May 5

TRUSTEES ENDORSE IN SEVERAL KEY RACES

Acting on the recommendations of the AEA Legislative Committee, trustees endorsed several candidates in this November’s election.

Candidates are endorsed on the basis of their positions with respect to education only. The Association does not factor into its decisions a candidate’s views on other issues regardless of their importance to the general public. All of the recommended candidates sought the Association’s endorsement; none of their opponents contacted us to request an interview.

Governor

Ted Strickland

U.S. Senate

Sherrod Brown

U.S. Congress, 13^th District

Betty Sutton

Ohio House, 41^st District

Brian Williams

Ohio House, 45^th District

Robert Otterman

Ohio House, 42^nd District

Paul Colavecchio

Ohio Senate, 27^th District

Judy Hanna

State School Board

Tom Sawyer

Akron Teachers the Toast of Ohio 8 Meeting

Four times a year the superintendents and union presidents of the eight largest urban districts in the state (known collectively as The Ohio 8) get together in Columbus. Our agenda ranges from talking about successes and failures in our respective districts to adopting positions and strategies to advance the cause of educating urban kids. We meet frequently with the state superintendent and have even made two trips to Washington to meet with members of the Ohio legislative delegation.

At our September meeting, we talked at length about our districts’ performance on state-mandated tests. You were praised for the job you did with your students. Below is a comparative ranking of urban districts:

TEST RANK AMONG MISSED #1 BY

OHIO URBANS

3^rd Achievement, Reading 1 -

3^rd Achievement, Math 1 -

4^th Achievement, Reading 1 -

4^th Achievement, Math 1 -

4^th Achievement, Writing 1 -

5^th Achievement, Reading 1 -

5^th Achievement, Math 1 -

6^th Achievement, Reading 1 -

6^th Achievement, Math 1 -

7^th Achievement, Reading 2 1.5 points

7^th Achievement, Math 2 1.8 points

8^th Achievement, Reading 2 1.8 points

8^th Achievement, Math 1 -

10^th OGT, Reading 2 .3 points

10^th OGT, Writing 2 .1 points

10^th OGT, Math 2 .3 points

10^th OGT, Science 1 -

10^th OGT, Social Studies 1 -

11^th OGT, Reading 2 1.1 points

11^th OGT, Writing 2 .4 points

11^th OGT, Math 3 1.4 points

11^th OGT, Science 2 .8 points

11^th OGT, Social Studies 2 1.7 points

Akron also owns the highest graduation rate among the urban districts at 80.3%. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR OUTSTANDING WORK!

“Strides” Captains Gear Up for Best Walk Yet

As of the date of this publication, we have captains in all but a handful of buildings for the 2006 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk to be held Sunday, October 15^th in downtown Akron. These captains have voluntarily taken on the responsibility for organizing teams of walkers in their buildings and keeping track of pledges from supporters. That’s no easy task when you consider we raised over $34,000 last year and had walkers numbering in the hundreds. Please do all you can to make your captain’s life easy. Below is a list of this year’s captains:

Kelly Goodpasture, Barrett Kathy Rodgers, Bettes Laura Jatich, Betty Jane

Elaine Lewis, Betty Jane LC Sandy Wells, Rose Trout, Case Denise Pantuso, Crouse

Paula Christensen, Essex Tami Semelsberger, Fairlawn Janell Anderson Brown, Erie Island

Kathleen Shippy, Findley Martha Halley, Firestone Park Janet Kinel, Glover

Sharon Frounfelker, Harris RaDonna Mair, Hatton Anne Griffith, Heminger

Lori Villanova, Hill Char Tabata, King Chris Mathews, Lawndale

Lisa O’Rourke, Leggett Harry Cameron, Lincoln Ken Rocco, Margaret Park

Judy Lalli, Mason Sally Hodge, McEbright Ranay Hatherill, Pfeiffer

Stephanie Barnhill, Rankin Tami Stecz, Rimer Sue Hinson, Ritzman

Dawne Blackburn, Robinson Dan Bartel, Salem Kim Joseph, Schumacher

Megan Stefanik, Seiberling Lorine Napoli, Smith Jackie Kyle, Stewart

Ann Peterson, Voris Jayne Hammond, Windemere Reggie Warner, East

Michelle Whitehurst, Ellet Jo Dickey, Ellet Suzanne Grywalski, Firestone

Amanda Golden, Garfield Bill Beck, Kenmore Mick Papp, Kenmore

Nicole Delahanty, North Rich Cola, North John Floyd, Central

Charlene Panovich, Goodrich Alisa Gross-Dann, Goodyear Deb Firtha, Hyre

Melissa Finefrock, Innes Steve Culp, Jennings Lynn Fickes, Kent

Eleanor Campbell, Litchfield Pat Bilal, Perkins Diane May, Riedinger

Jim Perge, Alternative School Wendy Gillespie, IPP Susan Yingling, Miller South

Barb Dawson, Practical Nurses Stacy Ambrose, Psychologists

Book Giveaway!

We have a number of education-related titles that you may find useful for graduate course research or just for interesting reading. The books were given to us by Beacon Journal education reporter Stephanie Warsmith who frequently receives complimentary copies from authors and/or publishing companies.

The list of available titles appears on our website at: www.akronteach.org. Check out the available titles. If you see something that interests you, call us and we’ll send the book to you through the “pony” or you can pick up the book at our office.

Our number is 330-434-2181.

AEA Offers Corporate Discounts to Falls Natatorium

We are pleased to announce the availability of corporate memberships for AEA members to the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium.

The plan offers resident rates to all members regardless of where they live. Currently, the corporate membership rate is $350 annually, which may be paid all at once or through monthly electronic funds transfers from your bank account (approximately $29 + per month). Additional discounts are available for spouses and children. The amount of the discounts will depend on the number of members who enroll. If 20 members enroll (and we may already be at that figure), we will receive the maximum discounts available for spouses and children.

The Natatorium is a state of the art health and wellness facility. We do have a limited number of single visit passes for members who are serious about joining, but who would first like to visit the Nat. A photo I.D. and AEA membership card must be presented upon joining. Please visit our website for more detailed information about the discount program.