Ogden Teachers Rally for Collective Bargaining

Ogden Teachers Rally for Collective Bargaining

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Turkey Day

Hope all of you are enjoying the turkey day break with family and friends. I am in Idaho with my folks enjoying the good food and football. See you back in town Monday. Oh, yeah, I did golf today too. Thanks Rick

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Sutherland Institute promotes changes in educator salary schedules

Derek Monson, a policy analyst with the conservative Utah-based Sutherland Institute, presented changes to educator salary schedules to the Education Interim Committee at the legislature last Thursday. Here are some of the highlights:
  • The teachers would have to get recertified every three to five years
  • The pay plan would demand higher standards from educators.
  • The teachers would have to demonstrate subject mastery by passing a knowledge test and complete a course on instruction strategies.
  • The plan calls for a new statewide salary schedule.
  • Teachers would make $35,000 to $75,000 with an annual raise of $2,500.
  • The plan recommends an additional $5,000 paid to educators who teach at "hard to staff" schools.
  • State raises would be determined by annual performance evaluations by parents, teachers and the principal.
  • Principals would be given full authority to hire and fire.
  • They could also recruit "all-star teachers" with higher pay.

The Sutherland Institute supports private school vouchers and increasing the number of charter schools. Learn more about this group at www.sutherlandinstitute.org

To enter the blog contest this month (one entry per person) email me at rick@ogdenweber.org and use the word "sutherland" in the message. Thanks Rick

Monday, November 24, 2008

Future Educators at OHS Honor Teachers at Breakfast

A breakfast was served to a group of favorite teachers by FEA students at Ogden High School last week. Each student invited one of their most memorable teachers to a nice breakfast funded by our NEA SOAR grant. We received $2000 from NEA to help our FEA chapters. In December FEA students and Teachers for Tomorrow will visit the WSU campus for a day of classes and activities. Suzy Davis and Stephanie Heath have been the leaders in organizing these activities.

If you haven't entered the BLOG Contest this month, email me at rick@ogdenweber.org and use the word "SOAR" in the message. Thanks Rick

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Give Thanks to Those Around You

I came back a day early from St. George, because I missed blogging. Seeing my six grandchildren and my three children made me give thanks for their mother who raised them so well. I was too busy coaching, teaching, doing association work and working a second job (as most of you do to make ends meet). But in the end it all pays off. My youngest is working full time (manager of Pizza Factory) and going to school to be a "product logo" guy. Robyn, his wife, works part time for Sky West and so they have traveled all around the world. Their daughter, Kate, has been on 36 flights at the age of 9 months. I visited my old teaching friends who work at Desert Hills High School (the tragic scene of the "prop gun" death last week). Again, it sobers us to see these tragedies around us. I wish you a great Turkey Day and I am formally announcing I am in a "Biggest Loser" contest with my son. I weighed in at the truckstop in Scipio at a robust 339 (the truck scales worked well) . Maybe next month's contest will be on giving Rick ideas to lose the blubber.

Still time to get your entry into the BLOG Contest. One entry only this month. Next month new rules. Email me at Blob@...oh no it is really rick@ogdenweber.org Thanks Rick

Friday, November 21, 2008

UniServ Council Leads the Association

In my never ending attempt to give you tidbits of knowledge that will change your life forever...Our Ogden/Weber UniServ (comprised of OEA and WEA) is managed by a council made up of the WEA President, Marlene Irons, the WEA Vice-President Terie Maxfield, our OEA President, Mary Courney, the OEA Vice-President, Doug Stephens and our UniServ President, Clay Kirkham.  This council meets monthly to set the agenda for the UniServ and manage its finances.  Oh, and most importantly, manage me.  You are all my bosses.  Your dues pay for my salary and I think I have the best bosses in the world.  No, I am not kissing up to you all.  I really believe that at this time of Thanksgiving and 401-k demise, I love my job and helping you all enjoy your jobs.

