Publication for Members of Central OEA/NEA • Adrienne M. Bowden, PresidentWinter 2014

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Name one profession that has to consistently take multiple-choice tests. Hav-ing difficulty? Then why are so many of us forced to teach test-taking skills? Are we preparing the students to be “career and college ready” or “standardized testing ready?”

We work countless hours, take time away from our loved ones, and spend our own money to provide a quality learning experience for our students in an effort to provide the same quality experiences with less time, less collaboration, and fewer resources. For far too long we have been left out of the decision-making process.

Adrienne M. Bowden, Central OEA/NEA President

Kevin Griffin, Central OEA/NEA Vice-President

Remember Next November: Be an Education Advocate!

Now more than ever politics is a silent member of our classrooms and worksites.Gone are the days of not wanting to be political. Re-sponding to politics should be as much of an obliga-tion as your lesson plans or job reports. Every time you write a Student Learn-ing Objective (SLO), give a practice test, worry about value-added, talk about outsourcing, or hear about an 8-year old repeating 3rd grade while their twin sibling goes on to 4th, thank your governor.

Raising the overall quality of instruction is everyone’s goal. However, politicians have used their belief that

the vast majority of teach-ers are negligent to impose legislation that is not sup-ported by research, sets unrealistic expectations, and is harmful to whole-child education.

Politicians have been listen-ing to the wrong people. They believe wealthy individuals and well-funded “think-tanks” hold the silver bullet to fixing a system that was never broken. They have difficulty compre-hending that our motivation comes from the growth of our students, not the prom-ise of merit pay.

According to the Federal Election Commission, dur-ing the 2011-2012 election cycle, corporations spent 1.96 billion dollars in lobby-ing compared to 143 million by labor groups. When con-verted to percentages that equates to 7% of lobbying money from unions and 93% from corporations.Two of the largest political donors in Ohio are charter schools owners. William La-ger of ECOT profited 86 mil-lion dollars last year while

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Volume 41, Number 4 • Winter 2014

COMMUNIQUÉPublished four times a year as a service of

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

Adrienne M. Bowden, President

Kevin Griffin, Vice President

Russell Hughlock, Coordinator of Communications and Organizing

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

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

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posting a 35.3% graduation rate and had a value-added gain index of negative 15.69, which ranked ECOT 811th out of 815. As if an 86 million dollar PROFIT wasn’t enough this year, ODE awarded ECOT an additional 2.9 million dollars in the Straight A Fund grant.

David and Ann Brennan of White Hat Management were the pioneers of char-ter school scams in Ohio. White Hat “manages” char-ter school finances. Once your tax dollars go to the Brennans they are no longer transparent. They collect the public’s tax dollars and then disperse funding to their 33 schools as they see fit. What is their cut? They won’t tell us, but accord-ing to a 2010 Columbus Dispatch article, the Bren-nans have made $4,226,505 worth of political contribu-tions in Ohio.

The corporate reform-ers and their purchased politicians have changed the dynamics in our schools and classrooms. They are affect-ing the way we teach and how our students’ learn.

We deserve to have input about what happens in our classrooms and our work sites. We want fairness and understanding that our teaching and working conditions are our students’ learning conditions. We want to spend more time educating. We want our Education Support Person-nel to earn a liveable wage. We want to be recognized as professionals in our craft and have our opinions valued so we can ensure student success.

The Central Political Action Oversight Committee has created a new cohesive political action program with an emphasis on grassroots involvement. It is a multi-tiered system focusing on advocating for great public schools, increased local member involvement, and promoting policies that im-prove public education.

Area Political Action Coordinators

Central is organized into five areas. We accepted applications from teachers, ESPs, and retired members

to become a Political Action Coordinator (PAC) for each Area.

Central Advocates for Children & Education

Members of the Central ACE program are asked to advocate for children and education. Central ACEs can expect to receive timely, rel-evant information regarding education policy, elections that affect public education, and simple action asks. An Action Ask includes activi-ties like sending an email, attending lobby day, or simply forwarding important information to colleagues. There will be no spam, and you can unsubscribe when-ever you like. To become an ACE and learn about Central’s 5 for $50 Incentive program, visit the Central website at www.centra-loeanea.org/advocate.

Education Advocate Leaders

Another way to get involved is by becoming a local Education Advocate Leader (EAL). We need up to three members in each local

who can serve as contact persons and work closely with our Area Political Ac-tion Coordinators. The EAL could receive a $100 stipend for their efforts. If you are interested in be-ing your local EAL, please complete the application on Central’s website at www.centraloeanea.org/eal.

