var g_txt=[
{t:"Periodicals",p:1,x:130,y:1483,w:-63,h:16},
{t:"Postage Paid",p:1,x:130,y:1466,w:-77,h:16},
{t:"Lansing, MI",p:1,x:130,y:1450,w:-70,h:16},
{t:"December 2009 | Vol. 87 | Issue 2",p:1,x:37,y:1275,w:269,h:22},
{t:"www.mea.org",p:1,x:1116,y:298,w:101,h:22},
{t:"Fighting",p:1,x:727,y:905,w:519,h:189},
{t:"the fu",p:1,x:833,y:1072,w:404,h:189},
{t:"p. 8",p:1,x:1107,y:1271,w:111,h:100},
{t:"Budget update, p. 12 | ESP member juggles jobs, p. 14",p:1,x:266,y:32,w:722,h:35},
{t:"Create-A-Cover Contest for students, p. 21",p:1,x:358,y:1542,w:540,h:35},
{t:"2 ",p:2,x:37,y:1557,w:15,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:2,x:66,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"Letter to members »",p:2,x:186,y:60,w:616,h:99},
{t:"from the executive office",p:2,x:37,y:31,w:267,h:35},
{t:"Dear Members,",p:2,x:195,y:182,w:116,h:21},
{t:"The frst few months of school should be a time of great anticipation and optimism—but this year that excitement has",p:2,x:195,y:207,w:880,h:21},
{t:"been overshadowed by the chaos and uncertainty of the budget battle in Lansing. Politicians have waged war over fund",p:2,x:186,y:232,w:895,h:21},
{t:"-",p:2,x:1061,y:232,w:5,h:21},
{t:"ing for public education, and our children quickly became the pawns in a struggle that seems to happen year after year",p:2,x:186,y:257,w:895,h:21},
{t:".",p:2,x:1059,y:257,w:4,h:21},
{t:"The time has come for this to end. The instability",p:2,x:195,y:282,w:367,h:21},
{t:", the political posturing, the constant cuts and expectation that",p:2,x:570,y:282,w:469,h:21},
{t:"schools can provide the same programs with dwindling dollars—they must stop. W",p:2,x:186,y:307,w:620,h:21},
{t:"e can no longer afford to piece -",p:2,x:820,y:307,w:241,h:21},
{t:"meal our students’ futures. It’ s time to make education a priority here in Michigan.",p:2,x:186,y:332,w:622,h:21},
{t:"It’s time for fundamental change in the way we fund our public schools.",p:2,x:195,y:357,w:538,h:21},
{t:"For too long, we’ve relied on a diminishing revenue system that is remarkably unstable. W",p:2,x:195,y:382,w:672,h:21},
{t:"e require our schools ",p:2,x:884,y:382,w:166,h:21},
{t:"to come up with frm operating budgets in June, only to have lawmakers bicker right up to—or past—the October",p:2,x:186,y:407,w:850,h:21},
{t:"deadline, and even then the outcome isn’t fnal. As we saw this year",p:2,x:186,y:432,w:509,h:21},
{t:", the cuts can come long after the last budget",p:2,x:706,y:432,w:341,h:21},
{t:"deal is struck.",p:2,x:186,y:457,w:104,h:21},
{t:"The reason is clear: the way we fund public education in Michigan is broken. It’",p:2,x:195,y:482,w:596,h:21},
{t:"s based on an antiquated tax sys -",p:2,x:806,y:482,w:258,h:21},
{t:"tem that can’t survive in a 21st century economy . And for public education to survive—for us to survive—we must",p:2,x:186,y:507,w:863,h:21},
{t:"change that.",p:2,x:186,y:532,w:94,h:21},
{t:"The MEA is asking legislators to take a look at closing tax loopholes and ending incentives that don’t bring jobs",p:2,x:195,y:557,w:828,h:21},
{t:"to our state. We’re advocating for greater transparency so we can fgure out which tax abatements really bring",p:2,x:186,y:582,w:823,h:21},
{t:"economic prosperity and which ones give big breaks with no return. W",p:2,x:186,y:607,w:528,h:21},
{t:"e also believe lawmakers need to revisit the",p:2,x:726,y:607,w:324,h:21},
{t:"source of education tax dollars. W e need to draw revenue from sectors of our economy with potential for growth,",p:2,x:186,y:632,w:847,h:21},
{t:"not areas that are wildly unpredictable. In short, we need solutions that look to our future and not to the past.",p:2,x:186,y:657,w:817,h:21},
{t:"In this issue, you will read about the H1N1 fu virus, which has already hit many of our schools very hard. You’ll see ",p:2,x:195,y:682,w:870,h:21},
{t:"how districts and our members have a plan of action—and are ready to combat this serious problem with practical, ",p:2,x:186,y:707,w:868,h:21},
{t:"thoughtful preparations. We must take the same approach to education funding. We need to plan and be considerate ",p:2,x:186,y:732,w:885,h:21},
{t:"and careful in the solutions we come up with. We must scrutinize every dollar we offer in incentives and make sure ",p:2,x:186,y:757,w:866,h:21},
{t:"our state benefts in return. And we need to fnd new ways to solve what has become a problem we cannot ignore.",p:2,x:186,y:782,w:856,h:21},
{t:"Education funding in Michigan is in a crisis. And it’",p:2,x:195,y:807,w:382,h:21},
{t:"s up to us—all of us who value public schools—to plan for real",p:2,x:586,y:807,w:470,h:21},
{t:"solutions. ",p:2,x:186,y:832,w:76,h:21},
{t:"1 More than 400 MEA members and their ",p:2,x:785,y:905,w:286,h:24},
{t:"families participated in the Detroit ",p:2,x:809,y:932,w:233,h:21},
{t:"Labor Day Parade and Mackinac Bridge ",p:2,x:809,y:957,w:263,h:21},
{t:"Walk. Here, members who attended the ",p:2,x:809,y:982,w:261,h:21},
{t:"parade pose for a photo.",p:2,x:809,y:1007,w:160,h:21},
{t:"2 Left to right, Bay City Education ",p:2,x:785,y:1030,w:238,h:24},
{t:"Association President Kevin Stapish, ",p:2,x:809,y:1057,w:245,h:21},
{t:"teacher Matthew Reid, and MEA ",p:2,x:809,y:1082,w:214,h:21},
{t:"UniServ director Saun Strobel. Reid ",p:2,x:809,y:1107,w:235,h:21},
{t:"won a National Milken Educator Award ",p:2,x:809,y:1132,w:258,h:21},
{t:"this year.",p:2,x:809,y:1157,w:59,h:21},
{t:"3 Members who attended the Mackinac ",p:2,x:785,y:1180,w:274,h:24},
{t:"Bridge Walk.",p:2,x:809,y:1207,w:82,h:21},
{t:"Iris K. Salters",p:2,x:37,y:355,w:82,h:17},
{t:"President",p:2,x:37,y:373,w:56,h:17},
{t:"Steven B. Cook",p:2,x:37,y:537,w:91,h:17},
{t:"Vice President",p:2,x:37,y:554,w:86,h:17},
{t:"Peggy McLellan",p:2,x:37,y:720,w:95,h:17},
{t:"Secretary-Treasurer",p:2,x:37,y:737,w:115,h:17},
{t:"COUR",p:2,x:755,y:1233,w:0,h:13},
{t:"TESY PHOTO",p:2,x:755,y:1205,w:0,h:13},
{t:"On the go",p:2,x:236,y:1141,w:0,h:89},
{t:"Photo contest!",p:2,x:37,y:1304,w:124,h:25},
{t:"Enter to win  ",p:2,x:37,y:1332,w:80,h:21},
{t:"prizes. Details ",p:2,x:37,y:1354,w:90,h:21},
{t:"at www.mea.org/",p:2,x:37,y:1377,w:103,h:21},
{t:"contests.",p:2,x:37,y:1399,w:54,h:21},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:2,x:579,y:1533,w:0,h:13},
{t:"COUR",p:2,x:1067,y:1533,w:0,h:13},
{t:"TESY PHOTO",p:2,x:1067,y:1505,w:0,h:13},
{t:"1",p:2,x:740,y:892,w:10,h:22},
{t:"2",p:2,x:564,y:1256,w:10,h:22},
{t:"3",p:2,x:1053,y:1256,w:10,h:22},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:3,x:1096,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"3",p:3,x:1208,y:1557,w:9,h:21},
{t:"what’s inside for you",p:3,x:986,y:31,w:221,h:34},
{t:"« Contents",p:3,x:740,y:60,w:329,h:99},
{t:"Executive Director » Lu Battaglieri",p:3,x:186,y:1433,w:182,h:16},
{t:"Director of Communications » Doug Pratt",p:3,x:186,y:1450,w:220,h:16},
{t:"Editor » Karen Schulz",p:3,x:186,y:1466,w:114,h:16},
{t:"Communications Consultant » Rosemary Carey",p:3,x:186,y:1483,w:251,h:16},
{t:"Media Relations Specialist » Kerry Birmingham",p:3,x:186,y:1500,w:252,h:16},
{t:"Publications Specialist » Shantell Coats Crispin",p:3,x:186,y:1516,w:256,h:16},
{t:"Proofreader-Graphics Editor » Sue Garyet",p:3,x:186,y:1533,w:219,h:16},
{t:"The MEA Voice ISSN 1077-4564 is an offcial publication of the Michigan Education Association, 1216 Kendale ",p:3,x:483,y:1401,w:589,h:17},
{t:"Blvd., East Lansing, MI 48823. Opinions stated in the MEA Voice do not necessarily refect the offcial position of the ",p:3,x:483,y:1420,w:589,h:17},
{t:"MEA unless so identifed. Published by Michigan Education Association, Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573. ",p:3,x:483,y:1439,w:589,h:17},
{t:"Periodicals postage paid at East Lansing and additional mailing offces. Payment of the active membership fee ",p:3,x:483,y:1458,w:589,h:17},
{t:"entitles a member to receive the MEA Voice. Of each annual fee whether for active or affliate membership, $12.93 is ",p:3,x:483,y:1476,w:589,h:17},
{t:"for a year’s subscription. Frequency of issue is bimonthly. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the MEA Voice, Box ",p:3,x:483,y:1495,w:589,h:17},
{t:"2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573 or via e-mail at webmaster@mea.org . Allow at least three weeks for change of ",p:3,x:483,y:1514,w:589,h:17},
{t:"address to take effect. MEA Voice telephone: 517-332-6551 or 800-292-1934. Circulation this issue: 160,422.",p:3,x:483,y:1533,w:559,h:17},
{t:"12",p:3,x:222,y:1001,w:111,h:119},
{t:"8",p:3,x:717,y:1001,w:55,h:119},
{t:"14",p:3,x:196,y:1306,w:83,h:89},
{t:"19",p:3,x:494,y:1306,w:83,h:89},
{t:"22",p:3,x:982,y:1306,w:83,h:89},
{t:"In every issue",p:3,x:632,y:229,w:117,h:25},
{t:"Editor’s note, 4",p:3,x:632,y:257,w:112,h:21},
{t:"10 fast reads, 6",p:3,x:632,y:282,w:117,h:21},
{t:"Member voice, 13",p:3,x:632,y:307,w:136,h:21},
{t:"Member profle, 14",p:3,x:632,y:332,w:144,h:21},
{t:"Generation next, 22",p:3,x:632,y:357,w:148,h:21},
{t:"On the cover",p:3,x:632,y:404,w:108,h:25},
{t:"Fighting the fu, 8",p:3,x:632,y:432,w:132,h:21},
{t:"Budget update, 12",p:3,x:632,y:457,w:141,h:21},
{t:"ESP member juggles jobs, 14",p:3,x:632,y:482,w:221,h:21},
{t:"Create-A-Cover Contest for students, 21",p:3,x:632,y:507,w:298,h:21},
{t:"More inside",p:3,x:632,y:554,w:100,h:25},
{t:"HB 5345 update, 5",p:3,x:632,y:582,w:146,h:21},
{t:"Association buzz, 16",p:3,x:632,y:607,w:155,h:21},
{t:"Your money, 20",p:3,x:632,y:632,w:117,h:21},
{t:"Classifeds, 21",p:3,x:632,y:657,w:108,h:21},
{t:"Periodicals",p:3,x:224,y:641,w:-20,h:5},
{t:"Postage Paid",p:3,x:224,y:636,w:-24,h:5},
{t:"Lansing, MI",p:3,x:224,y:630,w:-22,h:5},
{t:"December 2009 | Vol. 87 | Issue 2",p:3,x:195,y:575,w:84,h:7},
{t:"www.mea.org",p:3,x:534,y:268,w:32,h:7},
{t:"Fighting",p:3,x:412,y:459,w:154,h:59},
{t:"the flu",p:3,x:445,y:511,w:121,h:59},
{t:"p. 8",p:3,x:532,y:574,w:34,h:31},
{t:"Budget update, p. 12 | ESP member juggles jobs, p. 14",p:3,x:267,y:184,w:227,h:11},
{t:"Create-A-Cover Contest for students, p. 21",p:3,x:295,y:659,w:170,h:11},
{t:"Cover photo",p:3,x:898,y:229,w:101,h:25},
{t:"Laurelle Brennan is ",p:3,x:898,y:257,w:151,h:21},
{t:"a registered nurse ",p:3,x:898,y:282,w:140,h:21},
{t:"who works in the Ann ",p:3,x:898,y:307,w:167,h:21},
{t:"Arbor school district. ",p:3,x:898,y:332,w:160,h:21},
{t:"Photo by Rod Sanford.",p:3,x:898,y:357,w:170,h:21},
{t:"4 ",p:4,x:37,y:1557,w:15,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:4,x:66,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"interact with us",p:4,x:37,y:31,w:165,h:35},
{t:"Editor’s note »",p:4,x:186,y:60,w:445,h:99},
{t:"While planning this issue, I asked local association ",p:4,x:186,y:249,w:411,h:61},
{t:"leaders and MEA staff around the state to help me ",p:4,x:228,y:282,w:383,h:21},
{t:"identify an educational support professional who juggles ",p:4,x:186,y:307,w:425,h:21},
{t:"multiple jobs.",p:4,x:186,y:332,w:100,h:21},
{t:"I had hoped to share the story of one member whose ",p:4,x:195,y:357,w:402,h:21},
{t:"professionalism and drive to help students might refect ",p:4,x:186,y:382,w:421,h:21},
{t:"the strong work ethic I’ve seen in so many support staff ",p:4,x:186,y:407,w:419,h:21},
{t:"employees.",p:4,x:186,y:432,w:85,h:21},
{t:"You see, there’s no shortage of bus drivers who double ",p:4,x:195,y:457,w:415,h:21},
{t:"as food servers or paraprofessionals who pull recess duty. ",p:4,x:186,y:482,w:437,h:21},
{t:"There are myriad reasons why support staff employees ",p:4,x:186,y:507,w:415,h:21},
{t:"work multiple jobs—and plenty do it because they love ",p:4,x:186,y:532,w:415,h:21},
{t:"working with students.",p:4,x:186,y:557,w:168,h:21},
{t:"When I asked bus drivers, secretaries, custodians and others who ",p:4,x:195,y:582,w:498,h:21},
{t:"serve in supporting roles why they do what they do, they usually tell ",p:4,x:186,y:607,w:510,h:21},
{t:"me that they love to watch a student grow and learn. They love it ",p:4,x:186,y:632,w:488,h:21},
{t:"when the proverbial light bulb goes off and a student understands ",p:4,x:186,y:657,w:499,h:21},
{t:"something new or discovers something profound.",p:4,x:186,y:682,w:370,h:21},
{t:"I wish I could profle all of the wonderful educational support pro-",p:4,x:195,y:707,w:489,h:21},
{t:"fessionals who work in public schools, but I’m sure I’d never get to ",p:4,x:186,y:732,w:503,h:21},
{t:"them all. For now, I’d like to tell you about Linda Raymond.",p:4,x:186,y:757,w:442,h:21},
{t:"Raymond works at Marion Elementary School, where she is an ",p:4,x:195,y:782,w:474,h:21},
{t:"instructional paraprofessional. She’s also the crossing guard, book ",p:4,x:186,y:807,w:501,h:21},
{t:"fair coordinator, and in charge of the library. In her free time, she’s ",p:4,x:186,y:832,w:502,h:21},
{t:"president of her local association, a wife, mother and grandmother.",p:4,x:186,y:857,w:502,h:21},
{t:"To read what she loves about her work, please fip to page 14.",p:4,x:195,y:882,w:464,h:21},
{t:"Karen Schulz",p:4,x:195,y:957,w:103,h:21},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org",p:4,x:195,y:982,w:137,h:21},
{t:"800-292-1934",p:4,x:195,y:1007,w:114,h:21},
{t:"Come tweet ",p:4,x:39,y:732,w:75,h:21},
{t:"with us—follow ",p:4,x:39,y:754,w:102,h:21},
{t:"MEA on Twitter: ",p:4,x:39,y:777,w:97,h:21},
{t:"www.twitter.com/",p:4,x:39,y:799,w:104,h:21},
{t:"MEAOnline",p:4,x:39,y:822,w:66,h:21},
{t:"Hundreds of MEA members—and others—are fans of ",p:4,x:186,y:1174,w:434,h:61},
{t:"MEA on Facebook. And, there’s a lot of discussion ",p:4,x:222,y:1207,w:382,h:21},
{t:"going on about issues that you care about. Please join ",p:4,x:186,y:1232,w:409,h:21},
{t:"the conversation—it’s free!",p:4,x:186,y:1257,w:199,h:21},
{t:"A sampling of recent comments on MEA ’s Facebook ",p:4,x:195,y:1282,w:396,h:21},
{t:"page (printed with permission):",p:4,x:186,y:1307,w:234,h:21},
{t:"CUTTING JUST DOESN’T CUT IT ANYMORE... WHERE ",p:4,x:186,y:1356,w:437,h:22},
{t:"WILL WE BE NEXT YEAR?",p:4,x:186,y:1379,w:205,h:22},
{t:"Colleen Maki, French and art teacher, Croswell-Lexington ",p:4,x:195,y:1407,w:395,h:22},
{t:"High School: Districts need to look at making cuts at the top, be ",p:4,x:186,y:1432,w:424,h:22},
{t:"it in salaries or positions. While they speak of cutting teachers ",p:4,x:186,y:1457,w:412,h:21},
{t:"and funds for students, some positions at the top continue to ",p:4,x:186,y:1482,w:405,h:21},
{t:"reap fnancial benefts.",p:4,x:186,y:1507,w:150,h:21},
{t:"PROPOSED NONTRADITIONAL ROUTE TO TEACHER ",p:4,x:637,y:1106,w:425,h:22},
{t:"CERTIFICATION, A PLAN TO ADDRESS PURPORTED ",p:4,x:637,y:1129,w:423,h:22},
{t:"TEACHER SHORTAGES IN CERTAIN SUBJECTS:",p:4,x:637,y:1151,w:382,h:22},
{t:"Debra Oosterhart, substitute teacher, adjunct professor at ",p:4,x:646,y:1182,w:400,h:22},
{t:"West Shore Community College: There are teachers who can’t ",p:4,x:637,y:1207,w:413,h:22},
{t:"seem to get into a school district to get a job. Why not make ",p:4,x:637,y:1232,w:395,h:21},
{t:"training available for certifed unemployed teachers frst that ",p:4,x:637,y:1257,w:404,h:21},
{t:"have an interest in science or math?",p:4,x:637,y:1282,w:238,h:21},
{t:"Kelly Fuller Roe, biology teacher, Potterville High School: ",p:4,x:646,y:1307,w:390,h:22},
{t:"Being highly qualifed in subject content does not guarantee one ",p:4,x:637,y:1332,w:425,h:21},
{t:"to be successful in the classroom with students.",p:4,x:637,y:1357,w:316,h:21},
{t:"James Downer, retired teacher now working as an instructor, ",p:4,x:646,y:1382,w:416,h:22},
{t:"Lansing Community College: It’s either really funny or really sad. ",p:4,x:637,y:1407,w:429,h:22},
{t:"All those state and college requirements to defne what a highly ",p:4,x:637,y:1432,w:420,h:21},
{t:"qualifed teacher is and then they want to skip over them for a ",p:4,x:637,y:1457,w:411,h:21},
{t:"fast track (oh sorry, nontraditional route). Talk about the differ-",p:4,x:637,y:1482,w:413,h:21},
{t:"ence between hamburger and steak. ",p:4,x:637,y:1507,w:241,h:21},
{t:"Our letter policy ",p:4,x:37,y:1323,w:100,h:21},
{t:"and advertising ",p:4,x:37,y:1345,w:100,h:21},
{t:"information ",p:4,x:37,y:1368,w:75,h:21},
{t:"are online at ",p:4,x:37,y:1390,w:81,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/voice .",p:4,x:37,y:1413,w:121,h:21},
{t:"Join the ",p:4,x:37,y:422,w:50,h:21},
