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{t:"The MEA Mission: To ensure that the education of our students ",p:1,x:157,y:391,w:405,h:19},
{t:"and the working environments of our members are of the highest quality.",p:1,x:123,y:411,w:469,h:19},
{t:"Periodicals",p:1,x:468,y:1347,w:71,h:17},
{t:"Postage Paid",p:1,x:468,y:1364,w:82,h:17},
{t:"Lansing, MI",p:1,x:468,y:1380,w:76,h:17},
{t:"June 2008",p:1,x:1131,y:108,w:87,h:25},
{t:"Volume 85",p:1,x:1130,y:133,w:88,h:25},
{t:"Issue 5",p:1,x:1160,y:158,w:58,h:25},
{t:"A Publication of the ",p:1,x:463,y:108,w:172,h:25},
{t:"Michigan Education Association",p:1,x:364,y:133,w:266,h:25},
{t:"AT ISSUE",p:1,x:140,y:928,w:328,h:59},
{t:"Dropouts:",p:1,x:37,y:912,w:705,h:197},
{t:"One is too many",p:1,x:93,y:1031,w:771,h:153},
{t:"MEA addresses",p:1,x:600,y:1393,w:436,h:84},
{t:" causes, solutions",p:1,x:600,y:1427,w:598,h:114},
{t:"RA Backs Southfield ESP p . 10 Spotlight: The Reese 44 p. 12",p:1,x:43,y:30,w:1170,h:44},
{t:"ESP of the Year Elated p. 17 MESSA",p:1,x:44,y:1558,w:700,h:44},
{t:"’ s Web Site Insert Inside",p:1,x:740,y:1558,w:476,h:44},
{t:"2",p:2,x:37,y:1574,w:11,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE",p:2,x:93,y:1577,w:72,h:19},
{t:"Letter to members",p:2,x:37,y:26,w:379,h:69},
{t:"Iris K. Salters ",p:2,x:222,y:332,w:87,h:19},
{t:"MEA President",p:2,x:222,y:352,w:94,h:19},
{t:"Steven Cook ",p:2,x:222,y:576,w:84,h:19},
{t:"MEA Vice President",p:2,x:222,y:596,w:123,h:19},
{t:"Peggy McLellan ",p:2,x:222,y:838,w:103,h:19},
{t:"MEA Secretary-Treasurer",p:2,x:222,y:858,w:156,h:19},
{t:"Your MEA Voice is published for Kentwood EA member ",p:2,x:68,y:1214,w:675,h:30},
{t:"Joe Pellerito and MEA’s nearly 160,000 members.",p:2,x:68,y:1244,w:603,h:30},
{t:"Pellerito, a speaker at the first of 10 MEA-sponsored hearings on ",p:2,x:68,y:1283,w:638,h:24},
{t:"Michigan’s dropout crisis, said establishing caring relationships ",p:2,x:68,y:1308,w:628,h:24},
{t:"with students is one key to keeping at-risk students in school.",p:2,x:68,y:1333,w:602,h:24},
{t:"“If you get to their heart, you get to their head,",p:2,x:59,y:1359,w:506,h:36},
{t:"” said Pellerito ",p:2,x:557,y:1367,w:151,h:25},
{t:"who teaches a Teen Leadership curriculum that creates an ",p:2,x:68,y:1393,w:571,h:24},
{t:"environment of success for ninth-grade students.",p:2,x:68,y:1418,w:483,h:24},
{t:"“They see success, see what success ",p:2,x:334,y:1444,w:409,h:36},
{t:"feels like and can grow from there.",p:2,x:355,y:1477,w:374,h:25},
{t:"”",p:2,x:724,y:1477,w:13,h:25},
{t:"Fixing Michigan’s dropout crisis",p:2,x:446,y:119,w:745,h:76},
{t:"must be one of our highest priorities",p:2,x:446,y:183,w:744,h:66},
{t:"The Michigan high school dropout prob-",p:2,x:446,y:274,w:362,h:65},
{t:"lem is real and cannot be ignored any ",p:2,x:480,y:307,w:333,h:22},
{t:"longer.",p:2,x:446,y:332,w:56,h:22},
{t:"That’s why MEA is taking the lead to ad-",p:2,x:465,y:357,w:343,h:22},
{t:"dress the problem by sponsoring a series of ",p:2,x:446,y:382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"public hearings across the state in search of ",p:2,x:446,y:407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"sustainable solutions.",p:2,x:446,y:432,w:178,h:22},
{t:"This crisis impacts all of us. The scope of ",p:2,x:465,y:457,w:348,h:22},
{t:"the problem is immense.",p:2,x:446,y:482,w:204,h:22},
{t:"An estimated 20,000 Michigan students ",p:2,x:465,y:507,w:348,h:22},
{t:"drop out of school every year, Nationwide, ",p:2,x:446,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the number of dropouts exceeds 500,000 an-",p:2,x:446,y:557,w:362,h:22},
{t:"nually. This exacts a tremendous personal ",p:2,x:446,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"toll on students and their families—and on ",p:2,x:446,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the economy as well.",p:2,x:446,y:632,w:173,h:22},
{t:"Every year that passes without a solution ",p:2,x:465,y:657,w:348,h:22},
{t:"to Michigan’s dropout crisis robs another ",p:2,x:446,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"$2.5 billion from local, state and national ",p:2,x:446,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"coffers. In fact, Columbia College research-",p:2,x:446,y:732,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ers fnd that boosting high school gradu-",p:2,x:446,y:757,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ation rates would save $127,000 per new ",p:2,x:446,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"graduate in extra tax revenues, reduced ",p:2,x:446,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"costs of public health, crime and justice, and ",p:2,x:446,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"in decreased welfare payments.",p:2,x:446,y:857,w:261,h:22},
{t:"The public hearings MEA is sponsoring ",p:2,x:465,y:882,w:348,h:22},
{t:"in partnership with other education groups ",p:2,x:446,y:907,w:367,h:22},
{t:"are part of a statewide initiative to increase ",p:2,x:446,y:932,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the number of high school graduates to sta-",p:2,x:446,y:957,w:362,h:22},
{t:"bilize a weak economy.",p:2,x:446,y:982,w:191,h:22},
{t:"We realize there will be no quick fx. One ",p:2,x:465,y:1007,w:348,h:22},
{t:"thing that’s apparent after our frst ",p:2,x:446,y:1032,w:298,h:22},
{t:"few public hearings is that we’re ",p:2,x:446,y:1057,w:298,h:22},
{t:"dealing with a complex problem that will ",p:2,x:837,y:282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"demand comprehensive solutions. Just as ",p:2,x:837,y:307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"there are multiple reasons why students ",p:2,x:837,y:332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"drop out, multiple solutions will be needed ",p:2,x:837,y:357,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to fx the problem.",p:2,x:837,y:382,w:152,h:22},
{t:"One positive from the hearings is that ",p:2,x:856,y:407,w:348,h:22},
{t:"we’re bringing together key stakeholders—",p:2,x:837,y:432,w:362,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:2,x:837,y:457,w:30,h:22},
{t:"education ",p:2,x:879,y:457,w:86,h:22},
{t:"groups, ",p:2,x:977,y:457,w:67,h:22},
{t:"community ",p:2,x:1056,y:457,w:100,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:2,x:1168,y:457,w:36,h:22},
{t:"business leaders, parents, MEA members ",p:2,x:837,y:482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and students—to discuss the problem and ",p:2,x:837,y:507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"identify solutions.",p:2,x:837,y:532,w:150,h:22},
{t:"We will share what we learn with the ",p:2,x:856,y:557,w:348,h:22},
{t:"public, the Legislature and Gov. Jennifer ",p:2,x:837,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Granholm with the goal of adopting mean-",p:2,x:837,y:607,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ingful reforms to end this crisis. The hearings ",p:2,x:837,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"are scheduled to lead up to the Michigan ",p:2,x:837,y:657,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Dropout Prevention Leadership Summit in ",p:2,x:837,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Lansing on Oct. 20, where our fndings will ",p:2,x:837,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"be offcially released.",p:2,x:837,y:732,w:174,h:22},
{t:"No longer can society afford to treat drop-",p:2,x:856,y:757,w:343,h:22},
{t:"outs as throwaway students. We must make ",p:2,x:837,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"a stronger effort to keep them in school. We ",p:2,x:837,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"must make solving the dropout crisis one of ",p:2,x:837,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"our highest priorities. We’ve said it before, ",p:2,x:837,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"but one dropout, indeed, is too many. ",p:2,x:837,y:882,w:316,h:22},
{t:"For ",p:2,x:837,y:932,w:32,h:22},
{t:"more ",p:2,x:878,y:932,w:44,h:22},
{t:"on ",p:2,x:931,y:932,w:24,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:2,x:964,y:932,w:28,h:22},
{t:"public ",p:2,x:1002,y:932,w:53,h:22},
{t:"hearings ",p:2,x:1066,y:932,w:72,h:22},
{t:"taking ",p:2,x:1148,y:932,w:56,h:22},
{t:"place between now and October, and other ",p:2,x:837,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"information ",p:2,x:837,y:982,w:98,h:22},
{t:"on ",p:2,x:946,y:982,w:24,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:2,x:978,y:982,w:28,h:22},
{t:"dropout ",p:2,x:1016,y:982,w:67,h:22},
{t:"crisis, ",p:2,x:1092,y:982,w:51,h:22},
{t:"go ",p:2,x:1152,y:982,w:23,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:2,x:1184,y:982,w:20,h:22},
{t:"www.mea.org/dropouts.",p:2,x:837,y:1007,w:193,h:22},
{t:"3",p:3,x:1207,y:1574,w:11,h:24},
{t:"JUNE 2008",p:3,x:1091,y:1577,w:70,h:19},
{t:"Contents",p:3,x:1030,y:26,w:190,h:69},
{t:"The MEA Voice ISSN 0883-573X-is an official publication of the Michigan Education Association, ",p:3,x:538,y:1377,w:614,h:17},
{t:"1216 Kendale Blvd., East Lansing, MI 48823. Opinions stated in the MEA Voice do not necessarily ",p:3,x:519,y:1393,w:620,h:17},
{t:"reflect the official position of the MEA unless so identified. Published by Michigan Education ",p:3,x:519,y:1410,w:594,h:17},
{t:"Association, Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573. Periodicals postage paid at East Lansing and ",p:3,x:519,y:1427,w:619,h:17},
{t:"additional mailing offices. Payment of the active membership fee entitles a member to receive the MEA ",p:3,x:519,y:1443,w:657,h:17},
{t:"Voice. Of each annual fee whether for active or affiliate membership, $12.93 is for a year ’s subscription. ",p:3,x:519,y:1460,w:656,h:17},
{t:"POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the MEA Voice, Box 2573, East Lansing, MI 48826-2573 or ",p:3,x:519,y:1477,w:641,h:17},
{t:"via e-mail at webmaster@mea.org . Allow at least three weeks for change of address to take effect. ",p:3,x:519,y:1494,w:638,h:17},
{t:"MEA Voice telephone: 517/332-6551 or 800/292-1934.",p:3,x:519,y:1510,w:333,h:17},
{t:"Circulation this issue: 163,106",p:3,x:519,y:1531,w:187,h:17},
{t:"ExEcutivE DirEctor–Lu Battaglieri ",p:3,x:215,y:1377,w:266,h:22},
{t:"DirEctor of communications–Doug Pratt ",p:3,x:170,y:1402,w:312,h:22},
{t:"EDitor–Dennis Keenon ",p:3,x:294,y:1427,w:188,h:22},
{t:"crEativE communications consultant–Karen Schulz ",p:3,x:79,y:1452,w:403,h:22},
{t:"communications consultant–Rosemary Carey ",p:3,x:120,y:1477,w:362,h:22},
{t:"Publications sPEcialist–Shantell Coats Crispin ",p:3,x:117,y:1502,w:365,h:22},
{t:"ProofrEaDEr-GraPhics EDitor–Sue Garyet",p:3,x:158,y:1527,w:320,h:22},
{t:"June 2008",p:3,x:1112,y:127,w:87,h:25},
{t:"Volume 85",p:3,x:1111,y:152,w:88,h:25},
{t:"Issue 5",p:3,x:1141,y:177,w:58,h:25},
{t:"On the cover… James Alexander dropped out of high school twice before graduating in 2007. Now, the 21-year-old ",p:3,x:68,y:1236,w:1129,h:24},
{t:"is in college, studying to be a teacher. “I always thought I was going to be an NBA player, ” says Alexander, who ",p:3,x:68,y:1261,w:1096,h:24},
{t:"admits he didn’t have a backup plan until he was older and encouraged by his own teachers to help students at risk ",p:3,x:68,y:1286,w:1138,h:24},
{t:"of dropping out. “All my teachers let me know that I was a good teacher, ” he says. For more on Michigan’s dropout ",p:3,x:68,y:1311,w:1126,h:24},
{t:"crisis, turn to page 6. Photo by Kevin W. Fowler",p:3,x:68,y:1336,w:462,h:24},
{t:"Letter to Members  .",p:3,x:71,y:701,w:190,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:272,y:701,w:38,h:23},
{t:". .",p:3,x:322,y:701,w:22,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:355,y:701,w:5,h:23},
{t:". .",p:3,x:371,y:701,w:22,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:404,y:701,w:5,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:421,y:701,w:38,h:23},
{t:". .",p:3,x:470,y:701,w:22,h:23},
{t:" 2",p:3,x:506,y:701,w:16,h:23},
{t:"Member Feedback  . . .",p:3,x:71,y:730,w:223,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:305,y:730,w:38,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:355,y:730,w:5,h:23},
{t:". .",p:3,x:371,y:730,w:22,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:404,y:730,w:5,h:23},
{t:". .",p:3,x:421,y:730,w:22,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:454,y:730,w:5,h:23},
{t:". .",p:3,x:470,y:730,w:22,h:23},
{t:" 4",p:3,x:506,y:730,w:16,h:23},
{t:"Election 2008 . ",p:3,x:71,y:759,w:146,h:23},
{t:". ",p:3,x:223,y:759,w:11,h:23},
{t:". ",p:3,x:239,y:759,w:11,h:23},
{t:". ",p:3,x:256,y:759,w:11,h:23},
{t:". . . . . . . . . . . . . . ",p:3,x:272,y:759,w:225,h:23},
{t:" 5",p:3,x:506,y:759,w:16,h:23},
{t:"Dropouts: One Is Too Many   . ",p:3,x:71,y:789,w:278,h:23},
{t:". . . . . . . . . ",p:3,x:355,y:789,w:143,h:23},
{t:" 6",p:3,x:506,y:789,w:16,h:23},
{t:"Union Action  . . . . . .",p:3,x:71,y:818,w:223,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:305,y:818,w:38,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:355,y:818,w:5,h:23},
{t:". .",p:3,x:371,y:818,w:22,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:404,y:818,w:5,h:23},
{t:". .",p:3,x:421,y:818,w:22,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:454,y:818,w:5,h:23},
{t:". .",p:3,x:470,y:818,w:22,h:23},
{t:"10",p:3,x:502,y:818,w:22,h:23},
{t:"Remembering the Reese 44  .",p:3,x:71,y:847,w:273,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:355,y:847,w:38,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:404,y:847,w:5,h:23},
{t:". . . . . 12 ",p:3,x:421,y:847,w:107,h:23},
{t:"Generation Next  . . . .",p:3,x:71,y:876,w:223,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:305,y:876,w:38,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:355,y:876,w:38,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:404,y:876,w:38,h:23},
{t:". . . 15",p:3,x:454,y:876,w:69,h:23},
{t:"MESSA Update . ",p:3,x:71,y:905,w:163,h:23},
{t:". ",p:3,x:239,y:905,w:11,h:23},
{t:". ",p:3,x:256,y:905,w:11,h:23},
{t:". . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16",p:3,x:272,y:905,w:250,h:23},
{t:"ESP of the Year  . . . .",p:3,x:71,y:934,w:207,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:289,y:934,w:5,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:305,y:934,w:38,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:355,y:934,w:38,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:404,y:934,w:38,h:23},
{t:". . . 17",p:3,x:454,y:934,w:69,h:23},
{t:"News You Can Use  . .",p:3,x:71,y:964,w:207,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:289,y:964,w:38,h:23},
{t:".",p:3,x:338,y:964,w:5,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:355,y:964,w:38,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:404,y:964,w:38,h:23},
{t:". . .",p:3,x:454,y:964,w:38,h:23},
{t:"18",p:3,x:501,y:964,w:22,h:23},
{t:"4",p:4,x:37,y:1574,w:11,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE",p:4,x:93,y:1577,w:72,h:19},
{t:"The MEA Mission: To ensure ",p:4,x:941,y:141,w:50,h:8},
{t:"that the education of our students ",p:4,x:992,y:145,w:60,h:9},
{t:"and the working environments of our members ",p:4,x:933,y:145,w:82,h:11},
{t:"are of the highest quality.",p:4,x:1015,y:153,w:44,h:9},
{t:"Periodicals",p:4,x:1004,y:398,w:18,h:6},
{t:"Postage Paid",p:4,x:1003,y:402,w:21,h:6},
{t:"Lansing, MI",p:4,x:1003,y:406,w:19,h:6},
{t:"March 2008",p:4,x:1202,y:90,w:25,h:8},
{t:"Volume 85",p:4,x:1204,y:96,w:22,h:8},
{t:"Issue 4",p:4,x:1211,y:104,w:15,h:7},
{t:"A Publication of the ",p:4,x:1030,y:75,w:45,h:9},
{t:"Michigan Education Association",p:4,x:1001,y:79,w:72,h:10},
{t:"What makes a",p:4,x:1081,y:126,w:127,h:40},
{t:"Quality",p:4,x:1082,y:139,w:117,h:57},
{t:"School?",p:4,x:1093,y:169,w:127,h:59},
{t:"Big or small, ",p:4,x:1054,y:389,w:85,h:29},
{t:"many high schools",p:4,x:1052,y:403,w:124,h:32},
{t:"make the grade",p:4,x:1054,y:416,w:130,h:38},
{t:"INSIDE THIS ISSUE",p:4,x:927,y:40,w:63,h:14},
