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• YOUR REWARD •

Thinking about retiring?
Find out what you need to know first.  
Every year the State Pension Office holds Retirement Workshops for state employees and their families. These are held in partnership with the State Pension Advisory Committee, where our own retirement guru Jim Testerman (DSEA-Retired from Lake Forest) represents our organization.

Jim will be at these workshops which are free and require no RSVP. They all begin at 7:00pm.

Tuesday, March 28, Delaware State Police Training Center, Rte. 13 Dover

Tuesday, April 4, Delaware Technical and C.C., Georgetown

Tuesday April 11, Stanton Middle School, Stanton

Tuesday, April 18, Brandywine High School, Foulk Road, Wilmington

Thursday, April 20, Stanton Middle School, Stanton

In the meantime, check out DSEA's Pension Booklet at www.dsea.org.
Click on PENSIONS at the top right.

   
• YOUR SUPPORT •

No increase in state insurance co-pays or deductibles for next year

The State Employee Benefits Committe voted unanimously on March 15 not to increase insurance rates for FY07, which means that there will be no hike in your co-pays or deductibles for another year.
Many thanks to DSEA member Tom Chapman of Seaford, whom the Governor recently appointed to the State Employee Benefits Advisory Committee who spoke eloquently on this issue prior to the committee's vote. 

DSEA leaders and staff spoke with the members of this committee also, citing the financial burden of the severe increases in fuel, heating and other utility costs.

DSEA was joined by fellow union leaders in AFSCME in support of no increase.

Prescription Insurance carrier to change from Express Scripts to Medco
Click here to read a summary of this change, effective July 1, which was also voted on by the State Employee Benefits Committee at their March 2006 meeting. Of note, the current formulary for drug pricing will stay the same until January 1, 2007 when the formularies will change to those of Medco. This will allow six months for employees to analyze any changes that might affect their particular prescriptions. The State does not anticipate any negative repercussions.

  • YOUR VOICE •

Imagine about 30 of your colleagues having a frank, face-to-face conversation with seven state legislators!

That's what the leaders of the Christina Education Association did recently. Present were: Senators Dave Sokola and Steve Amick; and Representatives Bill Oberle, Theresa Schooley, Stephanie Ulbrich, James J. Johnson, Helene Keeley, Vince Lofink and John Viola.

Teachers spoke of their concerns about the upcoming referendum, the need for basic supplies, a rash of illogical decisions affecting student achievement, and, worse, a lack of communication and support from the administration.

 

Teachers also expressed deep concern about veiled threats and fears of reprisal whenever they try to speak out to school board members about their fears and concerns.


As CEA President, Barry Young told all members in a follow-up letter, "It is your right to communicate with your board members… that is how they can be held accountable for their performance." 

Young also sent all members a list of their board members and legislators and reminded them that the state legislators want to be copied on all member correspondence with Christina School Board members. He reminded them of Delaware's whistleblower law: "If you are threatened or reprimanded by anyone because of this, please let me know immediately."

 

The meeting also produced an agreement to form an Advisory Group of CEA members to work with the legislators to keep them informed and help Christina get back on track.  

  

Last Friday, the Colonial Education Association and the Colonial Paras Association invited its members and legislators to gather for their Legislative Reception. Present were about 25 members plus Reps. Valerie Longhurst, James J. Johnson, Michael Mulrooney, Speaker Terry Spence and Sen. Dori Connor. And again, important conversations took place.


And Tuesday, April 4, DSEA is hosting a Legislative Reception for the entire General Assembly and you at the Duncan Center in Dover from 5:00-7:00pm. Interesting in attending? Contact Evelyn Virgin at DSEA, 1-866-734-5834. 

 

• YOUR CALLING •

Message for Paras

Paras: You must submit your "highly qualified" verification (see next paragraph) in order to receive the $662 salary supplement passed by the Delaware General Assembly last year.

First proposed by Governor Minner, this extra $662 will be/has been added to the salary of paraprofessionals who submit paperwork to their school district which testifies that they are "highly qualified" according to No Child Left Behind (proof of bachelors degree, associates degree, or passage of the ParaPro Test).

Most paras are receiving this additional pay in their paychecks. Some districts are still verifying records before sending them on to DoE.

PLEASE NOTE: District officials do not have to wait for notification or verification from DoE to request this extra salary. Once your district officials have verified your information, they can initiate payment.

If you are not receiving this extra money in your paycheck, please make sure you have submitted your paperwork (proof of bachelors degree, associates degree or passage of the ParaPro Test) to your district’s Personnel Office for processing.

If you have problems, please notify both your local association president and DSEA’s Dir. of Instructional Advocacy, Vicky Cairns.

Americans to celebrate National Teacher Day May 9

Thousands of communities will take time out on Tuesday, May 9, 2006,  to honor their local educators and acknowledge the contributions they make to our lives.
Listen to the latest radio spot (MP3)  by NEA President Reg Weaver to learn why teacher appreciation should be year-round.

While it does take a lot of people to make a school succeed, National Teacher Day focused on the teachers who work to make public schools great places for students to succeed in life. We chose this day to specifically honor teachers and recognize the lasting contributions they make to our lives.

It is celebrated on the Tuesday of the first full week of May, so the actual date varies each year.

We especially dedicate this day to those teachers who are serving in the U.S. military forces. We all wish them a safe and speedy return.

NEA thanks the board, staff and volunteers of Teachers Count for their support of America ’s teachers. You’ll find more about this supportive group at their web site.

Registration now open for the Annual Delaware Instructional Technology Conference, April 5-6, 2006
(Pre-conference activities on April 4)

 

The conference includes:

 

  • Internationally acclaimed Keynote Speakers
  • Over 50 Concurrent sessions
  • An exhibitor area of over 50 booths
  • Five hands-on workshops with your conference registration
  • A delicious hot lunch included both days
  • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Student Event on Tuesday Evening for students (grades 8-12) and adults! Click here for more information
  • The annual Showcase of Excellence on Wednesday Evening 

Registration is $35 for one day; $60 for two days. The location is at the renovated Sheraton Dover Hotel. Register today!

 

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  DSEA NEA  

Delaware State Education Association
136 E. Water Street • Dover, DE 19901 • tel 1-866-734-5834 • fax 302-674-8499