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:"October 2008 | Vol. 86 | Issue 1",p:1,x:37,y:1575,w:251,h:22},
{t:"Obama ",p:1,x:657,y:1033,w:612,h:239},
{t:"for president",p:1,x:674,y:1226,w:543,h:124},
{t:"10 must-keep documents",p:1,x:660,y:1376,w:558,h:60},
{t:"Take our AYP quiz",p:1,x:660,y:1442,w:558,h:89},
{t:"Have you had your shots?",p:1,x:666,y:1535,w:552,h:60},
{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:"OCTOBER 2008",p:2,x:57,y:1594,w:129,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:"Dear MEA member,",p:2,x:196,y:179,w:169,h:25},
{t:"National decisions about No Child Left Behind. State decisions about curriculum. Local decisions ",p:2,x:196,y:229,w:859,h:25},
{t:"about which textbooks to buy. ",p:2,x:196,y:254,w:265,h:25},
{t:"At every level, public education is affected by the politicians who make these critical decisions. ",p:2,x:206,y:280,w:795,h:24},
{t:"Politicians who care about the success of public school students make a point of looking to educators ",p:2,x:196,y:305,w:852,h:24},
{t:"for input on these decisions. To ensure a strong future for public schools and Michigan’s economy, we ",p:2,x:196,y:330,w:855,h:24},
{t:"need forward-thinking leaders in elected offce.",p:2,x:196,y:355,w:392,h:24},
{t:"That’s why the Michigan Education Association will work this fall to elect friends of public educa-",p:2,x:206,y:380,w:804,h:24},
{t:"tion from both parties at every level of government. Education is a bi-partisan issue. We need to have ",p:2,x:196,y:405,w:845,h:24},
{t:"serious discussions with Democrats and Republicans about the necessary steps to guarantee a great ",p:2,x:196,y:430,w:845,h:24},
{t:"public education for Michigan’s children.",p:2,x:196,y:455,w:341,h:24},
{t:"At the national level, we believe Sen. Barack Obama will best serve our nation’s public schools, bring-",p:2,x:206,y:480,w:846,h:24},
{t:"ing educators to the table to help make decisions that impact both students and school employees. ",p:2,x:196,y:505,w:832,h:24},
{t:"He wants to fx the fawed No Child Left Behind Act so it helps struggling schools meet the law’s high ",p:2,x:196,y:530,w:844,h:24},
{t:"goals, rather than punishing those that fall short.",p:2,x:196,y:555,w:404,h:24},
{t:"While the spotlight is on the presidential race, we cannot lose sight of the state and local races that ",p:2,x:206,y:580,w:828,h:24},
{t:"affect our schools every day. From the state Capitol to the local school board, having MEA members ",p:2,x:196,y:605,w:836,h:24},
{t:"share their education expertise with decision makers will lead to great results for our students and our ",p:2,x:196,y:630,w:853,h:24},
{t:"schools.",p:2,x:196,y:655,w:68,h:24},
{t:"None of us got into the education profession to be involved in politics. We do what we do because we ",p:2,x:206,y:680,w:848,h:24},
{t:"want our students to be prepared for a full and rich life ahead. But to have the greatest impact on the ",p:2,x:196,y:705,w:850,h:24},
{t:"most students, we have to engage politically. Whether it’s voting, volunteering, contributing or running ",p:2,x:196,y:730,w:851,h:24},
{t:"for offce, the political work we engage in together as school employees is critical to the future success ",p:2,x:196,y:755,w:856,h:24},
{t:"of our students and our state. ",p:2,x:196,y:780,w:251,h:24},
{t:"Photos, clockwise from left:",p:2,x:781,y:882,w:181,h:22},
{t:"Member Chuck Hobbs, a school librarian ",p:2,x:781,y:904,w:268,h:21},
{t:"from Athens, throws out a ceremonial frst ",p:2,x:781,y:927,w:279,h:21},
{t:"pitch at the Detroit Tigers’ game Aug. 10; ",p:2,x:781,y:949,w:273,h:21},
{t:"members attended the NEA Representative ",p:2,x:781,y:972,w:284,h:21},
{t:"Assembly in Washington, D.C., in July; ",p:2,x:781,y:994,w:251,h:21},
{t:"Ed Sarpolus, director of MEA Government ",p:2,x:781,y:1017,w:271,h:21},
{t:"Affairs, reacts during a Summer Leadership ",p:2,x:781,y:1039,w:290,h:21},
{t:"Conference forum on the election featuring ",p:2,x:781,y:1062,w:284,h:21},
{t:"Republican Rusty Hills (left) and Democrat ",p:2,x:781,y:1084,w:284,h:21},
{t:"Mark Brewer (right).",p:2,x:781,y:1107,w:131,h:21},
{t:"Share your ",p:2,x:37,y:1079,w:97,h:25},
{t:"photos",p:2,x:37,y:1104,w:57,h:25},
{t:"Submit photos of ",p:2,x:37,y:1132,w:112,h:22},
{t:"you on the job or ",p:2,x:37,y:1154,w:112,h:22},
{t:"at an association ",p:2,x:37,y:1177,w:114,h:22},
{t:"function. Each ",p:2,x:37,y:1199,w:96,h:22},
{t:"issue, we’ll ",p:2,x:37,y:1222,w:75,h:22},
{t:"publish a few ",p:2,x:37,y:1244,w:89,h:22},
{t:"photos of MEA ",p:2,x:37,y:1267,w:94,h:22},
{t:"members on the ",p:2,x:37,y:1289,w:108,h:22},
{t:"go. E-mail your ",p:2,x:37,y:1312,w:101,h:22},
{t:"digital image(s) to ",p:2,x:37,y:1334,w:121,h:22},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org . ",p:2,x:37,y:1357,w:122,h:22},
{t:"(Just one or two ",p:2,x:37,y:1379,w:100,h:21},
{t:"photos at a time, ",p:2,x:37,y:1402,w:109,h:21},
{t:"please!)",p:2,x:37,y:1424,w:51,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:"DOUG PRA",p:2,x:770,y:1128,w:0,h:17},
{t:"TT/MEA",p:2,x:770,y:1062,w:0,h:17},
{t:"DOUG PRA",p:2,x:1067,y:1521,w:0,h:17},
{t:"TT/MEA",p:2,x:1067,y:1454,w:0,h:17},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:2,x:621,y:1520,w:0,h:17},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:3,x:1117,y:1594,w:97,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:1448,w:191,h:17},
{t:"Director of Communications » Doug Pratt",p:3,x:186,y:1467,w:230,h:17},
{t:"Editor » Karen Schulz",p:3,x:186,y:1486,w:120,h:17},
{t:"Communications Consultant » Rosemary Carey",p:3,x:186,y:1504,w:263,h:17},
{t:"Publications Specialist » Shantell Coats Crispin",p:3,x:186,y:1523,w:269,h:17},
{t:"Proofreader-Graphics Editor » Sue Garyet",p:3,x:186,y:1542,w:230,h:17},
{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: 162,233",p:3,x:483,y:1542,w:584,h:17},
{t:"6",p:3,x:196,y:1011,w:55,h:119},
{t:"8",p:3,x:988,y:1011,w:55,h:119},
{t:"14",p:3,x:196,y:1316,w:83,h:89},
{t:"20",p:3,x:596,y:1316,w:83,h:89},
{t:"30",p:3,x:980,y:1316,w:83,h:89},
{t:"On the cover",p:3,x:186,y:400,w:123,h:30},
{t:"Obama for president, 12",p:3,x:186,y:430,w:183,h:24},
{t:"10 must-keep documents, 9",p:3,x:186,y:455,w:211,h:24},
{t:"Take our AYP quiz, 10",p:3,x:186,y:480,w:164,h:24},
{t:"Immunizations aren’t just for kids, 23",p:3,x:186,y:505,w:282,h:24},
{t:"More inside",p:3,x:186,y:550,w:114,h:30},
{t:"Talking politics, 14",p:3,x:186,y:580,w:143,h:24},
{t:"Pinckney custodians land contract, 20",p:3,x:186,y:605,w:287,h:24},
{t:"Local Presidents Academy, 24",p:3,x:186,y:630,w:225,h:24},
{t:"Region elections, 25",p:3,x:186,y:655,w:154,h:24},
{t:"Classifed ads, 29",p:3,x:186,y:680,w:133,h:24},
{t:"In every issue",p:3,x:483,y:575,w:133,h:30},
{t:"Editor’s note, 4",p:3,x:483,y:605,w:114,h:24},
{t:"10 questions, 8",p:3,x:483,y:630,w:118,h:24},
{t:"Member profle, 22",p:3,x:483,y:655,w:143,h:24},
{t:"Generation Next, 30",p:3,x:483,y:680,w:151,h:24},
{t:"Cover photo",p:3,x:781,y:575,w:110,h:29},
{t:"Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack ",p:3,x:781,y:605,w:243,h:24},
{t:"Obama at the Lansing Center, Aug. 4, ",p:3,x:781,y:630,w:279,h:24},
{t:"2008. Photo by MEA member Kevin W. ",p:3,x:781,y:655,w:291,h:24},
{t:"Fowler, Lansing Community College.",p:3,x:781,y:680,w:263,h:24},
{t:"KEVIN W",p:3,x:1067,y:554,w:0,h:17},
{t:". FOWLER/FOR MEA",p:3,x:1067,y:499,w:0,h:17},
{t:"4 ",p:4,x:28,y:1594,w:15,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:4,x:57,y:1594,w:129,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:"Shalonda Owens isn’t a writer by trade. She’",p:4,x:186,y:188,w:567,h:45},
{t:"s an elementary teacher",p:4,x:737,y:188,w:316,h:45},
{t:". ",p:4,x:1043,y:188,w:15,h:45},
{t:"With a story to tell.",p:4,x:186,y:233,w:245,h:45},
{t:"A ",p:4,x:186,y:299,w:45,h:61},
{t:"few months ago, Owens sent me an e-mail after ",p:4,x:217,y:307,w:363,h:21},
{t:"reading a feature in the MEA Voice that we call ",p:4,x:217,y:332,w:356,h:21},
{t:"“Generation Next.” It’s a column written by and for MEA ",p:4,x:186,y:357,w:425,h:21},
{t:"members who are in their frst fve years of teaching. It’s ",p:4,x:186,y:382,w:424,h:21},
{t:"one of my favorite parts of the magazine.",p:4,x:186,y:407,w:305,h:21},
{t:"We regularly solicit members to write the column and ",p:4,x:195,y:432,w:404,h:21},
{t:"Owens offered a submission.",p:4,x:186,y:457,w:216,h:21},
{t:"“My favorite part about teaching is June, July and ",p:4,x:195,y:482,w:378,h:21},
{t:"August,” Owens wrote.",p:4,x:186,y:507,w:171,h:21},
{t:"Oh, no, I thought. She’s going to tell me how she loves ",p:4,x:195,y:532,w:412,h:21},
{t:"summer because she isn’t teaching. That she doesn’t ",p:4,x:186,y:557,w:406,h:21},
{t:"have to deal with the heavy demands of her principal or ",p:4,x:186,y:582,w:422,h:21},
{t:"parents, constant questions from children, or the never-",p:4,x:186,y:607,w:418,h:21},
{t:"ending to-do list that probably keeps her up late at night ",p:4,x:186,y:632,w:426,h:21},
{t:"the rest of the year.",p:4,x:186,y:657,w:144,h:21},
{t:"Boy was I wrong.",p:4,x:195,y:682,w:127,h:21},
{t:"What unfolded was a wonderful essay from a teacher ",p:4,x:195,y:707,w:402,h:21},
{t:"who spends her summers teaching children of migrant ",p:4,x:186,y:732,w:416,h:21},
{t:"workers. As it turns out, Owens loves her summer months ",p:4,x:186,y:757,w:439,h:21},
{t:"because she’s doing what she loves—teaching.",p:4,x:186,y:782,w:354,h:21},
{t:"I spent half a day with Owens this summer, joining her and her students on a feld trip to a farm where many of her ",p:4,x:195,y:807,w:866,h:21},
{t:"students’ parents work. When I met her, Owens told me that teaching was only part of her summer agenda. She was ",p:4,x:186,y:832,w:877,h:21},
{t:"taking college classes, too, working toward her master’s degree.",p:4,x:186,y:857,w:477,h:21},
{t:"“Pile it on,” she said. “I’m always busy.”",p:4,x:195,y:882,w:301,h:21},
{t:"You’ll fnd Owens’ essay in this issue—on page 30.",p:4,x:195,y:907,w:381,h:21},
{t:"As the new editor of the MEA Voice, I invite you to contribute to this magazine. Send me your story ideas, or even ",p:4,x:195,y:932,w:852,h:21},
{t:"your own Generation Next essay.",p:4,x:186,y:957,w:245,h:21},
{t:"You don’t have to be a writer. You just need to have a good story. ",p:4,x:195,y:982,w:488,h:21},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org",p:4,x:195,y:1057,w:132,h:21},
{t:"800-292-1934",p:4,x:195,y:1082,w:110,h:21},
{t:"We love letters",p:4,x:186,y:1172,w:150,h:35},
{t:"Have something you’d like to share about an article you read in ",p:4,x:186,y:1207,w:416,h:21},
{t:"the magazine?",p:4,x:186,y:1232,w:95,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:4,x:186,y:1257,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Letters must be 150 words or fewer. Include address and ",p:4,x:205,y:1257,w:374,h:21},
{t:"telephone number for verifcation purposes only. Letters are ",p:4,x:205,y:1282,w:391,h:21},
{t:"subject to editing. Items submitted to the MEA Voice may be ",p:4,x:205,y:1307,w:397,h:21},
{t:"published or distributed in print or electronic forms. Letters ",p:4,x:205,y:1332,w:392,h:21},
{t:"will be published as space allows.",p:4,x:205,y:1357,w:223,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:4,x:186,y:1382,w:13,h:21},
{t:"The deadline to submit letters for the next issue of the MEA ",p:4,x:205,y:1382,w:390,h:21},
{t:"Voice is Monday, Oct. 20.",p:4,x:205,y:1407,w:162,h:21},
{t:"Questions? Call 517-333-6239.",p:4,x:195,y:1432,w:206,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:4,x:186,y:1457,w:13,h:21},
{t:"By e-mail: kschulz@mea.org",p:4,x:205,y:1457,w:189,h:22},
{t:"» ",p:4,x:186,y:1482,w:13,h:21},
{t:"By fax: 517-337-5414",p:4,x:205,y:1482,w:145,h:22},
{t:"» ",p:4,x:186,y:1507,w:13,h:21},
{t:"By mail: Letters to the Editor, MEA Voice, 1216 Kendale Blvd., ",p:4,x:205,y:1507,w:404,h:22},
{t:"PO Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573",p:4,x:205,y:1532,w:285,h:21},
{t:"Upcoming stories",p:4,x:632,y:1172,w:175,h:35},
{t:"Even as you read this, we’re working on future issues of the",p:4,x:632,y:1207,w:396,h:21},
{t:"magazine. We’re always looking for members to profle or",p:4,x:632,y:1232,w:380,h:21},
{t:"interview for stories. Some upcoming topics include:",p:4,x:632,y:1257,w:348,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:4,x:632,y:1282,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Challenges of educating homeless children—and",p:4,x:651,y:1282,w:332,h:21},
{t:"programs/efforts to reach transient students.",p:4,x:651,y:1307,w:302,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:4,x:632,y:1332,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Distance learning/virtual classes, especially at the college",p:4,x:651,y:1332,w:389,h:21},
{t:"level.",p:4,x:651,y:1357,w:35,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:4,x:632,y:1382,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Making the most of retirement.",p:4,x:651,y:1382,w:206,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:4,x:632,y:1407,w:13,h:21},
{t:"MEA members who go above and beyond what’ s required to ",p:4,x:651,y:1407,w:408,h:21},
{t:"serve students.",p:4,x:651,y:1432,w:101,h:21},
{t:"If you’d like to be interviewed for a story about one of these",p:4,x:642,y:1457,w:393,h:21},
{t:"subjects, call Editor Karen Schulz at 800-292-1934, or send",p:4,x:632,y:1482,w:400,h:21},
{t:"her an e-mail, kschulz@mea.org",p:4,x:632,y:1507,w:218,h:21},
{t:".",p:4,x:856,y:1507,w:4,h:21},
{t:"Teacher Shalonda Owens accompanied students to Zelenka Nursery in ",p:4,x:632,y:732,w:440,h:22},
{t:"Grand Haven, where many of their parents worked during the summer .",p:4,x:632,y:754,w:437,h:22},
{t:"by Karen Schulz",p:4,x:913,y:128,w:136,h:24},
{t:"On the Web—Look for this icon throughout the magazine for online extras. ",p:4,x:186,y:1122,w:759,h:35},
{t:"»",p:4,x:926,y:1122,w:13,h:33},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:4,x:1183,y:704,w:0,h:17},
{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:1117,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"5",p:5,x:1227,y:1594,w:9,h:21},
{t:"LANSING—",p:5,x:186,y:413,w:152,h:45},
{t:"From the time ",p:5,x:186,y:458,w:199,h:45},
{t:"he was in sixth ",p:5,x:186,y:503,w:208,h:45},
{t:"grade, J.J. ",p:5,x:186,y:548,w:141,h:45},
{t:"Mayers says ",p:5,x:186,y:593,w:174,h:45},
{t:"he knew he ",p:5,x:186,y:638,w:162,h:45},
{t:"wouldn’t fnish ",p:5,x:186,y:683,w:204,h:45},
{t:"high school.",p:5,x:186,y:728,w:164,h:45},
{t:"Yet, he wanted to earn his ",p:5,x:186,y:782,w:176,h:21},
{t:"diploma—a smart student, ",p:5,x:186,y:807,w:187,h:21},
{t:"he dreamed of a career in ",p:5,x:186,y:832,w:174,h:21},
{t:"science.",p:5,x:186,y:857,w:53,h:21},
{t:"So, in his junior year, Mayers ",p:5,x:195,y:882,w:193,h:21},
{t:"enrolled in the High School ",p:5,x:186,y:907,w:181,h:21},
{t:"Diploma Completion Initiative ",p:5,x:186,y:932,w:201,h:21},
{t:"at Lansing Community ",p:5,x:186,y:957,w:153,h:21},
{t:"College. And he thrived, ",p:5,x:186,y:982,w:161,h:21},
{t:"completing 19 credits his ",p:5,x:186,y:1007,w:173,h:21},
{t:"frst semester. Last spring, ",p:5,x:186,y:1032,w:181,h:21},
{t:"he earned his high school ",p:5,x:186,y:1057,w:174,h:21},
{t:"diploma and he’s taking ",p:5,x:186,y:1082,w:164,h:21},
{t:"college classes this fall. He’s ",p:5,x:186,y:1107,w:196,h:21},
{t:"considering a job in chemistry .",p:5,x:186,y:1132,w:203,h:21},
{t:"“We need to think outside the box about ",p:5,x:195,y:1157,w:271,h:21},
{t:"students,” said Tracey Taylor, director of ",p:5,x:186,y:1182,w:273,h:21},
{t:"the program. “This is high school reform.”",p:5,x:186,y:1207,w:275,h:21},
{t:"Mayers didn’t drop out because he found a ",p:5,x:195,y:1232,w:279,h:21},
{t:"way to continue his course work in an envi -",p:5,x:186,y:1257,w:278,h:21},
{t:"ronment better suited to his learning needs.",p:5,x:186,y:1282,w:287,h:21},
{t:"Not all students do.",p:5,x:195,y:1307,w:128,h:21},
{t:"The latest data compiled by the state ",p:5,x:195,y:1332,w:247,h:21},
{t:"shows thousands of students leave high ",p:5,x:186,y:1357,w:267,h:21},
{t:"school permanently before graduation.",p:5,x:186,y:1382,w:251,h:21},
{t:"Of approximately 140,000 frst-time ",p:5,x:195,y:1407,w:238,h:21},
{t:"ninth-graders in the fall of 2003, 21,185 ",p:5,x:186,y:1432,w:270,h:21},
{t:"left school permanently at some point be-",p:5,x:186,y:1457,w:272,h:21},
{t:"tween their freshman year and what would ",p:5,x:186,y:1482,w:283,h:21},
{t:"have been their on-time graduation in ",p:5,x:186,y:1507,w:253,h:21},
{t:"spring of 2007, according to the Center for ",p:5,x:186,y:1532,w:283,h:21},
{t:"Educational Performance and Information, ",p:5,x:483,y:1132,w:282,h:21},
{t:"the state agency that tracks the data.",p:5,x:483,y:1157,w:247,h:21},
{t:"While this data, released in late August, ",p:5,x:493,y:1182,w:266,h:21},
{t:"sheds light on the scope of the dropout cri-",p:5,x:483,y:1207,w:282,h:21},
{t:"sis, it doesn’t help educators, parents and ",p:5,x:483,y:1232,w:281,h:21},
{t:"policymakers fx the problem.",p:5,x:483,y:1257,w:190,h:21},
{t:"For months, MEA with several partner ",p:5,x:493,y:1282,w:248,h:21},
{t:"groups has sponsored public hearings on ",p:5,x:483,y:1307,w:273,h:21},
{t:"the dropout crisis. Dozens of education ",p:5,x:483,y:1332,w:258,h:21},
{t:"employees—teachers, support staff, higher ",p:5,x:483,y:1357,w:290,h:21},
{t:"education faculty and staff—have partici-",p:5,x:483,y:1382,w:281,h:21},
{t:"pated in the hearings.",p:5,x:483,y:1407,w:144,h:21},
{t:"Taylor participated in the Lansing hearing ",p:5,x:493,y:1432,w:277,h:21},
{t:"last spring, highlighting what works in ",p:5,x:483,y:1457,w:258,h:21},
{t:"LCC’s program.",p:5,x:483,y:1482,w:99,h:21},
{t:"Her testimony, along with that of dozens ",p:5,x:493,y:1507,w:266,h:21},
{t:"of others, will be compiled and delivered to ",p:5,x:483,y:1532,w:285,h:21},
{t:"Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Legislature ",p:5,x:781,y:1132,w:285,h:21},
{t:"at the Dropout Prevention Leadership ",p:5,x:781,y:1157,w:246,h:21},
{t:"Summit Oct. 20 in Lansing.",p:5,x:781,y:1182,w:179,h:21},
{t:"“We urge our leaders... to use this impor -",p:5,x:791,y:1207,w:262,h:21},
{t:"tant input we’ve collected statewide to guide ",p:5,x:781,y:1232,w:290,h:21},
{t:"their policy decisions about the dropout ",p:5,x:781,y:1257,w:256,h:21},
{t:"crisis,” said MEA President Iris K. Salters.",p:5,x:781,y:1282,w:270,h:21},
{t:"Solutions are necessary, she said, and ",p:5,x:791,y:1307,w:254,h:21},
{t:"local communities must work together with ",p:5,x:781,y:1332,w:286,h:21},
{t:"public schools to identify what will work ",p:5,x:781,y:1357,w:265,h:21},
{t:"best for students.",p:5,x:781,y:1382,w:115,h:21},
{t:"“Parents, educators and other community ",p:5,x:791,y:1407,w:277,h:21},
{t:"members all share a common goal—to ",p:5,x:781,y:1432,w:261,h:21},
{t:"ensure students get a great education that ",p:5,x:781,y:1457,w:285,h:21},
{t:"prepares them for a bright future,” Salters ",p:5,x:781,y:1482,w:282,h:21},
{t:"said. “We can and will work together toward ",p:5,x:781,y:1507,w:292,h:21},
{t:"that goal.” ",p:5,x:781,y:1532,w:74,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:1279,w:100,h:25},
{t:"To learn ",p:5,x:1167,y:1307,w:55,h:22},
{t:"more about ",p:5,x:1144,y:1329,w:78,h:22},
{t:"the dropout ",p:5,x:1143,y:1352,w:79,h:22},
{t:"crisis, go to ",p:5,x:1142,y:1374,w:80,h:22},
{t:"www.mea.org/",p:5,x:1129,y:1397,w:89,h:22},
{t:"dropouts.",p:5,x:1158,y:1419,w:59,h:22},
{t:"J.J. Mayers graduated ",p:5,x:1080,y:736,w:142,h:22},
{t:"from Holt High School ",p:5,x:1078,y:758,w:144,h:22},
{t:"after enrolling in an ",p:5,x:1090,y:780,w:132,h:22},
{t:"alternative program ",p:5,x:1089,y:802,w:133,h:22},
{t:"at Lansing Community ",p:5,x:1076,y:824,w:146,h:22},
{t:"College. Mayers, now ",p:5,x:1082,y:846,w:140,h:22},
{t:"19, said the college ",p:5,x:1092,y:868,w:130,h:22},
{t:"learning environment was ",p:5,x:1051,y:890,w:171,h:22},
{t:"conducive to his needs—",p:5,x:1052,y:911,w:166,h:22},
{t:"and he successfully ",p:5,x:1091,y:933,w:131,h:22},
{t:"earned a diploma.",p:5,x:1102,y:955,w:116,h:22},
{t:"New dropout stats help identify problem",p:5,x:186,y:178,w:854,h:65},
{t:"› Now, it’s time for solutions ",p:5,x:596,y:250,w:451,h:50},
{t:"‹",p:5,x:1056,y:250,w:13,h:50},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:5,x:413,y:1098,w:0,h:17},
{t:"6 ",p:6,x:28,y:1594,w:15,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:6,x:57,y:1594,w:129,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:186,y:191,w:78,h:102},
{t:"K-12 school districts received",p:6,x:244,y:207,w:199,h:21},
{t:"small funding increases for this",p:6,x:244,y:232,w:215,h:21},
{t:"school year, ranging from $56 ",p:6,x:244,y:257,w:210,h:21},
{t:"to $112 more per student, depending on",p:6,x:186,y:282,w:270,h:21},
{t:"the school district. The base foundation",p:6,x:186,y:307,w:267,h:21},
{t:"grant this year is $8,489, an increase of",p:6,x:186,y:332,w:270,h:21},
{t:"0.6 percent. Lawmakers agreed to add",p:6,x:186,y:357,w:258,h:21},
{t:"some additional $15 million for grants",p:6,x:483,y:207,w:259,h:21},
{t:"to districts with high dropout rates.",p:6,x:483,y:232,w:239,h:21},
{t:"The money can be used to pay for new",p:6,x:483,y:257,w:255,h:21},
{t:"schools or to reorganize existing schools.",p:6,x:483,y:282,w:274,h:21},
{t:"Schools that graduate less than 70 per",p:6,x:483,y:307,w:262,h:21},
{t:"-",p:6,x:753,y:307,w:6,h:21},
{t:"cent of students in four years can apply",p:6,x:483,y:332,w:267,h:21},
{t:"for competitive grants.",p:6,x:483,y:357,w:153,h:21},
{t:"2. ",p:6,x:781,y:191,w:96,h:102},
{t:"With the new school year ",p:6,x:854,y:207,w:186,h:21},
{t:"under way, educators are ",p:6,x:854,y:232,w:188,h:21},
{t:"reminded to save receipts ",p:6,x:854,y:257,w:192,h:21},
{t:"for classroom supplies purchased with ",p:6,x:781,y:282,w:284,h:21},
{t:"their own money. At press deadline, ",p:6,x:781,y:307,w:265,h:21},
{t:"legislation was pending in the U.S. ",p:6,x:781,y:332,w:255,h:21},
{t:"House of Representatives to extend the ",p:6,x:781,y:357,w:290,h:21},
{t:"educator expense deduction through ",p:6,x:781,y:382,w:273,h:21},
{t:"the 2008 tax year. The deduction al-",p:6,x:781,y:407,w:264,h:21},
{t:"lows those who work at least 900 hours ",p:6,x:781,y:432,w:290,h:21},
{t:"during a school year as a teacher , in-",p:6,x:781,y:457,w:268,h:21},
{t:"structor, counselor, principal or aide to ",p:6,x:781,y:482,w:283,h:21},
{t:"deduct up to $250 of the cost of books, ",p:6,x:781,y:507,w:292,h:21},
{t:"supplies, equipment and software used ",p:6,x:781,y:532,w:291,h:21},
{t:"in the classroom. Janice and John ",p:6,x:781,y:557,w:253,h:21},
{t:"Denzer (left), who work in the Brighton ",p:6,x:781,y:582,w:286,h:21},
{t:"and Hartland school districts, respec -",p:6,x:781,y:607,w:272,h:21},
{t:"tively, purchased supplies for their ",p:6,x:781,y:632,w:253,h:21},
{t:"students over the summer at Staples in ",p:6,x:781,y:657,w:289,h:21},
{t:"Brighton. The average teacher spends ",p:6,x:781,y:682,w:282,h:21},
{t:"$443 per year on classroom supplies, ",p:6,x:781,y:707,w:278,h:21},
{t:"so saving receipts for tax purposes can ",p:6,x:781,y:732,w:287,h:21},
{t:"offset part of the personal expense. ",p:6,x:781,y:757,w:277,h:22},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:6,x:199,y:762,w:0,h:17},
{t:"3. ",p:6,x:186,y:791,w:78,h:102},
{t:"Michigan students will beneft ",p:6,x:244,y:807,w:201,h:21},
{t:"from a renewed focus on arts and ",p:6,x:244,y:832,w:223,h:21},
{t:"creativity in the state’s schools. ",p:6,x:244,y:857,w:211,h:21},
{t:"The National Endowment for the Arts named ",p:6,x:186,y:882,w:292,h:21},
{t:"Michigan one of fve multidisciplinary ",p:6,x:186,y:907,w:249,h:21},
{t:"“dream teams” and sent state education ",p:6,x:186,y:932,w:272,h:21},
{t:"and arts leaders to a summer conference to ",p:6,x:186,y:957,w:289,h:21},
{t:"learn how to infuse arts education into the ",p:6,x:483,y:807,w:282,h:21},
{t:"Michigan Merit Curriculum. The Michigan ",p:6,x:483,y:832,w:274,h:21},
{t:"team will consider how cultural institutions ",p:6,x:483,y:857,w:288,h:21},
{t:"might help local school districts in arts/",p:6,x:483,y:882,w:262,h:21},
{t:"creativity curriculum development, student ",p:6,x:483,y:907,w:285,h:21},
{t:"services and professional development. The ",p:6,x:483,y:932,w:289,h:21},
{t:"Michigan Merit Curriculum includes a one-",p:6,x:483,y:957,w:280,h:21},
{t:"credit minimum graduation requirement for ",p:6,x:781,y:807,w:289,h:21},
{t:"all students in the visual, performing and ",p:6,x:781,y:832,w:276,h:21},
{t:"applied arts. “The arts open minds of young ",p:6,x:781,y:857,w:291,h:21},
{t:"people to creativity and imagination,” said ",p:6,x:781,y:882,w:284,h:21},
{t:"Bob Harris, a Professional Development and ",p:6,x:781,y:907,w:291,h:21},
{t:"Human Rights consultant at MEA who is on ",p:6,x:781,y:932,w:287,h:21},
{t:"the state team.",p:6,x:781,y:957,w:99,h:21},
{t:"4. ",p:6,x:186,y:991,w:92,h:102},
{t:"Rising food prices are ",p:6,x:256,y:1007,w:171,h:21},
{t:"pinching school nutri-",p:6,x:256,y:1032,w:167,h:21},
{t:"tion programs, prompting ",p:6,x:256,y:1057,w:200,h:21},
{t:"districts to hike school lunch prices ",p:6,x:186,y:1082,w:276,h:21},
{t:"for students. Many food items criti -",p:6,x:186,y:1107,w:268,h:21},
{t:"cal to providing balanced, nutritious ",p:6,x:186,y:1132,w:280,h:21},
{t:"school meals saw double-digit price ",p:6,x:186,y:1157,w:279,h:21},
{t:"increases last year, according to ",p:6,x:186,y:1182,w:250,h:21},
{t:"the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ",p:6,x:186,y:1207,w:277,h:21},
{t:"Double-digit increases on staples ",p:6,x:186,y:1232,w:258,h:21},
{t:"such as milk, rice and pasta, cheese ",p:6,x:186,y:1257,w:286,h:21},
{t:"and bread contributed to the pricing ",p:6,x:186,y:1282,w:283,h:21},
{t:"dilemma. Whole grain items, fresh ",p:6,x:186,y:1307,w:267,h:21},
{t:"fruits and vegetables and low-fat ",p:6,x:186,y:1332,w:253,h:21},
{t:"snacks also have contributed to ",p:6,x:186,y:1357,w:247,h:21},
{t:"higher costs, according to the School ",p:6,x:186,y:1382,w:289,h:21},
{t:"Nutrition Association. The estimated ",p:6,x:186,y:1407,w:283,h:21},
{t:"average cost to prepare a school ",p:6,x:186,y:1432,w:253,h:21},
{t:"lunch? About $2.70 to $3.10, up ",p:6,x:186,y:1457,w:256,h:21},
{t:"about 9 percent. ",p:6,x:186,y:1482,w:132,h:21},
{t:"",p:6,x:457,y:1486,w:17,h:18},
{t:"MORGUEFILE.COM",p:6,x:1065,y:1491,w:0,h:17},
{t:"FAST FACTS:",p:6,x:37,y:481,w:102,h:22},
{t:"100",p:6,x:37,y:513,w:47,h:45},
{t:"Number of ",p:6,x:37,y:557,w:71,h:21},
{t:"online courses ",p:6,x:37,y:582,w:97,h:21},
{t:"offered in ",p:6,x:37,y:607,w:66,h:21},
{t:"2007-08 by ",p:6,x:37,y:632,w:79,h:21},
{t:"the Michigan ",p:6,x:37,y:657,w:89,h:21},
{t:"Virtual School, ",p:6,x:37,y:682,w:98,h:21},
{t:"an online ",p:6,x:37,y:707,w:64,h:21},
{t:"instructional ",p:6,x:37,y:732,w:87,h:21},
{t:"provider to ",p:6,x:37,y:757,w:73,h:21},
{t:"more than 400 ",p:6,x:37,y:782,w:99,h:21},
{t:"public and ",p:6,x:37,y:807,w:73,h:21},
{t:"private middle ",p:6,x:37,y:832,w:98,h:21},
{t:"and high ",p:6,x:37,y:857,w:62,h:21},
{t:"schools.",p:6,x:37,y:882,w:53,h:21},
{t:"14,229",p:6,x:37,y:914,w:86,h:45},
{t:"School districts ",p:6,x:37,y:957,w:105,h:21},
{t:"in the United ",p:6,x:37,y:982,w:88,h:21},
{t:"States.",p:6,x:37,y:1007,w:45,h:21},
{t:"Looking for quality professional development? Attend an MEA conference—offerings are listed online at www.mea.org/conferences .",p:6,x:186,y:1532,w:868,h:22},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:7,x:1115,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"7",p:7,x:1227,y:1594,w:10,h:21},
{t:"5. ",p:7,x:186,y:191,w:78,h:102},
{t:"“Raccoon Tune” by Nancy Shaw, ",p:7,x:244,y:207,w:213,h:21},
{t:"a whimsical tale about raccoons ",p:7,x:244,y:232,w:216,h:21},
{t:"rifing through neighborhood ",p:7,x:244,y:257,w:190,h:21},
{t:"trash in search of a delicious dinner, is ",p:7,x:186,y:282,w:259,h:21},
{t:"the selection for the Library of Michigan’s ",p:7,x:186,y:307,w:274,h:21},
{t:"2008 Michigan Reads! The program high-",p:7,x:186,y:332,w:274,h:21},
{t:"lights the importance of early childhood ",p:7,x:186,y:357,w:264,h:21},
{t:"literacy by encouraging parents, caregiv-",p:7,x:483,y:207,w:268,h:21},
{t:"ers, teachers and librarians to read to ",p:7,x:483,y:232,w:251,h:21},
{t:"young children. Check your school or public ",p:7,x:483,y:257,w:286,h:21},
{t:"library for a copy of the book, a resource ",p:7,x:483,y:282,w:265,h:21},
{t:"guide, bookmarks and other goodies from ",p:7,x:483,y:307,w:274,h:21},
{t:"the state. For more information, go to ",p:7,x:483,y:332,w:247,h:21},
{t:"www.michigan.gov/michiganreads",p:7,x:483,y:357,w:225,h:21},
{t:". ",p:7,x:704,y:357,w:8,h:21},
{t:"",p:7,x:753,y:360,w:18,h:18},
{t:"6. ",p:7,x:632,y:466,w:93,h:102},
{t:"Hudsonville teacher Jennifer Haberling, ",p:7,x:704,y:482,w:325,h:21},
{t:"right, is the 2008-09 Michigan Teacher ",p:7,x:704,y:507,w:320,h:21},
{t:"of the Year. Haberling, an MEA member ",p:7,x:704,y:532,w:327,h:21},
{t:"who works at Baldwin Middle School, is pictured ",p:7,x:632,y:557,w:397,h:21},
{t:"with Hudsonville Education Association president",p:7,x:632,y:582,w:388,h:21},
{t:"Becky Schipper. Nominations for the 2009-10 ",p:7,x:632,y:607,w:377,h:21},
{t:"Michigan Teacher of the Year are due Nov. 3. Go to ",p:7,x:632,y:632,w:418,h:21},
{t:"www.michigan.gov/mtoy for details.",p:7,x:632,y:657,w:278,h:21},
{t:"",p:7,x:632,y:685,w:18,h:18},
{t:"7. ",p:7,x:186,y:716,w:78,h:102},
{t:"Hourly wages for school bus driv-",p:7,x:244,y:732,w:217,h:21},
{t:"ers, secretaries and other educa-",p:7,x:244,y:757,w:216,h:21},
{t:"tional support personnel remained ",p:7,x:244,y:782,w:229,h:21},
{t:"lower than many private sector workers in ",p:7,x:186,y:807,w:277,h:21},
{t:"2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.",p:7,x:186,y:832,w:285,h:21},
{t:"Average hourly wage rate, 2006 ",p:7,x:212,y:864,w:261,h:25},
{t:"8. ",p:7,x:186,y:966,w:92,h:102},
{t:"The Great Lakes Center ",p:7,x:256,y:982,w:195,h:21},
{t:"for Education Research & ",p:7,x:256,y:1007,w:212,h:21},
{t:"Practice funds the Think ",p:7,x:256,y:1032,w:204,h:21},
{t:"Twice project. It monitors and ",p:7,x:186,y:1057,w:244,h:21},
{t:"responds to education research ",p:7,x:186,y:1082,w:260,h:21},
{t:"and reports released by right-wing ",p:7,x:186,y:1107,w:281,h:21},
{t:"think tanks such as the Mackinac",p:7,x:186,y:1132,w:266,h:21},
{t:"Center for Public Policy. The goal ",p:7,x:186,y:1157,w:273,h:21},
{t:"of Think Twice is to ensure that ",p:7,x:186,y:1182,w:257,h:21},