{t:"Member Feedback",p:4,x:37,y:26,w:384,h:69},
{t:"Readers are talking about Gov. Jennifer ",p:4,x:56,y:449,w:367,h:65},
{t:"Granholm’s proposal to create more, ",p:4,x:92,y:482,w:330,h:22},
{t:"smaller high schools.",p:4,x:56,y:507,w:174,h:22},
{t:"In response to the last issue of the MEA ",p:4,x:75,y:532,w:348,h:22},
{t:"Voice, which featured a cover story about big ",p:4,x:56,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and small high schools, we received com-",p:4,x:56,y:582,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ments from readers with a range of opinions. ",p:4,x:56,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Here’s a sampling of reader feedback:",p:4,x:56,y:632,w:308,h:22},
{t:"Nancy Nielson, retired counselor, Edmore:",p:4,x:65,y:679,w:350,h:25},
{t:"The best our state can offer to our children ",p:4,x:75,y:707,w:348,h:22},
{t:"is a quality education. The state of Michigan ",p:4,x:56,y:732,w:367,h:22},
{t:"must provide funding for the best educators ",p:4,x:56,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"in a clean, healthy, fully equipped, and safe ",p:4,x:56,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"environment.",p:4,x:56,y:807,w:111,h:22},
{t:"The schools may be large, but the class ",p:4,x:75,y:832,w:348,h:22},
{t:"size must be small. A maximum of 20 stu-",p:4,x:56,y:857,w:362,h:22},
{t:"dents in an individual classroom should be ",p:4,x:56,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the standard. Each classroom in the elemen-",p:4,x:56,y:907,w:362,h:22},
{t:"tary grades should have one support person ",p:4,x:56,y:932,w:367,h:22},
{t:"along with the certifed teacher.",p:4,x:56,y:957,w:261,h:22},
{t:"Steven Hughes, Davenport University:",p:4,x:65,y:1004,w:315,h:25},
{t:"I can appreciate the governor’s position ",p:4,x:75,y:1032,w:348,h:22},
{t:"on smaller schools. Smaller schools offer ",p:4,x:56,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"greater opportunity for behavioral control ",p:4,x:56,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and as the Hillman student mentioned, “ev-",p:4,x:56,y:1107,w:362,h:22},
{t:"erybody knows one another.”",p:4,x:56,y:1132,w:245,h:22},
{t:"…Truthfully, ",p:4,x:75,y:1157,w:112,h:22},
{t:"smaller ",p:4,x:195,y:1157,w:65,h:22},
{t:"schools ",p:4,x:270,y:1157,w:65,h:22},
{t:"offer ",p:4,x:344,y:1157,w:43,h:22},
{t:"a ",p:4,x:396,y:1157,w:14,h:22},
{t:"greater opportunity ",p:4,x:56,y:1182,w:176,h:22},
{t:"for ",p:4,x:241,y:1182,w:28,h:22},
{t:"one-on-one ",p:4,x:277,y:1182,w:98,h:22},
{t:"at-",p:4,x:384,y:1182,w:22,h:22},
{t:"tention and a greater “family” feel to the ",p:4,x:56,y:1207,w:354,h:22},
{t:"school, but until our education system ",p:4,x:56,y:1232,w:356,h:22},
{t:"chooses to educate our students on skill ",p:4,x:56,y:1257,w:356,h:22},
{t:"sets that will drastically affect their lives, ",p:4,x:56,y:1282,w:356,h:22},
{t:"the cycle will continue. After all, some ",p:4,x:56,y:1307,w:356,h:22},
{t:"people claim that children in school are ",p:4,x:56,y:1332,w:356,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:4,x:56,y:1357,w:31,h:22},
{t:"“leaders” of tomorrow, yet they are ",p:4,x:91,y:1357,w:323,h:22},
{t:"not taught formally any leadership com-",p:4,x:56,y:1382,w:354,h:22},
{t:"petencies.",p:4,x:56,y:1407,w:81,h:22},
{t:"Thomas Kehoe, retired teacher, St. Clair:",p:4,x:65,y:1454,w:336,h:25},
{t:"I believe Gov. Granholm is correct in ",p:4,x:75,y:1482,w:342,h:22},
{t:"her quest to make high schools no larger ",p:4,x:56,y:1507,w:360,h:22},
{t:"than 400 students. I don’t see it happening ",p:4,x:56,y:1532,w:360,h:22},
{t:"in my lifetime.",p:4,x:446,y:457,w:123,h:22},
{t:"But, ",p:4,x:465,y:482,w:39,h:22},
{t:"it’s ",p:4,x:509,y:482,w:30,h:22},
{t:"a great idea. And I wish her ",p:4,x:545,y:482,w:269,h:22},
{t:"good luck.",p:4,x:446,y:507,w:90,h:22},
{t:"Sara A. Nettle, retired teacher, Merritt:",p:4,x:456,y:554,w:320,h:25},
{t:"As a product of a small rural high school ",p:4,x:465,y:582,w:348,h:22},
{t:"of yesteryear who still lives in the yesteryear ",p:4,x:446,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"era, I would support smaller high schools. ",p:4,x:446,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"However, with society and the environment ",p:4,x:446,y:657,w:367,h:22},
{t:"of today coupled with enormous expecta-",p:4,x:446,y:682,w:362,h:22},
{t:"tions, it would be a diffcult task to fund ",p:4,x:446,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and support.",p:4,x:446,y:732,w:106,h:22},
{t:"On the other hand, there is a ton of tech-",p:4,x:465,y:757,w:343,h:22},
{t:"nology that would be a great support for ",p:4,x:446,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"smaller high schools. Academic goals aren’t ",p:4,x:446,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the big concern – social issues are.",p:4,x:446,y:832,w:282,h:22},
{t:"Scott Cordes, teacher, Hillman:",p:4,x:456,y:879,w:257,h:25},
{t:"On behalf of our entire school and com-",p:4,x:465,y:907,w:343,h:22},
{t:"munity, I wanted to thank you for the ex-",p:4,x:446,y:932,w:362,h:22},
{t:"cellent article. It was far above and beyond ",p:4,x:446,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"what we had expected, and the pictures ",p:4,x:446,y:982,w:367,h:22},
{t:"were wonderful.",p:4,x:446,y:1007,w:137,h:22},
{t:"All of northern Michigan ",p:4,x:465,y:1032,w:231,h:22},
{t:"is ",p:4,x:703,y:1032,w:18,h:22},
{t:"so accus-",p:4,x:728,y:1032,w:80,h:22},
{t:"tomed to being overlooked in a variety of ",p:4,x:446,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"ways, and for once, we feel represented… ",p:4,x:446,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"All of us here are overwhelmed with e-mails ",p:4,x:446,y:1107,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and calls from others in the education com-",p:4,x:837,y:507,w:362,h:22},
{t:"munity, and especially our former students ",p:4,x:837,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"working in the educational feld somewhere ",p:4,x:837,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"else in our state.",p:4,x:837,y:582,w:134,h:22},
{t:"We really weren’t prepared for this ",p:4,x:856,y:607,w:348,h:22},
{t:"moment in the sun… ",p:4,x:837,y:632,w:201,h:22},
{t:"it’s ",p:4,x:1043,y:632,w:30,h:22},
{t:"been the talk ",p:4,x:1078,y:632,w:126,h:22},
{t:"of the town.",p:4,x:837,y:657,w:107,h:22},
{t:"In case you missed the article ",p:4,x:837,y:707,w:264,h:22},
{t:"in the last ",p:4,x:1109,y:707,w:95,h:22},
{t:"issue, ",p:4,x:837,y:732,w:48,h:22},
{t:"it’s ",p:4,x:896,y:732,w:29,h:22},
{t:"still ",p:4,x:934,y:732,w:34,h:22},
{t:"available ",p:4,x:979,y:732,w:72,h:22},
{t:"on ",p:4,x:1063,y:732,w:24,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:4,x:1097,y:732,w:28,h:22},
{t:"Web ",p:4,x:1135,y:732,w:39,h:22},
{t:"at ",p:4,x:1184,y:732,w:20,h:22},
{t:"www.mea.org/voice. ",p:4,x:837,y:757,w:164,h:22},
{t:"Alpena News spins positive piece ",p:4,x:846,y:814,w:336,h:24},
{t:"on MEA Voice’s Hillman story",p:4,x:846,y:839,w:286,h:24},
{t:"The ",p:4,x:856,y:882,w:36,h:22},
{t:"MEA Voice’s ",p:4,x:901,y:882,w:119,h:22},
{t:"March ",p:4,x:1030,y:882,w:58,h:22},
{t:"cover ",p:4,x:1098,y:882,w:50,h:22},
{t:"story ",p:4,x:1157,y:882,w:46,h:22},
{t:"featuring tiny Hillman Junior/Senior High ",p:4,x:837,y:907,w:367,h:22},
{t:"School made headlines this spring when it ",p:4,x:837,y:932,w:367,h:22},
{t:"was published. The Alpena News, a daily ",p:4,x:837,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"newspaper serving residents of northeast-",p:4,x:837,y:982,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ern Michigan, featured a positive article ",p:4,x:837,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"about our story.",p:4,x:837,y:1032,w:130,h:22},
{t:"Under the headline, “Taking pride in edu-",p:4,x:856,y:1057,w:343,h:22},
{t:"cation,” the Alpena News article included ",p:4,x:837,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"interviews with students and staff. ",p:4,x:837,y:1107,w:292,h:22},
{t:"Readers respond with range  ",p:4,x:67,y:135,w:788,h:89},
{t:"of opinions on story about  ",p:4,x:67,y:210,w:737,h:89},
{t:"big and small high schools",p:4,x:67,y:286,w:810,h:98},
{t:"5",p:5,x:1207,y:1574,w:11,h:24},
{t:"JUNE 2008",p:5,x:1091,y:1577,w:70,h:19},
{t:"The ",p:5,x:-307,y:141,w:7,h:5},
{t:"MEA ",p:5,x:-298,y:142,w:9,h:5},
{t:"Mission: ",p:5,x:-282,y:142,w:15,h:5},
{t:"T",p:5,x:-281,y:144,w:2,h:5},
{t:"o ",p:5,x:-277,y:144,w:3,h:5},
{t:"ensure ",p:5,x:-264,y:144,w:13,h:5},
{t:"that the ",p:5,x:-256,y:145,w:13,h:6},
{t:"education ",p:5,x:-231,y:147,w:18,h:5},
{t:"of ",p:5,x:-227,y:148,w:4,h:5},
{t:"our ",p:5,x:-220,y:149,w:6,h:5},
{t:"students ",p:5,x:-204,y:149,w:15,h:5},
{t:"and the ",p:5,x:-316,y:145,w:13,h:6},
{t:"working environm",p:5,x:-294,y:147,w:30,h:6},
{t:"ents ",p:5,x:-270,y:149,w:8,h:5},
{t:"of ",p:5,x:-265,y:150,w:4,h:5},
{t:"our ",p:5,x:-258,y:151,w:6,h:5},
{t:"members ",p:5,x:-241,y:151,w:17,h:5},
{t:"are ",p:5,x:-234,y:153,w:6,h:5},
{t:"of ",p:5,x:-230,y:153,w:4,h:5},
{t:"the ",p:5,x:-223,y:154,w:6,h:5},
{t:"highest ",p:5,x:-209,y:154,w:13,h:5},
{t:"qual",p:5,x:-202,y:155,w:7,h:5},
{t:"ity",p:5,x:-199,y:156,w:4,h:5},
{t:".",p:5,x:-197,y:156,w:0,h:5},
{t:"Periodicals",p:5,x:-252,y:398,w:18,h:6},
{t:"Postage Paid",p:5,x:-252,y:402,w:21,h:6},
{t:"Lansing, MI",p:5,x:-252,y:406,w:19,h:6},
{t:"March ",p:5,x:-39,y:90,w:15,h:6},
{t:"2008",p:5,x:-30,y:91,w:9,h:6},
{t:"V",p:5,x:-51,y:96,w:3,h:6},
{t:"olume ",p:5,x:-35,y:97,w:14,h:6},
{t:"85",p:5,x:-31,y:98,w:4,h:6},
{t:"Issue ",p:5,x:-33,y:104,w:12,h:6},
{t:"4",p:5,x:-32,y:105,w:2,h:6},
{t:"A ",p:5,x:-222,y:75,w:4,h:6},
{t:"Publication ",p:5,x:-195,y:75,w:26,h:6},
{t:"of ",p:5,x:-190,y:77,w:5,h:6},
{t:"the ",p:5,x:-181,y:78,w:8,h:6},
{t:"Michigan Education Association",p:5,x:-233,y:79,w:74,h:10},
{t:"What makes a",p:5,x:-174,y:126,w:127,h:40},
{t:"Quality",p:5,x:-173,y:139,w:117,h:57},
{t:"School?",p:5,x:-163,y:169,w:127,h:59},
{t:"Big or small, ",p:5,x:-202,y:389,w:85,h:29},
{t:"many high schools",p:5,x:-203,y:403,w:124,h:32},
{t:"make the grade",p:5,x:-201,y:416,w:130,h:38},
{t:"INSIDE ",p:5,x:-305,y:40,w:25,h:10},
{t:"THIS ISSUE",p:5,x:-287,y:42,w:38,h:11},
{t:"Election 2008",p:5,x:944,y:26,w:278,h:69},
{t:"Issues&",p:5,x:64,y:127,w:236,h:79},
{t:"Candidates",p:5,x:64,y:161,w:321,h:103},
{t:"Sen. Hillary Clinton (D)",p:5,x:425,y:339,w:170,h:23},
{t:"Sen. Barack Obama (D)",p:5,x:622,y:339,w:170,h:23},
{t:"Sen. John McCain (R)",p:5,x:825,y:339,w:159,h:23},
{t:"No Child Left Behind (NCLB)",p:5,x:74,y:395,w:305,h:36},
{t:"End ",p:5,x:430,y:370,w:36,h:25},
{t:"“I will the end the ",p:5,x:421,y:403,w:121,h:22},
{t:"unfunded mandate ",p:5,x:421,y:426,w:129,h:22},
{t:"known as No Child Left ",p:5,x:421,y:448,w:156,h:22},
{t:"Behind. And, together, ",p:5,x:421,y:471,w:151,h:22},
{t:"we will come up with a ",p:5,x:421,y:493,w:156,h:22},
{t:"21st-century educational ",p:5,x:421,y:516,w:165,h:22},
{t:"system for our children, ",p:5,x:421,y:539,w:160,h:22},
{t:"where we look at each ",p:5,x:421,y:561,w:151,h:22},
{t:"individual child and try to ",p:5,x:421,y:584,w:172,h:22},
{t:"decide what we need to ",p:5,x:421,y:606,w:161,h:22},
{t:"do to lift that little boy or ",p:5,x:421,y:629,w:168,h:22},
{t:"girl to his or her God-given ",p:5,x:421,y:652,w:183,h:22},
{t:"potential.",p:5,x:421,y:674,w:61,h:22},
{t:"” ",p:5,x:479,y:674,w:11,h:22},
{t:"CQ Transcripts Wire, ",p:5,x:490,y:703,w:113,h:17},
{t:"Washington Post, 2/12/08",p:5,x:462,y:724,w:138,h:17},
{t:"Reform ",p:5,x:627,y:370,w:65,h:25},
{t:"“The fact is, No Child Left ",p:5,x:617,y:403,w:173,h:22},
{t:"Behind has done more to ",p:5,x:617,y:426,w:171,h:22},
{t:"stigmatize and demoralize ",p:5,x:617,y:448,w:175,h:22},
{t:"our students and teachers ",p:5,x:617,y:471,w:174,h:22},
{t:"in struggling schools than ",p:5,x:617,y:493,w:174,h:22},
{t:"it has to marshal the talent ",p:5,x:617,y:516,w:181,h:22},
{t:"and the determination ",p:5,x:617,y:539,w:150,h:22},
{t:"and the resources to turn ",p:5,x:617,y:561,w:170,h:22},
{t:"them around. That’s what’s ",p:5,x:617,y:584,w:179,h:22},
{t:"wrong with No Child Left ",p:5,x:617,y:606,w:169,h:22},
{t:"Behind, and that’s what ",p:5,x:617,y:629,w:158,h:22},
{t:"we must change in a ",p:5,x:617,y:652,w:140,h:22},
{t:"fundamental way.",p:5,x:617,y:674,w:117,h:22},
{t:"” ",p:5,x:732,y:674,w:11,h:22},
{t:"Manchester, NH, 11/22/07",p:5,x:659,y:703,w:138,h:17},
{t:"Tweak ",p:5,x:824,y:370,w:58,h:25},
{t:"“No Child Left Behind — ",p:5,x:814,y:403,w:166,h:22},
{t:"everybody likes to criticize ",p:5,x:814,y:426,w:177,h:22},
{t:"it. It needs to be fixed, but ",p:5,x:814,y:448,w:176,h:22},
{t:"it was a great beginning. ",p:5,x:814,y:471,w:167,h:22},
{t:"It was a great way of ",p:5,x:814,y:493,w:140,h:22},
{t:"gauging performance.",p:5,x:814,y:516,w:145,h:22},
{t:"” ",p:5,x:957,y:516,w:11,h:22},
{t:"PBS, “The Charlie Rose ",p:5,x:865,y:545,w:132,h:17},
{t:"Show,",p:5,x:909,y:566,w:34,h:17},
{t:"” 11/27/07",p:5,x:941,y:566,w:53,h:17},
{t:"Overhaul ",p:5,x:1011,y:371,w:60,h:19},
{t:"The law’s goals are vitally ",p:5,x:1011,y:399,w:173,h:22},
{t:"important. However, ",p:5,x:1011,y:422,w:138,h:22},
{t:"Congress must shift away ",p:5,x:1011,y:444,w:173,h:22},
{t:"from the law’s one-size-",p:5,x:1011,y:467,w:155,h:22},
{t:"fits-all accountability ",p:5,x:1011,y:489,w:139,h:22},
{t:"system and its emphasis ",p:5,x:1011,y:512,w:166,h:22},
{t:"on punishment, to one ",p:5,x:1011,y:535,w:153,h:22},
{t:"that involves significant ",p:5,x:1011,y:557,w:159,h:22},
{t:"input from educators ",p:5,x:1011,y:580,w:142,h:22},
{t:"and supports educators ",p:5,x:1011,y:602,w:159,h:22},
{t:"in improving student ",p:5,x:1011,y:625,w:141,h:22},
{t:"learning, rewards success, ",p:5,x:1011,y:647,w:177,h:22},
{t:"and provides meaningful ",p:5,x:1011,y:670,w:168,h:22},
{t:"assistance to schools most ",p:5,x:1011,y:693,w:180,h:22},
{t:"in need of help.",p:5,x:1011,y:715,w:102,h:22},
{t:"Pay Teachers Based on Student Test Scores;  ",p:5,x:74,y:751,w:309,h:23},
{t:"Pay Teachers Based on Other Factors",p:5,x:74,y:774,w:254,h:23},
{t:"Opposes Individual Pay for ",p:5,x:421,y:752,w:173,h:19},
{t:"Test Scores, but Supports ",p:5,x:421,y:772,w:167,h:19},
{t:"School-Wide Enhanced ",p:5,x:421,y:792,w:150,h:19},
{t:"Compensation",p:5,x:421,y:812,w:92,h:19},
{t:"Opposes Traditional Pay for ",p:5,x:617,y:752,w:175,h:19},
{t:"Test Scores, but Supports ",p:5,x:617,y:772,w:167,h:19},
{t:"Some Forms of Enhanced ",p:5,x:617,y:792,w:166,h:19},
{t:"Compensation",p:5,x:617,y:812,w:92,h:19},
{t:"Supports Pay for Test Scores",p:5,x:814,y:752,w:180,h:19},
{t:"Opposes Pay for Test ",p:5,x:1011,y:752,w:134,h:19},
{t:"Scores, but Supports ",p:5,x:1011,y:772,w:137,h:19},
{t:"Some Forms of Enhanced ",p:5,x:1011,y:792,w:167,h:19},
{t:"Compensation",p:5,x:1011,y:812,w:92,h:19},
{t:"Private School Vouchers",p:5,x:74,y:841,w:168,h:23},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:421,y:841,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:617,y:841,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:814,y:841,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:1011,y:841,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Charter Schools",p:5,x:74,y:872,w:111,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:873,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:873,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:814,y:873,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports public charter ",p:5,x:1011,y:873,w:153,h:19},
{t:"schools with certain quality ",p:5,x:1011,y:893,w:179,h:19},
{t:"assurance provisions",p:5,x:1011,y:913,w:132,h:19},
{t:"Change NCLB’s Use of a Single Standardized ",p:5,x:74,y:942,w:316,h:23},
{t:"Test to Measure Student Success",p:5,x:74,y:964,w:231,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:942,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:942,w:58,h:19},
