Sapulpa Rep Meeting:SB 834

Last week, I visited Sapulpa where we spent a good deal of time discussing SB834 and its impact to our schools. The Building Reps were united in their opposition to this piece of legislation and are making their voices heard to their respective representatives.

Sapulpa President Carla Cale is doing a great job representing her members. Carla ran a very informative meeting while her BR's did a good job of representing their schools. After the meeting Carla, on my right, posed with me and OEA Communications Specialist Marty Bull (l) and Pat Smith (r) OEA Legislative and Political Organizer.

Claremore and HOPE

What a great group of people in Claremore. I got to meet so many good people. Sue Lamb presided over the meeting and I got to speak about the HOPE campaign. These ladies are excited about the campaign and what it will do for education. They were also very patient when I had to run back outside into the rain to get my camera so we could get a group picture.

Pryor, SW E and Putnam City

What a week of local visits. I spent time in Pryor with the local officers and a number of new teachers and OEA members. All of them are excited about school getting started and want to be to get their share of signatures for the HOPE initiative. Suzanne Kull, the local president does a great job.(1st picture)

At the first SW E zone meeting held by OEA Director Connie Jensen, OEA members from Little Axe, Blanchard, Noble, Newcastle, Blanchard Support Professionals, and the Professional Educators of Norman were all geared up for beginning school actives including their roles and responsibilities with the HOPE campaign. (2nd picture).

After leaving the Zone meeting, I went to Putnam City West to say hello to our members who were getting ELL-English Language Learner training by NEA and OEA staff. The training is a part of our "Community Conversations" we've been having at West for a year and a half. It is a program making a difference for the kids, teachers and community our critics don't give us credit for the work we do. Doing so would acknowledge we are an active part of our communities.

I did have some sad news when I found out from a PC West teacher, one of my colleagues, and friend from Stillwater, had taken a job with Chesapeake. He told our mutual friend he has two kids getting ready to go to college and they need more than what he can provide them on his teaching salary. Another quality teacher leaves our profession because of financial issues.

The week ended on a high note when I got to address Putnam City's teachers and administration at the PCACT back to school meeting after receiving greetings from their new superintendent, Paul Hurst. Paul brings a great deal of leadership and responsibility to the position. He was recently the superintendent in Tahlequah.

During my presentation, I told everyone about the HOPE campaign and by the time we were finished, 1500 people were on their feet pledging to "stand-up" for kids by committing to sign the petition and getting all of their family members and friends to do the same.

I was extremely energized by the people in PC and look forward to watching their success in the position drive.

The day ended with my wife's faculty at their back-to-school dinner. We had a great time with everyone and Katherine collected her peers signatures on the petition. Lake Park is a quality school with special people who are committed to our children. Go Lions.

Putnam City and Ponca City

Back to school meetings have started, and for new teachers, that means an extra couple of days to get acclimated to their new district and some training too. I had the privilege to attend both Putnam City and Ponca City new teacher events. (the photo is from Ponca City)

It is always great to see excited faces in the new teacher ranks of those just beginning their careers. I believe they are entering the best profession because of the relationships they build during their tenure. Those relationships are based around kids successes and challenges creating bonds that will last a life time.

Sharing the vision, mission and core values with our new teachers is a great way for them to understand what the OEA is all about. The HOPE campaign also falls under our values too and new teachers can and will see the organization in action as we garner signatures for the ballot initiative.

Going Strong in Duncan

On Tuesday afternoon I traveled to Duncan for their ADE meeting. We talked a great deal about the issues coming up before the 2008 legislature and the salary proposals by Governor Henry and Senator Kenneth Corn, both of which could be in jeopardy due to the recent tax cuts.

Other issues Duncan members were concerned about included merit pay/pay for test scores and the extended day/ year proposal. As with teachers all across the state, their concerns include making sure that the quality of time is more important than the quantity, as well as where would the funding come from to pay for the additional operation costs associated with running schools--salaries and benefits included.

