Early Voting Schedule - Vote Yes on the Bond

Early voting begins Tuesday, October 20. The DEA Executive Board has voted to endorse this bond and encourages a YES vote which on the ballot actually says: “FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS.”

Select this link to find the early voting schedule or contact your local municipal government.
http://www.co.davis.ut.us/clerkauditor/elections/early_vote_schedule.cfm

Meet Executive Board Member Richard Heath

I have taught for 33 years in Davis County, all of them at Central Davis. I have also been a resident of Kaysville for 33 years. I am a graduate of Bountiful High School and later Southern Utah University (then, Southern Utah State College); I have been a member of the United Teaching Profession for 33 years and an Association Representative for about 16 years or so. Recently, I have been a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, UEA House of Delegates, DEA Political Action Committee, and serve as the DEA representative on the UEA Political Action Council.

I am a committed advocate for kids, teachers, and the important role the arts play in education. Our association is the platform to help move these things along. I never thought 33 years ago that I would be so involved in these causes. I can’t stand idly by and see all we have fought for be gradually eroded away. You as committed members of our association need to stand for the principles that have guided in the past and still guide our organization today: “A GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR EVERY CHILD!”

Richard represents the central part of the district. His contact schools are Central Davis Junior, Crestview Elementary, East Layton Elementary, King Elementary, Layton High, Morgan Elementary, and Whiletsides Elementary.

You can email Richard at rheath@dsdmail.net.

Former Davis Educator Mourned

Lynn Wayne Hansen (1922 – 2009) retired in 1990 after 38 years as a principal and classroom teacher, first in Idaho and then in Davis County Schools. Mr. Hansen touched the lives of thousands of students during his career.

See the full obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?n=lynn-hansen&pid=134505769

Petition Drives Explained to Building ARs

At the monthly AR meetings for building reps in Farmington on Monday and Tuesday, Vik Arnold explained the Utahns for Ethical Government initiative drive. Vik is a former DEA President and Uniserv Director as well as the former Director of Government Relations for the UEA. Fair Boundaries spokesman Randy Miller also explained their initiative to the reps. Both Vik and Randy expressed that they believe the initiatives are vital to the future and true representative government in Utah.

Your DEA Executive Board supports both the Government Ethics Reform and the Fair Boundaries initiatives. Both groups are currently seeking signatures. DEA building reps will be bringing petitions back to the schools this week for staff members to sign. Please remember to conduct these drives outside of contract times - at lunch and before and after school. You can also contact DEA to obtain packets to circulate in your communities and to volunteer to help gather signatures at community events, grocery stores, etc.

For more information you can visit these web sites.

http://www.utahnsforethicalgovernment.org/

http://www.fairboundaries.org/

Stuart Wins Grand Prize at UEA Convention

Linda (Tommy) Stuart was the winner of the Bose Wave music system during the UEA Convention. DEA President Susan Firmage presented her with the prize during the Representative Council Meeting on Monday, October 12.

Funding for Instructional Leaders and 6.4 Hours of Prep Time

We have worked out the details for two great programs DEA has negotiated for the benefit of teachers.

Principals will be receiving information today regarding the money for Instructional Leaders set aside during negotiations last spring. The JSSC will need to meet to determine how the money will be used in each school. Watch for information from your Principal, JSSC Chair or DEA Association Rep. Since the Quality Teaching Block Grant was not funded by the legislature, this benefit will need to be revisited during negotiations next spring.

Principals will also be contacting teachers regarding the payroll procedures for reporting the 6.4 hours of teacher prep time outside of contract hours. This is an ongoing provision in our negotiated agreement. Those hours must be worked before the end of October and will be reported in November for payroll. Probably most of you have already gone well beyond that number of hours beyond contract time.

Dee Burningham Receives UEA Honor Roll Award

During the "Superstars in Education" awards banquet last Thursday, former DEA Executive Director Dee Burningham was awarded the UEA Honor Roll award by Mark Mickelsen, UEA Executive Director. Dee has committed his professional and personal life to supporting public schools and teachers. Following his work as Executive Director of the DEA, he worked as Director of Government Relations at UEA. Since retiring he has continued to be involved in politics. His current interest is the Utahns for Ethical Government petition initiative which he is helping to promote throughout the state.