{t:"conversation! ",p:4,x:37,y:445,w:87,h:21},
{t:"Become a fan of ",p:4,x:37,y:467,w:103,h:21},
{t:"MEA on Facebook: ",p:4,x:37,y:490,w:113,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/",p:4,x:37,y:512,w:86,h:21},
{t:"facebook",p:4,x:37,y:535,w:55,h:21},
{t:"Linda Raymond",p:4,x:972,y:577,w:97,h:22},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:4,x:639,y:556,w:0,h:13},
{t:"MEA Voice wins awards",p:4,x:749,y:621,w:232,h:35},
{t:"We are proud to announce that the MEA Voice ",p:4,x:758,y:657,w:299,h:21},
{t:"recently won two prestigious awards from peer ",p:4,x:749,y:682,w:308,h:21},
{t:"organizations:",p:4,x:749,y:707,w:92,h:21},
{t:" ",p:4,x:749,y:732,w:14,h:22},
{t:"The magazine earned an Award of ",p:4,x:768,y:732,w:225,h:21},
{t:"Distinction in the Best Magazine category in ",p:4,x:768,y:757,w:292,h:21},
{t:"the 2009 State Education Editors contest. ",p:4,x:768,y:782,w:276,h:21},
{t:"Nearly 300 entries were judged by a panel of ",p:4,x:768,y:807,w:294,h:21},
{t:"12 private-sector professionals with exper-",p:4,x:768,y:832,w:280,h:21},
{t:"tise in writing, graphic design, photography, ",p:4,x:768,y:857,w:293,h:21},
{t:"Web design, social networking, advertising ",p:4,x:768,y:882,w:283,h:21},
{t:"and communications.",p:4,x:768,y:907,w:141,h:21},
{t:" ",p:4,x:749,y:932,w:14,h:22},
{t:"The Michigan School Public Relations ",p:4,x:768,y:932,w:248,h:21},
{t:"Association gave its highest honor to the ",p:4,x:768,y:957,w:270,h:21},
{t:"MEA Voice in its annual communications ",p:4,x:768,y:982,w:270,h:21},
{t:"contest. Entries were judged by a panel of ",p:4,x:768,y:1007,w:278,h:21},
{t:"professionals in nonproft and private com-",p:4,x:768,y:1032,w:283,h:21},
{t:"munications and graphic design enterprises.",p:4,x:768,y:1057,w:293,h:21},
{t:"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR »",p:4,x:186,y:1077,w:461,h:60},
{t:" ",p:5,x:1204,y:31,w:6,h:35},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:5,x:1096,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"5",p:5,x:1208,y:1557,w:9,h:21},
{t:"Teacher tells lawmakers to ",p:5,x:236,y:60,w:854,h:99},
{t:"reject House Bill 5345",p:5,x:365,y:152,w:704,h:99},
{t:"Moving testimony highlights ",p:5,x:293,y:269,w:422,h:45},
{t:"need for local control of health ",p:5,x:253,y:314,w:463,h:45},
{t:"insurance ",p:5,x:563,y:359,w:151,h:45},
{t:"HB 5345 update",p:5,x:1042,y:31,w:166,h:35},
{t:"Lori Spotts always considered herself an ",p:5,x:186,y:424,w:277,h:62},
{t:"active person, living a healthy lifestyle.",p:5,x:206,y:457,w:256,h:21},
{t:"Other than minor sports-related injuries ",p:5,x:195,y:482,w:261,h:21},
{t:"over the years and preventive check-ups, ",p:5,x:186,y:507,w:268,h:21},
{t:"the veteran teacher and coach rarely ",p:5,x:186,y:532,w:240,h:21},
{t:"needed to use her health care.",p:5,x:186,y:557,w:197,h:21},
{t:"Everything changed Dec. 22, 2008. That",p:5,x:195,y:582,w:258,h:21},
{t:"was the day a routine mammogram revealed",p:5,x:186,y:607,w:288,h:21},
{t:"a very aggressive form of breast cancer",p:5,x:186,y:632,w:255,h:21},
{t:". ",p:5,x:433,y:632,w:8,h:21},
{t:"Ten months later , Spotts was sitting in ",p:5,x:195,y:657,w:249,h:21},
{t:"the ornate House Appropriations Committee ",p:5,x:186,y:682,w:282,h:21},
{t:"room at the state Capitol, testifying about ",p:5,x:186,y:707,w:271,h:21},
{t:"House Bill 5345, a proposal to force all pub",p:5,x:186,y:732,w:283,h:21},
{t:"-",p:5,x:461,y:732,w:6,h:21},
{t:"lic employees into a state-run health plan.",p:5,x:186,y:757,w:278,h:21},
{t:"“I have read House Bill 5345,” she told ",p:5,x:195,y:782,w:255,h:21},
{t:"lawmakers. “And, honestly and quite ",p:5,x:186,y:807,w:241,h:21},
{t:"frankly, it scares the hell out of me.”",p:5,x:186,y:832,w:238,h:21},
{t:"Spotts, a teacher and union leader in ",p:5,x:195,y:857,w:243,h:21},
{t:"Tecumseh, is one of several thousand MEA ",p:5,x:186,y:882,w:277,h:21},
{t:"members and leaders who contacted their ",p:5,x:186,y:907,w:275,h:21},
{t:"legislators this fall about the proposed law, ",p:5,x:186,y:932,w:284,h:21},
{t:"introduced by House Speaker Andy Dillon, ",p:5,x:186,y:957,w:270,h:21},
{t:"D-Redford Township. A special ",p:5,x:487,y:432,w:200,h:21},
{t:"House panel, the Public Employee ",p:5,x:487,y:457,w:220,h:21},
{t:"Health Care Reform Committee, ",p:5,x:487,y:482,w:208,h:21},
{t:"held several public hearings in ",p:5,x:487,y:507,w:203,h:21},
{t:"Lansing, including an Oct. 29 ",p:5,x:487,y:532,w:195,h:21},
{t:"meeting that Spotts attended with her MEA ",p:5,x:487,y:557,w:282,h:21},
{t:"UniServ director, Jim Berryman.",p:5,x:487,y:582,w:202,h:21},
{t:"Spotts offered perhaps the most moving ",p:5,x:496,y:607,w:263,h:21},
{t:"personal commentary before the committee ",p:5,x:487,y:632,w:283,h:21},
{t:"to date, describing the fear and physical ",p:5,x:487,y:657,w:265,h:21},
{t:"and emotional turmoil one faces during a ",p:5,x:487,y:682,w:271,h:21},
{t:"life-altering disease or illness.",p:5,x:487,y:707,w:199,h:21},
{t:"“It is a life-changing experience that ",p:5,x:496,y:732,w:242,h:21},
{t:"is diffcult to comprehend unless one ",p:5,x:487,y:757,w:242,h:21},
{t:"has been there,” Spotts said. “I am not ",p:5,x:487,y:782,w:256,h:21},
{t:"certain what the future holds for me, but ",p:5,x:487,y:807,w:267,h:21},
{t:"the health care I may have once taken for ",p:5,x:487,y:832,w:271,h:21},
{t:"granted is the health care that was there ",p:5,x:487,y:857,w:269,h:21},
{t:"for me when I needed it most.”",p:5,x:487,y:882,w:201,h:21},
{t:"After her diagnosis, Spotts had months of ",p:5,x:496,y:907,w:273,h:21},
{t:"tests and procedures, including mammo -",p:5,x:487,y:932,w:267,h:21},
{t:"grams, MRI tests, bone scans, CT scans, ",p:5,x:487,y:957,w:266,h:21},
{t:"biopsies, echocardiograms, x-rays, surgery, ",p:5,x:787,y:557,w:282,h:21},
{t:"reconstructive surgery, 13 rounds of che-",p:5,x:787,y:582,w:264,h:21},
{t:"motherapy, and 35 radiation treatments.",p:5,x:787,y:607,w:265,h:21},
{t:"The treatment plan, Spotts said, was ",p:5,x:797,y:632,w:242,h:21},
{t:"carefully and professionally decided with ",p:5,x:787,y:657,w:268,h:21},
{t:"her physician.",p:5,x:787,y:682,w:91,h:21},
{t:"“There was no place in that room for ",p:5,x:797,y:707,w:239,h:21},
{t:"government—no place for government to ",p:5,x:787,y:732,w:271,h:21},
{t:"dictate what my options may or may not ",p:5,x:787,y:757,w:262,h:21},
{t:"be,” Spotts said. “House Bill 5345 puts ",p:5,x:787,y:782,w:257,h:21},
{t:"government in that room.”",p:5,x:787,y:807,w:172,h:21},
{t:"Further, Spotts said, the scheme takes ",p:5,x:797,y:832,w:251,h:21},
{t:"away the very tool that public employees ",p:5,x:787,y:857,w:265,h:21},
{t:"and public employers have to control health ",p:5,x:787,y:882,w:286,h:21},
{t:"care costs at the local level—collective ",p:5,x:787,y:907,w:259,h:21},
{t:"bargaining.",p:5,x:787,y:932,w:75,h:21},
{t:"Plan would cost ",p:5,x:673,y:994,w:242,h:45},
{t:"$870 million in frst year",p:5,x:673,y:1036,w:369,h:45},
{t:"At press time, the House Public Employee Health Care ",p:5,x:673,y:1074,w:370,h:62},
{t:"Reform Committee was continuing to schedule public ",p:5,x:697,y:1107,w:354,h:21},
{t:"hearings on House Bill 5345, legislation that would create ",p:5,x:673,y:1132,w:384,h:21},
{t:"a mandatory state-run health plan for public employees. ",p:5,x:673,y:1157,w:373,h:21},
{t:"Also known as the Michigan Health Benefts Program, ",p:5,x:683,y:1182,w:354,h:21},
{t:"the legislation would eliminate your right to collectively ",p:5,x:673,y:1207,w:365,h:21},
{t:"bargain the details of your health insurance plan. A panel ",p:5,x:673,y:1232,w:382,h:21},
{t:"of political appointees would decide what types of cover-",p:5,x:673,y:1257,w:371,h:21},
{t:"age to offer public employees, including those who work in ",p:5,x:673,y:1282,w:386,h:21},
{t:"public education. MEA strongly opposes House Bill 5345.",p:5,x:673,y:1307,w:370,h:21},
{t:"A study commission by the Citizens for Accountability in ",p:5,x:683,y:1332,w:359,h:21},
{t:"Reform, a coalition of labor groups (including MEA) and ",p:5,x:673,y:1357,w:358,h:21},
{t:"others concerned about the proposal, found that House Bill ",p:5,x:673,y:1382,w:378,h:21},
{t:"5345 would cost $870 million in the frst year. It also found ",p:5,x:673,y:1407,w:379,h:21},
{t:"that public school beneft costs actually declined in 2007-",p:5,x:673,y:1432,w:381,h:21},
{t:"08, and that “standardization” of benefts is nothing more",p:5,x:673,y:1457,w:382,h:21},
{t:"than a poor synonym for reduced benefts and/or increased ",p:5,x:673,y:1482,w:378,h:21},
{t:"employee cost-sharing.",p:5,x:673,y:1507,w:152,h:21},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:5,x:197,y:1533,w:0,h:13},
{t:"Lori Spotts and ",p:5,x:1087,y:457,w:100,h:22},
{t:"her MEA UniServ ",p:5,x:1087,y:479,w:109,h:22},
{t:"director, Jim ",p:5,x:1087,y:502,w:83,h:22},
{t:"Berryman.",p:5,x:1087,y:524,w:67,h:22},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:5,x:1067,y:535,w:0,h:13},
{t:"To read the report ",p:5,x:1111,y:1132,w:111,h:21},
{t:"and to learn about ",p:5,x:1105,y:1154,w:117,h:21},
{t:"the latest news ",p:5,x:1125,y:1177,w:97,h:21},
{t:"developments on ",p:5,x:1115,y:1199,w:107,h:21},
{t:"House Bill 5345, go ",p:5,x:1099,y:1222,w:123,h:21},
{t:"to www.mea.org/gov .",p:5,x:1092,y:1244,w:126,h:21},
{t:"continued on p. 12",p:5,x:858,y:960,w:143,h:21},
{t:"On the Web",p:5,x:1118,y:1329,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.accountability ",p:5,x:1100,y:1357,w:121,h:21},
{t:"inreform.com",p:5,x:1138,y:1379,w:82,h:21},
{t:"6 ",p:6,x:37,y:1557,w:15,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:6,x:66,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"10 fast reads »",p:6,x:186,y:60,w:470,h:99},
{t:"in brief",p:6,x:37,y:31,w:76,h:35},
{t:"FAST FACTS:",p:6,x:37,y:545,w:114,h:25},
{t:"47",p:6,x:37,y:604,w:75,h:89},
{t:"Percent of all adults ",p:6,x:37,y:697,w:127,h:21},
{t:"in Michigan who ",p:6,x:37,y:720,w:104,h:21},
{t:"volunteer monthly",p:6,x:37,y:742,w:110,h:21},
{t:"87",p:6,x:37,y:799,w:75,h:89},
{t:"Percent of MEA ",p:6,x:37,y:897,w:95,h:21},
{t:"members who ",p:6,x:37,y:920,w:89,h:21},
{t:"volunteer monthly",p:6,x:37,y:942,w:110,h:21},
{t:"MICHIGAN READS: MEA and ",p:6,x:335,y:281,w:232,h:22},
{t:"the Detroit Pistons have teamed ",p:6,x:335,y:307,w:244,h:21},
{t:"up to encourage K-12 students ",p:6,x:335,y:332,w:238,h:21},
{t:"to read. Read fve books to ",p:6,x:335,y:357,w:205,h:21},
{t:"get a voucher for one free Pistons ticket with purchase of a $20 ",p:6,x:335,y:382,w:481,h:21},
{t:"ticket (half price). Students may earn as many vouchers as they ",p:6,x:335,y:407,w:483,h:21},
{t:"want—5 books at a time. Visit www.michiganreads.com to learn ",p:6,x:335,y:432,w:479,h:21},
{t:"how you can use this program with your students.",p:6,x:335,y:457,w:374,h:21},
{t:"UNION PRIDE: Have you watched MEA ’s Union Pride ",p:6,x:474,y:582,w:349,h:22},
{t:"video? The video is part of the association’s ongoing ",p:6,x:474,y:607,w:355,h:21},
{t:"efforts to promote unionism. It features members ",p:6,x:474,y:632,w:335,h:21},
{t:"from around the state talking about what it means ",p:6,x:474,y:657,w:346,h:21},
{t:"to them to belong to MEA. The video is posted online ",p:6,x:474,y:682,w:355,h:21},
{t:"at www.mea.org.",p:6,x:474,y:707,w:110,h:21},
{t:"NEED LESSON PLANS? Hundreds of lesson plans for all grades and ",p:6,x:335,y:831,w:525,h:22},
{t:"subjects are available free at www.nea.org. One of the highest rated lessons ",p:6,x:335,y:857,w:569,h:21},
{t:"is “A Better Class of Journalists.” The lesson can be tailored to any grade ",p:6,x:335,y:882,w:553,h:21},
{t:"level and provides a list of objectives, necessary materials, tips for parent ",p:6,x:335,y:907,w:551,h:21},
{t:"engagement, and even assessment.",p:6,x:335,y:932,w:270,h:21},
{t:"PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: It’s not too early to ",p:6,x:474,y:1057,w:334,h:22},
{t:"reserve March 19-20 to attend the 2010 MEA ESP ",p:6,x:474,y:1082,w:326,h:21},
{t:"Statewide Conference. The event is at the Somerset ",p:6,x:474,y:1107,w:339,h:21},
{t:"Inn in Troy and will feature workshop sessions ",p:6,x:474,y:1132,w:304,h:21},
{t:"structured to meet both the generic and specifc ",p:6,x:474,y:1157,w:318,h:21},
{t:"needs of all support staff. A conference agenda with ",p:6,x:474,y:1182,w:346,h:21},
{t:"registration information will be posted online at ",p:6,x:474,y:1207,w:316,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/conferences .",p:6,x:474,y:1232,w:171,h:21},
{t:"SHOW ME THE JOBS: Despite doling out millions in tax incentives to ",p:6,x:335,y:1331,w:525,h:22},
{t:"businesses every year, Michigan still doesn’t really know how many jobs have ",p:6,x:335,y:1357,w:583,h:21},
{t:"been created or whether such incentives are effective. MEA and the National ",p:6,x:335,y:1382,w:581,h:21},
{t:"Education Association have called for increased transparency when it comes ",p:6,x:335,y:1407,w:579,h:21},
{t:"to tax incentives for businesses—and we’ve commissioned research to ",p:6,x:335,y:1432,w:534,h:21},
{t:"examine the issue. Read more at www.mea.org/investing .",p:6,x:335,y:1457,w:425,h:21},
{t:"1.",p:6,x:207,y:248,w:114,h:148},
{t:"2.",p:6,x:355,y:558,w:114,h:148},
{t:"3.",p:6,x:207,y:811,w:114,h:148},
{t:"4.",p:6,x:355,y:1036,w:114,h:148},
{t:"5.",p:6,x:207,y:1308,w:114,h:148},
{t:"March 19-20, 2010      Somerset Inn, Troy",p:6,x:951,y:1101,w:86,h:9},
{t:"2010 ESP Statewide Conference",p:6,x:862,y:1078,w:178,h:24},
{t:"Together",p:6,x:870,y:1159,w:157,h:53},
{t:"We Can",p:6,x:881,y:1204,w:134,h:53},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:7,x:1095,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"7",p:7,x:1208,y:1557,w:10,h:21},
{t:"FAST FACTS:",p:7,x:1104,y:545,w:114,h:25},
{t:"$77",p:7,x:1107,y:604,w:112,h:89},
{t:" Millions given by ",p:7,x:1112,y:697,w:110,h:21},
{t:"MEA members to ",p:7,x:1116,y:720,w:106,h:21},
{t:"charities annually",p:7,x:1108,y:742,w:111,h:21},
{t:"96",p:7,x:1145,y:799,w:75,h:89},
{t:"Percent of MEA ",p:7,x:1126,y:897,w:95,h:21},
{t:"members who donate ",p:7,x:1087,y:920,w:135,h:21},
{t:"to charity each year",p:7,x:1098,y:942,w:121,h:21},
{t:"RECOGNIZE A JOB WELL DONE: Nominations ",p:7,x:474,y:256,w:292,h:22},
{t:"are due Feb. 1, 2010, for the MEA Awards ",p:7,x:474,y:282,w:273,h:21},
{t:"for Human Rights & Excellence. If you ",p:7,x:474,y:307,w:249,h:21},
{t:"know of an MEA member—instructional ",p:7,x:474,y:332,w:266,h:21},
{t:"or noninstructional, pre-K-16—worthy of ",p:7,x:474,y:357,w:272,h:21},
{t:"honoring, please nominate them for one of ",p:7,x:474,y:382,w:281,h:21},
{t:"fve awards offered by MEA. A sixth award ",p:7,x:474,y:407,w:276,h:21},
{t:"recognizes groups or individuals outside of MEA. For a description of each ",p:7,x:474,y:432,w:486,h:21},
{t:"award and nominating information, go to www.mea.org/awards .",p:7,x:474,y:457,w:415,h:21},
{t:"MEA IN THE NEWS: MEA regularly communicates with the news media ",p:7,x:335,y:531,w:549,h:22},
{t:"on a range of topics—from political issues to major developments involving ",p:7,x:335,y:557,w:566,h:21},
{t:"local unions to information about crisis bargaining. If you’d like to keep ",p:7,x:335,y:582,w:535,h:21},
{t:"up with MEA press releases, go to the Press Room on our Web site, ",p:7,x:335,y:607,w:511,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/press. We also post other important news-related links on the ",p:7,x:335,y:632,w:566,h:21},
{t:"Press Room page.",p:7,x:335,y:657,w:137,h:21},
{t:"YOU IN THE NEWS: Michigan teachers and school support personnel as well as ",p:7,x:474,y:807,w:517,h:22},
{t:"college and university employees sometimes come under attack in the news media. ",p:7,x:474,y:832,w:547,h:21},
{t:"Whether it’s a news article, an editorial, or a letter to the editor, it’s important for ",p:7,x:474,y:857,w:532,h:21},
{t:"education employees like you to stand up for students, collective bargaining, quality ",p:7,x:474,y:882,w:554,h:21},
{t:"health care, and many other issues. MEA is recruiting members to join its Rapid ",p:7,x:474,y:907,w:526,h:21},
{t:"Response Team, a corps of members who are willing and available to respond ",p:7,x:474,y:932,w:512,h:21},
{t:"to media reports with op-eds, letters to the editor, online comments, blog posts ",p:7,x:474,y:957,w:520,h:21},