{t:"No Public Information Found*",p:5,x:814,y:942,w:166,h:17},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:942,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Improve Quality of Tests",p:5,x:74,y:996,w:167,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:996,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:996,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports Testing Changes ",p:5,x:814,y:996,w:168,h:19},
{t:"for Students With ",p:5,x:814,y:1016,w:115,h:19},
{t:"Disabilities and English ",p:5,x:814,y:1036,w:151,h:19},
{t:"Language Learners",p:5,x:814,y:1056,w:120,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:996,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Reduce Class Size",p:5,x:74,y:1085,w:125,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:1086,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:1086,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:814,y:1086,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:1086,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Expand Early Childhood Education",p:5,x:74,y:1117,w:240,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:1117,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:1117,w:58,h:19},
{t:"No Public Information Found*",p:5,x:814,y:1117,w:166,h:17},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:1117,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Increase Federal Education Funding",p:5,x:74,y:1148,w:248,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:1149,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:1149,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Opposed Bills to Increase ",p:5,x:814,y:1149,w:164,h:19},
{t:"Funding, but Says He ",p:5,x:814,y:1169,w:139,h:19},
{t:"Supports Adequate Funding",p:5,x:814,y:1189,w:177,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:1149,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Pay Teachers a Starting Salary of $40,000 and ",p:5,x:74,y:1218,w:324,h:23},
{t:"Education Support Professionals a Living Wage",p:5,x:74,y:1240,w:328,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:1218,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:1218,w:58,h:19},
{t:"No Public Information Found*",p:5,x:814,y:1218,w:166,h:17},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:1218,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Increase Student Aid for College (Pell Grants)",p:5,x:74,y:1272,w:316,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:1272,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:1272,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:814,y:1272,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:1272,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Increase Minimum Wage",p:5,x:74,y:1304,w:169,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:1304,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:1304,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:814,y:1304,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:1304,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Sponsor Bill to Repeal GPO/WEP",p:5,x:74,y:1335,w:225,h:23},
{t:"Yes",p:5,x:421,y:1336,w:20,h:19},
{t:"Yes",p:5,x:617,y:1336,w:20,h:19},
{t:"No",p:5,x:814,y:1336,w:18,h:19},
{t:"Supports Bill",p:5,x:1011,y:1336,w:82,h:19},
{t:"Expand Healthcare, Create Universal Health ",p:5,x:74,y:1367,w:309,h:23},
{t:"Insurance",p:5,x:74,y:1389,w:67,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:1367,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:1367,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports Expanding Health ",p:5,x:814,y:1367,w:179,h:19},
{t:"Care, Opposes Universal ",p:5,x:814,y:1387,w:159,h:19},
{t:"Insurance",p:5,x:814,y:1407,w:61,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:1367,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Privatize Social Security",p:5,x:74,y:1436,w:169,h:23},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:421,y:1436,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:617,y:1436,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Partially supports",p:5,x:814,y:1436,w:111,h:19},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:1011,y:1436,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Protect Education Employee Rights to ",p:5,x:74,y:1468,w:269,h:23},
{t:"Organize (EFCA)",p:5,x:74,y:1490,w:112,h:23},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:421,y:1468,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:617,y:1468,w:58,h:19},
{t:"Opposes",p:5,x:814,y:1468,w:55,h:19},
{t:"Supports",p:5,x:1011,y:1468,w:58,h:19},
{t:"*All three Presidential candidates were asked to complete an NEA presidential candidate questionnaire. Senators Clinton and Obama completed the questionnaire but Senator McCain did not.",p:5,x:64,y:1522,w:1060,h:17},
{t:"”",p:5,x:1122,y:1522,w:6,h:17},
{t:"6",p:6,x:37,y:1574,w:11,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE",p:6,x:93,y:1577,w:72,h:19},
{t:"AT ISSUE",p:6,x:405,y:38,w:193,h:69},
{t:"The dropout epidemic,  ",p:6,x:446,y:979,w:624,h:89},
{t:"by the numbers",p:6,x:446,y:1054,w:418,h:89},
{t:"◼ ",p:6,x:490,y:1149,w:27,h:43},
{t:"In 2004-05, 540,000 students dropped out of U.S. high schools.",p:6,x:528,y:1147,w:624,h:47},
{t:"Source: National Center for Education Statistics.",p:6,x:927,y:1196,w:266,h:17},
{t:"◼ ",p:6,x:490,y:1242,w:27,h:43},
{t:"Nearly one-third of all public high school students—and ",p:6,x:528,y:1240,w:578,h:47},
{t:"nearly one half of all African-American, Hispanic and ",p:6,x:528,y:1273,w:630,h:47},
{t:"Native American students—fail to graduate from public high school with their ",p:6,x:528,y:1327,w:657,h:22},
{t:"class.",p:6,x:528,y:1360,w:43,h:22},
{t:"Source: “The Silent Epidemic,",p:6,x:923,y:1389,w:165,h:17},
{t:"” National Summit.",p:6,x:1086,y:1389,w:107,h:17},
{t:"◼ ",p:6,x:490,y:1405,w:27,h:43},
{t:"Dropouts are more likely to be unemployed, in poor health, ",p:6,x:528,y:1403,w:637,h:47},
{t:"living in poverty, on public assistance, and single ",p:6,x:533,y:1436,w:600,h:47},
{t:"parents with children who drop out of high school, than high school graduates.",p:6,x:528,y:1490,w:658,h:22},
{t:"Source: “The Silent Epidemic,",p:6,x:923,y:1519,w:165,h:17},
{t:"” National Summit.",p:6,x:1086,y:1519,w:107,h:17},
{t:"By Karen Schulz",p:6,x:56,y:482,w:143,h:22},
{t:"Many people told James Alexander to ",p:6,x:56,y:524,w:367,h:65},
{t:"stay in school until graduation.",p:6,x:107,y:557,w:258,h:22},
{t:"But their refrain of encouragement didn’t ",p:6,x:74,y:582,w:348,h:22},
{t:"resonate. He heard his parents, teachers ",p:6,x:56,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and others say he’d need a diploma to get ",p:6,x:56,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"a good job or to go to college. It seemed ",p:6,x:56,y:657,w:367,h:22},
{t:"logical enough. He simply couldn’t picture ",p:6,x:56,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"himself pulling it off.",p:6,x:56,y:707,w:175,h:22},
{t:"“It was like a fantasy,” recalls Alexander, ",p:6,x:75,y:732,w:348,h:22},
{t:"who dropped out of the Godwin Learning ",p:6,x:56,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Center in Wyoming, an alternative pro-",p:6,x:56,y:782,w:362,h:22},
{t:"gram for at-risk youth. ",p:6,x:56,y:807,w:212,h:22},
{t:"“It’s ",p:6,x:275,y:807,w:40,h:22},
{t:"like saying ",p:6,x:321,y:807,w:101,h:22},
{t:"you can fy.”",p:6,x:56,y:832,w:107,h:22},
{t:"One could say Alexander ’s dreams never ",p:6,x:75,y:857,w:348,h:22},
{t:"attained liftoff. Surrounded by negative in-",p:6,x:56,y:882,w:362,h:22},
{t:"fuences, Alexander couldn’t imagine going ",p:6,x:56,y:907,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to college or getting a job with a good salary .",p:6,x:56,y:932,w:362,h:22},
{t:"“What I’m exposed to is the wrong side of ",p:6,x:75,y:957,w:348,h:22},
{t:"the law,” he says. “I can see 10 or 12 laws be-",p:6,x:56,y:982,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ing broken every day. It’s what I’m used to. ",p:6,x:56,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"It’s just like the sun is shining. I see a person ",p:6,x:56,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"on the corner, selling drugs, driving fancy ",p:6,x:56,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"cars. You don’t see this professor coming ",p:6,x:56,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"down and talking to you. That’s not what ",p:6,x:56,y:1107,w:367,h:22},
{t:"I’m exposed to.”",p:6,x:56,y:1132,w:136,h:22},
{t:"Until one day last year, a teacher did come ",p:6,x:75,y:1157,w:348,h:22},
{t:"to talk. And he brought good news.",p:6,x:56,y:1182,w:295,h:22},
{t:"Paul ",p:6,x:75,y:1207,w:42,h:22},
{t:"Dickinson, ",p:6,x:126,y:1207,w:94,h:22},
{t:"a ",p:6,x:231,y:1207,w:14,h:22},
{t:"math ",p:6,x:254,y:1207,w:48,h:22},
{t:"teacher ",p:6,x:311,y:1207,w:65,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:6,x:386,y:1207,w:37,h:22},
{t:"basketball coach at the Godwin Learning ",p:6,x:56,y:1232,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Center, went to see Alexander, who had ",p:6,x:56,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"dropped ",p:6,x:56,y:1282,w:77,h:22},
{t:"out ",p:6,x:143,y:1282,w:32,h:22},
{t:"over ",p:6,x:185,y:1282,w:42,h:22},
{t:"questions ",p:6,x:236,y:1282,w:84,h:22},
{t:"about ",p:6,x:331,y:1282,w:52,h:22},
{t:"his ",p:6,x:393,y:1282,w:29,h:22},
{t:"transcripts.",p:6,x:56,y:1307,w:93,h:22},
{t:"The school had resolved the transcript ",p:6,x:75,y:1332,w:348,h:22},
{t:"problems, ",p:6,x:56,y:1357,w:88,h:22},
{t:"Dickinson ",p:6,x:155,y:1357,w:89,h:22},
{t:"said, ",p:6,x:255,y:1357,w:44,h:22},
{t:"clearing ",p:6,x:309,y:1357,w:71,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:6,x:392,y:1357,w:31,h:22},
{t:"way ",p:6,x:56,y:1382,w:40,h:22},
{t:"for Alexander ",p:6,x:104,y:1382,w:128,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:6,x:240,y:1382,w:21,h:22},
{t:"resume ",p:6,x:269,y:1382,w:66,h:22},
{t:"his ",p:6,x:343,y:1382,w:29,h:22},
{t:"high ",p:6,x:380,y:1382,w:43,h:22},
{t:"school career.",p:6,x:56,y:1407,w:115,h:22},
{t:"Alexander was in class the very next ",p:6,x:75,y:1432,w:348,h:22},
{t:"day—and he stayed until graduation, even ",p:6,x:56,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"speaking at his commencement ceremony.",p:6,x:56,y:1482,w:349,h:22},
{t:"A year later, he’s a mentor for other at-risk ",p:6,x:75,y:1507,w:348,h:22},
{t:"Critical crisis",p:6,x:56,y:133,w:1116,h:229},
{t:"Estimates peg the high school dropout rate at 20,000 every year in Michigan, exacting heavy tolls on the state’s ",p:6,x:93,y:370,w:1088,h:37},
{t:"economy and the lives of students and families everywhere. MEA is leading efforts to tackle the dropout problem.",p:6,x:93,y:408,w:1095,h:37},
{t:"teens and a college student studying to be ",p:6,x:446,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"a teacher.",p:6,x:446,y:557,w:77,h:22},
{t:"“I consider him one of my best success ",p:6,x:465,y:582,w:348,h:22},
{t:"stories,” Dickinson says.",p:6,x:446,y:607,w:202,h:22},
{t:"Measuring the economic impact",p:6,x:446,y:650,w:327,h:30},
{t:"Not all dropout stories end as well.",p:6,x:465,y:682,w:292,h:22},
{t:"In Michigan, thousands of people leave ",p:6,x:465,y:707,w:348,h:22},
{t:"school before earning a diploma. Data is un-",p:6,x:446,y:732,w:362,h:22},
{t:"reliable, but some estimates peg the number ",p:6,x:446,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"of students who drop out each year at about ",p:6,x:446,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"20,000. Nationwide, the problem ",p:6,x:446,y:807,w:295,h:22},
{t:"is ",p:6,x:749,y:807,w:18,h:22},
{t:"esti-",p:6,x:774,y:807,w:34,h:22},
{t:"mated to exceed 500,000 students a year.",p:6,x:446,y:832,w:335,h:22},
{t:"In addition to the huge personal toll of ",p:6,x:465,y:857,w:348,h:22},
{t:"the dropout problem, the economic impact ",p:6,x:446,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:6,x:446,y:907,w:21,h:22},
{t:"society ",p:6,x:475,y:907,w:62,h:22},
{t:"is ",p:6,x:544,y:907,w:18,h:22},
{t:"measurable. Research ",p:6,x:570,y:907,w:191,h:22},
{t:"from ",p:6,x:769,y:907,w:44,h:22},
{t:"Columbia University’s prestigious Teachers ",p:6,x:446,y:932,w:367,h:22},
{t:"College shows that boosting high school ",p:6,x:837,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"graduation rates would save $127,000 per ",p:6,x:837,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"new graduate through extra tax revenues, ",p:6,x:837,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"reduced costs of public health, crime and ",p:6,x:837,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"justice, and decreased welfare payments.",p:6,x:837,y:632,w:339,h:22},
{t:"“If we don’t fnd a way to keep young ",p:6,x:856,y:657,w:348,h:22},
{t:"people in school, we’re sentencing them to a ",p:6,x:837,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"life of poverty ,” says Ron Koehler, assistant ",p:6,x:837,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"superintendent of the Kent Intermediate ",p:6,x:837,y:732,w:367,h:22},
{t:"School District.",p:6,x:837,y:757,w:125,h:22},
{t:"Added MEA President Iris K. Salters, a ",p:6,x:856,y:782,w:348,h:22},
{t:"special education teacher: “One dropout is ",p:6,x:837,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"too many .”",p:6,x:837,y:832,w:90,h:22},
{t:"Focusing on the crisis",p:6,x:837,y:875,w:222,h:30},
{t:"Renewed efforts on multiple fronts aim to ",p:6,x:856,y:907,w:348,h:22},
{t:"put the dropout crisis on the public’s radar.",p:6,x:837,y:932,w:360,h:22},
{t:"7",p:7,x:1207,y:1574,w:11,h:24},
{t:"JUNE 2008",p:7,x:1091,y:1577,w:70,h:19},
{t:"Dropouts: One Is Too Many",p:7,x:661,y:38,w:556,h:69},
{t:"Ten ",p:7,x:75,y:532,w:34,h:22},
{t:"MEA-sponsored ",p:7,x:125,y:532,w:140,h:22},
{t:"public ",p:7,x:283,y:532,w:56,h:22},
{t:"hearings ",p:7,x:56,y:557,w:76,h:22},
{t:"around ",p:7,x:140,y:557,w:65,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:7,x:214,y:557,w:30,h:22},
{t:"state ",p:7,x:253,y:557,w:43,h:22},
{t:"this ",p:7,x:305,y:557,w:35,h:22},
{t:"year will collect input about the ",p:7,x:56,y:582,w:284,h:22},
{t:"dropout problem as well as pos-",p:7,x:56,y:607,w:279,h:22},
{t:"sible solutions (see accompanying ",p:7,x:56,y:632,w:284,h:22},
{t:"story on page 9). The hearings ",p:7,x:56,y:657,w:284,h:22},
{t:"will lead to the Michigan Dropout ",p:7,x:56,y:682,w:284,h:22},
{t:"Prevention ",p:7,x:56,y:707,w:95,h:22},
{t:"Leadership ",p:7,x:161,y:707,w:97,h:22},
{t:"Summit ",p:7,x:269,y:707,w:70,h:22},
{t:"on Oct. 20 in Lansing.",p:7,x:56,y:732,w:180,h:22},
{t:"In ",p:7,x:75,y:757,w:21,h:22},
{t:"Lansing, ",p:7,x:108,y:757,w:75,h:22},
{t:"lawmakers ",p:7,x:196,y:757,w:95,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:7,x:303,y:757,w:36,h:22},
{t:"Gov. Jennifer Granholm are discussing ways ",p:7,x:56,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to keep more students in school but are not ",p:7,x:56,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"addressing reasons why students drop out.",p:7,x:56,y:832,w:358,h:22},
{t:"Major challenges ahead",p:7,x:56,y:875,w:247,h:30},
{t:"Educators who work with students at risk ",p:7,x:75,y:907,w:348,h:22},
{t:"of dropping out, as well as those who’ve ",p:7,x:56,y:932,w:367,h:22},
{t:"dropped out and later returned to school, ",p:7,x:56,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"say the unique needs of their students make ",p:7,x:56,y:982,w:367,h:22},
{t:"solving the dropout problem a challenge.",p:7,x:56,y:1007,w:342,h:22},
{t:"“Too often, we give up on these kids and ",p:7,x:75,y:1032,w:348,h:22},
{t:"we try to pound them all into the same ",p:7,x:56,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"hole,” says Kathy McKnight, who works at ",p:7,x:56,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Mott Adult High School in Flint.",p:7,x:56,y:1107,w:269,h:22},
{t:"There’s no single reason that causes a ",p:7,x:75,y:1132,w:348,h:22},
