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