If you’ve read this far, THANK YOU! It’s safe to conclude that you’ve acknowledged that educa-tion advocacy is important for our schools. The public likes, trusts, and respects educators and we have “right” on our side. We are asking that you find the level of involvement that works best for you, that you be active and let the voices of those working in the trenches be heard. Your stu-dents deserve nothing less. If you don’t stand up for your school, your students, and your family, who will? Central is asking that you become an EDUCATION ADVOCATE!

Click & Save – NEA Member Benefits

www.neamb.com

NEA Member Benefits, www.neamb.com, through NEA Click & Save allows members to shop on-line at more than 850 merchants offering exclusive savings and convenience. They have leveraged the buying power of 3.1 million NEA members and negotiated great pricing not available to the public. Whether you’re looking at electronics, home, apparel, dining, travel or just about anything, check out NEA Click & Save www.neamb.com/shopping-discounts/nea-click-and-save-retail-discounts.htm.

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In Case You Missed It

www.jointhefuture.org/blog

www.facebook.com/jointhefuture

www.twitter.com/JointheFutureOH

Pension Reform Laws passed in 2012 (Sub. S.B. 342) called for members to pay the full projected liability cost for certain types of service purchases. This will result in costs significantly higher than under current rates. The types of credit subject to the 100% of liability cost are: • Out-of-state teaching and public service• Private teaching service• Federal civilian service• Waived service• Prior military service• Ohio service for which contributions were made• Pregnancy leaves or resignations before July 1982• School Board service Members who purchase service for these categories will pay the 100% liability cost beginning Jan. 1, 2014. How-ever, members who have their purchasable service certi-fied by Dec.31, 2013, will not be charged the 100% liability until July 1, 2014 – these members will have until June 30, 2014, to purchase the credit at the current cost.

Due to the nature of the liability being created by the purchase, service purchase under the new 100% liability calculation will need to be purchased in whole-year incre-ments. Members who have questions about the service credit purchase may contact STRS Ohio’s Member Ser-vices Center toll-free at 1-888-227-7877.

Small Local Grants Available For Denver NEAIf your local association has 225 members or less, your lo-cal can apply for an NEA Small Local Grant to help with the partial or full funding of a delegate to attend the 2014 NEA Representative Assembly in Denver, Colorado. Last year the stipend amount set by NEA was $1,695.It’s a simple 2-step process.

1. Conduct a local election as soon as possible to select a delegate.

2. Submit an online grant application via the Central OEA/NEA website www.centraloeanea.org/nea-small-local-grant. Early submission is preferred.

See you in Denver!

Costs to Increase for Some STRS Service Purchases Now about to enter its fourth year,

www.jointhefuture.org continues to keep you up-to-date on all the latest state education policy and news.Here are some of the top stories published on Join the Future that you might have missed over the holi-days

Teacher Evaluations - Upon Further Review?www.jointhefuture.org/1379-teacher-evaluations-upon-further-review

$400 million Medicaid savings could have huge impact on schoolswww.jointhefuture.org/1380-400-million-medic-aid-savings-could-have-huge-impact-on-schools

Except for Right-to-work states, US Ed outperforms international averageswww.jointhefuture.org/1371-except-for-right-to-work-states-us-ed-outperforms-international-averages

Licenses Must be Renewed Online Starting January 1, 2014Beginning January 1, 2014 the submission and approval process for first-time or renewal licensure applications must be completed online. Educators who are up for renewal are encouraged to investigate the online procedure early to ensure they receive their renewed license well before the expiration date of June 30th. Information on the new procedure can be accessed at the following site http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Teaching/Educator-Licensure/Apply-for-Certificate-License.

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4President HigginsCentral was honored to host OEA Presi-dent Becky Higgins on Friday, November 15, 2013. As promised in her campaign speech last spring, President Higgins took some time to tour the 10 OEA districts. The visit to Central was a part of what Presi-dent Higgins called her “Listening Tour” where she wanted to see and hear what the members were experiencing in their locals. Central’s day focused on our Edu-cation Support Personnel and Emerging Leaders. President Higgins visited three dif-ferent locals and ended the day at a recep-tion with members from all over Central.

Denise Cordle, Lancaster EA President

The Lancaster Education Association was honored to welcome OEA President Becky Higgins to our school district on Friday, November 15, 2013. President Higgins stopped by our Bus Barn, where she met and talked to several members of our sister union, the Lancaster School Support Associa-tion. She also watched the bus aides prepare books for students to read on their bus ride to and from school.

Following her stop at the Bus Barn, President Hig-gins visited Lancaster High School. While there, Princi-

pal Jack Greathouse gave her a tour of the building, and he explained the rollout of our one-to-one iPad pro-gram for students. Presi-dent Higgins was able to view the iPads being used in a variety of ways. She met and talked with several of our members.

