Publication for Members of Central OEA/NEA • Scott DiMauro, PresidentMay 2011

COMMUNIQUÉ

With a reported $8 billion hole, and a governor who is still waiting for teachers to take out full page apology ads, no one doubted the budget would have some painful provisions. What no one expected was the massive assault this document made on public education.

The headline figure, a $3.1 billion cut in K-12 education over the next two years, shocked everyone. Estimates from think tanks Innovation Ohio and Policy Matters Ohio, place the education job losses between 25,000 and 30,000. For a budget that claimed to be about jobs, this is eye-popping and stomach churning.

If a budget is a statement of priorities, what message is sent when almost half the state’s financial problems are being balanced on the backs of students, teachers and education support professionals?

When the Governor’s education Czar, Bob Sommers, claims Ohio will be a leader in student success, how is that explained by the $60 million cut in gifted student education?

Indeed, when one looks deeper into the budget proposal one might be forgiven for thinking that it has more to do with the desire for that apology, than creating jobs and prosperity.

The proposal not only delivers a hammer blow to public school budgets with reductions-in-force, larger class sizes and more levies sure to follow, but eliminates caps on unaccountable charter schools and a massive expansion of vouchers.

When taken together, this expansion amounts to almost $1.2 billion transferred from the 95% of students who attend a public school in the state. A cost that is certain to grow.

The final blow is delivered in some radical policy proposals ranging from elimination of collective bargaining on pay, weakening of due process protections for dismissal, and mandatory testing of all teachers in the bottom 10% schools.

For the good of the state and our future, we should all hope the Republican-controlled legislature and the Governor turn from this path and instead propose a more balanced, fair, and thoughtful budget.

Political Retribution Dressed Up As A Budget

The Reckless Ohio Budget

in Millions of Dollars

We’re Going Green!see page 3

Total Biennium Cut3,100 Charter

Budget798

FY 2012Cut 1,300 FY 2013 Cut

1,800

Loss of TPP675

Vouchers205

Gifts

May 2011

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Published six times a year as a service of

CENTRAL OEA/NEA, INC.947 Goodale Blvd.Columbus, OH 43212

Scott DiMauro, President

Diana Ball, Vice President

Kevin Griffin, Executive Board Liaison

Editors Ann Eblin, Judy Furnas & Carla NollFiscal Manager Mark MeuserProduction Patti DeglerPhotography Mary Jo ArmstrongDesign Pam McClung

Voice 614-222-8228Fax 614-222-8218E-mail Communique@centraloeanea.org

Volume 39, Number 6 • May 2011

COMMUNIQUÉCentral OEA/NEA has developed business-size cards for members to leave with managers of stores, restaurants, service centers, and other businesses whenever they shop. The cards remind local businesses that they depend on us for their success and promote Join the Future, our new network to promote public education with people in our communities.

Contact your local president or the Central office if you would like to order some. You can reach the Central office by phone at 614-222-8228 or via e-mail to aa@centraloeanea.org.

Central Members Distributing Cards to Local BusinessesBy Kevin Griffin, Chairperson Communications Committee

OEA members throughout the state have been trained as

petition circulators to get the Referendum to defeat

Senate Bill 5 on the November ballot. Dublin Educators

Association President

Kevin Griffin signs this petition.

Building Dynamic Leadership TeamsAll Central OEA/NEA af-filiates are encouraged to send teams of 4-8 leaders to participate in a unique opportunity for leadership development and local organizing for 2011-12. The conference, which is offered at no charge to participants, will be held at Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center on July 25-26. For more details and to register, please go to the Central Web site at www.centraloeanea.org. Space is limited, so register today!

Plan Now for 2011-2012 Growth and Development GrantsNow is the time to plan for your local’s 2011-12 Growth and Development Grant. Applications and more detailed information are available on the Central Web site, www.centraloeanea.org. The deadline for applications is October 15, 2011.

Please contact Andre Prenoveau, Central Projects Manager at pm@centraloeanea.org, if you have any questions.

Patty Nyquist (Dublin EA), Central Accolade Award Recipient

Mark Milless (OEA-R), Richard J. Hensler Meritorious Service Award

OEA Representative Assembly Full Story on page 4

May 2011

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The Communiqué is going green. Starting with the next issue, we will be sending members an e-mail version. We print about 22,000 Communiqués each issue, so we hope to save a few trees, a little energy, and even some money.

If you wish to receive the e-mailed version instead of the paper-mailed version, simply do nothing. After the next three issues we will simply cease to mail you a paper Communiqué. It’s that simple!

What if you prefer to receive a mailed copy? If you wish to continue to receive a mailed copy of Communiqué, simply click on the “Manage Your Subscription” at the bottom of any of the e-mails you receive from us. From there you can choose to unsubscribe from the e-mail list. If you do so, you will no longer receive e-mail from us. We will, of course, ensure that you receive a mail-only copy of Communiqué.

Obviously, we hope you choose to do nothing and continue to enjoy receiving our e-mails. On top of the added benefits we mentioned earlier, over time we hope to deliver increased interactivity, feedback, and more timely information to you.