{t:"student to drop out, she said.",p:7,x:56,y:1157,w:242,h:22},
{t:"Dropouts may be orphans, or they may ",p:7,x:75,y:1182,w:348,h:22},
{t:"be parents themselves. They may be very ",p:7,x:56,y:1207,w:367,h:22},
{t:"poor and need to work to support them-",p:7,x:56,y:1232,w:362,h:22},
{t:"selves. Their academic performance may ",p:7,x:56,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"lag behind—or, it may be so advanced that ",p:7,x:56,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"school isn’t a challenge.",p:7,x:56,y:1307,w:196,h:22},
{t:"Teacher Sue Doneson, who works at an ",p:7,x:75,y:1332,w:348,h:22},
{t:"alternative program in Haslett, said at-risk ",p:7,x:56,y:1357,w:367,h:22},
{t:"students need academic rigor in a fexible ",p:7,x:56,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"setting to serve the needs of a range of ",p:7,x:56,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"students.",p:7,x:56,y:1432,w:75,h:22},
{t:"“If ",p:7,x:75,y:1457,w:26,h:22},
{t:"you’ve never taught kids who are ",p:7,x:108,y:1457,w:315,h:22},
{t:"homeless, ",p:7,x:56,y:1482,w:86,h:22},
{t:"it’s ",p:7,x:151,y:1482,w:29,h:22},
{t:"hard ",p:7,x:189,y:1482,w:43,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:7,x:242,y:1482,w:21,h:22},
{t:"understand why ",p:7,x:272,y:1482,w:151,h:22},
{t:"they can’t concentrate in a traditional class-",p:7,x:56,y:1507,w:362,h:22},
{t:"room,” said Doneson, who has spent much ",p:7,x:446,y:1182,w:357,h:22},
{t:"of her 39-year career working with at-risk ",p:7,x:446,y:1207,w:357,h:22},
{t:"students. “Why can’t they tend to the busi-",p:7,x:446,y:1232,w:353,h:22},
{t:"ness at hand? They may be thinking, ‘Is it ",p:7,x:446,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"going to hit freezing tonight? Am I going to ",p:7,x:446,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"be warm enough?’ It’s easy for certain kinds ",p:7,x:446,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"of kids to become invisible.”",p:7,x:446,y:1332,w:235,h:22},
{t:"Raising the stakes",p:7,x:446,y:1375,w:186,h:30},
{t:"New ",p:7,x:465,y:1407,w:44,h:22},
{t:"curriculum ",p:7,x:531,y:1407,w:97,h:22},
{t:"requirements ",p:7,x:649,y:1407,w:114,h:22},
{t:"for ",p:7,x:785,y:1407,w:28,h:22},
{t:"high schoolers have added pressure ",p:7,x:446,y:1432,w:331,h:22},
{t:"for ",p:7,x:785,y:1432,w:28,h:22},
{t:"students—and ",p:7,x:446,y:1457,w:125,h:22},
{t:"increased ",p:7,x:584,y:1457,w:83,h:22},
{t:"frustration ",p:7,x:680,y:1457,w:93,h:22},
{t:"for ",p:7,x:785,y:1457,w:28,h:22},
{t:"some schools—as both try to squeeze in ",p:7,x:446,y:1482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"rigorous coursework.",p:7,x:446,y:1507,w:177,h:22},
{t:"As the stakes are raised, some students ",p:7,x:856,y:1257,w:348,h:22},
{t:"may be more likely to drop out, teachers ",p:7,x:837,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"said, which is why it’s important to under-",p:7,x:837,y:1307,w:362,h:22},
{t:"stand the scope of the problem as well as ",p:7,x:837,y:1332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"sustainable solutions.",p:7,x:837,y:1357,w:178,h:22},
{t:"Teachers and support staff play an impor-",p:7,x:856,y:1382,w:343,h:22},
{t:"tant role in keeping students in school, but ",p:7,x:837,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"they aren’t alone. Parents, grandparents, busi-",p:7,x:837,y:1432,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ness leaders and others also are stakeholders.",p:7,x:837,y:1457,w:362,h:22},
{t:"continued on page 9",p:7,x:922,y:1506,w:201,h:24},
{t:"Today, former high school dropout ",p:7,x:511,y:977,w:290,h:25},
{t:"James Alexander (right) mentors ",p:7,x:526,y:1002,w:275,h:25},
{t:"at-risk teens and is a college student ",p:7,x:490,y:1027,w:311,h:25},
{t:"studying to be a teacher.",p:7,x:591,y:1052,w:205,h:25},
{t:"Kevin W. Fowler photo",p:7,x:654,y:1084,w:142,h:19},
{t:"Teachers Alisha Martin and ",p:7,x:572,y:783,w:229,h:25},
{t:"Paul Dickinson (above) helped ",p:7,x:548,y:808,w:254,h:25},
{t:"James Alexander complete his ",p:7,x:544,y:833,w:258,h:25},
{t:"graduation requirements at the ",p:7,x:537,y:858,w:264,h:25},
{t:"Godwin Learning Center.",p:7,x:590,y:883,w:206,h:25},
{t:"8",p:8,x:37,y:1574,w:11,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE",p:8,x:93,y:1577,w:72,h:19},
{t:"AT ISSUE",p:8,x:405,y:38,w:193,h:69},
{t:"There’s nothing typical about a typical ",p:8,x:56,y:499,w:367,h:65},
{t:"day for Kristine Samuelson, a school ",p:8,x:90,y:532,w:332,h:22},
{t:"social worker.",p:8,x:56,y:557,w:118,h:22},
{t:"Her days are spent at medical appoint-",p:8,x:74,y:582,w:343,h:22},
{t:"ments with students, doing one-on-one ",p:8,x:56,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"interventions ",p:8,x:56,y:632,w:115,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:8,x:183,y:632,w:21,h:22},
{t:"help ",p:8,x:215,y:632,w:41,h:22},
{t:"disruptive ",p:8,x:266,y:632,w:92,h:22},
{t:"teens, ",p:8,x:369,y:632,w:53,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:8,x:56,y:657,w:36,h:22},
{t:"leading ",p:8,x:101,y:657,w:67,h:22},
{t:"team-building ",p:8,x:178,y:657,w:124,h:22},
{t:"exercises ",p:8,x:313,y:657,w:79,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:8,x:402,y:657,w:21,h:22},
{t:"build life skills. There are medications to ",p:8,x:56,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"dispense, teachers to consult, counseling ",p:8,x:56,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"sessions and a myriad of other tasks.",p:8,x:56,y:732,w:314,h:22},
{t:"Whatever her day looks like, she’s driven ",p:8,x:74,y:757,w:348,h:22},
{t:"by a singular mission:",p:8,x:56,y:782,w:186,h:22},
{t:"“If we can save some of these students, ",p:8,x:75,y:807,w:348,h:22},
{t:"we’ll have done our job,” says Samuelson, ",p:8,x:56,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"who works at the day treatment program ",p:8,x:56,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"ISD social worker",p:8,x:56,y:165,w:955,h:136},
{t:"doing all she can",p:8,x:56,y:238,w:1099,h:163},
{t:"to keep students in school",p:8,x:56,y:349,w:1104,h:113},
{t:"for emotionally impaired students, housed ",p:8,x:446,y:507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"at ",p:8,x:446,y:532,w:20,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:8,x:478,y:532,w:31,h:22},
{t:"Doris ",p:8,x:520,y:532,w:51,h:22},
{t:"Klaussen ",p:8,x:583,y:532,w:81,h:22},
{t:"Developmental ",p:8,x:677,y:532,w:137,h:22},
{t:"Center in Battle Creek. Operated by the ",p:8,x:446,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Calhoun ",p:8,x:446,y:582,w:77,h:22},
{t:"Intermediate ",p:8,x:538,y:582,w:113,h:22},
{t:"School ",p:8,x:666,y:582,w:60,h:22},
{t:"District, ",p:8,x:740,y:582,w:73,h:22},
{t:"the center runs several special education ",p:8,x:446,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"programs.",p:8,x:446,y:632,w:87,h:22},
{t:"Samuelson’s work is important; studies ",p:8,x:465,y:657,w:348,h:22},
{t:"show that students with special needs are ",p:8,x:446,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"more likely to drop out and less likely than ",p:8,x:446,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"typical students to graduate with standard ",p:8,x:446,y:732,w:367,h:22},
{t:"diplomas.",p:8,x:446,y:757,w:83,h:22},
{t:"The students served by the day treat-",p:8,x:465,y:782,w:343,h:22},
{t:"ment program are considered at risk of ",p:8,x:446,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"dropping out. Without the highly struc-",p:8,x:446,y:832,w:362,h:22},
{t:"tured educational program, many of the ",p:8,x:446,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"students wouldn’t have anyplace else to ",p:8,x:837,y:507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"go for school. Many, in fact, would prob-",p:8,x:837,y:532,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ably leave school and never gain the skills ",p:8,x:837,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"needed to get a job, Samuelson said.",p:8,x:837,y:582,w:309,h:22},
{t:"For ",p:8,x:856,y:607,w:32,h:22},
{t:"some ",p:8,x:906,y:607,w:48,h:22},
{t:"public ",p:8,x:972,y:607,w:56,h:22},
{t:"school ",p:8,x:1047,y:607,w:57,h:22},
{t:"students, ",p:8,x:1123,y:607,w:81,h:22},
{t:"Samuelson provides the necessary mental ",p:8,x:837,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"health care that allows them to stay ",p:8,x:837,y:657,w:339,h:22},
{t:"in ",p:8,x:1183,y:657,w:21,h:22},
{t:"school until graduation. The program’s ",p:8,x:837,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"purpose is to provide students with a safe ",p:8,x:837,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and structured alternative school placement ",p:8,x:837,y:732,w:367,h:22},
{t:"in which to learn behaviors necessary to be ",p:8,x:837,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"successful in the regular school setting.",p:8,x:837,y:782,w:330,h:22},
{t:"“I love what I do,” Samuelson said. ",p:8,x:856,y:807,w:323,h:22},
{t:"“I ",p:8,x:1183,y:807,w:20,h:22},
{t:"know that we’re making a difference in the ",p:8,x:837,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"lives of our students.” ",p:8,x:837,y:857,w:192,h:22},
{t:"Social worker Kristine Samuelson debriefs with students after an activity  ",p:8,x:384,y:906,w:472,h:19},
{t:"that encouraged students to communicate and work together.",p:8,x:384,y:926,w:395,h:19},
{t:"9",p:9,x:1207,y:1574,w:11,h:24},
{t:"JUNE 2008",p:9,x:1091,y:1577,w:70,h:19},
{t:"Dropouts: One Is Too Many",p:9,x:661,y:38,w:556,h:69},
{t:"The Michigan Department of Education ",p:9,x:56,y:1199,w:367,h:65},
{t:"will soon report graduation rates us-",p:9,x:90,y:1232,w:328,h:22},
{t:"ing a new formula that’s expected to show ",p:9,x:56,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"an increase in the number of high school ",p:9,x:56,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"dropouts.",p:9,x:56,y:1307,w:80,h:22},
{t:"The state will report a graduation rate ",p:9,x:74,y:1332,w:348,h:22},
{t:"that ",p:9,x:56,y:1357,w:37,h:22},
{t:"includes only ",p:9,x:101,y:1357,w:124,h:22},
{t:"“on ",p:9,x:233,y:1357,w:35,h:22},
{t:"time” ",p:9,x:277,y:1357,w:51,h:22},
{t:"graduates ",p:9,x:336,y:1357,w:87,h:22},
{t:"who earn diplomas in four years. The rates ",p:9,x:56,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"will be calculated by tracking individual ",p:9,x:56,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"students who frst enrolled in ninth grade ",p:9,x:56,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"in fall 2003, and graduated four years later ",p:9,x:56,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"with regular diplomas.",p:9,x:56,y:1482,w:190,h:22},
{t:"The ",p:9,x:74,y:1507,w:36,h:22},
{t:"change ",p:9,x:120,y:1507,w:63,h:22},
{t:"is ",p:9,x:193,y:1507,w:18,h:22},
{t:"part ",p:9,x:221,y:1507,w:38,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:9,x:269,y:1507,w:21,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:9,x:300,y:1507,w:30,h:22},
{t:"Michigan ",p:9,x:340,y:1507,w:83,h:22},
{t:"New formula to show higher dropout rates",p:9,x:56,y:1125,w:746,h:59},
{t:"Finding ways to fx Michigan’s dropout ",p:9,x:56,y:274,w:367,h:65},
{t:"crisis ",p:9,x:86,y:307,w:47,h:22},
{t:"is ",p:9,x:139,y:307,w:18,h:22},
{t:"the focus of MEA-sponsored ",p:9,x:163,y:307,w:259,h:22},
{t:"public hearings that started last month and ",p:9,x:56,y:332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"continue through early October, part of a ",p:9,x:56,y:357,w:367,h:22},
{t:"statewide initiative to increase the number ",p:9,x:56,y:382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"of high school graduates.",p:9,x:56,y:407,w:209,h:22},
{t:"“One ",p:9,x:75,y:432,w:48,h:22},
{t:"dropout ",p:9,x:133,y:432,w:72,h:22},
{t:"is ",p:9,x:215,y:432,w:18,h:22},
{t:"too ",p:9,x:244,y:432,w:31,h:22},
{t:"many—for ",p:9,x:285,y:432,w:94,h:22},
{t:"our ",p:9,x:389,y:432,w:33,h:22},
{t:"students, for our communities and for our ",p:9,x:56,y:457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"state,” said MEA President Iris K. Salters.",p:9,x:56,y:482,w:342,h:22},
{t:"The hearings are open ",p:9,x:75,y:507,w:211,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:9,x:294,y:507,w:21,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:9,x:323,y:507,w:30,h:22},
{t:"public. ",p:9,x:361,y:507,w:61,h:22},
{t:"Invited guests also will provide testimony ",p:9,x:56,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"about how the dropout crisis affects the ",p:9,x:56,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"economy, families and crime. Information ",p:9,x:56,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"MEA hearings on dropout crisis  ",p:9,x:56,y:140,w:585,h:59},
{t:"continue through early October",p:9,x:56,y:190,w:558,h:59},
{t:"What we’re doing is not working",p:9,x:837,y:475,w:331,h:30},
{t:"People like Pam Faunce, the only atten-",p:9,x:856,y:507,w:343,h:22},
{t:"dance secretary at Jackson High School, are ",p:9,x:837,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"on the front lines of the dropout crisis.",p:9,x:837,y:557,w:318,h:22},
{t:"The process of tracking students—and ",p:9,x:856,y:582,w:348,h:22},
{t:"getting them back in school—is painfully ",p:9,x:837,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"slow, she said.",p:9,x:837,y:632,w:118,h:22},
{t:"“What we’re doing is not working,” Faunce ",p:9,x:856,y:657,w:348,h:22},
{t:"said. “…I don’t think the problem is talked ",p:9,x:837,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"about like it should be…I’m frustrated with ",p:9,x:837,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the fact that I can’t save all these kids.”",p:9,x:837,y:732,w:320,h:22},
{t:"Often, students turn 16 before anything is ",p:9,x:860,y:757,w:344,h:22},
{t:"done, which limits intervention by a truancy ",p:9,x:837,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"or court offcer, she said.",p:9,x:837,y:807,w:203,h:22},
{t:"For Alexander, the student who dropped ",p:9,x:856,y:832,w:348,h:22},
{t:"out twice before graduating, a simple knock ",p:9,x:837,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"on his door one day opened doors that he ",p:9,x:837,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"thought had closed permanently. At his ",p:9,x:837,y:907,w:367,h:22},
{t:"graduation ceremony last year, he stood up ",p:9,x:837,y:932,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to praise his fellow graduates.",p:9,x:837,y:957,w:249,h:22},
{t:"“You never think you can make it,” he told ",p:9,x:856,y:982,w:348,h:22},
{t:"them. “You think it’s never going to happen. ",p:9,x:837,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Well, we did all this hard work. We’re here. ",p:9,x:837,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"We made it.” ",p:9,x:837,y:1057,w:112,h:22},
{t:"CRITICAL",p:9,x:881,y:183,w:275,h:112},
{t:"crisis",p:9,x:888,y:269,w:260,h:142},
{t:"(continued from page 7)",p:9,x:904,y:415,w:237,h:24},
{t:"will be presented to the Legislature and ",p:9,x:446,y:282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Gov. Jennifer Granholm to help in the de-",p:9,x:446,y:307,w:362,h:22},
{t:"velopment of sound education policy.",p:9,x:446,y:332,w:313,h:22},
{t:"Joining MEA as partners on the initiative ",p:9,x:465,y:357,w:348,h:22},
{t:"are the Michigan Association of Intermediate ",p:9,x:446,y:382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"School Administrators, Kent Intermediate ",p:9,x:446,y:407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"School ",p:9,x:446,y:432,w:59,h:22},
{t:"District, ",p:9,x:525,y:432,w:70,h:22},
{t:"Michigan’s ",p:9,x:615,y:432,w:96,h:22},
{t:"Children, ",p:9,x:731,y:432,w:82,h:22},
{t:"Michigan’s ",p:9,x:446,y:457,w:96,h:22},
{t:"Charter ",p:9,x:554,y:457,w:68,h:22},
