I set this blog up as a campaign information piece and didn't really post as much here as I had hoped. The election is over, and congratulations go out to Charles, Brent and Lisa for winning election to our great association's leadership team.
The election loss was easy to process compared to the news - while driving home - that my great friend and mentor, Gerald Bonham, had passed away. Gerald founded our local in 1973. He taught me virtually everything I needed to know about being a local leader, and he did it by example. I will miss him so much. He was going to be my first call upon arriving home.
I've met some amazing people in MNEA over the years, and I am so thankful to have at least had the chance to travel about and campaign as best I could on a very limited budget. Truth is, the focus for me has always been on the local and individual member level, and I was unable to persuade enough delegates that the skills I have developed during seven years leading our local in Springfield would translate into strong leadership at the state level.
So, it's back to work . . . two member meetings this morning, one hotline investigation and a teacher bargaining session in the afternoon. This is the work we do, and it feels good to be back in the saddle after a long, sleep-deprived weekend at the RA.
I'd like to thank some truly amazing friends and colleagues who came together to support my one-and-only campaign for state office. It was an unforgettable experience. I learned a lot about our state association, its culture, and how we choose our leaders . . . and I take with it some friendships that will last forever.
Once again, good luck to Charles, Brent and Lisa . . . as they join Phil as executive leaders of our association. May they work well together and stay focused during the challenging battles ahead.
Ray
Campaign material paid for by the Committee to Elect Ray Smith - Michelle Shepard, Treasurer.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Time Well Spent
It's been over a month since I posted anything here, but I've enjoyed doing a little traveling across the state meeting some folks and attending various legislative functions and meetings. Here in Springfield, we're in the middle of negotiating three separate contracts for 1,800 teachers, 55 school nurses and over 200 clerical staff, respectively. This is a daunting task to say the least.
Be Careful What You Wish For
"Be careful what you wish for." I distinctly remember our district's former CFO cautioning me after a particularly contentious school board meeting back in 2008. In some respects, she was right. Achieving bargaining rights and winning three representation elections was at once a grueling and energizing process. Our local membership had never been more engaged. But we always knew that any election successes would be soon forgotten if we weren't able to negotiate tangible, positive changes in the working/learning environment for the folks we sought to represent.
That's what we're doing now, and it takes every bit as much focus and determination as any election campaign. One huge change here in Springfield has been how our district now approaches the bargaining process. Of course, the initial reaction was, "No Thanks, we're representing you just fine," and other, even more patronizing quotes during board debate.
How Administrators View Collective Bargaining
After three years of negotiations for multiple bargaining units, the district now fully embraces the process. The school board openly talks about collective bargaining from the dais, and the Human Resources Department now provides a power point to new hires that describes representation and the process of bargaining. A couple of months ago, the Columbia district sent a contingent of administrators down to Springfield to confer with our HR director and school attorney about the bargaining process. CMNEA had just won the rep election, and the admins wanted some guidelines on setting up parameters for bargaining. The district invited me to attend the session, and it was gratifying to hear our HR director describe how positive the process had become, how they had learned more about employee working conditions and developed a good working relationship with Springfield NEA.
Man, I didn't think we'd ever hear language like that. And I'm here to tell you that it took a great deal of work and straight communication to get to that point in time - on our part and on the part of the district. Now, the real work has begun. It doesn't get any easier, but it sure is gratifying when a particular proposal is adopted into the contract - positive changes that the teachers/nurses/secretaries know came directly from them.
Time Well Spent
So, that's where a bunch of our energy is focused right now. Our bargaining teams meet as often as possible after work. We put together proposals and counter-proposal, go over language incessantly, come up with new language, and try to reach tentative agreements that our hard working education professionals will recognize as a step forward. I can tell you it's time well spent - and that's a good description of how we feel at the end of the process . . . spent.
The campaign for MNEA president has seemed a bit like a break from work in some respects. But I do know that - just as with the collective bargaining process - the real work begins after the election . . . and there are some major issues facing teachers and education professionals in our state and nation that will require great focus and hard work.
I'm looking forward to seeing everybody at the RA. Please come by our hospitality rooms (we've expanded) that are jointly sponsored by six candidates. Even in our respective campaigns, we've shown a great deal of collaboration and cooperation, which bodes well for the leadership of our association.
Be Careful What You Wish For
"Be careful what you wish for." I distinctly remember our district's former CFO cautioning me after a particularly contentious school board meeting back in 2008. In some respects, she was right. Achieving bargaining rights and winning three representation elections was at once a grueling and energizing process. Our local membership had never been more engaged. But we always knew that any election successes would be soon forgotten if we weren't able to negotiate tangible, positive changes in the working/learning environment for the folks we sought to represent.
