Editorial Support for Education Funding and Ethics Reform

The Salt Lake Tribune has published two recent editorials that you may want to read. The first is from Sunday, November 8 in support of funding for education.

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_13732217

The second is regarding ethics reform from Monday, November 9.

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_13745592

Both of these call for action by the legislature during the upcoming session.

Please share these links with others who might be interested.

Meet Executive Board Member Andrew Owens

"I am a Speech-Language Pathologist in my 6th year at Davis, and in my second year as a DEA executive board member. I am really enjoying the service I am able to give to my students in my work, and to my peers and fellow DEA members. Helping each other and sharing information and opportunities that can improve life is my great privilege. I believe that being a member of professional organizations and helping to further their agendas in a great way to improve myself as a person and as an educator. I enjoy the being involved in and supporting good causes, and I enjoy feeling that I have something important to care about.

I have a great personal interest in the quality of education for children. Clinton has been my home for the past 5 years, since moving from Las Vegas, where I taught middle-school choir, orchestra, Mariachi, general music, and where I went back to school. My wife is a music teacher, and my three kids are attending Davis County schools. I hope that their peers, colleagues, and teachers will be as committed to improving their educational and social environments by working for the best things in life."

You can email Andrew at waowens@dsdmail.net.

Retirement at Risk

We have an assignment for you. Will you make a phone call or send an email to a legislator before next Thursday? It couldn’t be more important. Your retirement is at stake. Here’s the background:

The Utah State Legislative Retirement Committee is meeting next Thursday, November 12, to consider possible changes to the state retirement system for teachers and other state employees.

Dramatic changes are on the table, including switching all current, or all future state employees from a guaranteed retirement (Defined Benefit) to a variable retirement (Defined Contribution), in which the state would place a lower percentage of the employees salary in a 401k, and the employee’s retirement would be solely dependent on their skill and luck in where they invested that money, when they moved the money, and swings in the stock market, and the U.S. and world economy.

Other possible changes to the Utah Retirement System that are being discussed:

- Suspend or lower the 1.5 percent contribution to 401(k) or 403(b);
- Suspend or lower post-retiree employees’ (“double dippers”) contribution to 401(k) or 403(b);
- Extend the final average salary period (from the current three years to perhaps five years or more), thereby slightly reducing the retirement benefit;
- Increase the vesting period (i.e.: from four years to six years);
- Put a minimum age condition on the 30-year benefit (there is currently no minimum retirement age if you have 30 years in URS);
- Partial benefit payments until certain age (phase retirement);
- Reduce the multiplier from 2 percent of the final salary to 1.9 percent for each year worked;
- Require all new employees to participate in a defined-contribution system 401(k) or 403 (b);
- Reduce post-retirement benefits.

DEA Members should have received an email with instructions for contacting legislators. If you did not receive an email, please contact the DEA Office and we will send another.

Bond Proposal Passes With Strong Support

The Davis School District Bond passed with over 60% of those voting casting ballots of support. DEA officers and staff have devoted a great deal of time to supporting the district informational meetings in schools and around the community. It was believed the bond would have widespread support among voters, but there has also been concern that the ballot language could be confusing. Thanks to all who spread the word to neighbors and friends about the need for the bond and helped voters to understand the ballot language.

Let the construction begin!

Meet Executive Board Member Candace Peters

"I have been part of the Davis School District since 1976! I taught First Grade for twelve wonderful years at Farmington and Oak Hills Elementary. Our family moved to Boston in 1988 and I was able to spend the next ten years at home with our boys and volunteering in their classrooms. Twelve years ago I returned full time to the classroom, earning my Master's Degree and becoming National Board Certified. I currently teach the Sixth Grade Spectrum class at Centerville Elementary.

Membership in our professional association is very important to me. I believe that it enriches and strengthens my position as a professional educator. As a member of the DEA Executive Board I have had the opportunity to work closely with many school representatives and have brought the concerns of their schools and faculties to the attention of the board and our local Uniserve. I hope to be able to continue to serve our members in this capacity in the future."

You can email Candace at CPETERS@dsdmail.net

Meet Vice President and Executive Board Member Don Paver

Don is a fifth grade teacher at Columbia Elementary. Don has been teaching in Davis for 13 years and first joined the association as a student at Weber State. Don has a wide variety of service to the association and the district.

“I am interested in the need to see DEA and UEA become more proactive. We need to be ahead of controversy and better plan for change. We also need to develop a better system of recognizing the good things the association and its members do.
I bring eight years of professional public relations and marketing experience to teaching. I ran for public office in Salt Lake twice. I chaired three of the largest political conventions in the State of Utah. I am a recognized as an in-service and professional development presenter within the District, State and on a national level (UCTM and NCTM). I served on the Utah Council of Teacher of Mathematics Board for six years as the Public Relations Chair. I have been and continue to serve on several state assessment committees.”

You can email Don at DPAVER@dsdmail.net

Hello from NEA Headquarters

I am spending eight days at NEA Headquarters in Washington DC learning the ins and outs of Uniserv work. I am in a training session for new Uniserv Directors from all over the country, from coast to coast - including Hawaii. NEA feels strongly that it is important to support my work for you with training during my first year as your Uniserv Director. It is interesting to hear stories from locals from around the country. There are many things we all share, but also many things that are very different from local to local. All are concerned about bargaining, advocacy, political action and the many other things that I now know are a part of daily life for Uniserv Directors.

Even while I am here, I am keeping in touch with the DEA Office. I have spoken with both Susan and Joel and will arrive home in time to hear the results of the bond election. Remember to get out and vote next Tuesday or get to an early polling location today or tomorrow. I know you all realize how important this bond is and will get out and vote yourselves and explain the importance of the bond to family and friends.

Thanks for this opportunity to work on your behalf. I am looking forward to getting back to the office next Wednesday.