Negotiations Update

DECEMBER 2007 Negotiations Update!!!

Dear Members:

Thank you for coming to this blogsite. You came here to see what YOU can do to assist the team and me in gaining a decent and well-deserved raise for you.

Below are the email addresses and phone numbers for our Board members. If you choose to call or email them, be mindful of these talking points:

1. Our salary requests have been, and are, reasonable, well-researched and fair.

2. The raise requested is well within the means of the Board. It may require a shift of priorities, but the money is there, should they choose to use it for us.

3. The Board needs to demonstrate that teachers are a priority in this system. The grades of A and B on the state report card could not happen without hours, and hours and hours of work by the teachers.

4. Let's demand that excellence be rewarded. It is an American tradition that good work is followed by good pay. Just because we are teachers does not mean we need to accept low wages. We are WORTH IT.

5. Keep top tier grades with top tier salaries. Other school systems with as good a grade report card as we have, have better pay and better benefits.

6. With the increased state funds sent this year to the system (about $2 million), there should not be a problem with a decent raise. This amount is above the Student Achievement money and does not necessitate a sales tax raise.

7. The raise requested is just that - a raise. We are not talking about step increases or social security or other operating costs. MEA is requesting a simple and straightforward RAISE.

Please have your calls or emails or pony messages (send to Linda Ridley addressed to the Board member(s) you wish to have it), short, to-the-point and professional. :-)

David Hopper, 893-3983
Mary Wade, 895-7548
Susan Andrews, 896-9323
Ray Butrum, 890-4178
Patrick McCarthy, 896-8787
Nancy Phillips, 895-3111
Lon Nuell, 896-2502
Ron Washington, 890-0097

Emails:
david.hopper@cityschools.net
mary.wade@cityschools.net
susan.andrews@cityschools.net
ray.butrum@cityschools.net
patrick.mccarthy@cityschools.net
lon.nuell@cityschools.net
nancy.phillips@cityschools.net

Leave behind NCLB?

During the recent Democratic debate, one of the questions was about "No Child Left Behind."

MEA Banquet Photos!

Here are a few photos from the recent MEA banquet. We did have camera problems but my husband, Jim, managed to snap a few. It certainly was a fun time.

MEA Banquet 2007

The 2007 banquet went off swimmingly at the Doubletree Hotel on May 10th. I will post photos and would appreciate you posting photos and videos.