UEA President Editorial on Teacher Evaluations

If you did not get a chance to read President Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh's editorial in the paper Jan. 29th...you can go to www.myuea.org and read it under "News".

Today's "Back in the Hood" Blog Contest questions is: Who is UEA's new Vice-President (hint: he is from Tintic District)

Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Member Advocacy

Advocating for our members is large part of my job...I assist members in dealing with upset parents, colleagues and administrators. We use our building reps to be our ears and eyes at the schools to let us know when our members need our help. In many cases our building reps are able to answer questions or represent members at the building level. Our local presidents and executive board members also advocate for our members and investigate issues. As a member of the OEA and WEA you also have the opportunity to advocate for the profession by contacting your legislators and telling them your stories. As we enter the legislative session, we will be asking you to be involved.

I am traveling home early this morning and I have several meetings with members this afternoon. I look forward to getting back and helping our members solve their issues.

The new jet lag Blog Contest Question: Who is the leading scorer in NCAA College Basketball: Hint: He wears white and blue> Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Governor proposes funding for student growth

Governor Herbert reiterated his support for funding growth in public education. He has proposed 50 million dollars to fund the 14,000 new students coming into our schools this fall. Republican legislators have failed to support his budget and have come out with a 7% cut instead. It will be a long session (45 days that seems like years) and we will be asking you all to contact your legislators. Sen. Stuart Reid has proposed changing the Utah Constitution to allow the Governor to take control of the k-20 education program. His opinion is that the system is burdened with too many groups governing what happens in public and higher ed. It will be interesting to see if it gets any support.

Go to www.myuea.org and click on "Under the Dome" to get updates and contact your legislator.

Today's blog question from cold Nashville is: Who did Senator Stuart Reid replace in the State Senate (hint: He is Ogden's Chief of Police). Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Snow in Nashville

My training at the NEA UniServ Skills Session yesterday centered on "Member Advocacy". That is a huge part of my job. I am asked to represent teacher members with parents, principals, district office etc. I represent our members in disciplinary situations, insurance and leave questions and contract grievances. Our building reps are our first line of help and we want you to use them, but sometimes when the meetings are disciplinary or dealing with possible job actions I need to be there. My training here will help me do a better job at representing our members, investigating concerns and insuring that your rights are protected.

Your blog contest question: Who is the new Speaker of the House in the Utah legislature?
Email rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Legislative Session

As the Utah State Legisature begins their deliberations, you can stay up to date by going to www.myuea.org and click on the "Under the Dome" icon. I am attending UniServ Training in Nashville this week. I will be learning more about "Member Advocacy". It is a part of the job that allows me to help our members in all sorts of different concerns...from parent problems to possible termination proceedings. It is an important part of what our association does for our members.

Blog Contest question: What important speech does the president give to congress tonight?
Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention...

I will be out of town at UniServ Director Training in Nashville (no, it is too cold to golf there too) so I will try to blog from a computer there..

Here are some possible legislative topics that will keep us all hopping (mad?) for the next six weeks..

• State Budget-Gov's vs. Leg
• Teacher Merit Pay
• School Property Tax Equalization
• Grading Schools
• Retirement
• Orderly Termination
• Charter Schools
• Elections for State School Board Races
• Superintendents to Face Election
• Vouchers
• Association Leave
• "Backpack" Funding- money following students from school to school
• Optional Full-Day Kindergarten
• Partisan Local and State School Board Elections
• Advertising on School Buses
• Civics Education
• Clubs in Public Schools
• Curriculum in Public Schools
• Concurrent Enrollment Transcripts
• Debt service for divided school districts
• Eligibility for activities
• Engineering Ed in Elem and Sec
• Online learning

And there are more...

Today's BLOG Contest entry question: What leadership positions do Rep. Brad Dee and Sen. Scott Jenkins serve in their prospective caucuses? Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Rick

Preparing for OEA Fact-Finding

We are preparing for the fact-finding process. We have notified the State Supt. Larry Shumway and he will work with OEA and the OCSD to select a hearing officer. I have met with Jordan Education Association staff to discuss their fact-finding and they have been very helpful. We are preparing our evidence and documents to present to the hearing officer once he/she is appointed. The process in Jordan took several meetings with the hearing officer (they met separately with the hearing officer) to present our case for paying Contractual Steps. Stay tuned to this channel for updates.