{t:"decisions made about educa -",p:7,x:186,y:1207,w:239,h:21},
{t:"tion are based on sound, credible",p:7,x:186,y:1232,w:265,h:21},
{t:"academic research and NOT on ",p:7,x:186,y:1257,w:263,h:21},
{t:"opinion disguised as research. ",p:7,x:186,y:1282,w:251,h:21},
{t:"To learn more about Think Twice ",p:7,x:186,y:1307,w:268,h:21},
{t:"or to sign up to receive Think ",p:7,x:186,y:1332,w:240,h:21},
{t:"Twice Weekly Reports, go to ",p:7,x:186,y:1357,w:230,h:21},
{t:"www.greatlakescenter.org.",p:7,x:186,y:1382,w:210,h:21},
{t:"10. ",p:7,x:186,y:1441,w:117,h:102},
{t:"MEA won three awards of merit at the annual conference of the State Education Editors, a professional group of",p:7,x:284,y:1457,w:729,h:21},
{t:"communications experts from NEA",p:7,x:284,y:1482,w:223,h:21},
{t:"’ s state affliates. MEA",p:7,x:512,y:1482,w:146,h:21},
{t:"’ s awards included Best Editorial, Best W",p:7,x:662,y:1482,w:268,h:21},
{t:"eb Site, and Best ",p:7,x:938,y:1482,w:118,h:21},
{t:"Design-Marketing Materials for the MEA Advantage T",p:7,x:284,y:1507,w:346,h:21},
{t:"oolkit, a collection of materials to help current and prospective",p:7,x:639,y:1507,w:410,h:21},
{t:"members understand what they get for their dues. ",p:7,x:186,y:1532,w:332,h:21},
{t:"9. ",p:7,x:483,y:966,w:78,h:102},
{t:"MEA Scholarship Fund Trustees chair Mary Christian (left) and MEA President",p:7,x:542,y:982,w:497,h:21},
{t:"Iris K. Salters congratulate the Utica team of T erry LaJeunesse (from left), T om ",p:7,x:542,y:1007,w:502,h:21},
{t:"Hellebuyck, Dave Kenewell and Brian Cecil for winning the men’",p:7,x:542,y:1032,w:412,h:21},
{t:"s division in the ",p:7,x:947,y:1032,w:105,h:21},
{t:"MEA Scholarship Fund Golf Outing. The fund provides scholarships for college students. ",p:7,x:483,y:1057,w:572,h:21},
{t:"",p:7,x:1048,y:1061,w:18,h:18},
{t:"DENNIS KEENON/MEA",p:7,x:1066,y:1427,w:0,h:17},
{t:"FAST FACTS:",p:7,x:1115,y:481,w:102,h:22},
{t:"60%",p:7,x:1160,y:513,w:59,h:45},
{t:"Estimated ",p:7,x:1152,y:557,w:70,h:21},
{t:"number of ",p:7,x:1152,y:582,w:70,h:21},
{t:"mothers with ",p:7,x:1133,y:607,w:89,h:21},
{t:"children under ",p:7,x:1124,y:632,w:98,h:21},
{t:"the age of ",p:7,x:1153,y:657,w:69,h:21},
{t:"6 who work ",p:7,x:1145,y:682,w:77,h:21},
{t:"outside the ",p:7,x:1145,y:707,w:77,h:21},
{t:"home.",p:7,x:1179,y:732,w:39,h:21},
{t:"2.9 ",p:7,x:1179,y:763,w:46,h:45},
{t:"million",p:7,x:1132,y:799,w:86,h:34},
{t:"Projected ",p:7,x:1158,y:832,w:64,h:21},
{t:"number ",p:7,x:1168,y:857,w:54,h:21},
{t:"of public ",p:7,x:1161,y:882,w:61,h:21},
{t:"high school ",p:7,x:1143,y:907,w:79,h:21},
{t:"graduates in ",p:7,x:1135,y:932,w:87,h:21},
{t:"2008-09, a ",p:7,x:1145,y:957,w:77,h:21},
{t:"peak.",p:7,x:1183,y:982,w:35,h:21},
{t:"DENNIS KEENON/MEA",p:7,x:620,y:684,w:0,h:17},
{t:"Source: U.S. Census Bureau,  ",p:7,x:312,y:896,w:166,h:20},
{t:"2008 Statistical Abstract",p:7,x:333,y:916,w:141,h:20},
{t:"REPRINTED COUR",p:7,x:1067,y:456,w:0,h:16},
{t:"TESY OF HENR",p:7,x:1067,y:345,w:0,h:16},
{t:"Y HOL",p:7,x:1067,y:253,w:0,h:16},
{t:"T",p:7,x:1067,y:217,w:0,h:16},
{t:".",p:7,x:1067,y:211,w:0,h:16},
{t:"By private industry workers",p:7,x:823,y:737,w:157,h:19},
{t:"Cafeteria workers",p:7,x:506,y:939,w:0,h:18},
{t:"$10.70",p:7,x:538,y:936,w:0,h:22},
{t:"Noninstructional aides",p:7,x:570,y:939,w:0,h:18},
{t:"$11.75",p:7,x:602,y:936,w:0,h:22},
{t:"Instructional aides",p:7,x:634,y:939,w:0,h:18},
{t:"$11.77",p:7,x:666,y:936,w:0,h:22},
{t:"Custodians",p:7,x:698,y:939,w:0,h:18},
{t:"$13.20",p:7,x:730,y:936,w:0,h:22},
{t:"Bus drivers",p:7,x:762,y:939,w:0,h:18},
{t:"$14.82",p:7,x:794,y:936,w:0,h:22},
{t:"Leisure and hospitality",p:7,x:826,y:939,w:0,h:18},
{t:"$9.75",p:7,x:858,y:936,w:0,h:22},
{t:"T",p:7,x:891,y:939,w:0,h:18},
{t:"rade, transportation, utilities",p:7,x:891,y:934,w:0,h:18},
{t:"$15.40",p:7,x:923,y:936,w:0,h:22},
{t:"Manufacturing",p:7,x:955,y:939,w:0,h:18},
{t:"$16.80",p:7,x:987,y:936,w:0,h:22},
{t:"Construction workers",p:7,x:1019,y:939,w:0,h:18},
{t:"$20.02",p:7,x:1051,y:936,w:0,h:22},
{t:"By school employees",p:7,x:503,y:737,w:118,h:19},
{t:"8 ",p:8,x:28,y:1594,w:15,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:8,x:57,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"With Adolph Brown , the keynote speaker at",p:8,x:449,y:176,w:628,h:60},
{t:"MEA ’s Instruction and Professional Development Conference",p:8,x:306,y:234,w:781,h:45},
{t:"10 questions is a regular ",p:8,x:483,y:307,w:190,h:21},
{t:"department in the Voice ",p:8,x:483,y:332,w:184,h:21},
{t:"magazine. Have an idea for ",p:8,x:483,y:357,w:210,h:21},
{t:"someone we should interview? ",p:8,x:483,y:382,w:232,h:21},
{t:"E-mail your suggestion to ",p:8,x:483,y:407,w:193,h:21},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org.",p:8,x:483,y:432,w:137,h:21},
{t:"1� ",p:8,x:483,y:474,w:40,h:61},
{t:"On your Web site ",p:8,x:512,y:507,w:133,h:21},
{t:"(www.docspeaks.com), you call ",p:8,x:512,y:532,w:230,h:21},
{t:"yourself a master teacher and ",p:8,x:512,y:557,w:228,h:21},
{t:"motivator. Why have you chosen ",p:8,x:512,y:582,w:247,h:21},
{t:"this as your life’s work?",p:8,x:512,y:607,w:171,h:21},
{t:"I was born a teacher and grew to become ",p:8,x:483,y:632,w:272,h:21},
{t:"the educator I was meant to be. I have ",p:8,x:483,y:657,w:255,h:21},
{t:"chosen this path as one who not only ",p:8,x:483,y:682,w:245,h:21},
{t:"encourages and facilitates the learning ",p:8,x:483,y:707,w:262,h:21},
{t:"process, but as someone who also inspires ",p:8,x:483,y:732,w:283,h:21},
{t:"others to tap into their inner resources.",p:8,x:483,y:757,w:255,h:21},
{t:"2� ",p:8,x:483,y:774,w:40,h:61},
{t:"How do you describe your ",p:8,x:512,y:807,w:200,h:21},
{t:"presentation style?",p:8,x:512,y:832,w:138,h:21},
{t:"Every presentation is unique. I pour my ",p:8,x:483,y:857,w:258,h:21},
{t:"heart and soul into each presentation to ",p:8,x:483,y:882,w:266,h:21},
{t:"ensure that it’s upbeat, energetic, witty, ",p:8,x:483,y:907,w:264,h:21},
{t:"and based on solid research and the best ",p:8,x:483,y:932,w:274,h:21},
{t:"practices available. I provide tried-and-",p:8,x:483,y:957,w:261,h:21},
{t:"true, fundamental skills and strategies that ",p:8,x:483,y:982,w:291,h:21},
{t:"solid educators know and practice to get ",p:8,x:483,y:1007,w:269,h:21},
{t:"effective results in the classroom.",p:8,x:483,y:1032,w:221,h:21},
{t:"3�  ",p:8,x:483,y:1049,w:45,h:61},
{t:"Your appearance at last year’s ",p:8,x:512,y:1082,w:230,h:21},
{t:"conference was a big hit—how will ",p:8,x:512,y:1107,w:265,h:21},
{t:"you follow that up—what are you ",p:8,x:512,y:1132,w:251,h:21},
{t:"going to talk about?",p:8,x:512,y:1157,w:145,h:21},
{t:"The title of my presentation this year is: ",p:8,x:483,y:1182,w:263,h:21},
{t:"Doing Whatever It Takes to Make You Great!",p:8,x:483,y:1207,w:284,h:21},
{t:"4�  ",p:8,x:483,y:1224,w:45,h:61},
{t:"Do you think educators need ",p:8,x:512,y:1257,w:221,h:21},
{t:"motivation? Why?",p:8,x:512,y:1282,w:128,h:21},
{t:"Motivation alone is never enough. There ",p:8,x:483,y:1307,w:263,h:21},
{t:"are no simple or foolproof formulas ",p:8,x:483,y:1332,w:233,h:21},
{t:"for teaching. As educators, we must ",p:8,x:483,y:1357,w:239,h:21},
{t:"continually try and learn.",p:8,x:483,y:1382,w:163,h:21},
{t:"5�  ",p:8,x:483,y:1399,w:45,h:61},
{t:"What motivates you?",p:8,x:512,y:1432,w:153,h:21},
{t:"My wife, Marla, and family are my greatest ",p:8,x:483,y:1457,w:283,h:21},
{t:"teachers and inspiration. They insist that I ",p:8,x:483,y:1482,w:282,h:21},
{t:"practice what I teach and give me plenty of ",p:8,x:483,y:1507,w:287,h:21},
{t:"opportunities to do so.",p:8,x:483,y:1532,w:145,h:21},
{t:"6�  ",p:8,x:781,y:299,w:45,h:61},
{t:"You reportedly receive a lot ",p:8,x:809,y:332,w:207,h:21},
{t:"of mail—hundreds of letters ",p:8,x:809,y:357,w:214,h:21},
{t:"from students, educators and ",p:8,x:809,y:382,w:226,h:21},
{t:"parents—every year. What are all ",p:8,x:809,y:407,w:252,h:21},
{t:"these people writing about? What ",p:8,x:809,y:432,w:253,h:21},
{t:"do you tell them?",p:8,x:809,y:457,w:127,h:21},
{t:"The most common request of educators ",p:8,x:781,y:482,w:261,h:21},
{t:"involves issues surrounding classroom ",p:8,x:781,y:507,w:257,h:21},
{t:"management, the least taught subject to ",p:8,x:781,y:532,w:272,h:21},
{t:"new educators today. Young people often ",p:8,x:781,y:557,w:270,h:21},
{t:"inquire about the positive changes I have ",p:8,x:781,y:582,w:274,h:21},
{t:"made in my life since my tumultuous ",p:8,x:781,y:607,w:245,h:21},
{t:"childhood. I give educators real-life ",p:8,x:781,y:632,w:236,h:21},
{t:"strategies to connect with and inspire ",p:8,x:781,y:657,w:252,h:21},
{t:"young people.",p:8,x:781,y:682,w:89,h:21},
{t:"7�  ",p:8,x:781,y:699,w:45,h:61},
{t:"Who was your favorite teacher? ",p:8,x:809,y:732,w:237,h:21},
{t:"Why?",p:8,x:809,y:757,w:39,h:21},
{t:"My third grade teacher, Susan Tolley, now ",p:8,x:781,y:782,w:273,h:21},
{t:"a retired school administrator, was my ",p:8,x:781,y:807,w:255,h:21},
{t:"favorite teacher. She was a “happy” teacher ",p:8,x:781,y:832,w:292,h:21},
{t:"whose eyes always smiled. I remember her ",p:8,x:781,y:857,w:281,h:21},
{t:"to be a warm, open, inviting educator who ",p:8,x:781,y:882,w:279,h:21},
{t:"believed that all students can succeed. ",p:8,x:781,y:907,w:261,h:21},
{t:"She wrote the foreword to my latest book, ",p:8,x:781,y:932,w:272,h:21},
{t:"Real Talk: Lessons in Uncommon Sense for ",p:8,x:781,y:957,w:282,h:21},
{t:"Educators and Parents, A Refresher Course ",p:8,x:781,y:982,w:285,h:21},
{t:"for Educators and Parents.",p:8,x:781,y:1007,w:174,h:21},
{t:"8�  ",p:8,x:781,y:1024,w:45,h:61},
{t:"What’s the biggest challenge ",p:8,x:809,y:1057,w:219,h:21},
{t:"facing teachers and educational ",p:8,x:809,y:1082,w:245,h:21},
{t:"support professionals today?",p:8,x:809,y:1107,w:212,h:21},
{t:"The declining family unit, followed closely ",p:8,x:781,y:1132,w:276,h:21},
{t:"by establishing and maintaining ongoing ",p:8,x:781,y:1157,w:273,h:21},
{t:"and lasting relationships with young ",p:8,x:781,y:1182,w:243,h:21},
{t:"people. And, stable and continuous funding ",p:8,x:781,y:1207,w:289,h:21},
{t:"for public education.",p:8,x:781,y:1232,w:135,h:21},
{t:"9�  ",p:8,x:781,y:1249,w:45,h:61},
{t:"If educators could do just one ",p:8,x:809,y:1282,w:228,h:21},
{t:"thing to help students learn more ",p:8,x:809,y:1307,w:254,h:21},
{t:"effectively, what would it be?",p:8,x:809,y:1332,w:212,h:21},
{t:"Engage all young learners through the ",p:8,x:781,y:1357,w:254,h:21},
{t:"development of differentiated learning ",p:8,x:781,y:1382,w:256,h:21},
{t:"strategies.",p:8,x:781,y:1407,w:69,h:21},
{t:"10�  ",p:8,x:781,y:1424,w:73,h:61},
{t:"Any other wisdom to share ",p:8,x:838,y:1457,w:204,h:21},
{t:"with those who can’t make it to ",p:8,x:809,y:1482,w:237,h:21},
{t:"this year’s conference?",p:8,x:809,y:1507,w:170,h:21},
{t:"Never give up—we need you! ",p:8,x:781,y:1532,w:196,h:21},
{t:"2008 MEA ",p:8,x:37,y:558,w:66,h:22},
{t:"Instruction and ",p:8,x:37,y:581,w:102,h:22},
{t:"Professional ",p:8,x:37,y:603,w:85,h:22},
{t:"Development ",p:8,x:37,y:626,w:88,h:22},
{t:"Conference",p:8,x:37,y:648,w:75,h:22},
{t:"What: ",p:8,x:37,y:680,w:39,h:21},
{t:"MEA ’s premier ",p:8,x:37,y:712,w:95,h:22},
{t:"professional ",p:8,x:37,y:735,w:84,h:22},
{t:"development ",p:8,x:37,y:757,w:87,h:22},
{t:"event.",p:8,x:37,y:780,w:39,h:22},
{t:"When: ",p:8,x:37,y:812,w:41,h:21},
{t:"Dec. 4-6, 2008.",p:8,x:37,y:843,w:97,h:22},
{t:"Where: ",p:8,x:37,y:875,w:45,h:21},
{t:"Hyatt Regency, ",p:8,x:37,y:907,w:99,h:22},
{t:"Dearborn.",p:8,x:37,y:930,w:64,h:22},
{t:"Who can attend:",p:8,x:37,y:962,w:100,h:21},
{t:"All MEA members ",p:8,x:37,y:993,w:114,h:22},
{t:"are invited. ",p:8,x:37,y:1016,w:77,h:22},
{t:"Please join us!",p:8,x:37,y:1038,w:94,h:22},
{t:"More information:",p:8,x:37,y:1070,w:109,h:21},
{t:"www.mea.org/ ",p:8,x:37,y:1102,w:93,h:22},
{t:"ipd, or call ",p:8,x:37,y:1125,w:72,h:22},
{t:"800-292-1934.",p:8,x:37,y:1147,w:94,h:22},
{t:"10 questions »",p:8,x:186,y:69,w:462,h:99},
{t:"featured interview",p:8,x:28,y:22,w:194,h:35},
{t:"On the Web",p:8,x:37,y:1404,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.mea.org/ipd",p:8,x:37,y:1432,w:109,h:22},
{t:"DENNIS KEENON/MEA",p:8,x:180,y:451,w:0,h:17},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:9,x:1117,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"9",p:9,x:1227,y:1594,w:9,h:21},
{t:"how-to tips",p:9,x:1102,y:22,w:118,h:35},
{t:"« Enter to win $443",p:9,x:452,y:69,w:616,h:99},
{t:"Help us help you!",p:9,x:186,y:194,w:270,h:55},
{t:"Beginning with this issue of the MEA Voice, ",p:9,x:186,y:257,w:290,h:21},
{t:"readers will fnd space devoted to on-the-",p:9,x:186,y:282,w:272,h:21},
{t:"job tips for new and not-so-new members. ",p:9,x:186,y:307,w:284,h:21},
{t:"It’s a grab bag, of sorts, designed to help ",p:9,x:186,y:332,w:277,h:21},
{t:"all types of education employees.",p:9,x:186,y:357,w:216,h:21},
{t:"Our frst order of business is to give a",p:9,x:493,y:207,w:258,h:21},
{t:"catchy name to this feature—and we’d",p:9,x:483,y:232,w:271,h:21},
{t:"like your help! What should we call this",p:9,x:483,y:257,w:270,h:21},
{t:"department of the magazine?",p:9,x:483,y:282,w:202,h:21},
{t:"Think of an idea and e-mail it to us. If",p:9,x:493,y:307,w:261,h:21},
{t:"we choose your suggestion, you’ll receive",p:9,x:483,y:332,w:279,h:21},
{t:"a Target gift certifcate for $443, the",p:9,x:483,y:357,w:250,h:21},
{t:"amount the average teacher spends on",p:9,x:781,y:207,w:267,h:21},
{t:"classroom supplies in a year!",p:9,x:781,y:232,w:202,h:21},
{t:"E-mail your ideas to kschulz@mea.org",p:9,x:791,y:257,w:265,h:21},
{t:"by Monday, Oct. 20. In your subject",p:9,x:781,y:282,w:240,h:21},
{t:"line, please note “help.” The winner",p:9,x:781,y:307,w:244,h:21},
{t:"will be announced in our next issue in",p:9,x:781,y:332,w:259,h:21},
{t:"December.",p:9,x:781,y:357,w:72,h:21},
{t:"Quick, where’s your teaching cer-",p:9,x:186,y:454,w:273,h:24},
{t:"tifcate? When does it expire?",p:9,x:186,y:479,w:241,h:24},
{t:"It is a teacher’s professional responsibil-",p:9,x:195,y:507,w:267,h:21},
{t:"ity to always know where their certifcate is ",p:9,x:186,y:532,w:285,h:21},
{t:"and when it expires.",p:9,x:186,y:557,w:131,h:21},
{t:"Depending on the type of certifcate ",p:9,x:195,y:582,w:236,h:21},
{t:"that you’ve been issued by the Michigan ",p:9,x:186,y:607,w:266,h:21},
{t:"Department of Education and when, you ",p:9,x:186,y:632,w:265,h:21},
{t:"may have some work to do to maintain your ",p:9,x:186,y:657,w:287,h:21},
{t:"certifcate.",p:9,x:186,y:682,w:69,h:21},
{t:"For example, if this is your sixth year in ",p:9,x:195,y:707,w:259,h:21},
{t:"the classroom and you have a provisional ",p:9,x:186,y:732,w:274,h:21},
{t:"certifcate, your certifcate expires June 30, ",p:9,x:186,y:757,w:283,h:21},
{t:"2009. That’s your deadline to complete 18 ",p:9,x:186,y:782,w:277,h:21},
{t:"credits in a planned program from an ap-",p:9,x:186,y:807,w:272,h:21},
{t:"proved teacher preparation institute if you ",p:9,x:186,y:832,w:280,h:21},
{t:"want to advance to a professional license. ",p:9,x:186,y:857,w:280,h:21},
{t:"Minimally, you may complete nine credits ",p:9,x:186,y:882,w:273,h:21},
{t:"if you only want to renew the provisional ",p:9,x:186,y:907,w:266,h:21},
{t:"certifcate (which buys you three extra years ",p:9,x:186,y:932,w:290,h:21},
{t:"to earn the nine remaining hours).",p:9,x:186,y:957,w:223,h:21},
{t:"Teachers with a professional license must ",p:9,x:493,y:457,w:278,h:21},
{t:"renew their license every fve years; there ",p:9,x:483,y:482,w:271,h:21},
{t:"are no extensions. To renew, a teacher must ",p:9,x:483,y:507,w:288,h:21},
{t:"complete six college credits or18 continuing ",p:9,x:483,y:532,w:291,h:21},
{t:"education credits approved by the state, or ",p:9,x:483,y:557,w:284,h:21},
{t:"a combination of both.",p:9,x:483,y:582,w:147,h:21},
{t:"How important is it to stay on top ",p:9,x:483,y:604,w:274,h:24},
{t:"of your licensing requirements?",p:9,x:483,y:629,w:257,h:24},
{t:"If you want to teach, it’s critical, says ",p:9,x:493,y:657,w:252,h:21},
{t:"Frank Ciloski, a consultant in MEA",p:9,x:483,y:682,w:223,h:21},
{t:"’ s ",p:9,x:709,y:682,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Professional Development and Human ",p:9,x:483,y:707,w:256,h:21},
{t:"Rights Department. School districts can ",p:9,x:483,y:732,w:269,h:21},
{t:"lose state funding if they employ uncerti -",p:9,x:483,y:757,w:273,h:21},
{t:"fed teachers. Tenured teachers who let ",p:9,x:483,y:782,w:262,h:21},
{t:"their certifcation expire have no tenure ",p:9,x:483,y:807,w:264,h:21},
{t:"rights until their certifcation is reinstated,",p:9,x:483,y:832,w:280,h:21},
{t:"Ciloski said.",p:9,x:483,y:857,w:80,h:21},
{t:"“Every year, a few hundred teachers let ",p:9,x:493,y:882,w:259,h:21},
{t:"their certifcates expire,” he said.",p:9,x:483,y:907,w:217,h:21},
{t:"If you want to continue teaching, don’t let ",p:9,x:493,y:932,w:276,h:21},
{t:"it be you.",p:9,x:483,y:957,w:59,h:21},
{t:"Have certifcation questions? Call MEA",p:9,x:413,y:1013,w:384,h:35},
{t:"’s Ciloski",p:9,x:786,y:1013,w:89,h:35},
{t:"Frank Ciloski, a retired high school science teacher from Durand, has joined MEA",p:9,x:413,y:1057,w:612,h:21},
{t:"’ s ",p:9,x:1024,y:1057,w:16,h:21},
{t:"Professional Development and Human Rights Department. He specializes in teacher ",p:9,x:413,y:1082,w:639,h:21},
{t:"certifcation issues.",p:9,x:413,y:1107,w:143,h:21},
{t:"Ciloski most recently worked for the Michigan Department of Education as supervisor ",p:9,x:423,y:1132,w:643,h:21},
{t:"of client services, the arm of the department that issues teaching certifcates.",p:9,x:413,y:1157,w:577,h:21},
{t:"If you have certifcation questions, call Ciloski at 800-292-1934, ext. 6213.",p:9,x:423,y:1182,w:561,h:21},
{t:"When you get paid, do you know how ",p:9,x:186,y:1282,w:286,h:21},
{t:"much salary you should be making ",p:9,x:186,y:1307,w:268,h:21},
{t:"and what all those deductions are for?",p:9,x:186,y:1332,w:285,h:21},
{t:"You need to know.",p:9,x:195,y:1357,w:137,h:21},
{t:"The contract bargained by your local ",p:9,x:195,y:1382,w:280,h:21},
{t:"is the frst source of information. It’ll ",p:9,x:186,y:1407,w:274,h:21},
{t:"tell you what salary and benefts you ",p:9,x:186,y:1432,w:277,h:21},
{t:"are entitled to. If you have specifc ",p:9,x:186,y:1457,w:262,h:21},
{t:"questions, talk to your association rep. ",p:9,x:186,y:1482,w:292,h:21},
{t:"Here’s some basic information about ",p:9,x:186,y:1507,w:280,h:21},
{t:"your paycheck:",p:9,x:186,y:1532,w:114,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:9,x:483,y:1282,w:13,h:21},
{t:"GROSS PAY is the total amount the dis-",p:9,x:502,y:1282,w:258,h:22},
{t:"trict pays you based on the salary sched-",p:9,x:502,y:1307,w:268,h:21},
{t:"ule negotiated by your local association.",p:9,x:502,y:1332,w:262,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:9,x:483,y:1357,w:13,h:21},
{t:"FEDERAL INCOME TAX is the amount ",p:9,x:502,y:1357,w:243,h:22},
{t:"deducted from your pay and withheld by ",p:9,x:502,y:1382,w:265,h:21},
{t:"the IRS. The percentage taken from your ",p:9,x:502,y:1407,w:265,h:21},
{t:"gross pay depends on your tax bracket ",p:9,x:502,y:1432,w:254,h:21},
{t:"and the number of withholdings you ",p:9,x:502,y:1457,w:239,h:21},
{t:"requested.",p:9,x:502,y:1482,w:68,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:9,x:483,y:1507,w:13,h:21},
{t:"FICA pays your Social Security taxes. ",p:9,x:502,y:1507,w:243,h:22},
{t:"Check this fgure and make sure the ",p:9,x:502,y:1532,w:240,h:21},
{t:"amount deducted is right. This number ",p:9,x:800,y:1282,w:259,h:21},
{t:"affects your retirement benefts.",p:9,x:800,y:1307,w:209,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:9,x:781,y:1332,w:13,h:21},
{t:"RETIREMENT contributions go to the ",p:9,x:800,y:1332,w:240,h:22},
{t:"state retirement system. A percentage ",p:9,x:800,y:1357,w:253,h:21},
{t:"contribution is made for you.",p:9,x:800,y:1382,w:187,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:9,x:781,y:1407,w:13,h:21},
{t:"DEDUCTIONS are chosen by you and ",p:9,x:800,y:1407,w:238,h:22},
{t:"could include tax-sheltered annuities, ",p:9,x:800,y:1432,w:251,h:21},
{t:"additional insurance coverage and your ",p:9,x:800,y:1457,w:262,h:21},
{t:"association dues.",p:9,x:800,y:1482,w:114,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:9,x:781,y:1507,w:13,h:21},
{t:"NET PAY is the amount of money you ",p:9,x:800,y:1507,w:244,h:22},
{t:"take home.",p:9,x:800,y:1532,w:71,h:21},
{t:"Keep these in a safe place:",p:9,x:785,y:421,w:270,h:35},
{t:"10 documents you may need",p:9,x:785,y:456,w:286,h:35},
{t:"Maintain easily accessible personal fle(s) ",p:9,x:785,y:507,w:279,h:21},
{t:"at home or at school with important ",p:9,x:785,y:532,w:238,h:21},
{t:"documents such as:",p:9,x:785,y:557,w:131,h:21},
{t:"1. ",p:9,x:794,y:582,w:16,h:22},
{t:"Licenses and/or certifcates.",p:9,x:822,y:582,w:184,h:21},
{t:"2. ",p:9,x:794,y:607,w:16,h:22},
{t:"Diplomas.",p:9,x:822,y:607,w:65,h:21},
{t:"3. ",p:9,x:794,y:632,w:16,h:22},
{t:"Transcripts of credits and degrees.",p:9,x:822,y:632,w:227,h:21},
{t:"4. ",p:9,x:794,y:657,w:16,h:22},
{t:"Record of job-related seminars, ",p:9,x:822,y:657,w:210,h:21},
{t:"workshops, conferences.",p:9,x:822,y:682,w:159,h:21},
{t:"5. ",p:9,x:794,y:707,w:16,h:22},
{t:"Employee contracts, including any ",p:9,x:822,y:707,w:228,h:21},
{t:"supplemental contracts.",p:9,x:822,y:732,w:159,h:21},
{t:"6. ",p:9,x:794,y:757,w:16,h:22},
{t:"Log of tax-deductible job-related ",p:9,x:822,y:757,w:218,h:21},
{t:"expenses.",p:9,x:822,y:782,w:63,h:21},
{t:"7. ",p:9,x:794,y:807,w:16,h:22},
{t:"Yearly salary notice provided by ",p:9,x:822,y:807,w:209,h:21},
{t:"your employer.",p:9,x:822,y:832,w:92,h:21},
{t:"8. ",p:9,x:794,y:857,w:16,h:22},
{t:"All evaluation records.",p:9,x:822,y:857,w:145,h:21},
{t:"9. ",p:9,x:794,y:882,w:16,h:22},
{t:"Record of assaults, violence or ",p:9,x:822,y:882,w:204,h:21},
{t:"workplace thefts.",p:9,x:822,y:907,w:112,h:21},
{t:"10. ",p:9,x:785,y:932,w:24,h:22},
{t:"Information about insurance and ",p:9,x:822,y:932,w:219,h:21},
{t:"retirement.",p:9,x:822,y:957,w:71,h:21},
{t:"Teachers: Stay on top of your certifcation",p:9,x:186,y:405,w:481,h:40},
{t:"How to read your paycheck",p:9,x:186,y:1230,w:312,h:40},
{t:"On the Web",p:9,x:1118,y:1129,w:100,h:25},
{t:"We have lots of ",p:9,x:1119,y:1157,w:102,h:22},
{t:"job-related tips ",p:9,x:1118,y:1179,w:103,h:22},
{t:"on our Web site ",p:9,x:1117,y:1202,w:104,h:22},
{t:"at www.mea.org. ",p:9,x:1113,y:1224,w:109,h:22},
{t:"Click on Members ",p:9,x:1103,y:1247,w:119,h:22},
{t:"and then New ",p:9,x:1131,y:1269,w:90,h:22},
{t:"Member Tips.",p:9,x:1133,y:1292,w:85,h:22},
{t:"While there, you ",p:9,x:1113,y:1332,w:108,h:22},
{t:"can sign up to re-",p:9,x:1104,y:1354,w:114,h:22},
{t:"ceive tip sheets by ",p:9,x:1098,y:1377,w:124,h:22},
{t:"e-mail during the ",p:9,x:1107,y:1399,w:115,h:22},
{t:"school year, too.",p:9,x:1112,y:1422,w:106,h:22},
{t:"10 ",p:10,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:10,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"helping members",p:10,x:27,y:22,w:182,h:35},
{t:"What’s your AYP IQ? »",p:10,x:185,y:69,w:682,h:99},
{t:"How much ",p:10,x:222,y:185,w:262,h:80},
{t:"do you know ",p:10,x:192,y:285,w:292,h:80},
{t:"about AYP?",p:10,x:204,y:385,w:266,h:80},
{t:"Take this quick ",p:10,x:195,y:497,w:286,h:65},
{t:"quiz—and ",p:10,x:277,y:577,w:204,h:65},
{t:"then read on ",p:10,x:238,y:656,w:243,h:65},
{t:"to learn more ",p:10,x:221,y:735,w:260,h:65},
{t:"about this ",p:10,x:289,y:814,w:192,h:65},
{t:"accountability ",p:10,x:210,y:893,w:271,h:65},
{t:"measure.",p:10,x:300,y:973,w:170,h:65},
{t:"(Answer key below.)",p:10,x:190,y:1082,w:121,h:21},
{t:"1. AYP stands for ____________.",p:10,x:487,y:557,w:234,h:21},
{t:"❍	 a. Annual Yearly Progress",p:10,x:487,y:582,w:184,h:21},
{t:"❍	 b. A Year of Progression",p:10,x:487,y:607,w:172,h:21},
{t:"❍	 c. Adequate Yearly Progress",p:10,x:487,y:632,w:198,h:21},
{t:"2. AYP is based on __________ and ",p:10,x:487,y:682,w:253,h:21},
{t:"__________ at elementary, middle ",p:10,x:506,y:707,w:244,h:21},
{t:"and high schools.",p:10,x:506,y:732,w:115,h:21},
{t:"❍	 a. Math and science",p:10,x:487,y:757,w:150,h:21},
{t:"❍	 b. English language arts and math",p:10,x:487,y:782,w:247,h:21},
{t:"❍	 c. Science and social studies",p:10,x:487,y:807,w:208,h:21},
{t:"3. Besides test scores from the Michigan ",p:10,x:487,y:857,w:272,h:21},
{t:"Educational Assessment Program, what ",p:10,x:506,y:882,w:264,h:21},
{t:"other factors decide if a school has ",p:10,x:506,y:907,w:234,h:21},
{t:"made suffcient progress?",p:10,x:506,y:932,w:169,h:21},
{t:"❍	 a. The percentage of students tested",p:10,x:487,y:957,w:258,h:21},
{t:"❍	 b. Attendance rates in elementary and ",p:10,x:487,y:982,w:272,h:21},
{t:"middle schools",p:10,x:506,y:1007,w:97,h:21},
{t:"❍	 c. Graduation rates in high schools",p:10,x:487,y:1032,w:247,h:21},
{t:"❍	 d. All of the above",p:10,x:487,y:1057,w:136,h:21},
{t:"4. It’s not enough for schools and districts ",p:10,x:487,y:1107,w:281,h:21},
{t:"to show overall improvement; certain ",p:10,x:506,y:1132,w:245,h:21},
{t:"subgroups of students must also ",p:10,x:506,y:1157,w:219,h:21},
{t:"show progress. In Michigan, how many ",p:10,x:506,y:1182,w:257,h:21},
{t:"students constitute a subgroup?",p:10,x:506,y:1207,w:212,h:21},
{t:"❍	 a. 100",p:10,x:487,y:1232,w:60,h:21},
{t:"❍	 b. 50",p:10,x:487,y:1257,w:52,h:21},
{t:"❍	 c. 30",p:10,x:487,y:1282,w:51,h:21},
{t:"5. Only schools that receive Title 1 funds ",p:10,x:487,y:1332,w:270,h:21},
{t:"are subject to sanctions.",p:10,x:506,y:1357,w:161,h:21},
{t:"❍	 a. True",p:10,x:487,y:1382,w:62,h:21},
{t:"❍	 b. False",p:10,x:487,y:1407,w:69,h:21},
{t:"6. Some schools that don’t improve could ",p:10,x:781,y:557,w:275,h:21},
{t:"have to __________.",p:10,x:800,y:582,w:149,h:21},
{t:"❍	 a. Allow students to transfer to other ",p:10,x:781,y:607,w:262,h:21},
{t:"schools",p:10,x:800,y:632,w:48,h:21},
{t:"❍	 b. Provide or pay for special tutoring",p:10,x:781,y:657,w:256,h:21},
{t:"❍	 c. Restructure",p:10,x:781,y:682,w:110,h:21},
{t:"❍	 d. All of the above",p:10,x:781,y:707,w:136,h:21},
{t:"7. A school that doesn’t make AYP for three ",p:10,x:781,y:757,w:287,h:21},
{t:"years must continue to implement its ",p:10,x:800,y:782,w:247,h:21},
{t:"revised school improvement plan and ",p:10,x:800,y:807,w:248,h:21},
{t:"spend at least __________ percent ",p:10,x:800,y:832,w:248,h:21},
{t:"of its Title 1 funds on professional ",p:10,x:800,y:857,w:227,h:21},
{t:"development to address the academic ",p:10,x:800,y:882,w:253,h:21},
{t:"problems that caused it to be identifed.",p:10,x:800,y:907,w:262,h:21},
{t:"❍	 a. 1",p:10,x:781,y:932,w:43,h:21},
{t:"❍	 b. 5",p:10,x:781,y:957,w:43,h:21},
{t:"❍	 c. 10",p:10,x:781,y:982,w:51,h:21},
{t:"8. A school that is identifed for school ",p:10,x:781,y:1032,w:257,h:21},
{t:"improvement, corrective action or ",p:10,x:800,y:1057,w:222,h:21},
{t:"restructuring must make AYP for ",p:10,x:800,y:1082,w:216,h:21},
{t:"__________ consecutive years before ",p:10,x:800,y:1107,w:262,h:21},
{t:"it is no longer identifed or subject to ",p:10,x:800,y:1132,w:244,h:21},
{t:"sanctions.",p:10,x:800,y:1157,w:67,h:21},
{t:"❍	 a. 1",p:10,x:781,y:1182,w:43,h:21},
{t:"❍	 b. 2",p:10,x:781,y:1207,w:43,h:21},
{t:"❍	 c. 5",p:10,x:781,y:1232,w:42,h:21},
{t:"9. Employees cannot collectively bargain ",p:10,x:781,y:1282,w:271,h:21},
{t:"issues related to AYP or No Child Left ",p:10,x:800,y:1307,w:245,h:21},
{t:"Behind (NCLB).",p:10,x:800,y:1332,w:99,h:21},
{t:"❍	 a. True",p:10,x:781,y:1357,w:62,h:21},
{t:"❍	 b. False",p:10,x:781,y:1382,w:69,h:21},
{t:"Answers: ",p:10,x:430,y:1523,w:-62,h:21},
{t:"1, c. 2, b. 3, d. 4, c. 5, a. ",p:10,x:355,y:1523,w:-164,h:21},
{t:"6, d. 7, c. 8, b. 9, b.",p:10,x:355,y:1501,w:-128,h:21},
{t:"Need help deciphering what your school or district is doing to improve academic ",p:10,x:483,y:1482,w:526,h:22},
{t:"achievement? Call MEA ’s Professional Development and Human Rights Department at ",p:10,x:483,y:1504,w:540,h:22},
{t:"800-292-1934. Ask for consultant Bob Harris.",p:10,x:483,y:1527,w:284,h:21},
{t:"MORGUEFILE.COM",p:10,x:1067,y:519,w:0,h:17},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:11,x:1105,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"11",p:11,x:1216,y:1594,w:20,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:11,x:483,y:257,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Adequate Yearly progress (AYP) is one ",p:11,x:502,y:257,w:255,h:21},
{t:"of the cornerstones of the federal No ",p:11,x:502,y:282,w:247,h:21},
{t:"Child Left Behind Act. In Michigan, it’s ",p:11,x:502,y:307,w:262,h:21},
{t:"a measure of student achievement on ",p:11,x:502,y:332,w:256,h:21},
{t:"the Michigan Educational Assessment ",p:11,x:502,y:357,w:259,h:21},
{t:"Program tests.",p:11,x:502,y:382,w:96,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:11,x:483,y:407,w:13,h:21},
{t:"The law required states to develop goals ",p:11,x:502,y:407,w:273,h:21},
{t:"for adequate yearly progress, gradually ",p:11,x:502,y:432,w:265,h:21},
{t:"raising the bar so 100 percent of stu -",p:11,x:502,y:457,w:251,h:21},
{t:"dents are profcient in English language ",p:11,x:502,y:482,w:272,h:21},
{t:"arts and math by 2013-14.",p:11,x:502,y:507,w:178,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:11,x:483,y:532,w:13,h:21},
{t:"In addition to MEAP scores, other ",p:11,x:502,y:532,w:222,h:21},
{t:"indicators are factored in to determine ",p:11,x:502,y:557,w:259,h:21},
{t:"whether a school has made suffcient ",p:11,x:502,y:582,w:252,h:21},
{t:"progress. For elementary and middle ",p:11,x:502,y:607,w:245,h:21},
{t:"schools, attendance rates are used. For ",p:11,x:502,y:632,w:264,h:21},
{t:"high schools, graduation rates are used.",p:11,x:502,y:657,w:264,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:11,x:483,y:682,w:13,h:21},
{t:"AYP applies to each district and school ",p:11,x:502,y:682,w:264,h:21},
{t:"in the state; however, NCLB sanctions ",p:11,x:502,y:707,w:256,h:21},
{t:"for schools that do not make adequate ",p:11,x:502,y:732,w:262,h:21},
{t:"progress for two or more years in a row ",p:11,x:502,y:757,w:263,h:21},
{t:"only apply to districts and schools that ",p:11,x:800,y:257,w:264,h:21},
{t:"receive Title 1 funds. Title 1 funds are ",p:11,x:800,y:282,w:256,h:21},
{t:"federal dollars provided to schools with ",p:11,x:800,y:307,w:267,h:21},
{t:"high numbers or high percentages of ",p:11,x:800,y:332,w:251,h:21},
