We are outraged by the proposal of Governor Pat Quinn to solve Illinois’s budget crisis on the backs of teachers. We will describe several alternatives or counter-proposals for new funding sources for Illinois, so the state can fulfill its obligations without the proposed austerity measures which will hurt the middle class and the poor.We will have a panel of speakers including our moderator, Dr. Vincent Gaddis, Professor of History and Chair of the Department of History at Benedictine University; Dr. Jean Pierce, Retired Professor of Educational Psychology at Northern Illinois University; Dan Kenney, a fourth grade teacher in the DeKalb School District and a tireless community organizer; Sarah Hainds, member of the research team at the Chicago Teachers Union; and Maria Owens, a career educator and currently a Regional Induction specialist with the Illinois New Teacher Collaborative in conjunction with the University of Illinois.

The meeting is free and open to all.

* Please enter by the back door of the church. Please do not park in the Eagle’s nest parking lot next door. There is a large, public parking lot kitty-corner from the back door of the church.

Remarks to the Board of Education April 30th

The language of the first TA will continue to be reviewed as well.  Of course class size and compensation have always and probably will always be issues. With limited resources, teachers need to know what the district true priorities are for spending now and in the future.

We have never bargained a hard cap for classes. We know it is a complex issue. Sites need flexibility due to differences in available space, the needs of students, and the changing curriculum, and legislative requirements for ELL and Special Education all impact those numbers. Our Class Size Letter brings additional adult assistance when the District exceeds the guidelines they have set, so students receive needed services. The TA only made minor adjustments for our primary grades which was the ETA top priority. For the first time we were able to add Secondary PE classes to the Class Size letter. The ability to appeal overloads still exists and gives voice to our concerns, but it does not provide for any specific solutions. The TA did not address what will be the solutions moving forward if funds do become available.
The compensation covers many issues, but clearly the salary step movement is not a simple increase. Teachers that are eligible to move on the schedule will receive an increase. But there were approximately 60 members that would again see no increase under this agreement and at least another 15 that would have received less than $100 for this school year. The higher percentage increase is occurs in the first 3 Steps of the schedule where salaries are lower.  The only way for members to gain a lane increase is for them to have paid for graduate credit courses, successfully completed the work and submitted proof to the District. While we can use historical data to estimate that movement, the changes in certification, staff demographics, and other factors can influence those estimates. We also continue to pay insurance increases as determined through actuarial set premiums and our District Insurance Committee manages the plan to hold down costs. Our collaborative work in the past has saved the District plan millions of dollars and we want to honor that process.

While it seemed that we both had similar issues in regard to the structure of the school day, we continue to disagree on how to plan and implement any needed changes. Perhaps the complexity of trying to manage all that might happen with Springfield simply made it impossible to feel as if either party were really committed to the deep look at comprehensive changes. We all know that the future is uncertain. That does not mean that we stop planning for what we know are the right changes. Agreeing to work together to create a road map to the best school day is what we all want. But to implement real reform, we need plans that acknowledge all the challenges, limited resources, and impact on our community. For that plan then to succeed, we need true consensus. It could be that needing a default model to force either side to an artificial change can only be viewed as an inability to acknowledge the real work that needs to be done first.

And while we may have contractual language that allows teachers to share their professional opinions, we have experienced negative consequences in doing so. We wish we did not have to bargain things like classroom safety and formal venues to allow us to speak up about our professional responsibilities. But if we can improve the learning environment for our students and all our staff, then we will continue to support those efforts in this agreement. As long as the District is willing to come to the table for open conversation, so will the ETA.

I believe this TA will benefit members because it does increase teacher voice. Language was added to SD and SIP to give voice to staffing and committees. The focus of adult time is dominated with teacher led discussion. But the most important is the Task Force opportunity. Instead of bargaining significant change in isolation at the table, we have expanded this discussion back to the members. We will have representatives from the grade levels directing the conversation and reaching out for input so that solutions fit their needs. Once a recommendation is reached, all ETA members will have an opportunity to accept or reject the recommended changes If you decided to return the conversation to bargaining, it will be with all members having full knowledge of the issue before we bargain any changes.  This is a significant chance for change with full collaboration and input from all members, not just the bargaining team.

Another benefit to this agreement is the confirmation of what we are doing right. We added responsibilities back to the site through SD and this contract keeps in place all our previous negotiated committees like SEC. But most importantly, it validates the TAP. Despite the PERA reforms, we are not changing any part of our TAP, but instead adjusting the state rating requirement to fit our plan. We had it right before the reformers claim they came and improved our state. Also, much of our transfer process will remain while accommodating the needed SB7 changes. All the Districts in Illinois are struggling with these changes and we seem to be moving forward.

The final benefit is some stability for members in a very challenging time. We have retained financial structures and settled outstanding issues. The financial picture of the district continues to be threatened by Springfield’s inability to fund our schools. Our property tax base is affected by downturn in property values and there is little to no new construction. Even though we have retained some recognition for our potential retirees, the public attacks on our pension benefits continue to worry both members and the Board. The insurance has bucked the cost trends through the collaborative effort of all employee groups. We continue to only pay 10% of the premium as part of our compensation.

The vote you take on this TA may seem like the right time to express all the fear and anger around the ongoing attacks against teachers, the increasing workload that goes unrecognized, and the economic mess that has touched all our families.  I would suggest there have been and will continue to be opportunities to express concerns at our monthly RA, which any member can attend, at the numerous meetings like Instructional Council, at the Board of Education open sessions, at the election of ETA positions, as an observer at bargaining, or at the most recent primary where we had the lowest voter turnout ever and will be sending back many of the legislators that have done little to help our district. For whatever reason you did not engage in those opportunities, I ask that you at least take this moment to consider what the true meaning and impact of this vote will be, and not what might feel satisfying in the moment.  I believe this is the opportunity to send a message to our entire school community that we recognize the financial hardships of our families and that our additional increase, though not commensurate with our increasing workload, does allow the District to continue to support all student services. I believe this agreement will serve our students and our needs at this time.