Today's feel good blog contest question: What is the House of Delegates? Go to www.myuea.org and click on the "for members" icon at the top to learn more about the House of Delegates.
Email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

OEA and WEA Leaders attended NEA conference in SLC

Nineteen OEA and WEA leaders and members attended the three day NEA Western Region Conference in SLC over the weekend. They met in state caucus meeting and listened to speeches from NEA President Van Roekel, Vice-President Lily Eskelsen and the NEA Secretary-Treasurer. They also met Saturday in break out sessions on current topics. Sunday they were able to listen to the hearings on budget, membership and resolutions.

Today's BLOG CONTEST question is who is the new UEA President? Go to her Blog at the new UEA website at www.myuea.org and read what is happening around the country.

Email your entry (multiple entries are welcomed) to rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Senator wants schools graded

State Senator Wayne Niederhauser wants a school's performance to be summed up with a single letter, an idea several members of the Utah State School Board of Education resisted at the board's monthly meeting. The senator discussed details of a bill he is drafting that if passed would assign letter grades A, B, C, D or F, to schools based on their test performance. Niederhauser, R-Sandy (and the majority whip) said he sees his proposal as a way to simply convey to the public how schools are performing while also holding schools accountable.

Now, do you see why being involved politically and monitoring the legislature is important for all of us...not just UEA lobbyists and your local WEA and OEA leaders.

Today's BLOG CONTEST question: What is "Educator on the Hill"? Go to the new UEA website at www.myuea.org and click on the "Under the Dome" icon to find out... email me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Rick

SL Tribune Editorial says "Fund New Students"

The SL Trib supports Gov. Herbert's budget proposal to fund enrollment growth for the first time in three years. So far, however the Legislature is not signaling that it will support the governor's plan. Last year, as you remember, it was predicted that 11,000 new students would enter our public schools. The number was thousands more than that...and without any funding to support those new students...class size grew...per pupil funding fell...teacher salaries lost ground. This year it is predicted that another 14,000 new students will cross the doorways of our schools. Without funding the downward spiral will continue.

Today's Blog Contest question: What day does the Utah State Legislature begin??
Email me @ rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

Bring More civility into our lives

As we reflect on the horrors of Arizona and look forward to honoring the peaceful contributions of Martin Luther King, I hope we can look at bringing more civility into our lives. As you interact with students, parents, colleagues and administrators...please add a dose of kindess to the discourse. I do believe that kind acts do pay forward...like the movie and that neat commercial on tv. Enjoy your long weekend.

NEW BLOG CONTEST: Or as Christine Heslop calls it "No, Rick you don't look 59". Sorry Christine...you don't win.

To enter, go to www.nea.org and Click on the "Tools and Ideas" icon at the top and email me: rick@ogdenweber.org with ideas you find there.

Thanks Rick

Fact Finding Process for OEA negotiations

Letters were delivered to President Don Belnap and State Supt. Larry Shumway informing them of our intentions to mutually (with the OCSD) request the appointment of a "Hearing Officer" for our fact finding. The OEA also gave both parties a list of possible Hearing Officers. It is now up to Supt. Shumway to work with the OEA and OCSD to determine who will serve as the Hearing officer. I am visiting with Jordan Education Association's staff today to discuss their fact finding procedure and look at their "hearing evidence". We will start working on our presentation now as we wait for a hearing officer to be chosen.

Today's "Blog Contest 2.0:"60 is the new 50 contest" entry is to visit the Future Educators website at www.futureeducators.org and email me (rick@ogdenweber.org) with the location of the FEA International Conference. Our association (your dues dollars) are sponsoring two of our FEA advisors, Suzy Davis (OHS) and Joan Iverson (Bonneville H.S.) to the conference. WSU is also sending their advisor, Stephanie Heath and several WSU students.

OEA Negotiations to Ask for Fact Finder

OEA President Doug Stephens requested that the State Supt. of Education, Larry Shumway, appoint a hearing officer to facilitate "fact finding" for the Ogden Education Association and the Ogden City School District. We have failed to reach an agreement through the use of mediation. Letters were also sent to OCSD Board President Don Belnap and Supt. Zabriskie asking for fact-finding. OEA sent a list of acceptable hearing officers and the district and the OEA will mutually agree on one. Jordan Education Association was the first local association to go to fact finding earlier this year and reached an agreement with Jordan School District to receive "steps and lanes" on the salary schedule. OEA members rejected the negotiations proposal at a "general membership" meeting last Monday evening at BLHS. We will keep you informed as the process moves forward.

