A KNEA RA LIKE NO OTHER!

1. Quote… I was not the lion, but it fell to me to give the lion’s roar. -Winston Churchill 11015 W. 75th Terrace Shawnee, KS 66214 PHONE: 913.268.4005 FAX: 913.268.1332 TOLL FREE: 1.800.371.1007 KNEA Hotline: 1.800.432.3573 NEA Hotline: 1.800.424.8086 Nancy Fritz, President nancy.fritz@knea.org Kevin Scarrow, Director kevin.scarrow@knea.org Sharon Conley, AA sharon.conley@knea.org NEA-SM SPEAK UT O April 21, 2014 Vol. 38, No. 5 www.neasm.org A KNEA RA LIKE NO OTHER! Some would say that this year’s KNEA RA was the best ever -- and some would say it was the worst. It definitely was like no other. The Kansas Rep Assembly came to order like normal at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014; but by early afternoon, the agenda of the Assembly was altered. It had been understood by the attendees that the Assembly would adjourn earlier than usual on Saturday so that we could rally at the high school – a rally in support of public education. Wear red and “Raise Your Hand For Public Education” was the call. But news traveled to the RA that the legislators were convening to vote on HB 2506, the school finance bill -- and it was dirty. Several policy changes had been added that would be detrimental to both public schools and public school teachers. The RA adjourned and the delegates traveled to the State Capitol to view the legislative proceedings, where they discovered that the House had recessed until 6:00 p.m. Since it was now almost time for the Rally, the delegates headed back down the street to Topeka High School where the Rally was scheduled. (Now you may be wondering why the Rally was not taking place at the state Capitol. You must remember that the legislators were not scheduled to be in session at this time, and the permits and notices that were needed for a rally had to be procured in advance.) At the Rally, the band played and rousing speeches on the importance of public education and teachers were given by our state President, Karen Godfrey; and our NEA Treasurer, Becky Pringle. After much shouting, cheering, and speech-making, the group dispersed to check into hotels and grab a quick dinner before returning to the Capitol. By 6:00 p.m., the gallery in the House Chambers was filling up quickly, and teachers (RA Delegates) had taken over the 3rd floor of the Capitol. Those sitting in the gallery had been told no food or water could be taken in, plus silence was the order when the House convened for business, so definitely cell phones were on vibrate only. New Twitter accounts were opening up quickly as teachers joined in this media to stay connected with legislators and each other. More teachers, parents, and concerned citizens joined the delegates from cities nearby, as word spread through social media. Debate on the floor was difficult to watch and hear, as some legislators shared negative stories about teachers in order to persuade their colleagues to vote for this bill, which included the removal of due process for public school teachers. After much debate and several recesses, the bill was voted down by the House to go to the Senate. continued on back page Dates: April 21 – Rep Council, 4:30 PM, Broadmoor 22 – Early Dismissal , Grades K-12, Teacher Workday 24 – Late Start, Grades 7-12; Faculty Advisory Council Meeting, 4:00 PM, McEachen 28 – BOE Workshop, 5:30 PM, BOE Meeting, 7:00 PM, McEachen 29 – Negotiations, 4:30 PM, McEachen May 5 – Exec. Brd., 4:30 PM, ERO 9 – Spirit Day 12 – Rep Council, 4:30 PM, Broadmoor NEA-SM Retirement Banquet, 5:30 PM, A publication for the members of the National Education Association of Shawnee Mission

2. Kansas NEA: Making Public Schools Great for Every Child • continued from front page • It was now approximately 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. Our RA reconvened at 9:00 a.m., and the Senate at 10:00 a.m. The delegates trudged to their hotels for a few hours rest. • Knowing that delegates were wanting to return to the Capitol in time to flood the halls and galleries again to make our presence known to the legislators, the business of the RA was taken care of swiftly and efficiently. Our vigil at the Capitol continued throughout all of Sunday as the debates, recesses, and votes tookplace in the Senate and House. At approximately 10:30 p.m. Sunday evening, HB 2506 was adopted by the House -- an unjust and damaging finance bill that undermines public schools and public school teachers. Delegates started the long trek home disappointed but never defeated. • This RA was like no other! I am sure it will not be forgotten by the delegates who attended. If you see any of the following members, be sure to thank them for the long hours they spent at the state Capitol this past RA. Business was conducted on many different levels, some good, some not so good. • Brenda Fishman, Christy Schmitt, Erin Rivers, Genie Scruton, Jane Mallonee, Jennifer Elliott, Jill O’Connor, Jonathan Callison, Joy Bunch, Linda Raner, Linda Sieck, Mary Tangari, Nancy Fritz, Ramona Weigel, Stacey Smith, Stella Green, Sue Killion, Susie Hodes, and Shawnesea Holst • EARLY ENROLLMENT • Make a plan and work it. • List all your potential members. • Determine who the best person is to contact them about membership. • Think about why YOU joined NEA-SM. What is your story? • Report back and re-evaluate the plan. • If the potential member has never been a member: • Join as an Early Enrollee and pay no dues until September 2014! • Be able to fully support other teachers who are working to protect our profession, our students and your rights as an educator. • 3. If the potential member is a former member: • Welcome the member back. • Former members can join on a prorated basis. Contact our office for prorated dues amount, 913-268-4005. • Remember to use a regular membership form. • NEA-SM RETIREMENT BANQUET • NEA-SM honors our retirees each year with a dinner. If you are a member and are retiring, you and a guest are invited to this dinner. If you are an Executive Board member or a Building Rep and there is a retiree in your building who is attending the banquet, you too are invited to attend the banquet. Others who wish to attend are also welcome, but will be expected to purchase their dinner. Our celebration begins immediately after an abbreviated Rep Council meeting at Broadmoor Technical Center on May 12th. Reservations need to be sent to Nancy Fritz at nancy.fritz@knea.org or 913-268-4005 by Friday, May 2nd. • NEGOTIATIONS • The next bargaining session between SMSD and NEA-SM is scheduled for 4:30 P.M., Wednesday, April 29that McEachen. • NATIONAL TEACHERS HALL OF FAME • Congratulations to Jan Alderson, a science teacher at SM South. Jan will be in the next class of educators to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Jan has been an NEA member her entire 45 years of teaching!