Michigan House passes school union dues proposal

Michigan House passes school union dues proposal that could impact MEA members.  If you have not heard about this recent proposed bill then please read the AnnArbor.com article.  Contact your rep. and tell them to stop attacking the working middle class.  We as a group need to stay strong and stay together to fight for our rights as teachers.

Social Media in Schools

A current hot topic around the state of Michigan and around the country is what type of polices should schools and states have in regarding social media in schools.  Check out this local article from AnnArbor.com website for a local perspective of what educators in Washtenaw county are saying.  With our schools progress in educational technology these are types of issues we are going to have to think about on a continuing basis. Should we as a district embrace the use of social media more in our classes or is it something we should shy away from?  I know many of our teachers already have a "class" facebook, or twitter account to connect with our students. What is the line that we draw between proper and improper use of social media in the classroom?  Is it a distraction or is it a teachable moment that can be capitalized to further a discussion?  Should it be something that is included in an upcoming PD session or Tech academy session?

The issue of technology is an ever changing dynamic and is something that we should all be in tune with.

Analysis of New Michigan Tenure Law.

Check out the article below of an early analysis of the newly passed tenure laws.  Lots of things are still up in the air but this article may answer some questions that you have about some of the most recent changes.

Tenure Package-Further insight

Community Support

Last night was the Manchester fair parade and Mr. Ball and his crew rode along in the fair parade tossing out pencils to those that lined the streets. As we tossed pencils and waved hello it was a great reminder that even with all of the negative things that have been in the media and that have been going on in our state this last year surrounding education, that people do still appreciate and support Manchester teachers. On many occasions groups of parents gave applause and said thank you. Many students had smiles on their face (young and old) as they picked up a brightly colored pencil that said, "Manchester Teachers Care".

It was a great reminder that we are teachers but are also a big part of the community. Make a decision this school year to try and be more visible in the community. If it is attending a sporting event, listening to a band concert, watching a school play. eating a coney dog at the Boy Scouts coney night, asking kids questions about their lamb they raised for the fair or maybe attending a monthly school board meeting. Do something extra to show your support for the students and the community this coming school year. In the end we are all part of the same community.

Layoff Map of Michigan

Below you will find an interesting map put together by the "We are the people" organization. They estimate that approximately 15,000 jobs have been lost due to the cuts to schools. Look at the map below to see how school districts have been effected around our district.

View Republican Firing Plan for Michigan in a larger map

Red Day!

Don't forget that Tuesday is a RED day to show your support of public education. Make sure to wear your favorite red clothing. Also teachers will be meeting after school to make signs to put on display at the middle school awards night. Make sure to come out to the middle school awards night at 6:30pm at the High School wearing RED to show your support for public schools education in Michigan.

Act Now!

Taken from the MEA website:

Big votes expected Thursday -- we need your help!

Lawmakers on Thursday are expected to vote on separate proposals that strip local school districts of big decisions related to health care costs and privatization.

MEA staff and leaders will be at the Capitol Thursday to lobby against these bills -- and your legislative contacts are vital to our efforts to derail or modify these bills.

Here's what you need to know about the proposals:

Senate Bill 7 would require employees to pay at least 20 percent of the cost of their health plan. This bill strips local school boards of the authority to decide how best to manage health care costs, something that should be decided locally through collective bargaining. This bill is before the full Senate.

Act now: Contact your state senator immediately to ask him/her to vote NO on Senate Bill 7.

Remind your senator that Senate Bill 7 will not solve Michigan’s budget crisis. Many school superintendents have previously testified that their employees pay for health insurance and this bill will not offset state funding cuts.

House Bill 4306 would require school districts to solicit private companies for bids for certain services. Under this legislation, the state would require competitive bidding for food, custodial, and transportation services even if the local district did not want to outsource jobs to private companies. This bill is before the full House.

The nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency reported that House Bill 4306 would have “no fiscal impact on the state” and that requiring competitive bidding may actually increase administrative costs for schools.

Act now: Contact your state representative immediately to ask him/her to vote NO on House Bill 4306.

Tell your representative to allow locally elected school board members to decide whether outsourcing jobs to private companies is a good idea for their own district.