{t:"and more. For more information, contact MEA Media Relations Specialist Kerry ",p:7,x:474,y:982,w:514,h:21},
{t:"Birmingham at kbirmingham@mea.org as soon as possible.",p:7,x:474,y:1007,w:391,h:21},
{t:"ART EXHIBIT: MEA members are invited to submit original works of art for ",p:7,x:335,y:1081,w:566,h:22},
{t:"the 46th annual MEA/Michigan Art Education Association Art Acquisitions ",p:7,x:335,y:1107,w:559,h:21},
{t:"Purchase Exhibition. Entries will be accepted March 1-13 at MEA ",p:7,x:335,y:1132,w:495,h:21},
{t:"headquarters. The 2010 exhibit will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to ",p:7,x:335,y:1157,w:548,h:21},
{t:"5 p.m., March 15 through April 23, excluding weekends and April 2. Select ",p:7,x:335,y:1182,w:571,h:21},
{t:"pieces will be purchased for display in MEA facilities. For more information, or ",p:7,x:335,y:1207,w:590,h:21},
{t:"to view last year's exhibit, go to www.mea.org/awards/art .",p:7,x:335,y:1232,w:421,h:21},
{t:"HONE YOUR SKILLS: Strengthen your ",p:7,x:538,y:1357,w:241,h:22},
{t:"bargaining skills at MEA ’s 2010 ",p:7,x:538,y:1382,w:210,h:21},
{t:"Bargaining/Political Action/Public ",p:7,x:538,y:1407,w:225,h:21},
{t:"Relations Conference, Feb. 4-6. The ",p:7,x:538,y:1432,w:236,h:21},
{t:"event is in Detroit.",p:7,x:538,y:1457,w:119,h:21},
{t:"10.",p:7,x:335,y:1336,w:190,h:148},
{t:"6.",p:7,x:355,y:230,w:114,h:148},
{t:"7.",p:7,x:207,y:511,w:114,h:148},
{t:"8.",p:7,x:355,y:773,w:114,h:148},
{t:"9.",p:7,x:207,y:1045,w:114,h:148},
{t:"&",p:7,x:961,y:1458,w:41,h:66},
{t:"Union Pride Across the Generations",p:7,x:793,y:1247,w:255,h:37},
{t:"Bargaining, ",p:7,x:845,y:1438,w:90,h:32},
{t:"Political Action ",p:7,x:846,y:1468,w:120,h:33},
{t:"PR Conference",p:7,x:846,y:1498,w:112,h:31},
{t:"2010",p:7,x:840,y:1417,w:-1,h:119},
{t:"&",p:7,x:959,y:1458,w:41,h:66},
{t:"8 ",p:8,x:37,y:1557,w:15,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:8,x:66,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"COVER STOR Y",p:8,x:37,y:31,w:149,h:34},
{t:"Fighting the fu",p:8,x:108,y:74,w:891,h:174},
{t:"by Karen Schulz",p:8,x:936,y:88,w:122,h:21},
{t:"Editor, MEA Voice",p:8,x:926,y:113,w:132,h:21},
{t:"Fighting the fu",p:8,x:186,y:58,w:585,h:114},
{t:"ANN ARBOR—When the frst student ",p:8,x:186,y:1181,w:289,h:22},
{t:"cases of H1N1 fu were diagnosed ",p:8,x:186,y:1207,w:263,h:21},
{t:"in public schools last spring, alarm ",p:8,x:186,y:1232,w:266,h:21},
{t:"prompted some to overreact—par-",p:8,x:186,y:1257,w:259,h:21},
{t:"ents kept healthy kids home, staff ",p:8,x:186,y:1282,w:258,h:21},
{t:"questioned every sneeze and cough, ",p:8,x:186,y:1307,w:280,h:21},
{t:"and some districts closed schools ",p:8,x:186,y:1332,w:257,h:21},
{t:"prematurely.",p:8,x:186,y:1357,w:93,h:21},
{t:"Just a few weeks after schools ",p:8,x:195,y:1382,w:231,h:21},
{t:"everywhere opened for a new year, ",p:8,x:186,y:1407,w:265,h:21},
{t:"the spread of H1N1 fu prompted ",p:8,x:186,y:1432,w:256,h:21},
{t:"President Barack Obama to declare ",p:8,x:186,y:1457,w:273,h:21},
{t:"a national emergency to deal with the ",p:8,x:186,y:1482,w:286,h:21},
{t:"rapid increase in illness.",p:8,x:186,y:1507,w:182,h:21},
{t:"Flu symptoms may include ",p:8,x:507,y:1166,w:536,h:60},
{t:"fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or ",p:8,x:507,y:1233,w:552,h:45},
{t:"stuff nose, headaches, body aches, ",p:8,x:507,y:1287,w:526,h:45},
{t:"chills and fatigue. In H1N1 fu ",p:8,x:507,y:1341,w:463,h:45},
{t:"infection, vomiting and diarrhea may ",p:8,x:507,y:1395,w:551,h:45},
{t:"also occur.",p:8,x:507,y:1449,w:157,h:45},
{t:"Source: www.fu.gov.",p:8,x:928,y:1507,w:131,h:22},
{t:"JUPITERIMAGES",p:8,x:197,y:384,w:0,h:13},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:9,x:1096,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"9",p:9,x:1208,y:1557,w:9,h:21},
{t:"COVER STOR Y",p:9,x:1069,y:31,w:149,h:34},
{t:"Fighting the fu",p:9,x:104,y:74,w:891,h:174},
{t:"How will I ",p:9,x:807,y:301,w:179,h:60},
{t:"know if I ",p:9,x:807,y:361,w:163,h:60},
{t:"have H1N1 or ",p:9,x:807,y:421,w:247,h:60},
{t:"the regular ",p:9,x:807,y:481,w:209,h:60},
{t:"seasonal fu?",p:9,x:807,y:541,w:231,h:60},
{t:"You probably won’t know. ",p:9,x:807,y:628,w:221,h:27},
{t:"Because it is widespread, ",p:9,x:807,y:670,w:216,h:26},
{t:"many medical professionals ",p:9,x:807,y:712,w:235,h:26},
{t:"are no longer testing for H1N1. ",p:9,x:807,y:753,w:258,h:26},
{t:"The assumption is that if a ",p:9,x:807,y:795,w:228,h:26},
{t:"person has fu symptoms, she ",p:9,x:807,y:837,w:250,h:26},
{t:"very likely has H1N1 and will ",p:9,x:807,y:878,w:241,h:26},
{t:"be treated accordingly. The ",p:9,x:807,y:920,w:227,h:26},
{t:"onset of H1N1 symptoms is ",p:9,x:807,y:962,w:229,h:26},
{t:"usually abrupt.",p:9,x:807,y:1003,w:124,h:26},
{t:"About 55 million students and ",p:9,x:195,y:532,w:231,h:21},
{t:"seven million staff—about one-ffth ",p:9,x:186,y:557,w:267,h:21},
{t:"of the country’s population—attend ",p:9,x:186,y:582,w:269,h:21},
{t:"or work at more than 130,000 public ",p:9,x:186,y:607,w:282,h:21},
{t:"and private schools in the United ",p:9,x:186,y:632,w:253,h:21},
{t:"States every day. Colleges and univer-",p:9,x:186,y:657,w:282,h:21},
{t:"sities account for millions more, put-",p:9,x:186,y:682,w:274,h:21},
{t:"ting academia front and center in the ",p:9,x:186,y:707,w:284,h:21},
{t:"fght against the fu.",p:9,x:186,y:732,w:148,h:21},
{t:"“We certainly are on the front lines,” ",p:9,x:195,y:757,w:277,h:21},
{t:"said Laurelle Brennan, a registered ",p:9,x:186,y:782,w:268,h:21},
{t:"nurse who works in the Ann Arbor ",p:9,x:186,y:807,w:261,h:21},
{t:"school district.",p:9,x:186,y:832,w:108,h:21},
{t:"School employees have always ",p:9,x:195,y:857,w:235,h:21},
{t:"confronted communicable diseases ",p:9,x:186,y:882,w:272,h:21},
{t:"in the classroom—chicken pox, pink ",p:9,x:186,y:907,w:280,h:21},
{t:"eye, strep throat. But H1N1, com-",p:9,x:186,y:932,w:257,h:21},
{t:"monly referred to as swine fu, hit ",p:9,x:186,y:957,w:255,h:21},
{t:"schools hard.",p:9,x:186,y:982,w:100,h:21},
{t:"Children who are in close contact ",p:9,x:195,y:1007,w:255,h:21},
{t:"with each other in school and day ",p:9,x:186,y:1032,w:258,h:21},
{t:"care settings are among those most ",p:9,x:488,y:532,w:272,h:21},
{t:"at risk of getting the H1N1 virus. So, ",p:9,x:488,y:557,w:278,h:21},
{t:"too, are young adults 19 through 24 ",p:9,x:488,y:582,w:275,h:21},
{t:"years of age, who often live, work and ",p:9,x:488,y:607,w:287,h:21},
{t:"study in close proximity and they’re a ",p:9,x:488,y:632,w:284,h:21},
{t:"frequently mobile population.",p:9,x:488,y:657,w:219,h:21},
{t:"The frst cluster of people with swine ",p:9,x:498,y:682,w:279,h:21},
{t:"fu was discovered by a school nurse ",p:9,x:488,y:707,w:281,h:21},
{t:"in New York state. Last April, the ",p:9,x:488,y:732,w:249,h:21},
{t:"nurse noticed sudden illness among ",p:9,x:488,y:757,w:277,h:21},
{t:"dozens of students at St. Francis ",p:9,x:488,y:782,w:250,h:21},
{t:"Preparatory School in Queens.",p:9,x:488,y:807,w:228,h:21},
{t:"Over the next several weeks, public ",p:9,x:498,y:832,w:270,h:21},
{t:"health offcials around the world re-",p:9,x:488,y:857,w:266,h:21},
{t:"sponded. Eventually, chaos gave way ",p:9,x:488,y:882,w:282,h:21},
{t:"to a more measured response.",p:9,x:488,y:907,w:229,h:21},
{t:"In Ann Arbor, where panic initially ",p:9,x:498,y:932,w:258,h:21},
{t:"hit, the district developed a very ",p:9,x:488,y:957,w:244,h:21},
{t:"elaborate plan to deal with H1N1, go-",p:9,x:488,y:982,w:282,h:21},
{t:"ing so far as to assign one of the dis-",p:9,x:488,y:1007,w:275,h:21},
{t:"trict’s 10 school nurses to part-time ",p:9,x:488,y:1032,w:270,h:21},
{t:"JUPITERIMAGES",p:9,x:770,y:483,w:0,h:13},
{t:"JUPITERIMAGES",p:9,x:1067,y:1515,w:0,h:13},
{t:"10 ",p:10,x:37,y:1557,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:10,x:77,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"COVER STOR Y",p:10,x:37,y:31,w:149,h:34},
{t:"Fighting the fu",p:10,x:108,y:74,w:891,h:174},
{t:"H1N1 duty. Brennan will spend this ",p:10,x:186,y:757,w:273,h:21},
{t:"school year educating students and ",p:10,x:186,y:782,w:272,h:21},
{t:"staff about proper hygiene, monitor-",p:10,x:186,y:807,w:269,h:21},
{t:"ing student health, and coordinating ",p:10,x:186,y:832,w:277,h:21},
{t:"with the county health department to ",p:10,x:186,y:857,w:282,h:21},
{t:"protect public health.",p:10,x:186,y:882,w:160,h:21},
{t:"Not all school districts have enough ",p:10,x:195,y:907,w:272,h:21},
{t:"school nurses to prevent or respond ",p:10,x:186,y:932,w:275,h:21},
{t:"to outbreaks. Michigan has one of ",p:10,x:186,y:957,w:260,h:21},
{t:"the lowest nurse-to-student ratios in ",p:10,x:186,y:982,w:274,h:21},
{t:"the United States, arguably leaving ",p:10,x:186,y:1007,w:266,h:21},
{t:"students more vulnerable to a virus ",p:10,x:186,y:1032,w:269,h:21},
{t:"that spreads easily and takes a heavi-",p:10,x:186,y:1057,w:282,h:21},
{t:"er toll on children and young adults.",p:10,x:186,y:1082,w:271,h:21},
{t:"As many Michigan schools closed ",p:10,x:195,y:1107,w:259,h:21},
{t:"in late October due to high absen-",p:10,x:186,y:1132,w:256,h:21},
{t:"teeism due to fu-like symptoms, ",p:10,x:186,y:1157,w:249,h:21},
{t:"teachers distributed hand sanitizer ",p:10,x:186,y:1182,w:265,h:21},
{t:"while custodians spent extra time ",p:10,x:186,y:1207,w:255,h:21},
{t:"disinfecting common surfaces such ",p:10,x:186,y:1232,w:272,h:21},
{t:"as door handles, lunch tables and ",p:10,x:186,y:1257,w:260,h:21},
{t:"rest rooms.",p:10,x:186,y:1282,w:84,h:21},
{t:"“As a rule, our crew is very con-",p:10,x:195,y:1307,w:240,h:21},
{t:"science of sanitary conditions, par-",p:10,x:186,y:1332,w:261,h:21},
{t:"ticularly where there’s heavy traffc,” ",p:10,x:186,y:1357,w:277,h:21},
{t:"Dan Renton, a middle school custo-",p:10,x:186,y:1382,w:270,h:21},
{t:"dian in Okemos, said.",p:10,x:186,y:1407,w:163,h:21},
{t:"Susan Schaner Schultz, a speech-",p:10,x:496,y:1182,w:258,h:21},
{t:"language pathologist in Swartz Creek, ",p:10,x:487,y:1207,w:286,h:21},
{t:"ordered special posters that MESSA ",p:10,x:487,y:1232,w:274,h:21},
{t:"produced to help teach students how ",p:10,x:487,y:1257,w:285,h:21},
{t:"to prevent fu (see page 11).",p:10,x:487,y:1282,w:212,h:21},
{t:"“And, I am teaching my kids to ",p:10,x:496,y:1307,w:238,h:21},
{t:"sneeze or cough into their elbows ",p:10,x:487,y:1332,w:256,h:21},
{t:"instead of the hands, and I clean ",p:10,x:487,y:1357,w:252,h:21},
{t:"my therapy room daily with a natural ",p:10,x:487,y:1382,w:279,h:21},
{t:"anti-bacterial cleaner,” she said.",p:10,x:487,y:1407,w:242,h:21},
{t:"Despite the many efforts, students ",p:10,x:797,y:1182,w:262,h:21},
{t:"and staff are still getting H1N1 and ",p:10,x:787,y:1207,w:268,h:21},
{t:"seasonal fu. Part of the problem is ",p:10,x:787,y:1232,w:266,h:21},
{t:"that people don’t always stay home ",p:10,x:787,y:1257,w:268,h:21},
{t:"when they’re sick.",p:10,x:787,y:1282,w:135,h:21},
{t:"“School is often used as a babysit-",p:10,x:797,y:1307,w:259,h:21},
{t:"ting service,” said Marjorie Racine, a ",p:10,x:787,y:1332,w:281,h:21},
{t:"school nurse in Warren Consolidate ",p:10,x:787,y:1357,w:270,h:21},
{t:"Schools. “Trying to get them home is ",p:10,x:787,y:1382,w:280,h:21},
{t:"diffcult sometimes.” ",p:10,x:787,y:1407,w:159,h:21},
{t:"Fighting the fu (cont.)",p:10,x:186,y:58,w:785,h:114},
{t:"I think I have the fu.  ",p:10,x:493,y:293,w:489,h:69},
{t:"What should I do?",p:10,x:493,y:363,w:409,h:69},
{t:"Regardless of which strain of fu you have been exposed to—H1N1 or",p:10,x:493,y:448,w:573,h:29},
{t:"seasonal fu—it is important to avoid contact with others as much as",p:10,x:493,y:481,w:580,h:29},
{t:"possible. In most people, H1N1 fu will feel like the regular fu and it",p:10,x:493,y:515,w:563,h:29},
{t:"is not life threatening. But for some, especially high risk populations,",p:10,x:493,y:548,w:573,h:29},
{t:"H1N1 can cause very severe, life-threatening symptoms.",p:10,x:493,y:581,w:466,h:29},
{t:"•	",p:10,x:493,y:624,w:17,h:29},
{t:"It	is	critically	important	to	avoid	contact	with	anyone	who	is	",p:10,x:530,y:624,w:486,h:29},
{t:"at high risk for complications of H1N1 fu such as pregnant",p:10,x:530,y:657,w:491,h:29},
{t:"women, very young children and people who have serious chronic",p:10,x:530,y:691,w:538,h:29},
{t:"illnesses. ",p:10,x:530,y:724,w:80,h:29},
{t:"•	",p:10,x:493,y:767,w:17,h:29},
{t:"Wash	your	hands	often	with	soap	and	warm	water	or	use	an	",p:10,x:530,y:767,w:487,h:29},
{t:"alcohol-based hand sanitizer after coughing or sneezing into your",p:10,x:530,y:800,w:543,h:29},
{t:"hands or after using a tissue.",p:10,x:530,y:833,w:245,h:29},
{t:"•	",p:10,x:493,y:876,w:17,h:29},
{t:"Consider	wearing	a	facemask	when	sharing	common	spaces	with	",p:10,x:530,y:876,w:533,h:29},
{t:"other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to",p:10,x:530,y:909,w:530,h:29},
{t:"others. This is especially important if other household members",p:10,x:530,y:943,w:526,h:29},
{t:"are at high risk for complications from infuenza.",p:10,x:530,y:976,w:404,h:29},
{t:"•	",p:10,x:493,y:1019,w:17,h:29},
{t:"Get	plenty	of	rest,	drink	lots	of	fuids	and	take	pain	relievers	like	",p:10,x:530,y:1019,w:520,h:29},
{t:"acetaminophen (T ylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to help you feel",p:10,x:530,y:1052,w:493,h:29},
{t:"better while you recover from an H1N1 or seasonal fu infection.",p:10,x:530,y:1085,w:525,h:29},
{t:"Editor’s note: Because the H1N1 virus is relatively new , information and updates change rapidly . This article provides you with basic knowledge",p:10,x:186,y:1482,w:881,h:21},
{t:"and tips. Be sure to check with www.cdc.gov or www.neahin.org/h1n1, for updated information. MESSA also provides accurate information",p:10,x:186,y:1504,w:850,h:21},
{t:"about fghting fu on its Web site, www.messa.org.",p:10,x:186,y:1527,w:306,h:21},
{t:"JUPITERIMAGES",p:10,x:197,y:718,w:0,h:13},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:11,x:1086,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"11",p:11,x:1198,y:1557,w:19,h:21},
{t:"« Taking care of you",p:11,x:436,y:60,w:633,h:99},
{t:"member wellness",p:11,x:1023,y:31,w:184,h:35},
{t:"Free fu posters available",p:11,x:186,y:256,w:366,h:45},
{t:"MESSA cares about your health and the health of your ",p:11,x:195,y:307,w:412,h:21},
{t:"students. That’s why MESSA created three “Stop the ",p:11,x:186,y:332,w:399,h:21},
{t:"Flu!” posters for your classrooms. These colorful posters ",p:11,x:186,y:357,w:426,h:21},
{t:"feature simple reminders to students of all ages of how ",p:11,x:186,y:382,w:415,h:21},
{t:"easy it is to stop the spread of germs during fu season—",p:11,x:186,y:407,w:427,h:21},
{t:"and throughout the year.",p:11,x:186,y:432,w:184,h:21},
{t:"You can order the 11\" x 17\" MESSA fu posters online at ",p:11,x:195,y:457,w:425,h:21},
{t:"www.messa.org. You also can print your own 8½\" x 11\" ",p:11,x:186,y:482,w:416,h:21},
{t:"posters from the Web site.",p:11,x:186,y:507,w:196,h:21},
{t:"Questions and ",p:11,x:186,y:1253,w:219,h:45},
{t:"answers for this fu season",p:11,x:186,y:1298,w:388,h:45},
{t:"Helping school employees stay healthy and giving them ",p:11,x:195,y:1357,w:421,h:21},
{t:"peace of mind when they are not is a MESSA priority. The ",p:11,x:186,y:1382,w:437,h:21},
{t:"H1N1 fu has complicated preparations for this year’s ",p:11,x:186,y:1407,w:406,h:21},
{t:"fu season and heightened anxiety among students, staff ",p:11,x:186,y:1432,w:428,h:21},
{t:"and families.",p:11,x:186,y:1457,w:95,h:21},
{t:"For your convenience, the MESSA medical team de-",p:11,x:195,y:1482,w:392,h:21},
{t:"veloped a quick guide to help answer your H1N1 and ",p:11,x:186,y:1507,w:406,h:21},
{t:"seasonal fu questions. For additional questions and ",p:11,x:637,y:307,w:394,h:21},
{t:"resources you can trust, visit the Centers for Disease ",p:11,x:637,y:332,w:398,h:21},
{t:"Control Web site at www.cdc.gov or use the handy link to ",p:11,x:637,y:357,w:429,h:21},
{t:"the CDC at www.messa.org.",p:11,x:637,y:382,w:205,h:21},
{t:"A sampling of the information on MESSA",p:11,x:646,y:407,w:305,h:21},
{t:"’ s Web site:",p:11,x:951,y:407,w:85,h:21},
{t:"What is H1N1 and why is everyone so",p:11,x:637,y:446,w:370,h:35},
{t:"concerned?",p:11,x:637,y:481,w:118,h:35},
