var g_txt=[
{t:"Periodicals",p:1,x:469,y:1348,w:63,h:16},
{t:"Postage Paid",p:1,x:469,y:1364,w:77,h:16},
{t:"Lansing, MI",p:1,x:469,y:1381,w:70,h:16},
{t:"December 2008 | Vol. 86 | Issue 2",p:1,x:37,y:1575,w:269,h:22},
{t:"Wayne-Westland ",p:1,x:85,y:1030,w:1184,h:219},
{t:"What does it mean for you?",p:1,x:143,y:1219,w:1075,h:114},
{t:"Dropout crisis update",p:1,x:713,y:1362,w:505,h:65},
{t:"Riding the Love bus",p:1,x:612,y:1433,w:605,h:94},
{t:"Planning for a sub",p:1,x:786,y:1531,w:431,h:65},
{t:"www.mea.org",p:1,x:1116,y:101,w:101,h:22},
{t:"2 ",p:2,x:28,y:1594,w:15,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2008",p:2,x:57,y:1594,w:142,h:21},
{t:"Letter to members »",p:2,x:186,y:69,w:616,h:99},
{t:"from the executive office",p:2,x:28,y:22,w:267,h:35},
{t:"Let the change begin!",p:2,x:196,y:204,w:188,h:25},
{t:"Barack Obama’s history-making win in the presidential election is tremendous news for public education—and ",p:2,x:206,y:232,w:835,h:21},
{t:"for public school employees who dedicate their lives to the children they serve. Finally, we have an advocate in the ",p:2,x:196,y:257,w:862,h:21},
{t:"White House who will fght for what our students need in the classroom and for what our members need to help ",p:2,x:196,y:282,w:842,h:21},
{t:"them reach their full potential. This is truly a time to celebrate!",p:2,x:196,y:307,w:466,h:21},
{t:"President-elect Obama ran on a ticket of hope. We are now hopeful he and his colleagues in Congress will enact ",p:2,x:206,y:332,w:846,h:21},
{t:"meaningful reform to No Child Left Behind, provide real support for teachers and support staff, and signifcantly ",p:2,x:196,y:357,w:843,h:21},
{t:"invest in the public schools. His victory means we can now concentrate on what we do best—preparing students ",p:2,x:196,y:382,w:850,h:21},
{t:"for 21st century jobs.",p:2,x:196,y:407,w:159,h:21},
{t:"But the race for the White House wasn’t the only win for public schools. Voters here in Michigan sent Carl Levin ",p:2,x:206,y:432,w:840,h:21},
{t:"back to the U.S. Senate and elected new Congressmen Gary Peters and Mark Schauer to the U.S. House of ",p:2,x:196,y:457,w:813,h:21},
{t:"Representatives. They will help shift our priorities in this nation so that education comes before special interests.",p:2,x:196,y:482,w:842,h:21},
{t:"And because so many education decisions are made locally, our positive results here at the state level will give ",p:2,x:206,y:507,w:831,h:21},
{t:"a badly needed boost to the future of Michigan’s schools. In our state House, pro-education candidates won 71 ",p:2,x:196,y:532,w:839,h:21},
{t:"races, including Democrats Mike Huckleberry in Greenville, Tim Bledsoe in Grosse Pointe and Mike Simpson ",p:2,x:196,y:557,w:822,h:21},
{t:"in Jackson as well as Republicans Gail Haines and Jim Marleau in Oakland County. And of course, no victory is ",p:2,x:196,y:582,w:839,h:21},
{t:"as sweet as that of one of our very own: MEA member Jennifer Haase won a hotly contested race in Macomb ",p:2,x:196,y:607,w:823,h:21},
{t:"County’s 32nd state House district.",p:2,x:196,y:632,w:262,h:21},
{t:"The power of our members in shaping the future of our schools cannot be underestimated. We recommended ",p:2,x:206,y:657,w:831,h:21},
{t:"103 candidates and we helped elect more than 90 percent of them—from both sides of the aisle. We didn’t win ",p:2,x:196,y:682,w:842,h:21},
{t:"them all, but supporters of public schools won enough that our voices will now be heard, and our needs can no ",p:2,x:196,y:707,w:840,h:21},
{t:"longer go ignored. ",p:2,x:196,y:732,w:140,h:21},
{t:"This is a time to celebrate, and it’s a time for hope. The real victors in this election are our students, who now ",p:2,x:206,y:757,w:822,h:21},
{t:"have the opportunity to reap the benefts of truly strong public schools. ",p:2,x:196,y:782,w:534,h:21},
{t:"Clockwise from left: ",p:2,x:781,y:877,w:140,h:22},
{t:"Ann Arbor teacher Deb Hetrick reads a ",p:2,x:781,y:900,w:253,h:21},
{t:"book about elections to her frst-graders ",p:2,x:781,y:923,w:266,h:21},
{t:"at Thurston Elementary School. » South ",p:2,x:781,y:945,w:262,h:22},
{t:"Redford teacher Bill Triolet poses with ",p:2,x:781,y:968,w:252,h:21},
{t:"some of his students. » MEA members from ",p:2,x:781,y:990,w:289,h:22},
{t:"several school districts volunteered for ",p:2,x:781,y:1013,w:257,h:21},
{t:"the election, writing hundreds of post-",p:2,x:781,y:1035,w:250,h:21},
{t:"cards to send to MEA members in the 9th ",p:2,x:781,y:1058,w:273,h:21},
{t:"Congressional District. Left to right: Joanne ",p:2,x:781,y:1080,w:287,h:21},
{t:"Ruzza, retired teacher from Centerline; Troy ",p:2,x:781,y:1103,w:285,h:21},
{t:"teacher Deb Rosenman; Judi Sarvey, retired ",p:2,x:781,y:1125,w:286,h:21},
{t:"teacher from Berkley; and Edith Maniker, ",p:2,x:781,y:1148,w:269,h:21},
{t:"retired ESP member from Southfeld.",p:2,x:781,y:1170,w:237,h:21},
{t:"Iris K. Salters",p:2,x:37,y:365,w:82,h:17},
{t:"President",p:2,x:37,y:382,w:56,h:17},
{t:"Steven B. Cook",p:2,x:37,y:546,w:91,h:17},
{t:"Vice President",p:2,x:37,y:564,w:86,h:17},
{t:"Peggy McLellan",p:2,x:37,y:729,w:95,h:17},
{t:"Secretary-Treasurer",p:2,x:37,y:747,w:115,h:17},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:2,x:770,y:1197,w:0,h:17},
{t:"COUR",p:2,x:1067,y:1540,w:0,h:17},
{t:"TESY PHOTO",p:2,x:1067,y:1503,w:0,h:17},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:2,x:621,y:1539,w:0,h:17},
{t:"On the go",p:2,x:236,y:1113,w:0,h:89},
{t:"Share ",p:2,x:68,y:1129,w:55,h:25},
{t:"your photos",p:2,x:37,y:1154,w:99,h:25},
{t:"Submit photos of ",p:2,x:37,y:1182,w:112,h:22},
{t:"you on the job or ",p:2,x:37,y:1204,w:112,h:22},
{t:"at an association ",p:2,x:37,y:1227,w:114,h:22},
{t:"function. Each ",p:2,x:37,y:1249,w:96,h:22},
{t:"issue, we’ll ",p:2,x:37,y:1272,w:75,h:22},
{t:"publish a few ",p:2,x:37,y:1294,w:89,h:22},
{t:"photos of MEA ",p:2,x:37,y:1317,w:94,h:22},
{t:"members on the ",p:2,x:37,y:1339,w:108,h:22},
{t:"go. E-mail your ",p:2,x:37,y:1362,w:101,h:22},
{t:"digital image(s) to ",p:2,x:37,y:1384,w:121,h:22},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org . ",p:2,x:37,y:1407,w:122,h:22},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:3,x:1115,y:1594,w:99,h:21},
{t:"3",p:3,x:1227,y:1594,w:9,h:21},
{t:"what’s inside for you",p:3,x:995,y:22,w:221,h:35},
{t:"« Contents",p:3,x:740,y:69,w:329,h:99},
{t:"Executive Director » Lu Battaglieri",p:3,x:186,y:1443,w:182,h:16},
{t:"Director of Communications » Doug Pratt",p:3,x:186,y:1459,w:220,h:16},
{t:"Editor » Karen Schulz",p:3,x:186,y:1476,w:114,h:16},
{t:"Communications Consultant » Rosemary Carey",p:3,x:186,y:1493,w:251,h:16},
{t:"Media Relations Specialist » Kerry Birmingham",p:3,x:186,y:1509,w:252,h:16},
{t:"Publications Specialist » Shantell Coats Crispin",p:3,x:186,y:1526,w:256,h:16},
{t:"Proofreader-Graphics Editor » Sue Garyet",p:3,x:186,y:1543,w:219,h:16},
{t:"The MEA Voice ISSN 0883-573X-is an offcial publication of the Michigan Education Association, 1216 Kendale ",p:3,x:483,y:1411,w:589,h:17},
{t:"Blvd., East Lansing, MI 48823. Opinions stated in the MEA Voice do not necessarily refect the offcial position ",p:3,x:483,y:1429,w:589,h:17},
{t:"of the MEA unless so identifed. Published by Michigan Education Association, Box 2573, East Lansing, MI ",p:3,x:483,y:1448,w:589,h:17},
{t:"48826-2573. Periodicals postage paid at East Lansing and additional mailing offces. Payment of the active ",p:3,x:483,y:1467,w:589,h:17},
{t:"membership fee entitles a member to receive the MEA Voice. Of each annual fee whether for active or affliate ",p:3,x:483,y:1486,w:589,h:17},
{t:"membership, $12.93 is for a year’s subscription. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the MEA Voice, Box ",p:3,x:483,y:1504,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 ",p:3,x:483,y:1523,w:589,h:17},
{t:"of address to take effect. MEA Voice telephone: 517/332-6551 or 800/292-1934. Circulation this issue: 164,510",p:3,x:483,y:1542,w:584,h:17},
{t:"5",p:3,x:196,y:1011,w:55,h:119},
{t:"14",p:3,x:943,y:1011,w:111,h:119},
{t:"6",p:3,x:196,y:1316,w:41,h:89},
{t:"8",p:3,x:494,y:1316,w:41,h:89},
{t:"10",p:3,x:980,y:1316,w:83,h:89},
{t:"On the cover",p:3,x:186,y:329,w:108,h:25},
{t:"Wayne-Westland, 8",p:3,x:186,y:357,w:144,h:21},
{t:"Bus driver cares, 10",p:3,x:186,y:382,w:152,h:21},
{t:"Planning for a sub, 13",p:3,x:186,y:407,w:167,h:21},
{t:"More inside",p:3,x:186,y:454,w:100,h:25},
{t:"Dropout crisis update, 5",p:3,x:186,y:482,w:181,h:21},
{t:"Member wellness, 12",p:3,x:186,y:507,w:161,h:21},
{t:"In every issue",p:3,x:186,y:554,w:117,h:25},
{t:"Editor’s note, 4",p:3,x:186,y:582,w:112,h:21},
{t:"10 fast reads, 6",p:3,x:186,y:607,w:117,h:21},
{t:"Member profle, 10",p:3,x:186,y:632,w:144,h:21},
{t:"Bulletin board, 13",p:3,x:186,y:657,w:135,h:21},
{t:"Generation Next, 14",p:3,x:186,y:682,w:151,h:21},
{t:"KEVIN W",p:3,x:1067,y:562,w:0,h:17},
{t:". FOWLER/FOR MEA",p:3,x:1067,y:508,w:0,h:17},
{t:"Cover photo",p:3,x:483,y:604,w:101,h:25},
{t:"Teachers in the Wayne-Westland school district hit the picket lines for four ",p:3,x:483,y:632,w:560,h:21},
{t:"days in October—the frst major school job action outside of Detroit since ",p:3,x:483,y:657,w:553,h:21},
{t:"1994. Photo by MEA member Kevin W. Fowler, Lansing Community College.",p:3,x:483,y:682,w:571,h:21},
{t:"4 ",p:4,x:28,y:1594,w:15,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2008",p:4,x:57,y:1594,w:142,h:21},
{t:"interact with us",p:4,x:28,y:22,w:165,h:35},
{t:"Editor’s note »",p:4,x:186,y:69,w:445,h:99},