That's what we're doing now, and it takes every bit as much focus and determination as any election campaign. One huge change here in Springfield has been how our district now approaches the bargaining process. Of course, the initial reaction was, "No Thanks, we're representing you just fine," and other, even more patronizing quotes during board debate.
How Administrators View Collective Bargaining
After three years of negotiations for multiple bargaining units, the district now fully embraces the process. The school board openly talks about collective bargaining from the dais, and the Human Resources Department now provides a power point to new hires that describes representation and the process of bargaining. A couple of months ago, the Columbia district sent a contingent of administrators down to Springfield to confer with our HR director and school attorney about the bargaining process. CMNEA had just won the rep election, and the admins wanted some guidelines on setting up parameters for bargaining. The district invited me to attend the session, and it was gratifying to hear our HR director describe how positive the process had become, how they had learned more about employee working conditions and developed a good working relationship with Springfield NEA.
Man, I didn't think we'd ever hear language like that. And I'm here to tell you that it took a great deal of work and straight communication to get to that point in time - on our part and on the part of the district. Now, the real work has begun. It doesn't get any easier, but it sure is gratifying when a particular proposal is adopted into the contract - positive changes that the teachers/nurses/secretaries know came directly from them.
Time Well Spent
So, that's where a bunch of our energy is focused right now. Our bargaining teams meet as often as possible after work. We put together proposals and counter-proposal, go over language incessantly, come up with new language, and try to reach tentative agreements that our hard working education professionals will recognize as a step forward. I can tell you it's time well spent - and that's a good description of how we feel at the end of the process . . . spent.
The campaign for MNEA president has seemed a bit like a break from work in some respects. But I do know that - just as with the collective bargaining process - the real work begins after the election . . . and there are some major issues facing teachers and education professionals in our state and nation that will require great focus and hard work.
I'm looking forward to seeing everybody at the RA. Please come by our hospitality rooms (we've expanded) that are jointly sponsored by six candidates. Even in our respective campaigns, we've shown a great deal of collaboration and cooperation, which bodes well for the leadership of our association.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Candidate Statement
Here's the official MNEA Candidate Statement that is required of all candidates for MNEA offices and will appear on website, Something Better, etc. . . . and if you're interested in something beyond the 250-word limit, there are some additional comments that follow. - Ray
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m Ray Smith, candidate for Missouri NEA President. My
flyers and mailers list all the committees, boards, RAs, coalitions, campaigns
and other events. In this short statement, I’d like to describe one specific
experience that, I believe, relates to the tough work ahead for our association
and its leadership.
For seven years, I have been on leave from my middle school
teaching and coaching duties while serving two terms as president of the
900-member Springfield local. During my second year, the Missouri Supreme Court
ruled that teachers were entitled to the same representation rights as other employees.
Almost immediately, our local leadership – in collaboration with MNEA and NEA
staff - turned our attention toward an unlikely goal in our neck-of-the-woods.
We sought to achieve the empowerment of teachers and education professionals through
the collective bargaining process.
After three years of continuous effort – a period that was characterized
by intensive discussions with local leaders, district officials, lawyers, school
board members, state staff, some intense campaigning, media events, even a
lawsuit against our district . . . we
finally achieved three decisive election wins. And through it all, local
service to individual members was uninterrupted.
The next Missouri NEA president will lead an association
that comes with a complex set of challenges that are perhaps unprecedented over
the past 40 years. I do not seek this
office as a career destination. I see it as a continuation of the work that we
must do . . . together.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Beyond 250 words . . .
When I was teaching 7th grade Math, Pre-Algebra and coaching middle school football at Hickory Hills Middle School, I had absolutely no thoughts of becoming the local president. I enjoyed the flow of events and interactions with my whacky 7th graders. They thought I was a little whacky, too, so we were able to achieve some kind of mutual middle school respect and balance. Though I came to public school teaching as a second career after many years in the public sector working in the library system, I knew that teaching was a perfect fit.
I joined the local on the first day of teacher orientation, took a pass on the district's "Step Up" professional development program for new teachers, and came to rely on an amazing group of colleagues - almost all were NEA members - for advice and counsel. Years later, many of these same colleagues, who I had come to admire and respect so much, were advising me to run for local president. They knew that I was a political junky, kept up on education issues and had become active as a building representative. I eventually followed their advice and began riding a rather steep learning curve that has continued to this day. Similarly, colleagues that I have come to know and respect in Missouri NEA have urged me to consider running for this leadership position - and their support has been no small factor in my decision to enter this campaign for MNEA President.