{t:"Infuenza viruses cause infections of the respiratory ",p:11,x:646,y:532,w:389,h:21},
{t:"system, which includes the nose, throat, upper airways ",p:11,x:637,y:557,w:417,h:21},
{t:"and lungs.",p:11,x:637,y:582,w:79,h:21},
{t:"H1N1 is causing great concern because it is a virus ",p:11,x:646,y:607,w:392,h:21},
{t:"strain that many people, especially younger people, have ",p:11,x:637,y:632,w:431,h:21},
{t:"not been exposed to before and thus have not built up ",p:11,x:637,y:657,w:412,h:21},
{t:"an immunity response. This is causing a rapid spread of ",p:11,x:637,y:682,w:426,h:21},
{t:"the virus from human to human ",p:11,x:813,y:707,w:244,h:21},
{t:"worldwide.",p:11,x:811,y:732,w:80,h:21},
{t:"Keep in mind that the H1N1 ",p:11,x:820,y:757,w:218,h:21},
{t:"virus is similar to the typical infu-",p:11,x:811,y:782,w:251,h:21},
{t:"enza virus that occurs every fu ",p:11,x:811,y:807,w:238,h:21},
{t:"season. ",p:11,x:811,y:832,w:62,h:21},
{t:"How is H1N1 spread?",p:11,x:809,y:872,w:209,h:35},
{t:"Spread of the H1N1 virus is ",p:11,x:818,y:907,w:213,h:21},
{t:"thought to occur in the same way ",p:11,x:809,y:932,w:255,h:21},
{t:"that seasonal fu spreads.",p:11,x:809,y:957,w:192,h:21},
{t:" In most cases, the infuenza ",p:11,x:807,y:982,w:237,h:22},
{t:"virus is transmitted by the aerosol ",p:11,x:807,y:1007,w:257,h:21},
{t:"droplets put into the air when ",p:11,x:807,y:1032,w:225,h:21},
{t:"people who have the virus cough ",p:11,x:807,y:1057,w:252,h:21},
{t:"and sneeze. The spray is propelled ",p:11,x:805,y:1082,w:267,h:21},
{t:"through the air, exposing people ",p:11,x:805,y:1107,w:246,h:21},
{t:"within about a three foot radius. ",p:11,x:805,y:1132,w:243,h:21},
{t:" H1N1 can also be transmitted ",p:11,x:805,y:1157,w:253,h:22},
{t:"by direct contact—by touching ",p:11,x:805,y:1182,w:236,h:21},
{t:"something that has live infuenza ",p:11,x:803,y:1207,w:251,h:21},
{t:"viruses on it and then touching ",p:11,x:803,y:1232,w:237,h:21},
{t:"your nose or mouth.",p:11,x:803,y:1257,w:151,h:21},
{t:"How long can the H1N1 virus survive on",p:11,x:637,y:1297,w:395,h:35},
{t:"hard surfaces? ",p:11,x:637,y:1332,w:153,h:35},
{t:"Flu viruses can survive up to 48 hours on a hard sur-",p:11,x:646,y:1382,w:397,h:21},
{t:"face. But the actual length of time that fu germs can sur-",p:11,x:637,y:1407,w:430,h:21},
{t:"vive outside the body on an environmental surface varies ",p:11,x:637,y:1432,w:431,h:21},
{t:"greatly. Flu viruses live longer on nonporous surfaces like ",p:11,x:637,y:1457,w:433,h:21},
{t:"desks and doorknobs.  Wipe the surfaces down often ",p:11,x:637,y:1482,w:403,h:21},
{t:"with sanitizing wipes to minimize exposure. ",p:11,x:637,y:1507,w:328,h:21},
{t:"On the Web",p:11,x:1118,y:1295,w:100,h:25},
{t:"For more answers ",p:11,x:1111,y:1323,w:111,h:21},
{t:"to common fu ",p:11,x:1131,y:1345,w:91,h:21},
{t:"questions, go to ",p:11,x:1121,y:1368,w:101,h:21},
{t:"www.messa.org.",p:11,x:1119,y:1390,w:98,h:21},
{t:"12 ",p:12,x:37,y:1557,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:12,x:77,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"Teacher tells lawmakers to reject House Bill 5345",p:12,x:186,y:1208,w:740,h:44},
{t:"legislative update",p:12,x:37,y:31,w:187,h:35},
{t:"Budget update",p:12,x:628,y:60,w:441,h:99},
{t:"MEA offers resources to members",p:12,x:575,y:168,w:494,h:45},
{t:"State budget update: This ",p:12,x:186,y:249,w:191,h:62},
{t:"page was supposed to be ",p:12,x:210,y:282,w:171,h:21},
{t:"a legislative update, providing ",p:12,x:186,y:307,w:206,h:21},
{t:"readers with the latest news ",p:12,x:186,y:332,w:191,h:21},
{t:"on the state budget. Needless ",p:12,x:186,y:357,w:200,h:21},
{t:"to say, at press time in early ",p:12,x:186,y:382,w:190,h:21},
{t:"November, the budget situation ",p:12,x:186,y:407,w:211,h:21},
{t:"was very fuid. (For the latest, go ",p:12,x:186,y:432,w:219,h:21},
{t:"to www.mea.org.)",p:12,x:186,y:457,w:115,h:21},
{t:"Schools were told they’d ",p:12,x:195,y:482,w:163,h:21},
{t:"receive per pupil cuts rang-",p:12,x:186,y:507,w:182,h:21},
{t:"ing from $392 to $716, forcing ",p:12,x:186,y:532,w:207,h:21},
{t:"some districts to make even ",p:12,x:186,y:557,w:189,h:21},
{t:"deeper cuts to vital programs. ",p:12,x:186,y:582,w:203,h:21},
{t:"Some lawmakers were trying to ",p:12,x:186,y:607,w:209,h:21},
{t:"provide more funding to schools, ",p:12,x:186,y:632,w:219,h:21},
{t:"but it was not apparent whether ",p:12,x:186,y:657,w:216,h:21},
{t:"they would succeed.",p:12,x:186,y:682,w:132,h:21},
{t:"“No business can operate ef-",p:12,x:195,y:707,w:192,h:21},
{t:"fciently and effectively without ",p:12,x:186,y:732,w:210,h:21},
{t:"stable, predictable income,” ",p:12,x:186,y:757,w:191,h:21},
{t:"said MEA President Iris K. ",p:12,x:186,y:782,w:173,h:21},
{t:"Salters. “A school district is no ",p:12,x:186,y:807,w:208,h:21},
{t:"different. These cuts will affect the quality ",p:12,x:186,y:832,w:285,h:21},
{t:"of programming available to students.”",p:12,x:186,y:857,w:261,h:21},
{t:"While much remains in fux, it’s become ",p:12,x:195,y:882,w:265,h:21},
{t:"increasingly obvious to a growing chorus ",p:12,x:186,y:907,w:273,h:21},
{t:"of groups representing education, human ",p:12,x:186,y:932,w:277,h:21},
{t:"services, and public safety organiza-",p:12,x:186,y:957,w:243,h:21},
{t:"tions, including MEA, that spending cuts ",p:12,x:186,y:982,w:273,h:21},
{t:"alone cannot fx Michigan’s budget mess. ",p:12,x:186,y:1007,w:277,h:21},
{t:"Michigan must overhaul its antiquated ",p:12,x:186,y:1032,w:261,h:21},
{t:"tax system so that the state has suffcient ",p:12,x:186,y:1057,w:282,h:21},
{t:"funds to meet the needs of the 21st ",p:12,x:186,y:1082,w:239,h:21},
{t:"century.",p:12,x:186,y:1107,w:51,h:21},
{t:"To help you make sense of the budget ",p:12,x:195,y:1132,w:251,h:21},
{t:"mess, we offer the following resources:",p:12,x:186,y:1157,w:256,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org",p:12,x:487,y:822,w:133,h:35},
{t:"The Web site includes the very latest ",p:12,x:496,y:857,w:242,h:21},
{t:"news about legislative developments, ",p:12,x:487,y:882,w:249,h:21},
{t:"including articles and press releases and ",p:12,x:487,y:907,w:274,h:21},
{t:"talking points on the state budget.",p:12,x:487,y:932,w:226,h:21},
{t:"Electronic newsletters",p:12,x:487,y:972,w:226,h:35},
{t:"Sign up for two electronic newsletters ",p:12,x:496,y:1007,w:249,h:21},
{t:"that provide weekly updates on legislative ",p:12,x:487,y:1032,w:279,h:21},
{t:"affairs and budget-related news.",p:12,x:487,y:1057,w:216,h:21},
{t:"MEA Voice Online is a general interest ",p:12,x:496,y:1082,w:256,h:22},
{t:"newsletter distributed weekly on Tuesdays. ",p:12,x:487,y:1107,w:282,h:21},
{t:"This newsletter may be delivered to a ",p:12,x:487,y:1132,w:246,h:21},
{t:"personal or work e-mail address if your ",p:12,x:487,y:1157,w:259,h:21},
{t:"district allows.",p:12,x:837,y:257,w:96,h:21},
{t:"MEA Votes is a political ",p:12,x:846,y:281,w:159,h:22},
{t:"newsletter that usually includes ",p:12,x:837,y:307,w:213,h:21},
{t:"information about what you can ",p:12,x:837,y:332,w:212,h:21},
{t:"do to make your voice heard on key ",p:12,x:837,y:357,w:231,h:21},
{t:"issues. This political newsletter ",p:12,x:837,y:382,w:210,h:21},
{t:"should be sent only to your per-",p:12,x:837,y:407,w:204,h:21},
{t:"sonal e-mail address.",p:12,x:837,y:432,w:142,h:21},
{t:"To sign up for one or both e-news-",p:12,x:846,y:457,w:222,h:21},
{t:"letters, go to www.mea.org/voice.",p:12,x:837,y:482,w:217,h:21},
{t:"Your MEA UniServ ",p:12,x:837,y:521,w:178,h:35},
{t:"director",p:12,x:837,y:556,w:81,h:35},
{t:"Every local affliate is assigned ",p:12,x:846,y:607,w:208,h:21},
{t:"a UniServ director, a professional ",p:12,x:837,y:632,w:220,h:21},
{t:"bargainer and advocate who can ",p:12,x:837,y:657,w:218,h:21},
{t:"provide you with information and ",p:12,x:837,y:682,w:219,h:21},
{t:"help you access services from MEA ",p:12,x:837,y:707,w:231,h:21},
{t:"headquarters staff, including lob-",p:12,x:837,y:732,w:222,h:21},
{t:"byists, communications experts, ",p:12,x:837,y:757,w:214,h:21},
{t:"researchers, and more. Contact ",p:12,x:837,y:782,w:209,h:21},
{t:"your local president to fnd out who ",p:12,x:837,y:807,w:233,h:21},
{t:"your UniServ director is and what she can ",p:12,x:787,y:832,w:275,h:21},
{t:"do for you.",p:12,x:787,y:857,w:67,h:21},
{t:"“Investing in Michigan’ s ",p:12,x:787,y:897,w:242,h:35},
{t:"Future” campaign",p:12,x:787,y:932,w:183,h:35},
{t:"An investment in public education has ",p:12,x:797,y:982,w:256,h:21},
{t:"far greater return for the economy than ",p:12,x:787,y:1007,w:259,h:21},
{t:"any other possible investment by our ",p:12,x:787,y:1032,w:243,h:21},
{t:"state. The state budget crisis has forced ",p:12,x:787,y:1057,w:268,h:21},
{t:"many to (fnally) consider the important ",p:12,x:787,y:1082,w:263,h:21},
{t:"links between taxes, economic develop-",p:12,x:787,y:1107,w:258,h:21},
{t:"ment, and school funding. Learn more at ",p:12,x:787,y:1132,w:270,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/investing. ",p:12,x:787,y:1157,w:161,h:21},
{t:"Photo at left:",p:12,x:1087,y:607,w:84,h:22},
{t:"MEA members ",p:12,x:1087,y:632,w:94,h:22},
{t:"and staff lobby ",p:12,x:1087,y:654,w:99,h:22},
{t:"lawmakers at ",p:12,x:1087,y:677,w:91,h:22},
{t:"the Capitol while ",p:12,x:1087,y:699,w:111,h:22},
{t:"students (seated on ",p:12,x:1087,y:722,w:131,h:22},
{t:"the foor one level ",p:12,x:1087,y:744,w:120,h:22},
{t:"down) listen to a ",p:12,x:1087,y:767,w:110,h:22},
{t:"Capitol tour guide.",p:12,x:1087,y:789,w:119,h:22},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:12,x:424,y:790,w:0,h:13},
{t:"On the Web",p:12,x:37,y:954,w:100,h:25},
{t:"To sign up for MEA ",p:12,x:37,y:982,w:117,h:21},
{t:"e-newsletters, go to ",p:12,x:37,y:1004,w:124,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/voice .",p:12,x:37,y:1027,w:121,h:21},
{t:"Spotts is a veteran bargainer; she’s been ",p:12,x:195,y:1282,w:267,h:21},
{t:"on her association bargaining team for 15 ",p:12,x:186,y:1307,w:276,h:21},
{t:"years. She currently serves as president of ",p:12,x:186,y:1332,w:276,h:21},
{t:"the Tecumseh Education Association.",p:12,x:186,y:1357,w:242,h:21},
{t:"During her testimony, Spotts said that the ",p:12,x:195,y:1382,w:274,h:21},
{t:"local association hasn’t been able to settle ",p:12,x:186,y:1407,w:281,h:21},
{t:"a new contract with the district because ",p:12,x:186,y:1432,w:263,h:21},
{t:"state funding is so uncertain. Part of the ",p:12,x:186,y:1457,w:266,h:21},
{t:"teachers’ proposal will help keep health ",p:12,x:186,y:1482,w:260,h:21},
{t:"care costs down—Spotts told lawmakers ",p:12,x:186,y:1507,w:270,h:21},
{t:"that the teachers’ health care proposal ",p:12,x:487,y:1282,w:255,h:21},
{t:"would have the district paying less per ",p:12,x:487,y:1307,w:253,h:21},
{t:"member per month than it paid in 2005.",p:12,x:487,y:1332,w:263,h:21},
{t:"Such a move is possible because ",p:12,x:496,y:1357,w:216,h:21},
{t:"Tecumseh teachers have negotiated dif -",p:12,x:487,y:1382,w:258,h:21},
{t:"ferent health care plans, deductibles, then ",p:12,x:487,y:1407,w:279,h:21},
{t:"higher deductibles, higher prescription ",p:12,x:487,y:1432,w:254,h:21},
{t:"drug cards, and teachers pay a portion of ",p:12,x:487,y:1457,w:271,h:21},
{t:"their monthly insurance premiums. And—",p:12,x:487,y:1482,w:276,h:21},
{t:"teachers have given up wage increases to ",p:12,x:487,y:1507,w:274,h:21},
{t:"maintain health care benefts.",p:12,x:787,y:1282,w:197,h:21},
{t:"“Maintaining our right to bargain",p:12,x:797,y:1307,w:220,h:21},
{t:"health care has enabled us to do for our",p:12,x:787,y:1332,w:263,h:21},
{t:"-",p:12,x:1058,y:1332,w:6,h:21},
{t:"selves what House Bill 5345 would like to",p:12,x:787,y:1357,w:273,h:21},
{t:"mandate,” Spotts said. “The difference",p:12,x:787,y:1382,w:258,h:21},
{t:"is that we are negotiating our benefts",p:12,x:787,y:1407,w:252,h:21},
{t:"and the cost to each of our members. W e ",p:12,x:787,y:1432,w:280,h:21},
{t:"are not having those benefts dictated",p:12,x:787,y:1457,w:251,h:21},
{t:"to us by a panel of appointees of state",p:12,x:787,y:1482,w:253,h:21},
{t:"government.” ",p:12,x:787,y:1507,w:93,h:21},
{t:"continued from p. 5",p:12,x:260,y:1253,w:149,h:21},
{t:" ",p:13,x:1204,y:31,w:6,h:35},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:13,x:1086,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"13",p:13,x:1198,y:1557,w:19,h:21},
{t:"member voice",p:13,x:1060,y:31,w:150,h:35},
{t:"Reasons to be ",p:13,x:636,y:60,w:454,h:99},
{t:"thankful",p:13,x:819,y:152,w:250,h:99},
{t:"by Dorothy Jo Richardson",p:13,x:196,y:88,w:193,h:21},
{t:"Teacher, Vassar Public Schools",p:13,x:196,y:113,w:233,h:21},
{t:"He was barely fve feet tall and, and since I was a sixth-grader, ",p:13,x:561,y:299,w:501,h:61},
{t:"we saw eye to eye. But in my heart, he could have been 15 ",p:13,x:598,y:332,w:454,h:21},
{t:"feet tall. His smile and way of teaching made me feel I could ac-",p:13,x:561,y:357,w:487,h:21},
{t:"complish anything. That sixth-grade year was phenomenal and ",p:13,x:561,y:382,w:482,h:21},
{t:"made me who I am today.",p:13,x:561,y:407,w:196,h:21},
{t:"Recently, after fnding Mr. Z’s address, I took the time to thank ",p:13,x:570,y:432,w:477,h:21},
{t:"this awesome teacher who made such a difference in my life. All it ",p:13,x:561,y:457,w:508,h:21},
{t:"took was a stamp, a white envelope, and 25 minutes of my time. ",p:13,x:561,y:482,w:494,h:21},
{t:"It did not surprise me in the least to fnd out this high-spirited ",p:13,x:561,y:507,w:470,h:21},
{t:"elementary teacher is farming more than 250 acres and collect-",p:13,x:561,y:532,w:484,h:21},
{t:"ing tractors of many shapes and sizes. His garden is continuing in ",p:13,x:561,y:557,w:505,h:21},
{t:"other ways.",p:13,x:561,y:582,w:86,h:21},
{t:"It is hard to say what didn’t work with Mr. Z. Was it his high en-",p:13,x:570,y:607,w:477,h:21},
{t:"ergy, his adult-like tasks dished out to students on a daily basis, ",p:13,x:561,y:632,w:487,h:21},
{t:"the high expectations, or just the fact that we knew he took his job ",p:13,x:561,y:657,w:507,h:21},
{t:"seriously and enjoyed it at the same time?",p:13,x:483,y:682,w:317,h:21},
{t:"Whatever the recipe, Mr. Z’s students recognized it and appreciated being ",p:13,x:493,y:707,w:566,h:21},
{t:"in his classroom. Many of us even came back three years after leaving his ",p:13,x:483,y:732,w:565,h:21},
{t:"classroom to help a new crop of students.",p:13,x:483,y:757,w:317,h:21},
{t:"In this sagging economy and climate of constant change and uncertainty in ",p:13,x:493,y:782,w:576,h:21},
{t:"education, it can be easy to forget the positives. Working with youth provides ",p:13,x:483,y:807,w:584,h:21},
{t:"many emotional connections. It is through these connections that I am often ",p:13,x:483,y:832,w:583,h:21},
{t:"reminded about the real people we service. Our parents and youth expect us ",p:13,x:483,y:857,w:587,h:21},
{t:"to prepare them for the future.",p:13,x:483,y:882,w:231,h:21},
{t:"There are so many aspects to be thankful for such as health insurance, ",p:13,x:493,y:907,w:546,h:21},
{t:"weekends off, and breaks during the school year. If in doubt, just ask any ",p:13,x:483,y:932,w:560,h:21},
{t:"high school graduate working his way up from the bottom.",p:13,x:483,y:957,w:441,h:21},
{t:"It is a high responsibility and to them we owe the biggest thank you. Despite ",p:13,x:493,y:982,w:581,h:21},
{t:"all the diffculties that face us as teachers, administrators and school staff, ",p:13,x:483,y:1007,w:567,h:21},
{t:"we must ensure that we constantly strive to do what is entrusted to us.",p:13,x:483,y:1032,w:533,h:21},
{t:"If Mr. Z’s infuence on my life is any indication, our role is an important one.",p:13,x:493,y:1057,w:573,h:21},
{t:"Every time I walk into the classroom, I have many reasons to be thankful. ",p:13,x:493,y:1082,w:559,h:21},
{t:"On the Web",p:13,x:1118,y:854,w:100,h:25},
{t:"Want to earn ",p:13,x:1140,y:882,w:81,h:21},
{t:"$200? Write a ",p:13,x:1133,y:904,w:88,h:21},
{t:"“Member Voice” ",p:13,x:1120,y:927,w:102,h:21},
{t:"essay. Details at ",p:13,x:1117,y:949,w:104,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/voice .",p:13,x:1097,y:972,w:121,h:21},
{t:"Dorothy Jo Richardson ",p:13,x:186,y:722,w:225,h:35},