This month, our BLOG contest will allow for one entry per person.  I think in the future, I will reward those of you loyal readers to enter more than once.  To enter email me at rick@ogdenweber.org  thanks Rick

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The Blogmeister is headed south

Hi everyone. I will be taking a couple days off to visit my six grandchildren in St. George. It is only coincidental that there are also golf courses in St. George. I will be taking time off from posting, but I hope you will still enter, if you have not, in the November BLOG Contest. Just email me with the word "grandchildren" at rick@ogdenweber.org Thanks Rick

Economy Downturn Leads to Budget Cuts

The worst national economic crisis since the Great Depression has finally arrived at Utah's borders and is seeping into our state. In September the Utah State Legislature cut $100 Million from ongoing state agency budgets. Public Education's budget was held harmless, but just for this year. We are hearing now that all state agencies, including public education, can expect a 2-5% (maybe as high as 10%) cut from ongoing budgets for Fiscal Year 2010. The Utah State Board of Education has made the following suggestions:
  1. Last program in, first out. (Get rid of the newest programs first)
  2. Use the $100 Million one-time unappropriated set aside first.
  3. Cut the Early Childhood Learning and Evaluation program $3.5.
  4. Cut the Merit Pay program $20 Million. (Both 3 and 4 were in the omnibus bill SB2)
  5. Freeze Charter School expansion.
  6. Cut the USTAR program $6.9 Million (Omnibus bill)
  7. Cut the extended year for special educators program $2.9 Million (Omnibus bill)
  8. Cut the Math/Science Salary Supplement program $4.7 Million (Omnibus bill)

As you can see it will be a difficult legislative session and we will need a unified UEA membership to persuade the state to protect Utah's public schools.

To enter the BLOG CONTEST email me at rick@ogdenweber.org and use the word "Budget".

Thanks Rick

Monday, November 17, 2008

National Council of Urban Education Associations

Our UniServ President Clay Kirkham and Paul Fawson (member of WEA's Executive Board) will be attending the Fall Conference of the NCUEA in San Jose in December. The NCUEA is a group of the largest NEA affiliates and meets twice a year to discuss many of the concerns and issues facing associations nationwide. They are a powerful group in making NEA policy. The NCUEA also offers association leaders some great training to help them do their jobs. If you are interested in becoming more involved in OEA or WEA please contact us or your leaders.

To enter our BLOG CONTEST email me rick@ogdenweber.org with "NCUEA" in the message.
Thanks Rick

Friday, November 14, 2008

What the heck is a UNISERV?

UnServ is short for "unified services". Our Ogden/Weber UniServ provides services for over 1600 members in Ogden and Weber. We represent the unified membership of NEA, UEA, OEA and WEA. Your valuable membership dollars come back to our office to help pay for those services. Go to our website at http://www.ogdenweber.org/ and see our staff, OEA leaders, and WEA leaders. Click on the OEA and WEA icons and find copies of our contract and links to the district, UEA and NEA websites. Please give us ideas to make our web page better. I am the UniServ Director and I am here to represent you in any concern you have. Please call me if you have any concerns or questions. Rick Palmer 390-6365

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org to enter our BLOG CONTEST. Just send me the "word" UniServ and I will enter you in the drawing for prizes. We will draw at the December AR meeting. You may enter once per month. Thanks for your membership.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Praxis II Test Training

Sean Mabey, from NEA Member Benefits, will be training teachers on tips to pass the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching test that is required to receive your Level II license in Utah. We have invited teachers from Ogden and Weber to come to our UniServ office at 939 25th St. in Ogden at 4:30 tonight, November 13, to enjoy Sean's many wise ideas for studying and succeeding in passing the test. Hope to see you there. Please call Tina @ 399-3746 to RSVP.

To enter our BLOG CONTEST and win some neat prizes please email me at rick@ogdenweber.org and put PRAXIS in the message. Thanks Rick

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

When Do I Need My Building Rep?