{t:"poor children.",p:11,x:800,y:357,w:90,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:11,x:781,y:382,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Schools must ensure that certain",p:11,x:800,y:382,w:218,h:21},
{t:"subgroups of students are making",p:11,x:800,y:407,w:227,h:21},
{t:"adequate progress. If they do not, then",p:11,x:800,y:432,w:255,h:21},
{t:"the school as a whole cannot make A YP. ",p:11,x:800,y:457,w:273,h:21},
{t:"The subgroups include racial/ethnic",p:11,x:800,y:482,w:237,h:21},
{t:"minorities, students with disabilities,",p:11,x:800,y:507,w:247,h:21},
{t:"students with limited English prof",p:11,x:800,y:532,w:228,h:21},
{t:"-",p:11,x:1035,y:532,w:6,h:21},
{t:"ciency, and those who are economically",p:11,x:800,y:557,w:260,h:21},
{t:"disadvantaged. In Michigan, a sub -",p:11,x:800,y:582,w:242,h:21},
{t:"group is counted if there are at least",p:11,x:800,y:607,w:241,h:21},
{t:"30 students.",p:11,x:800,y:632,w:83,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:11,x:781,y:657,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Schools that don’t make AYP for two ",p:11,x:800,y:657,w:245,h:21},
{t:"consecutive years are identifed for ",p:11,x:800,y:682,w:237,h:21},
{t:"improvement. A school must meet AYP ",p:11,x:800,y:707,w:259,h:21},
{t:"requirements for two years in a row to ",p:11,x:800,y:732,w:257,h:21},
{t:"no longer be identifed for improvement.",p:11,x:800,y:757,w:264,h:21},
{t:"Last school year, the Lansing and ",p:11,x:493,y:1157,w:255,h:21},
{t:"Grand Rapids school districts made ",p:11,x:483,y:1182,w:273,h:21},
{t:"headlines when each threatened ",p:11,x:483,y:1207,w:250,h:21},
{t:"to displace teachers in schools that ",p:11,x:483,y:1232,w:269,h:21},
{t:"hadn’t made adequate yearly progress ",p:11,x:483,y:1257,w:292,h:21},
{t:"for several years.",p:11,x:483,y:1282,w:126,h:21},
{t:"Schools that repeatedly do not make ",p:11,x:493,y:1307,w:276,h:21},
{t:"suffcient progress can do many things ",p:11,x:483,y:1332,w:292,h:21},
{t:"to improve student academic achieve -",p:11,x:483,y:1357,w:283,h:21},
{t:"ment, including replacing school staff ",p:11,x:483,y:1382,w:283,h:21},
{t:"“relevant to the failure to make A YP” ",p:11,x:483,y:1407,w:276,h:21},
{t:"and restructuring. In some cases, a ",p:11,x:483,y:1432,w:268,h:21},
{t:"school could be closed.",p:11,x:483,y:1457,w:177,h:21},
{t:"However, schools can also choose ",p:11,x:493,y:1482,w:258,h:21},
{t:"other options, including implementing ",p:11,x:483,y:1507,w:286,h:21},
{t:"new research-based curriculum and ",p:11,x:483,y:1532,w:275,h:21},
{t:"providing related professional develop -",p:11,x:781,y:1157,w:286,h:21},
{t:"ment for staff.",p:11,x:781,y:1182,w:104,h:21},
{t:"Although districts must comply with ",p:11,x:791,y:1207,w:270,h:21},
{t:"NCLB, the law doesn’t require schools ",p:11,x:781,y:1232,w:288,h:21},
{t:"to violate terms of collective bargain -",p:11,x:781,y:1257,w:270,h:21},
{t:"ing agreements. That means that your ",p:11,x:781,y:1282,w:287,h:21},
{t:"contract terms must be followed, even ",p:11,x:781,y:1307,w:288,h:21},
{t:"if a district chooses to make extreme ",p:11,x:781,y:1332,w:276,h:21},
{t:"changes.",p:11,x:781,y:1357,w:68,h:21},
{t:"School districts are encouraged to ",p:11,x:791,y:1382,w:257,h:21},
{t:"invite staff and parents in developing a ",p:11,x:781,y:1407,w:291,h:21},
{t:"restructuring plan. ",p:11,x:781,y:1432,w:141,h:21},
{t:"Read your contract. If you have ",p:11,x:791,y:1457,w:237,h:21},
{t:"questions about how your contract ",p:11,x:781,y:1482,w:261,h:21},
{t:"terms relate to NCLB, ask your local ",p:11,x:781,y:1507,w:271,h:21},
{t:"president or MEA UniServ director . ",p:11,x:781,y:1532,w:262,h:21},
{t:"6 things you need ",p:11,x:186,y:303,w:273,h:45},
{t:"to know about AYP ",p:11,x:186,y:348,w:284,h:45},
{t:"and your school:",p:11,x:186,y:393,w:240,h:45},
{t:"1. ",p:11,x:186,y:457,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Did your school make AYP last ",p:11,x:214,y:457,w:236,h:21},
{t:"year?",p:11,x:214,y:482,w:38,h:21},
{t:"2. ",p:11,x:186,y:507,w:19,h:21},
{t:"If not, why not?",p:11,x:214,y:507,w:113,h:21},
{t:"3. ",p:11,x:186,y:532,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Does your school receive Title 1 ",p:11,x:214,y:532,w:244,h:21},
{t:"funds?",p:11,x:214,y:557,w:49,h:21},
{t:"4. ",p:11,x:186,y:582,w:19,h:21},
{t:"If your school receives Title 1 ",p:11,x:214,y:582,w:224,h:21},
{t:"funds and it didn’t make AYP for ",p:11,x:214,y:607,w:251,h:21},
{t:"two or more consecutive years, ",p:11,x:214,y:632,w:240,h:21},
{t:"what is your school or district do -",p:11,x:214,y:657,w:251,h:21},
{t:"ing to ensure improvement this ",p:11,x:214,y:682,w:241,h:21},
{t:"year? And, is your local associa-",p:11,x:214,y:707,w:242,h:21},
{t:"tion collaborating with your school ",p:11,x:214,y:732,w:263,h:21},
{t:"or district to understand the ",p:11,x:214,y:757,w:216,h:21},
{t:"needs of your students?",p:11,x:214,y:782,w:178,h:21},
{t:"5. ",p:11,x:186,y:807,w:19,h:21},
{t:"What are your school’s require-",p:11,x:214,y:807,w:236,h:21},
{t:"ments this year—how well must ",p:11,x:214,y:832,w:246,h:21},
{t:"students perform in order for your ",p:11,x:214,y:857,w:262,h:21},
{t:"school to make AYP?",p:11,x:214,y:882,w:157,h:21},
{t:"6. ",p:11,x:186,y:907,w:19,h:21},
{t:"What resources are available in ",p:11,x:214,y:907,w:239,h:21},
{t:"your school or district to help you ",p:11,x:214,y:932,w:254,h:21},
{t:"support academic improvement?",p:11,x:214,y:957,w:246,h:21},
{t:"For answers to these and other ",p:11,x:195,y:982,w:240,h:21},
{t:"questions you may have, ask your ",p:11,x:186,y:1007,w:262,h:21},
{t:"school improvement team. Don’t ",p:11,x:186,y:1032,w:251,h:21},
{t:"know who’s on the school improve-",p:11,x:186,y:1057,w:266,h:21},
{t:"ment team? Ask your principal, build -",p:11,x:186,y:1082,w:285,h:21},
{t:"ing administrator, or local association ",p:11,x:186,y:1107,w:286,h:21},
{t:"president. By law, staff must be rep-",p:11,x:186,y:1132,w:275,h:21},
{t:"resented on your school’s improve-",p:11,x:186,y:1157,w:265,h:21},
{t:"ment team.",p:11,x:186,y:1182,w:86,h:21},
{t:"NEA offers principles ",p:11,x:186,y:1220,w:286,h:47},
{t:"to improve NCLB",p:11,x:186,y:1267,w:225,h:47},
{t:"The No Child Left Behind Act established",p:11,x:195,y:1332,w:266,h:21},
{t:"goals everyone supports: high standards ",p:11,x:186,y:1357,w:276,h:21},
{t:"and accountability for the learning of all ",p:11,x:186,y:1382,w:276,h:21},
{t:"children.",p:11,x:186,y:1407,w:57,h:21},
{t:"But, the law falls short of its goals for",p:11,x:195,y:1432,w:248,h:21},
{t:"many reasons. NEA offers suggestions to ",p:11,x:186,y:1457,w:277,h:21},
{t:"fx the law so that it helps build stronger ",p:11,x:186,y:1482,w:277,h:21},
{t:"public schools for all students.",p:11,x:186,y:1507,w:202,h:21},
{t:"To learn more, go to www .nea.org/esea .",p:11,x:195,y:1532,w:262,h:21},
{t:"On the Web",p:11,x:1118,y:904,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.mea.org/nclb",p:11,x:1096,y:932,w:118,h:22},
{t:"» Podcast with Bob ",p:11,x:1096,y:954,w:116,h:19},
{t:"Harris, MEA ’s AYP ",p:11,x:1108,y:974,w:104,h:19},
{t:"expert. Listen ",p:11,x:1108,y:994,w:81,h:19},
{t:"to an interview ",p:11,x:1108,y:1014,w:89,h:19},
{t:"with Harris, a ",p:11,x:1108,y:1034,w:82,h:19},
{t:"consultant in ",p:11,x:1108,y:1054,w:80,h:19},
{t:"MEA ’s Professional ",p:11,x:1108,y:1074,w:111,h:19},
{t:"Development and ",p:11,x:1108,y:1094,w:104,h:19},
{t:"Human Rights ",p:11,x:1108,y:1114,w:87,h:19},
{t:"Department.",p:11,x:1108,y:1134,w:72,h:19},
{t:"» Michigan is part of ",p:11,x:1096,y:1158,w:125,h:19},
{t:"a pilot program to ",p:11,x:1108,y:1178,w:108,h:19},
{t:"measure student ",p:11,x:1108,y:1198,w:101,h:19},
{t:"academic growth. ",p:11,x:1108,y:1218,w:107,h:19},
{t:"What does it mean ",p:11,x:1108,y:1238,w:112,h:19},
{t:"for your students?",p:11,x:1108,y:1258,w:104,h:19},
{t:"» Info about ",p:11,x:1096,y:1281,w:74,h:19},
{t:"supplemental ",p:11,x:1108,y:1301,w:83,h:19},
{t:"services. What are ",p:11,x:1108,y:1321,w:110,h:19},
{t:"they? Who gets ",p:11,x:1108,y:1341,w:90,h:19},
{t:"them?",p:11,x:1108,y:1361,w:36,h:19},
{t:"» Download a list of ",p:11,x:1096,y:1385,w:120,h:19},
{t:"FREE resources to ",p:11,x:1108,y:1405,w:107,h:19},
{t:"help your school.",p:11,x:1108,y:1425,w:97,h:19},
{t:"Some districts have tried to displace ",p:11,x:483,y:1053,w:547,h:45},
{t:"staff—is yours next?",p:11,x:483,y:1098,w:297,h:45},
{t:"AYP Primer: Key facts you need to know",p:11,x:483,y:186,w:540,h:47},
{t:"MORGUEFILE.COM",p:11,x:350,y:188,w:119,h:17},
{t:"MORGUEFILE.COM",p:11,x:948,y:798,w:119,h:17},
{t:"12 ",p:12,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:12,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"ELECTION 2008",p:12,x:28,y:22,w:158,h:35},
{t:"MEA recommends Obama",p:12,x:150,y:75,w:965,h:114},
{t:"Sen. Barack Obama’s profle reads like a how-to book ",p:12,x:186,y:524,w:425,h:61},
{t:"on achieving the American dream.",p:12,x:214,y:557,w:262,h:21},
{t:"Born in Hawaii to parents of differing backgrounds—",p:12,x:195,y:582,w:401,h:21},
{t:"his mother was native to Kansas and his father was from ",p:12,x:186,y:607,w:428,h:21},
{t:"Kenya—Obama worked his way through college. He ",p:12,x:186,y:632,w:396,h:21},
{t:"put law school and corporate life on hold to help people ",p:12,x:186,y:657,w:422,h:21},
{t:"whose lives were devastated when steel plants closed in ",p:12,x:186,y:682,w:424,h:21},
{t:"Chicago in the 1980s. The experience taught him that im -",p:12,x:186,y:707,w:435,h:21},
{t:"proving the lives of people would require changes in the ",p:12,x:186,y:732,w:424,h:21},
{t:"laws and the political arena.",p:12,x:186,y:757,w:212,h:21},
{t:"Obama earned his law degree from Harvard and later ",p:12,x:195,y:782,w:405,h:21},
{t:"served for eight years in the Illinois state Senate. He won",p:12,x:186,y:807,w:429,h:21},
{t:"election to the U.S. Senate in 2004.",p:12,x:186,y:832,w:271,h:21},
{t:"Now, he’s the Democratic candidate for president. ",p:12,x:195,y:857,w:385,h:21},
{t:"Vetted by members like you from across the United ",p:12,x:186,y:882,w:394,h:21},
{t:"States, the MEA recommends Obama as the best candi-",p:12,x:186,y:907,w:427,h:21},
{t:"date for president.",p:12,x:186,y:932,w:139,h:21},
{t:"Obama’s views on top education issues more closely ",p:12,x:195,y:957,w:397,h:21},
{t:"align with positions supported by the National Education ",p:12,x:186,y:982,w:427,h:21},
{t:"Association than do those of his rival, Sen. John McCain.",p:12,x:186,y:1007,w:431,h:21},
{t:"(See comparison chart, page 13.)",p:12,x:186,y:1032,w:255,h:21},
{t:"Much is at stake in this election—the future of ",p:12,x:195,y:1057,w:351,h:21},
{t:"Michigan’s students as well as the future of your job as an ",p:12,x:186,y:1082,w:439,h:21},
{t:"education employee, said MEA President Iris K. Salters.",p:12,x:186,y:1107,w:422,h:21},
{t:"“It’s important that we make a difference in this elec-",p:12,x:195,y:1132,w:399,h:21},
{t:"tion,” she said.",p:12,x:186,y:1157,w:114,h:21},
{t:"Whether you’re a current or retired worker from a K-12 ",p:12,x:195,y:1182,w:420,h:21},
{t:"school, a college or university, the policies and plans of ",p:12,x:186,y:1207,w:421,h:21},
{t:"the next president—and other elected offcials—trickle ",p:12,x:186,y:1232,w:419,h:21},
{t:"down to you.",p:12,x:186,y:1257,w:97,h:21},
{t:"Many MEA members understand the link and they’ve ",p:12,x:195,y:1282,w:410,h:21},
{t:"been working to help elect Obama.",p:12,x:186,y:1307,w:264,h:21},
{t:"P. Christina Montague, a school social worker in Ann ",p:12,x:195,y:1332,w:399,h:21},
{t:"Arbor, was one of Obama’s early supporters in Michigan. ",p:12,x:186,y:1357,w:429,h:21},
{t:"Montague, a longtime activist, leads an independent ",p:12,x:186,y:1382,w:397,h:21},
{t:"grassroots group called Michiganders for Obama. She ",p:12,x:186,y:1407,w:408,h:21},
{t:"praised Obama, citing his call for individuals with all ",p:12,x:186,y:1432,w:394,h:21},
{t:"points of view to work together to create a stronger nation.",p:12,x:186,y:1457,w:439,h:21},
{t:"“Sen. Obama wants us to pull together as Americans,” ",p:12,x:195,y:1482,w:414,h:21},
{t:"Montague said. “He wants us to forget about labels. W e ",p:12,x:186,y:1507,w:421,h:21},
{t:"might be members of the Republican or Democratic ",p:12,x:186,y:1532,w:396,h:21},
{t:"parties, but we’re all Americans. We need to work togeth-",p:12,x:632,y:532,w:428,h:21},
{t:"er. What’s good for Republicans is good for Democrats, ",p:12,x:632,y:557,w:417,h:21},
{t:"and vice versa.”",p:12,x:632,y:582,w:121,h:21},
{t:"Added Sigrid Grace, a member of the Almont Education ",p:12,x:642,y:607,w:424,h:21},
{t:"Association: “Sen. Obama is willing to encourage change ",p:12,x:632,y:632,w:432,h:21},
{t:"and innovation, but he still understands the basic things",p:12,x:632,y:657,w:426,h:21},
{t:"that are critical for fairness and progress.”",p:12,x:632,y:682,w:318,h:21},
{t:"President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, ",p:12,x:642,y:707,w:410,h:21},
{t:"a sore spot for many education employees, is a constant ",p:12,x:632,y:732,w:427,h:21},
{t:"reminder that the president infuences the working lives of",p:12,x:632,y:757,w:441,h:21},
{t:"K-12 teachers.",p:12,x:632,y:782,w:112,h:21},
{t:"While most MEA members appreciate one of the law’s ",p:12,x:642,y:807,w:414,h:21},
{t:"primary goals—to help boost student achievement—they ",p:12,x:632,y:832,w:437,h:21},
{t:"disagree with how the law is implemented. The law allows ",p:12,x:632,y:857,w:442,h:21},
{t:"the imposition of sanctions, for example, effectively hurt-",p:12,x:632,y:882,w:429,h:21},
{t:"ing the very schools that need the most help.",p:12,x:632,y:907,w:341,h:21},
{t:"Obama supports fundamental reforms to the law to ensure ",p:12,x:642,y:932,w:430,h:21},
{t:"it helps schools. Obama’s education plan includes ideas ",p:12,x:632,y:957,w:412,h:21},
{t:"for early childhood, K-12 and higher education. T o read his ",p:12,x:632,y:982,w:434,h:21},
{t:"plan, go to www.barackobama.com/issues/education.",p:12,x:632,y:1007,w:387,h:21},
{t:"To help elect Obama, be sure to vote T uesday, Nov. 4. ",p:12,x:642,y:1032,w:400,h:21},
{t:"Sen. Barack ",p:12,x:37,y:532,w:82,h:22},
{t:"Obama gave a ",p:12,x:37,y:554,w:94,h:22},
{t:"policy speech ",p:12,x:37,y:577,w:92,h:22},
{t:"about energy in ",p:12,x:37,y:599,w:104,h:22},
{t:"August in Lansing. ",p:12,x:37,y:622,w:120,h:22},
{t:"Candidate ",p:12,x:872,y:227,w:211,h:59},
{t:"needs your ",p:12,x:858,y:287,w:224,h:59},
{t:"support ",p:12,x:922,y:347,w:161,h:59},
{t:"Nov. 4",p:12,x:942,y:407,w:127,h:59},
{t:"Sigrid Grace, a ",p:12,x:1096,y:1107,w:99,h:22},
{t:"member from ",p:12,x:1096,y:1129,w:92,h:22},
{t:"Rochester, served ",p:12,x:1096,y:1152,w:120,h:22},
{t:"as a delegate to ",p:12,x:1096,y:1174,w:107,h:22},
{t:"the Democratic ",p:12,x:1096,y:1197,w:103,h:22},
{t:"National ",p:12,x:1096,y:1219,w:57,h:22},
{t:"Convention. ",p:12,x:1096,y:1242,w:80,h:22},
{t:"She cheered for ",p:12,x:1096,y:1264,w:107,h:22},
{t:"Obama at the ",p:12,x:1096,y:1287,w:90,h:22},
{t:"National Education ",p:12,x:1096,y:1309,w:125,h:22},
{t:"Association’s ",p:12,x:1096,y:1332,w:88,h:22},
{t:"Representative ",p:12,x:1096,y:1354,w:101,h:22},
{t:"Assembly in July.",p:12,x:1096,y:1377,w:106,h:22},
{t:"DOUG PRA",p:12,x:1087,y:1540,w:0,h:17},
{t:"TT/MEA",p:12,x:1087,y:1473,w:0,h:17},
{t:"KEVIN W",p:12,x:784,y:499,w:0,h:17},
{t:". FOWLER/FOR MEA",p:12,x:784,y:444,w:0,h:17},
{t:"On the Web",p:12,x:37,y:1354,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.barack ",p:12,x:37,y:1382,w:81,h:22},
{t:"obama.com/ ",p:12,x:37,y:1404,w:82,h:22},
{t:"issues/education",p:12,x:37,y:1427,w:108,h:22},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:13,x:1107,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"13",p:13,x:1217,y:1594,w:19,h:21},
{t:"ELECTION 2008",p:13,x:1060,y:22,w:158,h:35},
{t:"Compare the candidates",p:13,x:116,y:75,w:953,h:114},
{t:"On the issues.",p:13,x:117,y:396,w:140,h:35},
{t:"Sen. Barack Obama (D)",p:13,x:503,y:408,w:165,h:25},
{t:"National Education ",p:13,x:713,y:383,w:136,h:25},
{t:"Association",p:13,x:738,y:408,w:82,h:25},
{t:"Sen. John McCain (R)",p:13,x:896,y:408,w:149,h:25},
{t:"No Child Left Behind (NCLB)",p:13,x:117,y:548,w:215,h:24},
{t:"Overhaul—“The fact is, No ",p:13,x:492,y:440,w:155,h:20},
{t:"Child Left Behind has done more ",p:13,x:492,y:460,w:183,h:19},
{t:"to stigmatize and demoralize ",p:13,x:492,y:480,w:163,h:19},
{t:"our students and teachers in ",p:13,x:492,y:500,w:162,h:19},
{t:"struggling schools than it has ",p:13,x:492,y:520,w:169,h:19},
{t:"to marshal the talent and the ",p:13,x:492,y:540,w:166,h:19},
{t:"determination and the resources ",p:13,x:492,y:560,w:182,h:19},
{t:"to turn them around. That’s ",p:13,x:492,y:580,w:154,h:19},
{t:"what’s wrong with No Child Left ",p:13,x:492,y:600,w:178,h:19},
{t:"Behind, and that’s what we must ",p:13,x:492,y:620,w:186,h:19},
{t:"change in a fundamental way.”",p:13,x:492,y:640,w:173,h:19},
{t:"—Manchester, NH, 11/22/07",p:13,x:492,y:660,w:160,h:19},
{t:"Overhaul—The law’s goals ",p:13,x:689,y:440,w:154,h:20},
{t:"are vitally important. However, ",p:13,x:689,y:460,w:171,h:19},
{t:"Congress must shift away ",p:13,x:689,y:480,w:146,h:19},
{t:"from the law’s one-size-fts-all ",p:13,x:689,y:500,w:172,h:19},
{t:"accountability system and its ",p:13,x:689,y:520,w:166,h:19},
{t:"emphasis on punishment, to one ",p:13,x:689,y:540,w:183,h:19},
{t:"that involves signifcant input ",p:13,x:689,y:560,w:169,h:19},
{t:"from educators and supports ",p:13,x:689,y:580,w:163,h:19},
{t:"educators in improving student ",p:13,x:689,y:600,w:176,h:19},
{t:"learning, rewards success, and ",p:13,x:689,y:620,w:175,h:19},
{t:"provides meaningful assistance ",p:13,x:689,y:640,w:180,h:19},
{t:"to schools most in need of help.",p:13,x:689,y:660,w:175,h:19},
{t:"Tweak—“No Child Left ",p:13,x:876,y:440,w:135,h:20},
{t:"Behind—everybody likes to",p:13,x:876,y:460,w:151,h:19},
{t:"criticize it. It needs to be fxed,",p:13,x:876,y:480,w:168,h:19},
{t:"but it was a great beginning.",p:13,x:876,y:500,w:160,h:19},
{t:"It was a great way of gauging",p:13,x:876,y:520,w:164,h:19},
{t:"performance.”",p:13,x:876,y:540,w:79,h:19},
{t:"—PBS, “The Charlie Rose Show,” ",p:13,x:876,y:560,w:192,h:19},
{t:"11/27/07",p:13,x:876,y:580,w:50,h:19},
{t:"Pay Teachers Based on Student Test Scores; ",p:13,x:117,y:693,w:344,h:24},
{t:"Pay Teachers Based on Other Factors",p:13,x:117,y:718,w:285,h:24},
{t:"Opposes traditional pay for test ",p:13,x:492,y:688,w:184,h:20},
{t:"scores, but supports some forms ",p:13,x:492,y:708,w:192,h:20},
{t:"of enhanced compensation",p:13,x:492,y:728,w:155,h:20},
{t:"Opposes pay for test scores, ",p:13,x:689,y:688,w:167,h:20},
{t:"but supports some forms of ",p:13,x:689,y:708,w:161,h:20},
{t:"enhanced compensation",p:13,x:689,y:728,w:140,h:20},
{t:"Supports pay for test scores",p:13,x:876,y:708,w:162,h:20},
{t:"Private School Vouchers",p:13,x:117,y:758,w:187,h:24},
{t:"Opposes",p:13,x:492,y:761,w:48,h:20},
{t:"Opposes",p:13,x:689,y:761,w:48,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:876,y:761,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Charter Schools",p:13,x:117,y:811,w:122,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:813,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports public charter ",p:13,x:689,y:793,w:139,h:20},
{t:"schools with certain quality ",p:13,x:689,y:813,w:161,h:20},
{t:"assurance provisions",p:13,x:689,y:833,w:122,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:876,y:813,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Change NCLB’s Use of a Single Standardized ",p:13,x:117,y:862,w:345,h:24},
{t:"Test to Measure Student Success",p:13,x:117,y:887,w:256,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:877,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:877,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Unknown*",p:13,x:876,y:877,w:58,h:20},
{t:"Improve Quality of Tests",p:13,x:117,y:938,w:182,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:941,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:941,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports testing changes for ",p:13,x:876,y:921,w:169,h:20},
{t:"students with disabilities and ",p:13,x:876,y:941,w:170,h:20},
{t:"English language learners",p:13,x:876,y:961,w:149,h:20},
{t:"Reduce Class Size",p:13,x:117,y:991,w:142,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:993,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:993,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Opposes",p:13,x:876,y:993,w:48,h:20},
{t:"Expand Early Childhood Education",p:13,x:117,y:1028,w:262,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:1031,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:1031,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Unknown*",p:13,x:876,y:1031,w:58,h:20},
{t:"Increase Federal Education Funding",p:13,x:117,y:1081,w:276,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:1083,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:1083,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Opposed bills to increase ",p:13,x:876,y:1063,w:148,h:20},
{t:"funding, but says he supports ",p:13,x:876,y:1083,w:172,h:20},
{t:"adequate funding",p:13,x:876,y:1103,w:100,h:20},
{t:"Pay Teachers a Starting Salary of $40,000 and ",p:13,x:117,y:1132,w:364,h:24},
{t:"Education Support Professionals a Living W age",p:13,x:117,y:1157,w:360,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:1147,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:1147,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Unknown*",p:13,x:876,y:1147,w:58,h:20},
{t:"Increase Student Aid for College (Pell Grants)",p:13,x:117,y:1193,w:352,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:1196,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:1196,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Opposes",p:13,x:876,y:1196,w:48,h:20},
{t:"Increase Minimum Wage",p:13,x:117,y:1231,w:189,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:1233,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:1233,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Opposes",p:13,x:876,y:1233,w:48,h:20},
{t:"Sponsor Bill to Repeal GPO/WEP",p:13,x:117,y:1268,w:249,h:24},
{t:"Yes",p:13,x:492,y:1271,w:19,h:20},
{t:"Supports bill",p:13,x:689,y:1271,w:72,h:20},
{t:"No",p:13,x:876,y:1271,w:14,h:20},
{t:"Expand Healthcare, Create Universal Health ",p:13,x:117,y:1305,w:339,h:24},
{t:"Insurance",p:13,x:117,y:1330,w:76,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:1320,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:1320,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports expanding health care, ",p:13,x:876,y:1310,w:189,h:20},
{t:"opposes universal insurance",p:13,x:876,y:1330,w:164,h:20},
{t:"Privatize Social Security",p:13,x:117,y:1366,w:190,h:24},
{t:"Opposes",p:13,x:492,y:1368,w:48,h:20},
{t:"Opposes",p:13,x:689,y:1368,w:48,h:20},
{t:"Partially supports",p:13,x:876,y:1368,w:101,h:20},
{t:"Protect Education Employee Rights to Organize ",p:13,x:117,y:1402,w:362,h:24},
{t:"(EFCA)",p:13,x:117,y:1427,w:51,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:1417,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:1417,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Opposes",p:13,x:876,y:1417,w:48,h:20},
{t:"Protect Women from Pay Discrimination ",p:13,x:117,y:1462,w:308,h:24},
{t:"(Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act)",p:13,x:117,y:1487,w:219,h:24},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:492,y:1477,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Supports",p:13,x:689,y:1477,w:50,h:20},
{t:"Opposes",p:13,x:876,y:1477,w:48,h:20},
{t:"*No public information found",p:13,x:892,y:1536,w:177,h:17},
{t:"On the Web",p:13,x:1118,y:1354,w:100,h:25},
{t:"Learn more at ",p:13,x:1127,y:1382,w:94,h:22},
{t:"http://education ",p:13,x:1117,y:1404,w:105,h:22},
{t:"votes.nea.org",p:13,x:1132,y:1427,w:88,h:22},
{t:"14 ",p:14,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:14,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"ELECTION 2008",p:14,x:28,y:22,w:158,h:35},
{t:"Grassroots effort works ",p:14,x:186,y:76,w:936,h:114},
{t:"to get out the vote",p:14,x:186,y:176,w:713,h:114},
{t:"The Webbers, members of the ",p:14,x:186,y:1007,w:245,h:21},
{t:"Muskegon Clerical/Classroom ",p:14,x:186,y:1032,w:238,h:21},
{t:"Assistants Association, are reach -",p:14,x:186,y:1057,w:266,h:21},
{t:"ing out to other educational support",p:14,x:186,y:1082,w:276,h:21},
{t:"personnel across their county to get",p:14,x:186,y:1107,w:276,h:21},
{t:"out the vote. They’re part of a team",p:14,x:186,y:1132,w:271,h:21},
{t:"of support staff and retirees trained",p:14,x:186,y:1157,w:272,h:21},
{t:"by MEA to encourage members to",p:14,x:186,y:1182,w:264,h:21},
{t:"vote Nov. 4.",p:14,x:186,y:1207,w:93,h:21},
{t:"The cadre is modeled after a similar ",p:14,x:195,y:1232,w:281,h:21},
{t:"effort in 2006 that used education ",p:14,x:186,y:1257,w:267,h:21},
{t:"support professionals to boost elec -",p:14,x:186,y:1282,w:272,h:21},
{t:"tion turnout. Their work was success -",p:14,x:186,y:1307,w:287,h:21},
{t:"ful—27 percent more support staff ",p:14,x:186,y:1332,w:271,h:21},
{t:"members voted in that election.",p:14,x:186,y:1357,w:240,h:21},
{t:"“It was just phenomenal,” said",p:14,x:195,y:1382,w:237,h:21},
{t:"Dennis Friel, the Midwest regional",p:14,x:186,y:1407,w:263,h:21},
{t:"director for the National Education",p:14,x:186,y:1432,w:266,h:21},
{t:"Association. “This group will make a",p:14,x:483,y:1007,w:280,h:21},
{t:"difference again this year",p:14,x:483,y:1032,w:194,h:21},
{t:".”",p:14,x:682,y:1032,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Getting all types of members to un -",p:14,x:493,y:1057,w:272,h:21},
{t:"derstand how politics impacts their ",p:14,x:483,y:1082,w:275,h:21},
{t:"work is part of the team’s goal. Barb ",p:14,x:483,y:1107,w:284,h:21},
{t:"Webber, who translates written words ",p:14,x:483,y:1132,w:293,h:21},
{t:"into Braille for a visually impaired ",p:14,x:483,y:1157,w:262,h:21},
{t:"student, said it isn’t always easy with ",p:14,x:483,y:1182,w:289,h:21},
{t:"the members she talks with.",p:14,x:483,y:1207,w:216,h:21},
{t:"“We do have a voice and we need",p:14,x:493,y:1232,w:263,h:21},
{t:"to step up,” she said.",p:14,x:483,y:1257,w:165,h:21},
{t:"Members of the cadre are available ",p:14,x:493,y:1282,w:284,h:21},
{t:"to meet with groups of members",p:14,x:483,y:1307,w:251,h:21},
{t:"to talk about the election. They will",p:14,x:483,y:1332,w:268,h:21},
{t:"answer questions, explain volunteer",p:14,x:483,y:1357,w:276,h:21},
{t:"opportunities and help raise money",p:14,x:483,y:1382,w:273,h:21},
{t:"for MEA’s political action committee ",p:14,x:483,y:1407,w:287,h:21},
{t:"(PAC).",p:14,x:483,y:1432,w:50,h:21},
{t:"They’ll also ask members about",p:14,x:791,y:1007,w:244,h:21},
{t:"the issues they care about, provide",p:14,x:781,y:1032,w:270,h:21},
{t:"members with information about",p:14,x:781,y:1057,w:252,h:21},
{t:"MEA-recommended candidates ",p:14,x:781,y:1082,w:255,h:21},
{t:"and lend any other support that’ s ",p:14,x:781,y:1107,w:267,h:21},
{t:"needed locally. ",p:14,x:781,y:1132,w:122,h:21},
{t:"The grassroots effort is an effective",p:14,x:791,y:1157,w:269,h:21},
{t:"member-engagement tool, said MEA ",p:14,x:781,y:1182,w:293,h:21},
{t:"President Iris K. Salters.",p:14,x:781,y:1207,w:185,h:21},
{t:"“Reaching out to members in -",p:14,x:791,y:1232,w:239,h:21},
{t:"dividually or in small groups is a",p:14,x:781,y:1257,w:248,h:21},
{t:"winning strategy,” she said. “It is ",p:14,x:781,y:1282,w:264,h:21},
{t:"important that we make a difference",p:14,x:781,y:1307,w:280,h:21},
{t:"in this election—and this group of",p:14,x:781,y:1332,w:262,h:21},
{t:"volunteers is an important part of",p:14,x:781,y:1357,w:256,h:21},
{t:"our efforts to elect candidates who",p:14,x:781,y:1382,w:266,h:21},
{t:"support public education and the is",p:14,x:781,y:1407,w:275,h:21},
{t:"-",p:14,x:1063,y:1407,w:6,h:21},
{t:"sues important to members.”",p:14,x:781,y:1432,w:226,h:21},
{t:"Jim and Barb Webber of Muskegon are part of a special cadre of MEA members ",p:14,x:131,y:802,w:462,h:20},
{t:"trained to help get out the vote in the Nov. 4 election. The Webbers work as ",p:14,x:131,y:822,w:439,h:20},
{t:"education support personnel in Muskegon Public Schools.",p:14,x:131,y:842,w:335,h:20},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:14,x:94,y:780,w:0,h:17},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:14,x:1156,y:780,w:0,h:17},
{t:"MEA Cadre members—including educational support personnel and ",p:14,x:665,y:802,w:407,h:20},
{t:"retirees—from across the state are trained to work with their peers to ",p:14,x:665,y:822,w:425,h:20},
{t:"boost election turnout.",p:14,x:665,y:842,w:135,h:20},
{t:"MUSKEGON—Jim and Barb Webber’s joint mission this election year is no small feat.",p:14,x:186,y:900,w:874,h:29},
{t:"“We want everybody to vote,” said Jim W ebber, a health care aide in Muskegon",p:14,x:186,y:930,w:855,h:29},
{t:"Public Schools.",p:14,x:186,y:960,w:165,h:29},
{t:"If you’d like to invite a cadre member from your area to speak to your local association, please contact Linda Myers, ",p:14,x:186,y:1507,w:871,h:21},
{t:"MEA ’s campaign consultant, at 800-292-1934, or lmyers@mea.org.",p:14,x:186,y:1532,w:507,h:21},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:15,x:1107,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"15",p:15,x:1217,y:1594,w:19,h:21},
{t:"ELECTION 2008",p:15,x:1060,y:22,w:158,h:35},
{t:"Re-elect Levin",p:15,x:505,y:75,w:564,h:114},
{t:"U.S. Sen. Carl Levin has been an advocate for education since he was frst elected when he ",p:15,x:186,y:354,w:811,h:24},
{t:"supported Congress’ creation of the U.S. Department of Education to promote excellence and equal ",p:15,x:186,y:379,w:874,h:24},
{t:"access in public schools.",p:15,x:186,y:404,w:218,h:24},
{t:"Three decades later, Levin is one of the most effective senators in the nation—and MEA proudly ",p:15,x:195,y:429,w:848,h:24},
{t:"recommends him for a sixth term.",p:15,x:186,y:454,w:287,h:24},
{t:"MEA recommends U.S. Sen. Carl Levin for sixth term",p:15,x:186,y:205,w:862,h:55},
{t:"» Democrat is an advocate for children, education «",p:15,x:319,y:268,w:750,h:39},
{t:"Sen. Levin’s commitment to the ",p:15,x:186,y:499,w:260,h:61},
{t:"people of Michigan is obvious,” ",p:15,x:214,y:532,w:240,h:21},
{t:"said MEA President Iris K. Salters. ",p:15,x:186,y:557,w:261,h:21},
{t:"“He’s a strong supporter of public ed-",p:15,x:186,y:582,w:283,h:21},
