit MyCTA at www.cta.org.

Greetings! There are many new ideas out there to help teachers. NEA has created a web-site called “Works-4-Me” which are tried and true teaching hints suggested by NEA members. Each week you will receive an e-mail with six helpful (and short) hints to help you in your teaching. They will fall under the following categories:

Teaching Techniques

Content

Getting Organized

Managing Your Classroom

Relationships

Using Technology

In addition, you will get information about your CTA and NEA Member Benefits that are available to you through your membership in the Association. Click on the link or visit www.cta.org and www.neamb.com.

Teaching Techniques

Class Generated Books

"My students make numerous class generated books throughout the year. On the last day of school, I allow the students to choose one of the books to take home. The collective books make nice mementos for the students."

Content

Bean Bag Count

"I use a bean bag for my students to throw and catch as they count. It's also useful when counting by 2's, 5's and 10's. The beanbags keep the students' interest and make learning fun. This is also good for problem solving because if they drop the bag, they have to start over. Pretty soon they figure out that they should toss it to the person closest to them. It's fun to see them figure out these everyday problems on their own."

Getting Organized

Highlighted Names

"I have a problem with my students remembering to put their names on their papers. To solve this problem I tied a string to a highlighter and taped it to our "in work" box. Students must highlight their name on the paper when they put it in the box. If they forgot to write their name, they can add it and then highlight it. The kids love to use highlighters and it saves time trying to figure out what paper belongs to what student."

Managing Your Classroom

Pocket Attendance

"I quickly take attendance by using a pocket chart. I write each student's name on both sides of a card in two different colors. As the students walk in, they flip their name card over. I know which students are absent because their names are in a different color. Writing the names on both sides in two different colors eliminates the need for me to switch all the cards over each day because I only need to turn over the cards of those students who were absent. I color code the heading at the top of the chart so that students who can't remember whether or not they switched their name can see what color it's supposed to be."

Relationships

Teacher Business Cards

"I had business cards made up with my name, school address, phone and fax numbers and email address. Originally, I just gave them out at the meetings and conferences I attended but now I give them out to my students too. I laminate them and glue a magnet strip to the back. I get the magnets as freebies from business donations. Each family has the magnet on their refrigerator as an easy to find reference. It's also a reminder to my students that I want to be in touch with their families too."

Using Technology

Favorite Sites

"I teach Internet researching skills and have my students keep a notebook on interesting sites that they would like to return to at a later time. This allows them to continue with their research and know that they can get back to a site they want to see again. The notebook works well because they can't save to a favorites or bookmarked folder."

CTA Member Benefit of the Week:

Did you know CTA Members, their spouses, domestic partners, and their dependent relatives save on average $400 a year with California Casualty auto and home (including renters) insurance? Other benefits include:

· Low rates with your NEA member discount

· Multi-policy discounts for Auto & Home coverage

· Discounts for family members who are good students or mature drivers

· Theft of personal property from your vehicle covered up to $500 - including school supplies

· Identity Theft Resolution Services included with auto or home policies at no additional cost.

· Deductible waiver for vandalism in a school parking lot or within 500 feet of a school or school event.

To get a quote go to http://www.cta.org or call 1.800.877.7345. Be sure to identify yourself as a CTA member.

NEA Member Benefit of the Week:

For those with four legged children…NEA Pet Insurance Program

Pets Best Insurance for healthier pets, happier pet owners!

NEA Member Benefits is now offering one of the nation’s premier pet insurance products to NEA members—Pets Best Insurance.

If you have a pet, you know it can be expensive to care for your furry friend. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that certain procedures, such as treating a broken leg, can cost $2,000 to $5,000. Surgically removing swallowed items, such as sticks or toys, can cost $1,000 to $3,000. The good news is pet insurance can help cover certain procedures and illnesses.

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Source: http://www.neamb.com/home/1207_4466.htm

NEA Member Benefit Article of the Week:

College-Bound Should Hit the Books on Insurance

Date published: Sunday, June 29, 2008

National Association of Insurance Commissioners

Children living away from home at college might not be covered by their parents’ property, auto or health insurance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. It will pay to look into the details of the family insurance coverage before fall classes begin.

The summer weeks are a good time to do some homework on the kind of insurance coverage that college-bound students will need for the coming school year.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) strongly urges young adults—and their parents—to get smart about insurance. For insurance tips, NAIC suggests going to www.insureuonline.org.

Parents do not need the unpleasant surprise of an insurance claim that is denied because their child is not properly covered, NAIC said. The Association recommends that parents carefully review their homeowner’s, auto and health insurance policies to determine what is—and what is not—covered for college-bound children.

Renter’s Insurance

Whether students live in college housing or rent off-campus apartments/houses, they will likely have valuables—such as a computer, TV, stereo and/or video game system—that could be stolen or destroyed in a fire or natural disaster.

Parents should check their homeowner’s policy to see whether it will cover a college student’s possessions. Furthermore, if students live in an off-campus apartment or house, parents should consider purchasing renter’s insurance through their existing homeowner’s insurance provider.

Auto Insurance

If a college student is going to be using a family vehicle while at home, parents should make sure the child is listed by name on the family’s auto insurance policy.

If the student will be taking a family car with them to school, parents should check the specific rates for the college’s city and state before deciding whether to keep their child on the family’s auto policy.

Parents should also consider raising the policy’s deductible and only allowing their child to drive the family’s oldest, least expensive car. In addition, parents might consider purchasing an older car for their child and forgoing comprehensive and collision insurance on that vehicle.

Health Insurance

Full-time college students are often covered under their parents’ health insurance plans until they graduate or reach 23 years of age.

While students are away at college, it is important to check whether the campus health facility, local physicians and hospitals accept the family’s insurance coverage. If not, it might be advisable to purchase a student insurance plan through the college.

Be sure the student has a copy of the relevant insurance cards and knows the procedure about obtaining referrals and approvals before seeking treatment.

September 14, 2009

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- - - - - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA - - - - -

Dear Friend:

Much has been learned about H1N1 Flu, previously called “swine flu,” since the first cases were identified in the U.S. earlier this year. The good news seems to be that H1N1 is not as deadly as first believed. However, unlike most flu viruses, H1N1 seems to be a more dangerous illness for adolescents.

The federal government is providing a wealth of information about H1N1 and other flu issues in a website that includes links from many federal sources. Flu.gov includes information for parents, childcare providers, and school officials, as well as for seniors and the general population. The information is both understandable and interesting, and provides an explanation about efforts to vaccinate for H1N1. If you have concerns about H1N1 or any other seasonal flu question, I encourage you to visit flu.gov for timely and valuable information.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

The following appeared in NEA's "Opening Bell" on September 21, 2009

Fewer Schools Teaching Penmanship Amid Rise Of Computer Technology.

The AP (9/19, Breen) reported that penmanship "is being shunted aside at schools across the country in favor of 21st century skills." According to the AP, the "decline of cursive is happening as students are doing more and more work on computers, including writing. In 2011, the writing test of the National Assessment of Educational Progress will require 8th and 11th graders to compose on computers, with 4th graders following in 2019." According to Katie Van Sluys, president of the Whole Language Umbrella, handwriting "is increasingly something people do only when they need to make a note to themselves rather than communicate with others," as students "accustomed to using computers to write at home have a hard time seeing the relevance of hours of practicing cursive handwriting."

The following appeared in NEA's "Opening Bell" on September 16, 2009

California Schools Show Progress On State Tests.