Today's blog contest entry: Go to the NEA Member Benefits website: http://www.neamb.com/ and email me with the most popular part of the site (hint: lots of savings) Make sure you register if you have not already. Thanks Rick

NEA Western States Regional Conference to be held in SLC this Weekend

Several members and leaders from WEA and OEA will be spending Friday, Saturday and Sunday in SLC at our annual NEA Western States Regional Conference. They will hear speeches from our NEA President, attend local meetings, leadership sessions and open hearings.

To enter today's Blog Contest...better know as "heal Palmer's broken ego". Go to the UEA website at www.myuea.org and click on the "member login" icon to see some of the many ACCESS savings. Email me your favorite savings or coupon. Another good place to access savings for members only is www.neamb.com

If you have lost your ACCESS UEA Membership card or never received a new one, please call Tina at 399-4746 at our UniServ office.

Thanks

OEA membership rejects negotiations proposal

Last evening the OEA membership rejected the district proposal for negotiations after much debate, questions and answers. We will now investigate the next step which is fact-finding. Thank you to all that attended the OEA membership meeeting. If you have any questions please email me: rick@ogdenweber.org or Doug Stephens: stephensd@ogdensd.org

I will post more info on this blog as things happen.

To enter our new and improved 2011 "make Rick forget he is turning 60 this year" contest, please go to the new UEA Website: www.myuea.org and click on the politics and legislation icon. Go to the "Under the Dome" site and click on "contact your legislator". If you do not know who your Utah State Representatives are (Each of you has a house member and a senate member) use the tool located there to find them (you put in your address and it does it for you).

Please email me with your Utah State House member and Utah Senate member to enter the blog contest. Gift cards will be drawn for at our February meetings. Multiple entries are encouraged...I am hoping you bookmark my blog site or make it your homepage to keep up on legislative news daily.

Thanks Rick

Also if you ar

Enter the Blog Contest Today

Today marks the first day of our new and improved 2011 Blog contest. Please email me with your entry at rick@ogdenweber.org

To enter please answer this question: Would you rather receive the "Great Harvest Bread and Cookie Coupons" or would your rather have us sponsor a "movie day" where we rent a movie (Walker Cinemas in North Ogden) for a family morning of free movies and reduced refreshments.

Each email entry will go into the drawing at our February WEA and OEA AR meetings.

We will give away 25.00 gift cards.

Thanks for reading the UniServ blog.

Rick

Please Attend OEA's Negotiations Ratification Meeting, Monday, January 10, 4:15 pm @ Ben Lomond High Auditorium

Please access all OEA Negotiations proposals, salary schedules, and ratification meeting information at our website: www.ogdenweber.org

See you Monday.
Rick

Visit our website to access info on OEA's Negotiation Proposals

We have posted the following information on our website at www.ogdenweber.org

1. A summary of the non-financial (contract language) changes.
2. A complete list of each contract agreement change.
3. A summary of the financial proposal.
4. You can access the Ogden School Salary Schedule (to check for amount of steps)
5. Announcement of the OEA Ratification Meeting-Jan. 10, Monday at 4:15 at Ben Lomond High's auditorium

Doug Stephens will also be sending out information on how the meeting will work.

Hope to see you Monday. If you have any questions, please email me at rick@ogdenweber.org or Doug at stephensd@ogdensd.org

Thanks Rick

OEA Ratification Meeting, Jan. 10, Monday at BLHS Auditorium

All OEA members are invited to a negotiations ratification meeting to discuss the financial and non-financial proposals. We will be sending out more info on the non-financial items today. The meeting will be held at BLHS Auditorium at 4:15 pm next Monday, Jan. 10. We hope you can all attend. Please email myself or Doug Stephens with any concerns or questions. Doug's email is stephensd@ogdensd.org and you can reach me at rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick

OEA Building Reps Vote to hold a ratification meeting

OEA Building Reps met Monday evening to discuss the latest district negotiations proposal. After much discussion, they voted to call a ratification meeting for next Monday at 4:15 at Ben Lomond High School (probably in the auditorium) . President Doug Stephens will be sending out a summary of the proposal and more information to each member. we invite all members to attend this crucial meeting.

The proposal includes a one-time payment to those teachers who are eligible for a step increase. It will count for retirement, but will not move the teacher up one step on the salary schedule. The proposal also includes 1/2 day of additional salary at the end of this year and another 1/2 day of inservice in the next school year.

You can access the Ogden Licensed Salary Schedule on our website http://www.ogdenweber.org/ to see the dollar amount of the steps. Look for your position for the 2008-9 year and move to the next step to see the amount to be paid.

Please speak with your reps or email Doug or myself if you have any questions. stephensd@ogdensd.org or rick@ogdenweber.org

Thanks Rick