For many NEA members, the sense of hopefulness and beauty that accompanies spring is tainted by fears of school budget cuts and the dreaded “pink slip.” If you or a colleague is facing this situation, NEA Member Benefits is offering an online resource that can help.

The Member Assistance Program (MAP) at www.neamb.com/assistance provides guidance, information and tools for dealing with the financial repercussions of job loss and preparing to find a new position. In addition to a Job Layoff Checklist and links to useful sites on the Web, the “Resources and Services” section of MAP provides information on special accommodations* that may be available to participants in NEA Member Benefits programs.

Being proactive is the best way to improve your outlook and your circumstances. Start by visiting MAP online at

www.neamb.com/assistance!

*You must maintain membership in the Association to be eligible for special accommodations.

What do you have to do? Nothing.

We’re Going Green!We’re Going Green!Pink-Slipped, RIF’d, Non-Renewed, or Otherwise Laid Off?MAP Can Help!

Erin Salzer (Pickerington EA), Central Accolade Award recipient; President Scott DiMauro, Pickerington EA President Carla Fultz, and Vice President Diana Ball. Pickerington EA received the Leading Effective Association Development Award, and Diana was the recipient of the President’s Award.

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May 2011

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Worthington Kilbourne High School was the site of the 40th Annual Central OEA/NEA Representative Assembly on April 9. With over 150 elected delegates in attendance, the RA took action on several routine items, including adoption of a budget for 2011-12, election of Executive Board members, and enactment of new rules regarding local grant funds.

Anything but routine was the extensive, spirited debate over how best to organize and provide resources to win the fight to repeal Senate Bill 5 and protect the bargaining rights of educational employees. Delegates voted unani-mously to authorize the Central Board to contribute up to $100,000 from Association reserves to

Central Representative Assembly Commits Support to Repeal Senate Bill 5

the repeal campaign and also voted to endorse a $50 dues assessment at the OEA Representative Assembly.

Congratulations to Jackie Hastilow (Licking Heights SSA) on being elected as the ESP At-large representative on the Central Board. Four others were re-elected to leadership positions, including Adrienne Bowden (Pickerington EA), Sandra Bell Duckworth (Westerville EA), and Barry Alcock (South-Western EA) to unit positions on the OEA Board of Directors, and Kevin Griffin (Dublin EA) as Central Area 5 Representative.

Kudos also go to this year’s award winners: Mark Milless (OEA-R), Richard J. Hensler Meritorious Service Award; Diana Ball (Amanda-Clearcreek EA), President’s

OEA Representative Assembly Highlights

Central was well represented among the over 1,000 delegates to the spring OEA Representative Assembly on May 6-7. Among the highlights of the Assembly:

* The election of Mary Binegar (Urbana ACT) as NEA Director #1

* The presentation of the 2011 Friend of Education Award to Senator Scott Oelslager (R-Canton)

* Adoption of a new business item to implement a one-time dues assessment of $54 for each active teacher member and $25 for each active ESP member to support the campaign to repeal Senate Bill 5

* Adoption of a new business item to explore the possibility of organizing public charter school employees

* A record collection of contributions to the OEA Fund for Children and Public Education, including over $9,000 from Central delegates

Award; Patty Nyquist (Dublin EA) and Erin Salzer (Pickerington EA), Central Accolade Awards; and

Pickerington EA and Lancaster EA, Leading Effective Association Development Awards.

Cut out and display to show your support.

www.weareohio.com

(See photos on pages 2 & 3)

May 2011

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Myth: “Collective bargainingrights for public employees arenot working and Senate Bill 5restores balance.”

FACT:• Collective Bargaining has been working in Ohio (zero strikes in 2010)• Ohio Republican State Senator Tim Grendell stated that Senate Bill 5 wasunconstitutional before the Ohio Senate on March 30, 2011 based on the 1989Ohio Supreme Court case City of Rocky River v. State Employment Relations Board.

Myth: “Private sector workersin the state have facedcutbacks, while public workershaven’t sacrificed anything.”

FACT:• State/local employees have accepted 250 million dollars the past year alone in wagefreezes, health premium increases, mandatory furloughs, and other concessions inresponse to economic conditions. (J. Brudney of the American Constitution Society)

Myth: “Salaries and benefitspaid to public employees are out of line with the private sector.”

FACT:• Public employees earn 6.8% less than their private sector counterparts with equaleducation and experience and do not receive Social Security (Economic PolicyInstitute, Rutgers University)

Myth: “It isn’t fair thattaxpayers pay for teachers’retirement.”

FACT:• Teachers earn compensation in two forms: salaries and deferred salaries. The salaryis their paycheck. Teachers contribute 10% of each paycheck to their retirement. Anamount equal to 14% of their salary is contributed on behalf of the employee asdeferred salary to teachers’ retirement in lieu of salary increases. (Rick Ungar ofForbes magazine)

Myth: “We should payteachers based on meritbecause this will encourageteachers to work harder andperform better.”