Appearing in at least 26 media outlets, an AP (9/16, Terence Chea) report says the California Department of Education on Tuesday released its Accountability Progress Report that shows many schools, "while still making real academic gains, have fallen short on the federal measure," according to Superintendent Jack O'Connell. About 42 percent of K-12 public schools reached the target score of 800 on the state Academic Performance Index in 2008-2009, up from 36 percent the previous year. The data showed the state's performance goal "was met by 48 percent of elementary schools, 36 percent of middle schools and 21 percent of high schools. The average score statewide rose 14 points to 755 in 2009." In addition, the report found a "slight narrowing" of the achievement gap between white and Asian students and their black and Hispanic peers; the average score was 878 for Asians, 828 for whites, 698 for Hispanics and 674 for blacks.

State, U.S. Disagree On Progress At Some L.A. Schools. The Los Angeles Times (9/16, Howard Blume) adds, "Thirty-nine Los Angeles schools -- a group larger than the entire Glendale school system -- identified as 'failing' under federal standards became eligible Tuesday for takeover under a recent Board of Education policy. These schools bring the number of Los Angeles Unified School District campuses eligible for takeover to 252." The Times, citing Venice High, Belmont High and 112th Street Elementary in Watts, said the state yardstick "suggests that even within beleaguered L.A. Unified, there are places where labeling campuses as failures may not tell the whole story."

Tests Show Mixed Results For California Schoolchildren. In an analysis of state data, The Sacramento Bee (9/16, Niesha Lofing, Phillip Reese) notes, "In the four-county Sacramento region, the number of Title 1 schools in program improvement jumped almost 50 percent, going from 88 in 2008-2009 to 128 in 2009-2010. Sacramento County saw the biggest increase; 95 of its Title 1 schools are now in program improvement, up from 61% the prior year. Almost as many Sacramento County schools that receive Title 1 funding are in program improvement as are not. Placer County saw its program improvement schools tally go from 9 to 11; El Dorado grew from 4 to 6 schools and the number of schools in Yolo County increased from 14 to 16."

Innovative Math Program Boosts Scores At O.C. Schools. The Los Angeles Times (9/16, Seema Mehta) adds, "Across the state, schools saw a 4.5 percent increase in the number of elementary students scoring 'proficient' or 'advanced' in math. But 64 Orange County elementary schools that took part in a math program created by the nonprofit MIND Research Institute saw a nearly 13 percent increase in the number of students scoring in those top levels." The Times explains that the MIND institute used neuroscience research to create a way to teach math based on "spatial-temporal reasoning," or as co-founder Mathew Peterson says, "It's thinking in pictures." Computer games as well as interactive visuals in the classroom help teach students fractions, equations, comparisons and other math processes. Later, they learn the vocabulary and symbols that go with the subject matter. The Orange County Register (9/16, Fermin Leal) also runs a report crediting the MIND Research Institute for local progress.

Check this out!!!! From the NEA's "Opening Bell" September 3, 2009

NEA, Clorox Offering Teachers Free Disinfecting Wipes Until Sept. 5.

MyNC.com (9/3) reports, "The Clorox Company along with the National Education Association's Health Network is giving away free disinfecting wipes to teachers." Teachers can "redeem the offer, while supplies last" at www.cloroxclassrooms.com between Sept. 2 and Sept. 5.

Follow-up info from NEA's "Opening Bell" on September 4, 2009.

White House Changes Obama Speech Lesson Plans Amid Criticism.

Education Week (9/3, Aarons) reported that the White House and ED officials "scrambled Thursday to reassure school leaders that President Barack Obama's national speech to schoolchildren next week will touch on important educational goals," despite criticism from some conservatives that speech aims to "indoctrinate" children with the President's political views.

ABC News (9/4, Tapper, Travers) reports on its "Political Punch" blog, "White House officials seemed to be caught flat-footed by the response to what they say was a simple back to school address by President Obama to students across the nation -- and has turned into a firestorm." Now, officials admit "that one of the lesson plans surrounding the speech was written clumsily, subjecting it to misinterpretation, and had to be re-written." The lesson called for students to "Write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president." The new plans ask students to "Write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals." However, ABC points out, the change "has not stopped concern and even outrage in some school districts across the country." And "some school districts in Texas, Illinois, Virginia, Wisconsin, Missouri and Minnesota are even refusing to show the president's address." The Richmond Times Dispatch (9/3, Reid), the Minneapolis Star Tribune (9/4, Blanchette), and the Abilene (TX) Reporter-News (9/4, Bethel) report on how school districts in their respective areas plan to handle the President's speech.

The Salt Lake Tribune (9/4, Burr, Stewart) reports that "the White House pushed back Thursday against criticisms from conservatives and concerns from parents...about President Barack Obama's planned address to students next week." According to the Salt Lake Tribune, "Some of the more extreme critics have used words like 're-education' and 'indoctrination,' to describe the speech, one that the conservative Drudge Report news site claimed was 'unprecedented.'" But White House officials insist that the President's "speech is not about healthcare reform nor any other item from the White House agenda...but will simply feature the president encouraging students to stay in school and work hard." The Tribune points out that Obama's speech "isn't the first of its kind." In 1991, "President George H.W. Bush in 1991 spoke to students across the nation in a teleconference that was part of a national space science symposium. He talked about importance of studying math and science."

PolitiFact Rejects Claim That President Plans To Raise Healthcare, Tax Issues In Speech. In the St. Petersburg Times' (9/3) PolitiFact blog, Angie Drobnic Holan attempted to debunk the claim by some critics that "schoolchildren across the nation 'will be forced to watch the president justify his plans for government-run healthcare, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up" debt when President Obama makes his speech on Tuesday. Holan clarified, that the President's "speech will be about 'the importance of persisting and succeeding in school.'" She added that PolitiFact "looked at what Obama intends to talk about in greater detail and found no evidence that he intends to raise controversial policy issues."

The following appeared in NEA's "Opening Bell" September 3, 2009

Some Object To Teachers Showing Obama Speech In Class.

The Salt Lake Tribune (9/3, Schencker, Stewart) reports, "Some Utah parents have already made up their minds about a speech President Barack Obama plans to give to students about the importance of education: They don't want their children watching it." The speech will be "broadcast live online at 10 a.m." next Tuesday. In it, the President "will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning." The U.S. Department of Education is urging "schools to join in the 'historic' event, even providing age-appropriate classroom activities." Many conservatives, meanwhile, "in Utah and nationwide, say "they don't want their kids "forced" to watch the speech, fearing it will eat up precious class time with political or policy messages." Several Utah districts "are sending letters to principals saying that if they plan to broadcast the speech, they should warn parents and provide alternate activities for students who don't want to watch it."

The Houston Chronicle (9/3, Scharrer, Mellon) reports that "some Texas parents are asking school principals to excuse their children from listening to a speech that President Barack Obama will make to schools next week on the grounds that it smacks of political indoctrination." In the Houston area, most "districts will let principals and teachers decide whether to show Obama's speech. Some district leaders raised concerns about interrupting already scheduled lessons, while others said students need to hear the president's expected message of personal responsibility for learning." Texas Education Agency spokeswoman Debbie Ratcliffe said, "It is not uncommon for students to watch a presidential speech that is given during the school day." However, she noted, "This situation is somewhat different in that this speech apparently will be directed to students. But each district can decide how best to handle it for their community."

White House Revises Lesson Plans To Exclude Writing Prompt About How To "Help President." The Washington Times (9/3, Mosk) reports that "President Obama's plan to inspire the nation's schoolchildren with a video address next week erupted into controversy Wednesday, forcing the White House to pull out its eraser and rewrite a government recommendation that teachers nationwide assign students a paper on how to 'help the president.'" Many conservative and Republican groups claimed that the assignment was an attempt by the President "to politicize the education system." Tuesday night, the White House confirmed that the lesson plan would be revised." And "by Wednesday evening, the sentence asking children to think about how they can 'help the president' had been replaced."

