Spring 2015COMMUNIQUÉ

Publication for Members of Central OEA/NEA • Adrienne M. Bowden, President

As I browse through social media or tour schools, I hear a chorus of what is going wrong with educa-tion today. Students are over-tested, teachers do not have time to teach, Educa-tion Support Professionals are losing their jobs to out-sourcing, and the list goes on. The influx of educational initiatives created by politi-cians without educator input is creating an environment that is not in the best inter-est of our students. Staff rooms, bus garages, and parking lots become a place to vent our frustrations. But what does complaining solve? We might feel better momentarily speaking to sympathetic ears, but what gets accomplished?

Now is the time that we as professionals need to take our frustrations and turn them into action, to let those who make the deci-sions hear about how those decisions are affecting our students. We need to start building relationships and start conversations with the stakeholders who can actively discuss our ideas and potentially get them implemented.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a group of OEA mem-bers had the opportunity to meet with Senator Sher-rod Brown to voice their concerns about the current testing culture in our public schools. Central had several members there represent-ing rural, urban, and subur-ban Ohio school districts. Each shared their personal stories of how the current testing culture is robbing our students of valuable learning time and creating a school environment of anxi-ety and fear for students, educators, administrators, and parents. This is an example of educators taking their frustrations and turning them into action.

Currently, Congress is rewriting the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, also known as No Child Left Behind),

and our state government is discussing the budget. Accommodating individual student’s needs has been replaced with accommoda-tions that testing compa-nies, such as Pearson, think are appropriate. As profes-sionals, we know what is best for students; we need to shift the focus back to them and away from over testing, labeling, and fun-neling money to under-per-forming charter schools.

We need your help in changing the conservation. We need you to tell your stories to those who repre-sent you and your students. Below is a list of ways you can help ensure that the reauthorization of ESEA will focus on student learning, and that the budget will provide the resources for all students to have a quality education.

Turning Frustration into Action Misuse/Overuse of Testing, the Reauthorization of ESEA, and other Educational Issues Adrienne M. Bowden, Central OEA/NEA President, Pickerington EA

Email your Elected Official about ESEAhttp://educationvotes.nea.org/get-esea-right/

Share your story on the over-use of standardized testinghttp://educationvotes.nea.org/teststories/

Sign up to receive OEA action alerts and the Legislative Watchwww.ohea.org/get-involved

Become a Central Educator Advocate Leaderwww.centraloeanea.org/political-action/eal

“Having the opportunity to

speak with other concerned

educators from around the stat

and our OEA leaders, and hav-

ing Senator Brown genuinely

listen, write down our concerns

and ask questions about how

this impacts our students and

our teaching conditions made

me feel that there is someone

who is willing to take these

concerns, back to Washington

and will consider them as the

debate of the reauthorization of

ESEA continues.”

~Erin Sazler, Pickerington EA

“Senator Brown actively

listened, asked questions,

and took notes as educators

from preschool to high school

expressed the immediate need

for legislators to reduce the

number and length of standard-

ized tests that our Ohio public

school children are required

to complete. Senator Brown

will take our concerns back to

Washington D.C. as Congress

begins to discuss reauthoriza-

tion of the Elementary and

Secondary Education Act.”

~Billie Sarich, Grandview E.A.

Spring 2015

2

Volume 42, Number 6 • Spring 2015

COMMUNIQUÉPublished four times a year as a service of

CENTRAL OEA/NEA, INC.947 Goodale Blvd.Columbus, OH 43212

Adrienne M. Bowden, President

Kevin Griffin, Vice President

Russell Hughlock, Communications & Organizing Coordinator

Editors Ann Eblin, Judy Furnas & Carla Noll

Fiscal Manager Tim Skamfer

Production Russell Hughlock

Design Pam McClung

Phone 614-222-8228

E-mail aa@centraloeanea.org

When the Governor introduced his biennium budget at the beginning of February, many had high hopes that a lot of problems could be solved. With the economy improving, pressure growing to reform Ohio’s failed charter school laws, and full-throated calls to reign in excessive testing, the Governor had a wide range of opportunities to make an impact.

