News and Updates

Early Retirement Announcement Change

Due Earlier (February 28), but Amount Increases to $1000

A Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between the Board and AEA modifies section 9.17 Early Retirement Announcement of the Master Agreement. The changes are twofold, first the amount of the payment increases from $500.00 to $1,000.00 and the date in which to notify the Executive Director – Human Resources of your intent to retire between the last work day in May and June 30 from “prior to April 1” to “by February 28”. This is one of the district’s Race to the Top strategies under Assurance Area D, Equitable Distribution of Effective Teachers. The increase in payment will be covered by funds in the Race to the Top grant.

The new contract language will read:

9.17 Early Retirement Announcement

“A $1,000.00 payment shall be made to any member who, by February 28, submits in writing to the Executive Director – Human Resources, his or her intent to retire between the last work day in May and June 30, and who retires between the last work day in May and June 30. Said payment shall be made within fifteen (15) days of the Board’s acceptance of the member’s retirement.”

The parties further agree that this MOU shall expire on June 30, 2014 unless by mutual agreement the modification is made a permanent part of the then-existing CBA. Failure to reach mutual agreement shall result in reversion to the language in 9.17 as it appears in the CBA dated July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012.

Those members who have already submitted in writing their intent to retire between the last work day in May and June 30 and retire between the last work day in May and June 30 will receive the $1,000.00 payment and do not have to resubmit their letter to the Executive Director – Human Resources.

I need your help in making sure that all AEA members are informed of the change to section 9.17 of the master agreement.

HB 136 Threatens Public Education in Ohio

Dubbed "Parental Choice and Taxpayer Savings Scholarship Program," this Bill expands private school vouchers into every school district in Ohio.  Students whose family income is less than $95,000 would qualify.  Students currently enrolled in private schools would also become eligible over the next four years. If passed, it will effect the funding of all school districts with scarce education dollars taken from public schools.. Private schools decide if they will accept vouchers and how many. They may reject students for a variety of reasons.  According to State Impact Ohio, more than 70 Ohio school boards have passed resolutions opposing HB 136.

Ed Week shows Akron teachers (with the "NO 5" signs) on the Ohio state house steps, showing their opposition to the anti-teacher legislation.  The PD pictures Akron teachers as a million signatures were delivered for the repeal of SB 5.

Collation of Teachers, Police, Firefighters, and others is successful

The people have spoken.  By a wide 61-39 margin, Issue 2 has been defeated, and Senate Bill 5 is repealed. After a political struggle that started with teachers, police, fire and other public servants being shut out of Senate hearings, then protesting on the steps of the capitol building, next gathering a million three hundred thousand petition signatures, and a long fall campaign, the anti-teacher / anti-middle class law is repealed.

During the legislative process in the winter and spring, similar measures were presented in Wisconsin and elsewhere. On this national stage, teachers were vilified by right-wing political pundits who insulted us, trivialized the value of our work, and incredibly even blamed the recession on our profession.   The absurdity of their claims was best summarized by the comedy of the Daily Show.  Then there were the remarks by our governor who said he would only talk to unions whose members "make things." [dispatch.com]

To those pundits and to our governor: We believe teachers build the foundation of a democratic society. We are essential to Ohio's future, and every day we do good work with our kids. What do teachers make?  We make a difference. [ted.com]

Thank you to all of our teachers, volunteers, and friends for your efforts on the campaign, and to the people of Ohio for standing up for working families. See this special issue of Random Notes for a run down of the the "bullies" and a thank you to our republican allies who saw the flaws of SB 5.

One of our local churches recently distributed these fans supporting worker justice.

STRS Legislation: HB 69 See the STRS website for the most up-to date informaiton: https://www.strsoh.org/ In July, STRS reported that "Ohio Retirement Study Council (ORSC) chair, Sen. Keith Faber, said ...that he intends to hold Council meetings at various locations around the state in August, September and October to get public input on proposals to strengthen the financial condition of the five statewide public pension systems."  Click here for a summary of the STRS portion of House Bill 69, as introduced.  CLICK HERE for a summary from STRS of the changes under consideration

School Employee Health Care Board Issues Best Practices  The Ohio School Employee Health Care Board has identified four Best Practice Standards with which all Ohio school district health care plans must comply.  The areas are:

1. Wellness

2. Disease State Management

3. Access to Specialty & Transplant Networks

4. Dependent Eligibility Audits

Currently the Board is looking at 3 additionally Best Practices. They are:

The SEHCB website contains more information, along with committee minutes & meeting agendas: http://sehcb.ohio.gov/  

AEA Welcomes New Teachers

 AEA welcomed 39 new teachers at the annual New Teachers' Luncheon.  Many were also graduates of the Akron Public Schools and have come back home to work with kids.   Best of luck for a successful first year.