Urgent!!!!!!!! Please make Calls

Greetings, Presidents and Members,

On Tuesday, I let you know that the governor and legislative leaders had reached a compromise budget agreement, which would restore more than

$11 billion in cuts to public education and protect the minimum school funding law.

The agreement does include some additional cuts to schools, but the $11 billion repayment is critical to the future of public education. We also need a two-thirds vote from the Legislature on the repayment bills, AB 3 and SB 3. So in addition to calling your legislators, I am also asking you to call the lawmakers listed below. Ask them to support AB 3 and SB 3 to restore some of the money that has been cut from schools, and that our students desperately need.

Right now, both the Senate and the Assembly are planning to vote tonight. Call your lawmaker toll free at (888) 268-4334.

Please forward this e-mail to your members, family and friends. Thank you!

David A. Sanchez

CTA President

List of legislators to call in addition to your own:

Assembly Area Code (916)

1. Sam Blakeslee 319-2033

2. Jean Fuller 319-2032

3. Danny Gilmore 319-2030

4. Stephen Knight 319-3036

5. Jim Nielsen 319-2002

6. Cameron Smyth 319-2038

7. Audra Strickland 319-2037

Senate Area Code (916)

1. Roy Ashburn 651-4018

2. Dave Cogdill 651-4014

3. Jeff Denham 651-4012

4. Abel Maldonado 651-4015

5. Tony Strickland 651-4019

6. Mark Wyland 651-4038

Greetings, Presidents and Members,

The top legislative leaders and the governor have finally reached a compromise budget agreement that restores more than $11 billion in cuts to public education under Proposition 98 and protects the minimum school funding law from suspension. The “Big 5” have approved the agreement, but now both houses of the Legislature must also approve it.

We need your help in getting the Legislature to pass this compromise agreement as soon as possible and getting the governor to sign it. Your calls and

e-mails to the governor and legislators played a pivotal role in protecting Proposition 98 from being suspended and ensuring that the more than $11 billion owed to schools by law would be restored once the economy improves. Please call your lawmakers at (888) 268-4334 and ask them to pass this agreement, too. CTA also began airing a new statewide TV ad today urging Californians to ask their lawmakers to pass this budget agreement. I’m asking you to do the same.

Make no mistake about it, the $12 billion in cuts that our schools, community colleges and students have already taken and the additional $6 billion in this budget for a total of $18 billion over two years are unprecedented, deep and painful. Over 17,000 teachers, nurses, school librarians and counselors have been laid off; class sizes are increasing; art, music, physical education, career technical education and other programs have been cut. But this budget protects the voter-passed minimum school funding law from suspension, and it guarantees that the cuts to public education will be restored.

Call your lawmakers and the governor and ask them to pass the compromise budget plan now! We owe it to our students, and we all owe it to the future of our state.

Please forward this e-mail to your members, family and friends. We need their help too!

David A. Sanchez

CTA President

June 16, 2009

State Budget Deficit Grows

CTA Calls for Rescinding Tax Breaks to Businesses

With the defeat of the Special Election initiatives and further declining revenues, the state budget deficit is once again at $24 billion and Governor Schwarzenegger has once again proposed cuts to education, health care and other vital services. Public schools and colleges are looking at another $6 billion in cuts on top of the $11.6 billion as part of the budget agreement approved in February.

First, I want to thank everyone for all their work in the May Special Election. From the beginning, we knew this was going to be a tough campaign as voters were rightfully upset with lawmakers for failing to do their jobs, but I am proud of all of the phone calls and work by CTA members in this effort. CTA has already started legal action to ensure that our schools and colleges are paid the money they are owed under the state’s minimum school funding law and is working with legislative leaders to include a payback provision as part of the final state budget legislation. The “maintenance factor” owed to schools and community colleges is now nearly $10 billion.

I know this special election also has poor timing, falling in the middle of state testing and year-end exams, so I want to thank everyone who has been making phone calls and urging CTA members to get out and vote. We must keep up the hard work. Proposition 1B repays schools and community colleges more than $9 billion: money that would help rehire teachers and restore critical student programs. Keep talking to colleagues, family members and friends. Ask them to stand up for public schools once again and vote YES on Propositions 1A-1F.

May Revision and More Revenues

Technically, the state budget has been approved, but the Legislature must now make final “adjustments” to close the growing deficit. CTA, the Education Coalition and other labor unions are calling on lawmakers to support additional revenues as part of the adjusted budget agreement. It starts with rescinding the corporate tax breaks approved by lawmakers over the past two years, which would raise more than $2.5 billion annually. Students and public schools should not be taking additional budget cuts, while businesses are getting tax breaks. CTA also supports proposals for an oil severance tax. Democratic leaders are putting together a compromise budget proposal and are expected to send it to the Budget Conference Committee this week. State Controller John Chiang has warned lawmakers that a final budget must be approved by the end of the month to avoid a complete fiscal meltdown in the state by July 28.

August Layoffs

CTA’s Legal Department is helping chapters prepare for August layoff notices. About 17 school districts have indicated they are planning summer layoffs. The final deadline is August 15. So far, nearly 16,000 of the layoff notices sent in March have been confirmed, while more than 11,000 notices have been rescinded.

Latest Round Of Education Cuts Expected To Directly Affect California Classrooms.

Education Week (6/9, Maxwell) reports that "California educators, already reeling from billions of dollars in spending cuts to public schools this year, are scrounging for even more ways to save money in the final weeks of the academic year as the state's finances continue to melt down." But now "educators say they won't be able to avoid direct hits to the classroom." Districts face increased class sizes, more teacher layoffs, canceled summer school programs, "and, in some districts, the required 180 days of instruction may shrink by as much as seven days." And although Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) "has said that money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that is slated for California's public schools will reimburse districts for many of the state-level cuts, educators have been worried that the federal economic-stimulus aid will not be nearly enough."

From: CTA President, David Sanchez June 4, 2009

Last month’s defeat of the special election initiatives has paved the way for billions of dollars in additional drastic cuts to the state budget. The governor released his May Revision of the budget on Friday, and included additional cuts to public schools and colleges.

The governor is proposing additional education cuts of $1.6 billion this school year, and another $4.6 billion in the state fiscal year starting July 1. This is in addition to the crippling $11.6 billion in cuts made to schools and colleges in February’s budget deal. These total cuts work out to a loss of nearly $3,000 per student.

CTA organized a number of members to testify at a legislative hearing on Monday. The CTA members were joined by others from the Education Coalition. Everyone told lawmakers how these cuts to education are destroying the chance for a better future for our students and our state. You can echo their testimony by e-mailing your legislators and sharing your story. They need to hear from educators.

Further funding cuts could also result in another round of layoffs over the summer. This is allowed under a rarely used provision in the Education Code. It’s important to let members know about this and make sure you are able to contact them with updates during the summer. CTA’s Legal Department has developed the following resources to help:

Layoff Survival Guide
CTA Legal Second Round of Layoffs Flier (includes seniority/certification update form)

CTA is aggressively advocating for our members and students and will continue to do so throughout the summer. Our Legal Department and NODD specialists are ready to help members with RIF hearings and local chapters with any bargaining issues. We will all need to stay informed and be ready to speak up about what budget cuts are doing to our schools and colleges. We’ve developed a number of resources to keep you informed and to help you talk about the governor’s May Revision.

David A. Sanchez

CTA President

California Budget Expected To Include More Cuts To Education.