ADE members are organizing a petition drive to alert their legislative representatives against the extended day/year issue and will be presenting those signed petitions to those representatives.

It was an informative meeting run by President Slvia Sparks and I really enjoyed getting to meet many of the building representatives in the Duncan Schools where they've had an increase of 7 new members this year. Great work Duncan.

Southwest A Zone Meeting at Quartz Mountain

As I drove to Quartz Mountain to meet with members from Southwest A, I was able to witness another magnificent Oklahoma sunset.

I'm never surprised by the beauty of those sunsets, and witnessing many of them has been a pleasure for me as I travel throughout the state.

The sunsets remind me of Oklahoma teachers. They are of such quality that they are so often taken for granted.

That's one of the concerns that people like Kay Plummer from Burns Flat, Glenda Ivins of Elk City, Cordell's Billie Rodrigez, Liz Picone of NEA Member Benefits, and Linda & Larry Long express to staff members Bonnie Hammock, Doug Folks and me when the discussion of pay for test scores/merit pay comes up.

The members of Southwest A have done a good job of letting their representatives know the pit falls of these plans and what will work best when it comes to enhancing teacher salaries in Oklahoma. They are representative of Oklahoma's quality teachers all across our state.

Southwest A Zone Meeting

Last night, teachers and support professionals from Chickasha, Ninnekah, Anadarko, Burns Flat, Elk City and Cyril meet at Cottonwood Creek's Yesteryear's Diner to discuss the current issues facing education.

Our members are against the "pay for test scores" plan being talked about by some members of the state legislature and want them to "Keep the Promise" and get Oklahoma teachers to the regional average.

There was also a good deal of discussion about the extended day/school year. Time is one of the most critical issue for educators. Quality time for instruction should be addressed before quantity of time is increased. Proposals of extending the calendar will cost millions of dollars and will not make up for the fact that Oklahoma needs to invest an additional $800 million dollars just to meet the standards and accountability measures of our state and federal government.

I had a very enjoyable evening with our members in Southwest A and I look forward to coming back. They are doing a great job in their schools and districts.

Visiting Bixby

While this picture may be a little blurry, the commitment and hard work by President Sue Ward and Bobbie Brummett are clearly in focus as they make sure their

members are informed of the latest educational issues.

I joined members of the OEA staff as we spent time talking about the extended day/year and pay for test scores/merit pay proposals being discussed by our legislature. Teachers didn't hesitate to sign the OEA petition to address the extended day/year petition.

Their thoughts on merit pay/pay for test scores were equally as strong. Many thought it ironic that people with no connection to our children and schools could even think about making such a recommendation.

I met a number of teachers and support professionals who are working long hours for the success of their school. I would encourage Bixby's state senator and state representative to meet those fine individuals and truly spend a day in their shoes.

Summer Leadership Academy

More than 200 OEA members attended the 2007 SLA held in Tulsa on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We spent the last few days addressing Jim Collins' book "Good to Great" and its implications for the OEA.

During the training, our members spent time calling Speaker of the House Lance Cargill and Co-Speaker Pro Tempores, Senator Morgan ad Coffee about recent announcements where raises would only be given for merit pay and that there would be a lengthened school calendar with no additional pay or benefits.

We believe the Governor and Legislature made a promise to get teacher salaries to the regional average, and our calls encouraged those leaders to "Keep the Promise." The calls generated some publicity when Jennifer Mock of "The Oklahoman" wrote a story about all the calls- http://newsok.com/article/keyword/3091789/.We also had some radio coverage, and we will continue to get our message to lawmakers and the public about the importance of keeping the promise of getting us to the regional average in salaries.

OKC Metro Leadership Training

On Friday, the OKC Metro held its Leadership Training meeting at the Oklahoma History Museum. It will be the first of six regional meetings to be held across the state. After a legislative review, pariticipants plan for the summer and the next school year. This group had the honor of hearing special guest speaker Frosty Troy give his take on the legislative session and an education commetary update as well.