Timing was a big factor in my personal decision to run for MNEA President. Both of my daughters, who are ten years apart in age, attended excellent public schools. In fact, this year is the first in the last twenty-four years that I haven't had at least one child in the public school system. Many of the teachers I now represent as local president were teachers of my own children. I've attended dozens of teacher/parent conferences from both sides of the table. With my children now living more independently, this is an optimum time for me to apply for a job that will require relocation and a great deal of travel.
That's probably enough for this posting. My intention is to send out more posts as we get closer to the Spring RA. Thanks for reading!
Ray
p.s. I'm trying to do some traveling in the coming weeks. If you are inclined to support my campaign's travel expenses, please send any small contributions to:
Ray4MNEA
Committee to Elect Ray Smith
2649 E. Lombard
Springfield, MO 65802
email: rsmith0451@msn.com
phone: 417-848-5213
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Arming the Teachers Is No Solution
http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=743902
The link above is a local story on the conceal and carry bill that now includes a provision for teachers to bring concealed weapons to school. In my opinion, this is a reaction rather than a solution to the problems of violence in our schools and in our society in general.
It's interesting that some of the same legislators who are constantly undermining the teaching profession with half-baked "reform" bills now seek to arm the very folks who they like to characterize as incompetent and ineffective. One thing is consistent - these legislators continue to work in a vacuum and never consult with the folks who are on the ground doing the work with the children. Rather than arming teachers, how about supporting schools and teachers with adequate staffing and funding. Perhaps then, we could do more to help the troubled children, which would probably provide the best long-term protection of all.
The link above is a local story on the conceal and carry bill that now includes a provision for teachers to bring concealed weapons to school. In my opinion, this is a reaction rather than a solution to the problems of violence in our schools and in our society in general.
It's interesting that some of the same legislators who are constantly undermining the teaching profession with half-baked "reform" bills now seek to arm the very folks who they like to characterize as incompetent and ineffective. One thing is consistent - these legislators continue to work in a vacuum and never consult with the folks who are on the ground doing the work with the children. Rather than arming teachers, how about supporting schools and teachers with adequate staffing and funding. Perhaps then, we could do more to help the troubled children, which would probably provide the best long-term protection of all.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Claire in Springfield
I had the honor to work some phones for Claire today. Tomorrow is the big day. Everybody I called today was a supporter, which was great to hear.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Media Event - Support for Claire
Yesterday, I joined several retired teachers and UD, Sharon Swanson, at a Claire McCaskill media event next to Parkview High School in Springfield. You never know what you'll get at these events, but two radio stations and one TV station showed up - and the public radio piece aired on KSMU just as teachers were on their way to school this morning, which was great timing.
We tried to focus our remarks on Claire's support (and Akin's opposition) for the federal school lunch program. Springfield has a 53% free & reduced student population, up 15% over the past ten years.
Claire is in town today, and I'll be attending that event at noon. It's the stretch run, and we have to do all we can to support great candidates like Claire.
Here are links to a couple of stories from yesterday's event:
http://ksmu.org/article/springfield-teachers-rally-mccaskill-wednesday
http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=722482
Ray
Monday, October 22, 2012
Where am I?
To: Missouri NEA Friends & Supporters
I've heard comments from a couple of people in MNEA land that they haven't seen me much out on the campaign trail. There is one fundamental reason for this: I have a very busy full-time job as local president in our state's largest school district. As full-release president, I serve as the main advocate and representative for all our individual members and, on contractual issues, our local represents an 1,800-member bargaining unit. It's tremendously important and gratifying work, but it's very time consuming - and unfortunately, it does not provide me with the opportunity to travel the state campaigning within the context of my job.
The issues I'm dealing with on a daily basis - employee/employer relations, job actions, professional development, new teacher evaluations, teacher autonomy in the classroom, student discipline issues, administrative support for teachers, special education issues - are the same issues that are being addressed (or perhaps ignored) in your district.
One thing I'd like to clarify as a candidate: I did not enter this campaign as some kind of MNEA "insider", making promises or attempting to maintain the status quo based on perceived lines of succession. I'm actually working everyday with teachers, school secretaries, school nurses, paraprofessionals, MNEA staff and management, school administrators, union leaders, legislative candidates - you know, the people who work with students and teachers and in our communities - and advocate for public education. Without this kind of "on the ground" work, I wouldn't consider myself a suitable candidate for the position of Missouri NEA president.
I want to assure all MNEA leaders and delegates that, while most of my time is still focused on getting work done at the local level, I am excited about my campaign for MNEA president and have received some wonderful endorsements and contributions from members across the state.
