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