{t:"Enter to win $443.",p:4,x:186,y:181,w:281,h:45},
{t:"That was an attention-grabbing headline in our October issue. It was a frst for the MEA ",p:4,x:186,y:224,w:676,h:61},
{t:"Voice—and not just for the gift certifcate promised to the lucky winner of a contest to name a ",p:4,x:214,y:257,w:706,h:21},
{t:"new department in the magazine. (Read on to see whose ",p:4,x:186,y:282,w:433,h:21},
{t:"suggestion won.)",p:4,x:186,y:307,w:126,h:21},
{t:"The headline provoked a food of e-mails from MEA ",p:4,x:195,y:332,w:390,h:21},
{t:"members with ideas to share. More responses than we’ve ",p:4,x:186,y:357,w:436,h:21},
{t:"ever received from readers.",p:4,x:186,y:382,w:205,h:21},
{t:"Clearly, the promotion had the desired effect: We got ",p:4,x:195,y:407,w:399,h:21},
{t:"your attention.",p:4,x:186,y:432,w:107,h:21},
{t:"The contest wasn’t the only new thing in the magazine ",p:4,x:195,y:457,w:412,h:21},
{t:"this year. We’ve made changes to modernize the MEA ",p:4,x:186,y:482,w:409,h:21},
{t:"Voice to meet the changing needs of members like you.",p:4,x:186,y:507,w:417,h:21},
{t:"Over the past several months, we’ve studied reader ",p:4,x:195,y:532,w:388,h:21},
{t:"habits. In a survey of nearly 5,000 members and in focus ",p:4,x:186,y:557,w:435,h:21},
{t:"groups, we asked what you like, what you don’t like and ",p:4,x:186,y:582,w:423,h:21},
{t:"what you need.",p:4,x:186,y:607,w:114,h:21},
{t:"For the most part, members said they like what they see. ",p:4,x:195,y:632,w:431,h:21},
{t:"But, they noted, there’s room to improve.",p:4,x:186,y:657,w:308,h:21},
{t:"So, we’ve incorporated reader-suggested changes as ",p:4,x:195,y:682,w:399,h:21},
{t:"well as best practices in the communications industry into ",p:4,x:186,y:707,w:440,h:21},
{t:"the new look.",p:4,x:186,y:732,w:99,h:21},
{t:"We’ve made changes, too, to the popular MEA Voice Online. Beginning in January, the e-zine ",p:4,x:195,y:757,w:703,h:21},
{t:"will be e-mailed weekly instead of twice a month (see page 13 if you’d like to sign up).",p:4,x:186,y:782,w:645,h:21},
{t:"I hope you like what you see—and I’d like to hear from you. What do you like? Which stories ",p:4,x:195,y:807,w:694,h:21},
{t:"caught your attention and why? Are there story topics you’d like covered?",p:4,x:186,y:832,w:546,h:21},
{t:"As for the $443 gift certifcate, the winner is Amy Sholtz, a teacher at Chesaning Union High ",p:4,x:195,y:857,w:729,h:22},
{t:"School. You’ll see her title on page 13 and in future issues.",p:4,x:186,y:882,w:442,h:22},
{t:"Thank you to all the readers who submitted ideas—and stay tuned for more fun in coming issues.",p:4,x:195,y:907,w:733,h:21},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org",p:4,x:195,y:982,w:132,h:21},
{t:"800-292-1934",p:4,x:195,y:1007,w:110,h:21},
{t:"LETTER » Dropout crisis hits all families",p:4,x:186,y:1072,w:398,h:35},
{t:"Dear Editor,",p:4,x:186,y:1132,w:79,h:21},
{t:"My daughter was a Class of 2007 dropout. Identifed as ",p:4,x:195,y:1157,w:384,h:21},
{t:"talented and gifted in elementary school, she soared with ",p:4,x:186,y:1182,w:399,h:21},
{t:"caring teachers. School lost its charm after seventh grade. ",p:4,x:186,y:1207,w:407,h:21},
{t:"She dropped out in April 2007 when she discovered that the ",p:4,x:186,y:1232,w:414,h:21},
{t:"school’s policy stated 19-year-olds could not attend that ",p:4,x:186,y:1257,w:391,h:21},
{t:"school. (Her 19th birthday fell two days before the end of frst ",p:4,x:186,y:1282,w:425,h:21},
{t:"semester 2008).",p:4,x:186,y:1307,w:111,h:21},
{t:"She earned a high school diploma from an alternative high ",p:4,x:195,y:1332,w:408,h:21},
{t:"school this past June and is currently enrolled at Lansing ",p:4,x:186,y:1357,w:396,h:21},
{t:"Community College at Parker High School in Howell.",p:4,x:186,y:1382,w:355,h:21},
{t:"She loves it! I can once again see the learner she was as a ",p:4,x:195,y:1407,w:407,h:21},
{t:"young child. Dropping out can and does happen for a variety ",p:4,x:186,y:1432,w:418,h:21},
{t:"of reasons, and it does happen in families where the value of ",p:4,x:186,y:1457,w:424,h:21},
{t:"education is modeled every day!",p:4,x:186,y:1482,w:220,h:21},
{t:"Denise Frank, seventh grade special education teacher",p:4,x:195,y:1507,w:395,h:22},
{t:"Three Fires Middle School, Howell",p:4,x:195,y:1532,w:240,h:22},
{t:"We love letters",p:4,x:646,y:1122,w:150,h:35},
{t:"Have something you’d like to share about an article you read in ",p:4,x:646,y:1182,w:416,h:21},
{t:"the magazine?",p:4,x:646,y:1207,w:95,h:21},
{t:" » Letters must be 150 words or fewer. Include address and ",p:4,x:646,y:1232,w:393,h:21},
{t:"telephone number for verifcation purposes only. Letters are ",p:4,x:665,y:1257,w:391,h:21},
{t:"subject to editing. Items submitted to the MEA Voice may be ",p:4,x:665,y:1282,w:397,h:21},
{t:"published or distributed in print or electronic forms. Letters ",p:4,x:665,y:1307,w:392,h:21},
{t:"will be published as space allows.",p:4,x:665,y:1332,w:223,h:21},
{t:" » The deadline to submit letters for the next issue of the MEA ",p:4,x:646,y:1357,w:409,h:21},
{t:"Voice is Wednesday, Dec. 10.",p:4,x:665,y:1382,w:186,h:21},
{t:"Questions? Call 517-333-6239.",p:4,x:656,y:1407,w:206,h:21},
{t:" » By e-mail: kschulz@mea.org",p:4,x:646,y:1432,w:208,h:22},
{t:" » By fax: 517-337-5414",p:4,x:646,y:1457,w:164,h:22},
{t:" » By mail: Letters to the Editor, MEA Voice, 1216 Kendale Blvd., ",p:4,x:646,y:1482,w:423,h:22},
{t:"PO Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573",p:4,x:665,y:1507,w:285,h:21},
{t:"Meet the MEA staff members who work on the MEA Voice and the MEA Voice Online, ",p:4,x:632,y:657,w:539,h:22},
{t:"left to right: Terrie MacNicol (multimedia specialist), Sue Garyet (proofreader-",p:4,x:632,y:679,w:504,h:22},
{t:"graphics editor), Shantell Coats Crispin (publications specialist), Karen Schulz ",p:4,x:632,y:702,w:509,h:22},
{t:"(editor), and Miriam Garcia (electronic communications coordinator).",p:4,x:632,y:724,w:449,h:22},
{t:"On the Web—Look for this icon throughout ",p:4,x:483,y:972,w:463,h:35},
{t:"the magazine for online extras. »",p:4,x:483,y:1007,w:351,h:35},
{t:"ROSEMAR",p:4,x:1183,y:633,w:0,h:17},
{t:"Y CAREY/MEA",p:4,x:1183,y:569,w:0,h:17},
{t:"by Karen Schulz",p:4,x:913,y:120,w:136,h:24},
{t:"Become a ",p:4,x:37,y:1307,w:68,h:22},
{t:"fan of MEA ",p:4,x:37,y:1329,w:72,h:22},
{t:"on Facebook. ",p:4,x:37,y:1352,w:90,h:22},
{t:"Just search ",p:4,x:37,y:1374,w:74,h:21},
{t:"for “Michigan ",p:4,x:37,y:1397,w:89,h:21},
{t:"Education ",p:4,x:37,y:1419,w:66,h:21},
{t:"Association” ",p:4,x:37,y:1442,w:82,h:21},
{t:"and add us to ",p:4,x:37,y:1464,w:89,h:21},
{t:"your Pages.",p:4,x:37,y:1487,w:71,h:21},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:5,x:1115,y:1594,w:99,h:21},
{t:"5",p:5,x:1227,y:1594,w:9,h:21},
{t:"LANSING—Four key areas have been ",p:5,x:186,y:407,w:243,h:21},
{t:"identifed by an MEA-led coalition focused ",p:5,x:186,y:432,w:279,h:21},
{t:"on keeping students in school until ",p:5,x:186,y:457,w:233,h:21},
{t:"graduation.",p:5,x:186,y:482,w:75,h:21},
{t:"More than 500 people from across ",p:5,x:195,y:507,w:227,h:21},
{t:"Michigan, including many MEA members, ",p:5,x:186,y:532,w:274,h:21},
{t:"provided input at one of 11 public hear-",p:5,x:186,y:557,w:260,h:21},
{t:"ings or online. The goal was to gather ",p:5,x:186,y:582,w:249,h:21},
{t:"input on how to stop the dropout crisis ",p:5,x:186,y:607,w:256,h:21},
{t:"and present the fndings to Gov. Jennifer ",p:5,x:186,y:632,w:267,h:21},
{t:"Granholm and the Legislature to assist in ",p:5,x:186,y:657,w:275,h:21},
{t:"their development of education policy. All ",p:5,x:186,y:682,w:273,h:21},
{t:"of the public input was presented at the ",p:5,x:186,y:707,w:266,h:21},
{t:"Dropout Leadership Prevention Summit in ",p:5,x:186,y:732,w:275,h:21},
{t:"Lansing in October.",p:5,x:186,y:757,w:126,h:21},
{t:"Solving the dropout crisis is important; ",p:5,x:195,y:782,w:259,h:21},
{t:"about 21,000 students drop out every year.",p:5,x:186,y:807,w:279,h:21},
{t:"Four themes emerged at the hearings:",p:5,x:195,y:832,w:248,h:21},
{t:"  ",p:5,x:186,y:857,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Students need caring relationships.",p:5,x:205,y:857,w:233,h:21},
{t:"  ",p:5,x:186,y:882,w:13,h:21},
{t:"One size doesn’t ft all students.",p:5,x:205,y:882,w:210,h:21},
{t:"  ",p:5,x:186,y:907,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Tackle the problem early—high school ",p:5,x:205,y:907,w:256,h:21},
{t:"is too late.",p:5,x:205,y:932,w:68,h:21},
{t:"  ",p:5,x:186,y:957,w:13,h:21},
{t:"This isn’t just a “school” problem; com-",p:5,x:205,y:957,w:261,h:21},
{t:"munity collaboration is key.",p:5,x:205,y:982,w:178,h:21},
{t:"“We heard from many students that they ",p:5,x:195,y:1007,w:269,h:21},
{t:"were encouraged to stay in school and ",p:5,x:186,y:1032,w:254,h:21},
{t:"do better in their studies when they had ",p:5,x:186,y:1057,w:264,h:21},
{t:"meaningful relationships with parents, ",p:5,x:186,y:1082,w:259,h:21},
{t:"teachers and role models,” said Ron ",p:5,x:186,y:1107,w:241,h:21},
{t:"Koehler, an assistant superintendent for ",p:5,x:186,y:1132,w:266,h:21},
{t:"Kent Intermediate School District, one of ",p:5,x:487,y:882,w:267,h:21},
{t:"the coalition partners.",p:5,x:487,y:907,w:144,h:21},
{t:"The other partners are Michigan ",p:5,x:496,y:932,w:213,h:21},
{t:"Association of Intermediate School ",p:5,x:487,y:957,w:230,h:21},
{t:"Administrators, Kent Intermediate School ",p:5,x:487,y:982,w:272,h:21},
{t:"District, Michigan’s Children, Michigan’s ",p:5,x:487,y:1007,w:268,h:21},
{t:"Charter Schools, Michigan’s Promise and ",p:5,x:487,y:1032,w:271,h:21},
{t:"Michigan Future.",p:5,x:487,y:1057,w:110,h:21},
{t:"Students, parents and teachers who ",p:5,x:496,y:1082,w:240,h:21},
{t:"testifed at the hearings said alternative ",p:5,x:487,y:1107,w:268,h:21},
{t:"education programs, training for teachers, ",p:5,x:487,y:1132,w:282,h:21},
{t:"and mentoring and community programs ",p:5,x:787,y:882,w:271,h:21},
{t:"inside and outside of school showed ",p:5,x:787,y:907,w:240,h:21},
{t:"successes in building student-adult rela-",p:5,x:787,y:932,w:271,h:21},
{t:"tionships. The need for smaller class and ",p:5,x:787,y:957,w:273,h:21},
{t:"school sizes and more guidance counselors ",p:5,x:787,y:982,w:286,h:21},
{t:"also were advanced at the hearings.",p:5,x:787,y:1007,w:237,h:21},
{t:"Others emphasized the need for com-",p:5,x:797,y:1032,w:244,h:21},
{t:"munity programs that increase parental ",p:5,x:787,y:1057,w:265,h:21},
{t:"involvement, tackle discipline issues, ",p:5,x:787,y:1082,w:248,h:21},
{t:"provide alternatives to out-of-school ",p:5,x:787,y:1107,w:242,h:21},
{t:"suspensions, decrease juvenile crime, and ",p:5,x:787,y:1132,w:281,h:21},
{t:"eliminate barriers to student attendance, ",p:5,x:787,y:1157,w:273,h:21},
{t:"especially for economically disadvantaged ",p:5,x:787,y:1182,w:281,h:21},
{t:"youth.",p:5,x:787,y:1207,w:39,h:21},
{t:"“This isn’t just a school problem,” said ",p:5,x:797,y:1232,w:260,h:21},
{t:"MEA President Iris K. Salters.",p:5,x:787,y:1257,w:189,h:21},
{t:"Added Jack Kresnak, president and CEO ",p:5,x:797,y:1282,w:263,h:21},
{t:"of Michigan’s Children, an advocacy group: ",p:5,x:787,y:1307,w:285,h:21},
{t:"“Schools and communities need resources ",p:5,x:787,y:1332,w:281,h:21},
{t:"from Lansing in order to engage in the ",p:5,x:787,y:1357,w:255,h:21},
{t:"critical, local work that can end our drop-",p:5,x:787,y:1382,w:271,h:21},
{t:"out crisis and get all students ready for a ",p:5,x:787,y:1407,w:274,h:21},
{t:"bright future.” ",p:5,x:787,y:1432,w:98,h:21},
{t:"« In brief",p:5,x:786,y:69,w:283,h:99},
{t:"your news now",p:5,x:1063,y:22,w:155,h:35},
{t:"On the Web",p:5,x:1118,y:1379,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.mea.org/",p:5,x:1129,y:1407,w:89,h:22},
{t:"dropouts.",p:5,x:1158,y:1429,w:59,h:22},
{t:"Community action critical to ",p:5,x:186,y:177,w:751,h:75},
{t:"dropout prevention",p:5,x:186,y:252,w:486,h:75},
{t:" Resources needed from Lansing to help communities act",p:5,x:422,y:343,w:647,h:38},
{t:"Jack Kresnak, president and CEO of Michigan’s Children, a partner in the effort to solve ",p:5,x:483,y:782,w:567,h:22},
{t:"the dropout crisis, took questions from a Lansing television station at the Dropout ",p:5,x:483,y:804,w:533,h:22},
{t:"Leadership Prevention Summit in October.",p:5,x:483,y:827,w:271,h:22},
{t:"About 80 people attended an October ",p:5,x:781,y:1482,w:244,h:22},
{t:"briefng co-sponsored by MEA to release the ",p:5,x:781,y:1504,w:289,h:22},
{t:"fndings from a series of dropout hearings.",p:5,x:781,y:1527,w:275,h:22},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:5,x:1067,y:760,w:0,h:17},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:5,x:199,y:1540,w:0,h:17},
{t:"6 ",p:6,x:28,y:1594,w:15,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2008",p:6,x:57,y:1594,w:142,h:21},
{t:"in brief",p:6,x:28,y:22,w:76,h:35},
{t:"10 fast reads »",p:6,x:186,y:69,w:470,h:99},
{t:"1. ",p:6,x:190,y:173,w:95,h:126},
{t:"403(b) ALERT: Huge consortiums are ",p:6,x:262,y:191,w:323,h:30},
{t:"apparently taking advantage of new ",p:6,x:262,y:222,w:320,h:29},
{t:"IRS rules governing 403(b) plans—tax-",p:6,x:262,y:252,w:347,h:29},
{t:"deferred annuities through payroll deduction—",p:6,x:190,y:282,w:413,h:29},
{t:"that could affect your retirement investment ",p:6,x:190,y:312,w:391,h:29},
{t:"options. Local associations are urged to ",p:6,x:190,y:341,w:366,h:30},
{t:"demand to bargain ASAP over the implementa-",p:6,x:190,y:371,w:423,h:30},
{t:"tion of these rules. The danger is in allowing ",p:6,x:190,y:401,w:401,h:30},
{t:"a consortium to limit member decision-making ",p:6,x:190,y:432,w:415,h:29},
{t:"and association rights to bargain issues such ",p:6,x:190,y:462,w:405,h:29},
{t:"as which fnancial vendors you’ll be allowed to ",p:6,x:190,y:492,w:410,h:29},
{t:"use for investment products. The new rules take ",p:6,x:190,y:522,w:423,h:29},
{t:"effect Jan. 1, 2009, and carry possible penalties. ",p:6,x:190,y:552,w:430,h:29},
{t:"Call your MEA UniServ director to learn more.",p:6,x:190,y:581,w:412,h:30},
{t:"3. ",p:6,x:186,y:641,w:76,h:102},
{t:"You should have received your new ",p:6,x:244,y:657,w:223,h:21},
{t:"two-year membership card by now . ",p:6,x:244,y:682,w:225,h:21},
{t:"Follow the directions on the paper ",p:6,x:244,y:707,w:218,h:21},
{t:"banner affxed to the card to activate it, ",p:6,x:186,y:732,w:257,h:21},
{t:"then access discounts on oil changes, food ",p:6,x:186,y:757,w:277,h:21},
{t:"and more. New members will receive their ",p:6,x:186,y:782,w:269,h:21},
{t:"cards in the coming weeks. If you have not ",p:6,x:186,y:807,w:274,h:21},
{t:"received your card or it contains an error , call ",p:6,x:186,y:832,w:292,h:21},
{t:"800-292-1934, ext. 3308. ",p:6,x:186,y:857,w:186,h:22},
{t:"FAST FACTS:",p:6,x:37,y:481,w:102,h:22},
{t:"0",p:6,x:37,y:526,w:21,h:60},
{t:"Number of ",p:6,x:37,y:582,w:71,h:21},
{t:"states that ",p:6,x:37,y:607,w:76,h:21},
{t:"require stu-",p:6,x:37,y:632,w:77,h:21},
{t:"dents to wear ",p:6,x:37,y:657,w:92,h:21},
{t:"uniforms.",p:6,x:37,y:682,w:62,h:21},
{t:"36.4",p:6,x:37,y:751,w:73,h:60},
{t:"percent",p:6,x:37,y:801,w:100,h:45},
{t:"Proportion of ",p:6,x:37,y:857,w:87,h:21},
{t:"students who ",p:6,x:37,y:882,w:91,h:21},
{t:"completed a ",p:6,x:37,y:907,w:84,h:21},
{t:"college degree ",p:6,x:37,y:932,w:97,h:21},
{t:"in four years.",p:6,x:37,y:957,w:85,h:21},
{t:"SOURCE: ",p:6,x:37,y:1028,w:53,h:14},
{t:"EdUCATION ",p:6,x:37,y:1043,w:67,h:14},
{t:"COMMISSION OF ",p:6,x:37,y:1058,w:95,h:14},
{t:"THE STATES",p:6,x:37,y:1073,w:66,h:14},
{t:"4. ",p:6,x:186,y:916,w:98,h:102},
{t:"If your school district has ",p:6,x:261,y:932,w:208,h:21},
{t:"outsourced the work of ",p:6,x:261,y:957,w:190,h:21},
{t:"district employees, you ",p:6,x:261,y:982,w:190,h:21},
{t:"should monitor the work of the ",p:6,x:186,y:1007,w:252,h:21},
{t:"private employees. If you have ",p:6,x:186,y:1032,w:250,h:21},
{t:"a complaint about the quality of ",p:6,x:186,y:1057,w:261,h:21},
{t:"work performed by privateers,",p:6,x:186,y:1082,w:236,h:21},
{t:"please share your observations ",p:6,x:186,y:1107,w:254,h:21},
{t:"with us.",p:6,x:186,y:1132,w:61,h:21},
{t:"We’ve posted a Privatization ",p:6,x:195,y:1157,w:230,h:21},
{t:"Complaint Box at ",p:6,x:186,y:1182,w:143,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/privatization .",p:6,x:186,y:1207,w:216,h:21},
{t:"MEA will compile complaints and ",p:6,x:195,y:1232,w:273,h:21},
{t:"track which companies or school",p:6,x:186,y:1257,w:260,h:21},
{t:"districts have the most trouble.",p:6,x:186,y:1282,w:243,h:21},
{t:"If you can, take a picture of the",p:6,x:195,y:1307,w:246,h:21},
{t:"problem in question and send it to ",p:6,x:186,y:1332,w:283,h:21},
{t:"complaints@mea.org .",p:6,x:186,y:1357,w:174,h:21},
{t:"5. ",p:6,x:483,y:916,w:78,h:102},
{t:"Student MEA members at Michigan State University tutor students weekly at the ",p:6,x:542,y:932,w:527,h:21},
{t:"East Lansing public library. Senior Katalin Zerio helped a student with math in ",p:6,x:542,y:957,w:517,h:21},
{t:"October. If you know a college student pursuing teaching as a career, check out ",p:6,x:542,y:982,w:521,h:21},
{t:"Student MEA online at www.mea.org/smea. Membership is just $27 a year. ",p:6,x:483,y:1007,w:506,h:22},
{t:"Your MEA member ",p:6,x:496,y:782,w:121,h:22},
{t:"number.",p:6,x:496,y:804,w:52,h:22},
{t:"Your MEA membership card ",p:6,x:781,y:857,w:181,h:22},
{t:"now lasts two years.",p:6,x:781,y:879,w:130,h:22},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:6,x:1067,y:1445,w:0,h:17},
{t:"2. ",p:6,x:632,y:191,w:92,h:102},
{t:"Educational support professionals interested",p:6,x:702,y:207,w:357,h:21},
{t:"in representing the interests of support staff",p:6,x:702,y:232,w:351,h:21},
{t:"colleagues may want to run for a seat on the",p:6,x:702,y:257,w:357,h:21},
{t:"MEA/ESP Caucus Executive Board. Board members",p:6,x:632,y:282,w:419,h:21},
{t:"help set program objectives, establish budgets, de",p:6,x:632,y:307,w:404,h:21},
{t:"-",p:6,x:1047,y:307,w:6,h:21},
{t:"termine policy positions, and evaluate programs and",p:6,x:632,y:332,w:421,h:21},
{t:"services related to ESP members. The election will",p:6,x:632,y:357,w:405,h:21},
{t:"take place May 2 in Lansing. Additional information",p:6,x:632,y:382,w:414,h:21},
{t:"is available online at www.mea.org/esp. If you have ",p:6,x:632,y:407,w:418,h:21},
{t:"questions, call Maxine Rogowski, ESP Caucus elec",p:6,x:632,y:432,w:409,h:21},
{t:"-",p:6,x:1051,y:432,w:6,h:21},
{t:"tions chairperson, 616-453-8875, or send her an",p:6,x:632,y:457,w:397,h:21},
{t:"e-mail to mrogow8604@aol.com .",p:6,x:632,y:482,w:264,h:21},
{t:"MEA gear",p:6,x:186,y:1422,w:246,h:74},
{t:"Do you want MEA-inscribed pens, pencils, T-shirts, magnetic clips and more? Then visit our online store to place your order. You don’t ",p:6,x:186,y:1482,w:887,h:21},
