MEA-MFT Mar/Apr 2014 Vol 16 No 2 www.mea-mft.org INSIDE Our Point of View 2 Representative Assembly 3 State employee organizing project 4 Head Start funding restored 6 K-12 health insurance alert 8 Today A publication for members of MEA-MFT MEA-MFT member Angela McLean: ’s new Lieutenant Governor Back when she was waiting tables at the Blue Anchor Café in Twin Bridges as a high school student, MEA-MFT member Angela McLean never dreamed she would serve as Montana’s lieutenant governor one day. Great teachers and the support of family and friends made it possible, she said February 10, when Governor Steve Bullock appointed her to ill the vacancy left open by John Walsh, who replaces as U.S. senator. Bullock made the announcement in McLean’s government class at Anaconda High School. When she left the school, students, teachers, administrators, and staff lined the halls to cheer her on. Lt. Governor Angela McLean MEA-MFT members are cheering in the governor’s office with too. “We are incredibly proud of An- a bouquet of flowers from (Continued on p. 6) her MEA-MFT family. Saving GABA: ‘I like our odds’ Thousands of MEA-MFT members 20 with a preliminary injunction stop- agreements between public employees had a happier holiday season this year ping the PERS GABA cuts until the and their employers. That’s our case, and than many expected, thanks to court court can rule on our lawsuit. A week we expect to win.” rulings that stopped the Grinch from later, Judge Mike Menahan followed suit Watch for updates at mea-mft.org.  stealing their Guaranteed Annual Beneit on the TRS case, granting a preliminary Adjustment (GABA)—at least for now. injunction delaying the TRS GABA cuts. Health insurance news The rulings came about because Now we wait for court dates to for state employees & MEA-MFT and our allies sponsored present our objections to the legislature’s k-12 members two lawsuits challenging the 2013 Leg- attempts to gut GABA. The preliminary Heads up, state employees and k-12 islature’s cuts to GABA for current and injunctions stay in place in the meantime, school employees: a lot is happening on future retirees in the Public Employees’ so GABA remains unchanged. the health insurance front that affects and Teachers’ Retirement Systems (PERS “The battle is far from over, but I like you. Read inside about: and TRS). our odds,” said MEA-MFT President • State employee union victories in Along with the lawsuits, we asked Eric Feaver. “GABA allows retired pub- health care and how you can save even the courts to stop the cuts from taking lic employees a modest but important more money: page 5 effect January 1, 2014, as the legislature hedge against inlation. The legislature’s • How the Affordable Care Act could originally mandated. District Judge James cuts to GABA were unnecessary and un- affect k-12 local unions’ group insurance Reynolds granted our request December constitutional. They violate contractual policies: page 8 Stop that voter! t matters who votes…and it matters who wins. work for county clerks and recorders…or be- I The power to vote is the one institution all cause these voters might, maybe, perhaps vote citizens own, in which we all have the opportunity for Democrats? to participate, each and every one of us. LR-127 eliminates our closed primary The power to vote distinguishes our democ- system wherein a voter must pick a party ticket OUR POINT racy from despotism. …and further directs that only the top two vote OF VIEW And whether our preferred candidates win or recipients, regardless of party, go onto the gen- lose, the power to vote must never be abridged, eral election. compromised, or forestalled. As LR 127 eliminates third-party candidates So, when Republican partisans promote ob- from appearing in the general election, it pro- stacles for voters…and attempt to orchestrate a motes one-party elections. This latter outcome premeditated electoral outcome, this is more than likely in legislative union and all who believe in our de- LR 126 & LR districts dominated by Democratic mocracy must stand up and say NO. 127 restrict our and Republican voters. Almost a year ago, toward the They do this in California! end of the 2013 Legislature, the freedom to vote. It should be obvious that the Republican-dominated Montana They threaten Republican majority in the last leg- State Senate rushed two bills through the rights of islature would with LRs 126 and 127 the Senate over the vociferous, desk- have Montanans afirm its majority pounding opposition of minority seniors, recently party status well into the future and BY ERIC FEAVER party Democrats. returned military eliminate third-party candidates. So Senate Bills 405 and 408 had to much for independent voters. MEA-MFT PRESIDENT veterans, and pass over to the House that day MEA-MFT iled petitions in the or they would have died. And pass other eligible Montana Supreme Court challenging they did, with the Republican major- voters to have the legal suficiency of LRs 126 and ity unanimously voting YES…and 127. We asked the court to toss both Democrats unanimously voting… a voice in our from the general election ballot. well in fact they didn’t vote at all. A democracy. The court agreed with us that brittle moment. Not to be forgotten. the title of SB 405 and the attorney SBs 405 and 408 passed the Republican- general’s initial purpose statement on LR 126 dominated House no sweat. were inaccurate and misleading but then directed These two bills are now Legislative Referenda the