NEA-New Mexico

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING MEETINGS BEGIN IN TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES

School employees and the Truth or Consequences school district will return to the negotiating table in early February, with full-fledged discussions expected to continue during the latter part of February and into early March.

The NEA negotiating team consists of Rita Ortiz, Gordon Mischler, Connie Costillo, Gustavo Cadena, and Debbie Hanson. They have been meeting in recent weeks for collective bargaining training and preparing their colleagues for the support work needed during the negotiating process.

NEA-T or C was the sole and exclusive representative of the T or C Municipal Schools’ certified employees, secretaries, and custodians until the collective bargaining law sunset in 1999. After collective bargaining returned to New Mexico, the Truth or Consequences local waited until its membership was at a level of more than fifty percent before starting the process of formalizing a relationship with the district.

A card drive began in the spring of 2008 and ended during the summer. The state labor board certified NEA-Truth or Consequences at its November 2008 meeting.

The T or C School Board passed a resolution in December 2008 to establish a local labor board. Under the New Mexico Pubic Employees Bargaining Act, a school board has this option.

The school district recommends one member, one by employees, and the third is agreed upon by the other two. Since it is the district’s choice to establish a local board, any costs incurred by it would be paid by the school district. The Truth of Consequences local has taken a position against such a local board on the grounds that it is redundant and is potentially expensive for the district. The Association has provided the district with its recommended member for the local board and awaits learning the name of the district’s member.

Over half of the public school employees in the state are covered by collective bargaining agreements. “Who better to help determine the working conditions of school
employees than the educational professionals in the field?” stated Paty Marquez, NEA-T or C President. “We are looking forward to a positive and productive process.”

FIFTH GRADERS AT LA LUZ ELEMENTARY SEND CARDS TO OBAMA

A fifth-grade classroom at La Luz Elementary School in La Luz, New Mexico is working on sending greeting cards to send to the new U.S. President and putting them in the mail as soon as possible. Teacher and NEA member Joplin Sell says that 18 children –nine boys and nine girls-- work together so well on this and other activities that they think of themselves as “a family.” So, it may seem like a regular event –sending greetings to the new President. However, it’s having quite an impact, including coverage in the Alamogordo newspaper.

“We look out for each other, celebrate with each other, respect one another, strive to help each other learn to the best of our abilities. And most important, we don't allow each other to say, ‘I can't’ or ‘I'm stupid!’ I push my students to realize that with a little effort, they can be the expressive, creative, and amazing individuals they each are,” says Sell, whose classroom in the school is known as “the writing classroom.”

Jack Cards and Oh My Word are encouraging Americans and people from around the world to send personalized, handwritten cards to the White House welcoming President Obama and his family to their new home. The goal is to flood the White House with cards representing the ideas, dreams and concerns of everyday people. “I'm So Happy” cards were donated to one to class in each state. The name of the national initiative is “Send A Card To President Barack Obama” which is being coordinated by Jack Cards, Oh My Word and the Americorps. More information is available at http://www.jackcards.com/card/obama. For every card sold, $1 will be donated to Americorps Alums and help support community initiatives and educational programs.

Sell says that this activity has significant educational value, in addition to the excitement generated by being involved in a news-making event.

“I push my children to be very creative in their writing and try to help pull their creativity out of them. All students have it. They just need a guide to show them. My students did rough drafts of their messages and we edited them together. We also included a message from each of the classrooms from my school as a way to get the entire school involved. My students had to include in their paragraph to the President one sentence that said ‘I spoke with Ms. Rivera's Kindergarten class and they told me to tell you...blah, blah, blah...’ So in a way Obama will get to hear from all the students in our school, and not just my class.”

A DAY OF CELEBRATION IN TWO CAPITOLS

It's a day of celebration, tempered with the awareness that this is a year different from all others. The turnout in the nation's capitol had the state media interviewing people in the street, as well as newly-elected officials from New Mexico serving in the nation's capitol for the first time. President Barack Obama noted this is a "new era of responsibility." The budget deficit facing the New Mexico state legislature has also resulted in an unprecedented level of awareness of government.

Public education is at the top of the list of concerns in New Mexico, which is reflected in the recent media coverage of proposed budget cuts that, among other things, could raise class sizes and trim a day from the calendar. This has educators worried about the impact of cutting what is already an underfunded system.

In his State of the State Address, Governor Richardson pointed out that education is the key to economic development. He said, "We continue to make steady progress—aligning grades, improving accountability in our schools, and fighting to close the achievement gap."

"It's also time to change the school funding formula. A 2007 study found our current formula no longer focuses on the needs of schools and students. It also estimated our schools are underfunded by $350 million dollars."

Richardson added: "The funding formula change will demand more resources and I support it. But an investment of this size deserves the direct approval of the voters."