{t:"Schools, ",p:9,x:633,y:457,w:72,h:22},
{t:"Michigan’s ",p:9,x:717,y:457,w:96,h:22},
{t:"Promise and Michigan Future.",p:9,x:446,y:482,w:252,h:22},
{t:"Hearings ",p:9,x:465,y:507,w:82,h:22},
{t:"have ",p:9,x:561,y:507,w:45,h:22},
{t:"already ",p:9,x:619,y:507,w:68,h:22},
{t:"taken ",p:9,x:700,y:507,w:51,h:22},
{t:"place ",p:9,x:764,y:507,w:49,h:22},
{t:"in ",p:9,x:446,y:532,w:21,h:22},
{t:"some communities. ",p:9,x:476,y:532,w:177,h:22},
{t:"For ",p:9,x:664,y:532,w:33,h:22},
{t:"information ",p:9,x:706,y:532,w:107,h:22},
{t:"about ",p:9,x:446,y:557,w:53,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:9,x:512,y:557,w:31,h:22},
{t:"remaining ",p:9,x:555,y:557,w:91,h:22},
{t:"hearings, ",p:9,x:659,y:557,w:82,h:22},
{t:"go ",p:9,x:755,y:557,w:25,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:9,x:792,y:557,w:21,h:22},
{t:"www.mea.org/dropouts. ",p:9,x:446,y:582,w:221,h:22},
{t:"Department of Education’s plan to comply ",p:9,x:446,y:1207,w:367,h:22},
{t:"with the federal No Child Left Behind Act ",p:9,x:446,y:1232,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and to meet national standards outlined by ",p:9,x:446,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the National Governors Association.",p:9,x:446,y:1282,w:301,h:22},
{t:"Schools have already reviewed the data. ",p:9,x:465,y:1307,w:348,h:22},
{t:"The state plans to release ",p:9,x:446,y:1332,w:237,h:22},
{t:"it ",p:9,x:690,y:1332,w:16,h:22},
{t:"publicly in ",p:9,x:713,y:1332,w:100,h:22},
{t:"August.",p:9,x:446,y:1357,w:66,h:22},
{t:"To ",p:9,x:465,y:1382,w:24,h:22},
{t:"help ",p:9,x:498,y:1382,w:41,h:22},
{t:"educators ",p:9,x:548,y:1382,w:85,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:9,x:643,y:1382,w:36,h:22},
{t:"others ",p:9,x:688,y:1382,w:56,h:22},
{t:"under-",p:9,x:753,y:1382,w:55,h:22},
{t:"stand the new graduation/dropout rates, ",p:9,x:446,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"a toolkit with talking points, a fact sheet ",p:9,x:446,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and frequently asked questions is available ",p:9,x:446,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"online ",p:9,x:446,y:1482,w:56,h:22},
{t:"at ",p:9,x:518,y:1482,w:20,h:22},
{t:"www.michiganedusource.org/",p:9,x:552,y:1482,w:256,h:22},
{t:"GradRatesToolkit.htm. ",p:9,x:446,y:1507,w:192,h:22},
{t:"MEA President Iris K. Salters (second from right) comments at the first MEA-sponsored hearing on Michigan’s ",p:9,x:56,y:615,w:701,h:19},
{t:"dropout crisis in Grand Rapids.",p:9,x:56,y:635,w:196,h:19},
{t:"Send us your testimony ",p:9,x:837,y:1115,w:362,h:49},
{t:"on dropout crisis",p:9,x:837,y:1157,w:256,h:49},
{t:"MEA ",p:9,x:856,y:1207,w:47,h:22},
{t:"welcomes ",p:9,x:914,y:1207,w:86,h:22},
{t:"comments ",p:9,x:1011,y:1207,w:90,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:9,x:1112,y:1207,w:36,h:22},
{t:"testi-",p:9,x:1159,y:1207,w:40,h:22},
{t:"mony ",p:9,x:837,y:1232,w:52,h:22},
{t:"from members and students who ",p:9,x:897,y:1232,w:307,h:22},
{t:"can’t attend one of the public hearings on ",p:9,x:837,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Michigan’s dropout crisis.",p:9,x:837,y:1282,w:216,h:22},
{t:"Submit your comments ",p:9,x:856,y:1307,w:221,h:22},
{t:"on how the ",p:9,x:1087,y:1307,w:117,h:22},
{t:"dropout crisis impacts schools, students, ",p:9,x:837,y:1332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"families, ",p:9,x:837,y:1357,w:77,h:22},
{t:"crime ",p:9,x:928,y:1357,w:52,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:9,x:993,y:1357,w:37,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:9,x:1043,y:1357,w:31,h:22},
{t:"economy ",p:9,x:1087,y:1357,w:82,h:22},
{t:"at ",p:9,x:1183,y:1357,w:20,h:22},
{t:"www.mea.org/dropouts.",p:9,x:837,y:1382,w:219,h:22},
{t:"Your testimony will be included in fnd-",p:9,x:856,y:1407,w:343,h:22},
{t:"ings that will be presented to political lead-",p:9,x:837,y:1432,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ers and the public at the Michigan Dropout ",p:9,x:837,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Prevention Leadership Summit on Oct. 20 ",p:9,x:837,y:1482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"in Lansing. ",p:9,x:837,y:1507,w:97,h:22},
{t:"MEA VOICE",p:10,x:93,y:1577,w:72,h:19},
{t:"10",p:10,x:37,y:1574,w:23,h:24},
{t:"Union Action",p:10,x:37,y:26,w:268,h:69},
{t:"Medical privacy ",p:10,x:837,y:121,w:332,h:64},
{t:"of Lawton ",p:10,x:837,y:171,w:210,h:64},
{t:"support staff ",p:10,x:837,y:221,w:274,h:64},
{t:"jeopardized under ",p:10,x:837,y:271,w:374,h:64},
{t:"controversial ",p:10,x:837,y:321,w:277,h:64},
{t:"state law",p:10,x:837,y:371,w:189,h:64},
{t:"Last fall, legislators ignored ",p:10,x:846,y:447,w:275,h:27},
{t:"warnings by MEA that the medical ",p:10,x:846,y:474,w:344,h:27},
{t:"privacy of public school employees ",p:10,x:846,y:502,w:346,h:27},
{t:"would be put at risk with the ",p:10,x:846,y:529,w:289,h:27},
{t:"passage of P .A. 106. And now that ",p:10,x:846,y:557,w:333,h:27},
{t:"warning has come true in this Van ",p:10,x:846,y:584,w:337,h:27},
{t:"Buren County school district.",p:10,x:846,y:612,w:283,h:27},
{t:"Medical privacy for public school em-",p:10,x:837,y:674,w:362,h:65},
{t:"ployees in at least one district has ",p:10,x:889,y:707,w:315,h:22},
{t:"been jeopardized following passage of a ",p:10,x:837,y:732,w:367,h:22},
{t:"controversial new ",p:10,x:837,y:757,w:160,h:22},
{t:"state ",p:10,x:1005,y:757,w:43,h:22},
{t:"law, ",p:10,x:1055,y:757,w:38,h:22},
{t:"a ",p:10,x:1101,y:757,w:14,h:22},
{t:"troubling ",p:10,x:1122,y:757,w:82,h:22},
{t:"twist in the continuing controversy over ",p:10,x:837,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Public Act 106.",p:10,x:837,y:807,w:123,h:22},
{t:"Scores of districts have sought bids from ",p:10,x:856,y:832,w:348,h:22},
{t:"prospective health insurers since P.A. 106 ",p:10,x:837,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"took effect, as the law requires. However, ",p:10,x:837,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"MEA learned of a case that confrms con-",p:10,x:837,y:907,w:362,h:22},
{t:"cerns about medical privacy raised last fall ",p:10,x:837,y:932,w:367,h:22},
{t:"when the Legislature debated the proposal, ",p:10,x:837,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"then known as Senate Bill 418.",p:10,x:837,y:982,w:251,h:22},
{t:"Some employees in Van Buren County’s ",p:10,x:856,y:1007,w:348,h:22},
{t:"Lawton school district were ordered earlier ",p:10,x:837,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"this year to provide medical history and ",p:10,x:837,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"other private information about themselves, ",p:10,x:837,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"their spouses and dependents. The informa-",p:10,x:837,y:1107,w:362,h:22},
{t:"tion went to an independent health insur-",p:10,x:837,y:1132,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ance agent hired by the district; the agent ",p:10,x:837,y:1157,w:367,h:22},
{t:"presumably planned to use the information ",p:10,x:837,y:1182,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to provide a bid for health insurance, even ",p:10,x:837,y:1207,w:367,h:22},
{t:"though the employees’ current contract is in ",p:10,x:837,y:1232,w:367,h:22},
{t:"effect until 2009.",p:10,x:837,y:1257,w:135,h:22},
{t:"“Nobody should have to disclose this ",p:10,x:856,y:1282,w:348,h:22},
{t:"kind of information to their employer,” said ",p:10,x:837,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Ed Sarpolus, who heads MEA’s Government ",p:10,x:837,y:1332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Affairs Department. “Anyone who values ",p:10,x:837,y:1357,w:367,h:22},
{t:"medical privacy should be concerned.”",p:10,x:837,y:1382,w:324,h:22},
{t:"The Lawton incident shows how districts ",p:10,x:856,y:1407,w:348,h:22},
{t:"are pressuring employees to disclose private ",p:10,x:837,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"medical data in an effort to cut costs and ",p:10,x:837,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"seize control of employee beneft plans. ",p:10,x:837,y:1482,w:332,h:22},
{t:"MEA Board, Spring RA ",p:10,x:56,y:117,w:609,h:89},
{t:"act to assist 350 fired ",p:10,x:56,y:192,w:594,h:89},
{t:"Southfield ESP members",p:10,x:56,y:267,w:660,h:89},
{t:"MEA ",p:10,x:56,y:949,w:82,h:65},
{t:"Board ",p:10,x:150,y:957,w:54,h:22},
{t:"members ",p:10,x:218,y:957,w:82,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:10,x:313,y:957,w:36,h:22},
{t:"Spring ",p:10,x:362,y:957,w:60,h:22},
{t:"Representative Assembly delegates ",p:10,x:108,y:982,w:315,h:22},
{t:"took action to assist the 350 Southfeld ESP ",p:10,x:56,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"employees whose jobs were outsourced to ",p:10,x:56,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"out-of-state companies.",p:10,x:56,y:1057,w:195,h:22},
{t:"The Southfeld Board of Education on ",p:10,x:74,y:1082,w:348,h:22},
{t:"April 22 rejected an $18 million offer from ",p:10,x:56,y:1107,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the ESP members and voted 5-2 to fre the ",p:10,x:56,y:1132,w:367,h:22},
{t:"district’s custodial, food service and trans-",p:10,x:56,y:1157,w:362,h:22},
{t:"portation employees, selling their jobs to ",p:10,x:56,y:1182,w:367,h:22},
{t:"private companies.",p:10,x:56,y:1207,w:159,h:22},
{t:"Two days ",p:10,x:74,y:1232,w:93,h:22},
{t:"later ",p:10,x:177,y:1232,w:42,h:22},
{t:"in ",p:10,x:228,y:1232,w:21,h:22},
{t:"a ",p:10,x:258,y:1232,w:14,h:22},
{t:"stirring ",p:10,x:281,y:1232,w:66,h:22},
{t:"speech, ",p:10,x:356,y:1232,w:66,h:22},
{t:"Southfeld ESP President Michael Graves ",p:10,x:56,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"told fellow MEA Board members that “we ",p:10,x:56,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"need one vision, and that means having ",p:10,x:56,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"everyone together” to fght privatization.",p:10,x:56,y:1332,w:345,h:22},
{t:"“This ",p:10,x:74,y:1357,w:50,h:22},
{t:"was ",p:10,x:134,y:1357,w:38,h:22},
{t:"all ",p:10,x:181,y:1357,w:25,h:22},
{t:"about ",p:10,x:216,y:1357,w:52,h:22},
{t:"union ",p:10,x:278,y:1357,w:54,h:22},
{t:"busting,” ",p:10,x:341,y:1357,w:82,h:22},
{t:"Graves said. “The administration got it in ",p:10,x:56,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"their minds, set their hooves in the ground ",p:10,x:56,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and made the decision to get rid of us. They ",p:10,x:56,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"turned their faces to any concessions we ",p:10,x:56,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"made—they didn’t want them. This was all ",p:10,x:56,y:1482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"pre-planned.”",p:10,x:56,y:1507,w:117,h:22},
{t:"Graves warned ",p:10,x:75,y:1532,w:142,h:22},
{t:"that ",p:10,x:226,y:1532,w:37,h:22},
{t:"privatization ",p:10,x:272,y:1532,w:114,h:22},
{t:"at-",p:10,x:396,y:1532,w:22,h:22},
{t:"tempts will spread across the state. ",p:10,x:446,y:957,w:332,h:22},
{t:"“If ",p:10,x:786,y:957,w:27,h:22},
{t:"they can do this to us, they can do it to ",p:10,x:446,y:982,w:367,h:22},
{t:"you, too.”",p:10,x:446,y:1007,w:84,h:22},
{t:"He vowed to fght privatization. “We ",p:10,x:465,y:1032,w:348,h:22},
{t:"started this fght because ",p:10,x:446,y:1057,w:233,h:22},
{t:"it was right,” ",p:10,x:686,y:1057,w:127,h:22},
{t:"Graves ",p:10,x:446,y:1082,w:65,h:22},
{t:"said ",p:10,x:525,y:1082,w:40,h:22},
{t:"about ",p:10,x:578,y:1082,w:53,h:22},
{t:"negotiations ",p:10,x:645,y:1082,w:110,h:22},
{t:"with ",p:10,x:769,y:1082,w:44,h:22},
{t:"Southfeld ",p:10,x:446,y:1107,w:93,h:22},
{t:"administrators ",p:10,x:556,y:1107,w:130,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:10,x:705,y:1107,w:21,h:22},
{t:"prevent ",p:10,x:742,y:1107,w:71,h:22},
{t:"outsourcing. ",p:10,x:446,y:1132,w:113,h:22},
{t:"“Our ",p:10,x:573,y:1132,w:48,h:22},
{t:"folks ",p:10,x:635,y:1132,w:46,h:22},
{t:"just ",p:10,x:695,y:1132,w:35,h:22},
{t:"wanted ",p:10,x:744,y:1132,w:70,h:22},
{t:"their jobs. We must do whatever we can ",p:10,x:446,y:1157,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to maintain the dignity and respect for ",p:10,x:446,y:1182,w:367,h:22},
{t:"my members. Because of you (the MEA ",p:10,x:446,y:1207,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Board) and the people ",p:10,x:446,y:1232,w:212,h:22},
{t:"I represent, ",p:10,x:666,y:1232,w:107,h:22},
{t:"I’m ",p:10,x:780,y:1232,w:34,h:22},
{t:"ready to keep fghting.”",p:10,x:446,y:1257,w:206,h:22},
{t:"Both ",p:10,x:465,y:1282,w:42,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:10,x:524,y:1282,w:30,h:22},
{t:"MEA ",p:10,x:570,y:1282,w:46,h:22},
{t:"Board ",p:10,x:633,y:1282,w:53,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:10,x:702,y:1282,w:36,h:22},
{t:"Spring ",p:10,x:754,y:1282,w:59,h:22},
{t:"Representative Assembly voted ",p:10,x:446,y:1307,w:280,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:10,x:735,y:1307,w:20,h:22},
{t:"assist ",p:10,x:765,y:1307,w:48,h:22},
{t:"Southfeld ESP members during the crisis. ",p:10,x:446,y:1332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"From the RA foor on April 26, Bellaire teach-",p:10,x:446,y:1357,w:362,h:22},
{t:"er Dan Bennett said teachers need to show ",p:10,x:446,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"their support for ESP members and help ",p:10,x:446,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"fght privatization. “We as teachers have to ",p:10,x:446,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"stand up and do something,” he said.",p:10,x:446,y:1457,w:308,h:22},
{t:"Southfeld ESP members, whose jobs the ",p:10,x:465,y:1482,w:348,h:22},
{t:"district says will end June 30, are exploring ",p:10,x:446,y:1507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"their options. ",p:10,x:446,y:1532,w:116,h:22},
{t:"continued on page 11",p:10,x:918,y:1525,w:210,h:24},
{t:"This message was one of hundreds of postcards sent by Spring RA delegates to Southfield Board of Education ",p:10,x:62,y:378,w:708,h:19},
{t:"members, condemning their action to fire 350 Southfield ESP members.",p:10,x:62,y:398,w:458,h:19},
{t:"11",p:11,x:1197,y:1574,w:23,h:24},
{t:"JUNE 2008",p:11,x:1091,y:1577,w:70,h:19},
{t:"Union Action",p:11,x:951,y:26,w:268,h:69},
{t:"Incumbent Peggy McLellan bested three ",p:11,x:56,y:374,w:367,h:65},
{t:"challengers ",p:11,x:74,y:407,w:98,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:11,x:183,y:407,w:21,h:22},
{t:"retain ",p:11,x:215,y:407,w:52,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:11,x:278,y:407,w:30,h:22},
{t:"position ",p:11,x:319,y:407,w:72,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:11,x:402,y:407,w:21,h:22},
{t:"MEA ",p:11,x:56,y:432,w:47,h:22},
{t:"secretary-treasurer ",p:11,x:115,y:432,w:159,h:22},
{t:"at ",p:11,x:288,y:432,w:20,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:11,x:320,y:432,w:30,h:22},
{t:"Spring ",p:11,x:363,y:432,w:60,h:22},
{t:"Representative Assembly ",p:11,x:56,y:457,w:222,h:22},
{t:"in ",p:11,x:287,y:457,w:21,h:22},
{t:"Lansing ",p:11,x:317,y:457,w:71,h:22},
{t:"on ",p:11,x:397,y:457,w:25,h:22},
{t:"April 26.",p:11,x:56,y:482,w:72,h:22},
{t:"MEA President Iris K. Salters and Vice ",p:11,x:74,y:507,w:348,h:22},
{t:"President ",p:11,x:56,y:532,w:82,h:22},
{t:"Steven ",p:11,x:150,y:532,w:60,h:22},
{t:"Cook, ",p:11,x:221,y:532,w:53,h:22},
{t:"running ",p:11,x:285,y:532,w:71,h:22},
{t:"unop-",p:11,x:368,y:532,w:49,h:22},
{t:"posed, won re-election to three-year terms ",p:11,x:56,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"by acclamation.",p:11,x:56,y:582,w:129,h:22},
{t:"In the secretary-treasurer race, two chal-",p:11,x:74,y:607,w:343,h:22},
{t:"lengers, Chris Korbel of Traverse City and ",p:11,x:56,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Michael Graves of Southfeld, were elimi-",p:11,x:56,y:657,w:362,h:22},