FACT:• Value-added formulas for teacher performance based on standardized tests are notstatistically valid and reliable. (Economic Policy Institute, New York Times, NationalEducation Policy Center)• Merit pay systems for teachers have been tried in New York City, Chicago,Washington D.C. and Nashville where studies have shown that they did not increasestudent achievement (Mathematica Policy Research, Economic Policy Institute,National Educational Policy Center, Vanderbilt)• Value-added measures based on standardized tests narrow the curriculum and workagainst creativity, innovation and intrinsic motivation (Drive by Daniel Pink)• Requiring administrators to evaluate every teacher for at least 30 minutes twiceevery year will increase administrative costs significantly.• According to University of Washington economist Dan Goldhaber, about 60% ofstudent achievement is attributable to non-school factors, such as family income andpoverty—factors that the teacher cannot control• Research has shown that collaboration among teachers improves the quality ofinstruction, but merit-pay systems based on standardized test scores for the studentsof individual teachers creates incentives opposed to collaboration and cooperation• Merit pay based on standardized tests punishes teachers for working with studentswho have disabilities or are disadvantaged

Myth: “Charter schoolsoutperform traditional publicschools.”

FACT:• Three out of four public schools are rated excellent or effective, while only one in sixcharter schools are rated excellent or effective• According to 2006 Ohio state report cards, 1 in 2 charter schools were either inacademic emergency or academic watch, while only 1 in 11 traditional public schoolbuildings were in academic emergency or academic watch• According to a 2009 Stanford University study, only 17% of charter schools performbetter than public schools while 37% of charter schools perform worse

For an expanded version of “Facts on SB 5” log on to JointheFuture.org.

Facts on SB5Authors Maureen Reedy and Scott Shinaberry, Upper Arlington EA

May 2011

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Thank you Central for Six Successful Reach Out and Read Book Drives

It’s a remarkable accomplishment after six years of Reach Out and Read Book Drives – 368,007 books and $16,011 in cash. None of us could have imagined that our concerted efforts would have reaped these kinds of rewards for pediatric literacy. That’s what happens when educators who have a passion for learning team with students and community members who want to make a difference in the lives of children.

Claudia Barrett, Nationwide Children’s Health Literacy Coordinator, stated, “Every year Central OEA/NEA continues to amaze our staff not only with the number of books and cash given, but with Central’s commitment to ROR in central Ohio. Since Nationwide Children’s

2005-06 25,000 Books $7,000

2006-07 81,000 Books $2,000

2007-08 55,000 Books $3,500

2008-09 83,000 Books $350

2009-10 66,019 Books $20

2010-11 57,988 Books $3,141

Grand Total 368,007 $16,011

“Central’s donation ensures that all children have the chance to hold and call a book their own.”

Claudia Barrett, Nationwide Children’s Health Literacy Coordinator

distributes over 50,000 books each year to children during well care visits, Central’s donation ensures that all children have the chance to hold and call a book their own. Thank you, Central.”

Central’s Community Outreach Committee wishes to thank all the ROR Chairs, association members, and leaders who have supported us with their time, money, and dedication to this project.

Specifically, the Community Outreach Committee would like to recognize the ROR chairs who have made the 2011 Book Drive a success.

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Michelle Vayansky Amanda Clearcreek EA

Michele Steitz Big Walnut Support Staff

Dawn Boerger Dublin EA

Robyn Hilderbrand Eastland EA

Lori Byers Fairfield Union EA

Rita Gore Gahanna Jefferson EA

Cynthia Adkins Grandview Heights SSP

Lauren Rotman Groveport Madison EA

Rick Strater Hilliard EA

Tracie Bunce and Jackie Geil Lancaster EA

Juliet Lietzel Marysville EA

Northridge Intermediate Staff Northridge EA

Erin Salzer Pickerington EA

Janice Roof Plain Local EA

Nancy Palsgrove South-Western EA

Wendy Nichols Tolles EA

Jeannette Gretzinger and Lynn Diloreto Urbana ACT

Donna Anderson Walnut Township EA

Maggie Seed Worthington EA

Pam Sturiano Worthington ESP

2011 Reach Out and Read Chairs

The Dental Hygienist Class at Eastland collected the most books and won the

grand prize.

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In this issue2 Growth and Development Grants

2 Building Dynamic Leadership Teams

2 Distributing Cards to Local Businesses

2 Petitions to Defeat SB5

3 Member Assistance Program

3 We’re Going Green!

4 Representative Assembly Highlights

5 Facts on SB5

6 - 7 Successful Reach Out & Read

Central OEA / NEA

Facts on Senate Bill 5 Another SuccessfulReach Out & Read

Growth & Development Grants

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLUMBUS, OHPERMIT No. 204

CE NT RA L O EA/NEA, Inc.947 Goodale BoulevardColumbus, OH 43212

COMMUNIQUÉ

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We’re Going Green!

June 30 - July 5: NEA Representative Assembly, Chicago

July 25 - 26 Building Dynamic Leadership Teams, Deer Creek

July 26 - 27 Central OEA/NEA Executive Board Retreat, Deer Creek

August 1 - 3 OEA Leadership Conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Columbus

September 14 OEA Treasurers’ Workshop, Central Office