Taking a break from the work at hand are Jim Effinger and Kari Taggert from Mid-Del. Also from Mid-Del, and hard work, are Kelly Fry, Lori Burris, and Lori Effinger.

Bethany Bargaining Victory

I would like to congratulate the members of the Bethany ACT. Our local retained the bargaining rights when the results of the election were announced. They did an outstanding job of getting factual and positive information to the voters about the success of the ACT as the bargaining agent.

Great work everyone.

Catoosa continued...

On March 30th, Catoosa teachers Michelle Means and Terry Newton won their board hearings and their jobs were not eliminated. While the victory is important to our teachers, the students of Michelle and Terry are the real winners.

For more information about the hearing, check the Tulsa World web page at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=070330_238_A11_spanc25553&breadcrumb=Article%20Search.

Catoosa Eliminates Teacher & ESP Jobs

On Wednesday evening, Paul Gayowski, Joel Robison and I met with over 100 members and non-members of our Catoosa locals to address their questions and concerns regarding Catoosa's dramatic reduction-in-force (RIF) this week.

Catoosa let go 22 support professionals on Wednesday and are attempting to reduce 5 certified teachers by March 29th so that the district can address financial shortfalls attributed to the lack of supplemental money for the fixed costs of teacher salaries and an increase in all-day kindergarten costs.

It's extremely important that the legislature pass the supplemental appropriations so further RIFs don't occur in Catoosa and in other districts across the state. For more information go to http://www.okea.org/LPO/Legislative/legup.htm.

To contact your legilator go to http://capwiz.com/nea/ok/state/main/?zip=73132&action=setaddr&view=myofficials&state=OK&submit=GO.

The action by the local district is another reason why being a member in the OEA is important part of your professional career. Our members will have representation throughout this ordeal and will be in contact with the most talented and knowledgeable advocates and attorneys in the state. It was sad to watch people who were losing their jobs ask us if they could get help if they joined on Wednesday night.

The OEA is about so much more than job action issues. We believe in great public schools for every child and work very hard to ensure that schools are adequately funded so that kids can have the best education. The OEA is in the forefront with Teaching and Learning Issues because we want every child to have a great teacher. If you are interested in joining the OEA go to http://www.okea.org/Finance&Technology/index.htm.

Southwest C United for Action

Last night I met with leaders from our Southwest C Zone to discuss the NEA's Positive Agenda for the Reauthorization for ESEA and the supplemental appropriations issues that are so important to school funding.

The leaders, representing Marlow, Lawton, Ninnekah, Comanche and Duncan, are committed to involving their members in contacting their representatives in Congress and their local state representatives as well. You can contact your representatives by going to
http://www.okea.org/rural/index.htm. Your email message will let our Oklahoma leaders know that you want the supplemental appropriations passed to pay for the fixed costs the legislature failed to address with our $3000 pay raise.

If you would like to address Congress about NEA's Positive Agenda or the Aspen Institute's "Highly Qualified Effective Proposal" click the link at http://www.nea.org/lac/index.html.

Your emails, letters, cards and notes will make the difference.

Northeast D-Organizing for Action

Last night I met with zone members from Northeast D. Our discussion centered around the 2007 OEA Legislative Agenda, and while the prospects for another successful session are there, the news about the proposal by the Aspen Institute about "Highly Qualified Effective Teachers" was not well received.

Vowing to get themselves and their peers involved are Ginger Page and Barbara Runyan from Inola, Tom & Barbara Cole and Don Ryan, from Cleveland, Phyllis Hartfiel of Osage Hills, and Cindy Dronyk and Elaine Gaut from Bartlesville.

If you are helping to organize your members around this issue, email a comment to my blog and let me know your plans.

OEA members are actively involved in the decision making process of their Association. At a recent zone meeting of Southwest D, many of our members completed the annual OEA budget survey. Their decisions lay the foundation for the development of next year's budget. Carla and Charles Brady of Elmore City, along with Steve Jarman of Pauls Valley, were among some of the members who attended the meeting.