The MEA lobbyists were: Luke Franklin, Sue Darden, Shane Stevenson, Kathleen McCarter, Derek Bernier, Cindy Wilson, Shannon Decker, Caya Snethen, Janet Hargis, Duane Dixon, Debbie Lichter, Nate Ned, Tanya Perry, Robyn Coulter, Jerel Thomas and Shannon Nicholson.

“Idaho is in a precarious situation, it’s like a ball of semi-tangled yarn, you pull on the thread and you either tangle it more or you realize it MAY be on the way to being un-tangled.   If you realize that teachers pay taxes and support the state, too, you realize that the 70,000 that are unemployed are being taken care of by un-employment compensation, food stamps, and other state services.  To cut teacher salaries, jobs, etc. would put EVEN MORE in the unemployment lines and put a “strain” on Idaho’s “precarious” state.” Nate Ned, Pioneer Elementary.

“I was saddened by the direction our leaders are trying to take us.  Yes, times are hard, but one thing is always true.  “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”-Benjamin Franklin” Debbie Lichter, Ponderosa Elementary.

The group also attended an IEA hosted legislator luncheon at the James A. Shackelford (IEA) Building.

“I was happy to see that our state legislators are looking at many alternatives to help ease the cuts that education is projected to take.  I heard several interesting ideas on finding money in places where we do not usually think of looking,” Luke Franklin, Meridian Elementary.

The legislators joining the Meridian delegation for lunch were Senators Chuck Winder (R-Boise) and Russ Fulcher (R-Meridian) and Representatives Mike Moyle (R-Star), Joe Palmer (R-Meridian), Marv Hagedorn (R-Meridian), Rich Jarvis (R-Meridian) and Cliff Bayer (R-Boise).

“The grassroots lobbing experience is like nothing I’ve ever done before.  It was thrilling to see our state government in action. At the end of the day, Senator Andreason summed it up nicely (to paraphrase) when revenue is cut from one branch of the state budget, then the workload is also cut.  However, in education when you cut the revenue you cannot cut the students.  So education is different than any other aspect of state budgeting. I hope other legislators begin to appreciate that point of view.” Shannon Decker, Ponderosa Elementary.

Sue Colvard, Central Academy; Sheila Saunders, Lowell Scott Middle School; Chris Hiroto, Star Elementary; Carrie Goicoechea, Lake Hazel Middle School; Kim Jones, Seven Oaks Elementary; and Adam Collins, Eagle High School.

This year, the MEA and the Meridian School District will begin using the IBB (Interest Based Bargaining) Process using a 3^rd party facilitator trained by the FMCS (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service).   For more details on the Interest Based Bargaining Process, you may access the document: Key Elements of Interest Based Problem-Solving and Steps in Interest Based Negotiating.

“In these challenging economic times, we will need to take a creative approach to negotiations.  Interest Based Bargaining will afford us the opportunity to do so.  The problems we will be facing will require all parties to think outside the box and tackle the problems in new and innovative ways.  IBB is the process through which we can accomplish that.” – Sue Colvard, Central Academy

“Receiving the grant and embarking on the IBB process offers us an excellent opportunity to work towards a more collaborative bargaining process with the school district.” - Shannon Nicholson, MEA President

The Idaho Education Association, Idaho School Boards Association and the Idaho Administrators Association have partnered with the FMCS to provide the week-long training for IBB facilitators throughout the state.  These facilitators are now ready to train school district and association teams at the local level.  For more information on what a facilitator does, you may access the document, The Role of the Facilitator and Facilitator Responsibilities.

“I am looking forward to working side by side with the district for a contract that is positive for our students, personnel and district.” – Kim Jones, Seven Oaks Elementary

“IBB will require true collaboration from both sides of the negotiation table to be successful.  The IBB approach to collective bargaining will hopefully result in a joint partnership to achieve District and MEA goals and desires.” – Chris T. Hiroto, Star Elementary

The MEA hopes to hold the first initial joint training session sometime in March and then begin bargaining in earnest shortly after that.  This year we will focus on making contract language changes that affect you every day.