Whether or not it's possible to put this issue before the voters has yet to be determined, commented Sharon Morgan, NEA-NM President. She emphasized that the State of the State Address for New Mexico doesn't change anything significant in terms of addressing the concerns of school employees.

“We must stand firm that we will not support balancing the state’s budget on the backs of our children; an impact that saves money by reducing instructional time and quality. We must actively support sufficient funding for the future and oppose any cuts for the present. We are determined and optimistic that the Governor and the Legislature can find the courage and will to do right by our children.”

This means support must come from educators from all parts of the state, from school districts, large and small, from parents, school employees and community leaders.

You can learn to be a more effective advocate by attending the January 28th political action training at NEA-NM headquarters and then lobbying your senator and representative at the state capitol followed by our reception from 5-7 p.m.

"We must be vigilant, visible and make our voices heard," Sharon Morgan added.

NEA MEMBERS IN 56TH INAUGURAL PARADE

American wworkers will display their colors on January 20, 2009 and participate in the official inaugural parade for the nation’s 44th president, Barack Obama. Members from the National Education Association will join the AFL-CIO and Change to Win as part of a 265-member ensemble that represents every face of working America. The 2009 inauguration marks the first time in recent history that representatives from America’s labor unions have been invited to march in the official parade.

“NEA and its members are proud to join the AFL-CIO and Change to Win in this first-ever labor-sponsored inauguration parade float,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “The ‘America’s Workers United for Change’ parade unit, including the participation of 43 public school employees, provides organized labor the opportunity to emphasize the important role of America’s workers in helping to renew America’s promise.”

The delegation of marchers will lead the only pro-worker float down the parade path under the theme of “Honoring America’s Workers.” The marchers will carry a banner with the slogan “America’s Workers: United for Change,” along with flags that represent the issues most important to working families: an Economy that Works for All, Great Public Schools, Good Jobs Green Jobs, and Health Care for All.

The more than 40 NEA members expected to participate in the parade represent every kind of educator working to make public schools great for every student. From the classroom teacher to the custodian, the school bus driver to school counselor, the teacher’s aide to the librarian, and the retired educator to the student teacher just starting out, the unit’s largest constituency group symbolizes the many faces of the American educator.

The entire float was fabricated by union carpenters, welders, sculptors and painters. Constructed of steel, wood and foam, it will rise more than 17 feet in height and span 24 feet in length. Outlines of the different “faces of labor” will surround the float to salute the backbone of our country—the hardworking men and women that get up and go to work every day. A Teamsters member will drive the truck supporting the float through the parade route.

NEA WESTERN REGION CONFERENCE BRINGS 500 TO NEW MEXICO

The National Education Association-New Mexico will be greeting educators from the western United States when participants gather at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque for the NEA Western Region Leadership Conference scheduled for January 16 through January 18, 2009. Five hundred people are expected to be in attendance.

The occasion is an opportunity to promote leadership in education and leadership roles in the Association, as well as provide an opportunity for educators to develop strategies and programs for the NEA. K-12 educators, support professionals, higher education, student and retired members will be among those in attendance.
“Transitioning to a New Year –New Ideas, New Commitments, New Leadership” is the theme of the conference that will have three top NEA national leaders presenting keynote addresses: Dennis Van Roekel, NEA President; Lily Eskelsen, Vice President; and Rebecca Pringle, Secretary-Treasurer.

“This type of meeting allows educators from throughout New Mexico to get a feel of what it’s like to be part of a large national organization that puts kids first, promotes professional excellence and improves the well being of school employees,” said Sharon Morgan, president of NEA-New Mexico.

“Some of our members make a point of participating in our annual NEA Representative Assembly that brings together up to 10,000 delegates nationwide to make policy for our organization. For the majority of our state’s members, however, participation in organizational programs tends to be more on the local and state level. That’s why the Western Region Leadership Conference scheduled for Albuquerque is so exciting.”

Sharon Morgan says that in spite of the dire news about the economy and the challenges ahead for funding public education in New Mexico, the educators she speaks to regularly are encouraged about the new ideas, commitments and leadership evident on the grassroots level. “People are pulling together, understanding the full extent of their participation in the political process, and following up with action.”

There have always been active NEA members, according to Morgan, but the point has been driven home in recent months about the urgency and necessity of activism on the local level, in school districts, local municipalities, regions, on the state and national levels.

“Participation in the political process has reached deep into the fabric of our communities. The Western Region Leadership Conference brings educators together and trains them to focus on what is important in the rapidly-changing world around us.”

Friday’s keynote speaker, Dennis Van Roekel, is a 23-year teaching veteran and longtime activist and advocate for children and public education. He is president of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association. As NEA President, he leads the nation's largest labor union and advocate for quality public schools.

