Methuen Education Association

October 2016

Dear Members,

This fall we will be working on the Ballot Question #2 which is to raise the cap on charter schools. This will devastate our school budget because the funding for charter schools comes directly out of our budget and allocated to the charter schools. We need to encourage voters to vote no on Ballot Question #2. Methuen already spent $750,000 for Methuen students who attended charter schools in Lawrence. For students attending Lawrence Vocational Tech, Methuen will have to pay $21,000 per student and Essex Aggie $19,000 per student. However, Methuen is only spending approximately $14,000 for each Methuen Public School student. Hardly a healthy budget! We need your help in preventing this ballot from passing.

Save Our Public Schools Events:

October 6 Walk-in: Every teacher in the state are requested to walk into school at the same time 5 minutes before the start of our work day and some holding signs saying Say No to Question 2.

October 18 Phone Bank: MEA Office at 3:45 pm-5:30 pm. Our Sept. 20th phone bank was so successful we are having another one!

Saturdays October 8, 15, 22 at 10 AM-12 PM and Wed. October 12 at 3:30-5 PM for sign holding at various locations in Methuen. We will meet at the MEA Office at 3:30 pm to get our signs.

Reminders!!!

Please follow this link to MTA that provides important information of "Save Our Public Schools"http://massteacher.org/issues_and_action/charter_schools.aspx
Volunteers are needed for canvassing neighborhoods in Methuen for the "Save Our Public Schools" campaign on September 17th at 9:00 (tentative).
Volunteers are also needed for Phone banking in Methuen for the "Save Our Public Schools" campaign on September 20th at 3:30 to 5:30. Any amiout of time will be appreciated.
We need more building reps for this year in each building who also can attend MEA meetings. It helps with communication and assistance when needed for our members who need representation at a moments' notice. Please contact Anne Marie Erler at the Tenney, extension 4106.
SAVE the DATE!!! MEA Retirement Party May 18, 2017 at DiBurro's!
New changes to our Medical Insurance. An iContact will be going out with the details and posted on the insurance page of this site.
Check out the new MEA meeting schedule below!

In solidarity,

Donna Gogas & Carl Fowler

MEA Co-Presidents

MEA Office: 978-258-7766

MEA Meeting Schedule 2016-2017

All meetings: 3:30-5:00

Light refreshments

All Mtgs. @ MEA Office 184 Pleasant Valley St except General Meetings (see below)

September

9/13 MEA Executive Board meeting @ MEA Office
9/29 "Living in Retirement" with Maria Ardito 10 AM-12 PM PM @ MEA Office

October

10/11 MEA General meeting (All MEA members welcome)
10/27 MTA Retirement Sem. w/ Mary Parry @ MEA Office. 3:30 PM

November

11/15 MEA Executive Board meeting @ MEA Office

December

12/13 MEA Executive Board meeting @ MEA Office

January

1/10 MEA Executive Board meeting@ MEA Office
1/30 Self-nomination for MTA & NEA-RA delegates begins

February

2/3 Self-nomination for MTA & NEA-RA delegates ends
2/6-2/10 Candidate postings for MTA & NEA-RA delegates
2/14 MEA Executive Board meeting @ MEA Office
2/16 Vote for MTA/ NEA delegates

March

3/14 MEA General meeting (All MEA members welcome)
3/30 Retirement Seminar- Marie Ardito @ MEA Office at 3:30-5:30 PM

April

4/11 MEA Executive Board meeting @ MEA Office

May

MTA Annual Meeting 5/12 & 5/13@ Hynes Center Boston
5/16 MEA Executive Board meeting @ MEA Office
5/18 MEA Retirement Party

June

6/6 MEA Executive Board meeting @ MEA Office

July

June 30-July 5 NEA Convention -Boston, MA