{t:"ucation and we need him to continue ",p:15,x:186,y:607,w:285,h:21},
{t:"to advocate in Washington for public ",p:15,x:186,y:632,w:278,h:21},
{t:"education students and the issues ",p:15,x:186,y:657,w:262,h:21},
{t:"that MEA members care about.”",p:15,x:186,y:682,w:243,h:21},
{t:"First elected in 1978, Levin believes ",p:15,x:195,y:707,w:275,h:21},
{t:"providing children with a quality edu-",p:15,x:186,y:732,w:279,h:21},
{t:"cation is one of the basic responsi-",p:15,x:186,y:757,w:261,h:21},
{t:"bilities of families and communities. ",p:15,x:186,y:782,w:274,h:21},
{t:"That’s why he’s worked throughout ",p:15,x:186,y:807,w:265,h:21},
{t:"his Senate career to ensure that the ",p:15,x:186,y:832,w:273,h:21},
{t:"federal, state and local governments ",p:15,x:186,y:857,w:277,h:21},
{t:"work to meet educational challenges.",p:15,x:186,y:882,w:279,h:21},
{t:"Arguably the biggest challenge fac-",p:15,x:195,y:907,w:264,h:21},
{t:"ing education today is the issue of ",p:15,x:186,y:932,w:260,h:21},
{t:"achievement. While Levin wants to ",p:15,x:186,y:957,w:264,h:21},
{t:"hold schools accountable for student ",p:15,x:186,y:982,w:282,h:21},
{t:"progress, he also believes the federal ",p:15,x:186,y:1007,w:283,h:21},
{t:"legislation aimed at doing that—the ",p:15,x:186,y:1032,w:271,h:21},
{t:"No Child Left Behind Act—isn’t ad-",p:15,x:186,y:1057,w:265,h:21},
{t:"equately funded. He has pledged to ",p:15,x:186,y:1082,w:274,h:21},
{t:"work toward full funding.",p:15,x:186,y:1107,w:186,h:21},
{t:"Levin wants to increase federal edu-",p:15,x:195,y:1132,w:271,h:21},
{t:"cation funding and target the money ",p:15,x:186,y:1157,w:278,h:21},
{t:"to recruit and train teachers, reduce ",p:15,x:186,y:1182,w:276,h:21},
{t:"class size, repair school facilities, ",p:15,x:186,y:1207,w:253,h:21},
{t:"integrate new technology in class-",p:15,x:186,y:1232,w:254,h:21},
{t:"rooms, provide after-school programs ",p:15,x:186,y:1257,w:284,h:21},
{t:"and hold schools accountable for ",p:15,x:186,y:1282,w:254,h:21},
{t:"students’ educational progress.",p:15,x:186,y:1307,w:234,h:21},
{t:"Levin believes higher education is ",p:15,x:195,y:1332,w:258,h:21},
{t:"key to opportunity in America. High ",p:15,x:186,y:1357,w:271,h:21},
{t:"costs make it tough for working fami-",p:15,x:186,y:1382,w:278,h:21},
{t:"lies to afford to send their children to ",p:15,x:186,y:1407,w:281,h:21},
{t:"college. Since 2001, college tuition ",p:15,x:186,y:1432,w:267,h:21},
{t:"has risen by 46 percent. Levin has ",p:15,x:483,y:1282,w:264,h:21},
{t:"voted repeatedly for amendments to ",p:15,x:483,y:1307,w:276,h:21},
{t:"increase Pell Grant funding, though ",p:15,x:483,y:1332,w:272,h:21},
{t:"the increases have been rejected by ",p:15,x:483,y:1357,w:276,h:21},
{t:"the Republican Congress.",p:15,x:483,y:1382,w:193,h:21},
{t:"Levin was named one of America’s ",p:15,x:493,y:1407,w:265,h:21},
{t:"10 best senators by Time magazine ",p:15,x:483,y:1432,w:270,h:21},
{t:"in 2006. He is a 1984 recipient of ",p:15,x:781,y:1282,w:259,h:21},
{t:"MEA",p:15,x:781,y:1307,w:35,h:21},
{t:"’ s Distinguished Service Award, ",p:15,x:815,y:1307,w:239,h:21},
{t:"the association’s highest honor, given ",p:15,x:781,y:1332,w:284,h:21},
{t:"to those who have made outstanding ",p:15,x:781,y:1357,w:281,h:21},
{t:"contributions to further the cause of ",p:15,x:781,y:1382,w:274,h:21},
{t:"public education in Michigan and the ",p:15,x:781,y:1407,w:286,h:21},
{t:"nation. ",p:15,x:781,y:1432,w:56,h:21},
{t:"COUR",p:15,x:1065,y:1241,w:0,h:17},
{t:"TESY PHOTO",p:15,x:1065,y:1204,w:0,h:17},
{t:"For specifc information about Levin’s education record or ideas that he supports, go to www.carllevin.com .",p:15,x:186,y:1532,w:797,h:21},
{t:"“",p:15,x:163,y:499,w:22,h:61},
{t:"On the Web",p:15,x:1118,y:1404,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.carllevin.com",p:15,x:1100,y:1432,w:120,h:22},
{t:"16 ",p:16,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:16,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"ELECTION 2008",p:16,x:28,y:22,w:158,h:35},
{t:"ImPACt",p:16,x:186,y:75,w:278,h:114},
{t:"And, fnally, the ask: Please give to MEA-PAC",p:16,x:487,y:1137,w:567,h:45},
{t:"The top reason members cite for not giving to PAC? They’re never asked.",p:16,x:497,y:1182,w:546,h:21},
{t:"So, we can’t let this opportunity slip by: Would you please consider giving to ",p:16,x:497,y:1207,w:572,h:21},
{t:"MEA-PAC?",p:16,x:487,y:1232,w:80,h:21},
{t:"Stitched into the center of this issue is an envelope. We hope you’ll use it to ",p:16,x:497,y:1257,w:570,h:21},
{t:"send a contribution to support state and local candidates who support issues ",p:16,x:487,y:1282,w:582,h:21},
{t:"that you care about, including education and the economy.",p:16,x:487,y:1307,w:443,h:21},
{t:"Any amount will help, so please consider what you can do ",p:16,x:497,y:1332,w:440,h:21},
{t:"to help ensure that public education wins at the ballot box.",p:16,x:487,y:1357,w:440,h:21},
{t:"No. 1 reason members don’t give: ",p:16,x:483,y:189,w:563,h:50},
{t:"No one asks them to",p:16,x:483,y:239,w:335,h:50},
{t:"Novi teacher Brett Meyer has a lofty goal for his political action fundraising—",p:16,x:483,y:307,w:575,h:21},
{t:"100 percent participation.",p:16,x:483,y:332,w:195,h:21},
{t:"He wants every one of his 450 or so colleagues to contribute to the MEA",p:16,x:493,y:357,w:541,h:21},
{t:"’s ",p:16,x:1033,y:357,w:16,h:21},
{t:"political action committee, which in turn supports pro-public education candi-",p:16,x:483,y:382,w:584,h:21},
{t:"dates running for local and state political offce.",p:16,x:483,y:407,w:355,h:21},
{t:"“I’ve had people give me a dollar,” Meyer says. “I’ve had some give it to me ",p:16,x:493,y:432,w:570,h:21},
{t:"in change. It’s something—and I’ll take it!”",p:16,x:483,y:457,w:319,h:21},
{t:"Since 1999, Novi’s PAC participation has ranged from 47 percent to 93 per-",p:16,x:493,y:482,w:569,h:21},
{t:"cent. Many local associations dream of similarly high rates.",p:16,x:483,y:507,w:442,h:21},
{t:"Alicia Greenough, a Petoskey teacher, is ",p:16,x:493,y:532,w:263,h:21},
{t:"doing her frst PAC drive this year. In July, ",p:16,x:483,y:557,w:273,h:21},
{t:"she attended a workshop by Meyer at MEA ’s ",p:16,x:483,y:582,w:287,h:21},
{t:"Summer Leadership Conference to learn ",p:16,x:483,y:607,w:265,h:21},
{t:"how to run a successful fundraiser.",p:16,x:483,y:632,w:230,h:21},
{t:"“It’ s very intimidating because we’re ask-",p:16,x:493,y:657,w:272,h:21},
{t:"ing for money,” Greenough said. “People ",p:16,x:483,y:682,w:267,h:21},
{t:"don’t always understand what it’s for.”",p:16,x:483,y:707,w:253,h:21},
{t:"Meyer encouraged Greenough and others, ",p:16,x:493,y:732,w:273,h:21},
{t:"telling them that a successful PAC drive is ",p:16,x:483,y:757,w:282,h:21},
{t:"easy if you understand how to put it togeth-",p:16,x:483,y:782,w:286,h:21},
{t:"er and if leaders help members understand ",p:16,x:483,y:807,w:287,h:21},
{t:"how their contributions will help.",p:16,x:483,y:832,w:214,h:21},
{t:"Too often, people don’t give because ",p:16,x:493,y:857,w:240,h:21},
{t:"they’re not asked. In fact, the top reason ",p:16,x:483,y:882,w:268,h:21},
{t:"that members don’t give is they’re never ",p:16,x:483,y:907,w:267,h:21},
{t:"asked.",p:16,x:483,y:932,w:42,h:21},
{t:"“PAC is not a four-letter word,” Meyer ",p:16,x:493,y:957,w:248,h:21},
{t:"said.",p:16,x:483,y:982,w:32,h:21},
{t:"Teachers, support personnel and higher ",p:16,x:493,y:1007,w:262,h:21},
{t:"education members care about the stu-",p:16,x:483,y:1032,w:259,h:21},
{t:"dents they serve—and, Meyer said, that’s a ",p:16,x:483,y:1057,w:290,h:21},
{t:"good reason to cite when explaining PAC.",p:16,x:483,y:1082,w:268,h:21},
{t:"“Some members need to be convinced as ",p:16,x:493,y:1107,w:272,h:21},
{t:"to why they need to give,” he said. “We are ",p:16,x:781,y:532,w:282,h:21},
{t:"(employees) in the public school system. We ",p:16,x:781,y:557,w:291,h:21},
{t:"care about education issues.”",p:16,x:781,y:582,w:195,h:21},
{t:"Meyer suggested local leaders answer fve ",p:16,x:791,y:607,w:279,h:21},
{t:"key questions when putting together a PAC ",p:16,x:781,y:632,w:283,h:21},
{t:"campaign:",p:16,x:781,y:657,w:69,h:21},
{t:"1. What’s your goal? Think of a number, ",p:16,x:781,y:682,w:269,h:22},
{t:"whether you’re shooting for a total for all ",p:16,x:800,y:707,w:270,h:21},
{t:"contributions or a certain participation ",p:16,x:800,y:732,w:258,h:21},
{t:"fgure.",p:16,x:800,y:757,w:41,h:21},
{t:"2. What’s the theme?",p:16,x:781,y:782,w:144,h:22},
{t:"3. What do the members need to know? ",p:16,x:781,y:807,w:273,h:22},
{t:"Consider information that will help them ",p:16,x:800,y:832,w:269,h:21},
{t:"understand why their contribution is ",p:16,x:800,y:857,w:241,h:21},
{t:"needed.",p:16,x:800,y:882,w:51,h:21},
{t:"4. What’s the time frame? Determine start ",p:16,x:781,y:907,w:287,h:22},
{t:"and end dates; Meyer recommends a ",p:16,x:800,y:932,w:243,h:21},
{t:"relatively short time frame so that mem-",p:16,x:800,y:957,w:265,h:21},
{t:"bers don’t feel like you’re involved in a ",p:16,x:800,y:982,w:255,h:21},
{t:"never-ending PAC drive.",p:16,x:800,y:1007,w:156,h:21},
{t:"5. How do we get the word out? ",p:16,x:781,y:1032,w:217,h:22},
{t:"Communication is important, so you ",p:16,x:800,y:1057,w:240,h:21},
{t:"need to fgure out how to spread the ",p:16,x:800,y:1082,w:239,h:21},
{t:"word about your efforts.",p:16,x:800,y:1107,w:155,h:21},
{t:"PAC FAQ ",p:16,x:186,y:189,w:199,h:44},
{t:"What is PAC?",p:16,x:186,y:246,w:130,h:35},
{t:"PAC stands for Political Action Committee. ",p:16,x:186,y:282,w:281,h:21},
{t:"It’ s how our association raises campaign ",p:16,x:186,y:307,w:271,h:21},
{t:"funds for the candidates and issues that ",p:16,x:186,y:332,w:271,h:21},
{t:"mean the most to public education.",p:16,x:186,y:357,w:232,h:21},
{t:"How is my PAC money used?",p:16,x:186,y:396,w:283,h:35},
{t:"Federal campaign fnance laws do not al-",p:16,x:186,y:432,w:271,h:21},
{t:"low your MEA dues to be used for PAC. PAC ",p:16,x:186,y:457,w:282,h:21},
{t:"money must be contributed separately and ",p:16,x:186,y:482,w:283,h:21},
{t:"it is completely voluntary. MEA-PAC money ",p:16,x:186,y:507,w:281,h:21},
{t:"may only be used to support statewide ",p:16,x:186,y:532,w:255,h:21},
{t:"and local candidates. Money is given to ",p:16,x:186,y:557,w:262,h:21},
{t:"candidates who are recommended by MEA ",p:16,x:186,y:582,w:279,h:21},
{t:"members like you based on the candidates’ ",p:16,x:186,y:607,w:287,h:21},
{t:"positions on issues pertaining to public ",p:16,x:186,y:632,w:262,h:21},
{t:"education and public school employees. ",p:16,x:186,y:657,w:264,h:21},
{t:"PAC money is used to support Republican ",p:16,x:186,y:682,w:275,h:21},
{t:"and Democratic candidates who support ",p:16,x:186,y:707,w:268,h:21},
{t:"public education.",p:16,x:186,y:732,w:113,h:21},
{t:"What about federal ",p:16,x:186,y:772,w:193,h:35},
{t:"candidates?",p:16,x:186,y:807,w:121,h:35},
{t:"The NEA ’s PAC is called The Fund for ",p:16,x:186,y:857,w:240,h:21},
{t:"Children and Public Education. Members ",p:16,x:186,y:882,w:270,h:21},
{t:"may contribute to the fund if they want ",p:16,x:186,y:907,w:259,h:21},
{t:"their money to help federal candidates, ",p:16,x:186,y:932,w:260,h:21},
{t:"including those running for Congress.",p:16,x:186,y:957,w:246,h:21},
{t:"How much should I donate ",p:16,x:186,y:997,w:269,h:34},
{t:"to PAC?",p:16,x:186,y:1032,w:76,h:35},
{t:"The recommended donation is $40, but you ",p:16,x:186,y:1082,w:285,h:21},
{t:"can give any amount. Give what you can ",p:16,x:186,y:1107,w:267,h:21},
{t:"afford, even if it’s just $1.",p:16,x:186,y:1132,w:169,h:21},
{t:"Based on PAC ",p:16,x:37,y:578,w:79,h:19},
{t:"contributions ",p:16,x:37,y:598,w:76,h:19},
{t:"given between ",p:16,x:37,y:618,w:82,h:19},
{t:"June 1, 2007, and ",p:16,x:37,y:638,w:101,h:19},
{t:"May 31, 2008:",p:16,x:37,y:658,w:78,h:19},
{t:"Average ",p:16,x:37,y:697,w:56,h:22},
{t:"contribution per ",p:16,x:37,y:720,w:108,h:22},
{t:"MEA member:",p:16,x:37,y:743,w:88,h:22},
{t:"$2.96",p:16,x:37,y:765,w:86,h:55},
{t:"Average ",p:16,x:37,y:833,w:56,h:22},
{t:"contribution ",p:16,x:37,y:856,w:83,h:22},
{t:"among all NEA ",p:16,x:37,y:879,w:95,h:22},
{t:"members:",p:16,x:37,y:902,w:64,h:22},
{t:"$1.61",p:16,x:37,y:923,w:86,h:55},
{t:"Total raised  ",p:16,x:37,y:991,w:83,h:22},
{t:"by MEA:",p:16,x:37,y:1014,w:49,h:22},
{t:"$304,131",p:16,x:37,y:1039,w:112,h:47},
{t:"Michigan’s ",p:16,x:37,y:1101,w:72,h:22},
{t:"ranking among ",p:16,x:37,y:1123,w:100,h:22},
{t:"the states:",p:16,x:37,y:1146,w:68,h:22},
{t:"3",p:16,x:37,y:1168,w:19,h:55},
{t:"Source: MEA/NEA",p:16,x:37,y:1238,w:94,h:19},
{t:"Did you know?",p:16,x:186,y:1175,w:143,h:35},
{t:"Forty percent of all MEA-PAC money collected is ",p:16,x:186,y:1207,w:265,h:19},
{t:"returned to your local MEA coordinating council. ",p:16,x:186,y:1227,w:267,h:19},
{t:"The money can be used to support candidates in ",p:16,x:186,y:1247,w:270,h:19},
{t:"local races, including people running for school ",p:16,x:186,y:1267,w:265,h:19},
{t:"board, city council and judge seats. To fnd out ",p:16,x:186,y:1287,w:261,h:19},
{t:"how to access this money for a local election, you ",p:16,x:186,y:1307,w:275,h:19},
{t:"need to contact the chair of your coordinating ",p:16,x:186,y:1327,w:255,h:19},
{t:"council or your MEA UniServ director.",p:16,x:186,y:1347,w:201,h:19},
{t:"Need help? Call MEA!",p:16,x:335,y:1390,w:323,h:45},
{t:"Do you need help planning your local PAC drive? Local leaders should contact their local MEA ",p:16,x:344,y:1432,w:708,h:21},
{t:"UniServ director or MEA ’s campaign consultant Linda Myers (lmyers@mea.org) for help.",p:16,x:335,y:1457,w:657,h:21},
{t:"Local presidents and PAC chairs may request a free copy of “PAC Plan of Attack,” a booklet ",p:16,x:344,y:1482,w:694,h:21},
{t:"with tips and suggestions for a successful campaign by e-mailing Myers or Teri Battaglieri ",p:16,x:335,y:1507,w:675,h:21},
{t:"(tbattaglieri@mea.org ). ",p:16,x:335,y:1532,w:171,h:21},
{t:"Alicia Greenough, ",p:16,x:1102,y:757,w:119,h:22},
{t:"a Petoskey teacher , ",p:16,x:1097,y:779,w:124,h:21},
{t:"is doing her frst ",p:16,x:1115,y:802,w:107,h:21},
{t:"PAC drive this year .",p:16,x:1097,y:824,w:121,h:21},
{t:"“It’ s very ",p:16,x:1152,y:855,w:71,h:24},
{t:"intimidating  ",p:16,x:1124,y:882,w:99,h:24},
{t:"because we’re  ",p:16,x:1110,y:909,w:113,h:24},
{t:"asking for  ",p:16,x:1142,y:936,w:81,h:24},
{t:"money. People  ",p:16,x:1111,y:963,w:112,h:24},
{t:"don’t always  ",p:16,x:1122,y:990,w:100,h:24},
{t:"understand  ",p:16,x:1131,y:1017,w:92,h:24},
{t:"what it’s for.”",p:16,x:1115,y:1044,w:102,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:17,x:1107,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"17",p:17,x:1217,y:1594,w:19,h:21},
{t:"ELECTION 2008",p:17,x:1060,y:22,w:158,h:35},
{t:"MEA recommends",p:17,x:367,y:75,w:702,h:114},
{t:"On the Web",p:17,x:1118,y:1404,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.meavotes.org",p:17,x:1100,y:1432,w:120,h:22},
{t:"President and Vice President",p:17,x:483,y:231,w:212,h:22},
{t:"Barack Obama and Joe Biden",p:17,x:540,y:257,w:214,h:21},
{t:"U.S. Senate",p:17,x:483,y:306,w:88,h:22},
{t:"Carl Levin",p:17,x:540,y:332,w:70,h:21},
{t:"U.S. House",p:17,x:483,y:381,w:83,h:22},
{t:"1 ",p:17,x:512,y:407,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Bart Stupak",p:17,x:540,y:407,w:84,h:21},
{t:"5 ",p:17,x:512,y:432,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Dale Kildee",p:17,x:540,y:432,w:80,h:21},
{t:"6 ",p:17,x:512,y:457,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Fred Upton",p:17,x:540,y:457,w:81,h:21},
{t:"8 ",p:17,x:512,y:482,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Robert Alexander",p:17,x:540,y:482,w:123,h:21},
{t:"9 ",p:17,x:512,y:507,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Gary Peters",p:17,x:540,y:507,w:82,h:21},
{t:"12 ",p:17,x:502,y:532,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Sander Levin",p:17,x:540,y:532,w:92,h:21},
{t:"13 ",p:17,x:502,y:557,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick",p:17,x:540,y:557,w:181,h:21},
{t:"14 ",p:17,x:502,y:582,w:23,h:21},
{t:"John Conyers, Jr.",p:17,x:540,y:582,w:122,h:21},
{t:"15 ",p:17,x:502,y:607,w:23,h:21},
{t:"John Dingell",p:17,x:540,y:607,w:88,h:21},
{t:"Michigan House",p:17,x:483,y:656,w:118,h:22},
{t:"2 ",p:17,x:512,y:682,w:14,h:21},
{t:"LaMar Lemmons, Jr.",p:17,x:540,y:682,w:145,h:21},
{t:"3 ",p:17,x:512,y:707,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Bettie Cook Scott",p:17,x:540,y:707,w:121,h:21},
{t:"5 ",p:17,x:512,y:732,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Bert Johnson",p:17,x:540,y:732,w:94,h:21},
{t:"6 ",p:17,x:512,y:757,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Fred Durhal, Jr.",p:17,x:540,y:757,w:111,h:21},
{t:"7 ",p:17,x:512,y:782,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Jimmy Womack",p:17,x:540,y:782,w:113,h:21},
{t:"9 ",p:17,x:512,y:807,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Shanelle Jackson",p:17,x:540,y:807,w:123,h:21},
{t:"10 ",p:17,x:502,y:832,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Gabe Leland",p:17,x:540,y:832,w:90,h:21},
{t:"11 ",p:17,x:502,y:857,w:23,h:21},
{t:"David Nathan",p:17,x:540,y:857,w:97,h:21},
{t:"12 ",p:17,x:502,y:882,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Rashida Tlaib",p:17,x:540,y:882,w:97,h:21},
{t:"13 ",p:17,x:502,y:907,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Andrew Kandrevas",p:17,x:540,y:907,w:134,h:21},
{t:"15 ",p:17,x:502,y:932,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Gino Polidori",p:17,x:540,y:932,w:90,h:21},
{t:"16 ",p:17,x:502,y:957,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Bob Constan",p:17,x:540,y:957,w:91,h:21},
{t:"17 ",p:17,x:502,y:982,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Andy Dillon",p:17,x:540,y:982,w:81,h:21},
{t:"18 ",p:17,x:502,y:1007,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Richard LeBlanc",p:17,x:540,y:1007,w:119,h:21},
{t:"20 ",p:17,x:502,y:1032,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Marc Corriveau",p:17,x:540,y:1032,w:108,h:21},
{t:"22 ",p:17,x:502,y:1057,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Douglas Geiss",p:17,x:540,y:1057,w:100,h:21},
{t:"23 ",p:17,x:502,y:1082,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Deb Kennedy",p:17,x:540,y:1082,w:96,h:21},
{t:"24 ",p:17,x:502,y:1107,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Sarah Roberts",p:17,x:540,y:1107,w:101,h:21},
{t:"25 ",p:17,x:502,y:1132,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Jon Switalski",p:17,x:540,y:1132,w:90,h:21},
{t:"26 ",p:17,x:502,y:1157,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Marie Donigan",p:17,x:540,y:1157,w:104,h:21},
{t:"28 ",p:17,x:502,y:1182,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Lesia Liss",p:17,x:540,y:1182,w:68,h:21},
{t:"29 ",p:17,x:502,y:1207,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Tim Melton",p:17,x:540,y:1207,w:79,h:21},
{t:"30 ",p:17,x:502,y:1232,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Tory Rocca",p:17,x:540,y:1232,w:79,h:21},
{t:"31 ",p:17,x:502,y:1257,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Fred Miller",p:17,x:540,y:1257,w:76,h:21},
{t:"32 ",p:17,x:502,y:1282,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Jennifer Haase",p:17,x:540,y:1282,w:106,h:21},
{t:"33 ",p:17,x:502,y:1307,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Andrew Prasiloski",p:17,x:540,y:1307,w:126,h:21},
{t:"34 ",p:17,x:502,y:1332,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Woodrow Stanley",p:17,x:540,y:1332,w:121,h:21},
{t:"35 ",p:17,x:502,y:1357,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Vincent Gregory",p:17,x:540,y:1357,w:113,h:21},
{t:"37 ",p:17,x:502,y:1382,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Vicki Barnett",p:17,x:540,y:1382,w:90,h:21},
{t:"42 ",p:17,x:502,y:1407,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Harold Haugh",p:17,x:540,y:1407,w:100,h:21},
{t:"43 ",p:17,x:502,y:1432,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Gail Haines",p:17,x:540,y:1432,w:81,h:21},
{t:"44 ",p:17,x:502,y:1457,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Eileen Kowall",p:17,x:540,y:1457,w:93,h:21},
{t:"46 ",p:17,x:502,y:1482,w:23,h:21},
{t:"James Marleau",p:17,x:540,y:1482,w:108,h:21},
{t:"49 ",p:17,x:502,y:1507,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Lee Gonzales",p:17,x:540,y:1507,w:94,h:21},
{t:"51 ",p:17,x:502,y:1532,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Paul Scott",p:17,x:540,y:1532,w:72,h:21},
{t:"52 ",p:17,x:502,y:1557,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Pam Byrnes",p:17,x:540,y:1557,w:87,h:21},
{t:"Michigan House (cont.)",p:17,x:781,y:231,w:172,h:22},
{t:"53 ",p:17,x:800,y:257,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Rebekah Warren",p:17,x:837,y:257,w:119,h:21},
{t:"55 ",p:17,x:800,y:282,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Kathy Angerer",p:17,x:837,y:282,w:101,h:21},
{t:"56 ",p:17,x:800,y:307,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Kate Ebli",p:17,x:837,y:307,w:62,h:21},
{t:"57 ",p:17,x:800,y:332,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Dudley Spade",p:17,x:837,y:332,w:99,h:21},
{t:"59 ",p:17,x:800,y:357,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Carol Higgins",p:17,x:837,y:357,w:94,h:21},
{t:"60 ",p:17,x:800,y:382,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Robert Jones",p:17,x:837,y:382,w:93,h:21},
{t:"62 ",p:17,x:800,y:407,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Kate Segal",p:17,x:837,y:407,w:75,h:21},
{t:"65 ",p:17,x:800,y:432,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Mike Simpson",p:17,x:837,y:432,w:101,h:21},
{t:"67 ",p:17,x:800,y:457,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Barb Byrum",p:17,x:837,y:457,w:87,h:21},
{t:"68 ",p:17,x:800,y:482,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Joan Bauer",p:17,x:837,y:482,w:81,h:21},
{t:"69 ",p:17,x:800,y:507,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Mark Meadows",p:17,x:837,y:507,w:108,h:21},
{t:"70 ",p:17,x:800,y:532,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Mike Huckleberry",p:17,x:837,y:532,w:126,h:21},
{t:"75 ",p:17,x:800,y:557,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Robert Dean",p:17,x:837,y:557,w:90,h:21},
{t:"76 ",p:17,x:800,y:582,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Roy Schmidt",p:17,x:837,y:582,w:90,h:21},
{t:"78 ",p:17,x:800,y:607,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Judy Truesdell",p:17,x:837,y:607,w:102,h:21},
{t:"83 ",p:17,x:800,y:632,w:23,h:21},
{t:"John Espinoza",p:17,x:837,y:632,w:103,h:21},
{t:"84 ",p:17,x:800,y:657,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Terry Brown",p:17,x:837,y:657,w:85,h:21},
{t:"91 ",p:17,x:800,y:682,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Mary Valentine",p:17,x:837,y:682,w:105,h:21},
{t:"92 ",p:17,x:800,y:707,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Doug Bennett",p:17,x:837,y:707,w:98,h:21},
{t:"95 ",p:17,x:800,y:732,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Andy Coulouris",p:17,x:837,y:732,w:107,h:21},
{t:"96 ",p:17,x:800,y:757,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Jeff Mayes",p:17,x:837,y:757,w:75,h:21},
{t:"97 ",p:17,x:800,y:782,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Tim Moore",p:17,x:837,y:782,w:75,h:21},
{t:"98 ",p:17,x:800,y:807,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Garnet Lewis",p:17,x:837,y:807,w:91,h:21},
{t:"101 ",p:17,x:790,y:832,w:32,h:21},
{t:"Dan Scripps",p:17,x:837,y:832,w:87,h:21},
{t:"103 ",p:17,x:790,y:857,w:32,h:21},
{t:"Joel Sheltrown",p:17,x:837,y:857,w:103,h:21},
{t:"104 ",p:17,x:790,y:882,w:32,h:21},
{t:"Roman Grucz",p:17,x:837,y:882,w:98,h:21},
{t:"106 ",p:17,x:790,y:907,w:32,h:21},
{t:"Andy Neumann",p:17,x:837,y:907,w:112,h:21},
{t:"107 ",p:17,x:790,y:932,w:32,h:21},
{t:"Gary McDowell",p:17,x:837,y:932,w:106,h:21},
{t:"109 ",p:17,x:790,y:957,w:32,h:21},
{t:"Steve Lindberg",p:17,x:837,y:957,w:105,h:21},
{t:"110 ",p:17,x:790,y:982,w:32,h:21},
{t:"Michael Lahti",p:17,x:837,y:982,w:95,h:21},
{t:"Michigan House*",p:17,x:781,y:1032,w:126,h:22},
{t:"4 ",p:17,x:809,y:1057,w:14,h:21},
{t:"Coleman Young II",p:17,x:837,y:1057,w:125,h:21},
{t:"8 ",p:17,x:809,y:1082,w:14,h:21},
{t:"George Cushingberry",p:17,x:837,y:1082,w:150,h:21},
{t:"21 ",p:17,x:800,y:1107,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Todd LaJoy",p:17,x:837,y:1107,w:80,h:21},
{t:"21 ",p:17,x:800,y:1132,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Dian Slavens",p:17,x:837,y:1132,w:91,h:21},
{t:"39 ",p:17,x:800,y:1157,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Amy Peterman",p:17,x:837,y:1157,w:105,h:21},
{t:"59 ",p:17,x:800,y:1182,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Matt Lori",p:17,x:837,y:1182,w:62,h:21},
{t:"62 ",p:17,x:800,y:1207,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Greg Moore",p:17,x:837,y:1207,w:83,h:21},
{t:"66 ",p:17,x:800,y:1232,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Donna Anderson",p:17,x:837,y:1232,w:120,h:21},
{t:"73 ",p:17,x:800,y:1257,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Bruce Hawley",p:17,x:837,y:1257,w:99,h:21},
{t:"73 ",p:17,x:800,y:1282,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Tom Pearce",p:17,x:837,y:1282,w:84,h:21},
{t:"86 ",p:17,x:800,y:1307,w:23,h:21},
{t:"Dave Hildenbrand",p:17,x:837,y:1307,w:129,h:21},
{t:"106 ",p:17,x:790,y:1332,w:32,h:21},
{t:"Peter Pettalia",p:17,x:837,y:1332,w:94,h:21},
{t:"4th District Court of Appeals",p:17,x:781,y:1382,w:210,h:22},
{t:"Paula Manderfeld",p:17,x:837,y:1407,w:130,h:21},
{t:"Ingham County 30th Circuit Court",p:17,x:781,y:1457,w:250,h:22},
{t:"Rosemarie Elizabeth Aquilina",p:17,x:837,y:1482,w:208,h:21},
{t:"William Edward Collette",p:17,x:837,y:1507,w:166,h:21},
{t:"Janelle A. Lawless",p:17,x:837,y:1532,w:129,h:21},
{t:"The MEA is proud to ",p:17,x:186,y:246,w:198,h:35},
{t:"recommend the candidates",p:17,x:186,y:288,w:275,h:35},
{t:"listed here for elected ",p:17,x:186,y:330,w:224,h:35},
{t:"offce. Members like you ",p:17,x:186,y:371,w:246,h:35},
{t:"have evaluated these ",p:17,x:186,y:413,w:214,h:35},
{t:"candidates as well as their",p:17,x:186,y:455,w:269,h:35},
{t:"answers to questions about",p:17,x:186,y:496,w:275,h:35},
{t:"education-related issues.",p:17,x:186,y:538,w:256,h:35},
{t:"Some candidates and/or races are not ",p:17,x:195,y:582,w:253,h:21},
{t:"listed because they were not screened ",p:17,x:186,y:607,w:252,h:21},
{t:"before this publication went to press. ",p:17,x:186,y:632,w:247,h:21},
{t:"Candidates for statewide offce, including ",p:17,x:186,y:657,w:278,h:21},
{t:"State Board of Education, University of ",p:17,x:186,y:682,w:257,h:21},
{t:"Michigan Board of Regents, Michigan ",p:17,x:186,y:707,w:249,h:21},
{t:"State University Board of Trustees, Wayne ",p:17,x:186,y:732,w:274,h:21},
{t:"State University Board of Governors ",p:17,x:186,y:757,w:235,h:21},
{t:"and the Michigan Supreme Court, are ",p:17,x:186,y:782,w:248,h:21},
{t:"considered by the MEA-PAC Statewide ",p:17,x:186,y:807,w:251,h:21},
{t:"Screening and Recommendation ",p:17,x:186,y:832,w:215,h:21},
{t:"Committee. That committee planned to ",p:17,x:186,y:857,w:259,h:21},
{t:"meet in mid-September.",p:17,x:186,y:882,w:157,h:21},
{t:"For the latest information on",p:17,x:195,y:907,w:186,h:21},
{t:"recommended candidates, contact",p:17,x:186,y:932,w:225,h:21},
{t:"your local MEA UniServ offce or visit",p:17,x:186,y:957,w:237,h:21},
{t:"www.meavotes.org .",p:17,x:186,y:982,w:123,h:21},
{t:"* ",p:17,x:186,y:1032,w:12,h:21},
{t:"These candidates are deemed ",p:17,x:205,y:1032,w:198,h:21},
{t:"\"acceptable\" by local screening and ",p:17,x:205,y:1057,w:239,h:21},
{t:"recommending committees.",p:17,x:205,y:1082,w:181,h:21},
{t:"18 ",p:18,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:18,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"ELECTION 2008",p:18,x:28,y:22,w:158,h:35},
{t:"Warren Woods elementary school ",p:18,x:186,y:824,w:280,h:61},
{t:"teacher Jennifer Haase is losing ",p:18,x:228,y:857,w:241,h:21},
{t:"lots of tread on a pair of 10-year -old ",p:18,x:186,y:882,w:269,h:21},
{t:"sneakers in her bid to win a House ",p:18,x:186,y:907,w:263,h:21},
{t:"seat in Michigan’s 32nd District.",p:18,x:186,y:932,w:240,h:21},
{t:"Haase, a Democrat, hit the ground ",p:18,x:195,y:957,w:265,h:21},
{t:"running—and walking in those sneak-",p:18,x:186,y:982,w:286,h:21},
{t:"ers—in late March when she decided ",p:18,x:186,y:1007,w:287,h:21},
{t:"to seek the term-limited seat.",p:18,x:186,y:1032,w:218,h:21},
{t:"“That weekend I started going ",p:18,x:195,y:1057,w:230,h:21},
{t:"door-to-door in my neighborhood in ",p:18,x:186,y:1082,w:271,h:21},
{t:"Richmond, and I haven’t stopped ",p:18,x:186,y:1107,w:256,h:21},
{t:"since,” she said.",p:18,x:186,y:1132,w:124,h:21},
{t:"Her goal is to visit 20,000 house-",p:18,x:493,y:832,w:248,h:21},
{t:"holds in the sprawling district that ",p:18,x:483,y:857,w:258,h:21},
{t:"covers a good portion of northern ",p:18,x:483,y:882,w:254,h:21},
{t:"Macomb County and four townships ",p:18,x:483,y:907,w:277,h:21},
{t:"in St. Clair County.",p:18,x:483,y:932,w:138,h:21},
{t:"By mid-July, Haase already had ",p:18,x:493,y:1082,w:243,h:21},
{t:"knocked on more than 9,000 doors ",p:18,x:483,y:1107,w:271,h:21},
{t:"in the district, going neighborhood to ",p:18,x:483,y:1132,w:281,h:21},
{t:"neighborhood, house to house, see-",p:18,x:483,y:1157,w:270,h:21},
{t:"ing and hearing frsthand about the ",p:18,x:483,y:1182,w:270,h:21},
{t:"day-to-day struggles of families in the ",p:18,x:483,y:1207,w:285,h:21},
{t:"32nd District.",p:18,x:483,y:1232,w:101,h:21},
{t:"“You don’t realize how many houses ",p:18,x:493,y:1257,w:277,h:21},
{t:"are empty until you start campaign-",p:18,x:483,y:1282,w:267,h:21},
{t:"ing door to door,” said Haase, 33, a ",p:18,x:483,y:1307,w:271,h:21},
{t:"lifelong resident of Macomb County. ",p:18,x:483,y:1332,w:274,h:21},
{t:"“People have lost their jobs. These ",p:18,x:483,y:1357,w:265,h:21},
{t:"are everyday people struggling to ",p:18,x:483,y:1382,w:252,h:21},
{t:"make it to the next day. You just want ",p:18,x:483,y:1407,w:284,h:21},
{t:"to do anything you can to help them ",p:18,x:483,y:1432,w:276,h:21},
{t:"out after hearing their stories.”",p:18,x:483,y:1457,w:228,h:21},
{t:"The idea of running for state rep-",p:18,x:493,y:1482,w:248,h:21},
{t:"resentative hit Haase after parent-",p:18,x:483,y:1507,w:255,h:21},
{t:"teacher conferences at Westwood ",p:18,x:483,y:1532,w:257,h:21},