“I look forward to the Interest Based Bargaining Process and anticipate that it will enhance both the efficiency and equity of the negotiations process.” – Adam Collins, Eagle High

Luke Franklin, MEA’s Representative on the IEA’s Government Relations and Political Action Committee informed, inspired and challenged the crowd to become active participants in the political process – starting with becoming GR-PACE contributors.

“I was amazed by how much money we were able to raise in such a short period of time.  Our fundraising success speaks to the importance of being involved in the political process.  PACE is the easiest and possibly one of the most effective ways to ensure that pro-public education candidates succeed in their elections.  I hope more members will be inspired to join in our efforts!” Laura Walter, Second Grade Teacher, Chaparral

“The dessert feeding frenzy was fun and motivating, but more importantly, the money raised will help us all by being able to back a candidate that is a friend of education.” Becky Turner, Extended Resource Teacher, Meridian High School.

In the end, almost every meeting participant walked away from the meeting with an appreciation for what their GR-Pace contributions can accomplish as well as a cake or some cookies or cupcakes.

“Ummmm, yummy lemon bars?  It was a great activity for a great cause and motivated  people to give-if only a little.  It seemed like every little dollar mattered.” Amber Armstrong, Christine Donnell School of the Arts.

Click here to see photos of the Dessert Feeding Frenzy!

This is the meeting where building representatives learn about the latest MEA and IEA news and events, learn more about the MEA budget, and let the MEA know about the concerns, questions and conditions throughout the Meridian school district. The MEA leadership shares information about Children’s Fund, Membership, Education Support Professionals (ESP), the Legislature, the Master Contract and more.

All B Team members and their guests are welcome to attend.
Please RSVP to Tricia Waltner.

Please RSVP to Tricia Waltner.

We will be going over the survey results, talking about legislative funding and discussing collaborative bargaining among other things.  See you there

“The training helped to reinforce my feelings regarding seeking a Living Wage in this time of economic hardships.  It is not our responsibility to carry the burden of these times on our shoulders and we have the right to be able to “afford to live.” – Jeanne Taylor, Peregrine Elementary, Resource Room Assistant

Participants learned about the role of networking and relationships in any successful organizing effort and practiced these one on one conversations with their colleagues in attendance.

“The Living Wage training gave us some good information – I especially liked coming up with statements that people would likely say to us and then coming up with replies (as a group).  I think this will be very helpful.  Furthermore, it reinforced the belief/fact that we do “deserve” a living wage and we should be paid a wage that we can support ourselves on.” - Tawni Berryman-Hull, Resource Room Assistant, Peregrine Elementary.

For more information on a Living Wage in Idaho, check out the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations (NWFCO), a regional federation of four statewide, community-based social and economic justice organizations located in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington: Colorado Progressive Coalition, Idaho Community Action Network, Oregon Action, and Washington Community Action Network. Collectively these organizations engage in community organizing and coalition building in both rural and metropolitan areas, including Denver, Seattle, Boise, and Portland.   www.nwfco.org.

To view photos of this meeting go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/meridianea/sets/72157623228285353/

This is the meeting where building representatives learn about the latest MEA and IEA news and events, learn more about the MEA budget, and let the MEA know about the concerns, questions and conditions throughout the Meridian school district. The MEA leadership shares information about Children’s Fund, Membership, Education Support Professionals (ESP), the Legislature, the Master Contract and more.

All B Team members and their guests are welcome to attend.
Please RSVP to Tricia Waltner.

Just click on the link for the nomination form, print it out, and send it to the MEA through district mail; or you can email the information to Tricia Waltner.

Outstanding Member Educator Form 1109 for web

Our MEA members lead the field in Education!

The MEA works closely with the district to resolve issues that affect staff members

The MEA offers on-site representation, local leadership, and an in-house attorney

There are money savings benefits within the association including restaurants, oil changes, clothing, car/home insurance, and more

The MEA  holds meetings with building representatives, negotiators, negotiations support teams, democracy teams, membership advocates, and new teachers

The MEA represents all of its members and we are your voice!