attorney general to rewrite the purpose 126 and 127 respectively. They will both (maybe) statement. Not the victory we were looking to appear on the November general election ballot. achieve. We must still defeat LR 126 at the polls. Vote NO! As we do, we will be sure to note throughout If we fail to secure a NO vote in 2014, come our campaign that partisan supporters wanted to 2016, Montanans will have reduced the number fool voters into thinking LR 126 had something and kind of citizens voting in the general election to do with the National Voter Registration Act. and inlicted upon themselves one-party primary It does NOT. election outcomes. As for LR 127, we wait the Supreme Court’s LR 126 ends general election day registra- decision. We have challenged the referendum tion, denying the vote to citizens who may have stating that SB 408 had more words in its title moved around a bit like college students, military than law permits, a lot more words. And further personnel, senior citizens, and Native Americans. LR 127 logrolls voters into voting for two issues Apparently, majority party Republicans think in one. An open primary need not require the citizens like these should not be permitted to top two vote recipients to advance to the general register and vote on election day because doing election. so leads to long voter lines and waits, or more Bottom line, vote NO. 

2 MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org Stronger together: MEA-MFT Rep. Assembly 2014 Delegates from MEA-MFT local unions all over Montana will gather in Helena March 28-29 for our annual Representative Assembly. Make sure your local sends its share of delegates, because RA is where the action happens for MEA-MFT. It’s democracy in action. Up for debate and vote at RA this year: pro- posed constitutional amendment, proposed dues, and new business items. Delegates will also hear from Montana’s elected oficials, honor members of the year, inaugurate the MEA-MFT Hall of Fame, and much more. MEA-MFT statewide ofices to be elected at RA include president, vice president, secretary- treasurer, director-at-large, even-numbered dis- Step % of Annual Min. Max. pFrom left: Laurie Enebo, trict chairs and vice chairs, delegates to the NEA no. full dues salary salary Logan Brower, and Rochelle Brower of Glasgow joined Representative Assembly, Student Program chair, dues dozens of other MEA-MFT and Retired Program chair and vice chair. 10 100% $384 $43,970 or higher members from around Proposed amendment to MEA-MFT 9 90% $346 $39,084 $43,969 the state to participate in Constitution: Constitutional Amendment #1 8 80% $307 $34,199 $39,083 Committee Weekend in 10. STATE OFFICERS 7 70% $269 $29,313 $34,198 Helena Jan. 5-6. Committees No change A through D. 6 60% $231 $24,428 $29,312 reviewed MEA-MFT’s constitution, resolutions, and New E. Notiication 5 50% $192 $19,542 $24,427 more in preparation for Rep. 1. Candidates for state ofice must inform 4 40% $154 $14,657 $19,541 Assembly. Here they listen the MEA-MFT executive director in writing of 3 30% $115 $9,771 $14,656 to the governor’s budget their candidacy at least 60 calendar days before 2 20% $ 77 $4,886 $9,770 director, Dan Villa. the next meeting of the representative assembly. 1 10% $ 38 Up to... $4,885 2. The executive director shall notify mem- 3. The full national dues level for MEA-MFT Important tax bers and local afiliates of oficer candidates at members shall be the higher of the dues of the least 30 calendar days before the next meeting two national organizations, rounded off to the notice of the representative assembly. nearest dollar. You can deduct your Re-lettter all subsequent provisions. 4. MEA-MFT Student Program member dues MEA-MFT dues from your taxes, but only if H I. Nominations and Elections shall be $10. Active members who have held you itemize deductions, State oficer nominations and elections shall membership in MEA-MFT Student Program for and only if your dues be conducted according to this constitution and at least one full-year and up to four years shall be plus other miscellaneous the standing rules of the representative assembly. allowed $50 per year credit on their MEA-MFT deductions add up to at dues in their irst regular year of employment. least 2 percent of your 604 Dues – Proposed Changes 2014 5. Effective September 1, 2009, Retired MEA- adjusted gross income. (Note that the proposed full dues increase MFT lifetime dues shall be $210 and increase $10 NOTE: The portion of $6 is the irst dues increase after a two-year every year thereafter for ten years. of your MEA-MFT dues freeze.) 6. Substitute teacher dues shall be $100. Active that goes toward our 1. Full dues level for active members for 2013- members who have held membership as an MEA- legislative activity is not 14 2014-15 shall be $376 $384, relecting .00785 MFT substitute teacher member for at least one deductible. times the 2011-12 2012-13 Classroom Teachers full year and up to four years shall be allowed $30 For 2013, the Average Salary of $47,839 $48,855. per year credit on the MEA-MFT dues in their deductible amount 2. The full dues level shall be adjusted down- irst regular year as an active member. equals 93.7 percent of ward in 10 equal steps for those earning less than 7. a. Agency fee payers’ local, state, and na- your MEA-MFT dues, all the CTAS level of $47,839 $48,855. tional fee obligation total shall be established of your local dues, and all (Continued on p. 6) of your national dues.

MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org 3 From left: Gene Meegan, Kevin Bock, and Renne’t Sarbu, three of MEA-MFT’s state employee organizing team members, spend a recent Saturday knocking on doors and visiting other Helena area state employees in their homes. u Building power in the workplace: State employee organizing project n growing numbers, MEA-MFT state employee who coordinates the project and knocks on doors Imembers are attending union trainings to learn right alongside the team. “We’re showing that new skills, serving on labor management com- by standing together and building power, state mittees, recruiting new members, and standing workers can make positive changes. People are up with coworkers to have their voices heard in jumping on board to get involved.” the workplace. Leaders of the project include Kevin Bock, Teams of state employee members have even Gene Meegan, and Kyla Gardiner—all Dept. of been visiting coworkers in their homes for one- Revenue employees; Renne’t Sarbu, who works MEA-MFT TODAY on-one conversations about workplace issues. at the Dept. of Public Health and Human Ser-  It’s all part of a major new project to build MEA-MFT Today pub- vices; and Rowena Harrington of the Montana lished bimonthly Sep- more strength in MEA-MFT’s state employee Historical Society. Many other members are also tember through May by locals. MEA-MFT is coordinating the project, getting involved. MEA-MFT. Third Class with funding help from our two national afiliates, So far, the home visit team has made contact Nonprofit Postage Paid NEA and AFT. with nearly 250 fellow state employees. MEA- at Billings, MT 59101. The organizing team: Home visits are a key Permit No. 1 MFT’s Dept. of Revenue local has gained 33 part of this project. For several months, teams of new members as a direct result of the organiz- MEA-MFT 1232 E. 6th Ave. MEA-MFT state employee members have been ing project. Helena, MT 59601 meeting at MEA-MFT headquarters in Helena The team has completed Phase 1 of the 800.398.0826 after work and on weekends. From there, they project. “Now we’re training for Phase 2, looking Eric Feaver, President fan out to knock on the doors of other state for leaders among the people we’ve contacted,” Erik Burke, Exec. Dir. employee members — and nonmembers, too. said Meegan. The team has identiied 174 poten- Sanna Porte, Editor “We’re listening to their concerns about is- tial leaders—people who expressed interest in sues, from workplace bullying to the need for getting more active in the union. State employee www.mea-mft.org professional development, and discussing how members hope to expand the organizing project Printed on chlorine free, we can solve problems together as a union,” said beyond Helena into other Montana communities. SFI-certified paper. MEA-MFT Organizing Director Morgan Smith, (Continued on p. 5)

4 MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org State employees (from p. 4) They happened because MEA-MFT state em- ‘We’re showing There’s a sense of urgency to the project. ployee members, leaders, and staff spent many that by standing “This is about making sure our workplaces are hours bargaining, talking to legislators, and work- safe, our health insurance is intact, our pensions ing on local negotiations. None of this would together and are protected, and our voices in the workplace be possible without joining together as a union. building power, are heard,” Smith said. “We can gain even more ground if we all stand state workers can “The 2015 Legislature is just 10 months away,” together,” said Smith. noted Bock. Want to learn more? Contact Morgan Smith: make positive “There’s another team out there working just [email protected]  changes. People as hard to oppose our efforts,” added Meegan, referring to attacks nationwide on public em- are jumping on ployees’ rights. board to get The organizing project’s vision is far more involved.’ long-range than the next legislature, however. Morgan Smith The project aims to build more unity, amplify MEA-MFT Organizing state employee voices, and celebrate more vic- Director tories in the workplace through collective action. State employees saw signiicant victories in the last year. After a four-year salary freeze, they are receiving across-the-board 3 percent and 5 tOpportunity knocks: percent salary increases and 10 percent health State employee beneit increases in each of the next two years. organizing team The Public Employees Retirement System is in- members on a tact and healthy. Local bargaining has produced home visit. even more gains. These victories didn’t happen by accident. More good health care news for state employees As of January 1, 2014, most MEA-MFT MEA-MFT Field Consultant Brian Ehli repre- state employee members began seeing a modest sents MEA-MFT on SEGBAC. increase in their paychecks because of lower • More state employees are using the new state Prebudget health insurance premiums. health care centers in Helena, Billings, and Miles bargaining to begin Why is this money coming back to state em- City, saving money for themselves and taxpayers MEA-MFT and our ployees? There are several reasons: alike. The Helena center alone saved almost $3 fellow public employee • MEA-MFT and our fellow public employee million its irst year, with the savings shared be- unions have sent an unions bargained in the state pay plan (House tween patients and the state health plan. Another official request to the Bill 13) a 10 percent increase in the employer’s state health center will open in Missoula this May. governor’s office to contribution to health insurance. This increase is Others are planned throughout Montana. begin negotiations for outpacing any increases in health insurance rates • More state employees are participating in the next state employee that state employees may see. wellness and health screenings offered by the pay plan. The process The increased employer share amounts to state. This is keeping costs down for everyone involves dozens of union $73 per month per state employee beginning this in the state health insurance plan. members from around January. That adds up to $876 per year— no small MEA-MFT members can continue to capi- the state meeting chunk of change. The employer increase is even talize on discounts and cost savings for them- with the governor’s bigger beginning next January: $81 per month. selves and their families by participating in health negotiators. Stay posted • Montana’s State Employee Group Beneits screenings, health assessments, non-tobacco use, at our web site: Advisory Council (SEGBAC) is doing a great preventive services, and engaging in programs to mea-mft.org job of helping keep health care costs down. reach their health goals. For more information, SEGBAC has 12 members representing state contact HCBD at 444.7462 or 800.287.8266. Or employees, unions, and retirees to advise the log on to the HCBD web site: beneits.mt.gov/ state Health Care and Beneits Division (HCBD). pages/wellness.live.life.well.html  MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org 5 Head Start funding restored The federal budget compromise passed this wrote in dismay about Daines’s vote in an edito- winter restores the funds Congress previously cut rial (“Daines must resist pull of tea party ideo- from Head Start through the “sequester” process. logues,” 1/27/14). The editorial said, “Montana And it adds even more funding for Head Start. Rep. Steve Daines last month joined some of the Head Start advocates nationwide were dis- most extreme Republican members of Congress mayed earlier when the congressional sequester and voted against the federal budget compromise cut 5 percent across the board from Head Start crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Patty programs. The sequester was a mass of automatic Murray, D-Wash.” budget cuts that threatened thousands of jobs The Chronicle continued, “Without both par- and essential services for Americans. ties willing to give and take, we are left with a dysfunctional Congress. We are left with seem- Thanks, Jon & Max! The cuts hit Head Start particularly hard. They ingly one budget crisis after another, the last of Our thanks to resulted in the closure of many Head Start pro- which left us with a two-week shutdown of the Montana Senator Jon grams, staff layoffs, and the loss of Head Start Tester and former services to 57,000 of the nation’s most vulnerable federal government that signiicantly impacted our country and state.… “[W]e are concerned Senator Max Baucus, children and their families. In Montana alone, 221 that he [Daines] has consistently chosen to put for voting for the children were affected. political ideology ahead of governance. That budget compromise The federal budget compromise restores funds may be the easy choice. It doesn’t seem much that restored funding cut from Head Start programs and adds new like leadership.…” for Head Start. funds to this chronically underfunded program.  Baucus & Tester vote for Head Start, Rep. Assembly (from p. 3) No thanks, Steve! Daines votes against: Montana Senator Jon Montana Congress- Tester and former Senator Max Baucus voted annually by the MEA-MFT board of directors. man Steve Daines in favor of the budget compromise bill and b. Agency fee payers shall be afforded only voted against the therefore voted to restore and increase Head those rights required by law (e.g. rights and compromise and Start funding. They get it: They know Head Start protection afforded by terms of local afiliate therefore against Head breaks the cycle of poverty and gives our neediest collective bargaining agreements). They shall Start. Disappointing. children a chance for a bright future. not be afforded any right or beneit, including Montana Congressman Steve Daines voted any governance rights for which membership against restoring Head Start funding by voting is required. against the budget compromise. Daines was 8. Associate member dues shall be $25.  