15-B Insider -- May 2002

The following is an excerpt from a "Cheers" editorial in the May 6^th Traverse City Record Eagle.

"To high schools in Cadillac, McBain and Manton for installing milk vending machines with the idea of giving students a healthy alternative to soft drinks, and to students for lapping up the idea. Sure, the machines offer chocolate, strawberry, root beer and mocha latte-flavored varieties in addition to your basic white, but they are still nutritionally superior alternatives to yet another can of sugar, er, soda. The schools are among 54 statewide testing the machines. We hope it won't be long before other high schools latch on to the idea, too."

TEACHER & ESP TAX BREAK

For the 2002 and 2003 tax years, teachers and education support professionals (employed for at least 900 hours in a school year) can claim an above-the-line tax deduction for the first $250 of "out-of-pocket" spending on student supplies. The above-the-line deduction is important because an eligible school employee does not have to itemize to qualify. The new deduction is included in the economic stimulus bill signed by the President on March 9^th.

One of our members, a secretary, in a local association recently did a "van"tastic job assuring the safety of the children (and employees) in her school. A mysterious red van was seen loitering around the school with two suspicious-looking individuals inside apparently "casing the joint". Being a conscientious employee, the secretary called the police and reported the incident. Within minutes, four squad cars surrounded the van and questioned the occupants. We’re happy to report that you won’t see these individuals on "America’s Most Wanted" as one of them turned out to be an employee of a service organization hired by the school district, and the other one was a school employee. Great Job!! You can never be too careful!!!

Settled: Wexford-Missaukee ISD ESP.

Bargaining 2002-03: Cadillac ESP, Evart EA, Evart ESP, Evart Transportation, McBain EA & McBain ESP.

May 27 Memorial Day Observed – Office Closed

June 17-21 Labor Relations Practicum (Excellent for Bargainers)

July 4 Independence Day – Office Closed

July 14-19 Professional Development Institute

July 28–August 1 Summer Leadership conference/Presidents Institute

August 7 Treasurer/Membership Workshop – 9:00 a.m.

 

There will be a primary election on August 6^th, and the results will most-likely have a huge impact on the landscape for public school employees - that’s you! There will be a new governor elected in Michigan this year, and we will also have a new State Senator. Remember, the Governor appoints people to the MPSERS Board, Tenure Commission, etc., and their decisions affect each of us sooner or later. You can only vote in one of the major party primaries, but there are potential friends of public education in each one of the major political parties. We just need to become involved by voting - or even becoming a campaign worker to help the friends of public education get elected. Let’s not allow the billionaires to buy the candidates of their choice. Let’s not allow candidates to get elected who would support pro-voucher agendas under the guise of more choices for parents. You can also get involved by contributing to a candidate of your choice or join your MEA peers by making a Cash for Kids political action contribution. (Our fall campaign begins in August. Watch for further announcements, and join us in the excitement and competition!!) MEA only contributes to friends of public education. Please call our office if we can help you with forms, addresses, or additional information.

USA Today has an All-USA Teacher Team. It is open to active, full-time, certified teachers. The deadline for nominations for the 2002 team is June 29th. Twenty teachers selected for the first team will receive trophies and $2,500 for their schools. There must be someone at your school who deserves to be nominated. For nomination forms and a look at the 2001 winners, go to http://allstars.usatoday.com.  Good luck!

Our 26^th annual Outstanding Persons in Education Banquet was held Thursday, April 18^th, with approximately 270 persons in attendance. Chuck Anderson, MEA Executive Director, was the guest speaker. From all reports, everyone had a great time. Thank you once again to each of you who made this banquet such a huge success – and especially to Harvey & Barb Miller and Kathleen Kelso for all the extra help and time spent "behind the scenes" as well as at the banquet. Thank you also to the members of the MEA-Retired group for their help.

This school year is almost history, and this is the last issue of the INSIDER until September. The events of the past year – especially on September 11^th - have caused some changes in how our society functions. The economic downturn is testing the funding of our schools, and we are seeing the impact of declining enrollment in some districts. We had a mild winter with very few, if any, snow days. We continue to be very busy, but have enjoyed working with each of you. We hope those of you who are new to public education, and are good at what you do, choose to stick around and enjoy an exciting and fulfilling career. We want to work for and alongside good employees. We also want our children to experience the same. Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable retirement for those of you exiting. And for those of you returning in August, we wish you a relaxing and enjoyable summer. Life is short – take time to read, to laugh, to smell the flowers, and to eat chocolate!!

After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter

came along and shot him. The moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut!

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.

Copyright ©2002-2003 by MEA Region 15-B - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED