When Payback Really Matters… Restore Prop. 98 Funding

Your help is needed to restore at least $9.3 billion in desperately needed Proposition 98 funding. Both the state Senate and the Assembly are expected to vote as early as Tuesday, June 23, on a budget compromise crafted by a two-house budget conference committee.

• Contact your state Senator and Assembly Member right now to urge them to vote for the public school repayment in the conferees’ budget compromise.
• Contact Gov. Schwarzenegger and urge him to sign the compromise plan.

May Revise Means More Cuts For Schools

Beyond the $11.6 billion in cuts made to schools and colleges in February’s budget, the governor’s May Revise cuts an additional $1.6 billion this year and another $4.6 billion in the new fiscal year starting July 1. CTA says cuts alone won’t close the deficit. There must be additional revenues, flexibility and legislative and state budget reform.

• Proposed Education Cuts Will Bankrupt Future of 9.8 Million California Students
• May Revision 2009
• Frustrated South Pasadena elementary students send the governor a budget message in a song… watch the video.

Summer RIF’s… Can It Happen To Me?

The unprecedented $11.6 billion in cuts to public schools due to the state’s budget deficit and possibly $6 billion more this year school districts can proceed with a second round of layoffs of certificated employees.

• What if there is a second round of layoffs?
• Getting ready for a second round of layoffs

If you were served with a Notice of Intended Dismissal or RIF, you are entitled to a hearing upon request.

• Instructions for Teachers Served With Summer Layoff Notices

If you were laid off, find out how to maintain your health insurance, obtain unemployment, and what your rehire rights are.

• CTA Layoff Survival Guide

This will help new teachers who get RIF’d and need to complete the induction process to clear their credentials.

• BTSA (Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment) Program Requirements and Funding Flexibility

Other Things Worth Noting…

CTA Summer Conferences!

• Presidents Conference - July 20-24, 2009.
  Asilomar Conference Grounds in Monterey.
• New, returning and community college presidents will have electives to enhance their skills as president.

• Summer Institute - August 2-7, 2009.
  UCLA Campus
• There will be three strands of instruction (Communication, Instruction and Professional Development and Negotiations and Organizational Development) that span the entire week.
• There will be six strands of instruction (Healthcare Benefits, Legal, Member Benefits and Community Outreach) that are partial week sessions.

Professional Growth credit will be available at no cost and will be awarded following each conference. University credit will be available through the CSU Chico Department of Education. Units will vary per conference.

Support Health Care Reform

More than 47 million people, including 6.6 million in California, don’t have health insurance. That’s why CTA and NEA are working with a broad coalition of organizations to support affordable, quality health care for all as President Obama rolls out his plan.

• Visit the Health Care Action Center
• www.nea.org
• Contact your Member of Congress
• Organize a National Health Care Day of Service event in your local area
• Write a letter to the Editor on health care reform
• Share your health care story, join the blog

• Find out more about CTA’s Teachers for Healthy Kids Program
• Learn more about California Healthy Families
• Learn about the Healthy Air, Healthy Kids Project

“A Fit Body Means A Fit Mind”
Edutopia Magazine, June 4, 2009

“83-Year Old To Get Diploma 67 Years After Dropping Out”
Lexington Herald-Leader, June 3, 2009

“Pleasanton Student Wins $175,000 For Science Experiment”
Contra CostaTimes, June 3, 2009

“Student Suicides Spur Schools To Confront Issue”
Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2009

“Bayview Class Overcoming Hurdles 13 Years Later”(Picture Day Video)
San Francisco Chronicle, May 31, 2009

“Do Teachers Lack Power And Self-Worth?”
Teacher Magazine, May 27, 2009

“Inside Our Schools: An ‘Amazing Race’ Brings Bucks To Bollinger Canyon Elementary”
Contra Costa Times, May 26, 2009

“Healthy School Lunch Efforts Face Daunting Hurdles”
Reuters, May 26, 2009

“Explorer K-8 Art Teacher Opens Her Classroom For Students Before Classes Begin Each Morning”
St. Petersburg Times, May 26, 2009

“Students Get Close-Up Look At Law Enforcement Careers”
Sacramento Bee, May 25, 2009

“Robotics Program Piques Students’ Interest In Science”
Los Angeles Times, May 25, 2009