{t:"Elementary last November.",p:18,x:781,y:357,w:201,h:21},
{t:"“I saw so many parents who had ",p:18,x:791,y:382,w:250,h:21},
{t:"lost their jobs. Their children were ",p:18,x:781,y:407,w:260,h:21},
{t:"suffering in school. The kids’ grades ",p:18,x:781,y:432,w:276,h:21},
{t:"were dropping, and they just seemed ",p:18,x:781,y:457,w:284,h:21},
{t:"sad. I couldn’t sit back without doing ",p:18,x:781,y:482,w:281,h:21},
{t:"something.”",p:18,x:781,y:507,w:91,h:21},
{t:"Haase believes a teacher’s voice is ",p:18,x:791,y:532,w:264,h:21},
{t:"needed in the legislative debate in ",p:18,x:781,y:557,w:261,h:21},
{t:"Lansing. She is running on a platform ",p:18,x:781,y:582,w:287,h:21},
{t:"of creating jobs, strengthening educa-",p:18,x:781,y:607,w:285,h:21},
{t:"tion and protecting the environment.",p:18,x:781,y:632,w:274,h:21},
{t:"“There’s a direct link between ",p:18,x:791,y:657,w:228,h:21},
{t:"strengthening our education system ",p:18,x:781,y:682,w:274,h:21},
{t:"and creating jobs and helping the ",p:18,x:781,y:707,w:257,h:21},
{t:"state’s economy,” she said. “States ",p:18,x:781,y:732,w:267,h:21},
{t:"with educated workforces attract ",p:18,x:781,y:757,w:249,h:21},
{t:"businesses. I will fght to make our ",p:18,x:781,y:782,w:264,h:21},
{t:"schools stronger, to expand access to ",p:18,x:781,y:807,w:285,h:21},
{t:"high-quality preschools, to give stu-",p:18,x:781,y:832,w:266,h:21},
{t:"dents the tools they need to succeed ",p:18,x:781,y:857,w:281,h:21},
{t:"and make higher education available ",p:18,x:781,y:882,w:282,h:21},
{t:"to all residents.”",p:18,x:781,y:907,w:121,h:21},
{t:"On the campaign trail, Haase said ",p:18,x:791,y:932,w:260,h:21},
{t:"she’s being well received by voters. ",p:18,x:781,y:1082,w:268,h:21},
{t:"“They respect the fact that I’m a ",p:18,x:781,y:1107,w:247,h:21},
{t:"teacher and not a politician. They ap-",p:18,x:781,y:1132,w:281,h:21},
{t:"preciate that my husband and I are a ",p:18,x:781,y:1157,w:284,h:21},
{t:"working-class family just like them.”",p:18,x:781,y:1182,w:270,h:21},
{t:"Win or lose, Haase says running for ",p:18,x:791,y:1207,w:271,h:21},
{t:"the House “has been one of the best ",p:18,x:781,y:1232,w:281,h:21},
{t:"experiences of my life.”",p:18,x:781,y:1257,w:176,h:21},
{t:"“Voters are ready for change. They’re ",p:18,x:791,y:1282,w:283,h:21},
{t:"looking for help, and like them, I’m ",p:18,x:781,y:1307,w:267,h:21},
{t:"just a regular person who cares about ",p:18,x:781,y:1332,w:288,h:21},
{t:"the problems we’re all facing. I have ",p:18,x:781,y:1357,w:276,h:21},
{t:"the passion and desire to help these ",p:18,x:781,y:1383,w:277,h:21},
{t:"people and help the state.”",p:18,x:781,y:1408,w:203,h:21},
{t:"Haase still has a few thousand ",p:18,x:791,y:1433,w:233,h:21},
{t:"doors to knock on in the 32nd District ",p:18,x:781,y:1458,w:289,h:21},
{t:"before the Nov. 4 general election. “I ",p:18,x:781,y:1483,w:280,h:21},
{t:"just hope my tennis shoes hold out,” ",p:18,x:781,y:1508,w:280,h:21},
{t:"she laughed. ",p:18,x:781,y:1533,w:101,h:21},
{t:"About Jennifer Haase",p:18,x:73,y:1169,w:210,h:35},
{t:"» ",p:18,x:73,y:1210,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Ten-year MEA member who teaches at Westwood ",p:18,x:91,y:1210,w:320,h:21},
{t:"Elementary School in the Warren Woods district. Has ",p:18,x:91,y:1232,w:345,h:21},
{t:"served as a building representative for four years.",p:18,x:91,y:1255,w:325,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:18,x:73,y:1285,w:13,h:21},
{t:"MEA ’s recommended candidate for state representative ",p:18,x:91,y:1285,w:364,h:21},
{t:"in the 32nd District. Also endorsed by the American ",p:18,x:91,y:1307,w:339,h:21},
{t:"Federation of Teachers, Michigan Professional ",p:18,x:91,y:1330,w:304,h:21},
{t:"Firefghters Union and several trade unions.",p:18,x:91,y:1352,w:286,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:18,x:73,y:1382,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Married to Robert Haase, a Sterling Heights frefghter/",p:18,x:91,y:1382,w:357,h:21},
{t:"paramedic, who is vice president of Sterling Heights ",p:18,x:91,y:1405,w:345,h:21},
{t:"Firefghters Local 1557. They reside in Richmond.",p:18,x:91,y:1427,w:321,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:18,x:73,y:1457,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Graduated from Eisenhower High School in Utica in 1993; ",p:18,x:91,y:1457,w:380,h:21},
{t:"bachelor’s degree majoring in elementary education from ",p:18,x:91,y:1480,w:376,h:21},
{t:"Alma College in 1997; master’s degree in reading and ",p:18,x:91,y:1502,w:355,h:21},
{t:"language arts from Oakland University in 2006.",p:18,x:91,y:1525,w:311,h:21},
{t:"“I’m just a regular person who cares about the ",p:18,x:565,y:973,w:511,h:30},
{t:"problems we’re all facing. I have the passion and ",p:18,x:535,y:1002,w:541,h:30},
{t:"desire to help...people and help the state.”",p:18,x:601,y:1032,w:467,h:30},
{t:"From conferences to ",p:18,x:186,y:74,w:805,h:114},
{t:"the campaign trail",p:18,x:186,y:174,w:704,h:114},
{t:"by Dennis Keenon",p:18,x:932,y:280,w:137,h:21},
{t:"Retired Editor, MEA Voice",p:18,x:887,y:302,w:182,h:21},
{t:"Teacher Jennifer ",p:18,x:37,y:821,w:98,h:20},
{t:"Haase plans to visit ",p:18,x:37,y:841,w:115,h:20},
{t:"20,000 households ",p:18,x:37,y:861,w:110,h:20},
{t:"in her quest for ",p:18,x:37,y:881,w:92,h:20},
{t:"the House of ",p:18,x:37,y:901,w:75,h:20},
{t:"Representatives.",p:18,x:37,y:921,w:96,h:20},
{t:"COUR",p:18,x:770,y:799,w:0,h:17},
{t:"TESY PHOTO",p:18,x:770,y:763,w:0,h:17},
{t:"On the Web",p:18,x:1118,y:1379,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.jennifer ",p:18,x:1137,y:1407,w:85,h:22},
{t:"haase08.org",p:18,x:1140,y:1429,w:78,h:22},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:19,x:1107,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"19",p:19,x:1217,y:1594,w:19,h:21},
{t:"member benefits",p:19,x:1038,y:22,w:179,h:35},
{t:"« Outstanding service",p:19,x:399,y:69,w:670,h:99},
{t:"More than 83,000 Michigan education employees ",p:19,x:186,y:274,w:424,h:61},
{t:"wake up every day thankful for their health and ",p:19,x:230,y:307,w:374,h:21},
{t:"for their comprehensive MESSA coverage. For years ",p:19,x:186,y:332,w:411,h:21},
{t:"our members have been telling us that it is the peace ",p:19,x:186,y:357,w:422,h:21},
{t:"of mind and the feeling of fnancial security that make ",p:19,x:186,y:382,w:427,h:21},
{t:"MESSA different from other health plans. MESSA is ",p:19,x:186,y:407,w:406,h:21},
{t:"unique: our members know through experience that ",p:19,x:186,y:432,w:413,h:21},
{t:"MESSA ’s comprehensive coverage and personalized ",p:19,x:186,y:457,w:412,h:21},
{t:"service can’t be matched by any other health plan.",p:19,x:186,y:482,w:393,h:21},
{t:"MESSA is a Michigan success story. We provide out-",p:19,x:195,y:507,w:410,h:21},
{t:"standing service and comprehensive, quality coverage ",p:19,x:186,y:532,w:429,h:21},
{t:"at competitive rates. Our members know they’re getting ",p:19,x:186,y:557,w:438,h:21},
{t:"the best. In our member surveys we regularly earn a 98 ",p:19,x:186,y:582,w:439,h:21},
{t:"percent satisfaction score. As a not-for-proft member-",p:19,x:186,y:607,w:423,h:21},
{t:"ship organization, we are able to place the interests of ",p:19,x:186,y:632,w:426,h:21},
{t:"our members and their families frst. Every member ",p:19,x:186,y:657,w:408,h:21},
{t:"of the MESSA Board of Trustees is a current or former ",p:19,x:186,y:682,w:426,h:21},
{t:"education employee.",p:19,x:186,y:707,w:161,h:21},
{t:"Cutting red tape and minimizing hassles are two key ",p:19,x:195,y:732,w:405,h:21},
{t:"drivers of MESSA member loyalty. Providing outstand-",p:19,x:186,y:757,w:412,h:21},
{t:"ing personalized service has always been a hallmark of ",p:19,x:186,y:782,w:425,h:21},
{t:"MESSA ’s commitment to its members. In 2007, MESSA",p:19,x:186,y:807,w:425,h:21},
{t:"’s ",p:19,x:610,y:807,w:16,h:21},
{t:"Member Service Center was recognized as a “Center of ",p:19,x:186,y:832,w:428,h:21},
{t:"Excellence” by The Center for Customer–Driven Quality™ ",p:19,x:632,y:282,w:442,h:21},
{t:"at Purdue University and BenchmarkPortal for superior ",p:19,x:632,y:307,w:428,h:21},
{t:"performance and outstanding customer service. MESSA ",p:19,x:632,y:332,w:434,h:21},
{t:"has also long promoted strong member education and ",p:19,x:632,y:357,w:421,h:21},
{t:"wellness programs, including:",p:19,x:632,y:382,w:228,h:21},
{t:"› ",p:19,x:642,y:406,w:11,h:22},
{t:"Men’s and Women’s Health Management programs ",p:19,x:660,y:407,w:407,h:21},
{t:"that help members and their families improve their ",p:19,x:660,y:432,w:402,h:21},
{t:"health. ",p:19,x:660,y:457,w:58,h:21},
{t:"› ",p:19,x:642,y:481,w:11,h:22},
{t:"Asthma, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Management ",p:19,x:660,y:482,w:407,h:21},
{t:"programs that help members manage chronic con -",p:19,x:660,y:507,w:400,h:21},
{t:"ditions and improve their quality of life.",p:19,x:660,y:532,w:301,h:21},
{t:"› ",p:19,x:642,y:556,w:11,h:22},
{t:"A statewide network of local feld representatives.",p:19,x:660,y:557,w:380,h:21},
{t:"› ",p:19,x:642,y:581,w:11,h:22},
{t:"A partnership with the health experts at Mayo Clinic ",p:19,x:660,y:582,w:410,h:21},
{t:"that provides health tools and trustworthy informa -",p:19,x:660,y:607,w:394,h:21},
{t:"tion at www.messa.org.",p:19,x:660,y:632,w:180,h:21},
{t:"The unmatched coverage, outstanding personalized ",p:19,x:642,y:657,w:411,h:21},
{t:"service, sense of security and peace of mind MESSA ",p:19,x:632,y:682,w:416,h:21},
{t:"provides Michigan educators and their families are ",p:19,x:632,y:707,w:401,h:21},
{t:"even more important today than they were in 1960.",p:19,x:632,y:732,w:398,h:21},
{t:"As we look to the future, MESSA remains committed ",p:19,x:642,y:757,w:414,h:21},
{t:"to providing the quality, comprehensive coverage and ",p:19,x:632,y:782,w:422,h:21},
{t:"outstanding service that MESSA members of all ages ",p:19,x:632,y:807,w:417,h:21},
{t:"want and deserve. ",p:19,x:632,y:832,w:147,h:21},
{t:"MESSA puts education employees frst",p:19,x:186,y:197,w:844,h:60},
{t:"by Cynthia Williams",p:19,x:205,y:130,w:146,h:21},
{t:"MESSA Executive Director",p:19,x:205,y:152,w:195,h:21},
{t:"Cynthia Williams",p:19,x:37,y:421,w:100,h:17},
{t:"Dear Abby advises that we avoid ",p:19,x:186,y:1077,w:270,h:58},
{t:"religion and politics for polite con-",p:19,x:220,y:1108,w:254,h:20},
{t:"versation topics. Sometimes we have ",p:19,x:186,y:1133,w:281,h:20},
{t:"to break the rules.",p:19,x:186,y:1158,w:136,h:20},
{t:"We’ve learned the hard way that ",p:19,x:195,y:1183,w:248,h:20},
{t:"politics rules our professional lives. A ",p:19,x:186,y:1208,w:285,h:20},
{t:"politician’s vote can establish the cur-",p:19,x:186,y:1233,w:284,h:20},
{t:"riculum we teach, the food we serve, ",p:19,x:186,y:1258,w:284,h:20},
{t:"or the amount of money our school ",p:19,x:186,y:1283,w:271,h:20},
{t:"district will get.",p:19,x:186,y:1308,w:111,h:20},
{t:"In this crucial political year, we’re ",p:19,x:195,y:1333,w:257,h:20},
{t:"the best ambassadors for public ",p:19,x:186,y:1358,w:249,h:20},
{t:"education and for our students. If we ",p:19,x:186,y:1383,w:285,h:20},
{t:"don’t take the opportunity to insert ",p:19,x:186,y:1408,w:266,h:20},
{t:"politics and education into our con -",p:19,x:186,y:1433,w:269,h:20},
{t:"versations, who will?",p:19,x:186,y:1458,w:151,h:20},
{t:"Keeping political talk a conversation, ",p:19,x:195,y:1483,w:279,h:20},
{t:"rather than a confrontation, is easy. ",p:19,x:186,y:1508,w:269,h:20},
{t:"Just keep these guidelines in mind:",p:19,x:186,y:1533,w:266,h:20},
{t:"Polite political talk? ",p:19,x:769,y:1014,w:310,h:43},
{t:"You can do it with these easy tips",p:19,x:661,y:1072,w:408,h:33},
{t:"« Talking politics",p:19,x:532,y:903,w:537,h:99},
{t:"by Rosemary Carey",p:19,x:205,y:964,w:145,h:21},
{t:"Communications Consultant, MEA",p:19,x:205,y:987,w:257,h:21},
{t:"» Keep your focus on education issues.",p:19,x:493,y:1157,w:296,h:22},
{t:"It’s what you know best.",p:19,x:512,y:1182,w:172,h:21},
{t:"» Know the issues and how candidates feel about them.",p:19,x:493,y:1207,w:418,h:22},
{t:"Solid facts or personal experience are more persuasive than emotion.",p:19,x:512,y:1232,w:496,h:21},
{t:"» Respect the other person’ s political position.  ",p:19,x:493,y:1257,w:373,h:22},
{t:"They’re entitled to have one different than yours.",p:19,x:512,y:1282,w:348,h:21},
{t:"» It’s not what you say but how you say it.",p:19,x:493,y:1307,w:315,h:22},
{t:"You don’t want to ruin the chances of ever having a civil conversation",p:19,x:512,y:1332,w:500,h:21},
{t:"with this person again just because of your tone.",p:19,x:512,y:1357,w:350,h:21},
{t:"» Let educating others be your goal.",p:19,x:493,y:1382,w:275,h:22},
{t:"If you enter every conversation with the idea of changing someone’",p:19,x:512,y:1407,w:478,h:21},
{t:"s ",p:19,x:1003,y:1407,w:12,h:21},
{t:"mind, you may be disappointed.",p:19,x:512,y:1432,w:229,h:21},
{t:"We can’t afford to pass up any opportunity to infuence the vote of our col-",p:19,x:493,y:1457,w:556,h:21},
{t:"leagues, our friends, our family or our neighbors. Our futures and those of our ",p:19,x:483,y:1482,w:588,h:21},
{t:"students are at stake.",p:19,x:483,y:1507,w:161,h:21},
{t:"And that’s the message we need to convey every chance we get. ",p:19,x:493,y:1532,w:488,h:21},
{t:"On the Web",p:19,x:1118,y:1279,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.meavotes.org",p:19,x:1100,y:1307,w:120,h:22},
{t:"Engage in ",p:19,x:1152,y:1332,w:70,h:22},
{t:"the  political ",p:19,x:1133,y:1354,w:89,h:22},
{t:"conversation ",p:19,x:1130,y:1377,w:92,h:22},
{t:"on the MEA ",p:19,x:1143,y:1399,w:79,h:22},
{t:"Votes blog.",p:19,x:1143,y:1422,w:74,h:22},
{t:"20 ",p:20,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:20,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"Shortly after voting ",p:20,x:186,y:363,w:250,h:45},
{t:"to join MEA—and ",p:20,x:186,y:418,w:228,h:45},
{t:"before they negotiated ",p:20,x:186,y:472,w:295,h:45},
{t:"their frst contract—",p:20,x:186,y:526,w:274,h:45},
{t:"Pinckney custodians ",p:20,x:186,y:580,w:268,h:45},
{t:"were threatened with ",p:20,x:186,y:634,w:276,h:45},
{t:"privatization.",p:20,x:186,y:688,w:170,h:45},
{t:"With MEA ’s help, the 31 custodians ",p:20,x:186,y:757,w:271,h:21},
{t:"fought back—and won. They kept ",p:20,x:186,y:782,w:260,h:21},
{t:"their jobs and settled the contract, ",p:20,x:186,y:807,w:262,h:21},
{t:"voting just weeks before school ",p:20,x:186,y:832,w:238,h:21},
{t:"started on a two-year pact.",p:20,x:186,y:857,w:199,h:21},
{t:"“These people really stepped up ",p:20,x:195,y:882,w:248,h:21},
{t:"to the plate to stay employed by the ",p:20,x:186,y:907,w:272,h:21},
{t:"school district,” said Amy Gross, a ",p:20,x:186,y:932,w:262,h:21},
{t:"Pinckney custodian, referring to her ",p:20,x:186,y:957,w:274,h:21},
{t:"colleagues who agreed to some con-",p:20,x:186,y:982,w:274,h:21},
{t:"tractual changes to help the district ",p:20,x:186,y:1007,w:270,h:21},
{t:"make ends meet.",p:20,x:186,y:1032,w:130,h:21},
{t:"Members of the Pinckney Building ",p:20,x:195,y:1057,w:265,h:21},
{t:"and Grounds Staff Association ",p:20,x:186,y:1082,w:231,h:21},
{t:"switched medical plans and accept-",p:20,x:186,y:1107,w:271,h:21},
{t:"ed slightly lower wages in the deal. ",p:20,x:186,y:1132,w:265,h:21},
{t:"The package was much better than ",p:20,x:186,y:1157,w:271,h:21},
{t:"proposals the district had offered. At ",p:20,x:186,y:1182,w:278,h:21},
{t:"one point, the district called for a 15 ",p:20,x:186,y:1207,w:277,h:21},
{t:"percent wage cut, said Brad Gibson, ",p:20,x:186,y:1232,w:279,h:21},
{t:"a Brighton teacher hired by MEA to ",p:20,x:186,y:1257,w:270,h:21},
{t:"help negotiate the contract.",p:20,x:186,y:1282,w:205,h:21},
{t:"“It was pretty drastic,” Gibson said of ",p:20,x:195,y:1307,w:283,h:21},
{t:"the district’s early offer.",p:20,x:186,y:1332,w:173,h:21},
{t:"In the end, the custodians were ",p:20,x:195,y:1357,w:242,h:21},
{t:"thankful to keep their jobs. For ",p:20,x:186,y:1382,w:235,h:21},
{t:"months, district offcials told the ",p:20,x:186,y:1407,w:244,h:21},
{t:"custodians that they were taking bids ",p:20,x:186,y:1432,w:284,h:21},
{t:"from private contractors that they ",p:20,x:186,y:1457,w:254,h:21},
{t:"said could save the district about ",p:20,x:186,y:1482,w:252,h:21},
{t:"$400,000, said Gross, secretary-trea-",p:20,x:186,y:1507,w:281,h:21},
{t:"surer of the new local association.",p:20,x:186,y:1532,w:254,h:21},
{t:"Pinckney had experience with ",p:20,x:493,y:757,w:230,h:21},
{t:"privatization. Years earlier, the district ",p:20,x:483,y:782,w:284,h:21},
{t:"had hired an outside company to ",p:20,x:483,y:807,w:253,h:21},
{t:"clean and maintain its facilities. The ",p:20,x:483,y:832,w:275,h:21},
{t:"scheme didn’t last long, however. ",p:20,x:483,y:857,w:255,h:21},
{t:"Dissatisfed with the setup, the district ",p:20,x:483,y:882,w:290,h:21},
{t:"brought the jobs back in house.",p:20,x:483,y:907,w:238,h:21},
{t:"So, when privatization was proposed ",p:20,x:493,y:932,w:278,h:21},
{t:"this time around, the custodians ",p:20,x:483,y:957,w:247,h:21},
{t:"reminded school offcials and com-",p:20,x:483,y:982,w:264,h:21},
{t:"munity members about the pitfalls of ",p:20,x:483,y:1007,w:281,h:21},
{t:"privatization. MEA supported the local ",p:20,x:483,y:1032,w:289,h:21},
{t:"efforts, providing expert counsel to ",p:20,x:483,y:1057,w:264,h:21},
{t:"manage the crisis and fnancial aid for ",p:20,x:483,y:1082,w:291,h:21},
{t:"community relations.",p:20,x:483,y:1107,w:157,h:21},
{t:"Keeping the custodians on staff ",p:20,x:791,y:757,w:241,h:21},
{t:"resulted in substantial savings, Gross ",p:20,x:781,y:782,w:283,h:21},
{t:"said. The custodians helped the ",p:20,x:781,y:807,w:245,h:21},
{t:"district save $430,000; they saved ",p:20,x:781,y:832,w:263,h:21},
{t:"the district a projected $100,000 by ",p:20,x:781,y:857,w:275,h:21},
{t:"implementing smarter work strategies.",p:20,x:781,y:882,w:286,h:21},
{t:"The new contract includes some ",p:20,x:791,y:907,w:249,h:21},
{t:"positive language dealing with senior-",p:20,x:781,y:932,w:280,h:21},
{t:"ity, layoffs and recall, and members’ ",p:20,x:781,y:957,w:275,h:21},
{t:"attendance at professional conferenc-",p:20,x:781,y:982,w:284,h:21},
{t:"es. They also were able to get rid of a ",p:20,x:781,y:1007,w:284,h:21},
{t:"cap on their medical premium.",p:20,x:781,y:1032,w:232,h:21},
{t:"“We’re still Pinckney Pirates,” said ",p:20,x:791,y:1057,w:263,h:21},
{t:"Gross, who has 25 years’ experience ",p:20,x:781,y:1082,w:280,h:21},
{t:"in the district. ",p:20,x:781,y:1107,w:107,h:21},
{t:"Custodians (left ",p:20,x:1087,y:457,w:105,h:22},
{t:"to right) Michael ",p:20,x:1087,y:479,w:110,h:22},
{t:"Bishop, Amy Gross ",p:20,x:1087,y:502,w:122,h:22},
{t:"and Jeff Hammon ",p:20,x:1087,y:524,w:114,h:22},
{t:"are leaders in ",p:20,x:1087,y:547,w:93,h:22},
{t:"Pinckney Building ",p:20,x:1087,y:569,w:119,h:22},
{t:"and Grounds Staff ",p:20,x:1087,y:592,w:119,h:22},
{t:"Association. The ",p:20,x:1087,y:614,w:108,h:22},
{t:"group successfully ",p:20,x:1087,y:637,w:125,h:22},
{t:"fought a ",p:20,x:1087,y:659,w:57,h:22},
{t:"privatization bid in ",p:20,x:1087,y:682,w:124,h:22},
{t:"their district.",p:20,x:1087,y:704,w:85,h:22},
{t:"Pinckney ",p:20,x:1087,y:1407,w:63,h:22},
{t:"custodians landed ",p:20,x:1087,y:1429,w:121,h:22},
{t:"their frst contract ",p:20,x:1087,y:1452,w:123,h:22},
{t:"as MEA members, ",p:20,x:1087,y:1474,w:117,h:22},
{t:"averting the ",p:20,x:1087,y:1497,w:82,h:22},
{t:"privatization of ",p:20,x:1087,y:1519,w:101,h:22},
{t:"their jobs.",p:20,x:1087,y:1542,w:65,h:22},
{t:"association buzz",p:20,x:28,y:22,w:176,h:35},
{t:"Local roundup »",p:20,x:186,y:69,w:500,h:99},
{t:"Pinckney custodians land frst contract ",p:20,x:186,y:196,w:895,h:70},
{t:"as MEA members",p:20,x:186,y:258,w:399,h:70},
{t:"Spread the ",p:20,x:37,y:1129,w:100,h:25},
{t:"news!",p:20,x:37,y:1154,w:49,h:25},
{t:"Tell us about your ",p:20,x:37,y:1182,w:118,h:22},
{t:"local association’s ",p:20,x:37,y:1204,w:124,h:22},
{t:"bargaining wins ",p:20,x:37,y:1227,w:105,h:22},
{t:"or other union-",p:20,x:37,y:1249,w:97,h:22},
{t:"related news ",p:20,x:37,y:1272,w:87,h:22},
{t:"developments. ",p:20,x:37,y:1294,w:97,h:22},
{t:"Each issue, we’ll ",p:20,x:37,y:1317,w:110,h:22},
{t:"feature updates ",p:20,x:37,y:1339,w:106,h:22},
{t:"from across the ",p:20,x:37,y:1362,w:106,h:22},
{t:"state. E-mail ",p:20,x:37,y:1384,w:86,h:22},
{t:"your idea(s) to ",p:20,x:37,y:1407,w:97,h:22},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org .",p:20,x:37,y:1429,w:118,h:22},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:20,x:1067,y:719,w:0,h:17},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:20,x:1067,y:1540,w:0,h:17},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:21,x:1107,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"21",p:21,x:1217,y:1594,w:19,h:21},
{t:"« Leadership training",p:21,x:411,y:69,w:658,h:99},
{t:"working for you",p:21,x:1052,y:22,w:165,h:35},
{t:"Local Presidents Academy aims to engage, ",p:21,x:362,y:197,w:717,h:58},
{t:"serve MEA members like you",p:21,x:602,y:256,w:467,h:58},
{t:"“I learned more in the Local Presidents ",p:21,x:195,y:757,w:258,h:21},
{t:"Academy than I have in 20 years as an MEA ",p:21,x:186,y:782,w:289,h:21},
{t:"member,” said Henry-Walton, president of ",p:21,x:186,y:807,w:277,h:21},
{t:"the Benton Harbor Secretarial Association.",p:21,x:186,y:832,w:277,h:21},
{t:"“The training helped me understand what ",p:21,x:195,y:857,w:278,h:21},
{t:"I need to do to become a more effective ",p:21,x:186,y:882,w:260,h:21},
{t:"leader and to get more participation from ",p:21,x:186,y:907,w:274,h:21},
{t:"members.”",p:21,x:186,y:932,w:71,h:21},
{t:"In fact, Henry-Walton is participating ",p:21,x:493,y:832,w:254,h:21},
{t:"again this year in the Local Presidents ",p:21,x:483,y:857,w:262,h:21},
{t:"Academy, part of MEA ’s Building Full ",p:21,x:483,y:882,w:249,h:21},
{t:"Capacity Locals initiative.",p:21,x:483,y:907,w:174,h:21},
{t:"“I don’t know how MEA ever survived ",p:21,x:493,y:932,w:251,h:21},
{t:"without Building Full Capacity Locals,” ",p:21,x:483,y:957,w:267,h:21},
{t:"she said. “It’s been just fantastic.”",p:21,x:483,y:982,w:236,h:21},
{t:"The goal of the Local Presidents Academy ",p:21,x:493,y:1007,w:283,h:21},
{t:"is to develop well-trained, strong local ",p:21,x:483,y:1032,w:262,h:21},
{t:"leaders who have the time and resources ",p:21,x:483,y:1057,w:279,h:21},
{t:"needed to effectively do their jobs and the ",p:21,x:483,y:1082,w:286,h:21},
{t:"skills to mentor up-and-coming leaders in ",p:21,x:483,y:1107,w:288,h:21},
{t:"their locals.",p:21,x:483,y:1132,w:79,h:21},
{t:"Forty-six local presidents are training in ",p:21,x:493,y:1157,w:273,h:21},
{t:"the academy this year, including 15 who ",p:21,x:483,y:1182,w:275,h:21},
{t:"participated in 2007-08.",p:21,x:483,y:1207,w:166,h:21},
{t:"Lyman Robertson, president of the ",p:21,x:493,y:1232,w:234,h:21},
{t:"Vandercook Lake EA, is back for a second ",p:21,x:483,y:1257,w:281,h:21},
{t:"year. His goal has been to get new mem-",p:21,x:483,y:1282,w:273,h:21},
{t:"bers involved in association activities and ",p:21,x:483,y:1307,w:288,h:21},
{t:"running a PAC drive.",p:21,x:483,y:1332,w:137,h:21},
{t:"“I’ve focused on helping new members ",p:21,x:493,y:1357,w:264,h:21},
{t:"fnd niches where they can ft in with ",p:21,x:483,y:1382,w:252,h:21},
{t:"association activities,” he said. “We’ve ",p:21,x:781,y:832,w:267,h:21},
{t:"been trying to make them feel comfortable ",p:21,x:781,y:857,w:289,h:21},
{t:"about getting involved. Last year, we ran a ",p:21,x:781,y:882,w:290,h:21},
{t:"PAC drive for really the frst time, and we ",p:21,x:781,y:907,w:279,h:21},
{t:"went from two members contributing to 42 ",p:21,x:781,y:932,w:291,h:21},
{t:"members making donations.",p:21,x:781,y:957,w:192,h:21},
{t:"“The training I’ve received in the Local ",p:21,x:791,y:982,w:263,h:21},
{t:"Presidents Academy has been very ",p:21,x:781,y:1007,w:235,h:21},
{t:"helpful.”",p:21,x:781,y:1032,w:58,h:21},
{t:"Steve Byrd, president of the Manchester ",p:21,x:791,y:1057,w:272,h:21},
{t:"ESP local, joined the academy this year.",p:21,x:781,y:1082,w:267,h:21},
{t:"“I’m really excited,” he said. “My No. 1 ",p:21,x:791,y:1107,w:263,h:21},
{t:"goal is to get more member participation ",p:21,x:781,y:1132,w:279,h:21},
{t:"at the grassroots level, to get them in-",p:21,x:781,y:1157,w:259,h:21},
{t:"volved all the time, not just when there’s a ",p:21,x:781,y:1182,w:290,h:21},
{t:"crisis. I want to get my members fred up.”",p:21,x:781,y:1207,w:287,h:21},
{t:"With the Local Presidents Academy, BFCL ",p:21,x:791,y:1232,w:281,h:21},
{t:"program coordinator Teri Battaglieri wants ",p:21,x:781,y:1257,w:290,h:21},
{t:"to “build on what we started last year, a ",p:21,x:781,y:1282,w:274,h:21},
{t:"network of dynamic, strong, well-trained ",p:21,x:781,y:1307,w:276,h:21},
{t:"local presidents who are focused on ac-",p:21,x:781,y:1332,w:268,h:21},
{t:"tively engaging their members and provid-",p:21,x:781,y:1357,w:287,h:21},
{t:"ing the best service possible to them.” ",p:21,x:781,y:1382,w:263,h:21},
{t:"Vandercook Lake EA President Lyman Robertson (left) and Manchester ESP President Steve Byrd are ",p:21,x:483,y:756,w:581,h:20},
{t:"participating in the 2008-09 Local Presidents Academy to stimulate member participation in their ",p:21,x:483,y:776,w:564,h:20},
{t:"locals. This marks Robertson’s second year in the academy.",p:21,x:483,y:796,w:343,h:20},
{t:"Silvia Henry-Walton, president of the Benton ",p:21,x:186,y:1365,w:258,h:20},
{t:"Harbor Secretarial Association: “I applied for ",p:21,x:186,y:1385,w:264,h:20},
{t:"the Local Presidents Academy because I want ",p:21,x:186,y:1405,w:267,h:20},
{t:"to become a better president and get more ",p:21,x:186,y:1425,w:251,h:20},
{t:"participation from my members.”",p:21,x:186,y:1445,w:192,h:20},
{t:"by Dennis Keenon",p:21,x:205,y:130,w:137,h:21},
{t:"Retired Editor, MEA Voice",p:21,x:205,y:157,w:182,h:21},
{t:"For more information about Building Full Capacity Locals or the Local Presidents Academy, ",p:21,x:186,y:1507,w:688,h:21},
{t:"contact Teri Battaglieri at tbattaglieri@mea.org or call 800-292-1934.",p:21,x:186,y:1532,w:511,h:21},
{t:"Silvia Henry-Walton ",p:21,x:186,y:363,w:254,h:45},
{t:"said participating in ",p:21,x:186,y:418,w:259,h:45},
{t:"MEA ’s inaugural Local ",p:21,x:186,y:472,w:281,h:45},
{t:"Presidents Academy ",p:21,x:186,y:526,w:264,h:45},
{t:"last year “was like ",p:21,x:186,y:580,w:242,h:45},
{t:"eating an energy bar",p:21,x:186,y:634,w:268,h:45},
{t:".”",p:21,x:445,y:634,w:23,h:45},
{t:"DENNIS KEENON/MEA",p:21,x:1067,y:732,w:0,h:17},
{t:"22 ",p:22,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:22,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"MEA member’s job ",p:22,x:186,y:67,w:591,h:99},
{t:"nurtures plants, people »",p:22,x:186,y:159,w:775,h:99},
{t:"member profile",p:22,x:28,y:22,w:163,h:35},
{t:"EAST LANSING—Ann Hancock is a self-described “plant geek.”",p:22,x:487,y:377,w:577,h:27},
{t:"She has a way of making plants come alive for visitors and master gardeners ",p:22,x:487,y:407,w:578,h:21},
{t:"alike at the Michigan State University Horticulture Demonstration Gardens ",p:22,x:487,y:432,w:560,h:21},
{t:"where she works as a horticulturist.",p:22,x:487,y:457,w:265,h:21},
{t:"Her love for her job—and the volunteers who help her in the garden every ",p:22,x:496,y:482,w:559,h:21},
{t:"week—is obvious. Just ask her.",p:22,x:487,y:507,w:235,h:21},
{t:"“I’m one of the luckiest people in the world,” Hancock gushes. “I can’t be-",p:22,x:496,y:532,w:560,h:21},
{t:"lieve they pay me to do this.”",p:22,x:487,y:557,w:217,h:21},
{t:"Her work environment isn’t traditional in education—she spends countless ",p:22,x:496,y:582,w:565,h:21},
{t:"hours walking paths lined with cone fowers, pots teeming with annuals and ",p:22,x:487,y:607,w:572,h:21},
{t:"beds flled with colorful foliage. Picking pesky Japanese beetles from plants ",p:22,x:487,y:632,w:570,h:21},
{t:"is done amidst thousands of blooming roses.",p:22,x:487,y:657,w:335,h:21},
{t:"Hancock, who oversees the Judith DeLapa Perennial Garden, is a member ",p:22,x:496,y:682,w:566,h:21},
{t:"of the Administrative Professionals Association at MSU, a group that repre-",p:22,x:487,y:707,w:561,h:21},
{t:"sents an array of university staff. She’s one of about 9,800 higher education ",p:22,x:487,y:732,w:572,h:21},
{t:"employees statewide who belong to MEA.",p:22,x:487,y:757,w:310,h:21},
{t:"Hancock helps the plants come alive—literally and fguratively. She has a ",p:22,x:496,y:782,w:553,h:21},
{t:"tendency to describe them like people, referring to invasive loosestrife as ",p:22,x:487,y:807,w:550,h:21},
{t:"“thugs” and two varieties of intermingling phlox as a “big bunch of happy ",p:22,x:487,y:832,w:555,h:21},
{t:"people at a cocktail party.”",p:22,x:487,y:857,w:199,h:21},
{t:"While searching for copper and green Japanese beetles, she tells a visitor ",p:22,x:496,y:882,w:556,h:21},
{t:"that traps hung in many homeowners’ gardens to kill the pesky bugs actually ",p:22,x:487,y:907,w:580,h:21},
{t:"attract them.",p:22,x:487,y:932,w:96,h:21},
{t:"“The beetles come from all over because it’s an orgy—a really good time,” ",p:22,x:496,y:957,w:561,h:21},
{t:"Hancock explains with a laugh.",p:22,x:487,y:982,w:234,h:21},
{t:"Summer is prime time for the public gardens, but Hancock’s job extends ",p:22,x:496,y:1007,w:551,h:21},
{t:"year-round. Her position is funded through donations and fundraising. ",p:22,x:487,y:1032,w:531,h:21},
{t:"Hancock holds bachelor’s and masters degrees in botany. She earned an as-",p:22,x:487,y:1057,w:577,h:21},
{t:"sociate’s degree in landscape design.",p:22,x:487,y:1082,w:280,h:21},
{t:"In addition to nurturing plants in the MSU gardens, Hancock tends to the ",p:22,x:496,y:1107,w:555,h:21},
{t:"needs of plant-loving people, too. She teaches master gardening classes, ",p:22,x:487,y:1132,w:552,h:21},
{t:"indulges volunteers with sweets and freshly brewed coffee, and oversees a ",p:22,x:487,y:1157,w:563,h:21},
{t:"popular plant sale every year.",p:22,x:487,y:1182,w:219,h:21},
{t:"More than 100 volunteers help in the gardens, including many graduates of ",p:22,x:496,y:1207,w:573,h:21},
{t:"Hancock’s classes.",p:22,x:487,y:1232,w:142,h:21},
{t:"One late summer morning, a couple ",p:22,x:496,y:1257,w:276,h:21},
{t:"dozen volunteers spread out over the ",p:22,x:487,y:1282,w:283,h:21},
{t:"gardens, deadheading plants, yanking ",p:22,x:487,y:1307,w:291,h:21},
{t:"weeds and debugging fowers. They ",p:22,x:487,y:1332,w:274,h:21},
{t:"praised Hancock, attributing much of ",p:22,x:487,y:1357,w:286,h:21},
{t:"the garden’s beauty to her hard work.",p:22,x:487,y:1382,w:281,h:21},
{t:"“It’s art,” said Ruby Grimes of Bath. ",p:22,x:496,y:1407,w:274,h:21},
{t:"“It’s natural art. It’s an atmosphere ",p:22,x:487,y:1432,w:264,h:21},
{t:"that makes you appreciate nature.”",p:22,x:487,y:1457,w:265,h:21},
{t:"Added Midge Morrow, a retired ",p:22,x:496,y:1482,w:238,h:21},
{t:"teacher and master gardener: “Ann’s ",p:22,x:487,y:1507,w:283,h:21},
{t:"just fabulous.” ",p:22,x:487,y:1532,w:113,h:21},
{t:"‘I can’t believe they pay me to do this’",p:22,x:540,y:293,w:529,h:39},
{t:"Member ",p:22,x:1148,y:754,w:76,h:25},
{t:"Profle",p:22,x:1163,y:779,w:54,h:25},
{t:"Our readers ",p:22,x:1141,y:807,w:81,h:22},
{t:"like stories ",p:22,x:1146,y:829,w:76,h:22},
{t:"about education ",p:22,x:1113,y:852,w:108,h:22},
{t:"employees. Do you ",p:22,x:1098,y:874,w:124,h:22},
{t:"know someone ",p:22,x:1122,y:897,w:99,h:22},
{t:"we should profle? ",p:22,x:1102,y:919,w:120,h:22},
{t:"What’s their job? ",p:22,x:1110,y:942,w:112,h:22},
{t:"What makes ",p:22,x:1139,y:964,w:83,h:22},
{t:"them interesting? ",p:22,x:1105,y:987,w:117,h:22},
{t:"Send your ",p:22,x:1154,y:1009,w:68,h:22},
{t:"ideas to Editor ",p:22,x:1124,y:1032,w:97,h:22},
{t:"Karen Schulz at ",p:22,x:1117,y:1054,w:104,h:22},
{t:"kschulz@mea.org .",p:22,x:1100,y:1077,w:118,h:22},
{t:"by Karen Schulz",p:22,x:927,y:130,w:122,h:21},
{t:"Editor, MEA Voice",p:22,x:917,y:153,w:132,h:21},
{t:"Ann Hancock (right) works with volunteers Rita Richardson ",p:22,x:56,y:1507,w:384,h:22},
{t:"(left) and Karla Barber in a garden at Michigan State University.",p:22,x:56,y:1529,w:410,h:22},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:22,x:48,y:1230,w:0,h:17},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:23,x:1107,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"23",p:23,x:1217,y:1594,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Smart strategies ",p:23,x:186,y:181,w:249,h:45},
{t:"curb health costs",p:23,x:186,y:226,w:253,h:45},
{t:"Health costs for those with chronic illness ",p:23,x:186,y:282,w:274,h:21},
{t:"are much higher than for those who do not ",p:23,x:186,y:307,w:278,h:21},
{t:"have chronic disease—$12,000 annually ",p:23,x:186,y:332,w:271,h:21},
{t:"compared to $560.",p:23,x:186,y:357,w:122,h:21},
{t:"Preventive care and health promotion ef -",p:23,x:195,y:382,w:263,h:21},
{t:"forts are likely the single wisest investment ",p:23,x:186,y:407,w:284,h:21},
{t:"for cutting health care costs long-term. ",p:23,x:186,y:432,w:258,h:21},
{t:"Health researchers have found:",p:23,x:186,y:457,w:204,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:23,x:186,y:482,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Regular screening for colorectal cancer ",p:23,x:205,y:482,w:256,h:21},
{t:"can reduce the number of people who die ",p:23,x:205,y:507,w:269,h:21},
{t:"from the disease by 30 percent.",p:23,x:205,y:532,w:206,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:23,x:186,y:557,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Regular mammograms every one to two ",p:23,x:205,y:557,w:259,h:21},
{t:"years can reduce the risk of dying by 16 ",p:23,x:205,y:582,w:259,h:21},
{t:"percent for women over 40.",p:23,x:205,y:607,w:177,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:23,x:186,y:632,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Cutting cholesterol levels by 10 percent ",p:23,x:205,y:632,w:258,h:21},
{t:"may result in an estimated 30 percent ",p:23,x:205,y:657,w:250,h:21},
{t:"reduction in the incidence of coronary ",p:23,x:205,y:682,w:246,h:21},
{t:"heart disease.",p:23,x:205,y:707,w:92,h:21},
{t:"» ",p:23,x:186,y:732,w:13,h:21},
{t:"Controlling your blood sugar levels ",p:23,x:205,y:732,w:226,h:21},
{t:"reduces the risk of developing diabetic ",p:23,x:205,y:757,w:253,h:21},
{t:"complications such as eye, kidney and ",p:23,x:205,y:782,w:251,h:21},
{t:"nerve disease by 40 percent.",p:23,x:205,y:807,w:186,h:21},
{t:"Reducing health care costs requires ",p:23,x:195,y:832,w:236,h:21},
{t:"smarter strategies—making better lifestyle ",p:23,x:186,y:857,w:286,h:21},
{t:"choices, preventing and avoiding serious ",p:23,x:186,y:882,w:268,h:21},
{t:"disease, and better management of chronic ",p:23,x:186,y:907,w:285,h:21},
{t:"conditions when they do occur .",p:23,x:186,y:932,w:197,h:21},
{t:"MESSA",p:23,x:195,y:957,w:44,h:21},
{t:"’",p:23,x:238,y:957,w:4,h:21},
{t:"s unique member health educa-",p:23,x:241,y:957,w:206,h:21},
{t:"tion and health condition management ",p:23,x:186,y:982,w:255,h:21},
{t:"programs—diabetes, asthma and cardio -",p:23,x:186,y:1007,w:272,h:21},
{t:"vascular management—provide support for ",p:23,x:186,y:1032,w:290,h:21},
{t:"members who want to take an active role in ",p:23,x:186,y:1057,w:285,h:21},
{t:"improving and better managing their health.",p:23,x:186,y:1082,w:288,h:21},
{t:"MESSA members who have questions or ",p:23,x:195,y:1107,w:260,h:21},
{t:"need support with a health challenge can ",p:23,x:186,y:1132,w:272,h:21},
{t:"call 800-336-0022 for assistance from a ",p:23,x:186,y:1157,w:268,h:21},
{t:"specially trained MESSA nurse.",p:23,x:186,y:1182,w:201,h:21},
{t:"« Taking care of you",p:23,x:436,y:69,w:633,h:99},
{t:"member wellness",p:23,x:1033,y:22,w:184,h:35},
{t:"Take charge of your health with free MESSA service",p:23,x:196,y:1232,w:517,h:35},
{t:"Want to quit smoking, lose weight or ",p:23,x:458,y:1272,w:276,h:21},
{t:"exercise more? Coping with diabetes, ",p:23,x:458,y:1295,w:283,h:21},
{t:"high blood pressure or another chronic disease?",p:23,x:196,y:1317,w:361,h:21},
{t:"You can learn more about these and other health matters through a joint ",p:23,x:205,y:1340,w:548,h:21},
{t:"effort between MESSA and the prestigious Mayo Clinic.",p:23,x:196,y:1362,w:412,h:21},
{t:"MESSA members may access a free online portal—EmbodyHealth—by ",p:23,x:205,y:1385,w:539,h:21},
{t:"signing up at www.messa.org. The portal features interactive tools and ",p:23,x:196,y:1407,w:528,h:21},
{t:"programs, podcasts by Mayo Clinic experts, and relevant, accurate health ",p:23,x:196,y:1430,w:557,h:21},
{t:"information on a variety of topics.",p:23,x:196,y:1452,w:249,h:21},
{t:"The site is customized to address specifc health management goals for ",p:23,x:205,y:1475,w:541,h:21},
{t:"members, and users can personalize it based on their individual health ",p:23,x:196,y:1497,w:538,h:21},
{t:"objectives or concerns.",p:23,x:196,y:1520,w:173,h:21},
{t:"To prevent serious diseases, health offcials ",p:23,x:483,y:807,w:289,h:21},
{t:"are encouraging kids and adults to keep up ",p:23,x:483,y:832,w:288,h:21},
{t:"with their immunizations. Check with your ",p:23,x:483,y:857,w:279,h:21},
{t:"health plan before scheduling immuniza-",p:23,x:483,y:882,w:270,h:21},
{t:"tions to fnd out if a vaccine is a covered ",p:23,x:483,y:907,w:269,h:21},
{t:"expense. MESSA is bringing an adult immu-",p:23,x:483,y:932,w:287,h:21},
{t:"nization rider to market. It will be available ",p:23,x:483,y:957,w:286,h:21},
{t:"beginning Jan. 1.",p:23,x:483,y:982,w:112,h:21},
{t:"The following recommendations are in ad-",p:23,x:493,y:1007,w:275,h:21},
{t:"dition to routine childhood immunizations ",p:23,x:483,y:1032,w:276,h:21},
{t:"(for kids) and in addition to fu vaccines ",p:23,x:483,y:1057,w:266,h:21},
{t:"(for adults).",p:23,x:483,y:1082,w:78,h:21},
{t:"Tetanus-Diphtheria (TD)",p:23,x:483,y:1107,w:160,h:22},
{t:"After the age of seven, immunization for ",p:23,x:493,y:1132,w:266,h:21},
{t:"tetanus and diphtheria must be supple-",p:23,x:483,y:1157,w:262,h:21},
{t:"mented with a booster shot every 10 years.",p:23,x:483,y:1182,w:279,h:21},
{t:"MESSA",p:23,x:483,y:188,w:85,h:45},
{t:"’s Medical Case Management nurses",p:23,x:565,y:188,w:469,h:45},
{t:"can help MESSA members with serious illness",p:23,x:483,y:233,w:587,h:45},
{t:"During an average year for a health ",p:23,x:483,y:282,w:269,h:21},
{t:"plan, about 20 percent of the popula-",p:23,x:483,y:307,w:282,h:21},
{t:"tion incurs about 80 percent of the ",p:23,x:483,y:332,w:266,h:21},
{t:"medical expenditures.",p:23,x:483,y:357,w:166,h:21},
{t:"For those individuals with a serious ",p:23,x:493,y:382,w:268,h:21},
{t:"illness or condition, MESSA",p:23,x:483,y:407,w:205,h:21},
{t:"’ s medical ",p:23,x:688,y:407,w:80,h:21},
{t:"case management program can help ",p:23,x:483,y:432,w:282,h:21},
{t:"ensure access to the best medical ",p:23,x:483,y:457,w:261,h:21},
{t:"services and providers.",p:23,x:483,y:482,w:173,h:21},
{t:"MESSA, a health insurance plan ",p:23,x:493,y:507,w:247,h:21},
{t:"serving the education community, ",p:23,x:483,y:532,w:258,h:21},
{t:"identifes members with a serious ",p:23,x:483,y:557,w:256,h:21},
{t:"illness or condition to work with the ",p:23,x:483,y:582,w:269,h:21},
{t:"medical case management team. The ",p:23,x:483,y:607,w:288,h:21},
{t:"goal is to help school employees or ",p:23,x:483,y:632,w:267,h:21},
{t:"their family members return to health ",p:23,x:483,y:657,w:285,h:21},
{t:"as soon as possible.",p:23,x:781,y:282,w:150,h:21},
{t:"Nurses work with members and their ",p:23,x:791,y:307,w:283,h:21},
{t:"families to help ensure the right care ",p:23,x:781,y:332,w:280,h:21},
{t:"at the right time. MESSA nurses also ",p:23,x:781,y:357,w:279,h:21},
{t:"work to coordinate care with other in-",p:23,x:781,y:382,w:280,h:21},
{t:"surers and to make sure the appropri-",p:23,x:781,y:407,w:286,h:21},
{t:"ate insurer pays for needed medical ",p:23,x:781,y:432,w:275,h:21},
{t:"services.",p:23,x:781,y:457,w:65,h:21},
{t:"More than 150 MESSA members are ",p:23,x:791,y:482,w:282,h:21},
{t:"enrolled in the medical case man-",p:23,x:781,y:507,w:256,h:21},
{t:"agement program, bringing peace of ",p:23,x:781,y:532,w:279,h:21},
{t:"mind to those individuals and their ",p:23,x:781,y:557,w:265,h:21},
{t:"families.",p:23,x:781,y:582,w:62,h:21},
{t:"If you have questions about MESSA",p:23,x:791,y:607,w:267,h:21},
{t:"’s ",p:23,x:1056,y:607,w:16,h:21},
{t:"medical case management program, ",p:23,x:781,y:632,w:281,h:21},
{t:"call 800-336-0013.",p:23,x:781,y:657,w:146,h:21},
{t:"Hepatitis B",p:23,x:781,y:807,w:73,h:22},
{t:"This vaccine is for adults in high-risk ",p:23,x:791,y:832,w:248,h:21},
{t:"groups, such as healthcare workers and ",p:23,x:781,y:857,w:265,h:21},
{t:"persons with multiple sex partners. It’s also ",p:23,x:781,y:882,w:289,h:21},
{t:"recommended for teenagers who did not ",p:23,x:781,y:907,w:266,h:21},
{t:"receive it as an infant. The vaccine is usu-",p:23,x:781,y:932,w:279,h:21},
{t:"ally administered in three doses given over ",p:23,x:781,y:957,w:284,h:21},
{t:"a six-month period.",p:23,x:781,y:982,w:127,h:21},
{t:"Pneumococcal vaccine",p:23,x:781,y:1007,w:158,h:22},
{t:"This vaccine is for adults age 65 and ",p:23,x:791,y:1032,w:246,h:21},
{t:"older, and those with diabetes and chronic ",p:23,x:781,y:1057,w:282,h:21},
{t:"heart, lung, liver or kidney disorders. A ",p:23,x:781,y:1082,w:256,h:21},
{t:"single shot may be suffcient, unless ",p:23,x:781,y:1107,w:243,h:21},
{t:"you’re at particular risk for pneumococcal ",p:23,x:781,y:1132,w:277,h:21},
{t:"complications.",p:23,x:781,y:1157,w:95,h:21},
{t:"Hepatitis A",p:23,x:781,y:1182,w:72,h:22},
{t:"This vaccine is for international travelers ",p:23,x:791,y:1207,w:272,h:21},
{t:"and for people who work in countries with ",p:23,x:781,y:1232,w:275,h:21},
{t:"intermediate or high rates of hepatitis A ",p:23,x:781,y:1257,w:266,h:21},
{t:"virus infection.",p:23,x:781,y:1282,w:97,h:21},
{t:"Chicken Pox",p:23,x:781,y:1307,w:84,h:22},
{t:"Health offcials recommend two doses of ",p:23,x:791,y:1332,w:268,h:21},
{t:"this vaccine for people 13 years and older ",p:23,x:781,y:1357,w:276,h:21},
{t:"who haven’t had the disease. ",p:23,x:781,y:1382,w:195,h:21},
{t:"—Dr. Steve TePastte, MESSA medical director",p:23,x:785,y:1407,w:283,h:21},
{t:"Immunizations aren’t just for kids",p:23,x:483,y:753,w:496,h:45},
{t:"(Sources: Centers for Disease Control, ",p:23,x:835,y:1487,w:238,h:21},
{t:"U.S. Department of Health and Human ",p:23,x:831,y:1510,w:242,h:21},
{t:"Services, MESSA)",p:23,x:963,y:1532,w:106,h:21},
{t:"On the Web",p:23,x:1118,y:1404,w:100,h:25},
{t:"www.messa.org",p:23,x:1120,y:1432,w:98,h:22},
{t:"24 ",p:24,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:24,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"Secretive Mackinac Center refuses",p:24,x:186,y:175,w:707,h:70},
{t:"to disclose fnanciers",p:24,x:186,y:238,w:430,h:70},
{t:"research gem",p:24,x:28,y:22,w:147,h:35},
{t:"Founded 21years ago by Republican activists and fnanced by insurance",p:24,x:483,y:399,w:566,h:61},
{t:"companies, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy has positioned itself",p:24,x:512,y:432,w:528,h:21},
{t:"as a research institute, maneuvering into the news media in Michigan and,",p:24,x:483,y:457,w:561,h:21},
{t:"increasingly, the nation.",p:24,x:483,y:482,w:179,h:21},
{t:"To intelligently judge the material the center produces, as well as the",p:24,x:493,y:507,w:514,h:21},
{t:"“research” credited to it by news sources, one must know its background—",p:24,x:483,y:532,w:569,h:21},
{t:"and its fnancial backers.",p:24,x:483,y:557,w:188,h:21},
{t:"MEA research reveals millions from",p:24,x:632,y:318,w:388,h:38},
{t:"conservative foundations, individuals",p:24,x:632,y:358,w:415,h:38},
{t:"Founding",p:24,x:483,y:596,w:92,h:35},
{t:"The Mackinac Center was created in ",p:24,x:493,y:632,w:243,h:21},
{t:"1987 by Dykema Gossett attorney Richard ",p:24,x:483,y:657,w:280,h:21},
{t:"D. McLellan, then-Sen. John Engler and ",p:24,x:483,y:682,w:263,h:21},
{t:"Amerisure general council D. Joseph Olson. ",p:24,x:483,y:707,w:288,h:21},
{t:"The insurance and chemical industries ",p:24,x:483,y:732,w:261,h:21},
{t:"provided initial funding.",p:24,x:483,y:757,w:158,h:21},
{t:"Its creation was driven by the insurance ",p:24,x:493,y:782,w:261,h:21},
{t:"industry’s call for product liability reform, its ",p:24,x:483,y:807,w:291,h:21},
{t:"interest in purchasing the Accident Fund, a ",p:24,x:483,y:832,w:283,h:21},
{t:"state agency selling workers compensation ",p:24,x:483,y:857,w:281,h:21},
{t:"insurance, and by Dow Corning’s concern ",p:24,x:483,y:882,w:268,h:21},
{t:"over silicone breast implant liability",p:24,x:483,y:907,w:235,h:21},
{t:".",p:24,x:715,y:907,w:4,h:21},
{t:"Mission",p:24,x:483,y:947,w:75,h:35},
{t:"The center describes itself as “a non -",p:24,x:493,y:982,w:249,h:21},
{t:"partisan research and educational insti -",p:24,x:483,y:1007,w:269,h:21},
{t:"tute.” But, its “research” accepts several ",p:24,x:483,y:1032,w:278,h:21},
{t:"controversial opinions as fact: school ",p:24,x:483,y:1057,w:251,h:21},
{t:"choice improves schools, right-to-work ",p:24,x:483,y:1082,w:260,h:21},
{t:"laws help workers, and privatization saves ",p:24,x:483,y:1107,w:286,h:21},
{t:"money, just to name a few. As its new ",p:24,x:483,y:1132,w:252,h:21},
{t:"president, Joe Lehman recently said:",p:24,x:483,y:1157,w:237,h:21},
{t:"“We will continue to show how to fx ",p:24,x:493,y:1182,w:240,h:21},
{t:"Michigan’s fundamentals by expanding ",p:24,x:483,y:1207,w:264,h:21},
{t:"school choice, modernizing labor laws, ",p:24,x:483,y:1232,w:259,h:21},
{t:"aligning state spending to its core priori -",p:24,x:483,y:1257,w:273,h:21},
{t:"ties, protecting property rights...”",p:24,x:483,y:1282,w:218,h:21},
{t:"The group’s board of directors refects its ",p:24,x:493,y:1307,w:275,h:21},
{t:"conservative roots and represents a who’s-",p:24,x:483,y:1332,w:283,h:21},
{t:"who in Republican politics. Past board ",p:24,x:483,y:1357,w:259,h:21},
{t:"members include: William Rosenberg, ",p:24,x:483,y:1382,w:254,h:21},
{t:"who worked in the Bush, Reagan, Milliken ",p:24,x:483,y:1407,w:280,h:21},
{t:"and Engler administrations; Republican ",p:24,x:483,y:1432,w:268,h:21},
{t:"National Committee Chairman Robert ",p:24,x:483,y:1457,w:253,h:21},
{t:"Teeter, a pollster for the Nixon, Ford and ",p:24,x:781,y:607,w:267,h:21},
{t:"Bush campaigns; and, Amway president ",p:24,x:781,y:632,w:270,h:21},
{t:"and past Republican candidate for gover-",p:24,x:781,y:657,w:276,h:21},
{t:"nor, Dick DeVos.",p:24,x:781,y:682,w:104,h:21},
{t:"Funding",p:24,x:781,y:722,w:79,h:35},
{t:"The Mackinac Center steadfastly refuses ",p:24,x:791,y:757,w:273,h:21},
{t:"to disclose its sponsors.",p:24,x:781,y:782,w:157,h:21},
{t:"“We do have a strong desire to protect the ",p:24,x:791,y:807,w:282,h:21},
{t:"privacy of our contributors,” said Michael ",p:24,x:781,y:832,w:278,h:21},
{t:"Jahr, director of communications for the ",p:24,x:781,y:857,w:268,h:21},
{t:"Mackinac Center. Jahr cited two reasons ",p:24,x:781,y:882,w:270,h:21},
{t:"for secrecy—donor privacy and concerns ",p:24,x:781,y:907,w:275,h:21},
{t:"expressed by some contributors that they ",p:24,x:781,y:932,w:275,h:21},
{t:"might face intimidation for contributing to ",p:24,x:781,y:957,w:286,h:21},
{t:"the organization.",p:24,x:781,y:982,w:110,h:21},
{t:"The center is, in fact, funded by right ",p:24,x:791,y:1007,w:250,h:21},
{t:"wing conservative foundations, includ -",p:24,x:781,y:1032,w:258,h:21},
{t:"ing those created by Wal-Mart, Coors and ",p:24,x:781,y:1057,w:278,h:21},
{t:"Amway families, as well as several oil, ",p:24,x:781,y:1082,w:259,h:21},
{t:"insurance and automotive corporations, ",p:24,x:781,y:1107,w:267,h:21},
{t:"according to documents on fle with the ",p:24,x:781,y:1132,w:265,h:21},
{t:"Internal Revenue Services.",p:24,x:781,y:1157,w:172,h:21},
{t:"Jahr said the center’s budget last year ",p:24,x:791,y:1182,w:257,h:21},
{t:"totaled about $4 million.",p:24,x:781,y:1207,w:161,h:21},
{t:"Between 2002 and 2006, more than $7 ",p:24,x:791,y:1232,w:262,h:21},
{t:"million was given to the Mackinac Center ",p:24,x:781,y:1257,w:277,h:21},
{t:"from conservative foundations established ",p:24,x:781,y:1282,w:287,h:21},
{t:"by the heirs to corporate fortunes and lead -",p:24,x:781,y:1307,w:288,h:21},
{t:"ing Republican contributors, according to ",p:24,x:781,y:1332,w:279,h:21},
{t:"MEA research. (See accompanying infor-",p:24,x:781,y:1357,w:267,h:21},
{t:"mation box for highlights.)",p:24,x:781,y:1382,w:173,h:21},
{t:"It’s no coincidence that these foundations ",p:24,x:791,y:1407,w:281,h:21},
{t:"agree with the Mackinac Center’s conser-",p:24,x:781,y:1432,w:273,h:21},
{t:"vative research. ",p:24,x:781,y:1457,w:108,h:21},
{t:"Editor’s note: This article is the frst in an occasional series intended to shed light on anti-union, anti-MEA efforts by outside organizations. ",p:24,x:186,y:1507,w:887,h:22},
{t:"Their work often impacts your local association’ s bargaining and advocacy efforts and, by extension, your work to serve students.",p:24,x:186,y:1532,w:820,h:21},
{t:"Big donors to the ",p:24,x:190,y:346,w:174,h:35},
{t:"Mackinac Center 2002-06",p:24,x:190,y:384,w:259,h:35},
{t:"1. Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow ",p:24,x:190,y:442,w:237,h:25},
{t:"Foundation, MI",p:24,x:208,y:467,w:112,h:25},
{t:"Who are they?  ",p:24,x:190,y:492,w:116,h:25},
{t:"Widow of the founder of Dow ",p:24,x:208,y:517,w:220,h:25},
{t:"Chemical.",p:24,x:208,y:542,w:75,h:25},
{t:"How much?  ",p:24,x:190,y:567,w:94,h:25},
{t:"$2,055,500",p:24,x:208,y:594,w:116,h:35},
{t:"2. Herrick Foundation, MI",p:24,x:190,y:636,w:192,h:25},
{t:"Who are they?  ",p:24,x:190,y:661,w:116,h:25},
{t:"Grandson of Tecumseh Engine ",p:24,x:208,y:686,w:231,h:25},
{t:"founder.",p:24,x:208,y:711,w:62,h:25},
{t:"How much?  ",p:24,x:190,y:736,w:94,h:25},
{t:"$900,000",p:24,x:208,y:763,w:97,h:35},
{t:"3. Rodney Fund, Mich.",p:24,x:190,y:806,w:165,h:25},
{t:"Who are they?  ",p:24,x:190,y:831,w:116,h:25},
{t:"Founder of Detroit Forming, ",p:24,x:208,y:856,w:215,h:25},
{t:"Mackinac Center board ",p:24,x:208,y:881,w:181,h:25},
{t:"member.",p:24,x:208,y:906,w:65,h:25},
{t:"How much?  ",p:24,x:190,y:931,w:94,h:25},
{t:"$744,500.",p:24,x:208,y:958,w:103,h:35},
{t:"4. Dunn’s Foundation for ",p:24,x:190,y:1000,w:189,h:25},
{t:"the Advancement of Right ",p:24,x:208,y:1025,w:198,h:25},
{t:"Thinking, FL",p:24,x:208,y:1050,w:90,h:25},
{t:"Who are they?  ",p:24,x:190,y:1075,w:116,h:25},
{t:"Investment company founder.",p:24,x:208,y:1100,w:224,h:25},
{t:"How much?  ",p:24,x:190,y:1125,w:94,h:25},
{t:"$576,000.",p:24,x:208,y:1152,w:103,h:35},
{t:"5. Ruth and Lovett Peters ",p:24,x:190,y:1194,w:195,h:25},
{t:"Foundation, OH",p:24,x:208,y:1219,w:114,h:25},
{t:"Who are they?  ",p:24,x:190,y:1244,w:116,h:25},
{t:"Procter & Gamble heirs.",p:24,x:208,y:1269,w:182,h:25},
{t:"How much?  ",p:24,x:190,y:1294,w:94,h:25},
{t:"$525,000.",p:24,x:208,y:1321,w:103,h:35},
{t:"(Please note: The Mackinac Center does not ",p:24,x:190,y:1373,w:240,h:18},
{t:"disclose its funding sources. The information ",p:24,x:190,y:1392,w:248,h:18},
{t:"included here was culled from fnancial ",p:24,x:190,y:1411,w:218,h:18},
{t:"documents fled with the Internal Revenue ",p:24,x:190,y:1430,w:233,h:18},
{t:"Service by various nonproft entities.)",p:24,x:190,y:1450,w:204,h:18},
{t:"Exposed »",p:24,x:186,y:69,w:316,h:99},
{t:"On the Web",p:24,x:37,y:1104,w:100,h:25},
{t:"The Think ",p:24,x:37,y:1132,w:65,h:22},
{t:"Twice project ",p:24,x:37,y:1154,w:90,h:22},
{t:"of the Great ",p:24,x:37,y:1177,w:81,h:22},
{t:"Lakes Center ",p:24,x:37,y:1199,w:89,h:22},
{t:"for Education ",p:24,x:37,y:1222,w:90,h:22},
{t:"Research & ",p:24,x:37,y:1244,w:79,h:22},
{t:"Practice reviews ",p:24,x:37,y:1267,w:112,h:22},
{t:"think tank ",p:24,x:37,y:1289,w:69,h:22},
{t:"research on ",p:24,x:37,y:1312,w:82,h:22},
{t:"public education ",p:24,x:37,y:1334,w:111,h:22},
{t:"issues and ",p:24,x:37,y:1357,w:72,h:22},
{t:"policies. Online at ",p:24,x:37,y:1379,w:119,h:22},
{t:"www.greatlakes ",p:24,x:37,y:1402,w:103,h:22},
{t:"center.org.",p:24,x:37,y:1424,w:69,h:22},
{t:"by Greg Steimel",p:24,x:931,y:130,w:118,h:21},
{t:"MEA Researcher",p:24,x:923,y:153,w:126,h:21},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:25,x:1107,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"25",p:25,x:1217,y:1594,w:19,h:21},
{t:"Region election information",p:25,x:186,y:672,w:279,h:35},
{t:"Congratulations to the following regions that are taking ",p:25,x:186,y:707,w:416,h:21},
{t:"part in the extended online elections pilot for 2009: ",p:25,x:186,y:729,w:393,h:21},
{t:"Regions 4, 5, 7, 8 and 14 participated in the 2008 ",p:25,x:186,y:752,w:388,h:21},
{t:"Online Pilot and have signed on again for 2009. Also ",p:25,x:186,y:774,w:404,h:21},
{t:"participating this year are regions 9, 11, 12 and 13.",p:25,x:186,y:797,w:387,h:21},
{t:"Following is a description of the election procedures to ",p:25,x:195,y:832,w:413,h:21},
{t:"be followed in the regions. This process complies with ",p:25,x:186,y:857,w:409,h:21},
{t:"relevant federal laws. (See positions to be elected starting ",p:25,x:186,y:882,w:435,h:21},
{t:"on page 27.)",p:25,x:186,y:907,w:96,h:21},
{t:"Election dates",p:25,x:186,y:947,w:143,h:35},
{t:"1. ",p:25,x:186,y:982,w:19,h:21},
{t:"The region at-large election shall be conducted on ",p:25,x:214,y:982,w:382,h:21},
{t:"March 3, 4 and 5, 2009.",p:25,x:214,y:1007,w:186,h:21},
{t:"2. ",p:25,x:186,y:1032,w:19,h:21},
{t:"If your unit is not scheduled to work during the above ",p:25,x:214,y:1032,w:405,h:21},
{t:"days, the election shall be conducted on March 10, ",p:25,x:214,y:1057,w:391,h:21},
{t:"11 and 12, 2009.",p:25,x:214,y:1082,w:132,h:21},
{t:"3. ",p:25,x:186,y:1107,w:20,h:21},
{t:"If inclement weather or another emergency inter",p:25,x:214,y:1107,w:362,h:21},
{t:"-",p:25,x:584,y:1107,w:5,h:21},
{t:"rupts the election listed above, it shall be completed",p:25,x:214,y:1132,w:390,h:21},
{t:"on the next consecutive workday(s), but no later than ",p:25,x:214,y:1157,w:413,h:21},
{t:"March 24.",p:25,x:214,y:1182,w:78,h:21},
{t:"The candidates for the region at-large positions shall be ",p:25,x:195,y:1207,w:421,h:21},
{t:"printed in the January edition of the MEA Voice.",p:25,x:186,y:1232,w:358,h:21},
{t:"Persons interested in running for a position should",p:25,x:195,y:1257,w:379,h:21},
{t:"contact their region elections chairperson or nomina",p:25,x:186,y:1282,w:391,h:21},
{t:"-",p:25,x:587,y:1282,w:5,h:21},
{t:"tions chair.",p:25,x:186,y:1307,w:83,h:21},
{t:"Absentee balloting",p:25,x:186,y:1347,w:186,h:35},
{t:"(From the Region Council Constitution, Article VIII, ",p:25,x:186,y:1382,w:384,h:21},
{t:"Sec. 3.f.) The region at-large election is an on-site elec-",p:25,x:186,y:1407,w:415,h:21},
{t:"tion. However, eligible voters who are not able to vote ",p:25,x:186,y:1432,w:402,h:21},
{t:"on site during the election period may notify their local ",p:25,x:186,y:1457,w:412,h:21},
{t:"mea business",p:25,x:1075,y:22,w:144,h:35},
{t:"« Region elections",p:25,x:490,y:69,w:579,h:99},
{t:"association president of their need to vote by absentee ",p:25,x:632,y:1082,w:413,h:21},
{t:"ballot. The request must be in writing, include the specifc ",p:25,x:632,y:1107,w:441,h:21},
{t:"reason necessitating an absentee ballot and be received ",p:25,x:632,y:1132,w:426,h:21},
{t:"no later than Feb. 21 by the local association president. ",p:25,x:632,y:1157,w:422,h:21},
{t:"Eligible voters requesting an absentee ballot and comply-",p:25,x:632,y:1182,w:428,h:21},
{t:"ing with the above requirements shall be mailed an ab-",p:25,x:632,y:1207,w:413,h:21},
{t:"sentee ballot by the local association election committee. ",p:25,x:632,y:1232,w:431,h:21},
{t:"An absentee ballot must be returned by U.S. mail and ",p:25,x:632,y:1257,w:410,h:21},
{t:"received by the local association no later than the last day ",p:25,x:632,y:1282,w:438,h:21},
{t:"of the election. Late absentee ballots shall be unopened ",p:25,x:632,y:1307,w:423,h:21},
{t:"and set aside as void ballots.",p:25,x:632,y:1332,w:215,h:21},
{t:"Eligible voters",p:25,x:632,y:1372,w:143,h:35},
{t:"Voter eligibility listings will be created from information ",p:25,x:632,y:1407,w:412,h:21},
{t:"received by the MEA Membership Department from the ",p:25,x:632,y:1432,w:422,h:21},
{t:"local associations by Dec. 31, 2008. ",p:25,x:632,y:1457,w:277,h:21},
{t:"26 ",p:26,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:26,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"Attention ESP members : 2009 Region 50 statewide ",p:26,x:186,y:184,w:770,h:50},
{t:"election for ESP only",p:26,x:186,y:234,w:314,h:50},
{t:"mea business",p:26,x:28,y:22,w:144,h:35},
{t:"Region elections »",p:26,x:186,y:69,w:579,h:99},
{t:"Region 50—NEA Representative Assembly, ESP Delegate At Large Nomination Form",p:26,x:197,y:972,w:854,h:35},
{t:"Supply the following information regarding the nominee. Remember, the consent of a candidate must be secured ",p:26,x:197,y:1015,w:865,h:24},
{t:"before that name is placed on any ballot.",p:26,x:197,y:1040,w:313,h:24},
{t:"NAME",p:26,x:197,y:1096,w:43,h:24},
{t:"HOME ADDRESS",p:26,x:197,y:1129,w:121,h:24},
{t:"CITY                       ",p:26,x:197,y:1162,w:145,h:24},
{t:"STATE      ",p:26,x:731,y:1162,w:73,h:24},
{t:"ZIP",p:26,x:906,y:1162,w:24,h:24},
{t:"HOME PHONE ",p:26,x:197,y:1196,w:105,h:24},
{t:"WORK PHONE",p:26,x:690,y:1196,w:102,h:24},
{t:"LOCAL ESP ASSOCIATION",p:26,x:197,y:1229,w:185,h:24},
{t:"Nomination form must be postmarked no later than Dec. 31, 2008. Mail to: Deb Strachan, MEA, PO Box 2573, ",p:26,x:197,y:1276,w:835,h:24},
{t:"East Lansing, MI 48826-2573. Nomination forms postmarked after Dec. 31, 2008 will not be accepted.",p:26,x:197,y:1301,w:782,h:24},
{t:"The named candidate is nominated for the following position(s):",p:26,x:206,y:1336,w:489,h:24},
{t:"❏ ",p:26,x:216,y:1361,w:21,h:24},
{t:"ESP NEA RA at-large delegate: 3 positions (3 yr. term, 9/1/09 - 8/31/12)",p:26,x:244,y:1361,w:547,h:24},
{t:"❏ ",p:26,x:216,y:1386,w:21,h:24},
{t:"ESP NEA RA at-large delegate representing Minority 3-1(g): 8 positions (3 yr. term, 9/1/09 - 8/31/12)",p:26,x:244,y:1386,w:767,h:24},
{t:"❏ ",p:26,x:216,y:1411,w:21,h:24},
{t:"ESP NEA RA at-large delegate representing Minority 3-1(g): 2 positions (Immed. thru 8/31/11)",p:26,x:244,y:1411,w:716,h:24},
{t:"❏ ",p:26,x:216,y:1436,w:21,h:24},
{t:"ESP NEA RA at-large delegate representing Minority 3-1(g): 1 position (Immed. thru 8/31/10)",p:26,x:244,y:1436,w:708,h:24},
{t:"Biographical statements of no more than 150 words may be submitted. Statement must be in paragraph form; ",p:26,x:197,y:1470,w:849,h:24},
{t:"pictures and lists are not accepted.",p:26,x:197,y:1495,w:270,h:24},
{t:"ESP members of the MEA are entitled to send delegates ",p:26,x:186,y:432,w:425,h:21},
{t:"to the National Education Association Representative ",p:26,x:186,y:454,w:401,h:21},
{t:"Assembly. Next year, the RA will be held in San Diego, ",p:26,x:186,y:477,w:412,h:21},
{t:"Calif., July 1-6, 2009. Expenses to attend the NEA ",p:26,x:186,y:499,w:382,h:21},
{t:"convention are reimbursed in accordance with the ",p:26,x:186,y:522,w:383,h:21},
{t:"adopted state delegate expense policy.",p:26,x:186,y:544,w:289,h:21},
{t:"All Michigan ESP candidates for NEA statewide at-",p:26,x:195,y:582,w:379,h:21},
{t:"large delegate seats run as delegates for Region 50. All ",p:26,x:186,y:607,w:417,h:21},
{t:"Michigan ESP members vote as part of Region 50 in ",p:26,x:186,y:632,w:397,h:21},
{t:"electing their statewide at-large delegates to the NEA RA. ",p:26,x:186,y:657,w:433,h:21},
{t:"The NEA procedures require that these statewide dele-",p:26,x:186,y:682,w:412,h:21},
{t:"gates and alternates be elected by secret ballot. Elections ",p:26,x:186,y:707,w:435,h:21},
{t:"will be conducted at the region level and the results for-",p:26,x:186,y:732,w:416,h:21},
{t:"warded to the MEA for the fnal election count. ",p:26,x:186,y:757,w:354,h:21},
{t:"Each nominated candidate may submit a biographi-",p:26,x:195,y:782,w:389,h:21},
{t:"cal statement of no more than 150 words to be printed ",p:26,x:186,y:807,w:415,h:21},
{t:"and distributed with the ballots to the regions. Statement ",p:26,x:186,y:832,w:429,h:21},
{t:"must be in paragraph form and will be printed as ",p:26,x:186,y:857,w:373,h:21},
{t:"received. Photos and lists will not be printed. It is ",p:26,x:186,y:882,w:373,h:21},
{t:"preferred that biographical statements be e-mailed to ",p:26,x:632,y:307,w:404,h:21},
{t:"dstrachan@mea.org, or statements can be mailed to the ",p:26,x:632,y:332,w:423,h:21},
{t:"MEA Executive Offce c/o Deb Strachan, PO Box 2573, ",p:26,x:632,y:357,w:416,h:21},
{t:"East Lansing, MI 48826-2573.",p:26,x:632,y:382,w:229,h:21},
{t:"Any MEA ESP member in good standing is eligible to ",p:26,x:642,y:407,w:400,h:21},