I look forward to seeing all Missouri NEA delegates at the coming Rep Assembly and hope you will come by my campaign table to discuss my candidacy and the future of MNEA - and maybe pick up a button or two. We're not big on campaign bells and whistles, but I do enjoy a good conversation. Please come by . . . and on Friday night, my campaign will team up with several other great MNEA candidates for a big hospitality gathering down by the lake.
After the fall RA, the campaign begins in earnest, and I will be traveling the state as much as my work allows. I am most grateful for the support I've received to this point and hope to enlist more support at the RA. See you then!
Ray
I've heard comments from a couple of people in MNEA land that they haven't seen me much out on the campaign trail. There is one fundamental reason for this: I have a very busy full-time job as local president in our state's largest school district. As full-release president, I serve as the main advocate and representative for all our individual members and, on contractual issues, our local represents an 1,800-member bargaining unit. It's tremendously important and gratifying work, but it's very time consuming - and unfortunately, it does not provide me with the opportunity to travel the state campaigning within the context of my job.
The issues I'm dealing with on a daily basis - employee/employer relations, job actions, professional development, new teacher evaluations, teacher autonomy in the classroom, student discipline issues, administrative support for teachers, special education issues - are the same issues that are being addressed (or perhaps ignored) in your district.
One thing I'd like to clarify as a candidate: I did not enter this campaign as some kind of MNEA "insider", making promises or attempting to maintain the status quo based on perceived lines of succession. I'm actually working everyday with teachers, school secretaries, school nurses, paraprofessionals, MNEA staff and management, school administrators, union leaders, legislative candidates - you know, the people who work with students and teachers and in our communities - and advocate for public education. Without this kind of "on the ground" work, I wouldn't consider myself a suitable candidate for the position of Missouri NEA president.
I want to assure all MNEA leaders and delegates that, while most of my time is still focused on getting work done at the local level, I am excited about my campaign for MNEA president and have received some wonderful endorsements and contributions from members across the state.
I look forward to seeing all Missouri NEA delegates at the coming Rep Assembly and hope you will come by my campaign table to discuss my candidacy and the future of MNEA - and maybe pick up a button or two. We're not big on campaign bells and whistles, but I do enjoy a good conversation. Please come by . . . and on Friday night, my campaign will team up with several other great MNEA candidates for a big hospitality gathering down by the lake.
After the fall RA, the campaign begins in earnest, and I will be traveling the state as much as my work allows. I am most grateful for the support I've received to this point and hope to enlist more support at the RA. See you then!
Ray
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Leaving Behind NCLB
(The following is lifted from a recent Springfield NEA Blog post.)
Leaving Behind No Child Left Behind . . . Finally
Every school year brings its share of changes that affect education professionals, and 2012-13 rolls in with a fundamental shift away from some of the more damaging affects of the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind.
It should be noted that NEA lobbied the Obama Administration and was a key player in establishing language and key provisions in the waiver. It's far from perfect, but as the saying goes, "If you're not at the table, you could end up on the menu." There is no question that the provisions of the waiver are an improvement over the draconian measures that came with No Child Left Behind, but there is still much work to be done in monitoring and shaping how the waiver affects educators at all levels.
Springfield NEA, Missouri NEA and SPS administration were active participants in numerous MSIP5 developmental meetings over the past year and helped shape MSIP5 and Missouri's waiver application.
Missouri Granted ESEA Flexibility Waiver
On June 27, 2012, the Department of Education granted a waiver to Missouri regarding No Child Left Behind (formerly known as Elementary and Secondary Education Act). The Obama administration had placed a deadline for Congress to change and re-authorize the law, but - surprise!- nothing was done. So, an executive order was issued, and now over half the states have been granted waivers after submitting their plans to the Department of Education.
The ESEA Waiver was granted based on these required principles:
1) Adopt College and Career Ready Standards
2) State-developed differentiated recognition, accountability and support for school districts (MSIP5)
3) Develop and adopt guidelines for local teacher evaluation and support systems (Missouri Model Educator Evaluation), which will be piloted for 2 years, full implementation by 2014-15. Springfield is one of the pilot districts for new teacher evaluations this year. Springfield NEA will be collaborating with the district in developing this pilot evaluation and support system, which also includes an evaluation process for principles and the superintendent.
Here is a brief summary of some basic changes that come with the ESEA Waiver:
Instead of relying 100% on MAP status (advanced, proficient . . . etc.) as the lone criteria determining ranking of schools, MAP scores will be figured three ways: Status, Growth and Progress.
Status - This is pretty much the same old MAP snapshot approach we've come to know and love, but districts will also be able to use either Growth or Progress (whichever is more favorable) as a second measure that combines with Status to determine an overall score.