{t:"nated in the frst round of voting. McLellan, ",p:11,x:56,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"a Reese teacher, then defeated Lansing EA ",p:11,x:56,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"President Jerry Swartz in a run-off election ",p:11,x:56,y:732,w:367,h:22},
{t:"for the position.",p:11,x:56,y:757,w:132,h:22},
{t:"McLellan has held the secretary-treasurer ",p:11,x:74,y:782,w:348,h:22},
{t:"post for two years. Her new term runs three ",p:11,x:56,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"years.",p:11,x:56,y:832,w:48,h:22},
{t:"Delegates adopted the 2008-09 MEA bud-",p:11,x:74,y:857,w:343,h:22},
{t:"get and approved the same percentage dues ",p:11,x:56,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"rate for members, 1.5 percent, not to exceed ",p:11,x:56,y:907,w:367,h:22},
{t:"$620 in annual dues, for next school year.",p:11,x:56,y:932,w:342,h:22},
{t:"They also approved a major investment ",p:11,x:74,y:957,w:348,h:22},
{t:"to promote a positive image for MEA, its ",p:11,x:56,y:982,w:367,h:22},
{t:"members and public education.",p:11,x:56,y:1007,w:262,h:22},
{t:"Delegates:",p:11,x:74,y:1032,w:85,h:22},
{t:"•	 Approved	a	new	business	item	to	make	",p:11,x:56,y:1057,w:359,h:22},
{t:"the passage of Matt’s Safe Schools Law ",p:11,x:75,y:1082,w:340,h:22},
{t:"Spring RA delegates re-elect  ",p:11,x:56,y:117,w:793,h:89},
{t:"MEA ’s top officers, adopt 2008-09  ",p:11,x:56,y:192,w:919,h:89},
{t:"budget, act on other business",p:11,x:56,y:267,w:805,h:89},
{t:"(Senate Bill 107 and House Bill 4162) an ",p:11,x:465,y:382,w:340,h:22},
{t:"MEA priority. This legislation—named ",p:11,x:465,y:407,w:340,h:22},
{t:"for 14-year-old East Lansing High School ",p:11,x:465,y:432,w:340,h:22},
{t:"student Matt Epling who was hazed and ",p:11,x:465,y:457,w:340,h:22},
{t:"bullied and committed suicide—will en-",p:11,x:465,y:482,w:336,h:22},
{t:"sure that all local school districts adopt ",p:11,x:465,y:507,w:340,h:22},
{t:"anti-bullying policies. The legislation has ",p:11,x:465,y:532,w:340,h:22},
{t:"passed the House but remains tied up in ",p:11,x:465,y:557,w:340,h:22},
{t:"the Senate Education Committee.",p:11,x:465,y:582,w:276,h:22},
{t:"•	 Directed	the	MEA	president	to	develop	",p:11,x:446,y:607,w:359,h:22},
{t:"a comprehensive discussion paper on ",p:11,x:465,y:632,w:340,h:22},
{t:"moving local affliates from state option ",p:11,x:465,y:657,w:340,h:22},
{t:"to local option for UniServ. The paper is ",p:11,x:465,y:682,w:340,h:22},
{t:"to be completed by Oct. 1.",p:11,x:465,y:707,w:216,h:22},
{t:"•	 Changed	 MEA	 bylaws	 to	 allow	 up	 to	",p:11,x:446,y:732,w:359,h:22},
{t:"three members of the MEA Board to ",p:11,x:465,y:757,w:340,h:22},
{t:"serve on MEA commissions.",p:11,x:465,y:782,w:234,h:22},
{t:"•	 Directed	 the	 MEA	 executive	 offce	 to	",p:11,x:446,y:807,w:359,h:22},
{t:"investigate the possibility of displaying ",p:11,x:465,y:832,w:340,h:22},
{t:"brief written text of items being dis-",p:11,x:465,y:857,w:336,h:22},
{t:"cussed on the large screens at the RA.",p:11,x:465,y:882,w:312,h:22},
{t:"In other action, delegates elected:",p:11,x:465,y:907,w:276,h:22},
{t:"•	 To	 the	 National	 Education	 Association	",p:11,x:446,y:932,w:359,h:22},
{t:"Board: ",p:11,x:465,y:957,w:58,h:22},
{t:"Van ",p:11,x:534,y:957,w:36,h:22},
{t:"Buren ",p:11,x:581,y:957,w:54,h:22},
{t:"teacher ",p:11,x:645,y:957,w:64,h:22},
{t:"Katherine ",p:11,x:720,y:957,w:86,h:22},
{t:"Murphy and Carman-Ainsworth teacher ",p:11,x:465,y:982,w:340,h:22},
{t:"Frank Burger for three-year terms begin-",p:11,x:465,y:1007,w:336,h:22},
{t:"ning on Sept. 1.",p:11,x:465,y:1032,w:128,h:22},
{t:"•	 To	",p:11,x:446,y:1057,w:43,h:22},
{t:"the	 MEA	 Board:	 Terry	 Johnson	 of	",p:11,x:496,y:1057,w:310,h:22},
{t:"Godwin ",p:11,x:465,y:1082,w:72,h:22},
{t:"Heights, ",p:11,x:550,y:1082,w:74,h:22},
{t:"Sharon ",p:11,x:637,y:1082,w:63,h:22},
{t:"Mason ",p:11,x:712,y:1082,w:60,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:11,x:785,y:1082,w:21,h:22},
{t:"Lansing and Gloria Wagener of Saginaw ",p:11,x:856,y:382,w:340,h:22},
{t:"Valley State University to ESP at-large ",p:11,x:856,y:407,w:340,h:22},
{t:"seats; Ferris State University professor ",p:11,x:856,y:432,w:340,h:22},
{t:"Bill Papo to a higher education at-large ",p:11,x:856,y:457,w:340,h:22},
{t:"seat. Terms run three years.",p:11,x:856,y:482,w:227,h:22},
{t:"•	 To	 the	 Human	 Relations	 Commission:	",p:11,x:837,y:507,w:359,h:22},
{t:"John Penn of Haslett and Kurt Meyer ",p:11,x:856,y:532,w:340,h:22},
{t:"of Grand Rapids for three-year terms; ",p:11,x:856,y:557,w:340,h:22},
{t:"Nancy Rozier of Flint for a term running ",p:11,x:856,y:582,w:340,h:22},
{t:"to Aug. 31, 2010.",p:11,x:856,y:607,w:137,h:22},
{t:"•	 To	",p:11,x:837,y:632,w:43,h:22},
{t:"the	",p:11,x:889,y:632,w:30,h:22},
{t:"Legislation	",p:11,x:929,y:632,w:96,h:22},
{t:"Commission:	 Dan	",p:11,x:1034,y:632,w:162,h:22},
{t:"Quinn ",p:11,x:856,y:657,w:58,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:11,x:922,y:657,w:21,h:22},
{t:"Grosse Pointe and Donald ",p:11,x:951,y:657,w:245,h:22},
{t:"Tilley of Bay City for three-year terms; ",p:11,x:856,y:682,w:340,h:22},
{t:"Robert Jerow of West Ottawa for a term ",p:11,x:856,y:707,w:340,h:22},
{t:"ending Aug. 31, 2009.",p:11,x:856,y:732,w:178,h:22},
{t:"•	 To	the	Local	Affliates	Commission:	Chris	",p:11,x:837,y:757,w:359,h:22},
{t:"Kriss of Fitzgerald and Alicia Matthes of ",p:11,x:856,y:782,w:340,h:22},
{t:"Grand Rapids for three-year terms; Doug ",p:11,x:856,y:807,w:340,h:22},
{t:"Haan of Rockford for a term ending Aug. ",p:11,x:856,y:832,w:340,h:22},
{t:"31, 2010.",p:11,x:856,y:857,w:70,h:22},
{t:"•	 To	",p:11,x:837,y:882,w:44,h:22},
{t:"the	",p:11,x:890,y:882,w:32,h:22},
{t:"Instruction	 and	 Professional	",p:11,x:930,y:882,w:266,h:22},
{t:"Development ",p:11,x:856,y:907,w:120,h:22},
{t:"Commission: ",p:11,x:999,y:907,w:117,h:22},
{t:"Renee ",p:11,x:1139,y:907,w:57,h:22},
{t:"Sandora ",p:11,x:856,y:932,w:75,h:22},
{t:"of West Ottawa and Diane ",p:11,x:939,y:932,w:257,h:22},
{t:"Wildfong ",p:11,x:856,y:957,w:85,h:22},
{t:"of Kalkaska ",p:11,x:948,y:957,w:111,h:22},
{t:"for three-year ",p:11,x:1067,y:957,w:129,h:22},
{t:"terms.",p:11,x:856,y:982,w:53,h:22},
{t:"•	 To	",p:11,x:837,y:1007,w:43,h:22},
{t:"the	",p:11,x:895,y:1007,w:30,h:22},
{t:"International	",p:11,x:940,y:1007,w:112,h:22},
{t:"Understanding	",p:11,x:1066,y:1007,w:130,h:22},
{t:"Commission: Mary Ann Schwartz ",p:11,x:856,y:1032,w:311,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:11,x:1175,y:1032,w:21,h:22},
{t:"Jackson and Sigrid Grace of Almont for ",p:11,x:856,y:1057,w:340,h:22},
{t:"three-year terms. ",p:11,x:856,y:1082,w:145,h:22},
{t:"Among other things, members ",p:11,x:75,y:1307,w:281,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:11,x:363,y:1307,w:21,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:11,x:392,y:1307,w:30,h:22},
{t:"Lawton ",p:11,x:56,y:1332,w:68,h:22},
{t:"Educational ",p:11,x:136,y:1332,w:104,h:22},
{t:"Support ",p:11,x:252,y:1332,w:72,h:22},
{t:"Personnel ",p:11,x:336,y:1332,w:86,h:22},
{t:"Association were asked if they or their de-",p:11,x:56,y:1357,w:362,h:22},
{t:"pendents had been treated during the past ",p:11,x:56,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"10 years for such ailments as cancer, HIV ",p:11,x:56,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"or AIDS, or allergies. Employees were also ",p:11,x:56,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"asked whether they or their dependents ",p:11,x:56,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"suffered from anxiety, depression or eating ",p:11,x:56,y:1482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"disorders, and to list the medications they ",p:11,x:56,y:1507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"had been prescribed over the previous year. ",p:11,x:56,y:1532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"The employees’ names were tied to the an-",p:11,x:446,y:1307,w:362,h:22},
{t:"swers.",p:11,x:446,y:1332,w:52,h:22},
{t:"As ",p:11,x:465,y:1357,w:27,h:22},
{t:"provided, ",p:11,x:505,y:1357,w:85,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:11,x:603,y:1357,w:30,h:22},
{t:"information ",p:11,x:646,y:1357,w:103,h:22},
{t:"could ",p:11,x:762,y:1357,w:51,h:22},
{t:"be used to discriminate against workers, ",p:11,x:446,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"even if their medical history doesn’t inter-",p:11,x:446,y:1407,w:362,h:22},
{t:"fere with their job performance, said Art ",p:11,x:446,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Przybylowicz, MEA’s chief legal counsel.",p:11,x:446,y:1457,w:341,h:22},
{t:"“The information could even be misused ",p:11,x:465,y:1482,w:348,h:22},
{t:"by districts to limit or eliminate coverage for ",p:11,x:446,y:1507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"certain conditions,” Sarpolus said, adding ",p:11,x:446,y:1532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"that districts that don’t provide adequate ",p:11,x:837,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"health insurance might discourage employ-",p:11,x:837,y:1332,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ees from seeking necessary care or force ",p:11,x:837,y:1357,w:367,h:22},
{t:"them to seek employment elsewhere.",p:11,x:837,y:1382,w:308,h:22},
{t:"MEA warned the Legislature that medical ",p:11,x:856,y:1407,w:348,h:22},
{t:"privacy for thousands of school employees ",p:11,x:837,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"was at risk when P.A. 106 was debated.",p:11,x:837,y:1457,w:325,h:22},
{t:"MEA lawyers and other staff will de-",p:11,x:856,y:1482,w:343,h:22},
{t:"fend the medical privacy of all members, ",p:11,x:837,y:1507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Przybylowicz said. ",p:11,x:837,y:1532,w:162,h:22},
{t:"Medical privacy of Lawton support staff jeopardized under controversial state law (continued)",p:11,x:56,y:1213,w:1113,h:39},
{t:"12",p:12,x:37,y:1574,w:23,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE",p:12,x:93,y:1577,w:72,h:19},
{t:"MEA on April 24 accepted one of its ",p:12,x:56,y:949,w:367,h:65},
{t:"most important historical documents, ",p:12,x:107,y:982,w:315,h:22},
{t:"the “Last One Through The Door Club/The ",p:12,x:56,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Reese 44,” signed by the 44 teachers who ",p:12,x:56,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"went on strike in the rural Thumb commu-",p:12,x:56,y:1057,w:362,h:22},
{t:"nity on Feb. 22, 1971, and were fred by their ",p:12,x:56,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"school board two weeks later.",p:12,x:56,y:1107,w:245,h:22},
{t:"Reese 44 members were the frst teachers ",p:12,x:74,y:1132,w:348,h:22},
{t:"in Michigan fred for standing up for their ",p:12,x:56,y:1157,w:367,h:22},
{t:"self-respect and demanding a fair contract ",p:12,x:56,y:1182,w:363,h:22},
{t:"by striking.",p:12,x:56,y:1207,w:94,h:22},
{t:"George Worden, who was then president ",p:12,x:74,y:1232,w:348,h:22},
{t:"of the Reese Teachers Education Association, ",p:12,x:56,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"presented the framed document at the MEA ",p:12,x:56,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Board meeting. “On behalf of the Reese 44, ",p:12,x:56,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"I ",p:12,x:56,y:1332,w:11,h:22},
{t:"proudly present you with this historic ",p:12,x:73,y:1332,w:349,h:22},
{t:"document,” said Worden, now 73. “I love ",p:12,x:56,y:1357,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the MEA.”",p:12,x:56,y:1382,w:88,h:22},
{t:"Members of the Reese 44 who attended ",p:12,x:74,y:1407,w:348,h:22},
{t:"the presentation received a standing ovation ",p:12,x:56,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"from the MEA Board for their courageous ",p:12,x:56,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"action nearly four decades ago. Along with ",p:12,x:56,y:1482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Worden, ",p:12,x:56,y:1507,w:75,h:22},
{t:"they ",p:12,x:140,y:1507,w:41,h:22},
{t:"included ",p:12,x:190,y:1507,w:78,h:22},
{t:"Rodger Wenzel, ",p:12,x:278,y:1507,w:145,h:22},
{t:"Ruth Beyerlein, Kay Findlay, Mary Smith, ",p:12,x:56,y:1532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Don Hinman, John Walters, Verne Purdy, ",p:12,x:446,y:507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and Charlotte Morren, wife of the late Reese ",p:12,x:446,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"44 member Jake Morren.",p:12,x:446,y:557,w:204,h:22},
{t:"MEA President Iris K. Salters thanked the ",p:12,x:465,y:582,w:348,h:22},
{t:"Reese 44. “You gave the rest of us strength. If ",p:12,x:446,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"it were not for your struggle and what hap-",p:12,x:446,y:632,w:362,h:22},
{t:"pened to you, this organization wouldn’t be ",p:12,x:446,y:657,w:367,h:22},
{t:"as strong as it is today .”",p:12,x:446,y:682,w:196,h:22},
{t:"A look back",p:12,x:446,y:725,w:120,h:30},
{t:"In 1971, the 46-member RTEA had been ",p:12,x:465,y:757,w:348,h:22},
{t:"bargaining 10 months without a contract. ",p:12,x:446,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Most of them were experienced teachers who ",p:12,x:446,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"had lived in the community for years. They ",p:12,x:446,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"were active in the community and counted ",p:12,x:446,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"school board members as their friends and ",p:12,x:446,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"neighbors, even socializing with them.",p:12,x:446,y:907,w:320,h:22},
{t:"After the Reese school board had rejected ",p:12,x:465,y:932,w:348,h:22},
{t:"frst ",p:12,x:446,y:957,w:37,h:22},
{t:"a ",p:12,x:492,y:957,w:14,h:22},
{t:"mediator’s ",p:12,x:513,y:957,w:94,h:22},
{t:"recommendations and ",p:12,x:616,y:957,w:197,h:22},
{t:"then a fact-fnder’s compromise, however, ",p:12,x:446,y:982,w:367,h:22},
{t:"teachers decided to take a stand. Forty-four ",p:12,x:446,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"of the 46 teachers voted to go on strike.",p:12,x:446,y:1032,w:325,h:22},
{t:"On Feb. 22, 1971, to the shock of the ",p:12,x:465,y:1057,w:348,h:22},
{t:"community, the teachers walked out, shut-",p:12,x:446,y:1082,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ting down the schools. Two weeks later on ",p:12,x:446,y:1107,w:367,h:22},
{t:"March 5, the Reese school board retaliated, ",p:12,x:446,y:1132,w:367,h:22},
{t:"voting to fre the teachers and hire replace-",p:12,x:837,y:507,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ments. One month into the strike, on March ",p:12,x:837,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"22, the school reopened with replacement ",p:12,x:837,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"scabs—substitutes hired by the district.",p:12,x:837,y:582,w:325,h:22},
{t:"“I will never share the honored title of ",p:12,x:856,y:607,w:348,h:22},
{t:"teacher with anyone who crosses a picket ",p:12,x:837,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"line,” Worden says today.",p:12,x:837,y:657,w:211,h:22},
{t:"On Saturday, April 3, a thousand teach-",p:12,x:856,y:682,w:343,h:22},
{t:"ers, friends and supporters from all over ",p:12,x:837,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Michigan ",p:12,x:837,y:732,w:84,h:22},
{t:"joined the Reese 44 on picket ",p:12,x:928,y:732,w:276,h:22},
{t:"lines that snaked a mile long across the ",p:12,x:837,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"tiny town.",p:12,x:837,y:782,w:86,h:22},
{t:"“We will never forget the generosity of ",p:12,x:856,y:807,w:348,h:22},