one of only 67 representatives nationwide to vote no; 359 voted yes. The Bozeman Chronicle Angela McLean (from p. 1) gela,” said MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver. “She is the irst classroom teacher and irst MEA- MFT member to serve as Montana’s lieutenant governor. She is a dynamic champion of public education and public services. She’s one of us.” Along with teaching history and government, McLean has served on the Board of Regents, which governs the Montana University System, since 2010 and was elected chair in 2012. She previously served on the state Board of Public Education. McLean and her husband, Mike, have two children: eighth-grader Colin and fourth- grader Ellen. “I’m incredibly honored to have this oppor- tunity and I look forward to getting to work for Montana,” McLean said of her new job. Congratulations, Angela!  6 MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org 7 Don’t go if you don’t know! K-12 health insurance alert The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is causing ma- the individual exchange, but some might not be jor changes in the school health insurance market. eligible for premium tax credits. Bottom line: Do not let your school dis- • Premiums for older, larger families would be What your local trict change your group health insurance policy higher than for younger, smaller families. union should do without your local union’s involvement. Health • Individual exchange products are purchased right now: insurance is a mandatory subject of bargaining. with after-tax dollars, not pre-tax. • Form a health Your employer cannot make unilateral changes • Maximum family out-of-pocket exposure insurance committee. to your health insurance. You may have to assert would increase. • Prepare to bargain on your local union’s right to a place at the table. these issues. What we know right now: While this is a u3. Some small school groups will • Talk to your MEA-MFT changing landscape, several things are clear: be discontinued. Groups with under 50 field consultant. participants that are now in an insured asso- • Bottom line: Don’t u1. Some schools might try to end ciation plan will receive plan discontinuation allow any changes group insurance policies. “We’ve heard notices prior to 2014 renewals. For example, we to your group health that in some schools around Montana, employers expect most small MSHWP schools have already insurance without are looking at ending group insurance policies,” received these notices. To maintain coverage, your local union being said Diane Fladmo, MEA-MFT research direc- these groups will have the choice of buying an informed and involved. tor. “Instead of offering group insurance, these insured small group product from one of three Make sure your local employers might consider increasing employees’ carriers in Montana or buying from a self-funded has a place at the salaries and sending them out to the new indi- trust, like MUST. table. Don’t go if you vidual health care exchange to buy insurance.” don’t know! At least one insurance agent is advising Mon- u4. MUST is a viable option. Many Mon- tana school districts that it would be advantageous tana school employee groups of all sizes are now to offer coverage only for employees, Fladmo covered under MUST, a health insurance trust said. “This would leave their spouses and depen- endorsed by MEA-MFT, School Administrators dents to seek insurance on the new exchange.” of Montana, Montana School Boards Assoc., and Montana Rural Education Assoc. u2. There are serious ramifications to We know this about MUST: making these changes. • MUST and Blue Cross Blue Shield have Considerations for eliminating group teamed up. This partnership will give school health beneit plans: employee groups in MUST access to the “Blue” • Tax consequences: If your employer in- network of providers, the largest in Montana. creased your salary and sent you to buy insurance This means more choice of doctors and hospitals on the exchange instead of providing a group for you and your family, bigger discounts, and policy, the salary increase would count toward more cost savings. your retirement calculation, but it would be tax- • MUST can continue to treat groups as it able. You would lose the pre-tax advantage for always has, with no Affordable Care Act group paying the employee portion of the premium. restrictions. Several positive changes under ACA • Age consequences: Older and more tenured do affect MUST: elimination of pre-existing employees would have to pay up to three times condition waiting periods, elimination of lifetime more than younger employees on the individual beneit caps, dependent coverage to age 26, and exchange. The difference could be even greater preventive beneits paid 100% in network. if younger employees qualify for subsidies and older employees do not. u5. Other insurance providers will also Considerations for switching to employee- be pursuing Montana’s k-12 school districts. only coverage: • Your dependents would be left to fend for u6. The more you know, the better! themselves. They could apply for coverage on Talk to your MEA-MFT ield consultant.  8 MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org Common Core: ‘Montana is not New York’ If you’re following the news on the Common Core academic standards for math and English, you’ve probably heard of controversy in New York State over Common Core. Despite New York’s issues, Montana’s public school com- munity continues to stand united in support of these new standards. “Montana is not New York,” said MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver. “Many New York teachers feel the standards were implemented too hastily there. Montana took a slow and thoughtful ap- proach. Everyone in Montana’s public school community has been involved: teachers, admin- istrators, trustees, and others. We’re all working together to implement the standards smoothly and on Montana’s terms.” Updating Montana’s academic standards is nothing new. “Montana updates its standards to share high quality teaching methods based on Steady & thoughtful: every few years,” said Marco Ferro, MEA-MFT’s the new standards. The Network is a partnership • MEA-MFT members public policy director. “The main difference with including MEA-MFT, School Administrators of helped write Montana’s Montana’s Common Core Standards is that they Montana, the Ofice of Public Instruction, and Common Core State ask students to go deeper into problem-solving the Montana Digital Academy. We’re all in this standards, working with skills and critical thinking. Plus, these standards together, Montana’s entire public school family, OPI, school administrators, give parents the assurance that if their children to give our students a world-class education. trustees, and lay people. move to another state, they’ll have the knowledge You can see a short video about the Network at • Montana’s Board of they need to stay at grade level.” mea-mft.org/Articles/launching_the_montana_ Public Education held 12 No high-stakes tests: New York teachers digital_professional_learning_network.aspx  public meetings on the are understandably concerned about high-stakes standards across the state testing and teacher evaluation being tied to test Montana’s top math & science before adopting them, on scores. But Montana has never adopted high- teachers support Common Core the recommendation of stakes student tests and then insisted teachers More than two dozen Montana winners of Supt. Denise Juneau. be evaluated by student test scores. the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math • Montana was the last Smooth transition: One way Montana’s and Science Teaching recently joined 22 Montana of 46 states to adopt public school community is working together Teachers of the Year in publicly supporting Mon- Common Core because to implement the new standards smoothly is tana’s Common Core State Standards. folks here wanted to through the new Montana Digital Professional These math and science teachers wrote a guest make sure the standards Learning Network. editorial that has appeared in many Montana were right for Montana Funded by an Innovation Grant from AFT, newspapers. Here’s an excerpt: students. one of MEA-MFT’s two national afiliates, the “We strongly believe in the Common Core • Montana Common Core Network provides webinars and online courses State Standards and their promise for all students. preserves local control on Montana Common Core. It offers opportuni- In math, Montana’s Common Core Standards over curriculum. ties for parents and others to learn more about focus on core topics and skills, allowing educators • Montana used the the standards, and it offers professional develop- time to teach at a depth that has not been feasible right process: Start with ment for educators as they design and deliver in the past. [They] allow students the time to high standards, create a classroom instruction aligned with the standards. practice and reine skills, rather than race through curriculum that supports Some Montana schools have been using the standards that are a mile wide and an inch deep....” them, then focus on Common Core Standards for up to two years; Read the statement and see who supports it assessments aligned to others are just getting started. The Network al- at our web site: mea-mft.org/Articles/presiden- what is taught and that lows educators across Montana, Yaak to Ekalaka, tial_awardees_support_common_core.aspx  really measure learning.

MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org 9 Montana Professional Teaching Foundation news MEA-MFT’s Montana Professional Teaching • Sheila Devins, Seeley Lake Foundation (MPTF) works to promote top- • Alyson Dorr, Columbia Falls quality teaching and learning in Montana. Here’s • Jennifer Haverluk, Belgrade a round-up of recent MPTF news: • Michele Holmes, Seeley Lake • Linda Kaps, Kalispell Presidential award winners • Jamie McGraw, Great Falls Congratulations to Melissa Romano (Helena) • Kirsten Pevey, Kalispell and Elizabeth Matthews (Gallatin Gateway), • Patricia Ritter, Bozeman Montana winners of the Presidential Awards for • Erica Schnee, Bozeman Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching • Kimberly Stout, Helena (PAEMST). MPTF coordinates the PAEMST • Chantel Thornsberry, Condon program in Montana. • Ginger Vanorden, Bozeman Romano and Matthews each received $10,000 • Nicole Vradenburg, Belgrade from the National Science Foundation and joined • Camla Warle, Boulder other states’ winners in Washington, DC, this • Colleen Windell, Missoula March for educational and celebratory events. Nominate now for the next PAEMST win- Nominate: MT Teacher of the Year Nominations are open for the 2015 Montana Melissa Romano, ners: Nominations are open through April 1, presidential math winner 2014, for science and math teachers in grades k-6. Teacher of the Year. Nominees must be full-time To nominate or learn more, contact Marco Ferro: classroom teachers or specialists with at least [email protected]. Or visit www.paemst.org. ive years of experience.To nominate: Provide name, home address, nominee’s school, phone National Board achievers number(s), e-mail address, and a brief paragraph Seventeen more Montana teachers have or two about the nominee. Mail nomination(s) achieved National Board Certification—the to MT Teacher of the Year, 1232 E. 6th, Helena, highest level of professional certiication a U.S. MT 59601 or e-mail [email protected]. teacher can earn. Montana now has 138 National Deadline: April 30, 2014. Board Certiied teachers, a point of great pride. National Board Certiication is a rigorous MPTF celebration/fundraiser process that takes up to nine months. MPTF Despite record-breaking snowfall, more than Elizabeth Matthews, helps by providing technical assistance to Mon- 200 supporters of the Montana Professional presidential science winner tana applicants. Contact Marco Ferro for more Teaching Foundation gathered for a gala event information: [email protected]. at the Northern Hotel in downtown Billings Congratulations to Montana’s most recent February 25: “Honoring Montana’s Professional National Board Certiication achievers: Teachers.” Thanks to these major sponsors: Blue • Ashlie Buresh, Helena Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, Montana • Michael Christensen, Kalispell School Services Foundation, and MEA-MFT. 

Left photo: Some of the special guests and speakers at the MPTF celebration and fundraiser included 2014 Montana Teacher of the Year Anna Baldwin (left) and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. Right photo: Gov. Bullock, Supt. Denise Juneau, and others listen to Randi Weingarten. u

10 MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org MEA-MFT COPE members endorse Walsh & Lewis Members of MEA-MFT’s Committee on Po- balance the budget, enact tax cuts for small busi- litical Education (COPE) have voted to endorse nesses, invest in Montana’s schools, and toughen John Walsh for U.S. Senate and John Lewis for laws against child abuse. U.S. Congress. Governor Bullock appointed Walsh to ill the COPE is made up of the elected members U.S. Senate term vacated by Max Baucus. He is of MEA-MFT’s board of directors. COPE therefore running for re-election to the Senate. members voted to endorse Walsh and Lewis after Walsh’s wife of 29 years, Janet, an MEA-MFT interviewing them and other known candidates member, has been a paraeducator in Helena who participated in COPE’s candidate interview public schools for 17 years. They have two grown process. (Some candidates failed to respond to sons and a granddaughter. John Walsh for U.S. Senate: repeated requests for interviews.) More info: johnwalsh2014.com Born & raised in Butte. Both Walsh and Lewis have demonstrated JOHN LEWIS: John Lewis is a fourth gen- strong commitment to public services, public eration Montanan, born in Billings to a working- education, and a robust middle class in Montana. class family and raised in Billings and Missoula. Both of them support organized labor and col- He has deep roots in public service in Montana: lective bargaining. They’re on our side. His mother was a teacher and Forest Service JOHN WALSH: Born and raised in Butte, employee who later started her own small busi- John Walsh has dedicated his career to public ness. His father was a land planner. His stepdad service. The son of a union pipeitter, John was is a former smokejumper who spent a career with the irst member of his family to graduate from the Forest Service. college. He enlisted in the National Guard as a While in college in Missoula, Lewis began private. He worked hard and rose through the his own career in public service by working as a ranks to become Adjutant General, leading the consumer protection advocate in the Attorney Montana National Guard. General’s ofice. He