Growth - This factor compares the level of individual student growth (individual growth from last year's 3rd grade to this year's 4th grade).
Progress - This would compare grade level scores (how did this year's 4th graders compare with last year's 4th graders).
Based on a rather elaborate scoring system using a combination of the above, highest performing schools will be designated as Reward Schools (not sure of reward, but rest assured it won't be $). Lowest performing schools will be either Focus Schools or Priority Schools. There will be no penalty for schools that fall into these lower categories, but they will be the recipients of some kind of DESE oversite. And it remains to be seen how DESE will handle the increased work load in tracking over 500 districts, given the fact that budget cuts have rendered the state agency with what amounts to a skeleton staff.
Teacher Evaluation
The Missouri Model establishes four performance levels: New, Developing, Proficient, Distinguished. The model stresses that student performance must be included as a part of the evaluative process, but districts are provided flexibility in determining how this is done. This is why it is so important for the teachers to be at the table as this new system is formed, and that's why Springfield NEA has already met with district administrators to establish this precedent in the early stages. Springfield NEA will either issue our own surveys or work with the district to gather information from teachers regarding what they view as important measures - especially regarding student performance.
Missouri NEA has already worked with DESE to help "broaden" language regarding student achievement that was sent with the original waiver request. Missouri NEA also advocated against a state-determined weight of student performance - now it is a local decision. Springfield NEA, representing over 900 members in our district, will be an active participant in shaping the new system of evaluating educators at all levels.
Again, there is no additional funding from the feds or the state for the considerable amount of time and effort it will take for districts to establish these new evaluation systems.
Up Next
Up Next . . . feedback from teachers on the Springfield Learning Model, more information on Common Core State Standards, which take effect in 2014, and discussion on how the district determines "critical needs" when establishing budget priorities. Thanks for the wonderful work you do with students and for your support for Springfield NEA . . . it's completely mutual!
Ray Smith, President
Springfield NEA
Leaving Behind No Child Left Behind . . . Finally
Every school year brings its share of changes that affect education professionals, and 2012-13 rolls in with a fundamental shift away from some of the more damaging affects of the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind.
It should be noted that NEA lobbied the Obama Administration and was a key player in establishing language and key provisions in the waiver. It's far from perfect, but as the saying goes, "If you're not at the table, you could end up on the menu." There is no question that the provisions of the waiver are an improvement over the draconian measures that came with No Child Left Behind, but there is still much work to be done in monitoring and shaping how the waiver affects educators at all levels.
Springfield NEA, Missouri NEA and SPS administration were active participants in numerous MSIP5 developmental meetings over the past year and helped shape MSIP5 and Missouri's waiver application.
Missouri Granted ESEA Flexibility Waiver
On June 27, 2012, the Department of Education granted a waiver to Missouri regarding No Child Left Behind (formerly known as Elementary and Secondary Education Act). The Obama administration had placed a deadline for Congress to change and re-authorize the law, but - surprise!- nothing was done. So, an executive order was issued, and now over half the states have been granted waivers after submitting their plans to the Department of Education.
The ESEA Waiver was granted based on these required principles:
1) Adopt College and Career Ready Standards
2) State-developed differentiated recognition, accountability and support for school districts (MSIP5)
3) Develop and adopt guidelines for local teacher evaluation and support systems (Missouri Model Educator Evaluation), which will be piloted for 2 years, full implementation by 2014-15. Springfield is one of the pilot districts for new teacher evaluations this year. Springfield NEA will be collaborating with the district in developing this pilot evaluation and support system, which also includes an evaluation process for principles and the superintendent.
Here is a brief summary of some basic changes that come with the ESEA Waiver:
- Missouri schools will no longer be expected to reach 100% student proficiency goal by 2014.
- District are no longer required to reserve 20% of Title funds for Supplemental Education Services and school choice transportation.
- No more labeling of schools as "failing", no more letters sent to parents explaining that their child is attending a failing school.
- Schools missing one target will no longer be equated with schools missing several targets.
- Status of MAP scores no longer make up 100% of scoring measure.
- The "highly qualified teachers" component remains, but district penalty has been removed.
- Federal and State standards are not in conflict.
- The focus moves from punitive labeling to support for continuous improvement.
Instead of relying 100% on MAP status (advanced, proficient . . . etc.) as the lone criteria determining ranking of schools, MAP scores will be figured three ways: Status, Growth and Progress.
Status - This is pretty much the same old MAP snapshot approach we've come to know and love, but districts will also be able to use either Growth or Progress (whichever is more favorable) as a second measure that combines with Status to determine an overall score.
Growth - This factor compares the level of individual student growth (individual growth from last year's 3rd grade to this year's 4th grade).