If we, as educators, want to see legislators take advantage of those opportunities, we are going to have to speak up because the Governor’s plans have proven needlessly inadequate.

FundingThe Governor, with a historically large budget balance avail-able, touted that he was making the largest investment in public education ever. However, once all the cost shifting has been factored in, his total investment is lower now than in 2010. Indeed as a percentage of the total budget, the Governor’s plans are the smallest commitment to K-12 in decades.

The commitment is so small in fact, that 309 of Ohio’s school districts would see a cut in state aid despite in-creased revenues being available. From Amanda Clear-creek to Worthington, districts all across Central Ohio would feel these needless cuts.

At the same time that the Governor is proposing so many districts see their budgets cut, he is also proposing that we spend more money on vouchers, increasing their value from $5,000 to $5,700 per voucher. He further proposes to increase spending on charter schools. They would see their per pupil aid increase from $5,700 to $6,000 by 2017 all while giving them access to local levy money. His budget also allocates $25 million to charters to spend on buildings. All told, over $1 billion will be transferred from our schools to charter and private schools.

Charter School ReformThe budget does include some modest charter school reforms. The plans mostly address the worst sponsors of charter schools – closing them down if they fail to make a passing grade. But this simply leaves failing charter schools authorized by those sponsors to shop around for a new sponsor. Meanwhile, it simultaneously gives “high-per-forming” sponsors access to local levy money via the ballot for the first time.

With charter schools operating in the financial shadows, widespread reports of attendance fudging, ineffective gov-ernance, and worst of all terrible academic performance, charter school reform needs to go a lot further for it to be effective.

TestingThe Governor has included the Department of Educations recommendations to reduce testing by 18% in his budget plans. He plans to achieve this by:• Capping testing time so that students spend no more than 2% of the schools year on tests and no more than 1% on practice tests• Allowing districts to make their own choice on non-read-ing tests for grades 1-3• Eliminating SLO’s for all by grade 4-12 in core subjects

As OEA President Becky Higgins said when ODE released its testing report, “It’s a good start.” But as we all know, it’s not the finish line, and more needs to be done to reduce the testing stress on students and give educators more time to teach.

As the budget progresses through the legislature, educa-tors will have a critical role to play. Legislators must hear our voices on these critical issues. You should write and call your Representatives to express your opinions. You can also directly lobby state house legislators. Central, through OEA, will be organizing a member lobby day on 4/14. De-tails and registration can be found on our website at www.centraloeanea.org.

For continued in-depth coverage of the budget you can sign up for the Join the Future weekly Education News Digest at www.jointhefuture.org/digest.

A Budget Primer

Spring 2015

3 This fall, the Community Outreach Committee sponsored a public service announcement contest for students in grades K-12. The focus of the PSA was standing up to bullies and making a change. The committee was pleased to receive over 100 excellent entries, with five different counties represented. We had entries from primary, intermediate, middle, and high school students. The judging process proved to be quite difficult. The win-ners were invited to an awards ceremony that took place on January 15 at the Central OEA/NEA offices. Prizes varied from $25 gift cards to iPads. Congratulations to all of the winners listed below.

Whole Class: Mrs. Angie Leitnaker’s first grade class, Liberty –Union Thurston Elementary, Liberty Union-Thurston Schools

Once again Central OEA/NEA is participating in Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Reach Out and Read Campaign. With a little bit of planning, some advertising, and a great deal of enthusiasm, your district can hold a very successful book drive. It is now easier than ever to do. If your district (or even just one of your schools) would like to participate, please designate a chairperson and register at http://goo.gl/forms/jMm07mbStW.

Once you have registered, you may choose your dates (anytime between now and the end of March), plan, and start to collect new and gently used books for children ages birth-middle school. Monetary donations may also be collected. Once the books are collected, you will sort, box, and schedule your pick-up date through Nationwide Children’s Hospital. That is it! We will even have literature for you to hand out and collection boxes if you need them.