{t:"be nominated or may nominate himself/herself at the ",p:26,x:632,y:432,w:402,h:21},
{t:"region nominations meeting or by using the nomination ",p:26,x:632,y:457,w:419,h:21},
{t:"form below. Additional forms may be obtained from your ",p:26,x:632,y:482,w:427,h:21},
{t:"region president or region election chairperson. Candidate ",p:26,x:632,y:507,w:441,h:21},
{t:"consent must be secured before that name is placed on ",p:26,x:632,y:532,w:425,h:21},
{t:"any ballot.",p:26,x:632,y:557,w:77,h:21},
{t:"If you wish to nominate yourself or someone else, obtain ",p:26,x:642,y:582,w:426,h:21},
{t:"the consent of the candidate, fll in the nomination form ",p:26,x:632,y:607,w:422,h:21},
{t:"and mail it directly to Deb Strachan at MEA Headquarters ",p:26,x:632,y:632,w:437,h:21},
{t:"no later than Dec. 31, 2008. Nominations postmarked ",p:26,x:632,y:657,w:412,h:21},
{t:"after Dec. 31, 2008 will not be accepted. This will be your ",p:26,x:632,y:682,w:439,h:21},
{t:"last chance to submit a nomination. Names of nominees ",p:26,x:632,y:707,w:429,h:21},
{t:"will be placed on a ballot that will be distributed to all ESP ",p:26,x:632,y:732,w:438,h:21},
{t:"locals through the region at-large elections process in ",p:26,x:632,y:757,w:405,h:21},
{t:"March.",p:26,x:632,y:782,w:53,h:21},
{t:"If you have any questions, contact your region elections ",p:26,x:642,y:807,w:421,h:21},
{t:"chairperson, or for further clarifcation call Deb Strachan ",p:26,x:632,y:832,w:428,h:21},
{t:"at MEA Headquarters 800-292-1934, ext. 5411, before ",p:26,x:632,y:857,w:421,h:21},
{t:"Dec. 15, 2008. ",p:26,x:632,y:882,w:118,h:21},
{t:"SPECIAL ATTENTION TO ESP",p:26,x:259,y:304,w:284,h:35},
{t:"REGION 50 STATEWIDE ELECTIONS",p:26,x:225,y:339,w:353,h:35},
{t:"A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS",p:26,x:268,y:374,w:267,h:35},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:27,x:1105,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"27",p:27,x:1216,y:1594,w:20,h:21},
{t:"Following are the positions to be elected ",p:27,x:37,y:186,w:265,h:17},
{t:"for each region. Listings may continue in ",p:27,x:37,y:205,w:269,h:17},
{t:"the next column or on the following page.",p:27,x:37,y:224,w:269,h:17},
{t:"REGION 2",p:27,x:37,y:259,w:98,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:27,x:37,y:292,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:27,x:37,y:311,w:268,h:17},
{t:"2 positions, 3 yr. terms",p:27,x:37,y:330,w:141,h:17},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate-",p:27,x:37,y:350,w:265,h:17},
{t:"Representing Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, ",p:27,x:37,y:369,w:264,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:27,x:37,y:388,w:59,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:37,y:407,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:37,y:427,w:237,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:27,x:37,y:446,w:261,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 2 positions*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:465,w:262,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:37,y:485,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:37,y:504,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:27,x:37,y:523,w:280,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 2 positions*, thru 3/31/2011",p:27,x:37,y:542,w:279,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:27,x:37,y:562,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:581,w:147,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:37,y:600,w:257,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:619,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:37,y:639,w:258,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:658,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 6 positions, ",p:27,x:37,y:677,w:271,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:37,y:697,w:210,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:37,y:716,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:735,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:27,x:37,y:754,w:270,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11; 1 position*, thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:774,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 4 positions, ",p:27,x:37,y:793,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:812,w:234,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Chuck Portelli (Interim) ",p:27,x:37,y:831,w:238,h:18},
{t:"cportelli@mea.org",p:27,x:37,y:851,w:111,h:17},
{t:"REGION 3",p:27,x:37,y:876,w:98,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:27,x:37,y:908,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:27,x:37,y:928,w:268,h:17},
{t:"2 positions, 3 yr. terms",p:27,x:37,y:947,w:141,h:17},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate-",p:27,x:37,y:966,w:265,h:17},
{t:"Representing Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, ",p:27,x:37,y:986,w:264,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:27,x:37,y:1005,w:59,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:37,y:1024,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms; ",p:27,x:37,y:1044,w:258,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:1063,w:155,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:37,y:1082,w:280,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:1101,w:256,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:27,x:37,y:1121,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/09",p:27,x:37,y:1140,w:147,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:37,y:1159,w:257,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:1179,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position*, ",p:27,x:37,y:1198,w:266,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:1217,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:37,y:1236,w:271,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:37,y:1256,w:210,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 4 positions, ",p:27,x:37,y:1275,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 2 positions*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:1294,w:248,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:37,y:1313,w:255,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:1333,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:37,y:1352,w:257,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:1371,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:37,y:1391,w:263,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:1410,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:37,y:1429,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:37,y:1448,w:78,h:17},
{t:"Election Co-Chairs: Pam Schultz, ",p:27,x:37,y:1467,w:194,h:18},
{t:"pschultz@mymea.org; Steve Byrd, ",p:27,x:37,y:1487,w:215,h:17},
{t:"sbyrd@mcs.k12.mi.us",p:27,x:37,y:1506,w:139,h:17},
{t:"REGION 4",p:27,x:335,y:181,w:98,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:27,x:335,y:214,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA ",p:27,x:335,y:233,w:206,h:17},
{t:"Delegate;1 position, thru 8/31/09; 1 position, ",p:27,x:335,y:252,w:283,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term ",p:27,x:335,y:272,w:63,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:335,y:291,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:335,y:310,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:335,y:330,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:335,y:349,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:27,x:335,y:368,w:280,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 4 positions*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:387,w:262,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:335,y:407,w:257,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 1 position, thru 8/31/11; ",p:27,x:335,y:426,w:223,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:445,w:155,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:335,y:464,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:484,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:335,y:503,w:271,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 1 position, thru 8/31/09",p:27,x:335,y:522,w:215,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term; 1 position*, ",p:27,x:335,y:542,w:213,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:561,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:335,y:580,w:266,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:599,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:335,y:619,w:261,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/1l",p:27,x:335,y:638,w:73,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:335,y:657,w:257,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:676,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:335,y:696,w:263,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position, 3 yr. term; ",p:27,x:335,y:715,w:223,h:17},
{t:"2 positions, 3 yr. terms; 1 position*, ",p:27,x:335,y:734,w:226,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:754,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:335,y:773,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:792,w:242,h:17},
{t:"Election Chairs: Ray Foster, ",p:27,x:335,y:811,w:162,h:18},
{t:"rfoster@dkschools.org",p:27,x:335,y:831,w:137,h:17},
{t:"REGION 5",p:27,x:335,y:856,w:98,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:27,x:335,y:888,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:27,x:335,y:908,w:268,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:335,y:927,w:128,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:27,x:335,y:946,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/11; 1 position, ",p:27,x:335,y:966,w:225,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09",p:27,x:335,y:985,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:335,y:1004,w:263,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms",p:27,x:335,y:1023,w:223,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:27,x:335,y:1043,w:271,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 1 position*, thru 8/31/09; ",p:27,x:335,y:1062,w:237,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:335,y:1081,w:136,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:335,y:1101,w:266,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:1120,w:242,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:27,x:335,y:1139,w:263,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/10",p:27,x:335,y:1158,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:335,y:1178,w:270,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/10",p:27,x:335,y:1197,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position*, ",p:27,x:335,y:1216,w:272,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/10",p:27,x:335,y:1235,w:78,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Anne Good, aogood@charter .net",p:27,x:335,y:1255,w:288,h:18},
{t:"REGION 6",p:27,x:335,y:1280,w:98,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:27,x:335,y:1312,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:27,x:335,y:1332,w:268,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:335,y:1351,w:128,h:17},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate-",p:27,x:335,y:1371,w:265,h:17},
{t:"Representing Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, ",p:27,x:335,y:1390,w:264,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:335,y:1409,w:223,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:335,y:1428,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 5 positions*, 3 yr. terms; ",p:27,x:335,y:1448,w:258,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:1467,w:155,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:27,x:335,y:1486,w:261,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:335,y:1505,w:256,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:27,x:632,y:186,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/09",p:27,x:632,y:205,w:147,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:224,w:257,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:632,y:244,w:215,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:263,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position, 3 yr. term; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:282,w:292,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11; 1 position*, thru 8/31/10",p:27,x:632,y:302,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:321,w:266,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:340,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:359,w:255,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:379,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:398,w:263,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:417,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position*, ",p:27,x:632,y:436,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:456,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:475,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:494,w:78,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Linda Russell, ",p:27,x:632,y:513,w:180,h:18},
{t:"lmruss148@aol.com",p:27,x:632,y:533,w:127,h:17},
{t:"REGION 7",p:27,x:632,y:558,w:98,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:27,x:632,y:591,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:27,x:632,y:610,w:268,h:17},
{t:"3 positions, 3 yr. terms",p:27,x:632,y:629,w:141,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:632,y:649,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 4 positions*, 3 yr. terms",p:27,x:632,y:668,w:250,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 8/31/09; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:687,w:232,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:27,x:632,y:706,w:59,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:27,x:632,y:726,w:261,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:745,w:256,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:632,y:764,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, thru 8/31/09; ",p:27,x:632,y:784,w:264,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:632,y:803,w:136,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:27,x:632,y:822,w:280,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:841,w:256,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:27,x:632,y:861,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/09; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:880,w:225,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position, thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:899,w:234,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:918,w:257,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/10",p:27,x:632,y:938,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:957,w:258,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/10",p:27,x:632,y:976,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:27,x:632,y:996,w:271,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 2 positions*, thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:1015,w:236,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 4 positions, ",p:27,x:632,y:1034,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:1053,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 4 positions, ",p:27,x:632,y:1073,w:270,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11; 1 position*, thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:1092,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 5 positions, ",p:27,x:632,y:1111,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 2 positions*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:1130,w:248,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Elnora Hawkins, ",p:27,x:632,y:1149,w:193,h:18},
{t:"ehawkins@pontiac.k12.mi.us",p:27,x:632,y:1169,w:182,h:17},
{t:"REGION 8",p:27,x:632,y:1194,w:98,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:27,x:632,y:1227,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:27,x:632,y:1246,w:268,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:632,y:1265,w:128,h:17},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate-",p:27,x:632,y:1285,w:265,h:17},
{t:"Representing Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, ",p:27,x:632,y:1304,w:264,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:27,x:632,y:1323,w:59,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:632,y:1343,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms; ",p:27,x:632,y:1362,w:258,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:632,y:1381,w:155,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:632,y:1400,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:632,y:1420,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:27,x:632,y:1439,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/11; 1 position, ",p:27,x:632,y:1458,w:225,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09",p:27,x:632,y:1477,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:186,w:263,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position, 3 yr. term; ",p:27,x:930,y:205,w:223,h:17},
{t:"2 positions, 3 yr. terms; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:930,y:224,w:286,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:930,y:244,w:258,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:930,y:263,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:282,w:271,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 1 position*, thru 8/31/09; ",p:27,x:930,y:302,w:237,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:930,y:321,w:136,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 6 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:340,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 3 positions*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:930,y:359,w:248,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:379,w:261,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 1 position, thru 8/31/09; ",p:27,x:930,y:398,w:230,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:930,y:417,w:272,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 4 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:436,w:263,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:930,y:456,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:475,w:270,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 3 positions, thru 8/31/09; ",p:27,x:930,y:494,w:237,h:17},
{t:"3 positions, 3yr. terms; 1 position*, ",p:27,x:930,y:514,w:222,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11; 2 positions*, thru 8/31/09; ",p:27,x:930,y:533,w:257,h:17},
{t:"2 positions*, 3 yr. terms",p:27,x:930,y:552,w:149,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 6 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:571,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 3 positions*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:930,y:591,w:248,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Lance Little, Llittle@mea.org",p:27,x:930,y:610,w:263,h:18},
{t:"REGION 9",p:27,x:930,y:635,w:98,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:27,x:930,y:668,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:27,x:930,y:687,w:268,h:17},
{t:"2 positions, 3 yr. terms; 1 position, ",p:27,x:930,y:706,w:219,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:27,x:930,y:726,w:78,h:17},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate-",p:27,x:930,y:745,w:265,h:17},
{t:"Representing Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, ",p:27,x:930,y:764,w:264,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 2 positions*, thru 8/31/10",p:27,x:930,y:783,w:229,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:930,y:803,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 6 positions*, 3 yr. terms; ",p:27,x:930,y:822,w:258,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 8/31/09; 1 position*, ",p:27,x:930,y:841,w:239,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:27,x:930,y:861,w:59,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:27,x:930,y:880,w:261,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:930,y:899,w:256,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:27,x:930,y:918,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms",p:27,x:930,y:938,w:250,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:27,x:930,y:957,w:280,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:930,y:976,w:256,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:27,x:930,y:996,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/09",p:27,x:930,y:1015,w:147,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:930,y:1034,w:257,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 1 position, thru 8/31/11; 1 position, ",p:27,x:930,y:1053,w:292,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:930,y:1073,w:215,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:1092,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:930,y:1111,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:930,y:1130,w:265,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 4 positions, thru 8/31/09; ",p:27,x:930,y:1150,w:230,h:17},
{t:"4 positions, 3 yr. terms; 2 positions*, ",p:27,x:930,y:1169,w:232,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms",p:27,x:930,y:1188,w:236,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:1208,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:27,x:930,y:1227,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:1246,w:261,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 2 positions, 3 yr. terms",p:27,x:930,y:1265,w:228,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 2 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:1285,w:263,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms",p:27,x:930,y:1304,w:66,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:27,x:930,y:1323,w:263,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 4 positions, thru 8/31/09; ",p:27,x:930,y:1342,w:230,h:17},
{t:"4 positions, 3 yr. terms; 1 position*, ",p:27,x:930,y:1362,w:226,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11; 1 position*, thru 8/31/09; ",p:27,x:930,y:1381,w:250,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:930,y:1400,w:136,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 6 positions, ",p:27,x:930,y:1420,w:271,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:27,x:930,y:1439,w:210,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Michele Thomas, ",p:27,x:930,y:1458,w:200,h:18},
{t:"michelle.thomas@kentwoodps.org",p:27,x:930,y:1477,w:213,h:17},
{t:"28 ",p:28,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:28,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"mea business",p:28,x:28,y:22,w:144,h:35},
{t:"Region elections »",p:28,x:186,y:69,w:579,h:99},
{t:"REGION 10",p:28,x:37,y:181,w:111,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:37,y:214,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:28,x:37,y:233,w:268,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:252,w:128,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:37,y:272,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:291,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:37,y:310,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:330,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:28,x:37,y:349,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:368,w:147,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:37,y:387,w:257,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position, 3 yr. term; 1 position, ",p:28,x:37,y:407,w:292,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/10",p:28,x:37,y:426,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:445,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:464,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:484,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 2 positions, 3 yr. terms; ",p:28,x:37,y:503,w:237,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 8/31/09; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:37,y:522,w:239,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:542,w:59,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:561,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:580,w:242,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:599,w:261,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 2 positions, 3 yr. terms",p:28,x:37,y:619,w:228,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:638,w:263,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:657,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:37,y:676,w:263,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 1 position, thru 8/31/09; 1 position, ",p:28,x:37,y:696,w:292,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:715,w:59,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:734,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:754,w:78,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Cindy Rex, ",p:28,x:37,y:773,w:160,h:18},
{t:"crex@lakevileschools.org",p:28,x:37,y:792,w:154,h:17},
{t:"REGION 11",p:28,x:37,y:817,w:111,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:37,y:850,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:28,x:37,y:869,w:268,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:889,w:128,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:37,y:908,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:927,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:28,x:37,y:946,w:280,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 3 positions*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:966,w:262,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:28,x:37,y:985,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:1004,w:147,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions*, ",p:28,x:37,y:1023,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:1043,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 6 positions ",p:28,x:37,y:1062,w:261,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:1081,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:37,y:1101,w:265,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 3 positions, thru 8/31/11; ",p:28,x:37,y:1120,w:230,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:1139,w:136,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:1158,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:1178,w:242,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 5 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:1197,w:261,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:1216,w:210,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:1236,w:263,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:1255,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:1274,w:270,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 2 positions, thru 8/31/09; ",p:28,x:37,y:1293,w:237,h:17},
{t:"2 positions, 3 yr. terms; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:37,y:1313,w:226,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:1332,w:223,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:37,y:1351,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:37,y:1370,w:242,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Kathy Daniels, ",p:28,x:37,y:1389,w:182,h:18},
{t:"kdaniels@mea.org",p:28,x:37,y:1409,w:114,h:17},
{t:"REGION 12",p:28,x:37,y:1434,w:111,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:37,y:1467,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:28,x:37,y:1486,w:268,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:37,y:1505,w:128,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:335,y:186,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms; ",p:28,x:335,y:205,w:258,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 8/31/09; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:335,y:224,w:239,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:244,w:59,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:28,x:335,y:263,w:261,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:282,w:256,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:335,y:302,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:321,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:28,x:335,y:340,w:280,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 3 positions*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:359,w:262,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:335,y:379,w:257,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 1 position, thru 8/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:398,w:215,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:335,y:417,w:258,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:436,w:59,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:335,y:456,w:265,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 1 position, thru 8/31/09; ",p:28,x:335,y:475,w:223,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term; 1 position, thru 8/31/10; ",p:28,x:335,y:494,w:292,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 8/31/09; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:335,y:514,w:239,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:533,w:59,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 4 positions, ",p:28,x:335,y:552,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:571,w:242,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:335,y:591,w:257,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:610,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:335,y:629,w:270,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 2 positions, 3 yr. terms; ",p:28,x:335,y:648,w:237,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/11; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:335,y:668,w:232,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:687,w:223,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:335,y:706,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:726,w:242,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Not available",p:28,x:335,y:745,w:169,h:18},
{t:"REGION 13",p:28,x:335,y:770,w:111,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:335,y:803,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:28,x:335,y:822,w:268,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:841,w:128,h:17},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate-",p:28,x:335,y:861,w:265,h:17},