Progress - This would compare grade level scores (how did this year's 4th graders compare with last year's 4th graders).
Based on a rather elaborate scoring system using a combination of the above, highest performing schools will be designated as Reward Schools (not sure of reward, but rest assured it won't be $). Lowest performing schools will be either Focus Schools or Priority Schools. There will be no penalty for schools that fall into these lower categories, but they will be the recipients of some kind of DESE oversite. And it remains to be seen how DESE will handle the increased work load in tracking over 500 districts, given the fact that budget cuts have rendered the state agency with what amounts to a skeleton staff.
Teacher Evaluation
The Missouri Model establishes four performance levels: New, Developing, Proficient, Distinguished. The model stresses that student performance must be included as a part of the evaluative process, but districts are provided flexibility in determining how this is done. This is why it is so important for the teachers to be at the table as this new system is formed, and that's why Springfield NEA has already met with district administrators to establish this precedent in the early stages. Springfield NEA will either issue our own surveys or work with the district to gather information from teachers regarding what they view as important measures - especially regarding student performance.
Missouri NEA has already worked with DESE to help "broaden" language regarding student achievement that was sent with the original waiver request. Missouri NEA also advocated against a state-determined weight of student performance - now it is a local decision. Springfield NEA, representing over 900 members in our district, will be an active participant in shaping the new system of evaluating educators at all levels.
Again, there is no additional funding from the feds or the state for the considerable amount of time and effort it will take for districts to establish these new evaluation systems.
Up Next
Up Next . . . feedback from teachers on the Springfield Learning Model, more information on Common Core State Standards, which take effect in 2014, and discussion on how the district determines "critical needs" when establishing budget priorities. Thanks for the wonderful work you do with students and for your support for Springfield NEA . . . it's completely mutual!
Ray Smith, President
Springfield NEA
Thursday, July 19, 2012
MNEA President Election, April 2013
Before hitting the campaign trail for SALT meetings in KC and St. Louis tomorrow, I have a couple of observations about the campaign and the election process in general.
Elections - Sign of Good Health
First, I would like to remind Missouri NEA members that the election for MNEA President at the Spring RA in 2013 will be to fill a vacant position. There is no incumbent running for MNEA President. Term limits prohibit our current president, Chris Guinther, from seeking a third term, and there is nothing in the by-laws that provides a line of succession to the office of president. Elections like this should be seen as a sign of good health, rather than some kind of affront to the institutional status quo.
Who Are We and What Do We Stand For?
Second, as one of our favorite school board members pointed out during the debate over teacher representation in Springfield, elections are about finding out what people want. It's as simple as that. And with each election in an organization like MNEA, we discuss our collective mission and vision as we move forward. Elections help define who we are and what we stand for, which is a good thing.
The Real Work Begins After the Campaign
I'm excited about running for the position of MNEA President. In Springfield, our local team battled against long odds for representation - in a very conservative region, during a terrible recession - and we won representation rights for teachers, school nurses and clerical staff. But those wins would be truly meaningful only if the bargaining process were proven to be effective. So, it could be said that the real work began the moment the election campaign was settled, and that is also the case with this election. The challenges and work ahead are significant. We cannot afford to become too distracted by the bells and whistles that come with campaigns like this. The new president will face a load of hard work even before officially taking office on August 1, 2013.
I'd like to thank all who have expressed their support for my candidacy from all areas of the state. Please pass this blog along to any MNEA members who are interested in the upcoming election. We'll all continue to move forward and have good conversations about what our association stands for and the work ahead. Together, we will make it work.
Elections - Sign of Good Health
First, I would like to remind Missouri NEA members that the election for MNEA President at the Spring RA in 2013 will be to fill a vacant position. There is no incumbent running for MNEA President. Term limits prohibit our current president, Chris Guinther, from seeking a third term, and there is nothing in the by-laws that provides a line of succession to the office of president. Elections like this should be seen as a sign of good health, rather than some kind of affront to the institutional status quo.
Who Are We and What Do We Stand For?
Second, as one of our favorite school board members pointed out during the debate over teacher representation in Springfield, elections are about finding out what people want. It's as simple as that. And with each election in an organization like MNEA, we discuss our collective mission and vision as we move forward. Elections help define who we are and what we stand for, which is a good thing.
The Real Work Begins After the Campaign
I'm excited about running for the position of MNEA President. In Springfield, our local team battled against long odds for representation - in a very conservative region, during a terrible recession - and we won representation rights for teachers, school nurses and clerical staff. But those wins would be truly meaningful only if the bargaining process were proven to be effective. So, it could be said that the real work began the moment the election campaign was settled, and that is also the case with this election. The challenges and work ahead are significant. We cannot afford to become too distracted by the bells and whistles that come with campaigns like this. The new president will face a load of hard work even before officially taking office on August 1, 2013.