Anti-Bullying Public Service Announcement Contest WinnersMichelle Vayansky, Outreach Committee Chair, Lakewood TA

Elementary Small Group: Olde Sawmill Elementary , Dublin City Schools; Group Members: Danya Abdulmutaleb, Gabriella Colarossi, Kaelen Rhodes, Autumn Smith

Middle School Small Group: Wilson Middle School, Newark City Schools; Group Members: Kyle Paul, Darian Athey, Abigail Roberts, Ethan Poff, Bailey Vogel, Julia Neel, Michael Showman

High School Small Group: Hilliard Davidson High School, Hilliard City Schools; Group Members: Nick Jerger, Matt Wayman

High School Individual: Hilliard Davidson High School, Hilliard City Schools; Winner: Maddie Sue Griffin

Reach Out and Read

Spring 2015

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OEA Minority Leadership Training ProgramThe OEA Minority Leadership Training Program (MLTP) targets ethnic minority members who have an interest in Association leadership roles and activities.

The training fosters development of an understanding of or-ganizational culture, an appreciation for cultural diversity and inclusiveness, and the identification and demonstration of skills required for effective leadership in a multi-cultural setting. The training also explores the importance of minority involvement at all levels of the Association.

The training for Central members (Region 1) will be held on June 12-13, 2015, at the Polaris Hilton. For registration information, contact Demetrice Davis at OEA via e-mail at davisdem@ohea.org.

OEA Women’s Caucus: NEA Campaigning to Win Women’s Leadership ProgramCampaigning To Win provides members with a better under-standing of the election process for key Association positions at the local, state, and national levels. This leadership-training component focuses on electing candidates who are responsive to Association issues.

The training will take place on June 12-14, 2015 at the Crowne Plaza in Dublin. For more information on registration, contact Joni Watson, Women’s Caucus Chair, joniRW@aol.com.

2015 OEA Summer AcademyOEA will be hosting its Summer Academy conference on Au-gust 3-5, 2015, at the Hilton Columbus/Downtown (401 N. High Street in Columbus). Additional information about course offer-ings and registration details will be available in the April issue of Ohio Schools. On-line registration will begin in early May at www.ohea.org.

The registration fee is $100 and rooms at the Hilton are $139 (single occupancy) plus applicable tax per night. Central OEA/NEA will be offering a limited number of scholarships to individu-als wishing to attend the conference. Please visit the Central website to apply.

The District Leaders Council will once again be hosting a FCPE fundraiser event called A Night at the Races immediately fol-lowing dinner on Monday, August 3. The event is electric horse racing where members can sponsor a horse and bet on races. If you are interested in sponsoring a horse, please contact the Central Office. The goal of the event is to have fun and raise money to support pro-public education candidates.

“Experts” Attend Conference

Mary Kennedy, Leadership Develop-ment Committee Chair, Hilliard EA

Over one hundred member “experts” attended Central OEA/NEA’s Winter Leadership Conference, “Who Are the Experts? We Are!” on February 28 at the Dublin Crowne Plaza.

Tracks included the ABC’s of ESP; What’s with All These Assessments?; Technology—What’s It Good For?; and A Few Good Leaders—What You Should Know.

Attendees were impressed by the knowledge and expertise of the Central members and OEA staff who presented. They really appreciated the opportunity for discussion during each session.

Michelle Riedinger (Northwestern ASE) said, “The ESP session was excellent for learning where to get information and especially good for me as someone trying to become more involved.”

Cindy Larvie (Miami Trace EA), com-mented, “The Assessment session showed me how much the emphasis on testing affects all students, not just those being tested.”

Mark Brugger (Westerville EA) liked the questions, comments and discussion from local leaders.

Kathie Gallagher (Lancaster EA) learned “educators need to be involved politically and in contact with state/fed-eral legislators.”

Jenny Palguta (Gahanna Jefferson EA) was reminded of the importance of members having personal emails for association business.

On behalf of the Leadership Devel-opment Committee, Mary Kennedy, Chairperson (Hilliard EA), would like to thank all the presenters for their time and effort in making the conference a success.

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Spring 2015

5

The Central Diversity Committee is pleased to report that the inaugural Diversity Conference was a huge success!!! The conference was held January 31, 2014, at the Central District Office. All in attendance had an insightful and informative day.