The Los Angeles Times (6/2, Mehta, Holland) reported, "As the state weighs cutting about $8.1 billion from public schools, colleges and universities, scores of educators, parents, students and others told lawmakers Monday that such reductions would jeopardize student success and safety in the short term and California's prosperity in the long term." The "$1.6 billion in spending" cuts are seen as a threat to small class sizes. Furthermore, in response to earlier proposals, school districts throughout "the state announced last week that they were eliminating or reducing summer school sessions to save money." In a separate story, the Los Angeles Times (6/3, Rothfeld, Goldmacher) reports that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) "told lawmakers" yesterday that "he would not agree to any budget deal that would take money from schools or healthcare without first eliminating the high-paying posts on the state Integrated Waste Management Board and other panels laden with former legislators."

Most Districts Reduce Summer School. California's Mercury News (6/3, Noguchi) reports, "From Los Altos to San Jose, school districts caught in the state's budget vise have cut back severely on summer school." For example, "the Franklin-McKinley School District in San Jose has pared back from 1,000 to 300 students this summer." Other districts have limited enrollment "to only those students lagging furthest behind" or "trimmed summer school from five hours to three" or to students from a few key grades. The Mercury News explains that "while many people regard summer school as an extra, it actually serves an important part of the curriculum, especially as California and the federal government demand that schools and students meet rigorous standards." And according to most educators, "keeping slower students on track throughout the year is essential."

California Budget Expected To Include More Cuts To Education.

Second Round RIFS

Legal and NODD Advisory

Although the March 15^th RIF proceedings have only just concluded, many questions have been raised about the possibility of a second round of RIFS. This advisory is intended to answer some of those questions.

Can school districts proceed with a second round of layoffs of certificated employees after the March 15^th RIF process?

Yes but only if they satisfy three very specific conditions. The Education Code provides for second round reductions in force of certificated employees if three conditions are met:

1. The layoffs occur during the time period between 5 days after enactment of the Budget Act for a fiscal year and August 15^{th ;}

2. The School District’s Board determines that its total revenue limit per unit of average daily attendance for that fiscal year will be less than 2%; and

3. The School District’s Board decides that, as a consequence, it is “necessary to decrease the number of permanent employees in the district.” Educ. Code 44955.5.

The first two of these conditions have arguably been met in most school districts. California enacted a budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year on February 20, 2009, which means that the time period for second round layoffs is now open. In addition, under that budget, not only are most school districts slated to receive revenue limit increases of less than 2% but those numbers will likely fall further as well in the coming month after the Governor’s May Revision, which arguable satisfies the second condition for second round layoffs.

The significant question that remains unanswered is whether school boards will determine that, as a result of the reduced revenue limits, it is “necessary to decrease the number of permanent employees in the district.” School districts are not currently in a position to make that determination because their budgets for next year will be significantly affected by the Governor’s proposed May Revision, the changes made by the Legislature to “balance” the 2009-2010 State Budget and the impact of the federal economic stimulus dollars. We expect that school districts will be in a position to make that determination by the end of June. Organizing efforts to prevent second round layoffs should focus right now on developing the arguments as to why, given the specific circumstances of your school district, layoffs of yet more certificated employees are not necessary due to the decreased revenue limits.

Have school districts ever proceeded with second round layoffs?

Only rarely. Authority to proceed with second round layoffs was initially given to school districts in 1983. Since that time, only a few school districts have ever proceeded with second round layoffs and none have done so in the last several years. The fact that such layoffs have been so rare underscores that the second round layoff procedure is a very narrow exception to the usual March 15^th layoff procedure.

If a school district decides to proceed with second round layoffs what procedures does the school district follow?

The Education Code provides that school districts must follow the same basic procedure when conducting second round layoffs as they do in conducting March 15^th layoffs albeit on a schedule set by the school board, which must conclude by no later than August 15^th. The statute provides that school districts that want to proceed with second round layoffs are to adopt a schedule specifying when employees slated for layoff will receive notice of the proposed layoff as well as a hearing on the layoff. The statute does not set a deadline for this process to begin, but school districts should be urged to give employees as much advance notice of their plans as possible. At the very least, districts should be urged to send out any proposed layoff notices by the end of June, with hearings to follow by early August, proposed ALJ decisions to the school board by no later than August 7th, and final decisions by the school board and notifications of employees by no later than August 14^th(as the 15th falls on a Saturday).

Can a school district use the second round layoff process to relitigate issues it lost in the March 15^th RIF process?

Because the grounds for second round layoffs are different than the grounds for March 15^th layoffs, second round layoff hearings should not be identical to the March 15^th RIF hearings. Rather, the second round layoff hearing should focus on whether or not the district can shown that it is “necessary” to reduce certificated employees due to decreases in the revenue limits that occurred after the March 15^th layoff window closed (districts should have proceeded with RIFS due to any decreases in revenue limits that they knew about before the March 15^th layoff procedure through that procedure). This financial necessity issue could not have been litigated in the March 15^th RIF proceedings both because it is not a ground for March 15^th layoffs and because the additional reduction in revenue limits had not yet occurred.

If the district can show such a financial necessity, the hearing will then turn to whether or not the district has complied with the seniority preference in Education Code 44955, by retaining more senior employees who are certificated and competent to render a particular service unless the district can demonstrate a specific need for staff to teach a specific course or course of study, and that a more junior employee has the “special training and experience necessary to teach that course or course of study” that the more senior employee lacks. Educ. Code Sec. 44955(3)(a). This is the same issue that was litigated in the March 15^th RIF hearings and the outcome of those prior hearings on these issues will certainly be persuasive authority to the administrative law judges hearing second round layoff challenges. The prior administrative outcomes of those hearings, however, will not bind either side in the second round layoff hearings as they do not reflect a final court adjudication of those issues.

What can staff and chapter leadership do now to prepare for second round layoffs?

Request the latest district’s budget documents - Since the window for second round layoffs can be opened only due to a change in the district’s financial situation, specifically a further decline in the district’s revenue limit, you should request the latest district budget documents for analysis. Districts that cannot show the proposed layoffs are necessary due to reductions in their revenue limit will have difficulty proceeding with any second round layoffs.

Organize around, and plan to attend any school board meetings, particularly any special board meeting that is called in June or July – A district that decides to proceed with second round layoffs must decide to do so at a public meeting. Organize for the meeting to make the case that your district cannot afford to proceed with second round layoffs and that it is unconscionable to put teachers through another layoff process who already went through the March 15^th process. If second round layoffs are nevertheless approved at the meeting, staff should notify the CTA Legal Department with the details of any second round layoff authorized by the school board.

Demand to bargain the impact of any May 15^th layoffs - If a district did May 15^th layoffs, the chapter should immediately file a demand to bargain the impact of the reduction in force. Sample language is on CTA-Search or can be obtained from your NODD Specialist. Specific contract articles that might be impacted include your recognition clause, transfer provisions, class size, hours and workload. If a district has truly eliminated a particular kind of service, we need to make sure that the work is not assigned to other bargaining unit members, district administrators or outside contractors. Please work with your NODD Specialist to protect your contract.

Educate members about the second round layoff process - Just as is the case for March 15^th layoffs, CTA members who want to proceed to a hearing on their layoff will have to serve on the district both a request for a hearing and a notice of defense. Members will also need to be able to prove up their years of service and credential status, and should take steps now to ensure that they can do so. The CTA Legal Department will circulate a model flyer that can be used to notify members about the second round layoff process and model forms that can be used by members to request a hearing and provide the district with a notice of their defense.

