Email Archive

Act 34 Public Hearing For Building Project

Fellow AAEA Members,

As you may have heard, the district is holding a public meeting this Wednesday night at 7 PM in the board room for the sake of public comment on the proposed high school building project.  Most public comment thus far has been of a negative nature.  We as a union have not taken an official stance on the project because there are members of our association who are both for and against the project.  The AAEA leadership did not feel that it would be appropriate for the organization to speak out for this reason.  However, there is no reason why individual teachers cannot express their opinion.  Regardless of what the vocal minority has been saying, I feel that the public as a whole may be in favor of the project and may want to hear the professional opinion of those who are responsible for the education of the young people of the community.

If you have strong feelings about the educational benefit of the building project, I would encourage you to attend the meeting this Wednesday night and voice that opinion.  The overcrowding in the elementary schools is a serious issue for our students, and something must be done to alleviate it.  The opportunities available to our secondary students should be appropriate to prepare them for an ever-evolving workforce.  While we may have personal reasons why we might not favor a change to the status quo, we have a responsibility as educators to do what is best for our students.

If you decide to go to the meeting and speak, you will be afforded three minutes.  You will not be asked questions by the board or others in attendance.  That is not the protocol for this forum.  Even if you are not a resident of the school district, you are permitted to speak as a teacher in the school district.

If you feel strongly but cannot attend, you still may be able to make a difference.  During Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday at the high school, I encouraged parents to attend the meeting.  After all, their children will be among those that benefit from the project, no matter what level.  I know that many of you use communication methods such as Remind 101 to keep parents informed.  Why not send a message home using one of these methods to encourage parents to attend the meeting and speak out?

Again, I am aware that not everyone is on board with the idea of a new school building project.  The AAEA will not be taking a public stance.  Nothing should keep you as an individual teacher or parent from voicing your opinion on the matter, however.

In solidarity,

Doug

Announcements

Sick Leave Bank Enrollment Begins

It is time once again for open enrollment in the Sick Leave Bank (SLB).  Remember, if you have enrolled in the past, you are a member until you leave the district.  There is no need to enroll each year.  Attached, you will find the guidelines of the SLB and the enrollment form.  You must return the form to the AAEA office by the last day of September.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Sick Leave Bank Guidelines_rev_8-11-16_44502_1

AAEA SLB Enrollment Form_44502_2

Announcements

Free Dinner Anyone?

If you would like a free dinner at Marzoni’s in Greenwood, read on.

On Monday, February 6, staff members from the PSEA Central Region Office in State College are hosting a gathering at Marzoni’s in Greenwood.  They are interested in finding out what you want from PSEA and AAEA.  They are looking for two members-at-large from each of the local school districts to share their thoughts in an open discussion.  They are looking for folks who are not otherwise involved in the regular business of the association.  You won’t have to prepare a speech.  Just enjoy a free meal, listen to the thoughts of other teachers from the area, and share what ideas you might have.

If you are interested, e-mail me ASAP.  The first two volunteers that fit the mold will be in.

In solidarity,

Doug

Announcements

Thinking Of Retirement?

For some of us, retirement is right around the corner.  If this is you, it is never too early to start preparing.  PSEA Central Region is hosting a pre-retirement seminar on Saturday, February 18, at the Ramada in State College.  It is recommended that if you are thinking about retirement in the next five years, you should attend this session.  Topics covered will include healthcare, wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and other legal planning documents.  Your options through PSERS will be explained as well.  The program lasts all day, from 8 AM until 3 PM, with both breakfast and lunch being served on site.  The total cost is $25.  To register on-line, follow the link below.  If you would like me to send you a registration form, let me know.

https://psea.org/apps/events/default.aspx?confId=187

Announcements

Don’t Pack Away That Jersey Yet!

A special dress down day is approaching.  We are trying to raise funds for the various community outreach programs sponsored by our cluster of PSEA’s Central Region.  At the same time, we would like to send a message of accepance and tolerance for all of our students, no matter what their background and current situation might be.

On Thursday, January 19, “Everybody Counts Day” will take place throughout all buildings in the district.  All employees will have the opportunity to donate $3 in order to take part in the event.  You may either wear your normal dress down day attire or, to express the theme of the day, a numbered shirt or jersey (get it? – everybody counts).  So, just when you thought that you had to put that Penn State jersey away until next season, you have a reason to don it once again.

Specific directions for each building will be forthcoming from your AAEA building rep or your principal.

Also, although we are not collecting money from students, we would like to encourage all of our students to take part in the event as well.  They can express the theme of “Everybody Counts” by wearing their favorite jersey to school that day.

PSEA Central Region Cluster II has done a great deal of good for our local communities in the past few years, and your support of this event will help that effort to continue.

Announcements

Do You Want To Earn An Extra $12,000 Per Year?

So, did that get your attention?  If you are a new member and you want an extra $12,000 per year, read on.

New hires to the district are getting a notice from PSERS that they need to make a decision.  You must decide whether to pay 7.5% into retirement to establish the 2.0 multiplier for your pension or pay close to 11% into retirement to establish the 2.5 multiplier for your pension.

I know that retirement is a long way away for you – 35 years for most of you.  However, if you work for 35 years and earn an average salary of $70,000 over the last three years of your career, you will make $12,000 more per year with the 2.5 multiplier.  That means that you would make about $61,500 per year instead of $49,000 per year.

Is an extra 3-4% per year now worth an extra 25% per year later?  You only get one chance at making this decision – NO BACKSIES!

If you have any questions, please contact me, but don’t take this decision lightly.  You may even want to talk to a financial planner.  We can suggest a few if you need it.

Announcements

Sick Leave Bank Deductions

Season’s greetings to all.  One more week to go before you all get a much-deserved respite.  Keep the fire burning!

The purpose for this e-mail is to inform anyone within the first three years of membership to the AAEA Sick Leave Bank that your one-day donation due this year was removed yesterday.  So, if your balance does not seem right when you get your paystub today, this could be the reason.  This deduction may not appear until the next pay period, but I wanted to give you a heads up.

Announcements

Tell Our Senators That Betsy DeVos Is Unqualified For Secretary Of Education

Dear members,

President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education is troubling. DeVos is a well-known tuition voucher supporter and billionaire political donor. She is unqualified for this position.

Betsy DeVos:

  • supports tuition vouchers
  • promotes initiatives that divert funding from public schools
  • has no experience with public education 

Please contact Sen. Bob Casey and Sen. Pat Toomey TODAY, and tell them to vote “no” on Betsy DeVos’ nomination for Secretary of Education.

Thank you for speaking up for our schools, our students, and our profession.

Announcements

NEA Voting

It is that time of year to vote for Central Region delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly.  This year’s RA is in Boston in July.  You should have gotten an e-mail from PSEA president Jerry Oleksiak.  The process is easy and takes very little time.  Please take a moment to vote for your Altoona brothers and sisters.  If we are elected, our expenses will be covered by PSEA.  If we aren’t elected, the PSEA funds will go to send others to Boston.  You may also wish to support the delegate from Hollidaysburg – Todd Russell.  We work very closely with Todd.  Thanks for your time and happy voting!