Most of our schools in Ogden and Weber have an "Association Rep" who represents the OEA and WEA in your building. They are the backbone of the association. They communicate information to you as members and bring concerns back to your OEA and WEA leadership. They also are your "Association Rep" when you need someone to sit in with you during a meeting with your principal or other administration. Please feel free to call us if your AR can't make it. In the case of any legal issues or possible disciplinary action please contact me at the UniServ office (399-3746) or my cell phone (390-6365).
Thanks Rick

To enter our November BLOG CONTEST please send me an email with "Association Rep" in the message. Thanks

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Use your membership card to ACCESS savings

Most of you should have received your new UEA membership card in the mail. If you haven't let us know. Please activate your card and go to the UEA Website at www.utea.org and log in for more Access to Savings. You can search for savings by zip code or city. Also look for an ACCESS flyer in your box soon. Please let us know of any problems. We also love to hear anecodotal stories of ways to save using your card.

Membership pays.

To enter our BLOG Contest for November please email me rick@ogdenweber.org with the word ACCESS in the message. We will draw for winners at our December AR meetings. Thanks Rick

Monday, November 10, 2008

Transformation Team

Representatives from all areas of UEA stakeholders are meeting together to come up with a plan to help UEA succeed in its Strategic Plan. In our first meeting we looked at the process and the task. UEA's strategic goals include advancing the well-being of members, strengthening the teaching profession, engaging in meaningful partnerships that promote quality public schools and building organizational capacity. In our next meeting we will analyze data and start forming our plan for success.

To enter our November BLOG CONTEST please email me rick@ogdenweber.org with the word "transformation" in it.
You may enter once per month. We will draw for prizes at the December AR meeting. Thanks for bookmarking this blog and I hope I can keep you informed. Rick

Friday, November 7, 2008

Future Educators Association and Teachers of Tomorrow

"Aspire to Reach Higher! Teach!" is the theme of the FEA Fall Conference to be held at WSU December 5. Students from Weber, Ogden and Davis school districts will join with WSU students to learn more about the teaching profession. Stephanie Heath, WSU College of ED recruiter has worked with Suzy Davis, OHS FEA advisor, and Jodi Lunt, Davis School District, to plan this fun and informative day on campus.

To enter our BLOG CONTEST please send me an email with "FEA" included in your message. Send it to rick@ogdenweber.org You may enter once per month. We will select the winners at our AR meetings in December. Thanks Rick Palmer

Thursday, November 6, 2008

UPPAC is an advisory commision of the Utah State Board of Education

The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission is an advisory commission of the Utah State Bard of Education. It sets standards of professional performance, competence and ethical conduct for persons holding licenses issued by the board. They have the power to suspend or revoke your teaching license. You have a right to representation and a hearing when that happens.

To enter our BLOG CONTEST please email me rick@ogdenweber.org with the abbreviation UPPAC included. We will draw for prizes in the December AR meeting. Enter once only.

Thanks Rick

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Voters Have Spoken

Voters braved the cold, wet weather to make their voice heard on Tuesday. Many of us stayed up late to see the results come in. Here are some of the local results:
  • House Dist. 6 Kerry Gibson retained his seat
  • House Dist. 7 Ryan Wilcox won and is a new face in the legislature replacing Glenn Donnelson
  • House Dist. 8 Gage Froerer returns to the legislature
  • House Dist. 9 Neil Hansen won
  • House Dist. 10 Brent Wallis defeated Ed Allen.
  • House Dist. 11 Brad Dee won
  • House Dist. 12 Richard Greenwood (appointed to take Gregg Buxton's position) won
  • Sen. Dist. 19 Allen Christensen won
  • Sen. Dist. 20 Scott Jenkins won
  • State School Board Dist. 4 Dave Thomas defeated Chris Dallin
  • The only contested school board race between Christina Morales and Jeff Harris had not been called because of write in votes.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election Day GO VOTE

Educators all over the state will be voting for education friendly candidates today. We must change the faces at the legislature or we can't change the bad legislation that they produce. Our big win over the voucher proponents hopefully will continue today. Brave the bad weather and make your voice heard. Take others to the polls also. Thanks for all you do.

Monday, November 3, 2008

U-PAC Recommends Local Candidates

You should have received your UEA ACTION in the mail. Make sure you check the recommended candidates in your district. For complete Utah election information, go to www.elections.utah.gov . Hope you voted early, but if not get out tomorrow and make your voice heard.