Obtain contact information for members likely to be subject to second round layoffs – Districts likely will not decide whether or not to proceed with second round layoffs until after this school year ends. Staff and Chapter leadership should make sure that for every unit member they have a current phone numbers and email address that will work over the summer. At a minimum, this information should be obtained from all members who previously received a notice of proposed layoff on March 15^th and subsequently had their layoff notice rescinded, as these individuals are the most likely to receive a second round layoff notice.

Fine tune your seniority list – Those chapters who went through the March 15^th layoff process already have done a great deal of work to check, and challenge, the seniority list that their district used for those layoffs. Build on that work to make sure you have an accurate seniority list for any second round layoffs that occur in your district. If teachers on the district’s list were not credited with certain credentials because the teachers did not get the credentials on file with the district before the March 15^th cut off, contact those teachers and tell them to get their credentials on file with the district now so they are credited with the credentials in any second round layoff process. If your chapter did not go through March 15^th layoffs, work with the district and your members now to assembly an accurate seniority list that reflects all of your members’ dates of hire and credentials.

If a school district proceeds with second round layoffs, what is the process for securing legal representation for members in those hearings?

CTA will handle any second round layoffs the same way that it handles March 15th layoffs. Field staff with primary responsibility for a particular chapter should notify the CTA Legal Department if, and when, they learn that a district will proceed with second round layoffs and the number of layoffs expected. CTA will pay up to $5,000 for a GLS attorney to represent the members of the chapter who are notified that they are subject to layoff with the understanding that the chapter will pay half of any remaining outstanding balance due to the attorney subject, of course, to an appeal to CTA to pay some or all of any such outstanding balance. As has long been the case, field staff is free to select the GLS attorney that they would like to handle the second round layoff process subject, of course, to that attorneys’ availability. If field staff does not select an attorney to handle the layoff, the CTA Legal Department will do so. Staff and members must understand that the legal representation that CTA can provide in layoff hearings is necessarily limited to ensuring that school districts meet their burden of showing that the layoffs are necessary under the Education Code and that, in those instances in which the layoff does not proceed in seniority order, such skipping is justified under the Education Code.

California Expecting $5.3 Billion In Education Funding Cuts.

The Los Angeles Times (5/21, Mehta, Song) reports, "After voters rejected ballot measures that would have restored state funding for schools, educators across California on Wednesday braced for $5.3 billion in cuts over the next 13 months." A spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) finance department suggested that "districts could tap their reserves and federal economic stimulus dollars to lessen the effect of the cuts." So far, the state "has received about $4.3 billion in education funding from the economic stimulus package approved by Congress earlier this year, but there remain billions more that will be dependent on how California uses the first round of money." It is also likely that "state officials will...loosen regulations -- such as allowing districts to cut seven days off the school year, delay replacing old textbooks, and divert class-size reduction funds to other purposes."

Vote! Our students depend on

you!

California's Budget Deficit Expected To Force Deep Cuts In Education.

The AP (5/16, Chea, Young) reports, "California's public schools already trail most states in academic performance, suffer from high dropout rates and struggle to improve the performance of black and Hispanic students." Compounding the situation, is "a historic state budget deficit that is expected to force deep cuts in education funding that will lead to thousands of teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, school closures, and a shortened school year." According to state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, additional cuts would mean schools would "lose counselors, nurses, and librarians. They are also likely to cut athletic programs as well as classes in art, music, and career technical education." So far, "30,000 of the state's roughly 310,000 public school teachers have already received pink slips this year, and school districts could be forced to lay off more before classes begin in the fall."

Hundreds Of Los Angeles Unified Teachers, Students Stage Protests Over Budget Cuts. The Los Angeles Times (5/16, Song, Blume) reports, "The head of the Los Angeles teachers union was among 39 people arrested Friday during a sit-in outside the school district headquarters, one among dozens of peaceful protests around the city by teachers and students outraged by plans for deep cuts in education spending." The protest was fueled "by plans for layoffs of as many as 2,500 Los Angeles Unified School District teachers, the consequence of billions of dollars in statewide cuts to education." Meanwhile, "hundreds of teachers called in sick and hundreds of high school students walked out of classrooms" in protest. After the demonstration, Superintendent Ramon Cortines said that he was open to a compromise in which "the district would spend more of its federal stimulus money than planned in the coming year, forestalling the need for any teacher layoffs, and the union would agree to concessions, such as a wage freeze or unpaid furloughs."

California Teachers Association Backs Education Funding Ballot Measures.

Education Week (5/11) reported, "California's rolling budget disaster goes before the voters next week in the form of two linked ballot propositions." Proposition 1B "would require the state to pay $7.9 billion that education groups say schools are owed for the current fiscal year under a 1988 ballot measure, Proposition 98, which set a minimum school funding guarantee." However, in order for Proposition 1B to be adopted, voters must also approve Proposition A, "which would cap state spending and increase the rainy-day budget-reserve fund." The California Teachers Association, an NEA affiliate, "has contributed a total of $8.5 million in support of both" propositions. CTA President David Sanchez said, "This is money that's owed to the schools to the tune of $9.3 billion. It needs to be put back in schools." Education Week noted that "the latest survey by the California-based Field Poll shows both measures trailing among likely voters."

May 5, 2009

Special Election Two Weeks Away

Additional Cuts to Schools Hang in the Outcome

Nervous about the economy, upset with Sacramento politicians and in a general bad mood, we’ve known since the beginning that the May 19 special election would be tough for California voters. But one thing is certain, if the series of initiatives placed on the ballot by the Legislature fails, California will be facing an immediate $6 billion budget hole, and students and schools are facing even deeper cuts. This will be on top of an $8 billion projected deficit due to lower-than-expected tax collections. As stated by Republican Senate leader Dennis Hollingsworth, who has led the charge against increasing revenues, on May 20, “it gets uglier.”

It is why CTA’s State Council of Education took a support position on Propositions 1A-1F. These initiatives are not the long-term answers we are looking for, but they do help put California back on track and prevent more cuts to education, health care and public safety. With more than 27,000 teachers receiving layoff notices and music, art, PE and dropout prevention programs being eliminated across the state, we can’t let things get worse.

Visiting with Arne

CTA Officers met with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan last week in Washington. It was the first time in more than eight years that CTA had been invited to the U.S. Department of Education. We talked to the Secretary about the good work that is happening in California public schools every day, how students and schools have been making steady progress, and how CTA has led the charge in helping our schools of greatest need. We shared information with the Secretary about the Quality Education Investment Act and the CTA Institute for Teaching. We also expressed our concerns about the No Child Left Behind Act and told him that we looked forward to working with him and President Obama on changing the law to help, rather than punish, students. He promised there would be changes to the law, including a new name. Secretary Duncan has scheduled a nationwide NCLB Listening Tour. He is expected to hold hearings in California later this month. He also wants to join CTA for a local school visit.

Federal Stimulus Money Beginning to Reach Local Districts

The California Department of Education is releasing the preliminary disbursements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The amount of money each school district will get for Title I and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is now available on the CDE website at www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/ar. The federal money falls into four main categories: Title I, IDEA, State Fiscal Stabilization Funds and Race to the Top Grants. The State Fiscal Stabilization Funds are designed to help local school districts prevent teacher layoffs. According to the CDE, the local district breakdown of that money is expected to be announced next week. School district applications are available now on the website.

Celebrate California Day of the Teacher and Education Support Professionals Day

“California Teachers: Standing Up for a Better Tomorrow is the theme for California Day of the Teacher on May 13. Emphasizing the need to stand up for schools, teachers and students in the face of severe budget cuts, the theme reflects our goal to Stand Up for a Better Tomorrow that gives all students the education they deserve. This year it starts with passing propositions 1A-1F. Visit www.cta.org for ideas on how to celebrate Day of Teacher and be sure to send an e-card to your favorite educator. Equally important is CTA Education Support Professionals Day on May 19. Thousands of ESP members are also facing layoffs this year due to the budget cuts. Please take time to recognize all the education professionals who make our schools a success!

April 6, 2009

Yes on 1A-1F

The May 19 special election is about six weeks away. That means we have six weeks to educate CTA members and voters about the importance of passing Propositions 1A-1F. These initiatives work together to stabilize state spending and repay our public schools and colleges for some of the cuts politicians made to education.

As I said at State Council, we have 6.3 million reasons to vote yes – the students of California. If these initiatives fail, the state is looking at another $23 billion budget hole and that means more layoffs and more budget cuts to education, health care, public safety and other important social services.

You can expect to hear a lot of misinformation about these initiatives, but know this fact: Propositions 1A and 1B work together to repay $9.3 billion owed to schools and community colleges under the state’s minimum school funding law. Prop. 1B creates the repayment plan and requires the state to restore the funding as the economy improves. Prop. 1A provides the revenues to make the repayments. Both initiatives must pass for schools to get this critical funding that will allow local districts and colleges to rehire teachers and education support professionals and to restore student programs like art, music and vocational education.

Several other labor unions and organizations have recently joined Yes on 1A-1F. They include the California State Council of Laborers, California Conference of Carpenters, Operating Engineers #3 and the California State Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. In addition, the Association of School Administrators, California State University Board of Trustees and University of California Board of Regents have also joined.

This is going to be a very quick and intense campaign and we are going to have to work hard to make sure CTA members get out and vote. A number of resources are available at www.cta.org. Please contact your local chapter or staff person to volunteer today.

Stimulus Money Sent to Schools

The first round of federal stimulus money for education – $44 billion – was sent to states earlier this month. About a fourth of this money will go immediately for special education purposes and to help low-income Title I schools. That money is expected to move to local school districts very quickly as it is based on current formulas. The other $33 billion in state stabilization funds is designed to help school districts stave off teacher layoffs. However, the dollars also come with a few strings. The White House guidelines call for improving teacher effectiveness, data collection, student progress toward college readiness and improving achievement in low-performing schools. The guidelines were released last week, but that money is also expected to go out quickly to local schools. All total, California anticipates receiving about $12 billion for K-12 and higher education.

ESEA Reduex

CTA is working with NEA as President Obama gets ready to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. NEA has appointed a new ESEA Task Force to build a reauthorization plan. CTA has two appointments to this group: NEA Director Theresa Montaño and IPD Manager Justo Robles. The group met last week in DC.

Congressional and White House staff remained vague and evasive about timelines for the reauthorization, but stated that they were in the process of gathering information from all interested parties and that the process would be inclusive and transparent. As part of this strategy, Education Secretary Arne Duncan will conduct a listening tour across the country during the months of May and June. CTA is also looking at reappointing the CTA ESEA Workgroup to help guide our efforts around the reauthorization.

CTA-IFT Inspires Positive Deviance

“Don’t let the inspiration fade away.” That was the message of a Merced High School student at the conclusion of a one-day Positive Deviance Workshop sponsored by the CTA Institute for Teaching. Several Merced students, teachers and administrators were among those attending the event earlier this month, which was designed to explore how positive deviance can help reduce the dropout rate.

The Positive Deviance approach suggests that it is possible to find successful solutions to problems right now before all of the underlying causes are addressed and that the best solutions to community problems come from the within the community – meaning the best solutions to school reform come from within the school, rather than from the top down or the outside in. There must be real ownership of the solutions rather than merely buy-in. The group of 14 from Merced as well as local association leaders from San Jose, Pomona, San Juan, Sacramento, Coachella Valley, Moreno Valley, Elk Grove and Rancho Cucamonga worked to design solutions unique to their own communities.

Positive Deviance works to allow teachers to emphasize talents over weaknesses to create a learning environment that supports and encourages every student to do their best. For more about the IFT and Positive Deviance visit www.teacherdrivenchange.org.

¡Si Se Puede!

Attention
Contract Ratification Meeting
(Calendar)
Tuesday
March 31, 2009
4:00
McKinley MPR
A vote will be held on the TA for 2009-10, 2010-11 calendars

March 10, 2009

Pink Out!!!

Stand Up for Schools Friday

It is going to be a sea of pink this Friday, March 13, as educators, students, parents and community members throughout California will be wearing pink to show their support for public education. CTA’s statewide day of action to draw attention to the more than $11 billion in cuts to schools and colleges is building momentum with hundreds of events planned in communities all over the state this week. CTA members are holding flagpole rallies before school, marches and protests after school, and in many areas local businesses are joining in. The Gold’s Gym in Oxnard is switching out its traditional black and gold uniforms on Friday and wearing pink.
I want to thank everyone for getting involved and making our voices heard. We must continue to tell the story of how these budget cuts are hurting our students and their future. Ads are running on more than 60 radio stations in English, Spanish and Asian languages, and if you live in San Francisco, Los Angeles or Sacramento, be on the lookout for billboards that help promote the day. Be sure to visit www.pinkfriday09.org to join the discussion, find out about events near you or to download resources to organize your own event. It’s not too late. The website is easy to use and a fun way to invite others to join us on Friday. You can also share photos and videos from your events. If you don’t make it to an event, remember to WEAR PINK!

CTA Provides RIF Assistance

Pink Friday is the deadline for educators to receive reduction in force notices or pink slips. So far more than 20,000 educators have received preliminary layoff notices. CTA’s Legal Department is helping every chapter and every member who gets a notice as they go through the hearing process. If you get a RIF notice, contact your chapter president and your local staff immediately.

A State Budget and Special Election

The good news is, we have a state budget. The bad news is, we have a state budget. Last month, the Legislature approved and the governor signed an 18- month state budget package that is a combination of new revenues, program cuts and some borrowing. In order to close the state’s $42 billion deficit, the compromise budget cuts more than $11 billion from public education. That is the single largest cut to education in state history. It will impact a generation of kids, and it is why taking action this Friday is so important.
However, CTA also had some tremendous victories in the budget fight. First, we protected the state’s minimum school funding law, Proposition 98. CTA won a huge concession from lawmakers when they approved putting an initiative on the ballot to recognize and repay some of the money owed to schools. CTA fought off attempts to shorten the school year by five days. And CTA protected the state’s Class Size Reduction program, defeating several attempts to gut the program and give local school districts full flexibility to spend CSR money any way they wanted and for any purpose. Without CSR, many districts would be looking at even more layoffs.

Special Election Set for May 19

As part of the state budget agreement, California voters will decide six initiatives during a special election on May 19. Many of these initiatives are dependent on each other and if any of them fail, the state is back to square one in trying to balance the budget and our schools could face even deeper cuts. It took more than three days to get three Republicans in the Senate to support additional revenues. The logjam was finally broken when Senator Able Maldonado cast the deciding vote.
In a special meeting the CTA Board voted unanimously to take an interim support position on Proposition 1B, which starts the process of repaying $9.3 billion owed to schools under the minimum funding guarantee. The Board felt it was imperative to take a support position on Prop. 1B so CTA could sign the ballot arguments. But, as I said, many of these initiatives are dependent upon each other. Prop. 1B sets up the repayment process, but Proposition 1A actually includes the new revenues to begin the repayment. State Council will consider all six initiatives at our meeting next week.
The time frame for this special election is very fast. It will be up to us to get out and vote and make the difference.
You can read more about these initiatives and the special election at www.cta.org.