I'd like to thank all who have expressed their support for my candidacy from all areas of the state. Please pass this blog along to any MNEA members who are interested in the upcoming election. We'll all continue to move forward and have good conversations about what our association stands for and the work ahead. Together, we will make it work.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Next Stop, D.C.
The end of the school year in Springfield is still dragging out, as our BOE still hasn't approved a budget for 2012-13, and ratified contracts for teachers, schools nurses, ESP and bus drivers have yet to be presented to the BOE. I don't remember a year in which a budget wasn't approved prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year, but it looks like a probability in Springfield this year.
After two sessions of impasse, Springfield NEA finally reached a tentative agreement with the district, and an unusual summertime ratification meeting was held at the MNEA/SNEA offices on June 19. Nearly sixty members attended, which wasn't a bad turnout considering that many were scattered far and wide for the summer. After a discussion of negotiations, proposals and counter-proposals, SNEA members voted 57-1 for ratification.
Our district is now attempting to manage an unexpected cut to Title I funding that amounts to around $1.2 million. Apparently, new poverty census numbers indicate that our district population is just as poor as it's suppose to be . . . at least that's my interpretation. While our free & reduced lunch population has blown past the tipping point of 50%, the rate of increase in poverty was actually lower than in other areas of the state. Thus, a cut in funding that affects some dozen Title I positions and a score or more para positions. Several SNEA members have called for clarification on their placement for next year. So far, it appears that everybody will be placed, but the affect on each school community is difficult to measure with these kinds of unexpected transfers.
Next, it's on to D.C. for the NEA Representative Assembly and, upon return, Summer Association Leadership Training sessions in Kansas City, Columbia, St. Louis and Springfield. By the time those are wrapped up, we're practically back in school, with new teacher induction events, building rep meetings, etc.
I guess all this just underlines how varied our work is with NEA. National, state and local issues are intertwined, which ultimately creates a strong core of support for schools, education professionals and the students we serve. It's also a reminder that my candidacy for MNEA president is actually secondary to the local work at hand. I agree with the new NEA emphasis on building local capacity. It's where our basic work is done and where we are closest to our underlying purpose as an association.
After two sessions of impasse, Springfield NEA finally reached a tentative agreement with the district, and an unusual summertime ratification meeting was held at the MNEA/SNEA offices on June 19. Nearly sixty members attended, which wasn't a bad turnout considering that many were scattered far and wide for the summer. After a discussion of negotiations, proposals and counter-proposals, SNEA members voted 57-1 for ratification.
Our district is now attempting to manage an unexpected cut to Title I funding that amounts to around $1.2 million. Apparently, new poverty census numbers indicate that our district population is just as poor as it's suppose to be . . . at least that's my interpretation. While our free & reduced lunch population has blown past the tipping point of 50%, the rate of increase in poverty was actually lower than in other areas of the state. Thus, a cut in funding that affects some dozen Title I positions and a score or more para positions. Several SNEA members have called for clarification on their placement for next year. So far, it appears that everybody will be placed, but the affect on each school community is difficult to measure with these kinds of unexpected transfers.
Next, it's on to D.C. for the NEA Representative Assembly and, upon return, Summer Association Leadership Training sessions in Kansas City, Columbia, St. Louis and Springfield. By the time those are wrapped up, we're practically back in school, with new teacher induction events, building rep meetings, etc.
I guess all this just underlines how varied our work is with NEA. National, state and local issues are intertwined, which ultimately creates a strong core of support for schools, education professionals and the students we serve. It's also a reminder that my candidacy for MNEA president is actually secondary to the local work at hand. I agree with the new NEA emphasis on building local capacity. It's where our basic work is done and where we are closest to our underlying purpose as an association.
Friday, June 1, 2012
FAQ: Why Are You Running for MNEA President?
Why Are You Running?
It's a great question, maybe the essential question in any campaign. Why are you running? Are you nuts? That second question is one I ask myself occasionally, but it's only rhetorical - probably more of a recognition that this would be a very challenging time to lead any NEA state affiliate. The economics and politics are all wrong. I hope this doesn't come as a news flash to anyone. We, as teachers and education professionals, are most assuredly not in a warm and fuzzy place regarding our standing as professionals and child advocates.
Political Parlor Games
As a union, we expect to have opponents now and then. In Springfield, we battled for three years before finally establishing collective bargaining with our district. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was our greater opponent, a recalcitrant district interested in maintaining the status quo, or the competing association that busied itself spreading misinformation in order to fend off an election loss. In effect, this particular opponent emphasized not losing over actually having a plan for what they would do if they were to win.