{t:"teaches at Vassar High ",p:13,x:186,y:757,w:231,h:35},
{t:"School. She pursued ",p:13,x:186,y:792,w:205,h:35},
{t:"a teaching career ",p:13,x:186,y:827,w:181,h:35},
{t:"after initially studying",p:13,x:186,y:862,w:220,h:35},
{t:"nursing. She’s been a ",p:13,x:186,y:897,w:215,h:35},
{t:"teacher for nine years.",p:13,x:186,y:932,w:230,h:35},
{t:"www.ce.emich.edu/careerboost",p:13,x:893,y:1440,w:261,h:23},
{t:"Career-Boosting",p:13,x:952,y:1213,w:205,h:34},
{t:"Accelerated Programs",p:13,x:915,y:1250,w:277,h:34},
{t:"for Educators",p:13,x:970,y:1288,w:167,h:34},
{t:"•Onli ne",p:13,x:980,y:1327,w:83,h:28},
{t:"•Weekend",p:13,x:980,y:1359,w:106,h:28},
{t:"•Off Campus",p:13,x:980,y:1391,w:137,h:28},
{t:"CE1923",p:13,x:670,y:1522,w:43,h:15},
{t:"Online Master’s Degrees Offered:",p:13,x:181,y:1280,w:240,h:19},
{t:"Master in the Art of Teaching with a Focus on:",p:13,x:181,y:1299,w:292,h:19},
{t:"•",p:13,x:181,y:1318,w:8,h:19},
{t:"Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, K–12",p:13,x:197,y:1318,w:276,h:19},
{t:"•",p:13,x:181,y:1336,w:8,h:19},
{t:"Reading & Literacy, K–6",p:13,x:197,y:1336,w:150,h:19},
{t:"•",p:13,x:181,y:1355,w:8,h:19},
{t:"Elementary Mathematics, K–5",p:13,x:197,y:1355,w:189,h:19},
{t:"•",p:13,x:181,y:1374,w:8,h:19},
{t:"Middle Level Mathematics, 6–8",p:13,x:197,y:1374,w:198,h:19},
{t:"For more information call toll-free 1-877-984-7277 or ",p:13,x:133,y:1398,w:343,h:19},
{t:"visit us online at www.marygrovemat.com/MEA",p:13,x:141,y:1417,w:321,h:19},
{t:"Marygrove College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA).The North Central Association is located at",p:13,x:55,y:1498,w:521,h:11},
{t:"30 North LaSalle Street,Suite 2400,Chicago , IL 60602.Phone:312-263-0456,Fax: 312-263-7462,http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org",p:13,x:55,y:1508,w:498,h:11},
{t:"Attention MEA Teachers!",p:13,x:189,y:1192,w:260,h:29},
{t:"Marygrove College & Teachscape are proud to Offer ",p:13,x:91,y:1219,w:460,h:24},
{t:"4 Online Master’s Degree Programs.",p:13,x:161,y:1242,w:314,h:24},
{t:"MEA 7/09",p:13,x:542,y:1521,w:36,h:9},
{t:"Teachscape MEA Voice ad final 7.09  7/6/09  12:21 PM  Page 1",p:13,x:42,y:1122,w:600,h:18},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:13,x:199,y:649,w:0,h:13},
{t:"14 ",p:14,x:37,y:1557,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:14,x:77,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"Juggling act",p:14,x:98,y:74,w:721,h:174},
{t:"by Karen Schulz",p:14,x:936,y:88,w:122,h:21},
{t:"Editor, MEA Voice",p:14,x:926,y:113,w:132,h:21},
{t:"Juggling act",p:14,x:186,y:60,w:391,h:99},
{t:"Like many support professionals,  ",p:14,x:186,y:168,w:560,h:45},
{t:"Linda Raymond wears many hats",p:14,x:186,y:213,w:537,h:45},
{t:"member profile",p:14,x:37,y:31,w:163,h:35},
{t:"MARION—Linda Raymond isn’t easily daunted.",p:14,x:632,y:306,w:358,h:22},
{t:"Though stretched to do a little bit of everything at Marion",p:14,x:642,y:332,w:425,h:21},
{t:"Elementary School where she works, the veteran em -",p:14,x:632,y:357,w:394,h:21},
{t:"ployee is always willing to take on extra challenges—and ",p:14,x:632,y:382,w:423,h:21},
{t:"work assignments. Her reason is simple, really",p:14,x:632,y:407,w:348,h:21},
{t:", and it’s a ",p:14,x:975,y:407,w:81,h:21},
{t:"source of pride as well:",p:14,x:632,y:432,w:173,h:21},
{t:"“The kids,” she will reply if asked what she loves about ",p:14,x:642,y:457,w:412,h:21},
{t:"her job—or when asked why she does so much. “Marion ",p:14,x:632,y:482,w:428,h:21},
{t:"Elementary is a great place to work.”",p:14,x:632,y:507,w:275,h:21},
{t:"Raymond’s offcial job is as an instructional paraprofes -",p:14,x:642,y:532,w:410,h:21},
{t:"sional in the reading intervention program. Like many ",p:14,x:632,y:557,w:401,h:21},
{t:"other employees in rural schools, Raymond’ s job includes ",p:14,x:632,y:582,w:432,h:21},
{t:"many diverse responsibilities.",p:14,x:632,y:607,w:220,h:21},
{t:"Most of the week, she works with groups of six to 10 stu -",p:14,x:642,y:632,w:420,h:21},
{t:"dents, either in her own classroom or in the computer lab. ",p:14,x:632,y:657,w:436,h:21},
{t:"Raymond works with students in kindergarten through ",p:14,x:632,y:682,w:408,h:21},
{t:"sixth grade for 30 minutes at a time, four days a week, ",p:14,x:632,y:707,w:408,h:21},
{t:"and works one day a week in the library .",p:14,x:632,y:732,w:298,h:21},
{t:"She’s also the school’s crossing guard, helping students ",p:14,x:642,y:757,w:418,h:21},
{t:"cross Main Street before and after school.",p:14,x:632,y:782,w:313,h:21},
{t:"When the school’s full-time librarian position was elimi -",p:14,x:642,y:807,w:407,h:21},
{t:"nated two years ago due to budget cuts, some library du -",p:14,x:632,y:832,w:423,h:21},
{t:"ties were added to Raymond’s weekly schedule. Teachers ",p:14,x:632,y:857,w:432,h:21},
{t:"help students check their own books in and out, but ",p:14,x:632,y:882,w:392,h:21},
{t:"Raymond orders and handles new library materials, re -",p:14,x:632,y:907,w:409,h:21},
{t:"pairs books, and shelves returned books—a task that she ",p:14,x:632,y:932,w:431,h:21},
{t:"often does on the weekends. She also keeps the library ",p:14,x:632,y:957,w:413,h:21},
{t:"and adjacent computer lab neat and tidy .",p:14,x:632,y:982,w:306,h:21},
{t:"Raymond runs the school’s annual book fair and a small ",p:14,x:642,y:1007,w:423,h:21},
{t:"“store” where students can buy items with points they’ve ",p:14,x:632,y:1032,w:426,h:21},
{t:"earned for reading. She oversees fundraisers (collecting ",p:14,x:632,y:1057,w:418,h:21},
{t:"box tops, soup labels, and other proofs of purchase to ",p:14,x:632,y:1082,w:405,h:21},
{t:"exchange for cash).",p:14,x:632,y:1107,w:148,h:21},
{t:"“She is wonderful,” said Mary Bell, a ffth-grade teacher",p:14,x:642,y:1132,w:419,h:21},
{t:".",p:14,x:1055,y:1132,w:4,h:21},
{t:"Raymond isn’t the only educational support professional ",p:14,x:642,y:1157,w:421,h:21},
{t:"who holds multiple jobs within a school or district. Many",p:14,x:632,y:1182,w:420,h:21},
{t:"do. And plenty of others work extra, nonschool jobs in the",p:14,x:632,y:1207,w:432,h:21},
{t:"evenings, during weekends or over summer .",p:14,x:632,y:1232,w:328,h:21},
{t:"Some do it because they need to earn more money—the ",p:14,x:642,y:1257,w:426,h:21},
{t:"average wage for full-time K-12 support staff employees ",p:14,x:632,y:1282,w:418,h:21},
{t:"is less than $27,000 a year , according to the National ",p:14,x:632,y:1307,w:401,h:21},
{t:"Education Association. Part-timers, obviously , earn less.",p:14,x:632,y:1332,w:414,h:21},
{t:"Raymond graduated from Marion schools and still lives ",p:14,x:642,y:1357,w:412,h:21},
{t:"in the district. She subbed for more than four years be -",p:14,x:632,y:1382,w:408,h:21},
{t:"fore landing a permanent position about 26 years ago, a ",p:14,x:632,y:1407,w:420,h:21},
{t:"move that helped her get access to health insurance, a ",p:14,x:632,y:1432,w:412,h:21},
{t:"necessity with a self-employed husband and three young ",p:14,x:632,y:1457,w:427,h:21},
{t:"children. Most of Raymond’s tenure has been at the ",p:14,x:632,y:1482,w:390,h:21},
{t:"elementary school, where she works with her sister , an ",p:14,x:632,y:1507,w:409,h:21},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:14,x:48,y:689,w:0,h:13},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:14,x:48,y:1111,w:0,h:13},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:14,x:48,y:1533,w:0,h:13},
{t:"paraprofessional  ",p:14,x:1003,y:201,w:241,h:37},
{t:"crossing guard  ",p:14,x:1287,y:201,w:216,h:37},
{t:"library staffer  ",p:14,x:1547,y:201,w:200,h:37},
{t:"fundraiser volunteer  ",p:14,x:1791,y:201,w:290,h:37},
{t:"association president",p:14,x:2125,y:201,w:287,h:37},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:15,x:1084,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"15",p:15,x:1197,y:1557,w:20,h:21},
{t:"instructional paraprofessional who also supervises chil -",p:15,x:192,y:307,w:407,h:21},
{t:"dren during recess.",p:15,x:192,y:332,w:146,h:21},
{t:"Outside of work, the 61-year-old stays active with hob-",p:15,x:201,y:357,w:401,h:21},
{t:"bies and household projects.",p:15,x:192,y:382,w:216,h:21},
{t:"Raymond is president of the Marion Educational Support",p:15,x:201,y:407,w:426,h:21},
{t:"Personnel Association, an MEA affliate that includes para",p:15,x:192,y:432,w:433,h:21},
{t:"-",p:15,x:615,y:432,w:5,h:21},
{t:"professionals and bus drivers. She’ s served on multiple ",p:15,x:192,y:457,w:408,h:21},
{t:"association committees and has attended numerous MEA",p:15,x:192,y:482,w:433,h:21},
{t:"conferences to strengthen her advocacy and job skills.",p:15,x:192,y:507,w:408,h:21},
{t:"Though her job has changed a lot over the years, ",p:15,x:201,y:532,w:381,h:21},
{t:"Raymond says that she still enjoys going to work every ",p:15,x:192,y:557,w:420,h:21},
{t:"day. She especially loves watching the younger students ",p:15,x:192,y:582,w:434,h:21},
{t:"learn to read.",p:15,x:192,y:607,w:102,h:21},
{t:"“That is so exciting,” Raymond says, her eyes lighting up",p:15,x:201,y:632,w:418,h:21},
{t:"as she describes kindergartners and frst- and second-grad",p:15,x:192,y:657,w:434,h:21},
{t:"-",p:15,x:617,y:657,w:5,h:21},
{t:"ers fguring out how to read words and, eventually",p:15,x:192,y:682,w:366,h:21},
{t:", books.",p:15,x:548,y:682,w:58,h:21},
{t:"She can’t quite imagine how retirement will compare to ",p:15,x:201,y:707,w:413,h:21},
{t:"those a-ha moments with students, but admits she’ s start-",p:15,x:192,y:732,w:430,h:21},
{t:"ing to think about it.",p:15,x:192,y:757,w:150,h:21},
{t:"“Maybe I’ll get involved with MEA-Retired,” she said. “I’ll",p:15,x:201,y:782,w:425,h:21},
{t:"still want to be able to help this group. And I know that I’ll",p:15,x:192,y:807,w:431,h:21},
{t:"want to be able to help advocate for students.” ",p:15,x:192,y:832,w:355,h:21},
{t:"NEA ’s living wage campaign",p:15,x:195,y:879,w:410,h:45},
{t:"Working two or three jobs is sometimes born out of",p:15,x:205,y:932,w:380,h:21},
{t:"necessity .",p:15,x:195,y:957,w:71,h:21},
{t:"In many parts of Michigan, and the United States,",p:15,x:205,y:982,w:375,h:21},
{t:"school support professionals work two or three jobs to",p:15,x:195,y:1007,w:402,h:21},
{t:"feed and shelter their families, or earn so little that they",p:15,x:195,y:1032,w:413,h:21},
{t:"qualify for government assistance.",p:15,x:195,y:1057,w:256,h:21},
{t:"Through its nationwide salary initiative, the National",p:15,x:205,y:1082,w:386,h:21},
{t:"Education Association is pushing for an appropriate",p:15,x:195,y:1107,w:386,h:21},
{t:"living wage as starting pay for all educational support",p:15,x:195,y:1132,w:396,h:21},
{t:"professionals. The initiative is part of a broader push for",p:15,x:195,y:1157,w:417,h:21},
{t:"a $40,000 starting salary for all pre-K-12 teachers and",p:15,x:195,y:1182,w:408,h:21},
{t:"appropriate pay for all higher education faculty and staff.",p:15,x:195,y:1207,w:425,h:21},
{t:"Generally, a living wage means suffcient wages to pay",p:15,x:205,y:1232,w:403,h:21},
{t:"for basic necessities in a given community",p:15,x:195,y:1257,w:317,h:21},
{t:".  A living ",p:15,x:504,y:1257,w:72,h:21},
{t:"wage campaign is a grassroots effort by employees to",p:15,x:195,y:1282,w:399,h:21},
{t:"win wages that are suffcient to pay for rent, food, utili",p:15,x:195,y:1307,w:401,h:21},
{t:"-",p:15,x:587,y:1307,w:5,h:21},
{t:"ties, taxes, health care, transportation and childcare.",p:15,x:195,y:1332,w:394,h:21},
{t:"The campaign is rooted in the idea that better pay",p:15,x:205,y:1357,w:375,h:21},
{t:"attracts quality staff and stems turnover",p:15,x:195,y:1382,w:296,h:21},
{t:". The local econ-",p:15,x:483,y:1382,w:122,h:21},
{t:"omy benefts from higher ESP spending power—and",p:15,x:195,y:1407,w:394,h:21},
{t:"when workers are paid a living wage, taxpayers no longer",p:15,x:195,y:1432,w:427,h:21},
{t:"subsidize low-wage employers.",p:15,x:195,y:1457,w:231,h:21},
{t:"If you’d like to learn more about NEA",p:15,x:205,y:1482,w:277,h:21},
{t:"’ s efforts, go to ",p:15,x:474,y:1482,w:111,h:21},
{t:"www.nea.org/pay .",p:15,x:195,y:1507,w:128,h:21},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:15,x:1216,y:1533,w:0,h:13},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:15,x:1216,y:1111,w:0,h:13},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:15,x:1216,y:689,w:0,h:13},
{t:"paraprofessional",p:15,x:-39,y:201,w:222,h:37},
{t:"  ",p:15,x:0,y:201,w:19,h:37},
{t:"crossing guard  ",p:15,x:31,y:201,w:216,h:37},
{t:"library staffer  ",p:15,x:291,y:201,w:200,h:37},
{t:"fundraiser volunteer  ",p:15,x:534,y:201,w:290,h:37},
{t:"association president",p:15,x:869,y:201,w:287,h:37},
{t:"16 ",p:16,x:37,y:1557,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:16,x:77,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"District retaliates against ",p:16,x:186,y:60,w:800,h:99},
{t:"vocal union leader",p:16,x:186,y:152,w:575,h:99},
{t:"association buzz",p:16,x:37,y:31,w:176,h:35},
{t:"TRAVERSE CITY—The president of the teachers union in",p:16,x:186,y:281,w:431,h:22},
{t:"Traverse City alleges that an unexpected job transfer was",p:16,x:186,y:307,w:425,h:21},
{t:"motivated by district disdain for him.",p:16,x:186,y:332,w:274,h:21},
{t:"The Traverse City Education Association and MEA have",p:16,x:195,y:357,w:413,h:21},
{t:"fled a complaint against the district alleging miscon",p:16,x:186,y:382,w:388,h:21},
{t:"-",p:16,x:565,y:382,w:5,h:21},
{t:"duct under the state’ s Public Employment Relations Act.",p:16,x:186,y:407,w:420,h:21},
{t:"A January hearing on the unfair labor practice charge",p:16,x:186,y:432,w:401,h:21},
{t:"is scheduled with the Michigan Employment Relations",p:16,x:186,y:457,w:406,h:21},
{t:"Commission.",p:16,x:186,y:482,w:96,h:21},
{t:"John Scrudato, who frequently speaks during public",p:16,x:195,y:507,w:391,h:21},
{t:"comment time at school board meetings—where he some",p:16,x:186,y:532,w:435,h:21},
{t:"-",p:16,x:612,y:532,w:5,h:21},
{t:"times criticizes administrators’ actions—described his",p:16,x:186,y:557,w:403,h:21},
{t:"reassignment as “retaliation.”",p:16,x:186,y:582,w:221,h:21},
{t:"Over the past year , tension mounted as contract talks",p:16,x:195,y:607,w:396,h:21},
{t:"lagged without resolution. Scrudato said his public com",p:16,x:186,y:632,w:415,h:21},
{t:"-",p:16,x:592,y:632,w:5,h:21},
{t:"ments have been motivated by a desire to advocate for",p:16,x:186,y:657,w:410,h:21},
{t:"members and students. The 640 teachers and other",p:16,x:186,y:682,w:393,h:21},
{t:"school employees who belong to the local union expect",p:16,x:186,y:707,w:413,h:21},
{t:"him to speak on their behalf, he said.",p:16,x:186,y:732,w:280,h:21},
{t:"“My sole thought was protecting my members and pro",p:16,x:195,y:757,w:408,h:21},
{t:"-",p:16,x:595,y:757,w:5,h:21},
{t:"tecting our students,” Scrudato said of his actions.",p:16,x:186,y:782,w:379,h:21},
{t:"In August, as both sides prepared to meet with a me",p:16,x:195,y:807,w:393,h:21},
{t:"-",p:16,x:580,y:807,w:5,h:21},
{t:"diator to work through bargaining differences, Scrudato",p:16,x:186,y:832,w:414,h:21},
{t:"was reassigned from his job as classroom composition",p:16,x:186,y:857,w:407,h:21},
{t:"facilitator . In that role, he helped provide extra support to",p:16,x:637,y:632,w:424,h:21},
{t:"teachers, especially those with working with students at",p:16,x:637,y:657,w:415,h:21},
{t:"risk of academic failure and students with special needs.",p:16,x:637,y:682,w:426,h:21},
{t:"His new assignment is teaching a reading course at W",p:16,x:637,y:707,w:406,h:21},
{t:"est ",p:16,x:1034,y:707,w:26,h:21},
{t:"Middle School.",p:16,x:637,y:732,w:111,h:21},
{t:"“Any teacher who speaks up becomes a target,”",p:16,x:646,y:757,w:363,h:21},
{t:"Scrudato said.",p:16,x:637,y:782,w:107,h:21},
{t:"Added Don Hakala, the MEA UniServ director who works",p:16,x:646,y:807,w:423,h:21},
{t:"with Traverse City members: “John was targeted because of",p:16,x:637,y:832,w:442,h:21},
{t:"his leadership and his presidency",p:16,x:637,y:857,w:249,h:21},
{t:". They went after him.” ",p:16,x:877,y:857,w:175,h:21},
{t:"MACOMB COUNTY—MEA members in Macomb County ",p:16,x:186,y:1056,w:430,h:22},
{t:"answered the call to help homeless students and their ",p:16,x:186,y:1082,w:410,h:21},
{t:"families—raising thousands of dollars and collecting bags ",p:16,x:186,y:1107,w:436,h:21},