Honoring Human Rights

And finally, I want to take a moment to congratulate the nine CTA members who were honored this past weekend as winners of the 2009 CTA Human Rights Awards. A record 550 people attended the Equity and Human Rights Conference this year. Advocating for the civil rights of all people is part of CTA’s mission, and it’s important that we take time to learn about each other, celebrate our differences, and honor the work that so many do to help children and our communities every day. To read more about these amazing winners, visit the CTA website.
¡Si Se Puede!

February 10, 2009

State Budget Gridlock

Protecting Prop. 98 and Small Class Sizes

The easiest way to summarize what’s been happening in Sacramento regarding the state’s $42 billion budget deficit: Another month, more talks and no action. However, the “Big Five” – the governor and legislative leaders – have been negotiating non stop, and there could be a new budget proposal later this week.

While the speed of the negotiations is frustrating, I want you to know that CTA’s work and all of your phone calls are making a difference. Lawmakers are now very aware of the governor’s unlawful manipulation of Proposition 98, which would permanently cut more than $7 billion from schools and never restore that funding as required by law.

CTA also launched a voter campaign with the California State PTA and other community organizations to protect the state’s successful Class Size Reduction program. The governor’s plan would take all of the CSR money and give it to local school districts to spend any way they like. There would be no accountability or guarantee that the money would be spent in the classroom. Increasing class sizes won’t save the state one dime or help solve the state’s budget deficit – but it will hurt student achievement. A new CTA television ad began Super Bowl weekend and is airing on stations across the state.

Finally, keep the phone calls coming! We shut down phone systems in a few legislative offices last week. I know we are tired, but we can’t let up now. Lawmakers need to hear from you. Call the Cuts Hurt Hotline at 1-888-268-4334. We have also added a Spanish option to the hotline for Spanish-speaking parents.

Pushing for Federal Assistance

CTA is working with the National Education Association to support President Obama’s economic stimulus package which would provide billions to help states get through the economic downturn. I joined NEA President Dennis Van Roekel for a news conference in Washington, DC last week calling on the Senate to pass and include education funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The House plan includes about $80 billion more for education than the Senate proposal. A House-Senate conference committee will work out a final bill. Call your member of Congress at 1-800-294-9811 and urge them to maximize education funding in the final package.

Statewide Day of Action: Pink Friday, March 13

Get ready to wear pink and Stand Up for Schools on March 13. As part of the organizing plan developed by the State Budget Crisis Workgroup, CTA is calling for a statewide day of action for public education on March 13. Stand Up for Schools: Pink Friday is designed to bring public awareness to the budget cuts facing our schools and the thousands of layoff notices that are expected to be issued by local school districts. We are asking all members to wear pink on that day, and we are asking local chapters to coordinate a Pink Friday event at your local school or college. The type of event is up to you.

CTA has launched a new website especially for the action day. Visit www.pinkfriday09.org to get additional information and resources, connect with other educators and public education supporters, share ideas for hosting an event, and upload information about an event at your school. It’s up to us to speak out and let our communities know what the state budget cuts are doing to their schools.

Getting Ready for RIFs

We know there will be thousands of layoff notices going out in March and CTA’s Legal Department will assist every member who gets one. Here are a few quick tips: Don’t sign any district statement verifying your seniority date and credentials unless the information is 100% correct. Make sure all your credentials and certifications are on file with the district. Check your personnel file and copy any documents that prove your first day of service with the district. Contact your local staff person immediately if you receive a layoff notice. And if you are an agency fee payer, join CTA to ensure you will be represented in RIF proceedings.

The El Centro Elementary Teacher Association established a decent and amicable relationship with the Administration. Due to ECETA's suggestion in the past school year, Dr. Pletka was available on a monthly basis to meet with any and all teachers who wished to "talk" in a non-threatening environment. The meeting place was in the Valley Plaza. Teachers were informed of the times and days of these coffee meetings via their building representatives or through e-mail. Now, any news can be quickly accessed through our website, eceta.org.

Teachers have been included on District's Committees, such as the Protocol committee, Declining Enrollment Committee, Communications Committee, and others at the request of ECETA. Also teachers played a major role in the Retiree's Ceremony, sharing mini-biographies and memories.

ECETA has held monthly Building Representative and General meetings throughout the 2007-2008 school year and this school year at different schools within the District.

Every month, since August 2007, ECETA's President, Susana Gilkison, has addressed the ECESD School Board during their monthly meetings on issues that affect all teachers.

Attention! From the LA Times February 2, 2009

California Governor's Proposal For Flexibility In Class-Size Reduction Funds Criticized.

The Los Angeles Times (2/2, Mehta) reports, "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal to allow school districts to use state class-size reduction funding any way they choose is alarming teachers unions and community activists, who say it will inevitably lead to ballooning classrooms in the state's neediest communities." California Teachers Association president David Sanchez criticized the proposal, saying that it "won't save the state one dime ... Districts will continue to receive that funding from the state but won't have to spend that money on class-size reduction, or, frankly, even in the classroom." ACORN's Alicia Gaddis said that "districts in poorer neighborhoods will be the first to increase classroom sizes, [which] means the achievement gap will widen." State Department of Finance spokesman H.D. Palmer "said the suggestion for greater flexibility in how districts can spend nearly $15.7 billion next year in so-called categorical funds, including $1.3 billion for kindergarten through third-grade class-size reduction, came last fall from district superintendents as a way to address the impending state-funding cuts." Several superintendents are quoted defending the proposal, but the article closes with a quote from state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell saying, "It's a sad day for all of California."

Attention!!!

There will be a special meeting on Friday, January 30, 2006 at McKinley School at 3:15. The only item on the agenda is the consideration of the motion to have the retro reimbursement be made as a separate check. The check would have the tax be at the high tax rate. Please plan to attend.

Attention!!!

A Contract Discussion Meeting and Ratification Vote meeting on the Tentative Agreement will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at Kennedy Middle School at 3:45.

At the General Meeting held at King School on December 16, 2008 91% of the members present voted to direct the negotiators to return to mediation to obtain a tentative agreement.

Attention!! General Meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 @ King School @ 3:45.

A vote will be held regarding the contract proposal. Let you voice be heard.

November 18, 2008

Budget Morass Grows

Schools Again Facing Midyear Cuts

A mere eight weeks after the 2008-09 budget was signed into law, the state’s independent Legislative Analyst’s Office says California is facing a $27.8 billion budget deficit over the next 20 months and there is no way to close it without increasing revenues. For the future of our students, public schools and colleges, let’s hope lawmakers are listening.

Governor Schwarzenegger has called a special legislative session, but so far only legislative leaders have met. The Governor outlined a plan that includes some tax increases and some budget cuts, including a $2.5 billion cut to K-14 education. This would be on top of the $3.5 billion reduction our schools suffered earlier this year. The Governor addressed the Education Coalition before announcing his proposal and I will give him credit for calling for tax increases up front. Unfortunately, the real scenario could be worse, as Republican leaders are still holding firm to their “no tax” pledge. Without additional revenues, our schools are looking at cuts of $4.9 billion in the current year and another $5.8 billion in 2009-10. The Governor has called on lawmakers to take action by November 30 in order for the state to avoid cash flow problems. Both the Assembly and Senate are scheduled to meet on Nov. 23.

It’s time for the Governor and the Legislature to show some leadership and put our students first. Too much is at stake. We could rob an entire generation of children of a quality education if we continue down this budget-cutting path.