Central was fortunate to have Janet Monseur- Durr and her students from Hilliard City Schools open the conference by presenting how a student-centered diversity program is working in Hilliard. Having the students teach the educators set the stage for a wonderful day of learning.

After being wowed by the young people from Hilliard, the participants were engaged by a ninety-minute presentation from speakers from the National Education Association EA. There were two concurrent sessions, which allowed attendances to pick the session that interest them the most.

Our lunch speaker was Dean Robert Solomon II from the Ohio State Moritz College of Law. Dean Solomon reminded the audience that almost everyone remembers those teachers who made a difference in our lives. Dean Solomon echoed that understanding and meeting the needs of today’s students is critical to keeping the American dream alive and well.

Our afternoon presenter was Jimmie Beale of Columbus City Schools. Ms. Beale helped us to understand how important it is to create schools where students can be free to be who they are. Jimmie’s energy and passion were contagious, she left us all wanting to learn more.

The Committee was gratified to bring together educators who are committed to helping making diversity our greatest asset. The Diversity Committee is thankful for all who attended and presented and is looking forward to planning the 2016 Diversity Conference.

Central Diversity Conference a HUGE Success!Jamel Ammons, Diversity Committee Chair, Newark TA

Spring 2015

6

Central Representative Assembly April 25, 2015Central OEA/NEA’s annual Representative Assembly (RA) will be held at Lincoln High School, 140 S. Hamilton Rd, Gahanna, OH. All local delegates elected to the OEA Representative Assembly are delegates to the Central RA. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.

The agenda will include electing three representatives to the OEA Board of Directors, and four Central Area Representatives. Also on the agenda will be the adoption of the 2015-16 budget, a collection for the OEA Fund for Children and Public Education, and debate on any business items presented by the delegates.

Positions up for election with terms of office beginning Sept. 1, 2015, ending Aug. 31, 2018, unless otherwise stated:

OEA Board of Director Unit 1OEA Board of Director Unit 3 (To complete an unexpired term ending Aug. 31, 2016)OEA Board of Director Unit 5Central Area Representative, Area 2 (To complete an unexpired term ending Aug. 31, 2016)Central Area Representative, Area 4Central Area Representative, Area 5#1, 5#2

We’re All Going to the Zoo Again!Central will once again be hosting a complimentary trip to the Zoo for members and their family this year.When: June 13th Where: We will meet at the Columbus Zoo main entrance. Tickets will be distributed between noon and 1 p.m.

Before everyone sets off to explore the Zoo, we’ll have a picnic at 1 p.m. (burgers, hotdogs, pasta salad, fruit, soda).

Tickets are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Each member may reserve up to 2 adult and 4 child (under 10) tickets. You must reserve your tickets on the Central website at www.centraloeanea.org/zoo. It should be a fun day. We look forward to seeing you there!

Become an Education Advocate LeaderSoozie Hetterscheidt, Olentangy TA

Liars and panderers in government will have a much harder time of it when we stand in solidarity and say, “No more!” One way to stand in solidarity is to become an Education Advocate Leader.

To apply to become an Education Advocate Leader, visit www.centraloeanea.org/eal

Each local needs three Education Advocate Leaders to organize members into action in the following ways: * Communication of issues and action* FCPE donations and drives* Lobbying* Elections (local and national)

Central will provide a $100 stipend to each local Education Advocate Leader that completes the criteria described in the job expectations (www.centraloeanea.org/eal)

Education Advocate training will take place at April Area meetings at 5 p.m. Dinner is provided and attendees stay for the area meeting to meet local area leaders and gain perspective into issues and concerns around locals.

Education Advocate Leaders who have already received training may attend any Central conference, training or workshop to qualify for their stipend.

See back page for Area Meeting dates.

Growth and Development Grant DeadlineGrowth and Development Grant applications are due by April 15, 2015.

The Growth and Development Grants are designed to help improve a local’s effectiveness through new initiatives, and this application deadline is needed for locals planning activities early in the 2015-2016 school year (August through November). Grant amounts are from $2000 (locals up to 100 members) to $5000 (locals with over 800 members) and are awarded for a one-year period. Priority is given to first time applicants, but all locals are encouraged to apply. Stipulations may apply—for example, conducting an FCPE drive.