{t:"of socks, gloves and other necessities.",p:16,x:186,y:1132,w:286,h:21},
{t:"The effort this fall was a boost to the Macomb ",p:16,x:195,y:1157,w:347,h:21},
{t:"Intermediate School District’s efforts to help a growing ",p:16,x:186,y:1182,w:409,h:21},
{t:"number of homeless children this school year.",p:16,x:186,y:1207,w:346,h:21},
{t:"“We could not do what we do without the commu-",p:16,x:195,y:1232,w:388,h:21},
{t:"nity support,” said Kathy Kropf, the homeless educa-",p:16,x:186,y:1257,w:410,h:21},
{t:"tion liaison for the intermediate district. In the frst six ",p:16,x:186,y:1282,w:416,h:21},
{t:"weeks of the school year, about 300 homeless students ",p:16,x:186,y:1307,w:433,h:21},
{t:"received help.",p:16,x:186,y:1332,w:109,h:21},
{t:"The need is much greater than previous years, largely ",p:16,x:195,y:1357,w:408,h:21},
{t:"due to Michigan’s economic slump. Communities that ",p:16,x:186,y:1382,w:410,h:21},
{t:"previously didn’t have many homeless students now do.",p:16,x:186,y:1407,w:419,h:21},
{t:"“It is a horrendous time,” said Jack Ellis, a retired ",p:16,x:195,y:1432,w:377,h:21},
{t:"teacher who contributed to the homeless initiative.",p:16,x:186,y:1457,w:378,h:21},
{t:"Although the initial call for help came within the frst ",p:16,x:195,y:1482,w:395,h:21},
{t:"few weeks of school this fall, Local 1 members continue ",p:16,x:186,y:1507,w:423,h:21},
{t:"to donate. MEA-Retired members in Macomb County ",p:16,x:637,y:1057,w:404,h:21},
{t:"donated generously when an envelope was circulated ",p:16,x:637,y:1082,w:406,h:21},
{t:"at a meeting, even though many are on fxed budgets ",p:16,x:637,y:1107,w:405,h:21},
{t:"themselves.",p:16,x:637,y:1132,w:89,h:21},
{t:"“They’re still digging in and giving to be helpful to the ",p:16,x:646,y:1157,w:404,h:21},
{t:"folks who have it worse than they do,” Ellis said. “That’s ",p:16,x:637,y:1182,w:422,h:21},
{t:"the DNA of a school employee.” ",p:16,x:637,y:1207,w:245,h:21},
{t:"Members help homeless kids",p:16,x:186,y:930,w:899,h:99},
{t:"John Scrudato",p:16,x:1087,y:582,w:90,h:22},
{t:"JOHN L. RUSSELL/FOR MEA",p:16,x:1067,y:601,w:0,h:13},
{t:"PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT",p:16,x:640,y:1257,w:243,h:35},
{t:"Statement of ownership, management and circulation required ",p:16,x:640,y:1291,w:274,h:15},
{t:"by the Act of Aug. 12, 1970: Section 3685, Title 39 United ",p:16,x:640,y:1308,w:249,h:15},
{t:"States Code.",p:16,x:640,y:1326,w:54,h:15},
{t:"1. ",p:16,x:640,y:1343,w:11,h:15},
{t:"The MEA Voice is the title of the publication.",p:16,x:659,y:1343,w:190,h:15},
{t:"2. ",p:16,x:640,y:1361,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Filed 10/09.",p:16,x:659,y:1361,w:51,h:15},
{t:"3. ",p:16,x:640,y:1378,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Frequency of issue is 6 times per year.",p:16,x:659,y:1378,w:164,h:15},
{t:"4. ",p:16,x:640,y:1396,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Headquarters of the publisher is at 1216 Kendale Blvd., ",p:16,x:659,y:1396,w:243,h:15},
{t:"East Lansing, MI 48823.",p:16,x:659,y:1413,w:105,h:15},
{t:"5. ",p:16,x:640,y:1431,w:11,h:15},
{t:"The publisher is the Michigan Education Association, 1216 ",p:16,x:659,y:1431,w:256,h:15},
{t:"Kendale Blvd., East Lansing, MI 48823.",p:16,x:659,y:1448,w:169,h:15},
{t:"6. ",p:16,x:640,y:1466,w:11,h:15},
{t:"The owner of the publication is the Michigan Education ",p:16,x:659,y:1466,w:240,h:15},
{t:"Association, 1216 Kendale Blvd., East Lansing, MI 48823.",p:16,x:659,y:1483,w:249,h:15},
{t:"7. ",p:16,x:640,y:1501,w:11,h:15},
{t:"There are no known bondholders, mortgages or other ",p:16,x:659,y:1501,w:229,h:15},
{t:"holders of securities of the publication.",p:16,x:659,y:1518,w:169,h:15},
{t:"Average no. copies of each issue during preceding 12 months/",p:16,x:935,y:1262,w:268,h:15},
{t:"Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest fling date.",p:16,x:935,y:1280,w:269,h:15},
{t:"A. ",p:16,x:953,y:1297,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Total Copies ",p:16,x:974,y:1297,w:55,h:15},
{t:"165,500 ",p:16,x:1105,y:1297,w:38,h:15},
{t:"165,500",p:16,x:1161,y:1297,w:35,h:15},
{t:"B. ",p:16,x:953,y:1315,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Paid circulation",p:16,x:974,y:1315,w:68,h:15},
{t:"1. Sales ",p:16,x:974,y:1332,w:37,h:15},
{t:"161,708 ",p:16,x:1105,y:1332,w:38,h:15},
{t:"162,223",p:16,x:1161,y:1332,w:35,h:15},
{t:"2. Mail subscription ",p:16,x:974,y:1350,w:88,h:15},
{t:"0 ",p:16,x:1135,y:1350,w:8,h:15},
{t:"0",p:16,x:1192,y:1350,w:5,h:15},
{t:"C. ",p:16,x:953,y:1367,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Total paid circulation ",p:16,x:974,y:1367,w:94,h:15},
{t:"161,708 ",p:16,x:1105,y:1367,w:38,h:15},
{t:"162,223",p:16,x:1161,y:1367,w:35,h:15},
{t:"D. ",p:16,x:953,y:1385,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Free distribution ",p:16,x:974,y:1385,w:73,h:15},
{t:"50 ",p:16,x:1130,y:1385,w:13,h:15},
{t:"0",p:16,x:1192,y:1385,w:5,h:15},
{t:"E. ",p:16,x:953,y:1402,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Free distribution outside ",p:16,x:974,y:1402,w:108,h:15},
{t:"450 ",p:16,x:1124,y:1402,w:19,h:15},
{t:"600",p:16,x:1181,y:1402,w:16,h:15},
{t:"F . ",p:16,x:953,y:1420,w:8,h:15},
{t:"Total free distribution ",p:16,x:974,y:1420,w:95,h:15},
{t:"500 ",p:16,x:1124,y:1420,w:19,h:15},
{t:"600",p:16,x:1181,y:1420,w:16,h:15},
{t:"G. ",p:16,x:953,y:1437,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Total distribution ",p:16,x:974,y:1437,w:76,h:15},
{t:"162,208 ",p:16,x:1105,y:1437,w:38,h:15},
{t:"162,823",p:16,x:1161,y:1437,w:35,h:15},
{t:"H. ",p:16,x:953,y:1455,w:11,h:15},
{t:"Offce use, leftovers ",p:16,x:974,y:1455,w:88,h:15},
{t:"228 ",p:16,x:1124,y:1455,w:19,h:15},
{t:"237",p:16,x:1181,y:1455,w:16,h:15},
{t:"I. ",p:16,x:953,y:1472,w:8,h:15},
{t:"Total ",p:16,x:974,y:1472,w:23,h:15},
{t:"162,436 ",p:16,x:1105,y:1472,w:38,h:15},
{t:"163,060",p:16,x:1161,y:1472,w:35,h:15},
{t:"I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and ",p:16,x:935,y:1490,w:275,h:15},
{t:"complete. Karen Schulz, Editor, MEA Voice.",p:16,x:935,y:1507,w:182,h:15},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:17,x:1086,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"17",p:17,x:1198,y:1557,w:19,h:21},
{t:"association buzz",p:17,x:1031,y:31,w:176,h:35},
{t:"Retirees help future ",p:17,x:461,y:60,w:629,h:99},
{t:"teachers soar",p:17,x:649,y:152,w:420,h:99},
{t:"Lindsey Wiley knows a lot about teaching—she gradu-",p:17,x:632,y:299,w:423,h:61},
{t:"ates this month from Western Michigan University’s ",p:17,x:658,y:332,w:390,h:21},
{t:"College of Education.",p:17,x:632,y:357,w:158,h:21},
{t:"And one thing she knows is that it’ll take time for her ",p:17,x:642,y:382,w:399,h:21},
{t:"to fully master the job. That’s why Wiley signed up for a ",p:17,x:632,y:407,w:418,h:21},
{t:"mentor this fall through a unique partnership between the ",p:17,x:632,y:432,w:439,h:21},
{t:"Student MEA and MEA-Retired programs.",p:17,x:632,y:457,w:314,h:21},
{t:"“I feel as though you can never have enough advice ",p:17,x:642,y:482,w:394,h:21},
{t:"from experienced teachers,” said Wiley, who worked with ",p:17,x:632,y:507,w:433,h:21},
{t:"retiree Mary Yedinak in addition to a mentor teacher at ",p:17,x:632,y:532,w:414,h:21},
{t:"Indian Prairie Elementary School in Kalamazoo, where ",p:17,x:632,y:557,w:411,h:21},
{t:"she interned during the fall semester. “It will only make ",p:17,x:632,y:582,w:418,h:21},
{t:"me better as an educator myself.”",p:17,x:632,y:607,w:255,h:21},
{t:"The mentoring program pairs Student MEA members ",p:17,x:642,y:632,w:404,h:21},
{t:"with members of MEA-Retired, former educators who vol-",p:17,x:632,y:657,w:432,h:21},
{t:"unteer to answer questions about everything from class-",p:17,x:632,y:682,w:420,h:21},
{t:"room management to interview skills. This is the second ",p:17,x:632,y:707,w:425,h:21},
{t:"year of the program.",p:17,x:632,y:732,w:152,h:21},
{t:"“We have one goal and it is to provide support for teach-",p:17,x:642,y:757,w:423,h:21},
{t:"ers in training,” said Karen Zyczynski, a retired teacher ",p:17,x:632,y:782,w:417,h:21},
{t:"who coordinates the effort.",p:17,x:632,y:807,w:199,h:21},
{t:"Teaching is the only profession that expects its novices ",p:17,x:642,y:832,w:415,h:21},
{t:"to fy solo. New teachers need practical, ongoing support ",p:17,x:632,y:857,w:431,h:21},
{t:"in the classroom.",p:17,x:632,y:882,w:128,h:21},
{t:"The No. 1 problem new teachers cite is “lack of sup-",p:17,x:642,y:907,w:396,h:21},
{t:"port,” according to NEA research. School districts are ",p:17,x:632,y:932,w:406,h:21},
{t:"struggling with high turnover rates as teachers fee the ",p:17,x:632,y:957,w:411,h:21},
{t:"profession, in large part due to the lack of assistance on ",p:17,x:632,y:982,w:424,h:21},
{t:"the job.",p:17,x:632,y:1007,w:56,h:21},
{t:"Mentoring programs can reduce a new teacher’s risk ",p:17,x:642,y:1032,w:401,h:21},
{t:"of leaving the profession, while also providing a novice ",p:17,x:632,y:1057,w:411,h:21},
{t:"educator valuable support and greater job satisfaction, ",p:17,x:632,y:1082,w:413,h:21},
{t:"research shows.",p:17,x:632,y:1107,w:121,h:21},
{t:"One of the benefts of the partnership between Student ",p:17,x:642,y:1132,w:417,h:21},
{t:"MEA and MEA-Retired is that novice teachers receive ",p:17,x:632,y:1157,w:406,h:21},
{t:"help from expert teachers who aren’t grading or evalu-",p:17,x:632,y:1182,w:407,h:21},
{t:"ating them, Zyczynski said. Another beneft is that the ",p:17,x:632,y:1207,w:408,h:21},
{t:"students—all on the verge of graduating and looking for ",p:17,x:632,y:1232,w:422,h:21},
{t:"their frst “real job”—can interact with another educator. ",p:17,x:632,y:1257,w:427,h:21},
{t:"Too often, newer teachers say they feel isolated in their ",p:17,x:632,y:1282,w:416,h:21},
{t:"classroom and don’t have enough time to collaborate or ",p:17,x:632,y:1307,w:422,h:21},
{t:"consult with colleagues.",p:17,x:632,y:1332,w:179,h:21},
{t:"“Having an experienced educator you can call on is ",p:17,x:642,y:1357,w:392,h:21},
{t:"invaluable,” she said.",p:17,x:632,y:1382,w:161,h:21},
{t:"The program aims to match mentors with students who ",p:17,x:642,y:1407,w:420,h:21},
{t:"plan to teach the same grade or subject area that they did ",p:17,x:632,y:1432,w:440,h:21},
{t:"before retirement. More volunteer mentors are needed to ",p:17,x:632,y:1457,w:432,h:21},
{t:"cover all grades and subjects. ",p:17,x:632,y:1482,w:228,h:21},
{t:"More mentors ",p:17,x:1100,y:1054,w:124,h:25},
{t:"needed: ",p:17,x:1150,y:1079,w:74,h:25},
{t:"More retirees ",p:17,x:1139,y:1107,w:83,h:21},
{t:"are needed to ",p:17,x:1135,y:1129,w:86,h:21},
{t:"mentor Student ",p:17,x:1123,y:1152,w:98,h:21},
{t:"MEA members. If ",p:17,x:1115,y:1174,w:107,h:21},
{t:"you’re interested ",p:17,x:1117,y:1197,w:105,h:21},
{t:"in volunteering, ",p:17,x:1123,y:1219,w:99,h:21},
{t:"contact Carol ",p:17,x:1136,y:1242,w:85,h:21},
{t:"Price at MEA ",p:17,x:1141,y:1264,w:81,h:21},
{t:"(800-292-1934 or ",p:17,x:1108,y:1287,w:114,h:21},
{t:"cprice@mea.org ).",p:17,x:1110,y:1309,w:108,h:21},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:17,x:70,y:724,w:0,h:13},
{t:"MEA AND THE DETROIT PISTONS ",p:17,x:68,y:1152,w:532,h:39},
{t:"ARE PROUD TO PRESENT THE ",p:17,x:95,y:1190,w:479,h:39},
{t:"MICHIGAN READS PROGRAM!",p:17,x:76,y:1229,w:507,h:40},
{t:"This new tool uses free Pistons tickets and other ",p:17,x:69,y:1295,w:528,h:27},
{t:"great prizes to encourage students to read.",p:17,x:98,y:1320,w:463,h:27},
{t:"For details about how you can use this exciting ",p:17,x:75,y:1370,w:515,h:27},
{t:"new program with your students, visit",p:17,x:124,y:1395,w:412,h:27},
{t:"www.michiganreads.com ",p:17,x:192,y:1420,w:282,h:27},
{t:"Members of Student MEA and their mentors, members of MEA-Retired.",p:17,x:168,y:757,w:452,h:22},
{t:"18 ",p:18,x:37,y:1557,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:18,x:77,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"Show and tell",p:18,x:186,y:60,w:420,h:99},
{t:"MSU affliate engages members",p:18,x:186,y:168,w:467,h:45},
{t:"association buzz",p:18,x:37,y:31,w:176,h:35},
{t:"RIVER ROUGE—Locked out River Rouge teachers were ",p:18,x:186,y:1006,w:428,h:22},
{t:"called back to work after the district agreed to settle a ",p:18,x:186,y:1032,w:406,h:21},
{t:"months‘-long dispute.",p:18,x:186,y:1057,w:163,h:21},
{t:"In July, the Wayne County district laid off 24 teachers—",p:18,x:195,y:1082,w:417,h:21},
{t:"about half its educators—in an effort to eliminate a ",p:18,x:186,y:1107,w:386,h:21},
{t:"budget defcit. Substitutes flled many of those jobs when ",p:18,x:186,y:1132,w:433,h:21},
{t:"classes started this fall.",p:18,x:186,y:1157,w:174,h:21},
{t:"“What they were doing looked like, felt like and smelled ",p:18,x:195,y:1182,w:420,h:21},
{t:"like a lockout,” said teacher David Kocbus, president of ",p:18,x:186,y:1207,w:421,h:21},
{t:"the 49-member River Rouge Education Association.",p:18,x:186,y:1232,w:389,h:21},
{t:"The lockout capped a dispute between the association ",p:18,x:195,y:1257,w:413,h:21},
{t:"and the district that began when the district introduced a ",p:18,x:186,y:1282,w:432,h:21},
{t:"number of initiatives. When the association demanded to ",p:18,x:186,y:1307,w:432,h:21},
{t:"bargain over those efforts, allowable under law because ",p:18,x:186,y:1332,w:421,h:21},
{t:"the existing contract didn’t address them specifcally, the ",p:18,x:186,y:1357,w:431,h:21},
{t:"district countered with its own demands to bargain—",p:18,x:186,y:1382,w:397,h:21},
{t:"over wages and health insurance contributions from ",p:18,x:186,y:1407,w:394,h:21},
{t:"employees.",p:18,x:186,y:1432,w:85,h:21},
{t:"Bargaining law doesn’t allow a district or a union to de-",p:18,x:195,y:1457,w:411,h:21},
{t:"mand to bargain over provisions that have already been ",p:18,x:186,y:1482,w:421,h:21},
{t:"settled, said Nancy Koziol, the MEA UniServ director ",p:18,x:186,y:1507,w:398,h:21},
{t:"who works with the association. The teachers’ contract ",p:18,x:637,y:1332,w:414,h:21},
{t:"doesn’t expire until 2011.",p:18,x:637,y:1357,w:192,h:21},
{t:"With MEA",p:18,x:646,y:1382,w:74,h:21},
{t:"’ s help, the local association fought back.",p:18,x:719,y:1382,w:309,h:21},
{t:"After the Michigan Employment Relations Commission ",p:18,x:646,y:1407,w:413,h:21},
{t:"(MERC) notifed the district and individual school board ",p:18,x:637,y:1432,w:421,h:21},
{t:"members that fnes would be imposed if they were found ",p:18,x:637,y:1457,w:432,h:21},
{t:"guilty of a lockout, the district agreed to settle and re-",p:18,x:637,y:1482,w:399,h:21},
{t:"stored the teachers’ jobs. ",p:18,x:637,y:1507,w:193,h:21},
{t:"EAST LANSING—About  2,000 Michigan State ",p:18,x:186,y:297,w:361,h:22},
{t:"University employees belong to MEA—and that poses ",p:18,x:186,y:322,w:407,h:21},
{t:"some special challenges for its local affliate, the MSU ",p:18,x:186,y:347,w:408,h:21},
{t:"Administrative Professionals Association.",p:18,x:186,y:372,w:305,h:21},
{t:"How do you “sell” the value of belonging to a union that ",p:18,x:195,y:397,w:423,h:21},
{t:"mostly represents K-12 employees? What does MEA have ",p:18,x:186,y:422,w:436,h:21},
{t:"to offer higher education employees, especially a group ",p:18,x:186,y:447,w:419,h:21},
{t:"as diverse as APA?",p:18,x:186,y:472,w:140,h:21},
{t:"“When things go sour, the union’s here,” said Maurice ",p:18,x:195,y:497,w:411,h:21},
{t:"Koffman, president of MSU APA. “But we wanted to ",p:18,x:186,y:522,w:395,h:21},
{t:"share additional resources. We wanted our members to ",p:18,x:186,y:547,w:420,h:21},
{t:"know that the association is here for more than just fling ",p:18,x:186,y:572,w:429,h:21},
{t:"a grievance or bargaining a contract.”",p:18,x:186,y:597,w:283,h:21},
{t:"Over the past several months, APA has hosted monthly ",p:18,x:195,y:622,w:417,h:21},
{t:"orientation sessions for new members, periodic informal ",p:18,x:186,y:647,w:425,h:21},
{t:"lunch workshops, and social events.",p:18,x:186,y:672,w:272,h:21},
{t:"“We’re trying to connect to as many members as we ",p:18,x:195,y:697,w:396,h:21},
{t:"can,” Koffman said.",p:18,x:186,y:722,w:149,h:21},
{t:"New MSU employees—the association gets more than ",p:18,x:195,y:747,w:413,h:21},