I encourage you to call or e-mail your representatives. They must hear exactly how these cuts are hurting students in their districts. When it comes to local bargaining, first, don’t panic or rush into any decisions. Don’t reopen any settlement for this year. And contact your local staff and bargaining specialist to develop a strategy that best fits your situation.

Change Has Come

It was Mahatma Gandhi who said, “Be the change you want to see.” On November 4, millions of Americans became that change with the historic election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. Obama brings an opportunity for real change for the future of public education, for affordable health care, and for how we move forward as a nation.

California voters also showed their support for schools with the passage of local school bonds and with the election of pro-education candidates to school boards, the State Assembly, the State Senate, and Congress. Although a couple of contests are still undecided, CTA-supported initiatives and candidates for state and federal office had an 83% success rate; local bond measures and school board candidates had a nearly 75% success rate. CTA targeted four Assembly races, winning three of them, including the race in the 80th Assembly District, where I enjoyed getting out the vote for Manuel Perez. One congressional seat is still up in the air, as CTA-supported Charlie Brown is battling Tom McClintock in the 11th District.

I want to take a moment to mention Prop. 8. This was a very emotional issue for many voters with passions running deep on both sides. I am proud of the position taken by State Council and proud that CTA was part of a broad, bipartisan coalition that fought for equal rights for all Californians. The pursuit for equality is part of our mission and our long history. We remain committed to protecting human rights and working against discrimination.

I know that it was a long election year, and I want to thank all of you for your hard work. President Obama stole my line on election night, but let me say it one more time: Yes We Can! ¡Sí Se Puede!

CTA Joins Action Against Algebra Decision

CTA joined in a lawsuit this month against the State Board of Education and its decision to mandate that all eighth-graders take the Algebra 1 assessment test regardless of whether they have actually taken an algebra course. CTA joined the California School Boards Association and the Association of California School Administrators in filing for a preliminary injunction. CTA asserts that the State Board violated state law by not properly notifying the public of its decision to take action and that it overstepped its authority by mandating a test that is not aligned with existing state standards. In order for schools to prepare all eighth-graders to take the Algebra 1 exam, the state would need to hire an additional 3,000 math teachers and providing training for a thousand more. The Superior Court is expected to rule on the preliminary injunction December 19.

Celebrate American Education Week

Finally, let’s all take time this week to celebrate American Education Week. Established in 1921, American Education Week is observed in all communities to inform the public of the accomplishments and needs of our public schools. A number of resources are available on the CTA website, including a special e-card that you can send to parents, students or your favorite educator.

Welcome New Teacher Breakfast

On Friday, November 7, 2008 the El Centro Elementary School District in conjunction with El Centro Elementary Teachers Association held a breakfast for the newly hired teachers in the district. Three board members, (Terrazas, Mardueno, McFaddin) administrators, (Dr. Pletka, Arnold Preciado) Principals, (Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Sigmond) and E.C.E.T.A. officers and negotiators welcomed the new employees for the 2008-09 school year. Everyone enjoyed a great breakfast prepared by Maria and planned by Kathy Lemos. Dr. Pletka gave an interesting speech on high school dropouts. He said that dropouts interviewed said that they felt no one in the schools cared about them. He urged everyone to make a difference to a student.

Vote of No Confidence The following letter was sent to Trustee Terrazas.

Dear Board Member Terrazas,

The El Centro Elementary Teachers have expressed to us their great disappointment in the board, especially, in you. They believe that as the leader of the board you receive a grade of "F" and a vote of "no confidence" from teachers. Your lack of guidance to the board has created a great divide with an important part of this District: its teachers. Some teachers have strongly recommended that we begin the procedure to "recall."
We are sharing this with you, because we feel you need to try to work with the teachers. You have a responsibility to all members of El Centro Elementary School District, not only one side. At times, it"s hard to believe you are also in the educational system. You must see that we need to settle; especially when there is a surplus in reserves, as it was made clear to everyone at the last School Board meeting. This "impasse" is creating bad blood. Please do not ignore our recommendation on behalf of all El Centro Elementary School District teachers!

Respectfully,

Susana Gilkison Shealyn Smith Barker
President, Vice-President, Crisis Chair

El Centro Elementary El Centro Elementary

Teachers Association Teachers Association

Welcome to our new NEA President

Newly elected NEA President Dennis Van Roekel says one of his priorities is to encourage all Association members -- especially new educators -- to get involved and stay involved in the political process. "Casting a ballot is a critical exercise of democratic participation. But voting is the easy part. It should not be the beginning and end of an individual's political activism."

Dennis, modeling a caucus T-shirt at the 2008 RA

Welcome to the new web site for the El Centro Elementary Teaches Association. We are located in Imperial County in California. Imperial County is located in the southeastern corner of California, touching the borders of Arizona and Mexico.

Our association's teachers teach in the El Centro Elementary School District which has 11 school sites serving approximately 6,000 students in grades kindergarten through eighth.

Currently our association has approximately 275 members and is associated with California Teachers Association (CTA) and National Education Association (NEA).

El Centro Elementary Teachers Association
2419 LaBrucherie Rd.
Imperial, CA 92251
760-355-4600

E.C.E.T.A.

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The following appeared in NEA's "Opening Bell" on January 19, 2010Opinion: Business Model Not Appropriate For Schools.

Keep Up The Drum Beat: Support Education Funding In Jobs Package

Tell Congress: No Excise Tax On Health Insurance Plans!

Check out the New On-Line NEA Today Action Site!

New Email Blast

For those with four legged children…NEA Pet Insurance Program

Pets Best Insurance for healthier pets, happier pet owners!

College-Bound Should Hit the Books on Insurance

Fewer Schools Teaching Penmanship Amid Rise Of Computer Technology.

California Schools Show Progress On State Tests.

Check this out!!!! From the NEA's "Opening Bell" September 3, 2009NEA, Clorox Offering Teachers Free Disinfecting Wipes Until Sept. 5.

Follow-up info from NEA's "Opening Bell" on September 4, 2009.White House Changes Obama Speech Lesson Plans Amid Criticism.

Some Object To Teachers Showing Obama Speech In Class.

June 16, 2009

State Budget Deficit Grows

CTA Calls for Rescinding Tax Breaks to Businesses

Latest Round Of Education Cuts Expected To Directly Affect California Classrooms.

California Budget Expected To Include More Cuts To Education.

California Budget Expected To Include More Cuts To Education.

California Expecting $5.3 Billion In Education Funding Cuts.

Vote! Our students depend on you!California's Budget Deficit Expected To Force Deep Cuts In Education.

California Teachers Association Backs Education Funding Ballot Measures.

May 5, 2009

Special Election Two Weeks Away

Additional Cuts to Schools Hang in the Outcome

Visiting with Arne

Federal Stimulus Money Beginning to Reach Local Districts

Celebrate California Day of the Teacher and Education Support Professionals Day

April 6, 2009

Yes on 1A-1F

Stimulus Money Sent to Schools

ESEA Reduex

CTA-IFT Inspires Positive Deviance

March 10, 2009

Pink Out!!!

Stand Up for Schools Friday

CTA Provides RIF Assistance

A State Budget and Special Election

Special Election Set for May 19

Honoring Human Rights

February 10, 2009

State Budget Gridlock

Protecting Prop. 98 and Small Class Sizes

Pushing for Federal Assistance

Statewide Day of Action: Pink Friday, March 13

Getting Ready for RIFs

Attention! From the LA Times February 2, 2009California Governor's Proposal For Flexibility In Class-Size Reduction Funds Criticized.

November 18, 2008

Budget Morass Grows

Schools Again Facing Midyear Cuts

Change Has Come

CTA Joins Action Against Algebra Decision

Celebrate American Education Week