Our union is grateful that President Higgins spent part of her very busy day with us. We admire her commitment to our mem-bers, and we look forward to working with her.

President Higgins Visits Lancaster

District Day Reception

Talking with Lancaster HS Teachers

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Meg Clark, Pickerington EA Building Representative

When OEA President Becky Higgins visited Violet Elementary, Pickerington Local Schools, on Novem-ber 15, she was given a tour of the newly renovated building. As she toured the building, many comments were made about how the building was brought into

the 21st century. Some of the additions at Violet are a new gymnasium, and updated cafeteria, comput-ers, iPads and classrooms. She was also able to see the after-school latchkey room and hear about the program. We were proud to share the district’s new initiative to get the majority of the district teachers’ new laptops. Since Becky is a former first grade classroom teacher, she peeked into a first grade classroom. Violet was very honored to have Becky take time out her busy day to visit!

Visits Central!

Donna O’Connor, Dublin EA

What would you do if you were given 30 minutes with the newly elected OEA president? She is coming to your building- do you spend time with introductions, a tour, and classroom ob-servations, time with your principal? Or try to squeeze in all of the above? Dublin Coffman High School build-ing principal, Mike Ulring, and I had the opportunity to share with President Higgins some of the in-novative and collaborative partnerships that are taking place at Dublin Coffman. We started with our AP

American Studies program, a block class of Honors sophomore English and AP US History. Even though class size is 50 students per section, the team of educa-tors that lead this class can be given credit for its rigor and also its reputation for being one of the “best” classes a student can take at DCHS. Another highlight of our tour was being able to show President Higgins a peek at our Peer Collabora-tion program. As a result of the hard work of one of our school counselors and other colleagues, DCHS has more

than 200 students who work with special-needs students as classroom peer tutors, even accom-panying them out into the community, as well as working in the business copy center. A program that benefits all involved in it. Our time with Presi-dent Higgins flew by, but it was time well spent and we were thrilled to be able to show her the wonderful activities going on in our schools.

President Higgins Visits Dublin

President Higgins Visits PickeringtonListening to Lancaster Bus Drivers

Note Taking with Bus Aides

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OEA Members Endorse Ed FitzGerald for Governor Educators Brave the

Biting Cold to Protest Education CutsUndeterred by frigid temperatures, about 70 members and their sup-porters gathered at the statehouse opposite the offices of the Governor to protest his harmful economic policies.Buoyed by the support of passing motorists honking their horns, the message rising up into the cold air was loud and clear: that the Governor’s economic policies were failing our schools.

“Today, students, par-ents and educators are uniting to demand that Governor Kasich and his allies in the General Assembly listen to those who know our students

best by putting students before for-profit charter op-erators and Ohio’s wealthi-est one percent,” said OEA President Becky Higgins.

Daria DeNoia, a teacher from Columbus Public Schools, said, “Governor Kasich has provided $515 million less in state funding to public schools than in the last year of the previous administration. As a result 90 percent of schools are making cuts in the 2013-2014 school year, such as reducing the number of educators, classes offered and afterschool programs. Moreover, 3 out of 4 school districts will get less state funding than they received in 2011.”

The OEA FCPE State Council, comprised of elected OEA members from throughout the state, carefully screens candi-dates based on their voting records, their stated support of public education, and the OEA’s priority issues. At a Columbus meeting in early November, the OEA Fund for Children and Public Education (FCPE) State Council announced its unanimous endorsement of Ed FitzGerald for Governor. “Ed FitzGerald has dem-onstrated a thorough and impressive command of the issues and challenges that face Ohio’s public schools and their students,” said OEA President Becky Hig-gins. “We believe he has the vision and the leader-ship needed to make our public schools, our system of higher education and our programs for the develop-mentally disabled in Ohio that much better.”

About Ed FitzGeraldAs an FBI agent, Ed was assigned to the Orga-nized Crime Task Force in Chicago, working to hold corrupt politicians ac-countable. He investigat-ed political corruption and mafia influence, helping to bring the infamous Cicero crime syndicate to justice.After his FBI service, Ed returned to Ohio, serving as an assistant county prosecutor and eventu-ally mayor of Lakewood. Under Ed’s leadership, Lakewood was recog-nized as being one of the best places in Ohio to raise a family.

Following one of the larg-est public corruption scan-dals in the history of Ohio, the people of Cuyahoga County elected Ed to lead a new county govern-ment as their first county Executive. He made ground-breaking invest-ments in real job creation, expanded pre-school enrollment, and is now establishing the largest college savings account program in the country to foster a culture of college attendance in Ohio.You can learn more about Ed FitzGerald and his position on education at www.edfitzgeraldforo-hio.com/issues/educa-tion.