{t:"the MEA members and people of this state ",p:12,x:837,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"who joined us on the picket line and gave ",p:12,x:837,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"their fnancial support to us,” Worden said.",p:12,x:837,y:882,w:359,h:22},
{t:"The strike lasted four months, from Feb. ",p:12,x:856,y:907,w:348,h:22},
{t:"22 to June 21, with the Reese 44 picketing ",p:12,x:837,y:932,w:367,h:22},
{t:"through the bitter cold of winter into the ",p:12,x:837,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"start of summer, all long days.",p:12,x:837,y:982,w:251,h:22},
{t:"There were ugly moments over the four ",p:12,x:856,y:1007,w:348,h:22},
{t:"months as detailed in “A Matter of Dignity/",p:12,x:837,y:1032,w:362,h:22},
{t:"The MEA and the Education Profession,” ",p:12,x:837,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"published by MEA in 1997:",p:12,x:837,y:1082,w:224,h:22},
{t:"“…when the board opened schools a few ",p:12,x:856,y:1107,w:348,h:22},
{t:"weeks later with volunteers and replace-",p:12,x:837,y:1132,w:362,h:22},
{t:"I got up and said that all those teachers who ",p:12,x:476,y:1193,w:664,h:45},
{t:"will not go back unless we have a contract, come",p:12,x:446,y:1235,w:754,h:45},
{t:"with me, and we all marched to the front of the ",p:12,x:446,y:1276,w:699,h:45},
{t:"room, in front of the whole community . So we had ",p:12,x:446,y:1318,w:741,h:45},
{t:"44 teachers standing, facing the community in that ",p:12,x:446,y:1360,w:752,h:45},
{t:"community room, and there was stunned silence. ",p:12,x:446,y:1401,w:735,h:45},
{t:"I was scared. So were they . But we did it.”",p:12,x:446,y:1443,w:636,h:45},
{t:"George Worden, Reese association president and teacher",p:12,x:713,y:1493,w:486,h:25},
{t:"“ A Matter of Dignity/The MEA and the Education Profession,",p:12,x:446,y:1535,w:379,h:19},
{t:"” published 1997 by the Michigan Education Association",p:12,x:823,y:1535,w:351,h:19},
{t:"Reese 44",p:12,x:336,y:153,w:582,h:178},
{t:"‘Last One Through The Door Club’ document signed by  ",p:12,x:450,y:349,w:737,h:44},
{t:"44 Reese teachers who were fired by their school board  ",p:12,x:450,y:386,w:756,h:44},
{t:"for going on strike in 1971 presented to MEA.",p:12,x:450,y:424,w:605,h:44},
{t:"Remembering the",p:12,x:56,y:110,w:702,h:128},
{t:"Reese 44",p:12,x:340,y:148,w:582,h:178},
{t:"Spotlight",p:12,x:37,y:26,w:191,h:69},
{t:"13",p:13,x:1195,y:1574,w:23,h:24},
{t:"JUNE 2008",p:13,x:1091,y:1577,w:70,h:19},
{t:"ment teachers, truckloads of local farmers ",p:13,x:56,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"appeared to support the board—escorting ",p:13,x:56,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the replacements into the schools. Each day, ",p:13,x:56,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"pickups appeared in the school parking lot ",p:13,x:56,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"with loads of hostile locals, some bearing ",p:13,x:56,y:907,w:367,h:22},
{t:"ax handles and pitchforks. There were cat-",p:13,x:56,y:932,w:362,h:22},
{t:"calls and insults, a few fstfghts, and some ",p:13,x:56,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"teachers ",p:13,x:56,y:982,w:74,h:22},
{t:"regularly ",p:13,x:141,y:982,w:82,h:22},
{t:"received ",p:13,x:234,y:982,w:76,h:22},
{t:"threatening ",p:13,x:321,y:982,w:101,h:22},
{t:"phone calls…”",p:13,x:56,y:1007,w:123,h:22},
{t:"Recalls MEA lobbyist Dave Stafford, who ",p:13,x:75,y:1032,w:348,h:22},
{t:"in 1971 was Reese’s 30-year-old UniServ ",p:13,x:56,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"director just six months into the job: “Our ",p:13,x:56,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"local made a conscious decision not to en-",p:13,x:56,y:1107,w:362,h:22},
{t:"gage in any violent or illegal tactics.”",p:13,x:56,y:1132,w:307,h:22},
{t:"Fighting the firings",p:13,x:446,y:800,w:190,h:30},
{t:"MEA and the Reese 44 fought the frings ",p:13,x:465,y:832,w:348,h:22},
{t:"in court. A year later, with several court rul-",p:13,x:446,y:857,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ings pending against the school board, the ",p:13,x:446,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"district fnally relented.",p:13,x:446,y:907,w:193,h:22},
{t:"It offered a $3,000 settlement and to give ",p:13,x:465,y:932,w:348,h:22},
{t:"teachers their jobs back. The teachers never ",p:13,x:446,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"looked back. Most of them already had se-",p:13,x:446,y:982,w:362,h:22},
{t:"cured other teaching jobs in other districts. ",p:13,x:446,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Only a couple years later did two of the ",p:13,x:446,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Reese 44 return to the district to fnish their ",p:13,x:446,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"careers there.",p:13,x:446,y:1082,w:112,h:22},
{t:"But two other members of the Reese 44, ",p:13,x:465,y:1107,w:348,h:22},
{t:"Worden and RTEA Vice President Don ",p:13,x:446,y:1132,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Spotlight",p:13,x:1029,y:26,w:191,h:69},
{t:"Reese Teachers Education Association President George Worden (from left), UniServ director Dave Stafford and ",p:13,x:56,y:712,w:706,h:19},
{t:"RTEA Vice President Don Hinman reviewed bargaining strategy in 1971.",p:13,x:56,y:732,w:453,h:19},
{t:"What the ",p:13,x:856,y:117,w:254,h:89},
{t:"Reese 44  ",p:13,x:856,y:192,w:270,h:89},
{t:"say today",p:13,x:856,y:267,w:265,h:89},
{t:"Rodger Wenzel: ",p:13,x:846,y:405,w:156,h:24},
{t:"“It’s hard to believe it’s been 37 years. A ",p:13,x:856,y:432,w:348,h:22},
{t:"lot of time has passed and the memories ",p:13,x:837,y:457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"have faded. At the time, I thought the staff ",p:13,x:837,y:482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"was the best group of teachers I had ever ",p:13,x:837,y:507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"worked with. We really liked the commu-",p:13,x:837,y:532,w:362,h:22},
{t:"nity. It was really hard leaving Reese. My ",p:13,x:837,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"three daughters had to leave their friends. I ",p:13,x:837,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"went to Alcona to teach and retired in 1988. ",p:13,x:837,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"I’m happy the Reese 44 stayed together. We ",p:13,x:837,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"all believed we did the right thing.”",p:13,x:837,y:657,w:297,h:22},
{t:"Ruth Beyerlein, RTEA secretary and ",p:13,x:846,y:705,w:354,h:24},
{t:"bargaining team member: ",p:13,x:846,y:730,w:262,h:24},
{t:"“I still live in Reese, next door to the high ",p:13,x:856,y:757,w:348,h:22},
{t:"school. I look back and see it as a growth ",p:13,x:837,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"experience. We became more independent. ",p:13,x:837,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"For a couple years, there was a lot of bitter-",p:13,x:837,y:832,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ness. We had friends who stood across from ",p:13,x:837,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"our picket line who were against us.”",p:13,x:837,y:882,w:310,h:22},
{t:"George Worden, RTEA president:",p:13,x:846,y:930,w:323,h:24},
{t:"“My one lasting memory was having to ",p:13,x:856,y:957,w:348,h:22},
{t:"leave Reese, leaving those students behind, ",p:13,x:837,y:982,w:367,h:22},
{t:"leaving my fellow faculty members. The ",p:13,x:837,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"tearful students, the private tears. It was ",p:13,x:837,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"extremely painful. I never taught again. My ",p:13,x:837,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"name was too well known around the state. ",p:13,x:837,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"I became a UniServ director and retired 23 ",p:13,x:837,y:1107,w:367,h:22},
{t:"years later.”",p:13,x:837,y:1132,w:99,h:22},
{t:"Don Hinman, RTEA vice president:",p:13,x:846,y:1180,w:338,h:24},
{t:"“I was making maybe $10,000 a year at ",p:13,x:856,y:1207,w:348,h:22},
{t:"the time and that included coaching. We ",p:13,x:837,y:1232,w:367,h:22},
{t:"wanted the board and administration to re-",p:13,x:837,y:1257,w:362,h:22},
{t:"spect us. We didn’t think we should have to ",p:13,x:837,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"engage in collective begging for a contract. ",p:13,x:837,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"After what we went through, many of the ",p:13,x:837,y:1332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"districts around us settled contracts. They ",p:13,x:837,y:1357,w:367,h:22},
{t:"didn’t want to see any of the turmoil and ",p:13,x:837,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"trouble we endured.”",p:13,x:837,y:1407,w:178,h:22},
{t:"Check ",p:13,x:837,y:1457,w:52,h:22},
{t:"out ",p:13,x:915,y:1457,w:31,h:22},
{t:"www.mea.org/voice/june08/ ",p:13,x:971,y:1457,w:232,h:22},
{t:"reese44.html for video comments from Reese ",p:13,x:837,y:1482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"44 members.",p:13,x:837,y:1507,w:101,h:22},
{t:"14",p:14,x:37,y:1574,w:23,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE",p:14,x:93,y:1577,w:72,h:19},
{t:"ROLL CALL:  ",p:14,x:74,y:132,w:256,h:44},
{t:"The Reese 44",p:14,x:62,y:166,w:256,h:64},
{t:"Ted Bebow",p:14,x:56,y:246,w:111,h:30},
{t:"Ruth Beyerlein",p:14,x:56,y:275,w:147,h:30},
{t:"Florence Block*",p:14,x:56,y:304,w:161,h:30},
{t:"Oren Carson",p:14,x:56,y:332,w:124,h:30},
{t:"Bonnie Philopolus Carson",p:14,x:56,y:361,w:256,h:30},
{t:"Mary Roberta Boydston*",p:14,x:56,y:390,w:248,h:30},
{t:"May Elbers*",p:14,x:56,y:419,w:123,h:30},
{t:"Kay Findlay",p:14,x:56,y:447,w:113,h:30},
{t:"Earl “Bud” French*",p:14,x:56,y:476,w:192,h:30},
{t:"Gladys Motz Hall",p:14,x:56,y:505,w:168,h:30},
{t:"Nancy Harpham",p:14,x:56,y:534,w:162,h:30},
{t:"Vern Henrichs",p:14,x:56,y:562,w:141,h:30},
{t:"Don Hinman",p:14,x:56,y:591,w:122,h:30},
{t:"Agnes Howell",p:14,x:56,y:620,w:138,h:30},
{t:"Trudy Watson Johnson",p:14,x:56,y:649,w:227,h:30},
{t:"Elaine Krzeszewski",p:14,x:56,y:677,w:190,h:30},
{t:"Kathy Ottgen Krul",p:14,x:56,y:706,w:175,h:30},
{t:"Jane Tacey Kloberdanz",p:14,x:56,y:735,w:231,h:30},
{t:"Madge Marker",p:14,x:56,y:764,w:149,h:30},
{t:"Joyce Melcheck",p:14,x:56,y:792,w:166,h:30},
{t:"Jake Morren*",p:14,x:56,y:821,w:140,h:30},
{t:"Marie Pinner*",p:14,x:56,y:850,w:141,h:30},
{t:"Nancy Pittman",p:14,x:56,y:879,w:147,h:30},
{t:"Lynn Prime",p:14,x:56,y:907,w:110,h:30},
{t:"Verne Purdy",p:14,x:56,y:936,w:122,h:30},
{t:"Carol Rambo",p:14,x:56,y:965,w:127,h:30},
{t:"Walter Rieman",p:14,x:56,y:994,w:147,h:30},
{t:"Diane Rowden",p:14,x:56,y:1022,w:145,h:30},
{t:"John Scholte",p:14,x:56,y:1051,w:131,h:30},
{t:"Virginia Scott*",p:14,x:56,y:1080,w:145,h:30},
{t:"Bill Showerman*",p:14,x:56,y:1109,w:169,h:30},
{t:"Fran Shubel Hill*",p:14,x:56,y:1137,w:168,h:30},
{t:"Mary Smith",p:14,x:56,y:1166,w:115,h:30},
{t:"Judy Stadler",p:14,x:56,y:1195,w:126,h:30},
{t:"Barb Stillings",p:14,x:56,y:1224,w:133,h:30},
{t:"Rose Stock",p:14,x:56,y:1252,w:112,h:30},
{t:"Aliene Thurston",p:14,x:56,y:1281,w:158,h:30},
{t:"Vito Tutera*",p:14,x:56,y:1310,w:117,h:30},
{t:"Jim Vallely",p:14,x:56,y:1339,w:106,h:30},
{t:"Jim VanParis",p:14,x:56,y:1367,w:129,h:30},
{t:"Linda Dowlyn VanWormer",p:14,x:56,y:1396,w:255,h:30},
{t:"John Walters",p:14,x:56,y:1425,w:132,h:30},
{t:"Rodger Wenzel",p:14,x:56,y:1454,w:150,h:30},
{t:"George Worden",p:14,x:56,y:1482,w:156,h:30},
{t:"* now deceased",p:14,x:133,y:1520,w:137,h:30},
{t:"Hinman never taught again. They took ",p:14,x:446,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"positions ",p:14,x:446,y:607,w:81,h:22},
{t:"as MEA UniServ directors. ",p:14,x:536,y:607,w:249,h:22},
{t:"“I ",p:14,x:793,y:607,w:20,h:22},
{t:"think we were blacklisted from teaching,” ",p:14,x:446,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Hinman said.",p:14,x:446,y:657,w:115,h:22},
{t:"Stafford put the Reese dispute into his-",p:14,x:465,y:682,w:343,h:22},
{t:"toric context:",p:14,x:446,y:707,w:107,h:22},
{t:"“In the aftermath, I think districts didn’t ",p:14,x:465,y:732,w:348,h:22},
{t:"have much stomach for protracted labor ",p:14,x:446,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"disputes,” he said. “Yes, in Reese, the school ",p:14,x:446,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"board fred our teachers, but in the end, the ",p:14,x:446,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"courts supported us. The lesson learned then ",p:14,x:446,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"was that it’s better to build positive relation-",p:14,x:446,y:857,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ships between the employer and employees ",p:14,x:837,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"rather than to let it deteriorate to the point ",p:14,x:837,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"where you’re hell-bent on war. I know our ",p:14,x:837,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"situation resulted in labor peace for a long ",p:14,x:837,y:657,w:367,h:22},
{t:"time in most places. We also showed dis-",p:14,x:837,y:682,w:362,h:22},
{t:"tricts around the state how much we were ",p:14,x:837,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"willing to risk for a fair contract and to keep ",p:14,x:837,y:732,w:367,h:22},
{t:"our dignity and self-respect.”",p:14,x:837,y:757,w:245,h:22},
{t:"The “Last One Through The Door Club” ",p:14,x:856,y:782,w:348,h:22},
{t:"will become part of an MEA history exhibit ",p:14,x:837,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"so members can learn about the heritage of ",p:14,x:837,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"their association. ",p:14,x:837,y:857,w:147,h:22},
{t:"Members of the Reese 44 who presented MEA with the ‘Last One Through The Door Club’ document were (from left) ",p:14,x:418,y:496,w:746,h:19},
{t:"Charlotte Morren, wife of the late Reese 44 member Jake Morren, Verne Purdy, Mary Smith, Don Hinman, Kay Findlay, ",p:14,x:418,y:516,w:750,h:19},
{t:"UniServ director Dave Stafford, Ruth Beyerlein, Rodger Wenzel, George Worden, John Walters and attorney Jim White.",p:14,x:418,y:537,w:746,h:19},
{t:"Spotlight",p:14,x:37,y:26,w:191,h:69},
{t:"Gene Duckworth, MEA president in 1968-69 and a Delta Community College professor, joined the massive rally in ",p:14,x:446,y:929,w:723,h:19},
{t:"Reese on April 3, 1971.",p:14,x:446,y:949,w:142,h:19},
{t:"15",p:15,x:1195,y:1574,w:23,h:24},
{t:"JUNE 2008",p:15,x:1091,y:1577,w:70,h:19},
{t:"[Generation Next]",p:15,x:56,y:37,w:618,h:107},
{t:"About: Brad Gerbe",p:15,x:82,y:326,w:154,h:30},
{t:"Hometown: Troy",p:15,x:82,y:358,w:134,h:30},
{t:"education: Lyman Briggs College at Mic higan State University",p:15,x:82,y:391,w:515,h:30},
{t:"Assignment: Science teacher, Manchester High School",p:15,x:82,y:423,w:448,h:30},
{t:"Quote: “The best part of teaching for me is the profound impact I ",p:15,x:82,y:456,w:539,h:30},
{t:"get to have on young people. I play a part in their future successes.",p:15,x:82,y:485,w:554,h:25},
{t:"”",p:15,x:627,y:485,w:10,h:25},
{t:"the first year was a",p:15,x:169,y:1443,w:523,h:59},
{t:"rollercoaster",p:15,x:93,y:1452,w:693,h:118},
{t:"I found a teaching style",p:15,x:499,y:806,w:637,h:59},
{t:"more suited",p:15,x:494,y:814,w:645,h:118},
{t:"to my personality",p:15,x:579,y:893,w:472,h:59},
{t:"I ",p:15,x:56,y:549,w:31,h:65},
{t:"was not a very good teacher my frst year ",p:15,x:74,y:557,w:348,h:22},
{t:"in the profession. As I struggled to fnd ",p:15,x:74,y:582,w:348,h:22},
{t:"my niche, it was hard to balance the pres-",p:15,x:56,y:607,w:362,h:22},
{t:"sure of subject mastery while developing ",p:15,x:56,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"classroom ",p:15,x:56,y:657,w:87,h:22},