{t:"have to spend a lot to display your MEA pride—items range in price from 22 cents (a pencil) to $9.95 (embroidered cap). Go to the ",p:6,x:186,y:1507,w:887,h:21},
{t:"member section of www.mea.org and click on MEA Merchandise.",p:6,x:186,y:1532,w:422,h:21},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:7,x:1113,y:1594,w:99,h:21},
{t:"7",p:7,x:1227,y:1594,w:10,h:21},
{t:"FAST FACTS:",p:7,x:1115,y:481,w:102,h:22},
{t:"58 ",p:7,x:1177,y:526,w:49,h:60},
{t:"percent",p:7,x:1120,y:576,w:100,h:45},
{t:"The percentage ",p:7,x:1118,y:632,w:104,h:21},
{t:"of mothers in ",p:7,x:1132,y:657,w:90,h:21},
{t:"two-biological-",p:7,x:1119,y:682,w:98,h:21},
{t:"parent families ",p:7,x:1118,y:707,w:104,h:21},
{t:"reporting ",p:7,x:1159,y:732,w:63,h:21},
{t:"high involve-",p:7,x:1133,y:757,w:85,h:21},
{t:"ment in their ",p:7,x:1134,y:782,w:88,h:21},
{t:"child’s school, ",p:7,x:1126,y:807,w:96,h:21},
{t:"compared to ",p:7,x:1137,y:832,w:85,h:21},
{t:"28 percent of ",p:7,x:1132,y:857,w:90,h:21},
{t:"fathers.",p:7,x:1167,y:882,w:51,h:21},
{t:"4,243",p:7,x:1125,y:951,w:94,h:60},
{t:"Number of ",p:7,x:1151,y:1007,w:71,h:21},
{t:"10- to 24-year-",p:7,x:1119,y:1032,w:99,h:21},
{t:"olds in the ",p:7,x:1150,y:1057,w:72,h:21},
{t:"United States ",p:7,x:1130,y:1082,w:92,h:21},
{t:"who took their ",p:7,x:1127,y:1107,w:95,h:21},
{t:"own lives in ",p:7,x:1141,y:1132,w:81,h:21},
{t:"2001, the most ",p:7,x:1119,y:1157,w:103,h:21},
{t:"recent year for ",p:7,x:1125,y:1182,w:97,h:21},
{t:"which data are ",p:7,x:1120,y:1207,w:102,h:21},
{t:"available.",p:7,x:1154,y:1232,w:64,h:21},
{t:"SOURCE: ",p:7,x:1168,y:1303,w:53,h:14},
{t:"EdUCATION ",p:7,x:1154,y:1318,w:67,h:14},
{t:"COMMISSION OF ",p:7,x:1126,y:1333,w:95,h:14},
{t:"THE STATES",p:7,x:1152,y:1348,w:66,h:14},
{t:"6. ",p:7,x:186,y:191,w:92,h:102},
{t:"The Michigan Education Association has teamed up with the Detroit Pistons to ",p:7,x:256,y:207,w:592,h:21},
{t:"create an exciting way to reward the outstanding students at your school. The ",p:7,x:256,y:232,w:585,h:21},
{t:"“Three Point Club” is designed to help provide an additional incentive. Any ",p:7,x:256,y:257,w:567,h:21},
{t:"student who achieves what is considered “honor roll” status at his or her school can ",p:7,x:186,y:282,w:635,h:21},
{t:"receive one complimentary ticket to a Detroit Pistons home game on Jan. 23, Feb. ",p:7,x:186,y:307,w:622,h:21},
{t:"1 or Feb. 4. (At least one paying adult ticket must accompany each complimentary ",p:7,x:186,y:332,w:627,h:21},
{t:"ticket.) For more information, contact Katie Johnson at 248-375-4076 or send an e-mail to ",p:7,x:186,y:357,w:685,h:21},
{t:"kjohnson@PalaceNet.com . Deadline to order is Jan. 5. ",p:7,x:186,y:382,w:428,h:22},
{t:"7. ",p:7,x:483,y:441,w:79,h:102},
{t:"Does your school do a good job helping students link what they’re learning in ",p:7,x:544,y:457,w:520,h:21},
{t:"the classroom with job opportunities? MEA ’s Career Prep Task Force wants to ",p:7,x:544,y:482,w:517,h:21},
{t:"know about successful programs that help students understand the practical ",p:7,x:544,y:507,w:524,h:21},
{t:"application of knowledge gained in the classroom. Please go to our Web site to tell ",p:7,x:483,y:532,w:557,h:21},
{t:"us about your program ( www.mea.org, then click on Members and scroll down for the",p:7,x:483,y:557,w:560,h:21},
{t:"survey.) If selected, your school may be showcased at regional and statewide meet",p:7,x:483,y:582,w:539,h:21},
{t:"-",p:7,x:1037,y:582,w:6,h:21},
{t:"ings and conferences. ",p:7,x:483,y:607,w:170,h:22},
{t:"8. ",p:7,x:186,y:691,w:92,h:102},
{t:"Election 2008 is in the ",p:7,x:256,y:707,w:173,h:21},
{t:"rearview mirror—and now ",p:7,x:256,y:732,w:199,h:21},
{t:"it’s time to look ahead to ",p:7,x:256,y:757,w:187,h:21},
{t:"2010 when Michigan voters elect a ",p:7,x:186,y:782,w:268,h:21},
{t:"new governor. If you’d like to meet ",p:7,x:186,y:807,w:261,h:21},
{t:"some of the candidates interested in ",p:7,x:186,y:832,w:278,h:21},
{t:"succeeding Gov. Jennifer Granholm ",p:7,x:186,y:857,w:272,h:21},
{t:"(who cannot run again because of ",p:7,x:186,y:882,w:261,h:21},
{t:"term limits), you may want to sign ",p:7,x:186,y:907,w:258,h:21},
{t:"up for MEA ’s 2009 Bargaining, ",p:7,x:186,y:932,w:235,h:21},
{t:"Political Action and Public Relations ",p:7,x:186,y:957,w:276,h:21},
{t:"Conference Feb. 5-7 in Detroit. A ",p:7,x:483,y:707,w:254,h:21},
{t:"Feb. 6 PAC reception will feature ",p:7,x:483,y:732,w:251,h:21},
{t:"Republicans and Democrats who’ve ",p:7,x:483,y:757,w:275,h:21},
{t:"shown interest in the gubernatorial ",p:7,x:483,y:782,w:265,h:21},
{t:"race. Invited guests include Dennis ",p:7,x:483,y:807,w:269,h:21},
{t:"Archer, Michael Bishop, John Cherry, ",p:7,x:483,y:832,w:285,h:21},
{t:"Michael Cox, Dick DeVos, Dan Kildee, ",p:7,x:483,y:857,w:289,h:21},
{t:"Wayne Kuipers, and Terri Lynn Land. ",p:7,x:483,y:882,w:282,h:21},
{t:"For conference information, go to the ",p:7,x:483,y:907,w:284,h:21},
{t:"member section of www.mea.org and ",p:7,x:483,y:932,w:283,h:21},
{t:"click on Conferences. ",p:7,x:483,y:957,w:184,h:22},
{t:"9. ",p:7,x:483,y:1016,w:78,h:102},
{t:"If you want to know how social class, race or gender affect your school’s learn-",p:7,x:542,y:1032,w:513,h:21},
{t:"ing environment, check out a new learning opportunity from MEA—the Social ",p:7,x:542,y:1057,w:510,h:21},
{t:"Justice Institute. The event is July 30-31 at Saginaw Valley State University. ",p:7,x:542,y:1082,w:497,h:21},
{t:"Information is on the member section of www.mea.org (click on Conferences). ",p:7,x:483,y:1107,w:527,h:22},
{t:"10. ",p:7,x:186,y:1216,w:139,h:102},
{t:"Jill Wood lost her job ",p:7,x:302,y:1232,w:159,h:21},
{t:"as a school custo-",p:7,x:302,y:1257,w:135,h:21},
{t:"dian when Southfeld ",p:7,x:302,y:1282,w:163,h:21},
{t:"Public Schools decided to hire ",p:7,x:186,y:1307,w:233,h:21},
{t:"an out-of-state company to clean ",p:7,x:186,y:1332,w:252,h:21},
{t:"its buildings. Wood has struggled ",p:7,x:186,y:1357,w:253,h:21},
{t:"since she was fred in August ",p:7,x:186,y:1382,w:224,h:21},
{t:"and risks losing her home. Go to ",p:7,x:186,y:1407,w:248,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/privatization to read ",p:7,x:186,y:1432,w:253,h:21},
{t:"about the impact of privatization. ",p:7,x:186,y:1457,w:251,h:21},
{t:"You’ll also fnd several brief videos of ",p:7,x:186,y:1482,w:280,h:21},
{t:"Wood talking about what happened in ",p:7,x:186,y:1507,w:289,h:21},
{t:"Southfeld. ",p:7,x:186,y:1532,w:102,h:22},
{t:"Bargaining, ",p:7,x:888,y:719,w:89,h:31},
{t:"Political Action ",p:7,x:888,y:749,w:119,h:31},
{t:"PR Conference",p:7,x:888,y:776,w:111,h:31},
{t:"Bargaining, ",p:7,x:886,y:718,w:89,h:31},
{t:"Political Action ",p:7,x:886,y:748,w:119,h:31},
{t:"PR Conference",p:7,x:886,y:775,w:111,h:31},
{t:"2009",p:7,x:881,y:750,w:0,h:65},
{t:"2009",p:7,x:880,y:752,w:0,h:65},
{t:"&",p:7,x:1000,y:737,w:40,h:66},
{t:"Building Full Capacity Locals",p:7,x:803,y:988,w:49,h:4},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:7,x:1067,y:1540,w:0,h:17},
{t:"LIQUI",p:7,x:472,y:670,w:0,h:14},
{t:"d",p:7,x:472,y:639,w:0,h:14},
{t:"LIBRAR",p:7,x:472,y:631,w:0,h:14},
{t:"Y",p:7,x:472,y:590,w:0,h:14},
{t:".COM",p:7,x:472,y:584,w:0,h:14},
{t:"LIQUI",p:7,x:472,y:1204,w:0,h:14},
{t:"d",p:7,x:472,y:1173,w:0,h:14},
{t:"LIBRAR",p:7,x:472,y:1165,w:0,h:14},
{t:"Y",p:7,x:472,y:1123,w:0,h:14},
{t:".COM",p:7,x:472,y:1118,w:0,h:14},
{t:"8 ",p:8,x:28,y:1594,w:15,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2008",p:8,x:57,y:1594,w:142,h:21},
{t:"BARGAINING",p:8,x:28,y:22,w:129,h:35},
{t:"Wayne-Westland teachers ",p:8,x:186,y:75,w:1057,h:114},
{t:"hit the picket line—",p:8,x:1288,y:75,w:793,h:114},
{t:"what does it mean for you? ",p:8,x:186,y:175,w:1064,h:114},
{t:"WESTLAND—Teachers in the ",p:8,x:186,y:306,w:233,h:22},
{t:"Wayne-Westland school district ",p:8,x:186,y:331,w:246,h:22},
{t:"walked the picket lines in October, ",p:8,x:186,y:356,w:274,h:22},
{t:"the frst major work stoppage in a ",p:8,x:186,y:381,w:264,h:22},
{t:"Michigan public school district out-",p:8,x:186,y:406,w:276,h:22},
{t:"side of Detroit since 1994.",p:8,x:186,y:431,w:210,h:22},
{t:"For the teachers, the question of ",p:8,x:195,y:457,w:249,h:21},
{t:"whether to act came down to class ",p:8,x:186,y:482,w:265,h:21},
{t:"size and insurance.",p:8,x:186,y:507,w:146,h:21},
{t:"For MEA members across the ",p:8,x:195,y:532,w:228,h:21},
{t:"state, the decision by more than 800 ",p:8,x:186,y:1132,w:281,h:21},
{t:"Wayne-Westland teachers to report ",p:8,x:186,y:1157,w:267,h:21},
{t:"for picket duty instead of teaching ",p:8,x:186,y:1182,w:260,h:21},
{t:"refects a tough bargaining climate.",p:8,x:186,y:1207,w:264,h:21},
{t:"This fall, class sizes in many Wayne-",p:8,x:195,y:1232,w:273,h:21},
{t:"Westland classrooms grew to 35 to ",p:8,x:186,y:1257,w:265,h:21},
{t:"40 students. Some classrooms lacked ",p:8,x:186,y:1282,w:289,h:21},
{t:"suffcient chairs or desks for students.",p:8,x:186,y:1307,w:286,h:21},
{t:"“We all know the benefts of small ",p:8,x:195,y:1332,w:258,h:21},
{t:"class sizes for our students,” said ",p:8,x:186,y:1357,w:256,h:21},
{t:"MEA President Iris K. Salters. ",p:8,x:186,y:1382,w:225,h:21},
{t:"“Individual attention from teach-",p:8,x:483,y:307,w:243,h:21},
{t:"ers is a proven way to help students ",p:8,x:483,y:332,w:274,h:21},
{t:"achieve. It’s our responsibility as edu-",p:8,x:483,y:357,w:282,h:21},
{t:"cators to bring these issues up to our ",p:8,x:483,y:382,w:283,h:21},
{t:"school boards and at our bargaining ",p:8,x:483,y:407,w:276,h:21},