later worked for Montana As a battalion commander, Walsh led more U.S. Senator Max Baucus. Lewis’s role as a listener John Lewis for U.S. House: than 700 men and women overseas to Iraq. As and problem solver has brought him to every 4th generation Montanan Adjutant General, he prepared Montana’s service community in Montana. He helped make sure members for deployments and made sure they seniors received their Social Security checks; that MEA-MFT COPE received the beneits they earned. small, rural communities got the resources they candidate After 33 years of distinguished service, John needed for essential services; and that businesses endorsements retired from the National Guard and was elected had what they needed to create good-paying jobs. are based strictly by Montanans to the ofice of Lieutenant Gov - Lewis and his wife, Melissa, have two small on issues, not ernor, serving with Governor Steve Bullock. children. on political As Lieutenant Governor, Walsh has fought to More info: montanansforlewis.com  party. COPE Expanding health care coverage for 70,000 Montanans: I-170 represents the spectrum of MEA- During the 2013 Montana Legislature, thou- aid eligibility to include 70,000 Montanans (40,000 MFT members: sands of Montana citizens tried to convince of whom are working people) whose incomes are the legislative majority to pass a bill expanding less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level. state and local health care coverage for Montanans by accepting For a single person, this means earning less than government federal funding to expand Medicaid. $15,857 per year. For a family of three, it means employees, MEA-MFT joined the effort. No one testiied earning less than $26,951 per year. educators, and against the bill except an out-of-state right-wing I-170 would help Montanans like veterans, health care group called Americans for Prosperity. But the single parents, and low-income working families employees who legislative majority failed to pass the bill. who have no other coverage. I-170 would bring live all over Now, a coalition of Montana citizen groups in nearly $6 billion in federal funds to Montana is collecting signatures to get an initiative on the between now and 2021. This would create 12,000 Montana. November ballot (Initiative 170) to do what the jobs in our state annually and be a big boon to legislature failed to do. I-170 will expand Medic- Montana’s rural hospitals. 

MEA-MFT Today • Mar/Apr 2014 • www.mea-mft.org 11 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID 1232 East Sixth Avenue Permit No. 1 Helena, MT 59601 Billings, MT

Troubleshooting & reasoning: Amazing member Steve Lewis MEA-MFT member Steve Lewis is a to understand that thinking critically in composition and literature instructor at terms of solving problems, especially Helena College , unforeseen ones, makes you a valuable formerly the UM Helena College of employee. Troubleshooting, reasoning, Technology. Steve serves on the nego- communication skills—they all make tiations team for his local union, the you valuable in any job. Helena Teachers Union, and he’s part of It matters because these students are the labor-management committee at the going to be in charge someday. I want two-year college, helping anticipate and to know when I die that there are people resolve issues between staff and man- who can make judgments based on evi- agement. He also serves as president of dence and reasoning, not emotional snap the faculty senate. judgments based on what Fox News Steve is a high-energy, jovial guy who says. If you can energize and engage exchanges good-natured banter with your brain in thinking and learning skills, nearly every student he encounters in you’ll be better at every aspect of life. the halls at Helena College. He is pas- I’m not turning out writers and jour- sionately serious about their education, nalists, but I hope I’m turning out people Steve Lewis at Helena College though. Here’s what else we learned who are better off after taking my class. about Steve Lewis: What I love about the job: Inter- I see the same 15 staff members show What I do and why it matters: I actions with students, seeing the light up for everything. We’re all stretched so tell my students I’m a salesman, selling bulbs pop. Interacting with really good thin, but if you’re not going to be part them something they don’t want to buy: colleagues. of the solution, don’t complain to me writing. The better you can communi- Toughest part of the job: When my about the problem. cate in the written word, the better off desire for my students’ education out- Why I belong to MEA-MFT: If you’ll be in this world. I try to get them weighs theirs—that’s frustrating. When you’re not part of the process, you deny your ability to effect positive change. What I do for fun: My wife and I Coming soon: A new look for our union newsletter... like to hike and cook. We enjoy our dog, a Norwegian elkhound rescue dog. We love to travel, mostly for concerts. Music is my escape. Good book I’ve read lately: Irratio- ELIZA WILEY IR PHOTO nal Man by William Barrett. I’m looking to develop an Intro to Existentialism class. I’m also re-reading Fear and Loath- ing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. Thanks, Steve, to you and your col- leagues for doing Work that Matters for Montana’s students and our future! 