{t:"30 new members every month—attend the optional ori-",p:18,x:637,y:572,w:417,h:21},
{t:"entation sessions, where they’re given information about ",p:18,x:637,y:597,w:426,h:21},
{t:"APA as well as MEA. Nearly 100 members attend topical ",p:18,x:637,y:622,w:430,h:21},
{t:"workshops—cardiovascular health, retirement, legislative ",p:18,x:637,y:647,w:432,h:21},
{t:"issues, and more—held on campus.",p:18,x:637,y:672,w:273,h:21},
{t:"“Obviously, APA can be more effective as a union if we ",p:18,x:646,y:697,w:415,h:21},
{t:"know the people we work with,” Koffman said. “We’re all ",p:18,x:637,y:722,w:429,h:21},
{t:"in this together. It’s very cliché, but it’s real.” ",p:18,x:637,y:747,w:336,h:21},
{t:"Teachers back on the job",p:18,x:186,y:871,w:779,h:99},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:18,x:1067,y:540,w:0,h:13},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:18,x:643,y:1309,w:0,h:13},
{t:"Cynthia Schneider, ",p:18,x:1087,y:406,w:124,h:22},
{t:"vice chair of MSU ",p:18,x:1087,y:429,w:116,h:22},
{t:"APA, talks with ",p:18,x:1087,y:451,w:98,h:22},
{t:"member Deborah ",p:18,x:1087,y:474,w:115,h:22},
{t:"Sudduth, right, after ",p:18,x:1087,y:496,w:134,h:22},
{t:"a union meeting.",p:18,x:1087,y:519,w:107,h:22},
{t:"Members of the ",p:18,x:1087,y:1357,w:104,h:22},
{t:"River Rouge ",p:18,x:1087,y:1379,w:82,h:22},
{t:"Education ",p:18,x:1087,y:1402,w:68,h:22},
{t:"Association along ",p:18,x:1087,y:1424,w:117,h:22},
{t:"with their MEA ",p:18,x:1087,y:1447,w:95,h:22},
{t:"UniServ director ",p:18,x:1087,y:1469,w:109,h:22},
{t:"(Nancy Koziol, far ",p:18,x:1087,y:1492,w:117,h:22},
{t:"right, front row).",p:18,x:1087,y:1514,w:106,h:22},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:19,x:1086,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"19",p:19,x:1198,y:1557,w:19,h:21},
{t:"association buzz",p:19,x:1031,y:31,w:176,h:35},
{t:"District breaks the law—",p:19,x:299,y:60,w:770,h:99},
{t:"and teachers fight back",p:19,x:340,y:152,w:729,h:99},
{t:"Flint teachers’ long fght for a new",p:19,x:186,y:299,w:266,h:61},
{t:"contract took an unexpected turn",p:19,x:213,y:332,w:245,h:21},
{t:"this fall when the district abruptly",p:19,x:186,y:357,w:244,h:21},
{t:"switched health insurance without bar",p:19,x:186,y:382,w:280,h:21},
{t:"-",p:19,x:458,y:382,w:5,h:21},
{t:"gaining the specifcs of the coverage.",p:19,x:186,y:407,w:272,h:21},
{t:"“The school district has made the",p:19,x:195,y:432,w:253,h:21},
{t:"whole bargaining process very diff",p:19,x:186,y:457,w:259,h:21},
{t:"-",p:19,x:439,y:457,w:5,h:21},
{t:"cult,” said Michele Stinson, president",p:19,x:186,y:482,w:281,h:21},
{t:"of United Teachers of Flint, an MEA ",p:19,x:186,y:507,w:266,h:21},
{t:"affliate with more than 1,300 mem -",p:19,x:186,y:532,w:264,h:21},
{t:"bers. “This violates bargaining law",p:19,x:186,y:557,w:256,h:21},
{t:".”",p:19,x:435,y:557,w:12,h:21},
{t:"Flint teachers haven’t had a new ",p:19,x:195,y:582,w:249,h:21},
{t:"contract in more than two years. The ",p:19,x:186,y:607,w:281,h:21},
{t:"previous contract expired Aug. 31, ",p:19,x:186,y:632,w:264,h:21},
{t:"2007; the two sides started bargain-",p:19,x:186,y:657,w:271,h:21},
{t:"ing in March 2008. In March 2009, ",p:19,x:186,y:682,w:272,h:21},
{t:"the association fled for fact-fnding ",p:19,x:186,y:707,w:268,h:21},
{t:"after numerous bargaining sessions and work with a ",p:19,x:186,y:732,w:395,h:21},
{t:"mediator failed to produce a new contract.",p:19,x:186,y:757,w:318,h:21},
{t:"As is often the case, the association and the district ",p:19,x:195,y:782,w:390,h:21},
{t:"agreed to honor the terms and conditions laid out in the ",p:19,x:186,y:807,w:423,h:21},
{t:"previous contract pending a new contract—but then the ",p:19,x:186,y:832,w:426,h:21},
{t:"district imposed a different health insurance plan.",p:19,x:186,y:857,w:374,h:21},
{t:"“We had a deal to hold to the contract on a day-to-day ",p:19,x:195,y:882,w:412,h:21},
{t:"basis,” Stinson said. “For them to decide to throw that ",p:19,x:186,y:907,w:411,h:21},
{t:"out the window while we’re trying to work out a contract ",p:19,x:186,y:932,w:421,h:21},
{t:"is unconscionable—and illegal.”",p:19,x:186,y:957,w:242,h:21},
{t:"The association subsequently fled unfair labor prac-",p:19,x:646,y:732,w:393,h:21},
{t:"tice charges with the Michigan Employment Relations ",p:19,x:637,y:757,w:407,h:21},
{t:"Commission, a state agency that resolves such disputes. ",p:19,x:637,y:782,w:428,h:21},
{t:"The charges accuse the district of imposing a new health ",p:19,x:637,y:807,w:433,h:21},
{t:"plan contrary to the state bargaining law that forbids such ",p:19,x:637,y:832,w:437,h:21},
{t:"changes when a fact-fnding petition is pending.",p:19,x:637,y:857,w:361,h:21},
{t:"The association also sought a court injunction to stop ",p:19,x:646,y:882,w:403,h:21},
{t:"the school board from taking away teachers’ MESSA ",p:19,x:637,y:907,w:396,h:21},
{t:"insurance and imposing the HealthPlus plan. At press ",p:19,x:637,y:932,w:410,h:21},
{t:"time, the suit was pending. ",p:19,x:637,y:957,w:207,h:21},
{t:"MESSA ’s success is rooted in our industry-leading member service and strong focus on support-",p:19,x:344,y:1232,w:722,h:21},
{t:"ing our members’ good health.",p:19,x:335,y:1257,w:230,h:21},
{t:"Real people answer the phones at our East Lansing customer service center. MESSA",p:19,x:344,y:1282,w:634,h:21},
{t:"’ s chronic ",p:19,x:977,y:1282,w:77,h:21},
{t:"disease support and medical case management programs have earned full accreditation from ",p:19,x:335,y:1307,w:708,h:21},
{t:"URAC, a national leader in benchmarking health plans for quality, effciency, cost-effectiveness ",p:19,x:335,y:1332,w:716,h:21},
{t:"and adherence to best practices. Our wellness programs improve employee health and reduce ",p:19,x:335,y:1357,w:714,h:21},
{t:"costs. ",p:19,x:335,y:1382,w:48,h:21},
{t:"For 50 years MESSA ’s comprehensive coverage has helped our members stay healthy and given them peace of ",p:19,x:195,y:1407,w:840,h:21},
{t:"mind and an important sense of fnancial security when they are ill. ",p:19,x:186,y:1432,w:509,h:21},
{t:"Today MESSA continues to emphasize proven wellness strategies—from cancer screenings to annual physicals to ",p:19,x:195,y:1457,w:856,h:21},
{t:"our new worksite wellness program—that keep our members healthy, improve quality and reduce costs. It’s a key ",p:19,x:186,y:1482,w:855,h:21},
{t:"part of what makes MESSA unique—and better—than other plans. ",p:19,x:186,y:1507,w:506,h:21},
{t:"MESSA is a leader in ",p:19,x:452,y:1024,w:637,h:94},
{t:"supporting good health",p:19,x:396,y:1112,w:672,h:94},
{t:"Left to right, Dave ",p:19,x:1087,y:532,w:119,h:22},
{t:"Harrell, Gerald ",p:19,x:1087,y:554,w:98,h:22},
{t:"Kennedy, Renetha ",p:19,x:1087,y:577,w:118,h:22},
{t:"D. Rumph, Karen ",p:19,x:1087,y:599,w:110,h:22},
{t:"Christian, Nancy ",p:19,x:1087,y:622,w:109,h:22},
{t:"Rozier, Evangeline ",p:19,x:1087,y:644,w:122,h:22},
{t:"Tutt, and Michele ",p:19,x:1087,y:667,w:114,h:22},
{t:"Stinson.",p:19,x:1087,y:689,w:51,h:22},
{t:"Cynthia Williams,  ",p:19,x:196,y:1051,w:138,h:21},
{t:"MESSA Executive Director",p:19,x:196,y:1076,w:195,h:21},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:19,x:485,y:710,w:0,h:13},
{t:"20 ",p:20,x:37,y:1557,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:20,x:77,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"Your money »",p:20,x:186,y:60,w:420,h:99},
{t:"financial tips",p:20,x:37,y:31,w:137,h:35},
{t:"Ask MEA-FS",p:20,x:195,y:396,w:116,h:35},
{t:"Q: My goal is to buy a home. How long do I have to invest?",p:20,x:195,y:431,w:455,h:22},
{t:"First, determine your goal. What will you need for a down pay-",p:20,x:195,y:457,w:465,h:21},
{t:"ment, closing costs, insurance, moving expense, and possible ",p:20,x:186,y:482,w:470,h:21},
{t:"repairs? Prequalify yourself with a mortgage company to fnd out ",p:20,x:186,y:507,w:486,h:21},
{t:"the price range you can afford.",p:20,x:186,y:532,w:231,h:21},
{t:"Next, use an online calculator to play with the numbers—you can ",p:20,x:195,y:557,w:496,h:21},
{t:"make various adjusts to determine a reasonable monthly payment; ",p:20,x:186,y:582,w:504,h:21},
{t:"we have several links to calculators on the MEA Financial Services ",p:20,x:186,y:607,w:501,h:21},
{t:"Web site, www.meafs.com, or you can fnd your own on the Web.",p:20,x:186,y:632,w:488,h:21},
{t:"Once you know how much money you need up front and each",p:20,x:195,y:657,w:474,h:21},
{t:"month for the duration of your mortgage, make sure you have",p:20,x:186,y:682,w:467,h:21},
{t:"a good investment plan. If you’d like to talk to someone about",p:20,x:186,y:707,w:466,h:21},
{t:"your investment plan, contact your MEA Financial Services",p:20,x:186,y:732,w:446,h:21},
{t:"representative. ",p:20,x:186,y:757,w:117,h:21},
{t:"Making ",p:20,x:934,y:196,w:82,h:35},
{t:"Cents:",p:20,x:934,y:231,w:66,h:35},
{t:"Defnitions for ",p:20,x:934,y:277,w:120,h:27},
{t:"the fnancially ",p:20,x:934,y:305,w:120,h:27},
{t:"challenged",p:20,x:934,y:332,w:90,h:27},
{t:"Escrow: A trust ",p:20,x:934,y:379,w:127,h:25},
{t:"account held in ",p:20,x:934,y:407,w:121,h:21},
{t:"the borrower’s ",p:20,x:934,y:432,w:111,h:21},
{t:"name to pay ",p:20,x:934,y:457,w:97,h:21},
{t:"obligations such ",p:20,x:934,y:482,w:126,h:21},
{t:"as property ",p:20,x:934,y:507,w:89,h:21},
{t:"taxes. If you ",p:20,x:934,y:532,w:95,h:21},
{t:"have a mortgage, ",p:20,x:934,y:557,w:134,h:21},
{t:"chances are you ",p:20,x:934,y:582,w:128,h:21},
{t:"make regular ",p:20,x:934,y:607,w:103,h:21},
{t:"deposits into an ",p:20,x:934,y:632,w:123,h:21},
{t:"escrow account ",p:20,x:934,y:657,w:122,h:21},
{t:"to pay taxes ",p:20,x:934,y:682,w:94,h:21},
{t:"or insurance ",p:20,x:934,y:707,w:98,h:21},
{t:"premiums.",p:20,x:934,y:732,w:81,h:21},
{t:"www.meafs.com",p:20,x:201,y:282,w:115,h:21},
{t:"3 ways to access MEA-FS ",p:20,x:414,y:171,w:252,h:35},
{t:"1. ",p:20,x:414,y:206,w:20,h:22},
{t:"Call toll-free 800-292-1950; normal business hours are 8 a.m. ",p:20,x:442,y:207,w:473,h:21},
{t:"to 5 p.m. EST weekdays.",p:20,x:442,y:232,w:186,h:21},
{t:"2. ",p:20,x:414,y:256,w:20,h:22},
{t:"Find your local agent/rep online at www.meafs.com, then click ",p:20,x:442,y:257,w:469,h:21},
{t:"on Find My Agent/Representative, under Contact Us.",p:20,x:442,y:282,w:397,h:21},
{t:"3. ",p:20,x:414,y:306,w:20,h:22},
{t:"Bring Financial Services to your district. You may invite an ",p:20,x:442,y:307,w:440,h:21},
{t:"MEA Financial Services representative to lead a workshop in ",p:20,x:442,y:332,w:457,h:21},
{t:"your area. Contact your local agent to arrange a meeting.",p:20,x:442,y:357,w:426,h:21},
{t:"In these diffcult fnancial times, a ",p:20,x:694,y:974,w:410,h:36},
{t:"teaching job in Redford Union Schools ",p:20,x:694,y:1004,w:456,h:36},
{t:"may look good to you, but itʼs not.",p:20,x:694,y:1034,w:399,h:36},
{t:"The administration froze salaries for ",p:20,x:694,y:1073,w:444,h:36},
{t:"the last six years.",p:20,x:694,y:1103,w:211,h:36},
{t:"The administration deducts $1,500 ",p:20,x:694,y:1143,w:428,h:36},
{t:"from each teacherʼs salary for health ",p:20,x:694,y:1173,w:447,h:36},
{t:"care, which is used to pay down the ",p:20,x:694,y:1203,w:427,h:36},
{t:"districtʼs defcit.",p:20,x:694,y:1233,w:193,h:36},
{t:"The administration has demoralized ",p:20,x:694,y:1272,w:440,h:36},
{t:"and abused the teaching staff.",p:20,x:694,y:1302,w:357,h:36},
{t:"These are three good reasons not ",p:20,x:694,y:1341,w:401,h:36},
{t:"to apply for a teaching position in ",p:20,x:694,y:1371,w:404,h:36},
{t:"Redford Union.",p:20,x:694,y:1401,w:179,h:36},
{t:"Advertisement by WC-MEA.",p:20,x:776,y:1451,w:298,h:31},
{t:"JUPITERIMAGES",p:20,x:717,y:780,w:0,h:13},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:21,x:1086,y:1557,w:99,h:21},
{t:"21",p:21,x:1198,y:1557,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Create-A-Cover Contest",p:21,x:353,y:60,w:716,h:99},
{t:"Deadline to enter is Jan. 30",p:21,x:659,y:159,w:410,h:45},
{t:"BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY",p:21,x:186,y:812,w:219,h:25},
{t:"Looking for a Simple Business? Don’t ",p:21,x:186,y:838,w:241,h:18},
{t:"miss out on this money maker? (CLICK) ",p:21,x:186,y:858,w:248,h:18},
{t:"www.networkmarketersdreamcometrue.com",p:21,x:186,y:876,w:275,h:18},
{t:".",p:21,x:457,y:876,w:4,h:18},
{t:"FOR SALE",p:21,x:186,y:908,w:85,h:25},
{t:"Firefy Myst Artisan Jewelry . Unique neck-",p:21,x:186,y:935,w:266,h:18},
{t:"lace, bracelet, earring designs by Collette ",p:21,x:186,y:954,w:258,h:18},
{t:"Collins. Visit www.frefymyst.com, e-mail ",p:21,x:186,y:973,w:253,h:18},
{t:"tenuki@comcast.net . ",p:21,x:186,y:992,w:132,h:18},
{t:"It’s All About the Views! Lofty cabin get-a-",p:21,x:186,y:1019,w:266,h:18},
{t:"way boasting awesome Smokey Mountain ",p:21,x:186,y:1039,w:262,h:18},
{t:"vistas. 2 bdrm, 2 full baths, great room with ",p:21,x:186,y:1057,w:273,h:18},
{t:"freplace. Freshly furnished and decorated. ",p:21,x:186,y:1076,w:270,h:18},
{t:"Superb condition inside and out! Convenient ",p:21,x:186,y:1095,w:279,h:18},
{t:"to Gatlinburg happenings or wilderness tran -",p:21,x:186,y:1114,w:275,h:18},
{t:"quility or hot tub on deck! T eacher owned. ",p:21,x:186,y:1132,w:264,h:18},
{t:"Health issues—priced to sell. $197,500. ",p:21,x:186,y:1151,w:254,h:18},
{t:"906-339-2282.",p:21,x:186,y:1170,w:96,h:18},
{t:"HEALTH/WELLNESS",p:21,x:186,y:1202,w:169,h:25},
{t:"Help with anxiety, depression, teaching ",p:21,x:186,y:1229,w:255,h:18},
{t:"stress, and relationship issues. Robert ",p:21,x:186,y:1247,w:246,h:18},
{t:"Goode, Ph.D., licensed psychologist. ",p:21,x:186,y:1267,w:230,h:18},
{t:"Eastside Ann Arbor. Easy access from ",p:21,x:186,y:1285,w:237,h:18},
{t:"Ypsilanti, Plymouth, Canton. Visit ",p:21,x:186,y:1304,w:208,h:18},
{t:"www.goodepsych.com. MESSA, Community ",p:21,x:186,y:1323,w:274,h:18},
{t:"Blue, BCBS. 734-223-4202.",p:21,x:186,y:1342,w:178,h:18},
{t:"TOURS",p:21,x:186,y:1373,w:60,h:25},
{t:"Tour Homesites of L.I. Wilder. Celebrating ",p:21,x:186,y:1400,w:272,h:18},
{t:"our 10th year! Free brochures for 2010 ",p:21,x:186,y:1419,w:251,h:18},
{t:"tours. Private tours available. L.H. Site T ours. ",p:21,x:186,y:1438,w:281,h:18},
{t:"Fax: 810-633-9027, lhsitetours@email.com , ",p:21,x:186,y:1457,w:273,h:18},
{t:"www.lhsitetours.homestead.com .",p:21,x:186,y:1476,w:201,h:18},
{t:"TEACHING AIDS",p:21,x:487,y:812,w:138,h:25},
{t:"Math Assemblies (PK-12) Helping Students ",p:21,x:487,y:838,w:285,h:18},
{t:"LOVE Math! Michigan’s Professor of the Year ",p:21,x:487,y:857,w:283,h:18},
{t:"1989-1990 presents “The Joy, Wonder, and ",p:21,x:487,y:876,w:275,h:18},
{t:"Fun of Mathematics.” T estimonial letters ",p:21,x:487,y:895,w:253,h:18},
{t:"at www.mathwithhart.com . 248-370-9880. ",p:21,x:487,y:914,w:264,h:18},
{t:"All new “gems” on return visits. E-mail: ",p:21,x:487,y:933,w:246,h:18},
{t:"william@mathwithhart.com .",p:21,x:487,y:951,w:169,h:18},
{t:"VACATION/RESORTS",p:21,x:487,y:983,w:170,h:25},
{t:"Caseville on Saginaw Bay . Private lakefront ",p:21,x:487,y:1010,w:273,h:18},
{t:"homes. Booking now for summer weeks, ",p:21,x:487,y:1029,w:256,h:18},
{t:"spring, fall, winter weekends. 989-550-0911, ",p:21,x:487,y:1048,w:281,h:18},
{t:"989-874-5181. DLFC102@AVCI.NET .",p:21,x:487,y:1067,w:229,h:18},
{t:"Benzie County, Antel’s Vacation Rentals. ",p:21,x:487,y:1094,w:263,h:18},
{t:"Booking for the 2009-10 season. Year-",p:21,x:487,y:1114,w:239,h:18},
{t:"round, Morningside Cottage on Little Platte ",p:21,x:487,y:1132,w:268,h:18},
{t:"Lake, 200 ft. of frontage, 2 miles to Lake ",p:21,x:487,y:1151,w:254,h:18},
{t:"Michigan/Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. ",p:21,x:487,y:1170,w:279,h:18},
{t:"Furnished, 2 bdrm/queen, freplace, ",p:21,x:487,y:1189,w:229,h:18},
{t:"carpeted, washer/dryer, wooded/secluded, ",p:21,x:487,y:1207,w:266,h:18},
{t:"boat/motor, canoe, grill/picnic table, cable, ",p:21,x:487,y:1226,w:266,h:18},
{t:"smoke/pet-free. Details call 231-882-5567, ",p:21,x:487,y:1245,w:268,h:18},
{t:"e-mail mrantel2002@yahoo.com. Web site: ",p:21,x:487,y:1264,w:269,h:18},
{t:"AntelsVacationRentals.",p:21,x:487,y:1282,w:141,h:18},
{t:"Maui, Hawaii Vacation. Privately owned ",p:21,x:487,y:1310,w:252,h:18},
{t:"deluxe condo. Spectacular oceanfront views, ",p:21,x:487,y:1329,w:280,h:18},
