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Marysville Education Association

523 Delta Avenue, Marysville, Washington, 360.659.8666, Fax 360.659.4441, e-mail: mea@premier1.net, web site: www.marysvilleteachers.net

FEBRUARY 10, 2010

Court Rules that State is Violating its Paramount Duty to Fully Fund Basic Education!
By Arden Watson, MEA President

On February 3, Judge John Erlick ruled in NEWS' (Network for Excellence in Washington Schools) favor on all elements of our suit against the State of Washington. The court declared the State out of compliance with the Constitution and ordered the Legislature to determine the actual costs of providing an ample education for all K-12 students and to determine a stable and reliable source of funding.

“This court is left with no doubt that under the State’s current financing system the State is failing in its constitutional duty,” writes Erlick.  This decision is a victory for every public school and household in Washington.  The ruling by Erlick is straightforward – the state Constitution means what it says and the court has ordered the State to do what it should have been doing for decades.  “Paramount”, “ample” and “all” mean just that – not “important”, “barely enough”, and “most”.  The State must put students first, must provide for them amply, and must do this so that every child can learn.  The court also firmly established that ‘basic education’ is not whatever funding formula lawmakers might choose to adopt during each legislative session, but the knowledge and skills that students need to live and work in today’s world and to participate meaningfully in our democracy.

So what does this all mean, in our current economic climate?  State funding for public schools has been inadequate for decades (even during years when revenue was high), and the  proposed state budget  cuts in basic  education will make  things worse.  Current budget
proposals would cut another $400 million from Washington’s public schools.  Judge Erlick stated that the State has “no discretion” about how and when to comply with the Constitution.  Further cuts this session would be in direct violation of this court ruling.

The NEWS coalition, which is made up of education associations, school districts, and community groups, will hold the legislature and Governor accountable to uphold the Constitution.  Members of each organization should stay in touch with their legislators about what it will take to fully fund basic education.  The Marysville Education Association and Marysville School District joined NEWS in 2008, and WEA members contributed towards the cost of this court case through a special dues assessment a few years ago. 

For additional information on NEWS, go to www.waschoolexcellence.org or www.washingtonea.org.  

MEA IS MOVING!
After 22 years in our current office on Delta Avenue, the MEA is moving to a larger office.  About a year and a half ago Rep Council authorized the Executive Board to begin searching for a new office (lease or purchase), but costs were too high.  In December the search began again, and we were able to find an excellent property to purchase, within our budget.  We will take possession of the property on February 15.

The new office is located at 1927 Fifth Street (located at Fifth and 47th, near Vinaccio Coffee).  Originally a home built in 1947, it was converted to office space a number of years ago, and was completely remodeled in 2002.  After some minor repairs, paint and cleaning, we expect to move sometime in March.  We are planning an open house once we are settled, details to come.

UPCOMING DEADLINES FOUND IN THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

• February 16: Verification of Experience for Retention Form due to Coleen Eastham in HR
  
• March 1: Professional Improvement Leave requests (an unpaid leave request to further your education or professional experience)
  
• March 1: Voluntary transfer requests (form sent electronically to all members from Coleen Eastham in HR)
  
• March 15: Seniority list published.  This list is based on information generated after certificated employees return the Verification of Experience for Retention form.
  
• April 1: Employees on leaves (other than medical) must inform the District of their intent for the coming school year
  
• May 1: District Discretionary Leave requests (generally an unpaid leave request for one year)
  
• May 1: Determination of special education staffing for the following school year
  
• May 1: Should the Labor Management Committee recommend a change in teacher leadership positions to the membership, the ratification and conclusion of process must be completed by May 1.
  
• June 30: Supply and material budgets must be spent and submitted for reimbursement for 2009-10.
  
• July 1: Request to be released from contract with MSD.

2009-2010 MEA EXECUTIVE BOARD

President	-	Arden Watson
Vice President	-	Randy Davis
Secretary	-	Ramona Wolfkill-Hoff
Treasurer	-	Nancy Mullins
Elementary (1)	-	Carol Beyer
Elementary (2)	-	Cathy Elkington
Secondary (1)	-	Becky Roberts
Secondary (2)	-	Sherri Vaughan
Special Ed Chair	-	Marj Njaa
Specialists Chair	-	Jill Garcia

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