{t:"tables.”",p:8,x:483,y:432,w:57,h:21},
{t:"In this instance, Wayne-Westland ",p:8,x:493,y:457,w:254,h:21},
{t:"teachers determined that the goal—",p:8,x:483,y:482,w:271,h:21},
{t:"smaller class sizes so that students ",p:8,x:483,y:507,w:268,h:21},
{t:"can get individualized attention from ",p:8,x:483,y:532,w:278,h:21},
{t:"teachers—outweighed the risks of a ",p:8,x:483,y:1132,w:274,h:21},
{t:"job action. Nearly all of the teachers ",p:8,x:483,y:1157,w:275,h:21},
{t:"opted to stand up for their students ",p:8,x:483,y:1182,w:270,h:21},
{t:"even though state law prohibits strikes ",p:8,x:483,y:1207,w:291,h:21},
{t:"by public workers and allows fnes ",p:8,x:483,y:1232,w:262,h:21},
{t:"for those who engage in a concerted ",p:8,x:483,y:1257,w:278,h:21},
{t:"effort. ",p:8,x:483,y:1282,w:48,h:21},
{t:"“Quality issues are at center stage in ",p:8,x:493,y:1307,w:279,h:21},
{t:"bargaining,” said Donna Lutke, direc-",p:8,x:483,y:1332,w:282,h:21},
{t:"tor of feld services for MEA.",p:8,x:483,y:1357,w:210,h:21},
{t:"For years, Michigan’s poor economy ",p:8,x:493,y:1382,w:276,h:21},
{t:"has soured bargaining. Wages and ",p:8,x:781,y:307,w:264,h:21},
{t:"benefts haven’t kept up with infation.",p:8,x:781,y:332,w:286,h:21},
{t:"But, increasingly, districts are cut-",p:8,x:791,y:357,w:255,h:21},
{t:"ting services and programs that help ",p:8,x:781,y:382,w:279,h:21},
{t:"students learn, or increasing class ",p:8,x:781,y:407,w:261,h:21},
{t:"sizes to unacceptable levels to save ",p:8,x:781,y:432,w:271,h:21},
{t:"money instead of doing what’s best ",p:8,x:781,y:457,w:268,h:21},
{t:"for students. With tougher standards ",p:8,x:781,y:482,w:279,h:21},
{t:"from the state and federal govern-",p:8,x:781,y:507,w:255,h:21},
{t:"ments, school improvement matters ",p:8,x:781,y:532,w:275,h:21},
{t:"are an important part of the bargain-",p:8,x:781,y:1132,w:274,h:21},
{t:"ing process.",p:8,x:781,y:1157,w:91,h:21},
{t:"In Wayne-Westland, teachers re-",p:8,x:791,y:1182,w:244,h:21},
{t:"turned to work after a county judge ",p:8,x:781,y:1207,w:268,h:21},
{t:"ordered an end to the job action. The ",p:8,x:781,y:1232,w:285,h:21},
{t:"terms of the expired contract were ",p:8,x:781,y:1257,w:262,h:21},
{t:"extended until a new master agree-",p:8,x:781,y:1282,w:265,h:21},
{t:"ment is reached, effectively prevent-",p:8,x:781,y:1307,w:273,h:21},
{t:"ing the district from imposing different ",p:8,x:781,y:1332,w:291,h:21},
{t:"working conditions. At press time, the ",p:8,x:781,y:1357,w:288,h:21},
{t:"contract remained unsettled.",p:8,x:781,y:1382,w:216,h:21},
{t:"Mediation: A state mediator can help at any point during ",p:8,x:43,y:1456,w:376,h:23},
{t:"bargaining. A mediator’s job is to confer with both sides to assist ",p:8,x:43,y:1481,w:430,h:22},
{t:"in reaching a settlement. Mediation is not binding. Generally, ",p:8,x:43,y:1506,w:404,h:22},
{t:"mediation lasts for a few weeks or months.",p:8,x:43,y:1531,w:281,h:22},
{t:"KEVIN W",p:8,x:1067,y:1105,w:0,h:17},
{t:". FOWLER/FOR MEA",p:8,x:1067,y:1051,w:0,h:17},
{t:"Factfnding: A process in which a neutral third party considers key ",p:8,x:483,y:1456,w:438,h:23},
{t:"details and facts about unresolved bargaining issues presented ",p:8,x:483,y:1481,w:422,h:22},
{t:"during a public hearing. The factfnder recommends a nonbinding ",p:8,x:483,y:1506,w:435,h:22},
{t:"settlement, usually within a few weeks after the hearing.",p:8,x:483,y:1531,w:371,h:22},
{t:"Impasse: The point ",p:8,x:930,y:1456,w:130,h:23},
{t:"in bargaining when ",p:8,x:930,y:1481,w:131,h:22},
{t:"further discussion ",p:8,x:930,y:1506,w:122,h:22},
{t:"would be futile.",p:8,x:930,y:1531,w:101,h:22},
{t:"More than 800 ",p:8,x:1079,y:607,w:96,h:22},
{t:"Wayne-Westland ",p:8,x:1079,y:629,w:111,h:22},
{t:"teachers ",p:8,x:1079,y:652,w:61,h:22},
{t:"picketed in early ",p:8,x:1079,y:674,w:112,h:22},
{t:"October during a ",p:8,x:1079,y:697,w:112,h:22},
{t:"work stoppage.",p:8,x:1079,y:719,w:98,h:22},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:9,x:1115,y:1594,w:99,h:21},
{t:"9",p:9,x:1227,y:1594,w:9,h:21},
{t:"BARGAINING",p:9,x:1091,y:22,w:129,h:35},
{t:"The MEA Voice is unable to elabo-",p:9,x:195,y:307,w:258,h:21},
{t:"rate on the Wayne-Westland job ac-",p:9,x:186,y:332,w:267,h:21},
{t:"tion because of a press blackout while ",p:9,x:186,y:357,w:291,h:21},
{t:"the two sides work toward a new ",p:9,x:186,y:382,w:248,h:21},
{t:"contract.",p:9,x:186,y:407,w:66,h:21},
{t:"It’s safe to say, however, that the ",p:9,x:195,y:432,w:247,h:21},
{t:"Wayne-Westland job action is an ",p:9,x:186,y:457,w:248,h:21},
{t:"important development in the push ",p:9,x:186,y:482,w:269,h:21},
{t:"by MEA members for quality teaching ",p:9,x:186,y:507,w:287,h:21},
{t:"and learning conditions.",p:9,x:186,y:532,w:181,h:21},
{t:"The situation underscores the level ",p:9,x:195,y:1132,w:267,h:21},
{t:"of frustration that professional educa-",p:9,x:186,y:1157,w:281,h:21},
{t:"tors across the state feel about the ",p:9,x:186,y:1182,w:263,h:21},
{t:"learning environments of their stu-",p:9,x:186,y:1207,w:258,h:21},
{t:"dents. School employees—and par-",p:9,x:186,y:1232,w:268,h:21},
{t:"ents—in many districts are concerned ",p:9,x:186,y:1257,w:291,h:21},
{t:"about the impact of tight budgets.",p:9,x:186,y:1282,w:254,h:21},
{t:"Teachers or support staff in the ",p:9,x:195,y:1307,w:238,h:21},
{t:"Tahquamenon, Waterford, Troy, Grand ",p:9,x:186,y:1332,w:292,h:21},
{t:"Rapids, Utica and Willow Run districts ",p:9,x:186,y:1357,w:292,h:21},
{t:"have all faced very diffcult bargaining ",p:9,x:186,y:1382,w:288,h:21},
{t:"in recent months. In some instances, ",p:9,x:483,y:307,w:284,h:21},
{t:"the district has imposed different ",p:9,x:483,y:332,w:252,h:21},
{t:"working conditions on employees, ",p:9,x:483,y:357,w:259,h:21},
{t:"subverting collective bargaining.",p:9,x:483,y:382,w:241,h:21},
{t:"On the same day that Wayne-",p:9,x:493,y:407,w:222,h:21},
{t:"Westland teachers walked off their ",p:9,x:483,y:432,w:262,h:21},
{t:"jobs, Grand Rapids teachers and ",p:9,x:483,y:457,w:252,h:21},
{t:"supporters picketed before a school ",p:9,x:483,y:482,w:274,h:21},
{t:"board meeting to protest the lack ",p:9,x:483,y:507,w:253,h:21},
{t:"of progress toward a new contract. ",p:9,x:483,y:532,w:264,h:21},
{t:"Grand Rapids teachers are in their ",p:9,x:483,y:1132,w:264,h:21},
{t:"second year without a contract.",p:9,x:483,y:1157,w:235,h:21},
{t:"Concern in Grand Rapids has ",p:9,x:493,y:1182,w:227,h:21},
{t:"centered on the district’s decision to ",p:9,x:483,y:1207,w:276,h:21},
{t:"budget less than the state average in ",p:9,x:483,y:1232,w:281,h:21},
{t:"the classroom, said Paul Helder, pres-",p:9,x:483,y:1257,w:286,h:21},
{t:"ident of the Grand Rapids Education ",p:9,x:483,y:1282,w:279,h:21},
{t:"Association. The district has more ",p:9,x:483,y:1307,w:259,h:21},
{t:"than $15 million in undedicated funds ",p:9,x:483,y:1332,w:293,h:21},
{t:"invested in home mortgages, which ",p:9,x:483,y:1357,w:271,h:21},
{t:"Helder said could be better invested ",p:9,x:483,y:1382,w:277,h:21},
{t:"in students.",p:9,x:781,y:307,w:88,h:21},
{t:"“School districts are given money to ",p:9,x:791,y:332,w:274,h:21},
{t:"spend educating children,” he said. ",p:9,x:781,y:357,w:274,h:21},
{t:"“A school district is not a bank.”",p:9,x:781,y:382,w:242,h:21},
{t:"In Waterford, where the district ",p:9,x:791,y:407,w:237,h:21},
{t:"imposed a different health plan on ",p:9,x:781,y:432,w:263,h:21},
{t:"employees on Nov. 1, staff morale ",p:9,x:781,y:457,w:259,h:21},
{t:"is low, said Deb Lotan, president ",p:9,x:781,y:482,w:248,h:21},
{t:"of the Michigan Education Support ",p:9,x:781,y:507,w:266,h:21},
{t:"Professional Association III, a group ",p:9,x:781,y:532,w:273,h:21},
{t:"that represents 229 custodians, food ",p:9,x:781,y:1132,w:281,h:21},
{t:"service, maintenance and transporta-",p:9,x:781,y:1157,w:281,h:21},
{t:"tion workers.",p:9,x:781,y:1182,w:95,h:21},
{t:"“Bargaining is vital to my local and ",p:9,x:791,y:1207,w:265,h:21},
{t:"MEA,” Lotan said. “There is a history ",p:9,x:781,y:1232,w:282,h:21},
{t:"in place through all previous contracts ",p:9,x:781,y:1257,w:291,h:21},
{t:"and for a school board to come in and ",p:9,x:781,y:1282,w:292,h:21},
{t:"impose any part of a contract disre-",p:9,x:781,y:1307,w:267,h:21},
{t:"gards what our members have earned ",p:9,x:781,y:1332,w:290,h:21},
{t:"through the years.” ",p:9,x:781,y:1357,w:148,h:22},
{t:"W",p:9,x:-1069,y:75,w:79,h:114},
{t:"ayne-W",p:9,x:-770,y:75,w:298,h:114},
{t:"estland teachers",p:9,x:-72,y:75,w:654,h:114},
{t:"hit the picket line—",p:9,x:32,y:75,w:793,h:114},
{t:"what does it mean for you?",p:9,x:-64,y:175,w:1059,h:114},
{t:"On the Web",p:9,x:1118,y:1354,w:100,h:25},
{t:"To learn more, go ",p:9,x:1106,y:1382,w:116,h:22},
{t:"to www.mea.org.",p:9,x:1113,y:1404,w:105,h:22},
{t:"by Karen Schulz",p:9,x:928,y:132,w:122,h:21},
{t:"Editor, MEA Voice",p:9,x:928,y:157,w:132,h:21},
{t:"Imposition: An employer may impose changes in one or more of the employees’ terms and conditions of employment when the issue ",p:9,x:186,y:1456,w:864,h:23},
{t:"is time sensitive (the frst day of school, for example) to retain bargaining leverage or to provoke a confrontation. Imposition may only ",p:9,x:186,y:1481,w:875,h:22},
{t:"occur after bargaining has reached impasse. However, it’s not always clear when two sides have reached impasse, so imposition can ",p:9,x:186,y:1506,w:873,h:22},