Van Roekel's commitment to improving student learning and enhancing the professionalism of education employees is guided by his belief in the NEA mission and vision. "The mission and vision of this organization absolutely define who I am, what I care about, and what I believe in," he says. "What a powerful statement for any organization, to say that the reason we exist is to 'fulfill the promise of public education'-and not just for some, but to prepare every student to succeed. I'm proud of that. And I want to continue that journey."

Lily Eskelsen will present the keynote address on Saturday. An elementary teacher from Utah, Eskelsen is vice president of the National Education Association. She is one of the highest-ranking labor leaders in the country and one of its most influential Hispanic educators. Eskelson was named Utah Teacher of the Year in 1989. In 1990, she was elected UEA President, her first elected position in the Association. She has since served in key leadership posts, including the NEA Executive Committee and NEA Secretary-Treasurer.

Rebecca "Becky" Pringle, a physical science teacher from Harrisburg, PA will give the keynote speech on Sunday. She was elected secretary-treasurer of the National Education Association in July 2008. She previously served as a member of NEA's nine-member Executive Committee from 2001 to 2007. A middle school teacher with 31 years of classroom experience, Pringle has held Association positions at the local, state, and national levels, including the Pennsylvania State Education Association and NEA Board of Directors.

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LESSON PLANS FOR THE INAUGURATION

A series of instructional guides and activities to help bring the 56th Presidential Inauguration to life in classrooms are now available at: www.nea.org/inaugurationlessons.html and www.pic2009.org/page/content/lessonplans.

“It is crucial that our students understand that we are not only living history and making history with this inauguration, but also carrying forward the historical contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his influence on our incoming 44th president,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “These important lesson plans will help students understand President-elect Obama's message of a 'sense of unity and shared purpose' into the next four years and beyond.”

The instructional guides, developed jointly by a team of curriculum experts from NEA and AFT, are designed to teach students about the history of Inauguration Day and other historical connections to this particular inauguration. They include information about the 2009 Inaugural schedule of events and background on traditional Inaugural ceremonies. The guides also provide suggestions for supplementing the lessons with discussion topics, films, books and other educational websites.

The lesson guides are divided into three sections: “Learning History," which highlights the evolution of Inaugural events beginning with George Washington’s Inauguration in 1789, “Making History," which lets students follow along with President-elect Obama's swearing in on January 20, and “Living History," which encourages students to continue studying the American Government and the Presidency beyond Inauguration Day. The materials are geared toward students from elementary school to high school, and offer lesson modifications based on the students’ ages.

For more information on NEA’s inaugural activities, please go to the NEA national web site for the latest information.

ACTIVISTS NEEDED FOR SUFFICIENCY FUNDING

The activist training for the 2009 Legislative Session and Sufficiency Funding Campaign is set for Wednesday, January 28, 2009, starting at 9 a.m. at the NEA-NM building. Register online at the NEA-NM web site.

Sharon Morgan put out "A Call for Action" that appears on the front page of the Advocate's Voice that was mailed to you the first week of January. Among other things, it was a reminder to register for the Action Alerts on our web site.

The next step is registering for the training. We'll be providing lunch and informative sessions so you'll be informed on what's needed to be effective and visible at the Roundhouse.

This week, NEA-NM President Sharon Morgan published the third in a series of messages to the community in the 1/9/09 issue of Pasatiempo, the weekend edition of the Santa Fe New Mexican. She said:

"Everywhere I turn, someone’s asking me, 'So, tell me, how is New Mexico going to get the money to fund public schools properly?' It’s a process, I tell them. And then I always add, 'If there’s a will, there’s a way.' This might sound like a cliché. But I really mean it. Everyone I speak to is in agreement. Our young people’s education is a priority. The future economic development of our state depends on the quality of our education system.

"This isn’t just me speaking. It’s the businesses themselves, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal. Businesses love tax incentives. But the reasons they choose to move to New Mexico to run a business boils down to the education system. Can they hire the skilled employees they need to run their businesses?

"In the order of importance in decision making, they cite the quality of the public school system, the colleges and universities, and then the vocational tech schools. It makes perfect sense. Creating a better distribution method for funding public schools fairly and sufficiently, as well as finding a reliable revenue source, have been important considerations before the LESC (Legislative Education Study Committee) which met before the winter break to get a jumpstart on studying education funding before the sixty-day session starts.

"In late January, the New Mexico Education Partners will ask the state legislature to look at the support for increasing the gross receipts tax by one percent as a dedicated revenue source for funding schools. Despite what happens this legislative session, the issue of the inadequate funding of public schools won’t go away. It’s not an abstract matter, but a situation involving real flesh and blood students in our state where our future depends on acknowledging that education and economic development go hand in hand."

2009 ARRIVES WITHOUT A NEW SNOWSTORM!

With all the best from NEA-New Mexico for the coming year!