There will continue to be significant changes in both the process of obtaining teaching credentials in Illinois and maintaining those credentials. Students entering the profession in many states are encountering more testing. Changes to acquiring an administrative certification have already begun here. Teachers in Illinois will soon be holding a license that covers all their previous certifications. The Committee that will be overseeing the rules is now the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, http://www.isbe.net/SEPLB/default.htm  . During the IEA RA in March, 2012, as summary of some of those changes was shared in this document. Licensure System Overview IEA March 2012

It is important for individual members to keep reviewing information regarding their certificate. The ISBE website for your individual certificate information is still  http://www.isbe.state.il.us/ECS/default.htm  . It continues to be your responsibility to know when your certificate is due to expire and to complete the needed information on the ESC site.

With the primary days away, it was no surprise that many of the speakers at the annual IEA RA addressed the political issues that challenge us today. Unfortunately, a recent NEA survey shows that only 4% of our members believe their personal involvement is important. Lily Eskelsen shared that every Republican candidate for President has vowed to sign “Right to Work” legislation as soon as they take office. In other words, each of them would like to end all collective bargaining rights on a national level. This of course is what has happened in many states like Wisconsin. While our state organizations continue to try to block the dismantling of all previously had fought rights, their members have already seen their classrooms erode with fewer resources and more demands. Illionis could easily be next.

Several of the speakers addressed tax breaks and corporate attacks against unions. They shared that the large corporate interests  are not creating jobs, but rather boosting their personal wealth through the same derivatives that endangered our economy before. There is big money that is out to reshape the middle class and our unions are on the front line of that fight. Regardless of your political leanings, it is important to recognize the true agenda of the candidates you support. Please use the information on the IEA website to help inform your vote.

Debate on setting the IEA budget for the year hinged on both the struggle of some members that are working for poverty level wages, and the Associations fight to provide real information about school funding and our pensions. We have seen a loss of about 1000 members in Illinois this year, so there will be a slight increase to maintain all the current services. Again, many of the business interests would have citizens believe we are causing the financial crisis. We need to educate everyone in Illinois, especially Springfield about what we can do to help stabilize our system and not continue to punish teachers. During this debate, Senator Dick Durbin arrived and noted that while the substance of our discourse was similar to other political arenas, ours seemed to be much more civil. Dennis Friel, NEA Midwest Director, also pointed out in his remarks that while we may differ on strategy, we have a collective goal in keeping our classrooms the best learning environment for students and for teachers.

In the coming weeks, our local will continue to work to foster a collaborative working relationship with the District that does not compromise our professional voice. All members need to stay involved in the ongoing political battles in Springfield regarding school funding and our pensions. Please use the IEA resources to stay informed and step up to help be a voice for our students, our schools and our profession.

While some issues were clearly divided along party lines, several of the candidates, like Randy Ramey emphasized making sure all voices, including teachers, should be part of pension conversations. Tim Elenz stood out for his stand on the need for the State to take responsibility for pension funding before any change occurs. The biggest jeers of the night came when the opportunity for the two most cantankerous opponents, Ramey and Pankau to point out the positives of their opponent. Ramey started with compliments about her Republican loyalty. She responded with a reference to a DUI from several months ago. She also stated she is ready to gut TRS and fully accepts funding from and supports the views of Stand for Children. The other candidates were less aggressive, but offered little in how they will fix the financial mess. McConnaughy did suggest cutting funding for programs like early childhood might be a place to start.

Clearly, voting in the primary on Tuesday, March 20^th is critical if we are to have any chance at fair and adequate funding for our schools and pension. Both Ramey and Elenz are IEA endorsed candidates. Read more on the IEA website. Following the election, we need to continue to lobby those home from Springfield. If you need backround, read  the TRS Report to IEA around pension.

Please make the time to vote, for our schools and our profession.

The March 13 Candidate Forum, SHS, 7:00 pm will be streamed live via SEHS Beacon and will be replayed. To attend virtually click Illinois on the map at this link, www.useducationtv.com, and then choose South Elgin High School on the drop down menu to access the live video.

The streaming technology is being operated by two students of the BEACON Academy at SEHS. Thank you to ETA member Ben Erickson and his students for making this possible.

Election Results March 6

SEC Election March 6

It’s the Election before the Election that allows people to decide who will represent each of the Political Parties in both Local, State and National Elections.

What does this mean for the ETA? This is the time for teachers to take back their professions and vote for candidates that respect the education profession.  Not sure how to do that?  Here are a few ways for  you to be an informed voter:

Go to g http://www.elections.il.gov  to find out what new legislative district you live in. Go to Voter Information, Go to District and Official search

Join us at the CAC Legislative forum.  All candidates that are in a contested race that represent U-46, will be present.   March 13, 2012,  7pm,  Streamwood High School.

Visit  www.IEANEA.org and update your profile and sign up to receive the Capital Report. While you are there check out the Legislative/IPACE tab for a list of IEA recommended candidates

If you are really confused by Illinois politics subscribe to Jim Broadway’s newsletter www.schoolnewsservice.com . He takes the complicated and makes it understandable.  There is a fee for this subscription but it is worth every penny.

Early voting is now Open for Business. Check out your county website for formal procedures.

Let’s show the State of Illinois that Education Matters