UPDATE: Legislature approved budget and recessed for summer
Update 6/13: On Tuesday, June 12, the Legislature held its final session day prior to the summer break. The education budget passed, as outlined below – including negative language changes…
Member input shows in newly released Whitmer education plan
MEA members, Over the past few months, MEA has collected input from members on key priorities they hoped to see in the education plan of our recommended candidate for governor,…
Utica Educators Hold Fifth Straight Walk-in
A car pulled up to the curb as staff members dressed in red shirts held signs and waved to passers-by at Jeannette Junior High School in Utica on Wednesday morning. The parent wanted to know why teachers were protesting.
Walk-ins Across Michigan Voice Frustrations
For Mandy Spitzley, it was about respect. Spitzley joined nearly all of her colleagues who gathered outside Lakewood Elementary School in Ionia County Wednesday morning in a show of collective unity…
MDE Seeks “Partnership” with 40 More Schools
Two dozen Michigan schools from 21 districts will be newly offered a “Partnership Agreement” with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to improve academic performance over the next few years or face additional consequences.
The “partnership agreement” model of addressing schools with low test scores began one year ago to avoid the controversial move of closing down neighborhood schools. This year’s list includes 16 charter schools.
Art Show Winner Gets ‘Moving’ Shot
MEA-Retired member Lynn Gregg, whose photography entry won this year’s “Best in Show” award at the MEA-MAEA Art Exhibition, says he captured the winning shot while aboard a moving train.…
Funds to Move to Districts Monday Following 3% Court Conference
Michigan school districts and colleges affected by the Supreme Court’s ruling in the 3 percent case are expected to receive a disbursement of money from the state on Monday, Jan.…
Build Your Skills and Spirit—Register for Our Biggest Conference of the Year!
Less than one week remains to register for MEA’s biggest conference of the year at early-bird rates. Don’t miss out on the 2018 Bargaining, Public Affairs & Professional Development Conference. The…
MEA Advocating for Fast, Accurate Return of 3 Percent
Right before the holiday break, the Office of Retirement Services (ORS) put out information regarding how refunds would be handled through local school districts for employees owed their 3 percent…
Expensive School Funding Change a Slippery Slope?
The state Senate this week passed most of the bills contained in a legislative package that would create an expensive new government bureaucracy to fund pay-to-play public school services and extracurricular fees through parent savings plans.