But if we have opponents at the local and state level, I don't think it's a stretch to say that we have some full-blown enemies in the political arena. That, in my view, is what makes the next few years such a crucial time for education professionals, students and our association. Education professionals have always been, and will always be, great advocates for children. Now, we find ourselves in a position where we must be strong and forceful advocates for public education on a much larger scale.
After all, taking political potshots at pubic schools and teachers has become a perverse parlor game in some political circles. Teachers, the most underpaid of professionals, have been cast as "government employees" living off the public dole. Political leaders and financiers, through cleverly named PACs, have created a virtual cottage industry producing propaganda bent on persuading the American public that their schools are failing miserably. Bad teachers are the problem, they say, while blithely ignoring the rapid and vast spread of child poverty. One only needs to look to other Midwestern states like Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana to see how these politics of division have affected public education. In Missouri, it seems we're always just one election away from joining them.
The Community
So, I've painted a pretty gloomy picture, right? Who in their right mind would want to enter this mess, this political fray? Well, you would, for one - along with parents, community leaders, your colleagues, the custodial staff, food service workers, school secretaries, school nurses, bus drivers - and in many cases, your own school administrators and school board members. Schools are, after all, not merely just a reflection of the community. Schools are the community.
There are a lot of great things happening in our schools, and there are a lot of people working very hard to promote innovation and improvements. Together, while we may not have Rex's billions or Rhee's PAC sugar daddies, we are the people who work with the children, know the parents, set the high standards and understand what it means to contribute to successful schools. We will make the fight worthwhile by continuing to work toward our own high standards and by joining together to be vigilant - and to refuse to stand by quietly while political hacks attempt to dabble in what they loosely call "school reform". We clearly have the numbers, but do we have the will to be strong and meet these challenges head on? Yes, we do, and I would be honored to be a leader in this unified effort - and there is my main reason for running.
It's a great question, maybe the essential question in any campaign. Why are you running? Are you nuts? That second question is one I ask myself occasionally, but it's only rhetorical - probably more of a recognition that this would be a very challenging time to lead any NEA state affiliate. The economics and politics are all wrong. I hope this doesn't come as a news flash to anyone. We, as teachers and education professionals, are most assuredly not in a warm and fuzzy place regarding our standing as professionals and child advocates.
Political Parlor Games
As a union, we expect to have opponents now and then. In Springfield, we battled for three years before finally establishing collective bargaining with our district. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was our greater opponent, a recalcitrant district interested in maintaining the status quo, or the competing association that busied itself spreading misinformation in order to fend off an election loss. In effect, this particular opponent emphasized not losing over actually having a plan for what they would do if they were to win.
But if we have opponents at the local and state level, I don't think it's a stretch to say that we have some full-blown enemies in the political arena. That, in my view, is what makes the next few years such a crucial time for education professionals, students and our association. Education professionals have always been, and will always be, great advocates for children. Now, we find ourselves in a position where we must be strong and forceful advocates for public education on a much larger scale.
After all, taking political potshots at pubic schools and teachers has become a perverse parlor game in some political circles. Teachers, the most underpaid of professionals, have been cast as "government employees" living off the public dole. Political leaders and financiers, through cleverly named PACs, have created a virtual cottage industry producing propaganda bent on persuading the American public that their schools are failing miserably. Bad teachers are the problem, they say, while blithely ignoring the rapid and vast spread of child poverty. One only needs to look to other Midwestern states like Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana to see how these politics of division have affected public education. In Missouri, it seems we're always just one election away from joining them.
The Community
So, I've painted a pretty gloomy picture, right? Who in their right mind would want to enter this mess, this political fray? Well, you would, for one - along with parents, community leaders, your colleagues, the custodial staff, food service workers, school secretaries, school nurses, bus drivers - and in many cases, your own school administrators and school board members. Schools are, after all, not merely just a reflection of the community. Schools are the community.
There are a lot of great things happening in our schools, and there are a lot of people working very hard to promote innovation and improvements. Together, while we may not have Rex's billions or Rhee's PAC sugar daddies, we are the people who work with the children, know the parents, set the high standards and understand what it means to contribute to successful schools. We will make the fight worthwhile by continuing to work toward our own high standards and by joining together to be vigilant - and to refuse to stand by quietly while political hacks attempt to dabble in what they loosely call "school reform". We clearly have the numbers, but do we have the will to be strong and meet these challenges head on? Yes, we do, and I would be honored to be a leader in this unified effort - and there is my main reason for running.
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