For the 2014 – 2015 school year, seventeen locals were awarded over $38,000. Grant awards will be made following the June Board meeting.

More details and the application are on the Central Website (www.centraloeanea.org). If you have questions, contact Andre Prenoveau, Central OEA/NEA Project Manager (pm@centraloeanea.org).

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The day I was told that I would be taking Becky Higgins, OEA’s president, on a tour of our district when she made a stop on her listening tour, I felt equal parts joy and something akin to vertigo; to say I had butterflies would be the understatement of my career.

But from the moment Becky Higgins, Adrienne Bowden (Central’s President), and Kevin Griffin (Central’s VP) walked through the door, my nervousness was eased.

When I started as a substitute in 1997, Lakewood was a district in Academic Emergency, but by the time I became a full-time English teacher in 1999, we’d crawled up to Academic Watch. From there, we’ve kept climbing.

In 2000, when AP classes were first offered at Lakewood, the teachers were questioned: were Lakewood kids smart enough for this? This year, in 2015, we were recognized as one of 547 school districts in the United States and Canada for our AP class offerings and scores. We are home of The Lancer Band, “the biggest rock band in Ohio.” It’s commonly accepted that our drama department is one of the best in the county. Our sports teams make their way to districts each year, and sometimes state, our baseball boys were State Champions in 2005, and our softball girls were State Champions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. We start our kids out right with pre-school and all-day, every day Kindergarten, and we close the deal with a 98% graduation rate.

To be on this journey at Lakewood for 18 years has instilled such pride in me as a teacher in this district. The day I got to show Becky Higgins what we were all about, it didn’t take long to see that she saw our pride, too.

She saw it in the old class photos showcasing Lakewood’s graduating classes since 1908, in our middle school’s Future City display, in our 100-year-old elementary school building as pre-schoolers overflowed with learning, and finally as teachers took time out of their day to sit in kid-sized library chairs to hear what she had to say to us about the direction of education.

So, from the Lakewood Local school district to you, Becky Higgins, thank you. Thank you for asking for our stories and letting us know that we are heard. Thank you for walking our buildings and letting us know we are seen. Thank you for coming to our district and letting us know that indeed, we do matter.

“Becky Day” at Lakewood Schools

Amanda O’Dell, Lakewood TA

Spring 2015

8In this issue2 A Budget Primer

3 OEA Minority Leadership Training Program

3 OEA Women’s Caucus: NEA Campaign to Win Women’s Leadership Program

3 2015 OEA Summer Academy

3 “Experts” Attend Conference

4 Reach Out and Read

4 Anti-Bullying Public Service Announcement Contest Winners

5 Central Diversity Conference a HUGE Success!

6 Central Representative Assembly April 25, 2015

6 Growth and Development Grant Deadline

6 We’re All Going to the Zoo Aagain!

6 Become an Education Advocate Leader

7 “Becky Day” At Lakewood Schools

Central OEA / NEA

Central Diversity Confer-ence a HUGE Success

Reach Out and Read

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLUMBUS, OHPERMIT No. 204

CE NT RA L O EA/NEA, Inc.947 Goodale BoulevardColumbus, OH 43212

COMMUNIQUÉ

4

A Budget Primer

2 7

“Becky Day” at Lakewood Schools

5

Registrations for all events are available on Central’s website at www.centraloeanea.org

Apr 14 Lobby Day – OEA HQ, Broad St, Columbus

Apr 14 Central Area 4 Meeting at JR Hooks, Circleville

Apr 16 Central Area 2 Meeting at Tavern 42, DelawareApr 22 Central Area 5 (FCCEA) Meeting, at the OSU Golf Club, Columbus

Apr 23 Central Area 1 Meeting. DoubleTree, Newark

Apr 27 Central Area 3 Meeting at Simon Kenton Inn, Springfield

Apr 25 Central Representative Assembly at Lincoln High School, Gahanna

May 8-9 OEA Representative Assembly at Columbus Convention Center

Jun 13 Central Zoo Day at the Columbus Zoo