{t:"fully equipped, amenities, 2 bdrm/2 bath. ",p:21,x:487,y:1348,w:261,h:18},
{t:"Booking 2009-10. 734-528-2163.",p:21,x:487,y:1367,w:211,h:18},
{t:"Rogers City, Lake Huron furnished ",p:21,x:487,y:1394,w:220,h:18},
{t:"cottages. Clean, smoke/pet-free. Sandy ",p:21,x:487,y:1414,w:246,h:18},
{t:"beach. Brochure available. $625–$650 ",p:21,x:487,y:1432,w:247,h:18},
{t:"weekly. 989-734-4561. 248-651-5290. ",p:21,x:487,y:1451,w:242,h:18},
{t:"772-219-1146 (winter).",p:21,x:487,y:1470,w:144,h:18},
{t:"Beautiful Spot for a Color T our. 3 bdrm, ",p:21,x:487,y:1498,w:256,h:18},
{t:"fully equipped cabin just footsteps away from ",p:21,x:487,y:1517,w:283,h:18},
{t:"the Straits of Mackinac (Cheboygan), non -",p:21,x:787,y:813,w:261,h:18},
{t:"smoking. Brochure. 313-278-4849.",p:21,x:787,y:831,w:219,h:18},
{t:"Harrisville—Lake Huron Beachfront. Clean, ",p:21,x:787,y:859,w:279,h:18},
{t:"desirable 2-3 bdrm, fully equipped family ",p:21,x:787,y:878,w:260,h:18},
{t:"homes. Quiet, safe, private, scenic, memo -",p:21,x:787,y:897,w:265,h:18},
{t:"rable summer 2010 vacation. Sun.-Sun. ",p:21,x:787,y:916,w:253,h:18},
{t:"$1,200-$1,400 weekly. Brochures mailed. ",p:21,x:787,y:934,w:265,h:18},
{t:"Edward Foster 989-724-5584.",p:21,x:787,y:953,w:185,h:18},
{t:"Shanty Creek Resort Home for Rent. ",p:21,x:787,y:981,w:236,h:18},
{t:"4 bdrm/2 bath. Sleeps 12. Nonsmoking/",p:21,x:787,y:1000,w:252,h:18},
{t:"no pets. For inquiries/reservation, e-mail ",p:21,x:787,y:1019,w:253,h:18},
{t:"shareourretreat@aol.com .",p:21,x:787,y:1038,w:157,h:18},
{t:"Breckenridge, Colorado. 3 bdrm/2 bath ",p:21,x:787,y:1065,w:251,h:18},
{t:"cabin available for 2009/2010 ski/summer ",p:21,x:787,y:1084,w:266,h:18},
{t:"vacations. Great skiing, summer hiking, ",p:21,x:787,y:1103,w:248,h:18},
{t:"mountain views. 989-529-9870.",p:21,x:787,y:1122,w:202,h:18},
{t:"Maine 1880 4/bdrm farmhouse on ",p:21,x:787,y:1150,w:226,h:18},
{t:"ocean with mountain views; refurbished; ",p:21,x:787,y:1168,w:259,h:18},
{t:"minutes to Bar Harbor/Acadia National ",p:21,x:787,y:1188,w:244,h:18},
{t:"Park. Weekly rentals May–October. No ",p:21,x:787,y:1206,w:241,h:18},
{t:"smoking, no pets. 810-659-1484 evenings. ",p:21,x:787,y:1225,w:269,h:18},
{t:"Lynda.wiltse@att.net .",p:21,x:787,y:1244,w:128,h:18},
{t:"Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Studio ",p:21,x:787,y:1272,w:248,h:18},
{t:"condo sleeps up to 4 right on East Bay! ",p:21,x:787,y:1291,w:246,h:18},
{t:"Traverse City. $100 nightly. Teacher owned. ",p:21,x:787,y:1309,w:272,h:18},
{t:"517-627-7009 or millbrookrealty@yahoo.com .",p:21,x:787,y:1328,w:281,h:18},
{t:"Hutchinson Island. Oceanfront condo. ",p:21,x:787,y:1356,w:244,h:18},
{t:"Beautiful views! Many amenities. 2 bdrm, ",p:21,x:787,y:1375,w:260,h:18},
{t:"2 bath. Booking 2010 season. $2,900/mo or ",p:21,x:787,y:1394,w:279,h:18},
{t:"$800/wk. 269-375-9709.",p:21,x:787,y:1413,w:158,h:18},
{t:"Traverse City Sunsets! Cute 2 bdrm, ",p:21,x:787,y:1440,w:231,h:18},
{t:"1 bath cottage on Lake Leelanau. Excellent ",p:21,x:787,y:1459,w:269,h:18},
{t:"swimming, golf, fshing. Non-smokers. ",p:21,x:787,y:1478,w:241,h:18},
{t:"No pets. Linens. $1,195/wk. $200/night. ",p:21,x:787,y:1497,w:255,h:18},
{t:"269-375-9709.",p:21,x:787,y:1516,w:96,h:18},
{t:"Contest details:",p:21,x:186,y:321,w:156,h:35},
{t:"Michigan public school students are invited to enter the frst ",p:21,x:195,y:357,w:399,h:21},
{t:"MEA Voice Create-A-Cover Contest. The MEA Voice is a full-color ",p:21,x:186,y:382,w:421,h:21},
{t:"magazine distributed to more than 160,000 public school employ-",p:21,x:186,y:407,w:432,h:21},
{t:"ees who belong to the Michigan Education Association.",p:21,x:186,y:432,w:359,h:21},
{t:"Student designs should best express the student’s ideas on ",p:21,x:195,y:457,w:392,h:21},
{t:"“What I like most about my school.” A winning design will be ",p:21,x:186,y:482,w:401,h:21},
{t:"selected by a team of award-winning professional journalists, ",p:21,x:186,y:507,w:409,h:21},
{t:"graphic designers, and MEA leaders.",p:21,x:186,y:532,w:239,h:21},
{t:"The top design will be featured on the cover of the June 2010 ",p:21,x:195,y:557,w:401,h:21},
{t:"MEA Voice. Winners of each category will have their work featured ",p:21,x:186,y:582,w:432,h:21},
{t:"inside the magazine.",p:21,x:186,y:607,w:136,h:21},
{t:"All winners—and their teachers—will receive $25 gift certif-",p:21,x:195,y:632,w:406,h:21},
{t:"cates to Barnes & Noble book store.",p:21,x:186,y:657,w:232,h:21},
{t:"How to enter:",p:21,x:637,y:221,w:133,h:35},
{t:"For purposes of our publication, completed artwork should be ",p:21,x:646,y:257,w:404,h:21},
{t:"8½\" by 8½\". Any media may be used. Artwork should not include ",p:21,x:637,y:282,w:425,h:21},
{t:"text or the MEA Voice name. Entries that do not adhere to contest ",p:21,x:637,y:307,w:428,h:21},
{t:"rules and guidelines will be disqualifed.",p:21,x:637,y:332,w:265,h:21},
{t:"On an index card securely taped to the back of each design, ",p:21,x:646,y:357,w:394,h:21},
{t:"clearly print:",p:21,x:637,y:382,w:82,h:21},
{t:" ",p:21,x:656,y:407,w:14,h:22},
{t:"Student name ",p:21,x:675,y:407,w:95,h:21},
{t:" ",p:21,x:787,y:407,w:14,h:22},
{t:"School name",p:21,x:807,y:407,w:83,h:21},
{t:" ",p:21,x:656,y:432,w:14,h:22},
{t:"Teacher name ",p:21,x:675,y:432,w:94,h:21},
{t:" ",p:21,x:787,y:432,w:14,h:22},
{t:"School address and phone number",p:21,x:807,y:432,w:225,h:21},
{t:" ",p:21,x:656,y:457,w:14,h:22},
{t:"Age ",p:21,x:675,y:457,w:28,h:21},
{t:" ",p:21,x:787,y:457,w:14,h:22},
{t:"Grade",p:21,x:807,y:457,w:38,h:21},
{t:"Selections will be entered in one of the following groups for ",p:21,x:646,y:482,w:390,h:21},
{t:"judging: Group A (grades K-4), Group B (grades 5-8), Group C ",p:21,x:637,y:507,w:407,h:21},
{t:"(grades 9-12), Group D (electronic art).",p:21,x:637,y:532,w:256,h:21},
{t:"Designs must be received by Jan. 30, 2010.",p:21,x:646,y:557,w:283,h:21},
{t:"Please mail all entries fat in a large envelope to:",p:21,x:646,y:582,w:320,h:21},
{t:"MEA Voice Create-A-Cover Contest",p:21,x:656,y:607,w:224,h:21},
{t:"1216 Kendale Blvd.",p:21,x:656,y:632,w:126,h:21},
{t:"East Lansing, MI 48823 ",p:21,x:656,y:657,w:159,h:21},
{t:"Our ad policy, rates ",p:21,x:1100,y:832,w:122,h:21},
{t:"and schedule can ",p:21,x:1110,y:854,w:112,h:21},
{t:"be found online at ",p:21,x:1107,y:877,w:115,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/voice . ",p:21,x:1097,y:899,w:124,h:21},
{t:"Ad deadline for the ",p:21,x:1102,y:932,w:120,h:21},
{t:"February issue is ",p:21,x:1115,y:954,w:107,h:21},
{t:"Dec. 18.",p:21,x:1168,y:977,w:50,h:21},
{t:"REGION ELECTION ",p:21,x:1106,y:256,w:116,h:22},
{t:"INFORMATION ",p:21,x:1132,y:279,w:90,h:22},
{t:"CHANGE",p:21,x:1167,y:301,w:51,h:22},
{t:"REGION 9",p:21,x:1142,y:336,w:77,h:22},
{t:"MEA BOARD OF ",p:21,x:1125,y:382,w:96,h:21},
{t:"DIRECTORS/NEA ",p:21,x:1118,y:404,w:103,h:21},
{t:"RA DELEGATE-",p:21,x:1130,y:427,w:88,h:21},
{t:"REPRESENTATIVE OF ",p:21,x:1093,y:449,w:128,h:21},
{t:"MINORITY 3-1(g): ",p:21,x:1112,y:472,w:110,h:21},
{t:"2 positions*, Immed. ",p:21,x:1089,y:494,w:132,h:21},
{t:"thru 8/31/12; ",p:21,x:1136,y:517,w:85,h:21},
{t:"1 position, Immed. ",p:21,x:1104,y:539,w:118,h:21},
{t:"thru 8/31/12; ",p:21,x:1136,y:562,w:85,h:21},
{t:"1 position*, Immed. ",p:21,x:1096,y:584,w:126,h:21},
{t:"thru 8/31/12; ",p:21,x:1136,y:607,w:85,h:21},
{t:"2 positions*, ",p:21,x:1139,y:629,w:83,h:21},
{t:"3 yr. terms",p:21,x:1154,y:652,w:64,h:21},
{t:"* Denotes Representative ",p:21,x:1097,y:686,w:124,h:17},
{t:"of Minority 3-1(g)",p:21,x:1135,y:703,w:84,h:17},
{t:"Classifieds",p:21,x:732,y:705,w:337,h:99},
{t:"22 ",p:22,x:37,y:1557,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2009",p:22,x:77,y:1557,w:142,h:21},
{t:"generation next",p:22,x:37,y:31,w:166,h:35},
{t:"Life on a cart »",p:22,x:186,y:60,w:470,h:99},
{t:"By Jianna Taylor",p:22,x:936,y:90,w:123,h:21},
{t:"Teacher, West Bloomfeld School District",p:22,x:756,y:115,w:302,h:21},
{t:"As I navigated my way through the sea of students that",p:22,x:186,y:724,w:431,h:61},
{t:"food the hallways between classes, I dodged what",p:22,x:216,y:757,w:378,h:21},
{t:"seemed to be an endless number of obstacles as I tried to",p:22,x:186,y:782,w:435,h:21},
{t:"get from classroom to classroom in less than four minutes.",p:22,x:186,y:807,w:439,h:21},
{t:"Binders, coats, pencil cases, kneeling students frantically",p:22,x:186,y:832,w:430,h:21},
{t:"searching for that all-important homework assignment.",p:22,x:186,y:857,w:410,h:21},
{t:"For many new teachers in schools where there are not ",p:22,x:195,y:882,w:425,h:21},
{t:"enough classrooms, this is a daily occurrence.",p:22,x:186,y:907,w:358,h:21},
{t:"While this is my second year teaching, it is my frst ",p:22,x:195,y:932,w:396,h:21},
{t:"year with my own classroom. I spent my frst year mov-",p:22,x:186,y:957,w:425,h:21},
{t:"ing from room to room with a cart.",p:22,x:186,y:982,w:264,h:21},
{t:"I equipped my cart with a traveling library, supplies, ",p:22,x:195,y:1007,w:404,h:21},
{t:"hanging fle folders for student work and handouts, ",p:22,x:186,y:1032,w:400,h:21},
{t:"a small white board for my agenda and assignments, ",p:22,x:186,y:1057,w:414,h:21},
{t:"hand sanitizer, and tissue.",p:22,x:186,y:1082,w:202,h:21},
{t:"It wasn’t ideal, but it worked.",p:22,x:195,y:1107,w:222,h:21},
{t:"As a language arts teacher, I want my students to have ",p:22,x:195,y:1132,w:428,h:21},
{t:"reading material readily available. I fretted about how ",p:22,x:186,y:1157,w:415,h:21},
{t:"this would be possible in the nonlanguage arts class-",p:22,x:186,y:1182,w:409,h:21},
{t:"rooms without libraries that I would be using. Hence, ",p:22,x:186,y:1207,w:414,h:21},
{t:"my traveling library was born out of copier paper box ",p:22,x:186,y:1232,w:412,h:21},
{t:"tops turned on their sides and taped down to make ",p:22,x:186,y:1257,w:401,h:21},
{t:"bookshelves. Fellow teachers donated extra copies of ",p:22,x:186,y:1282,w:416,h:21},
{t:"books for me to use.",p:22,x:186,y:1307,w:158,h:21},
{t:"Within a few days of school starting, students were ",p:22,x:195,y:1332,w:396,h:21},
{t:"checking out books from my library just as they would ",p:22,x:186,y:1357,w:422,h:21},
{t:"in any other language arts classroom.",p:22,x:186,y:1382,w:289,h:21},
{t:"Despite having to work extra hard to create routines ",p:22,x:195,y:1407,w:404,h:21},
{t:"for my students in less than ideal conditions, I found ",p:22,x:186,y:1432,w:411,h:21},
{t:"that using a cart had one big advantage: I had to stay ",p:22,x:186,y:1457,w:417,h:21},
{t:"organized to make it through the day.",p:22,x:186,y:1482,w:288,h:21},
{t:"As a student teacher two years ago with my own desk ",p:22,x:195,y:1507,w:419,h:21},
{t:"in my cooperating teacher’s room, I had the “luxury” ",p:22,x:637,y:732,w:412,h:21},
{t:"of being able to throw papers on my desk to deal with ",p:22,x:637,y:757,w:419,h:21},
{t:"later in the day. Although being able to just throw some-",p:22,x:637,y:782,w:432,h:21},
{t:"thing on my desk seemed like a good idea when I had ",p:22,x:637,y:807,w:423,h:21},
{t:"a classroom full of kids in front of me, it often made my ",p:22,x:637,y:832,w:432,h:21},
{t:"job harder later or made for lost papers. With my cart, ",p:22,x:637,y:857,w:421,h:21},
{t:"I learned to put every paper in its place on the fy. If I ",p:22,x:637,y:882,w:414,h:21},
{t:"didn’t, and I set it down somewhere, I risked forgetting ",p:22,x:637,y:907,w:426,h:21},
{t:"it and not having what I needed for the next hour. I built ",p:22,x:637,y:932,w:436,h:21},
{t:"a foundation of organization that will serve me well for ",p:22,x:637,y:957,w:420,h:21},
{t:"the rest of my career.",p:22,x:637,y:982,w:164,h:21},
{t:"I must have been quite a sight as I pushed my cart ",p:22,x:646,y:1007,w:399,h:21},
{t:"down the hallway. Teachers standing at their doors gave ",p:22,x:637,y:1032,w:437,h:21},
{t:"me that knowing, empathetic glance, while some stu-",p:22,x:637,y:1057,w:413,h:21},
{t:"dents stared at me coming at them like a deer in head-",p:22,x:637,y:1082,w:426,h:21},
{t:"lights. Still other students found the idea of a classroom ",p:22,x:637,y:1107,w:434,h:21},
{t:"on a cart fascinating.",p:22,x:637,y:1132,w:162,h:21},
{t:"My cart and I became such a ubiquitous sight within ",p:22,x:646,y:1157,w:412,h:21},
{t:"the hallways that students I didn’t even know came ",p:22,x:637,y:1182,w:401,h:21},
{t:"up to me and commented on it. As I maneuvered to ",p:22,x:637,y:1207,w:407,h:21},
{t:"frst hour one morning, I got stuck in a traffc jam of ",p:22,x:637,y:1232,w:404,h:21},
{t:"students waiting for the frst bell to ring. While stopped ",p:22,x:637,y:1257,w:426,h:21},
{t:"there, a student stared at my cart’s library.",p:22,x:637,y:1282,w:326,h:21},
{t:"“Look at all of your books. Are you the book fairy?” he ",p:22,x:646,y:1307,w:420,h:21},
{t:"blurted.",p:22,x:637,y:1332,w:60,h:21},
{t:"“No, I’m just the lucky teacher who gets to have a ",p:22,x:646,y:1357,w:391,h:21},
{t:"portable classroom,” I responded.",p:22,x:637,y:1382,w:263,h:21},
{t:"Although last year’s situation was not ideal, I wouldn’t ",p:22,x:646,y:1407,w:418,h:21},
{t:"trade it for anything. The skills and routine I learned ",p:22,x:637,y:1432,w:406,h:21},
{t:"while being a foater remain. I grew in ways I would not ",p:22,x:637,y:1457,w:429,h:21},
{t:"have otherwise and it made having my own classroom ",p:22,x:637,y:1482,w:423,h:21},
{t:"this year so much better. ",p:22,x:637,y:1507,w:196,h:21},
{t:"JIANNA ",p:22,x:37,y:289,w:67,h:32},
{t:"TAYLOR ",p:22,x:37,y:322,w:71,h:32},
{t:"teaches ",p:22,x:37,y:354,w:78,h:32},
{t:"language ",p:22,x:37,y:387,w:89,h:32},
{t:"arts and ",p:22,x:37,y:419,w:81,h:32},
{t:"Spanish at ",p:22,x:37,y:452,w:100,h:32},
{t:"Orchard Lake ",p:22,x:37,y:484,w:128,h:32},
{t:"Middle School ",p:22,x:37,y:517,w:132,h:32},
{t:"in West ",p:22,x:37,y:549,w:72,h:32},
{t:"Bloomfeld. ",p:22,x:37,y:582,w:107,h:32},
{t:"She earned ",p:22,x:37,y:614,w:109,h:32},
{t:"a bachelor’s ",p:22,x:37,y:647,w:118,h:32},
{t:"degree from ",p:22,x:37,y:679,w:118,h:32},
{t:"Oakland ",p:22,x:37,y:712,w:79,h:32},
{t:"University and ",p:22,x:37,y:744,w:135,h:32},
{t:"is working ",p:22,x:37,y:777,w:99,h:32},
{t:"toward a ",p:22,x:37,y:809,w:85,h:32},
{t:"master’s ",p:22,x:37,y:842,w:84,h:32},
{t:"degree at the ",p:22,x:37,y:874,w:128,h:32},
{t:"University of ",p:22,x:37,y:907,w:119,h:32},
{t:"Michigan.",p:22,x:37,y:939,w:89,h:32},
{t:"Generation Next ",p:22,x:42,y:1182,w:102,h:21},
{t:"columns are written ",p:22,x:42,y:1207,w:128,h:21},
{t:"by MEA members ",p:22,x:42,y:1232,w:110,h:21},
{t:"who are in their ",p:22,x:42,y:1257,w:101,h:21},
{t:"frst fve years of ",p:22,x:42,y:1282,w:107,h:21},
{t:"teaching. Authors ",p:22,x:42,y:1307,w:114,h:21},
{t:"are paid for their ",p:22,x:42,y:1332,w:109,h:21},
{t:"columns. If you’re ",p:22,x:42,y:1357,w:114,h:21},
{t:"interested in writing ",p:22,x:42,y:1382,w:130,h:21},
{t:"a column, e-mail ",p:22,x:42,y:1407,w:110,h:21},
{t:"your resume, with ",p:22,x:42,y:1432,w:114,h:21},
{t:"writing sample, to ",p:22,x:42,y:1457,w:117,h:21},
{t:"Editor Karen Schulz ",p:22,x:42,y:1482,w:125,h:21},
{t:"at kschulz@mea.org .",p:22,x:42,y:1507,w:131,h:21},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:22,x:1067,y:699,w:0,h:13},
{t:"and so do I!",p:24,x:251,y:150,w:961,h:254},
{t:"When my mom talks about MESSA she ",p:24,x:719,y:668,w:410,h:26},
{t:"always smiles. Mom loves MESSA because ",p:24,x:719,y:705,w:452,h:26},
{t:"we get the quality coverage we need and ",p:24,x:719,y:743,w:428,h:26},
{t:"great customer service.",p:24,x:719,y:780,w:240,h:26},
{t:"When my mom called the MESSA Member ",p:24,x:719,y:836,w:446,h:26},
{t:"Service Center in East Lansing, they took care  ",p:24,x:719,y:874,w:483,h:26},
{t:"of our problem right away.",p:24,x:719,y:911,w:266,h:26},
{t:"Mom smiled, and so did I. I felt so good I ",p:24,x:719,y:968,w:425,h:26},
{t:"wrote my own thank you note!",p:24,x:719,y:1005,w:310,h:26},
{t:"Award-Winning Member Service",p:24,x:719,y:1096,w:372,h:34},
{t:"800.336.0013",p:24,x:719,y:1137,w:193,h:41},
{t:"My Mom loves MESSA",p:24,x:65,y:145,w:830,h:110},
{t:"Good health. Good business. Great schools.",p:24,x:65,y:1495,w:589,h:41},
{t:"Carson, age 2, MESSA Me",p:24,x:83,y:789,w:210,h:39},
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