{t:"be unexpected. If the imposition occurs prior to impasse, it may be challenged before the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.",p:9,x:186,y:1531,w:883,h:22},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:9,x:201,y:1107,w:0,h:17},
{t:"More than 200 ",p:9,x:1079,y:607,w:96,h:22},
{t:"Redford Union ",p:9,x:1079,y:629,w:95,h:22},
{t:"teachers and ",p:9,x:1079,y:652,w:88,h:22},
{t:"supporters ",p:9,x:1079,y:674,w:74,h:22},
{t:"rallied in ",p:9,x:1079,y:697,w:61,h:22},
{t:"September to ",p:9,x:1079,y:719,w:90,h:22},
{t:"protest their ",p:9,x:1079,y:742,w:85,h:22},
{t:"fourth school ",p:9,x:1079,y:764,w:89,h:22},
{t:"year without a ",p:9,x:1079,y:787,w:95,h:22},
{t:"new contract.",p:9,x:1079,y:809,w:89,h:22},
{t:"10 ",p:10,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2008",p:10,x:67,y:1594,w:142,h:21},
{t:"member profile",p:10,x:28,y:22,w:163,h:35},
{t:"The Love bus »",p:10,x:186,y:69,w:466,h:99},
{t:"JACKSON—Brenda Love is a bus driver.",p:10,x:483,y:907,w:310,h:22},
{t:"And so much more.",p:10,x:493,y:932,w:149,h:21},
{t:"Over the course of a 10-hour day, Love crisscrosses the city, driving 160 ",p:10,x:493,y:957,w:562,h:21},
{t:"miles to pick up and drop off students attending several public and non-",p:10,x:483,y:982,w:560,h:21},
{t:"public schools.",p:10,x:483,y:1007,w:116,h:21},
{t:"From her seat behind the steering wheel, she is a greeter. Consoler. ",p:10,x:493,y:1032,w:527,h:21},
{t:"Surrogate parent. Sounding board. Provider of snacks, lunches, clothing ",p:10,x:483,y:1057,w:564,h:21},
{t:"and other necessities to needy kids. Nose wiper. Volunteer. Traffc cop. ",p:10,x:483,y:1082,w:551,h:21},
{t:"Rule enforcer. Problem solver. Good Samaritan.",p:10,x:483,y:1107,w:367,h:21},
{t:"“If we just did what we were ‘supposed’ to do, it would be picking up and ",p:10,x:493,y:1132,w:571,h:21},
{t:"dropping off,” says Love, a mother of seven. “We do over and above what ",p:10,x:483,y:1157,w:573,h:21},
{t:"people expect us to do. Some people think this is just a piece of cake.”",p:10,x:483,y:1182,w:549,h:21},
{t:"Take a ride on Love’s bus (you’ll need to get up early because she rolls out ",p:10,x:493,y:1207,w:580,h:21},
{t:"of the bus lot at 6 a.m.) and you’ll see one of the committed front-liners in ",p:10,x:483,y:1232,w:576,h:21},
{t:"the public education system.",p:10,x:483,y:1257,w:223,h:21},
{t:"You’ll sit with students, some dozing as they travel to school as the sun ",p:10,x:493,y:1282,w:552,h:21},
{t:"rises. Others will fre a rapid list of questions or offer interesting observa-",p:10,x:483,y:1307,w:558,h:21},
{t:"tions about the route.",p:10,x:483,y:1332,w:165,h:21},
{t:"“Did you ride the bus when you were little?”",p:10,x:493,y:1357,w:338,h:21},
{t:"“I have to have surgery on my tooth because it’s brown.”",p:10,x:493,y:1382,w:438,h:21},
{t:"“Will I eat lunch at school?”",p:10,x:493,y:1407,w:213,h:21},
{t:" “I used to live in that shelter, but now I live in a house. Where do you ",p:10,x:493,y:1432,w:553,h:21},
{t:"live?”",p:10,x:483,y:1457,w:41,h:21},
{t:"Love sees her job as a mission.",p:10,x:493,y:1482,w:240,h:21},
{t:"“I have something to give,” Love says, modestly. “And they need some-",p:10,x:493,y:1507,w:551,h:21},
{t:"thing given to them.”",p:10,x:483,y:1532,w:162,h:21},
{t:"Driver goes the extra mile for kids who need it",p:10,x:439,y:188,w:630,h:45},
{t:"by Karen Schulz",p:10,x:936,y:100,w:122,h:21},
{t:"Editor, MEA Voice",p:10,x:926,y:122,w:132,h:21},
{t:"Brenda Love",p:10,x:187,y:566,w:379,h:89},
{t:"is a bus",p:10,x:187,y:641,w:241,h:89},
{t:"driver.",p:10,x:187,y:716,w:195,h:89},
{t:"And so much more.",p:10,x:187,y:790,w:493,h:74},
{t:"Member Profle",p:10,x:37,y:1154,w:131,h:25},
{t:"Our readers ",p:10,x:37,y:1182,w:81,h:22},
{t:"like stories ",p:10,x:37,y:1204,w:76,h:22},
{t:"about education ",p:10,x:37,y:1227,w:108,h:22},
{t:"employees. Do you ",p:10,x:37,y:1249,w:124,h:22},
{t:"know someone ",p:10,x:37,y:1272,w:99,h:22},
{t:"we should profle? ",p:10,x:37,y:1294,w:120,h:22},
{t:"What’s their job? ",p:10,x:37,y:1317,w:112,h:22},
{t:"What makes them ",p:10,x:37,y:1339,w:119,h:22},
{t:"interesting? Send ",p:10,x:37,y:1362,w:116,h:22},
{t:"your ideas to Editor ",p:10,x:37,y:1384,w:130,h:22},
{t:"Karen Schulz at ",p:10,x:37,y:1407,w:104,h:22},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org .",p:10,x:37,y:1429,w:118,h:22},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:11,x:1103,y:1594,w:99,h:21},
{t:"11",p:11,x:1216,y:1594,w:20,h:21},
{t:"Greeter .",p:11,x:841,y:387,w:169,h:78},
{t:"Consoler .",p:11,x:854,y:478,w:143,h:57},
{t:"Surrogate parent.",p:11,x:789,y:551,w:280,h:57},
{t:"Sounding board.",p:11,x:800,y:625,w:256,h:57},
{t:"Provider of ",p:11,x:839,y:699,w:181,h:57},
{t:"snacks, lunches, ",p:11,x:797,y:754,w:266,h:57},
{t:"clothing and other ",p:11,x:784,y:809,w:292,h:57},
{t:"necessities to ",p:11,x:818,y:864,w:224,h:57},
{t:"needy kids.",p:11,x:838,y:919,w:178,h:57},
{t:"Nose wiper .",p:11,x:837,y:993,w:176,h:57},
{t:"Volunteer .",p:11,x:820,y:1070,w:211,h:78},
{t:"Traffc cop.",p:11,x:839,y:1160,w:176,h:57},
{t:"Rule enforcer .",p:11,x:816,y:1234,w:218,h:57},
{t:"Problem solver .",p:11,x:805,y:1308,w:239,h:57},
{t:"Good Samaritan.",p:11,x:798,y:1381,w:261,h:57},
{t:"Bus driver .",p:11,x:813,y:1458,w:223,h:78},
{t:"Love has multiple runs and logs about 35 hours of paid work weekly. With ",p:11,x:195,y:407,w:575,h:21},
{t:"breaks between runs while students are in school, Love’s workday spans ",p:11,x:186,y:432,w:565,h:21},
{t:"over the course of more than 10 hours. In return for services, Love and the ",p:11,x:186,y:457,w:584,h:21},
{t:"other 48 drivers in Jackson earn between $13.56 and $15.70 an hour.",p:11,x:186,y:482,w:547,h:21},
{t:"No job description could aptly describe the duties Love performs with ease:",p:11,x:195,y:507,w:576,h:21},
{t:"  ",p:11,x:186,y:532,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Wiping the teary eyes and runny noses of 4-year-olds heading off to ",p:11,x:214,y:532,w:526,h:21},
{t:"preschool for the frst time.",p:11,x:214,y:557,w:208,h:21},
{t:"  ",p:11,x:186,y:582,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Enforcing the rules. On her bus, swearing, fghting, talking at railroad ",p:11,x:214,y:582,w:538,h:21},
{t:"crossings and the “n” word are prohibited.",p:11,x:214,y:607,w:329,h:21},
{t:"  ",p:11,x:186,y:632,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Sharing snacks, and sometimes her lunch, with hungry children.",p:11,x:214,y:632,w:501,h:21},
{t:"  ",p:11,x:186,y:657,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Jotting down license plates of motorists that fail to stop when her bus is ",p:11,x:214,y:657,w:556,h:21},
{t:"loading or unloading passengers, and reporting such traffc violations.",p:11,x:214,y:682,w:539,h:21},
{t:"  ",p:11,x:186,y:707,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Calming upset parents.",p:11,x:214,y:707,w:179,h:21},
{t:"Love once found a toddler wandering in the street in cold weather wear-",p:11,x:195,y:732,w:555,h:21},
{t:"ing only a diaper. She cared for the boy until his parents could be located. ",p:11,x:186,y:757,w:577,h:21},
{t:"Another time, she came upon a car submerged in water—and helped res-",p:11,x:186,y:782,w:574,h:21},
{t:"cue the student-passengers.",p:11,x:186,y:807,w:220,h:21},
{t:"“She’s great,” says Craig Frazier, director of transportation for Jackson ",p:11,x:195,y:832,w:547,h:21},
{t:"Public Schools. “Brenda is exactly the kind of driver you want.”",p:11,x:186,y:857,w:490,h:21},
{t:"After several hours on the road one September afternoon, Love refected ",p:11,x:195,y:882,w:564,h:21},
{t:"on the work she does. Bus drivers, she said, are an important part of the ",p:11,x:186,y:907,w:566,h:21},
{t:"education team.",p:11,x:186,y:932,w:125,h:21},
{t:"“We strive to give a good education to everybody,” she said. ",p:11,x:195,y:957,w:466,h:21},
{t:"PHOTOS BY KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:11,x:172,y:1542,w:0,h:17},
{t:"12 ",p:12,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2008",p:12,x:67,y:1594,w:142,h:21},
{t:"Several employee groups have ",p:12,x:186,y:249,w:249,h:61},
{t:"moved their health insurance to ",p:12,x:214,y:282,w:240,h:21},
{t:"MESSA after being hit with huge rate ",p:12,x:186,y:307,w:278,h:21},
{t:"increases from other carriers. Non-",p:12,x:186,y:332,w:263,h:21},
{t:"MESSA school districts had sticker ",p:12,x:186,y:357,w:262,h:21},
{t:"shock this year after the savings ",p:12,x:186,y:382,w:242,h:21},
{t:"they were promised on non-MESSA ",p:12,x:186,y:407,w:268,h:21},
{t:"health insurance didn’t pan out. It’ s ",p:12,x:186,y:432,w:268,h:21},
{t:"becoming increasingly apparent that ",p:12,x:186,y:457,w:276,h:21},
{t:"insurance consultants hired by school ",p:12,x:186,y:482,w:286,h:21},
{t:"districts will say or promise anything to ",p:12,x:186,y:507,w:291,h:21},
{t:"get districts to move from the safety of ",p:12,x:186,y:532,w:287,h:21},
{t:"a MESSA health plan. Only later , when ",p:12,x:186,y:557,w:290,h:21},
{t:"rates skyrocket and the promises ",p:12,x:186,y:582,w:250,h:21},
{t:"prove empty, do the districts discover ",p:12,x:186,y:607,w:281,h:21},
{t:"they’ve been had.",p:12,x:186,y:632,w:133,h:21},
{t:"Here’s a sampling of recent ",p:12,x:195,y:657,w:206,h:21},
{t:"developments:",p:12,x:186,y:682,w:109,h:21},
{t:" » Mason administrators and non-MEA staff ",p:12,x:186,y:707,w:287,h:22},
{t:"returned to MESSA coverage in November ",p:12,x:205,y:732,w:266,h:21},
{t:"after a 40 percent rate increase over two ",p:12,x:205,y:757,w:263,h:21},