{t:"Representing Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, ",p:28,x:335,y:880,w:264,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:899,w:59,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:335,y:918,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 3 positions*, 3 yr. terms",p:28,x:335,y:938,w:250,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:335,y:957,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:976,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA/ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; ",p:28,x:335,y:995,w:225,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:1015,w:147,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:335,y:1034,w:263,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 1 position, thru 8/31/09; ",p:28,x:335,y:1053,w:230,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:1073,w:128,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:335,y:1092,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:1111,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:335,y:1130,w:271,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 2 positions, thru 8/31/09; ",p:28,x:335,y:1150,w:237,h:17},
{t:"2 positions, 3 yr. terms",p:28,x:335,y:1169,w:141,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, 3 yr. term; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:335,y:1188,w:220,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:335,y:1207,w:223,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 4 positions, ",p:28,x:335,y:1227,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:1246,w:242,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:335,y:1265,w:255,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term; 2 positions, thru 8/31/09; ",p:28,x:335,y:1285,w:230,h:17},
{t:"2 positions, 3 yr. terms",p:28,x:335,y:1304,w:141,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:335,y:1323,w:257,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:1342,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:335,y:1362,w:270,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 2 positions, 3 yr. terms; ",p:28,x:335,y:1381,w:237,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/10; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:335,y:1400,w:232,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:1420,w:78,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:335,y:1439,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:335,y:1458,w:242,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Michael Sweet, ",p:28,x:335,y:1477,w:187,h:18},
{t:"msweet@mymea.org",p:28,x:335,y:1497,w:129,h:17},
{t:"REGION 14",p:28,x:632,y:181,w:111,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:632,y:214,w:139,h:18},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:632,y:233,w:257,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:632,y:252,w:59,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:632,y:272,w:258,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:632,y:291,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:632,y:310,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11; 1 position*, thru 8/31/10",p:28,x:632,y:330,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:632,y:349,w:273,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:632,y:368,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:632,y:387,w:261,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/09; 2 positions, 3 yr. terms; ",p:28,x:632,y:407,w:237,h:17},
{t:"1 position, thru 8/31/11; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:632,y:426,w:232,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:28,x:632,y:445,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:632,y:464,w:263,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:632,y:484,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:632,y:503,w:270,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11; 1 position*, thru 8/31/10",p:28,x:632,y:522,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:632,y:542,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:632,y:561,w:78,h:17},
{t:"MAHE EA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:632,y:580,w:267,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/11",p:28,x:632,y:599,w:78,h:17},
{t:"MAHE EA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:632,y:619,w:269,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:632,y:638,w:78,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Terry Johnson, ",p:28,x:632,y:657,w:183,h:18},
{t:"terrjohnson@mea.org",p:28,x:632,y:676,w:133,h:17},
{t:"REGION 15",p:28,x:632,y:702,w:111,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:632,y:734,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:28,x:632,y:754,w:268,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:632,y:773,w:128,h:17},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:632,y:792,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 2 positions*, 3 yr. terms",p:28,x:632,y:811,w:250,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:632,y:831,w:279,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position, thru 8/31/09; ",p:28,x:632,y:850,w:257,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:632,y:869,w:128,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 2 positions, ",p:28,x:632,y:889,w:263,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms",p:28,x:632,y:908,w:66,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:632,y:927,w:261,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms",p:28,x:632,y:946,w:66,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Harvey Miller, ",p:28,x:632,y:965,w:177,h:18},
{t:"hmiller@netonecom.net",p:28,x:632,y:985,w:148,h:17},
{t:"REGION 16",p:28,x:632,y:1010,w:111,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:632,y:1043,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA Board of Directors/NEA RA Delegate; ",p:28,x:632,y:1062,w:268,h:17},
{t:"1 position, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:632,y:1081,w:128,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:632,y:1101,w:257,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:632,y:1120,w:59,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Not available",p:28,x:632,y:1139,w:169,h:18},
{t:"REGION 17",p:28,x:930,y:181,w:111,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:930,y:214,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:930,y:233,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:930,y:252,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA At-Large Alternate-Representing ",p:28,x:930,y:272,w:282,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:930,y:291,w:256,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:930,y:310,w:263,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms; 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:930,y:330,w:210,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:930,y:349,w:265,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11; 1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:930,y:368,w:242,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:930,y:387,w:274,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:930,y:407,w:78,h:17},
{t:"EA NEA RA Cluster Alternate-Representing ",p:28,x:930,y:426,w:271,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 3 positions*, thru 3/31/11; ",p:28,x:930,y:445,w:271,h:17},
{t:"1 position*, thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:930,y:464,w:155,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Alternate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:930,y:484,w:271,h:17},
{t:"thru 3/31/11",p:28,x:930,y:503,w:78,h:17},
{t:"MAHE EA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:930,y:522,w:267,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:930,y:542,w:59,h:17},
{t:"MAHE EA RA Cluster Alternate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:930,y:561,w:269,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:930,y:580,w:59,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Barb Jason Buchkoe, ",p:28,x:930,y:599,w:227,h:18},
{t:"bbuchkoe@gwinn.k12.mi.us",p:28,x:930,y:619,w:177,h:17},
{t:"REGION 18",p:28,x:930,y:644,w:111,h:35},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:930,y:676,w:139,h:18},
{t:"MEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:930,y:696,w:259,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 1 position*, 3 yr. term",p:28,x:930,y:715,w:237,h:17},
{t:"EA MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:930,y:734,w:263,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms ",p:28,x:930,y:754,w:70,h:17},
{t:"ESP MEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:930,y:773,w:265,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term",p:28,x:930,y:792,w:59,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA Cluster Delegate; 1 position, ",p:28,x:930,y:812,w:263,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. term ",p:28,x:930,y:831,w:63,h:17},
{t:"Elections Chair: Not available",p:28,x:930,y:850,w:169,h:18},
{t:"REGION 50",p:28,x:930,y:875,w:111,h:35},
{t:"ESP NEA RA At-Large",p:28,x:930,y:909,w:178,h:30},
{t:"POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED",p:28,x:930,y:938,w:139,h:18},
{t:"ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate; 3 positions, ",p:28,x:930,y:957,w:279,h:17},
{t:"3 yr. terms",p:28,x:930,y:977,w:66,h:17},
{t:"ESP NEA RA At-Large Delegate-Representing ",p:28,x:930,y:996,w:287,h:17},
{t:"Minority 3-1(g); 8 positions*, 3 yr. terms; ",p:28,x:930,y:1015,w:258,h:17},
{t:"2 positions*, thru 8/31/2011; 1 position*, ",p:28,x:930,y:1034,w:262,h:17},
{t:"thru 8/31/2010",p:28,x:930,y:1054,w:95,h:17},
{t:"Key:",p:28,x:930,y:1082,w:25,h:21},
{t:"* Representative of Minority 3-1(g)",p:28,x:930,y:1107,w:261,h:21},
{t:"grow",p:28,x:948,y:1334,w:62,h:29},
{t:"Endorsement",p:28,x:840,y:1358,w:155,h:29},
{t:"Are you interested in obtaining ",p:28,x:850,y:1394,w:148,h:14},
{t:"the new Educational Technology ",p:28,x:850,y:1410,w:153,h:14},
{t:"(NP) Endorsement?",p:28,x:850,y:1427,w:89,h:14},
{t:"7 Courses, 21 Graduate ",p:28,x:850,y:1451,w:117,h:14},
{t:"Credits, Offered in E. Lansing, ",p:28,x:850,y:1465,w:150,h:14},
{t:"Plymouth, England, or online.",p:28,x:850,y:1480,w:145,h:14},
{t:"earn",p:28,x:1139,y:1320,w:52,h:29},
{t:"Master’s",p:28,x:1020,y:1341,w:99,h:29},
{t:"Would you like to earn a ",p:28,x:1031,y:1377,w:117,h:14},
{t:"Master’s degree in Educational ",p:28,x:1031,y:1394,w:150,h:14},
{t:"Technology from the ",p:28,x:1031,y:1410,w:100,h:14},
{t:"convenience of your home?",p:28,x:1031,y:1427,w:130,h:14},
{t:"10 Courses, 30 Graduate ",p:28,x:1031,y:1451,w:123,h:14},
{t:"Credits, Offered in E. Lansing, ",p:28,x:1031,y:1465,w:150,h:14},
{t:"Plymouth, England or online.",p:28,x:1031,y:1480,w:142,h:14},
{t:"learn",p:28,x:767,y:1350,w:59,h:29},
{t:"Certificate",p:28,x:658,y:1373,w:121,h:29},
{t:"Do You Need Graduate Credits ",p:28,x:667,y:1406,w:152,h:14},
{t:"to Renew Your License?",p:28,x:667,y:1423,w:115,h:14},
{t:"3 Courses, 9 Graduate Credits, ",p:28,x:667,y:1447,w:150,h:14},
{t:"Offered at local Michigan ",p:28,x:667,y:1462,w:127,h:14},
{t:"school districts, Plymouth, ",p:28,x:667,y:1476,w:132,h:14},
{t:"England, Dubai, UAE or online.",p:28,x:667,y:1491,w:149,h:14},
{t:"MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.",p:28,x:951,y:1534,w:235,h:11},
{t:"@",p:28,x:704,y:1274,w:63,h:99},
{t:"Educational Technology",p:28,x:662,y:1219,w:441,h:94},
{t:"MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY — COLLEGE OF EDUCATION",p:28,x:761,y:1260,w:340,h:58},
{t:"VISIT EDUTECH.MSU.EDU OR CONTACT US TODAY 517-432-9259 ",p:28,x:836,y:1511,w:352,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE ",p:29,x:1107,y:1594,w:97,h:21},
{t:"29",p:29,x:1217,y:1594,w:19,h:21},
{t:"reference",p:29,x:1117,y:22,w:105,h:35},
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{t:"EMPLOYMENT ",p:29,x:37,y:585,w:147,h:35},
{t:"OPPORTUNITIES",p:29,x:37,y:620,w:166,h:35},
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{t:"round, Morningside Cottage on Little Platte ",p:29,x:337,y:673,w:275,h:21},
{t:"Lake, 200 ft. of frontage, 2 miles to Lake ",p:29,x:337,y:695,w:260,h:21},
{t:"Michigan/Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, ",p:29,x:337,y:718,w:283,h:21},
{t:"15 miles to skiing at Crystal Mountain. ",p:29,x:337,y:740,w:249,h:21},
{t:"Furnished, 2 bdrm/queen, freplace, ",p:29,x:337,y:763,w:229,h:21},
{t:"carpeted, washer/dryer, wooded/secluded, ",p:29,x:337,y:785,w:268,h:21},
{t:"boat/motor, canoe, grill/picnic table, cable, ",p:29,x:337,y:808,w:276,h:21},
{t:"smoke/pet-free. Details call 231-882-5567, ",p:29,x:337,y:830,w:276,h:21},
{t:"e-mail mrantel2002@yahoo.com .",p:29,x:337,y:853,w:210,h:21},
{t:"Maui, Hawaii Vacation. Privately owned ",p:29,x:337,y:875,w:254,h:22},
{t:"deluxe condo. Spectacular oceanfront views, ",p:29,x:337,y:898,w:283,h:21},
{t:"fully equipped, amenities, 2 bdrm/2 bath. ",p:29,x:337,y:920,w:267,h:21},
{t:"Booking 2008-09. 734-528-2163.",p:29,x:337,y:943,w:210,h:21},
{t:"Harrisville—Lake Huron Beachfront. ",p:29,x:337,y:965,w:245,h:22},
{t:"Clean, desirable 3 bdrm, fully equipped ",p:29,x:337,y:988,w:253,h:21},
{t:"family homes. Quiet, safe, private, ",p:29,x:337,y:1010,w:221,h:21},
{t:"scenic, memorable vacation. Sun.–Sun. ",p:29,x:337,y:1033,w:254,h:21},
{t:"$1,000–$2,000 weekly. Brochures mailed. ",p:29,x:337,y:1055,w:269,h:21},
{t:"989-724-5584.",p:29,x:337,y:1078,w:97,h:21},
{t:"VACATION/RESORTS",p:29,x:637,y:181,w:201,h:35},
{t:"Gulf Shores, AL. Deluxe condo. Spectacular ",p:29,x:637,y:223,w:276,h:22},
{t:"gulf front sunset views. Beautifully ",p:29,x:637,y:246,w:225,h:21},
{t:"decorated, fully equipped, amenities, ",p:29,x:637,y:268,w:238,h:21},
{t:"3 bdrm/2.5 bath. Teacher discounts on ",p:29,x:637,y:291,w:248,h:21},
{t:"weekend, weekly, monthly, seasonal. ",p:29,x:637,y:313,w:233,h:21},
{t:"Retired teacher owned. 269-535-1431, ",p:29,x:637,y:336,w:246,h:21},
{t:"cnelson@mei.net .",p:29,x:637,y:358,w:112,h:21},
{t:"Gulf Shores, AL. Gated destination resort. ",p:29,x:637,y:381,w:267,h:22},
{t:"Too cute. Retired teacher owned. 3 bdrm/2 ",p:29,x:637,y:403,w:270,h:21},
{t:"bath charming beach cottage duplex. Resort ",p:29,x:637,y:426,w:285,h:21},
{t:"amenities. Teacher discounts on weekend, ",p:29,x:637,y:448,w:269,h:21},
{t:"weekly, monthly, seasonal and golf-packs. ",p:29,x:637,y:471,w:270,h:21},
{t:"269-535-1431,cnelson@mei.net .",p:29,x:637,y:493,w:210,h:21},
{t:"Gaylord, MI. Lakefront cabin for weekly ",p:29,x:637,y:516,w:251,h:22},
{t:"rental on all-sports Big Bradford Lake. Fully ",p:29,x:637,y:538,w:280,h:21},
{t:"furnished with private dock. Lake has quiet ",p:29,x:637,y:561,w:277,h:21},
{t:"hours. www.4jsresort.com or 989-732-5012.",p:29,x:637,y:583,w:278,h:21},
{t:"Marco Island, FL. Spacious 1 bdrm condo ",p:29,x:637,y:606,w:268,h:22},
{t:"at Angler's Cove in Marco Bay Resort. Sleeps ",p:29,x:637,y:628,w:285,h:21},
{t:"5. Waterfront site with pools, hot tubs, ",p:29,x:637,y:651,w:246,h:21},
{t:"tennis courts, chickee bar restaurant. Book ",p:29,x:637,y:673,w:275,h:21},
{t:"week, month, season. Reasonable rates. ",p:29,x:637,y:696,w:257,h:21},
{t:"Free brochure. Teacher-owned. Phone Andy: ",p:29,x:637,y:718,w:276,h:21},
{t:"248-889-2837.E-mail: ckozicki@aol.com .",p:29,x:637,y:741,w:263,h:21},
{t:"Rogers City, Lake Huron furnished ",p:29,x:637,y:763,w:225,h:22},
{t:"cottages. Clean, smoke/pet-free. Sandy ",p:29,x:637,y:786,w:252,h:21},
{t:"beach. Brochure available. $625–$650 ",p:29,x:637,y:808,w:250,h:21},
{t:"weekly. 989-734-4561. 248-651-5290. ",p:29,x:637,y:831,w:246,h:21},
{t:"772-219-1146 (winter).",p:29,x:637,y:853,w:146,h:21},
{t:"Traverse City . Very clean, 2 bdrm cottage on ",p:29,x:637,y:876,w:284,h:22},
{t:"Silver Lake. Sleeps 6. TV , microwave, coffee ",p:29,x:637,y:898,w:277,h:21},
{t:"maker, gas grill. All you need are linens and ",p:29,x:637,y:921,w:280,h:21},
{t:"pillows. Decks, dock and crystal clear water",p:29,x:637,y:943,w:279,h:21},
{t:". ",p:29,x:912,y:943,w:8,h:21},
{t:"Close to shopping, restaurants, golf. No ",p:29,x:637,y:966,w:254,h:21},
{t:"smoking or pets. $900/week. 231-946-6844. ",p:29,x:637,y:988,w:282,h:21},
{t:"LynnBrin@yahoo.com .",p:29,x:637,y:1011,w:138,h:21},
{t:"VACATION/RESORTS",p:29,x:937,y:181,w:201,h:35},
{t:"Anna Maria Island Condo, Bradenton ",p:29,x:937,y:223,w:243,h:22},
{t:"Beach. 2 bdrm/2 bath. Heated pool, close to ",p:29,x:937,y:246,w:283,h:22},
{t:"Bridge St. Pier, shopping and restaurants. ",p:29,x:937,y:268,w:269,h:21},
{t:"Across street from condo-owned beach. ",p:29,x:937,y:291,w:252,h:21},
{t:"Throw away the car keys and take the ",p:29,x:937,y:313,w:240,h:21},
{t:"free trolley! Fully equipped. February and ",p:29,x:937,y:336,w:262,h:21},
{t:"March require monthly rental. Remaining ",p:29,x:937,y:358,w:263,h:21},
{t:"dates are by the week. Sleeps 6. Check ",p:29,x:937,y:381,w:248,h:21},
{t:"www.ownerdirect.com ID# 69496 for ",p:29,x:937,y:403,w:230,h:21},
{t:"pictures. marileegreene@chartermi.net",p:29,x:937,y:426,w:251,h:21},
{t:", ",p:29,x:1184,y:426,w:8,h:21},
{t:"989-686-7334.",p:29,x:937,y:448,w:97,h:21},
{t:"Lake Michigan—Victorian Cottage in ",p:29,x:937,y:471,w:247,h:22},
{t:"Manistee, MI. Exclusive Lake Mich. Assn. ",p:29,x:937,y:493,w:263,h:22},
{t:"Tennis court. Private beach. 4 bdrm, 3 bath. ",p:29,x:937,y:516,w:281,h:21},
{t:"231-464-5545 or 517-803-6583.",p:29,x:937,y:538,w:207,h:21},
{t:"Manistee Lake, Kalkaska County , MI. ",p:29,x:937,y:561,w:242,h:22},
{t:"Clean lakefront units, centrally located. ",p:29,x:937,y:583,w:253,h:21},
{t:"Open dates for spring/summer . Lease ",p:29,x:937,y:606,w:240,h:21},
{t:"available for year-round. A week starts ",p:29,x:937,y:628,w:247,h:21},
{t:"at $500. www.manisteelake.com or call ",p:29,x:937,y:651,w:251,h:21},
{t:"231-587-9587.",p:29,x:937,y:673,w:97,h:21},
{t:"Fairhope, Alabama on Mobile Bay . ",p:29,x:937,y:696,w:225,h:22},
{t:"Beautifully renovated and completely ",p:29,x:937,y:718,w:238,h:21},
{t:"furnished cottage, short walk to bluff ",p:29,x:937,y:741,w:239,h:21},
{t:"and beach, Municipal Pier, shopping and ",p:29,x:937,y:763,w:262,h:21},
{t:"restaurants. 1 bdrm, living-dining, fully ",p:29,x:937,y:786,w:255,h:21},
{t:"equipped kitchen, tiled bath, washer/dryer",p:29,x:937,y:808,w:271,h:21},
{t:", ",p:29,x:1204,y:808,w:8,h:21},
{t:"TV, utilities included, non-smoking, $1,050/",p:29,x:937,y:831,w:280,h:21},
{t:"month. Brochure. 504-394-7139 or C.H. ",p:29,x:937,y:853,w:252,h:21},
{t:"Weatherly, 5439 Sutton Place, New Orleans, ",p:29,x:937,y:876,w:278,h:21},
{t:"LA 70131.",p:29,x:937,y:898,w:64,h:21},
{t:"Beautiful spot for a color tour",p:29,x:937,y:921,w:198,h:22},
{t:". 3 bdrm, ",p:29,x:1132,y:921,w:61,h:22},
{t:"fully equipped cabin just footsteps away ",p:29,x:937,y:943,w:259,h:21},
{t:"from the Straits of Mackinac (Cheboygan), ",p:29,x:937,y:966,w:271,h:21},
{t:"non-smoking. Brochure. 313-278-4849.",p:29,x:937,y:988,w:248,h:21},
{t:"Harrisville—Lake Huron Beachfront. ",p:29,x:937,y:1011,w:245,h:22},
{t:"1-3 bdrm cottages, completely furnished. ",p:29,x:937,y:1033,w:265,h:21},
{t:"Downtown 1 bdrm $425, 2 bdrm $825, 3 ",p:29,x:937,y:1056,w:260,h:21},
{t:"bdrm (near Sturgeon Point) $1,000. Bring ",p:29,x:937,y:1078,w:266,h:21},
{t:"only linens. Sat.–Sat. 313-882-8145 or ",p:29,x:937,y:1101,w:248,h:21},
{t:"www.pretty-lake.com",p:29,x:937,y:1123,w:133,h:21},
{t:"INSTRUCTORS WANTED",p:29,x:182,y:1201,w:296,h:34},
{t:"Michigan PLS (Performance Learning Systems®) and",p:29,x:107,y:1234,w:445,h:25},
{t:"Marygrove College, announce part-time openings ",p:29,x:124,y:1257,w:417,h:24},
{t:"for professional instructors in the following locations:",p:29,x:112,y:1279,w:436,h:24},
{t:"Jackson • Okemos • Benton Harbor • Battle Creek •",p:29,x:76,y:1301,w:507,h:28},
{t:"Muskegon • Holland • Ludington • Petoskey •",p:29,x:107,y:1326,w:446,h:28},
{t:"Alpena• Sault Ste. Marie • Ironwood (Western UP) •",p:29,x:78,y:1351,w:503,h:28},
{t:"Monroe • Adrian • Three Rivers • Niles",p:29,x:142,y:1376,w:377,h:28},
{t:"Requirements: Must have M.A. Degree, valid Michigan Teaching",p:29,x:77,y:1402,w:506,h:23},
{t:"Certificate, 3 - 5 years teaching experience, have taken at least",p:29,x:80,y:1423,w:499,h:23},
{t:"one PLS course.",p:29,x:250,y:1445,w:131,h:23},
{t:"Apply by calling Leo Sensabaugh",p:29,x:166,y:1465,w:310,h:27},
{t:"at 1-800-295-1515",p:29,x:235,y:1490,w:171,h:27},
{t:"Monday - Friday 7 - 9 p.m.",p:29,x:193,y:1515,w:247,h:27},
{t:"Online Master’s Degrees Offered:",p:29,x:808,y:1313,w:255,h:21},
{t:"Master in the Art of Teaching with a Focus on:",p:29,x:808,y:1334,w:310,h:20},
{t:"•",p:29,x:808,y:1355,w:8,h:20},
{t:"Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, K-12",p:29,x:826,y:1355,w:290,h:20},
{t:"•",p:29,x:808,y:1376,w:8,h:20},
{t:"Reading & Literacy, K-6",p:29,x:826,y:1376,w:156,h:20},
{t:"•",p:29,x:808,y:1397,w:8,h:20},
{t:"Elementary Mathematics, K-5",p:29,x:826,y:1397,w:197,h:20},
{t:"•",p:29,x:808,y:1418,w:8,h:20},
{t:"Middle Level Mathematics, 6-8",p:29,x:826,y:1418,w:207,h:20},
{t:"For more information call toll-free 1-877-984-7277 or ",p:29,x:738,y:1450,w:385,h:22},
{t:"visit us online at www.marygrovemat.com",p:29,x:769,y:1472,w:320,h:22},
{t:"Marygrove College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA).The North Central",p:29,x:697,y:1509,w:485,h:12},
{t:"Association is located at 30 North LaSalle Street,Suite 2400,Chicago , IL 60602.Phone:312-263-0456,Fax: 312-263-7462,",p:29,x:697,y:1520,w:470,h:12},
{t:"http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org",p:29,x:697,y:1530,w:178,h:12},
{t:"Marygrove College has Partnered with",p:29,x:727,y:1209,w:438,h:32},
{t:"Teachscape to Offer 4 Online ",p:29,x:782,y:1236,w:335,h:32},
{t:"Master’s Degree Programs.",p:29,x:793,y:1264,w:306,h:32},
{t:"MEA 8/08",p:29,x:1169,y:1537,w:36,h:9},
{t:"MEA Voice ad final  8/20/08  9:50 AM  Page 1",p:29,x:670,y:1138,w:440,h:18},
{t:"30 ",p:30,x:28,y:1594,w:26,h:21},
{t:"OCTOBER 2008",p:30,x:67,y:1594,w:129,h:21},
{t:"Summer job taught ",p:30,x:186,y:69,w:600,h:99},
{t:"me valuable lessons »",p:30,x:186,y:160,w:691,h:99},
{t:"generation next",p:30,x:28,y:22,w:166,h:35},
{t:"I spend my summer teaching in the ",p:30,x:186,y:857,w:273,h:21},
{t:"Summer Migrant Program in the West ",p:30,x:186,y:882,w:289,h:21},
{t:"Ottawa Public Schools.",p:30,x:186,y:907,w:172,h:21},
{t:"Being a part of the Summer Migrant ",p:30,x:195,y:932,w:276,h:21},
{t:"Program has been the most rewarding ",p:30,x:186,y:957,w:292,h:21},
{t:"experience of my professional career. ",p:30,x:186,y:982,w:284,h:21},
{t:"Prior to coming to West Ottawa and ",p:30,x:186,y:1007,w:269,h:21},
{t:"being a part of this program, I never ",p:30,x:186,y:1032,w:275,h:21},
{t:"knew the story of a migrant family.",p:30,x:186,y:1057,w:256,h:21},
{t:"The week prior to the students’ arriv-",p:30,x:195,y:1082,w:276,h:21},
{t:"al, we talked with staff members who ",p:30,x:186,y:1107,w:283,h:21},
{t:"are former migrant workers them-",p:30,x:186,y:1132,w:253,h:21},
{t:"selves, learning about migrant life and ",p:30,x:186,y:1157,w:290,h:21},
{t:"visiting the camps where many of the ",p:30,x:186,y:1182,w:285,h:21},
{t:"migrant families would live.",p:30,x:186,y:1207,w:203,h:21},
{t:"Visiting the camps made a deep ",p:30,x:195,y:1232,w:246,h:21},
{t:"impact on me personally. Some of ",p:30,x:186,y:1257,w:259,h:21},
{t:"the camps were decent apartments, ",p:30,x:186,y:1282,w:276,h:21},
{t:"while others were rows of substan-",p:30,x:186,y:1307,w:259,h:21},
{t:"dard trailers that would house more ",p:30,x:186,y:1332,w:272,h:21},
{t:"than one family for the summer. I was ",p:30,x:186,y:1357,w:288,h:21},
{t:"saddened by seeing the places where ",p:30,x:186,y:1382,w:288,h:21},
{t:"some of my students would live. I was ",p:30,x:186,y:1407,w:288,h:21},
{t:"also concerned about how moving ",p:30,x:186,y:1432,w:262,h:21},
{t:"from state to state would affect their ",p:30,x:483,y:857,w:274,h:21},
{t:"attitude about coming to summer ",p:30,x:483,y:882,w:255,h:21},
{t:"school.",p:30,x:483,y:907,w:53,h:21},
{t:"My concerns were delightfully put to ",p:30,x:493,y:932,w:277,h:21},
{t:"rest once school began. ",p:30,x:483,y:957,w:184,h:21},
{t:"My class was the nicest group of ",p:30,x:493,y:982,w:249,h:21},
{t:"students. Most of my students were ",p:30,x:483,y:1007,w:272,h:21},
{t:"there every day and enjoyed being ",p:30,x:483,y:1032,w:263,h:21},
{t:"in school, which was surprising for ",p:30,x:483,y:1057,w:264,h:21},
{t:"the summer. As with any class, their ",p:30,x:483,y:1082,w:276,h:21},
{t:"academic performance varied. I had ",p:30,x:483,y:1107,w:278,h:21},
{t:"some students who were working well ",p:30,x:483,y:1132,w:288,h:21},
{t:"above grade level and others who ",p:30,x:483,y:1157,w:256,h:21},
{t:"spoke limited English.",p:30,x:483,y:1182,w:164,h:21},
{t:"But the thing that set this group ",p:30,x:493,y:1207,w:243,h:21},
{t:"of students apart from my previous ",p:30,x:483,y:1232,w:267,h:21},
{t:"classes was that they understood the ",p:30,x:483,y:1257,w:282,h:21},
{t:"value of doing well in school. The ",p:30,x:483,y:1282,w:254,h:21},
{t:"students who spoke limited English ",p:30,x:483,y:1307,w:269,h:21},
{t:"worked hard to learn to read and ",p:30,x:483,y:1332,w:251,h:21},
{t:"speak English. I tried to speak to them ",p:30,x:483,y:1357,w:292,h:21},
{t:"with my limited “Spanglish,” and they ",p:30,x:483,y:1382,w:288,h:21},
{t:"responded to me in English. This ",p:30,x:483,y:1407,w:252,h:21},
{t:"showed me how serious they were ",p:30,x:483,y:1432,w:262,h:21},
{t:"about learning English.",p:30,x:781,y:857,w:172,h:21},
{t:"Community is important to my ",p:30,x:791,y:882,w:231,h:21},
{t:"students. Most of them had gone to ",p:30,x:781,y:907,w:272,h:21},
{t:"Migrant Camp together for years. They ",p:30,x:781,y:932,w:293,h:21},
{t:"helped each other in the classroom ",p:30,x:781,y:957,w:270,h:21},
{t:"as well as on the playground. When ",p:30,x:781,y:982,w:272,h:21},
{t:"they were allowed to pick partners for ",p:30,x:781,y:1007,w:286,h:21},
{t:"group work there was never a student ",p:30,x:781,y:1032,w:288,h:21},
{t:"or two looking sad because no one ",p:30,x:781,y:1057,w:265,h:21},
{t:"wanted to work with him or her. They ",p:30,x:781,y:1082,w:282,h:21},
{t:"often talked about seeing each other ",p:30,x:781,y:1107,w:279,h:21},
{t:"on the weekends and after school.",p:30,x:781,y:1132,w:258,h:21},
{t:"The students valued the school com-",p:30,x:791,y:1157,w:278,h:21},
{t:"munity I wanted to establish for us, ",p:30,x:781,y:1182,w:268,h:21},
{t:"which was key. Whenever a problem ",p:30,x:781,y:1207,w:278,h:21},
{t:"arose in the class, they were honest ",p:30,x:781,y:1232,w:273,h:21},
{t:"and truly wanted to solve the problem. ",p:30,x:781,y:1257,w:292,h:21},
{t:"This made for a great learning and ",p:30,x:781,y:1282,w:264,h:21},
{t:"teaching environment.",p:30,x:781,y:1307,w:168,h:21},
{t:"As an educator, the time that I spend ",p:30,x:791,y:1332,w:283,h:21},
{t:"working with the students in the ",p:30,x:781,y:1357,w:244,h:21},
{t:"Migrant Program is very fulflling. I am ",p:30,x:781,y:1382,w:290,h:21},
{t:"a better teacher because of my sum-",p:30,x:781,y:1407,w:277,h:21},
{t:"mer experience. ",p:30,x:781,y:1432,w:126,h:21},
{t:"I’m a better teacher because of experience in Migrant Program",p:30,x:250,y:268,w:818,h:39},
{t:"by Shalonda Owens",p:30,x:901,y:130,w:148,h:21},
{t:"KAREN SCHULZ/MEA",p:30,x:1175,y:827,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 ",p:30,x:186,y:1482,w:871,h:21},
{t:"for their columns. If you’re interested in writing a column, e-mail your resume, with writing sample, to Editor Karen ",p:30,x:186,y:1507,w:862,h:21},
{t:"Schulz at kschulz@mea.org .",p:30,x:186,y:1532,w:209,h:21},
{t:"SHALONDA ",p:30,x:37,y:857,w:95,h:21},
{t:"OWENS is ",p:30,x:37,y:882,w:81,h:21},
{t:"a teacher at ",p:30,x:37,y:907,w:94,h:21},
{t:"Great Lakes ",p:30,x:37,y:932,w:94,h:21},
{t:"Elementary ",p:30,x:37,y:957,w:89,h:21},
{t:"School, part ",p:30,x:37,y:982,w:95,h:21},
{t:"of the West ",p:30,x:37,y:1007,w:88,h:21},
{t:"Ottawa Public ",p:30,x:37,y:1032,w:108,h:21},
{t:"Schools in ",p:30,x:37,y:1057,w:82,h:21},
{t:"Holland. ",p:30,x:37,y:1082,w:68,h:21},
{t:"The Saginaw ",p:30,x:37,y:1107,w:100,h:21},
{t:"native earned ",p:30,x:37,y:1132,w:106,h:21},
{t:"a bachelor’s ",p:30,x:37,y:1157,w:95,h:21},
{t:"degree ",p:30,x:37,y:1182,w:56,h:21},
{t:"from Grand ",p:30,x:37,y:1207,w:91,h:21},
{t:"Valley State ",p:30,x:37,y:1232,w:90,h:21},
{t:"University.",p:30,x:37,y:1257,w:77,h:21},
{t:"More photos ",p:30,x:37,y:1307,w:84,h:22},
{t:"and a video ",p:30,x:37,y:1329,w:78,h:22},
{t:"of Shalonda ",p:30,x:37,y:1352,w:80,h:22},
{t:"Owens and her ",p:30,x:37,y:1374,w:98,h:22},
{t:"students at ",p:30,x:37,y:1397,w:76,h:22},
{t:"mea.org/owens .",p:30,x:37,y:1419,w:100,h:22},
{t:"“There are three good ",p:30,x:196,y:446,w:225,h:35},
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{t:"June, July and August.”",p:30,x:196,y:538,w:229,h:35},
{t:"That’s a familiar saying, ",p:30,x:196,y:596,w:239,h:35},
{t:"attributed to some unknown",p:30,x:196,y:642,w:281,h:35},
{t:"author. But it might as well ",p:30,x:196,y:688,w:267,h:35},
{t:"be my motto, but not for the",p:30,x:196,y:734,w:281,h:35},
{t:"reasons you may think.",p:30,x:196,y:780,w:232,h:35},
{t:"It’s no accident that MESSA has earned the strong loyalty of generations of ",p:32,x:260,y:948,w:722,h:25},
{t:"Michigan educational employees. MESSA is truly unique. We consistently ",p:32,x:260,y:987,w:708,h:25},
{t:"earn a 98 percent satisfaction grade from our members. We’re member-",p:32,x:260,y:1027,w:684,h:25},
{t:"owned and member-governed. MESSA is a Michigan success story because ",p:32,x:260,y:1066,w:721,h:25},
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{t:"won national recognition for the outstanding service it provides.",p:32,x:260,y:1145,w:605,h:25},
{t:"MESSA gives our members important peace of mind and financial security ",p:32,x:260,y:1194,w:716,h:25},
{t:"for their families—a sense of security no other health plan provides.",p:32,x:260,y:1234,w:648,h:25},
{t:"MESSA helps to minimize hassles in today’s health care system. Speak to a ",p:32,x:260,y:1283,w:727,h:25},
{t:"human being in our award-winning Member Service Center: 800.336.0013",p:32,x:260,y:1323,w:719,h:25},
{t:"Award-winning Member Service Center 800.336.0013",p:32,x:574,y:1576,w:422,h:20},
{t:"Member Satisfaction",p:32,x:570,y:415,w:388,h:72},
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