On Saturday, December7, at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, OEA President Becky Higgins convened the first Representative Assembly of her new presidency – along with new OEA Vice President Scott DiMauro, Secretary-Treasurer Tim Myers, Executive Director Larry Wicks, and 771 registered delegates who represented locals from across the state. The assembly lived up to its theme: Educators Rock! Delegates heard from Ed FitzGerald – OEA’s endorsed candidate for governor in 2014. Ed demonstrated that he understands the crucial issues facing public educa-tion and public educators in the state of Ohio, and be-lieves that professional edu-cators need to be directly involved with all education reform initiatives and should not be dictated to by politi-cians who believe they have all of the answers.

Because Campaign 2014 is extremely crucial for the future of public education in Ohio, delegates responded by contributing $36,890.15 to the OEA Fund for Chil-dren and Public Education to support candidates who are friends of public educa-tion.

VP Scott DiMauro pre-sented OEA’s Legislative Committee report, and the delegates overwhelmingly supported the proposed legislative policies for 2013-2014. In doing so, the delegates approved a new legislative policy stating that

Educators Rock!Tim Skamfer, Gahanna E.A, OEA Board of Directors

teachers and other school employees should not be asked to serve a dual role as educators and school safety personnel armed with weapons. This position is consistent with the views of the law enforcement com-munity that putting guns in the hands of school employ-ees who have other respon-sibilities is not the solution to improving school safety. The new policy also urges that appropriate assistance be provided for mental health services for students as part of a comprehensive program to prevent school violence.

Delegates also overwhelm-ingly approved a new busi-ness item that authorizes the OEA Board and the Executive Director “. . .to engage Ohio’s education stakeholders and advocates for children and families, to join the OEA in seeking to redefine the renewal and improvement of public edu-cation, and to do so through research-informed practices that address the appropriate use of assessments, de-emphasize massive stan-dardized testing and respect the aspirations, talents and needs of educators and students.”

The RA included a celebra-tion of retiring Executive Director Larry Wicks’s five years with OEA. When Larry joined OEA in 2008, nobody could foresee the challenges we would face – especially following the election 2010. Larry be-came co-chair of the We Are Ohio coalition in the fight to successfully defeat Senate Bill 5. Joining the celebration was surprise guest NEA President Den-nis Van Roekel, who added his congratulatory remarks. Delegates also welcomed incoming Executive Director Sheryl Mathis, who joins us from Arizona.

Winter 2014

8In this issue2 Click and Save: Member Benefits

3 Costs to Increase for Some

STRS Service Purchases

3 Small Local Grants Available

For Denver NEA

3 Licenses Must be Renewed

Online

4-5 President Higgins Visits

Centralmer Academy

6 OEA Members Endorse

Ed FitzGerald for Governor

6 Educators Brave the Biting Cold

to Protest Education Cuts

7 Educators Rock

Central OEA / NEA Events

Educators Brave the Cold to Protest Education Cuts

President Higgins Visits Central

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLUMBUS, OHPERMIT No. 204

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

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Click and Save: Member Benefits

2 7

Educators Rock!

6

Presidents Plus Meeting

March 7 at Crowne Plaza, Dublin

Central Winter Leadership Conference

March 8 at Crowne Plaza, Dublin

Registration is required and now available by

logging in at www.centraloeanea.org, selecting the desired event and clicking “I Am

Attending” from the drop down menu.

State At-Large NEA Delegate Deadline

The deadline for declarations to be a state at-

large delegate to the 2014 NEA RA is January

31, 2014. For further information, contact Carol

Taylor Price at OEA, (800) 282-1500 ext. 3169

Save the Dates

Area 2 MeetingJan. 23 at Tavern 42, Delaware Area 3 Meeting Jan 27 at Simon Kenton Inn, Springfield Area 5 Meeting Feb.12 at OSU Golf Course, Columbus Area 1 Meeting Feb.13 at Shaw’s Restaurant, Lancaster Area 4 Meeting Feb. 18 at J.R. Hook’s, Circleville Presidents Plus Meeting Mar. 7 at Crowne Plaza, Dublin

Central Winter Leadership Conference Mar. 8 at Crowne Plaza, Dublin

Central OEA/NEA Representative AssemblyApr. 26 at Worthington Kilbourne H.S. Spring 2014 OEA Representative AssemblyMay 9-10 at Veterans Memorial Registrations for all events are available on Central’s web site at www.centraloeanea.org