{t:"years with their non-MESSA plan.",p:12,x:205,y:782,w:215,h:21},
{t:" » Waverly ESP staff are moving back to ",p:12,x:186,y:807,w:260,h:22},
{t:"MESSA Jan. 1, 2009. Their MESSA Choices ",p:12,x:205,y:832,w:271,h:21},
{t:"II plan costs $254 less per month than ",p:12,x:205,y:857,w:251,h:21},
{t:"similar coverage under their old plan.",p:12,x:502,y:632,w:243,h:21},
{t:" » In Pinckney two years ago, an outside ",p:12,x:483,y:657,w:261,h:22},
{t:"consultant promised savings of $800,000 ",p:12,x:502,y:682,w:270,h:21},
{t:"if the district moved employees away from ",p:12,x:502,y:707,w:273,h:21},
{t:"MESSA. This year the district was hit with ",p:12,x:502,y:732,w:269,h:21},
{t:"a 33 percent increase, making the plan ",p:12,x:502,y:757,w:255,h:21},
{t:"more expensive than MESSA",p:12,x:502,y:782,w:181,h:21},
{t:"’",p:12,x:680,y:782,w:4,h:21},
{t:"s high-quali-",p:12,x:683,y:782,w:84,h:21},
{t:"ty PPO plan. Now the consultant is telling ",p:12,x:502,y:807,w:268,h:21},
{t:"the district it has to move to a barebones ",p:12,x:502,y:832,w:267,h:21},
{t:"plan with drastically reduced benefts and ",p:12,x:502,y:857,w:273,h:21},
{t:"higher employee costs.",p:12,x:800,y:632,w:147,h:21},
{t:" » The non-MESSA insurance rates for some ",p:12,x:781,y:657,w:285,h:22},
{t:"support staff in Flushing Community ",p:12,x:800,y:682,w:239,h:21},
{t:"Schools are now $590 single, $1,293 ",p:12,x:800,y:707,w:239,h:21},
{t:"two-person and $1,549 full family per ",p:12,x:800,y:732,w:246,h:21},
{t:"month—more expensive than a better ",p:12,x:800,y:757,w:248,h:21},
{t:"MESSA plan. Rates for MESSA Choices II ",p:12,x:800,y:782,w:260,h:21},
{t:"with $10/$20 drug card in a nearby dis -",p:12,x:800,y:807,w:256,h:21},
{t:"trict are $493 single, $1,109 two-person, ",p:12,x:800,y:832,w:266,h:21},
{t:"and $1,232 full family .",p:12,x:800,y:857,w:145,h:21},
{t:"member wellness",p:12,x:28,y:22,w:184,h:35},
{t:"Taking care of you »",p:12,x:186,y:69,w:633,h:99},
{t:"Health insurance promises made, promises broken",p:12,x:186,y:181,w:744,h:45},
{t:"On the Web",p:12,x:37,y:1404,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.messa.org",p:12,x:37,y:1432,w:100,h:22},
{t:"Go green with MESSA",p:12,x:632,y:903,w:323,h:45},
{t:"MESSA members can opt out of paper benefts statements for ",p:12,x:642,y:957,w:406,h:21},
{t:"medical claims as part of MESSA ’s “Going Green” initiative.",p:12,x:632,y:982,w:390,h:21},
{t:"Members can view their medical Explanation of Benefts (EOB) ",p:12,x:642,y:1007,w:412,h:21},
{t:"statements in the secure member area at www.messa.org. ",p:12,x:632,y:1032,w:383,h:21},
{t:"Members who turn off paper statements help MESSA save printing ",p:12,x:632,y:1057,w:438,h:21},
{t:"and postage costs. Members who choose this service will receive ",p:12,x:632,y:1082,w:427,h:21},
{t:"an e-mail notifcation each time a new online statement is posted ",p:12,x:632,y:1107,w:435,h:21},
{t:"to their secure page.",p:12,x:632,y:1132,w:134,h:21},
{t:"Questions? Contact your local MESSA feld representative or call ",p:12,x:642,y:1157,w:421,h:21},
{t:"MESSA ’s award-winning Member Service Center at 800-336-0013.",p:12,x:632,y:1182,w:432,h:21},
{t:"Mayo Clinic Health Assessment helps ",p:12,x:186,y:1231,w:561,h:45},
{t:"MESSA members stay healthy",p:12,x:186,y:1276,w:441,h:45},
{t:"As part of its value-added member services, MESSA is now offering the ",p:12,x:195,y:1332,w:538,h:21},
{t:"Mayo Clinic Health Assessment to its members at www.messa.org. In just 15 ",p:12,x:186,y:1357,w:577,h:21},
{t:"minutes, MESSA members can learn how everyday habits and family history ",p:12,x:186,y:1382,w:576,h:21},
{t:"can affect their lifestyle and future health.",p:12,x:186,y:1407,w:312,h:21},
{t:"The Mayo Clinic Health Assessment helps MESSA members measure their ",p:12,x:195,y:1432,w:566,h:21},
{t:"risk of developing specifc diseases based on national guidelines. The ques-",p:12,x:186,y:1457,w:569,h:21},
{t:"tionnaire, developed by Mayo Clinic health experts, gives members strategies ",p:12,x:186,y:1482,w:582,h:21},
{t:"and action steps to help them improve their quality of life and make healthier ",p:12,x:186,y:1507,w:582,h:21},
{t:"lifestyle choices.",p:12,x:186,y:1532,w:122,h:21},
{t:"PHOTOS ",p:12,x:1094,y:1542,w:0,h:17},
{t:"FROM",p:12,x:1094,y:1484,w:0,h:17},
{t:" MORGUEFILE.COM",p:12,x:1094,y:1447,w:0,h:17},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:13,x:1105,y:1594,w:99,h:21},
{t:"13",p:13,x:1217,y:1594,w:19,h:21},
{t:"how-to tips",p:13,x:1102,y:22,w:118,h:35},
{t:" « Bulletin board",p:13,x:553,y:69,w:516,h:99},
{t:"Do you work around hazardous",p:13,x:238,y:221,w:310,h:35},
{t:"chemicals?",p:13,x:238,y:256,w:113,h:35},
{t:"The Michigan Hazardous Substance Right to ",p:13,x:195,y:307,w:341,h:21},
{t:"Know Law requires that employers tell employees ",p:13,x:195,y:332,w:375,h:21},
{t:"about the chemicals they work with.",p:13,x:195,y:357,w:270,h:21},
{t:"Specifcally, your employer must identify and ",p:13,x:204,y:382,w:340,h:21},
{t:"label the chemicals present in the workplace, ",p:13,x:195,y:407,w:345,h:21},
{t:"according to the law, which is an amendment to ",p:13,x:195,y:432,w:365,h:21},
{t:"the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health ",p:13,x:195,y:457,w:345,h:21},
{t:"Act (MIOSHA).",p:13,x:195,y:482,w:111,h:21},
{t:"Your employer must keep a Material Safety ",p:13,x:204,y:507,w:326,h:21},
{t:"Data Sheet (MSDS) on each dangerous substance, and ",p:13,x:195,y:532,w:420,h:21},
{t:"employees must have access to it. If you work around ",p:13,x:195,y:557,w:407,h:21},
{t:"chemicals, you may want to ask to see this information.",p:13,x:195,y:582,w:415,h:21},
{t:" Tips to protect you and your job",p:13,x:239,y:1122,w:322,h:35},
{t:"While your job may or may not take you into the classroom and in ",p:13,x:239,y:1157,w:439,h:21},
{t:"contact with students on a regular basis, you still are vulnerable when it ",p:13,x:204,y:1182,w:492,h:21},
{t:"comes to accusations of improper conduct.",p:13,x:204,y:1207,w:281,h:21},
{t:"Just a hint of an improper relationship with a student or a co-worker can ",p:13,x:213,y:1232,w:479,h:21},
{t:"damage your reputation, your career and your job.",p:13,x:204,y:1257,w:324,h:21},
{t:"Try these strategies to avoid liability:",p:13,x:213,y:1282,w:240,h:21},
{t:" » ",p:13,x:204,y:1307,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Maintain your personal space.",p:13,x:223,y:1307,w:196,h:21},
{t:" » ",p:13,x:204,y:1332,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Watch what you say. An innocent remark or comment could be turned ",p:13,x:223,y:1332,w:455,h:21},
{t:"around when a student reports back to parents.",p:13,x:223,y:1357,w:311,h:21},
{t:" » ",p:13,x:204,y:1382,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Don’t discuss “sexual” topics. Don’t be drawn into conversations—or ",p:13,x:223,y:1382,w:459,h:21},
{t:"start one—regarding such topics as song lyrics, jokes or movies.",p:13,x:223,y:1407,w:425,h:21},
{t:" » ",p:13,x:204,y:1432,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Don’t be alone with students. Make sure another adult can see you.",p:13,x:223,y:1432,w:439,h:21},
{t:" » ",p:13,x:204,y:1457,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Don’t become “friends” or socialize with students. Sometimes just being ",p:13,x:223,y:1457,w:478,h:21},
{t:"seen in public with a student can lead to people assuming the worst.",p:13,x:223,y:1482,w:451,h:21},
{t:" » ",p:13,x:204,y:1507,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Don’t ever think being falsely accused can’t happen to you. It can.",p:13,x:223,y:1507,w:432,h:21},
{t:"The MEA Voice publishes ",p:13,x:795,y:1159,w:245,h:37},
{t:"three more times this ",p:13,x:796,y:1197,w:217,h:32},
{t:"school year—in February, ",p:13,x:749,y:1223,w:264,h:41},
{t:"April and June.",p:13,x:750,y:1265,w:142,h:32},
{t:"Between issues, members can receive two ",p:13,x:751,y:1299,w:278,h:21},
{t:"electronic newsletters:",p:13,x:752,y:1324,w:146,h:21},
{t:"  MEA Voice Online includes news and ",p:13,x:753,y:1347,w:258,h:23},
{t:"feature items of general interest.",p:13,x:772,y:1373,w:215,h:21},
{t:"  MEA Votes features political and legisla-",p:13,x:754,y:1389,w:282,h:31},
{t:"tive news.",p:13,x:774,y:1423,w:65,h:21},
{t:"If you’d like to sign up for one or both, go to ",p:13,x:756,y:1449,w:288,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/contact/signup.html.",p:13,x:757,y:1466,w:224,h:29},
{t:"On the Web",p:13,x:1118,y:1254,w:100,h:25},
{t:"We have lots of ",p:13,x:1119,y:1282,w:102,h:22},
{t:"job-related tips ",p:13,x:1118,y:1304,w:103,h:22},
{t:"on our Web site ",p:13,x:1117,y:1327,w:104,h:22},
{t:"at www.mea.org. ",p:13,x:1113,y:1349,w:109,h:22},
{t:"Click on Members ",p:13,x:1103,y:1372,w:119,h:22},
{t:"and then New ",p:13,x:1131,y:1394,w:90,h:22},
{t:"Member Tips.",p:13,x:1133,y:1417,w:85,h:22},
{t:"PHOTOS ",p:13,x:172,y:1542,w:0,h:17},
{t:"FROM",p:13,x:172,y:1484,w:0,h:17},
{t:" MORGUEFILE.COM",p:13,x:172,y:1447,w:0,h:17},
{t:"9 questions to ask before you need a sub",p:13,x:568,y:632,w:411,h:35},
{t:"Preparing yourself and your students for a substitute teacher is just as important ",p:13,x:513,y:665,w:535,h:21},
{t:"as preparing the sub to take over your duties. Ask your mentor, colleagues and/or ",p:13,x:512,y:690,w:532,h:35},
{t:"association representatives for advice on the following:",p:13,x:511,y:715,w:361,h:21},
{t:"1. Should I prepare my students for my absence? (Some believe that younger ",p:13,x:510,y:740,w:503,h:22},
{t:"students should be reassured that you’ll be back, while older students need to ",p:13,x:528,y:765,w:515,h:21},
{t:"know that the sub will tell you what really happened while you were gone.)",p:13,x:527,y:790,w:483,h:21},
{t:"2. Who are the reliable and competent subs the districts uses regularly?",p:13,x:508,y:815,w:470,h:22},
{t:"3. How do I get a substitute?",p:13,x:507,y:840,w:187,h:22},
{t:"4. I had a bad experience with a sub. How do I make sure it doesn’t happen again?",p:13,x:506,y:865,w:540,h:22},
{t:"5. Only I can teach lessons in my subject area. Is it OK to just leave “busy work” ",p:13,x:505,y:890,w:526,h:22},
{t:"for my students to keep them occupied and quiet?",p:13,x:523,y:915,w:326,h:21},
{t:"6. Should I let a sub give a test to my students?",p:13,x:503,y:940,w:312,h:22},
{t:"7. What should/shouldn’t a sub be allowed to do in my classroom?",p:13,x:502,y:965,w:432,h:22},
{t:"8. A sub didn’t follow the lesson plans and material I left behind... and then told ",p:13,x:501,y:990,w:529,h:22},
{t:"my principal I left the sub unprepared. What should I do?",p:13,x:519,y:1015,w:372,h:21},
{t:"9. If an accident or emergency happens while a sub is in my classroom, who is ",p:13,x:500,y:1040,w:517,h:22},
{t:"held liable?",p:13,x:518,y:1065,w:75,h:21},
{t:"14 ",p:14,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"DECEMBER 2008",p:14,x:67,y:1594,w:142,h:21},
{t:"When I was hired as ",p:14,x:186,y:258,w:261,h:85},
{t:"a teacher in Livonia ",p:14,x:239,y:300,w:226,h:33},
{t:"two years ago, I set out ",p:14,x:186,y:334,w:266,h:33},
{t:"to prove that my new ",p:14,x:186,y:367,w:239,h:33},
{t:"ffth- and sixth-grade ",p:14,x:186,y:400,w:243,h:33},
{t:"vocal music program was ",p:14,x:186,y:434,w:290,h:33},
{t:"of the highest caliber.",p:14,x:186,y:467,w:242,h:33},
{t:"My frst year was fairly successful. I ",p:14,x:195,y:1032,w:264,h:21},
{t:"accomplished a lot—I was featured ",p:14,x:186,y:1057,w:264,h:21},
{t:"in the local newspaper, planned and ",p:14,x:186,y:1082,w:271,h:21},
{t:"prepared students for concerts and ",p:14,x:186,y:1107,w:264,h:21},
{t:"created a curriculum video describing ",p:14,x:186,y:1132,w:283,h:21},
{t:"the new vocal music program.",p:14,x:186,y:1157,w:224,h:21},
{t:"I was lucky to have another music ",p:14,x:195,y:1182,w:254,h:21},
{t:"teacher in my building to serve as my ",p:14,x:186,y:1207,w:279,h:21},
{t:"mentor. She shared everything she had ",p:14,x:186,y:1232,w:293,h:21},
{t:"with me and stretched my capacities ",p:14,x:186,y:1257,w:275,h:21},
{t:"as a teacher. Because of her, I now ",p:14,x:186,y:1282,w:262,h:21},
{t:"feel more qualifed as a music teacher .",p:14,x:186,y:1307,w:284,h:21},
{t:"During my second year, however, ",p:14,x:195,y:1332,w:248,h:21},
{t:"my mentor moved to another build-",p:14,x:186,y:1357,w:260,h:21},
{t:"ing. It was a great loss, but I thought I ",p:14,x:186,y:1382,w:281,h:21},
{t:"could do it on my own. I organized two ",p:14,x:186,y:1407,w:288,h:21},
{t:"amazing vocal concerts with crowds of ",p:14,x:186,y:1432,w:287,h:21},
{t:"more than 700 parents and wrote our ",p:14,x:186,y:1457,w:281,h:21},
{t:"school song.",p:14,x:186,y:1482,w:93,h:21},
{t:"Find joy in learning ",p:14,x:186,y:68,w:616,h:99},
{t:"from others »",p:14,x:186,y:160,w:412,h:99},
{t:"generation next",p:14,x:28,y:22,w:166,h:35},
{t:"The more I accomplished, the bet-",p:14,x:493,y:307,w:254,h:21},
{t:"ter I felt. I earned superior evalua -",p:14,x:483,y:332,w:249,h:21},
{t:"tions, compliments from parents, and ",p:14,x:483,y:357,w:280,h:21},
{t:"a respectable name throughout the ",p:14,x:483,y:382,w:263,h:21},
{t:"district.",p:14,x:483,y:407,w:54,h:21},
{t:"It looked wonderful.",p:14,x:493,y:432,w:146,h:21},
{t:"On the outside.",p:14,x:493,y:457,w:113,h:21},
{t:"On the inside, I was tired. I had given ",p:14,x:493,y:482,w:278,h:21},
{t:"up countless lunch periods and time ",p:14,x:483,y:1032,w:274,h:21},
{t:"after school. In my “spare” time, I took ",p:14,x:483,y:1057,w:289,h:21},
{t:"two graduate-level college courses.",p:14,x:483,y:1082,w:259,h:21},
{t:"I gave 200 percent every day .",p:14,x:493,y:1107,w:216,h:21},
{t:"And I knew I couldn’t maintain that ",p:14,x:493,y:1132,w:263,h:21},
{t:"level for long.",p:14,x:483,y:1157,w:98,h:21},
{t:"On many Sunday nights, I felt anxious ",p:14,x:493,y:1182,w:283,h:21},
{t:"about returning to work on Monday .",p:14,x:483,y:1207,w:262,h:21},
{t:"One day, one of my principals sat me ",p:14,x:493,y:1232,w:277,h:21},
{t:"down in her offce.",p:14,x:483,y:1257,w:138,h:21},
{t:"“Nicole,” she said, “Y ou are clicking ",p:14,x:493,y:1282,w:271,h:21},
{t:"your heels and moving too fast for ",p:14,x:483,y:1307,w:253,h:21},
{t:"others.”",p:14,x:483,y:1332,w:58,h:21},
{t:"She let me know that I was doing ",p:14,x:493,y:1357,w:248,h:21},
{t:"such a good job that I would be OK to ",p:14,x:483,y:1382,w:281,h:21},
{t:"slow down a bit, spend more time in ",p:14,x:483,y:1407,w:271,h:21},
{t:"the teachers’ lounge and ask others ",p:14,x:483,y:1432,w:267,h:21},
{t:"for advice. I had been so focused on ",p:14,x:483,y:1457,w:273,h:21},
{t:"impressing everyone else that I had ",p:14,x:483,y:1482,w:265,h:21},
{t:"become isolated and turned people off.",p:14,x:781,y:307,w:288,h:21},
{t:"By the end of my second year , I was ",p:14,x:791,y:332,w:273,h:21},
{t:"so physically and mentally exhausted ",p:14,x:781,y:357,w:280,h:21},
{t:"that I had to take some time off of ",p:14,x:781,y:382,w:255,h:21},
{t:"work. I concluded that “perfectionism” ",p:14,x:781,y:407,w:292,h:21},
{t:"in teaching had taken all the joy out of ",p:14,x:781,y:432,w:288,h:21},
{t:"my job and my personal life.",p:14,x:781,y:457,w:212,h:21},
{t:"I shared my struggles with some ",p:14,x:791,y:482,w:244,h:21},
{t:"of my colleagues and they began to ",p:14,x:781,y:1032,w:268,h:21},
{t:"know me as a human being instead of ",p:14,x:781,y:1057,w:288,h:21},
{t:"the robot they had seen previously .",p:14,x:781,y:1082,w:258,h:21},
{t:"With support from a new mentor ",p:14,x:791,y:1107,w:245,h:21},
{t:"teacher, other colleagues and my ",p:14,x:781,y:1132,w:251,h:21},
{t:"principals, I’m working to reverse my ",p:14,x:781,y:1157,w:277,h:21},
{t:"“perfectionist” mindset and behaviors. ",p:14,x:781,y:1182,w:290,h:21},
{t:"I now know that I need to maintain a ",p:14,x:781,y:1207,w:276,h:21},
{t:"healthy work-life balance.",p:14,x:781,y:1232,w:192,h:21},
{t:"I’m grateful for a supportive network ",p:14,x:791,y:1257,w:272,h:21},
{t:"to help me in this endeavor . I encour-",p:14,x:781,y:1282,w:277,h:21},
{t:"age all new teachers to take advantage ",p:14,x:781,y:1307,w:292,h:21},
{t:"of every opportunity for help so you ",p:14,x:781,y:1332,w:266,h:21},
{t:"can succeed in your job.",p:14,x:781,y:1357,w:185,h:21},
{t:"Embrace being a “new” teacher—",p:14,x:791,y:1382,w:258,h:21},
{t:"and fnd joy in learning from others. ",p:14,x:781,y:1407,w:270,h:21},
{t:"Maintaining a balance in work and in ",p:14,x:781,y:1432,w:279,h:21},
{t:"life might be the best lesson I’ll ever ",p:14,x:781,y:1457,w:270,h:21},
{t:"learn, or teach. ",p:14,x:781,y:1482,w:118,h:21},
{t:"by Nicole Kasper",p:14,x:908,y:120,w:141,h:24},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:14,x:199,y:994,w:0,h:17},
{t:"Generation Next columns are written by MEA members who are in their frst fve years of teaching. Authors are paid for their columns. ",p:14,x:186,y:1515,w:887,h:22},
{t:"If you’re interested in writing a column, e-mail your resume, with writing sample, to Editor Karen Schulz at ",p:14,x:186,y:1537,w:721,h:22},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org.",p:14,x:897,y:1537,w:124,h:22},
{t:"NICOLE KASPER ",p:14,x:37,y:928,w:124,h:27},
{t:"is a vocal and ",p:14,x:37,y:955,w:110,h:27},
{t:"instrumental ",p:14,x:37,y:983,w:102,h:27},
{t:"music ",p:14,x:37,y:1010,w:51,h:27},
{t:"teacher at ",p:14,x:37,y:1038,w:85,h:27},
{t:"Cooper Upper ",p:14,x:37,y:1065,w:111,h:27},
{t:"Elementary ",p:14,x:37,y:1093,w:92,h:27},
{t:"School in ",p:14,x:37,y:1120,w:75,h:27},
{t:"Livonia. She ",p:14,x:37,y:1148,w:96,h:27},
{t:"earned a ",p:14,x:37,y:1175,w:73,h:27},
{t:"bachelor’s ",p:14,x:37,y:1203,w:85,h:27},
{t:"degree from ",p:14,x:37,y:1230,w:100,h:27},
{t:"Madonna ",p:14,x:37,y:1258,w:74,h:27},
{t:"University .",p:14,x:37,y:1285,w:80,h:27},
{t:"More photos at ",p:14,x:37,y:1407,w:100,h:22},
{t:"www.mea.org",p:14,x:37,y:1432,w:85,h:22},
{t:"MESSA has made our outstanding service even ",p:16,x:579,y:594,w:516,h:34},
{t:"better and more convenient. MESSA members ",p:16,x:579,y:634,w:516,h:34},
{t:"can now view their medical EOBs (Explanation of ",p:16,x:579,y:673,w:551,h:34},
{t:"Benefits statements) online at www.messa.org       ",p:16,x:579,y:713,w:552,h:34},
{t:"24 hours a day/seven days a week.",p:16,x:579,y:752,w:376,h:34},
{t:"W e’re also inviting MESSA members to “Go Green” ",p:16,x:579,y:801,w:566,h:34},
{t:"and help us save money by choosing “Paperless EOBs.",p:16,x:579,y:841,w:575,h:34},
{t:"” ",p:16,x:1151,y:841,w:15,h:34},
{t:"It’ s all part of the MESSA difference—putting ",p:16,x:579,y:890,w:512,h:34},
{t:"MESSA members first.",p:16,x:579,y:929,w:252,h:34},
{t:"Outstanding member service",p:16,x:47,y:78,w:1136,h:138},
{t:"...that’s friendly to the environment!",p:16,x:544,y:224,w:612,h:50},
{t:"Good health. ",p:16,x:60,y:859,w:213,h:53},
{t:"Good business. ",p:16,x:60,y:915,w:234,h:53},
{t:"Great schools.",p:16,x:60,y:971,w:218,h:53},
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