{t:"management ",p:15,x:156,y:657,w:112,h:22},
{t:"techniques ",p:15,x:280,y:657,w:94,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:15,x:386,y:657,w:36,h:22},
{t:"fnding my way in new surroundings.",p:15,x:56,y:682,w:316,h:22},
{t:"The frst year was a rollercoaster.",p:15,x:74,y:707,w:273,h:22},
{t:"I thought that I had to know the answer ",p:15,x:74,y:732,w:348,h:22},
{t:"to every question. I felt like I had to be in ",p:15,x:56,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"complete control at all times. I was often ",p:15,x:56,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"quick to make decisions and, sometimes, I ",p:15,x:56,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"neglected to think of my students as the 14- ",p:15,x:56,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to 18-year-olds that they are. I didn’t laugh ",p:15,x:56,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"enough, nor did I enjoy myself. I lacked ",p:15,x:56,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"confdence in my abilities.",p:15,x:56,y:907,w:216,h:22},
{t:"In one rattled moment, I blurted out, “Oh, ",p:15,x:74,y:932,w:348,h:22},
{t:"the Earth is probably only about what…a ",p:15,x:56,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"few thousand years old, so…” (The Earth ",p:15,x:56,y:982,w:367,h:22},
{t:"is hypothesized to be between fve and six ",p:15,x:56,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"BILLION years old!) In my stressed state, ",p:15,x:56,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"my frontal cortex defnitely let me down! So ",p:15,x:56,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"unwilling was I to compromise my “author-",p:15,x:56,y:1082,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ity” in front of my students, I held strongly ",p:15,x:56,y:1107,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to what I had obviously just misstated when ",p:15,x:56,y:1132,w:367,h:22},
{t:"questioned by a student.",p:15,x:56,y:1157,w:204,h:22},
{t:"When approached by administrators, par-",p:15,x:74,y:1182,w:343,h:22},
{t:"ents, and others, I harbored a lot of negative ",p:15,x:56,y:1207,w:367,h:22},
{t:"energy. I was in over my head, I thought.",p:15,x:56,y:1232,w:340,h:22},
{t:"During the summer following that frst ",p:15,x:74,y:1257,w:348,h:22},
{t:"year, I refected on my experiences. I recalled ",p:15,x:56,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the frst time I wrote up a student, my frst ",p:15,x:56,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"phone conversation and face-to-face with a ",p:15,x:56,y:1332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"parent, my frst staff/departmental meet-",p:15,x:56,y:1357,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ings, my frst evaluation, my frst basketball ",p:15,x:56,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"practice as a coach. I brainstormed ways to ",p:15,x:56,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"improve my teaching practices.",p:15,x:446,y:982,w:260,h:22},
{t:"The support ",p:15,x:465,y:1007,w:113,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:15,x:586,y:1007,w:21,h:22},
{t:"my ",p:15,x:614,y:1007,w:31,h:22},
{t:"local ",p:15,x:653,y:1007,w:43,h:22},
{t:"association’s ",p:15,x:704,y:1007,w:109,h:22},
{t:"building rep, my union president and my ",p:15,x:446,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"mentor teachers allowed me to persevere ",p:15,x:446,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and strengthen my skills. The MEA pro-",p:15,x:446,y:1082,w:362,h:22},
{t:"vided support, too. My confdence grew.",p:15,x:446,y:1107,w:336,h:22},
{t:"Over the next three years in Manchester, I ",p:15,x:465,y:1132,w:348,h:22},
{t:"tweaked and modifed lessons that worked ",p:15,x:446,y:1157,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and developed new laboratories and lessons. ",p:15,x:446,y:1182,w:367,h:22},
{t:"I’ve found more time to develop relationships ",p:15,x:446,y:1207,w:367,h:22},
{t:"with colleagues, administrators, parents and ",p:15,x:446,y:1232,w:367,h:22},
{t:"others, which has given me the confdence to ",p:15,x:446,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"ask questions and to challenge myself.",p:15,x:446,y:1282,w:313,h:22},
{t:"And, ",p:15,x:465,y:1307,w:46,h:22},
{t:"I’ve ",p:15,x:517,y:1307,w:35,h:22},
{t:"found a teaching style more ",p:15,x:558,y:1307,w:255,h:22},
{t:"suited to my personality. I fgured out that ",p:15,x:446,y:1332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"sometimes meeting my ",p:15,x:446,y:1357,w:214,h:22},
{t:"students ",p:15,x:669,y:1357,w:75,h:22},
{t:"in ",p:15,x:753,y:1357,w:21,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:15,x:783,y:1357,w:30,h:22},
{t:"middle and modifying my stance on certain ",p:15,x:446,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"classroom behaviors actually gave way to a ",p:15,x:446,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"more rigorous curriculum that my students ",p:15,x:837,y:982,w:367,h:22},
{t:"embraced.",p:15,x:837,y:1007,w:86,h:22},
{t:"As my ",p:15,x:856,y:1032,w:67,h:22},
{t:"students ",p:15,x:932,y:1032,w:75,h:22},
{t:"realized ",p:15,x:1016,y:1032,w:70,h:22},
{t:"my ",p:15,x:1096,y:1032,w:31,h:22},
{t:"passion ",p:15,x:1136,y:1032,w:67,h:22},
{t:"for my job—and my genuine concern for ",p:15,x:837,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"their ",p:15,x:837,y:1082,w:43,h:22},
{t:"developing ",p:15,x:891,y:1082,w:98,h:22},
{t:"futures—they’ve ",p:15,x:999,y:1082,w:143,h:22},
{t:"given ",p:15,x:1153,y:1082,w:51,h:22},
{t:"me a great return on my investment. This ",p:15,x:837,y:1107,w:367,h:22},
{t:"“epiphany” has made my job so enjoyable.",p:15,x:837,y:1132,w:355,h:22},
{t:"It just gets better with time and effort. I ",p:15,x:856,y:1157,w:348,h:22},
{t:"feel so unqualifed to say that, considering ",p:15,x:837,y:1182,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the master teachers I am surrounded by in ",p:15,x:837,y:1207,w:367,h:22},
{t:"my school.",p:15,x:837,y:1232,w:89,h:22},
{t:"My journey has been so gratifying and ",p:15,x:856,y:1257,w:348,h:22},
{t:"exciting. As an educator, I’m lucky to have ",p:15,x:837,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the kind of profound impact that I do. I am ",p:15,x:837,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"humbled when I think about that. ",p:15,x:837,y:1332,w:285,h:22},
{t:"Generation Next columns are written by MEA ",p:15,x:837,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"members in their frst fve years of teaching. Authors ",p:15,x:837,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"are paid for their columns. If you’re interested in ",p:15,x:837,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"writing a column, e-mail your resume, with writ-",p:15,x:837,y:1457,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ing sample, to Karen Schulz, MEA creative com-",p:15,x:837,y:1482,w:362,h:22},
{t:"munications consultant, at kschulz@mea.org.",p:15,x:837,y:1507,w:325,h:22},
{t:"Adjusting to",p:15,x:421,y:138,w:415,h:74},
{t:"find your niche",p:15,x:121,y:149,w:1016,h:148},
{t:"as a beginning teacher",p:15,x:244,y:247,w:772,h:74},
{t:"16",p:16,x:37,y:1574,w:23,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE",p:16,x:93,y:1577,w:72,h:19},
{t:"MESSA Update",p:16,x:37,y:26,w:314,h:69},
{t:"MESSA",p:16,x:56,y:119,w:165,h:74},
{t:"’ s new-look Web site",p:16,x:217,y:119,w:463,h:74},
{t:"» www.messa.org ",p:16,x:56,y:184,w:774,h:87},
{t:"«",p:16,x:779,y:184,w:48,h:87},
{t:"enhances personalized member service",p:16,x:56,y:269,w:895,h:74},
{t:"MESSA’s ",p:16,x:56,y:449,w:113,h:65},
{t:"new-look ",p:16,x:189,y:457,w:82,h:22},
{t:"Web ",p:16,x:291,y:457,w:41,h:22},
{t:"site—see ",p:16,x:107,y:482,w:77,h:22},
{t:"it ",p:16,x:196,y:482,w:16,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:16,x:224,y:482,w:36,h:22},
{t:"use ",p:16,x:272,y:482,w:32,h:22},
{t:"it  ",p:16,x:316,y:482,w:16,h:22},
{t:"by ",p:16,x:56,y:507,w:25,h:22},
{t:"visiting ",p:16,x:91,y:507,w:67,h:22},
{t:"www.messa.org—",p:16,x:171,y:507,w:156,h:22},
{t:"is ",p:16,x:56,y:532,w:18,h:22},
{t:"drawing ",p:16,x:83,y:532,w:75,h:22},
{t:"positive ",p:16,x:167,y:532,w:70,h:22},
{t:"responses ",p:16,x:246,y:532,w:85,h:22},
{t:"from members who like its new ",p:16,x:56,y:557,w:276,h:22},
{t:"navigation ",p:16,x:56,y:582,w:93,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:16,x:165,y:582,w:36,h:22},
{t:"“self-service” ",p:16,x:216,y:582,w:116,h:22},
{t:"features.",p:16,x:56,y:607,w:70,h:22},
{t:"“The site has been redesigned ",p:16,x:74,y:632,w:257,h:22},
{t:"to provide a modernized look that ",p:16,x:56,y:657,w:276,h:22},
{t:"welcomes MESSA members and ",p:16,x:56,y:682,w:276,h:22},
{t:"makes navigation easy ,” MESSA ",p:16,x:56,y:707,w:276,h:22},
{t:"Executive ",p:16,x:56,y:732,w:85,h:22},
{t:"Director ",p:16,x:165,y:732,w:72,h:22},
{t:"Cynthia ",p:16,x:261,y:732,w:71,h:22},
{t:"Irwin said. “We are particularly ",p:16,x:56,y:757,w:276,h:22},
{t:"pleased with the new self-service ",p:16,x:56,y:782,w:276,h:22},
{t:"feature, online EOBs.”",p:16,x:56,y:807,w:184,h:22},
{t:"EOBs ",p:16,x:74,y:832,w:50,h:22},
{t:"are ",p:16,x:135,y:832,w:30,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:16,x:176,y:832,w:30,h:22},
{t:"Explanation ",p:16,x:217,y:832,w:104,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:16,x:332,y:832,w:21,h:22},
{t:"Benefts statements that members ",p:16,x:56,y:857,w:297,h:22},
{t:"receive in the mail from MESSA ",p:16,x:56,y:882,w:297,h:22},
{t:"indicating ",p:16,x:56,y:907,w:88,h:22},
{t:"that ",p:16,x:154,y:907,w:37,h:22},
{t:"MESSA ",p:16,x:202,y:907,w:67,h:22},
{t:"received ",p:16,x:279,y:907,w:74,h:22},
{t:"a bill from a medical provider for ",p:16,x:56,y:932,w:297,h:22},
{t:"services provided to the member or ",p:16,x:56,y:957,w:297,h:22},
{t:"dependent.",p:16,x:56,y:982,w:93,h:22},
{t:"The EOB statement also includes ",p:16,x:74,y:1007,w:278,h:22},
{t:"information about whether or not ",p:16,x:56,y:1032,w:297,h:22},
{t:"the claim was for a service covered ",p:16,x:56,y:1057,w:297,h:22},
{t:"by the member ’s plan, how much ",p:16,x:56,y:1082,w:297,h:22},
{t:"of the bill MESSA paid, and how ",p:16,x:56,y:1107,w:297,h:22},
{t:"much of the bill is the member ’s ",p:16,x:56,y:1132,w:297,h:22},
{t:"responsibility.",p:16,x:56,y:1157,w:118,h:22},
{t:"MESSA’s new Web ",p:16,x:74,y:1182,w:178,h:22},
{t:"site ",p:16,x:261,y:1182,w:33,h:22},
{t:"allows ",p:16,x:302,y:1182,w:58,h:22},
{t:"mem-",p:16,x:369,y:1182,w:48,h:22},
{t:"bers to view and print EOBs using their ",p:16,x:56,y:1207,w:367,h:22},
{t:"own ",p:16,x:56,y:1232,w:41,h:22},
{t:"secure, ",p:16,x:112,y:1232,w:62,h:22},
{t:"password-protected ",p:16,x:190,y:1232,w:172,h:22},
{t:"area. ",p:16,x:378,y:1232,w:44,h:22},
{t:"This popular enhancement gives MESSA ",p:16,x:56,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"members quick and convenient access to ",p:16,x:56,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the information they want 24 hours a day, ",p:16,x:56,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"seven days a week.",p:16,x:56,y:1332,w:161,h:22},
{t:"Soon to be unveiled will be a feature ",p:16,x:74,y:1357,w:348,h:22},
{t:"allowing members to request that paper ",p:16,x:56,y:1382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"EOBs no longer be sent to them. Members ",p:16,x:56,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"will instead receive an e-mail informing ",p:16,x:56,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"them that a new EOB has been posted to ",p:16,x:56,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"their secure area. This feature is expected ",p:16,x:56,y:1482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to save members time and reduce MESSA ’s ",p:16,x:56,y:1507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"mailing costs.",p:16,x:56,y:1532,w:115,h:22},
{t:"Quick access to services",p:16,x:446,y:1175,w:254,h:30},
{t:"The new site is designed to provide mem-",p:16,x:465,y:1207,w:343,h:22},
{t:"bers with quick access from the home page ",p:16,x:446,y:1232,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to the services and features that member ",p:16,x:446,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"surveys show they use and need the most.",p:16,x:446,y:1282,w:352,h:22},
{t:"In addition to online EOBs, these key ",p:16,x:465,y:1307,w:348,h:22},
{t:"features include:",p:16,x:446,y:1332,w:137,h:22},
{t:"•	 Getting	help	with	a	claims	question	from	",p:16,x:446,y:1357,w:359,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:16,x:465,y:1382,w:30,h:22},
{t:"staff ",p:16,x:505,y:1382,w:40,h:22},
{t:"in ",p:16,x:554,y:1382,w:21,h:22},
{t:"MESSA’s ",p:16,x:584,y:1382,w:79,h:22},
{t:"award-winning ",p:16,x:673,y:1382,w:133,h:22},
{t:"Member Service Center.",p:16,x:465,y:1407,w:198,h:22},
{t:"•	 Searching	 for	 in-network,	 participating	",p:16,x:446,y:1432,w:359,h:22},
{t:"providers.",p:16,x:465,y:1457,w:85,h:22},
{t:"•	 Learning	more	about	their	coverage	and	",p:16,x:446,y:1482,w:359,h:22},
{t:"benefts.",p:16,x:465,y:1507,w:69,h:22},
{t:"•	 Requesting	an	address	change.",p:16,x:446,y:1532,w:274,h:22},
{t:"Logging in",p:16,x:837,y:450,w:105,h:30},
{t:"The new and improved secure reg-",p:16,x:856,y:482,w:343,h:22},
{t:"istration ",p:16,x:837,y:507,w:77,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:16,x:926,y:507,w:38,h:22},
{t:"log-in ",p:16,x:974,y:507,w:56,h:22},
{t:"process ",p:16,x:1040,y:507,w:70,h:22},
{t:"provides ",p:16,x:1121,y:507,w:83,h:22},
{t:"members with access to their account in-",p:16,x:837,y:532,w:362,h:22},
{t:"formation around the clock in case they ",p:16,x:837,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"forget their user name or password. This ",p:16,x:837,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"new process was designed ",p:16,x:837,y:607,w:254,h:22},
{t:"to increase ",p:16,x:1099,y:607,w:105,h:22},
{t:"self-service ",p:16,x:837,y:632,w:102,h:22},
{t:"convenience ",p:16,x:952,y:632,w:112,h:22},
{t:"for ",p:16,x:1077,y:632,w:30,h:22},
{t:"members ",p:16,x:1117,y:632,w:87,h:22},
{t:"while ",p:16,x:837,y:657,w:53,h:22},
{t:"strengthening ",p:16,x:900,y:657,w:126,h:22},
{t:"MESSA’s ",p:16,x:1038,y:657,w:85,h:22},
{t:"privacy ",p:16,x:1132,y:657,w:72,h:22},
{t:"and security protections.",p:16,x:837,y:682,w:219,h:22},
{t:"Member area",p:16,x:837,y:725,w:136,h:30},
{t:"In ",p:16,x:856,y:757,w:22,h:22},
{t:"addition ",p:16,x:894,y:757,w:76,h:22},
{t:"to ",p:16,x:988,y:757,w:21,h:22},
{t:"enhanced ",p:16,x:1025,y:757,w:86,h:22},
{t:"security, ",p:16,x:1128,y:757,w:76,h:22},
{t:"MESSA’s Member area continues to offer ",p:16,x:837,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"other convenient self-service features:",p:16,x:837,y:807,w:326,h:22},
{t:"•	 A	provider	search.",p:16,x:837,y:832,w:177,h:22},
{t:"•	 A	form	to	order	extra	ID	cards.",p:16,x:837,y:857,w:285,h:22},
{t:"•	 A	page	with	downloadable	forms	mem-",p:16,x:837,y:882,w:354,h:22},
{t:"bers need for claims and enrollment.",p:16,x:856,y:907,w:315,h:22},
{t:"•	 The	ability	to	review	benefts,	deduct-",p:16,x:837,y:932,w:354,h:22},
{t:"ible and plan coverage information.",p:16,x:856,y:957,w:306,h:22},
{t:"Taking care of business",p:16,x:837,y:1000,w:239,h:30},
{t:"The password-protected Business Offce ",p:16,x:856,y:1032,w:348,h:22},
{t:"area features a number of great tools to ",p:16,x:837,y:1057,w:367,h:22},
{t:"help business offces administer their em-",p:16,x:837,y:1082,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ployees’ MESSA beneft plans and assist ",p:16,x:837,y:1107,w:367,h:22},
{t:"members.",p:16,x:837,y:1132,w:83,h:22},
{t:"Looking to the future",p:16,x:837,y:1175,w:208,h:30},
{t:"The new design also incorporates a new ",p:16,x:856,y:1207,w:348,h:22},
{t:"modern software infrastructure that pro-",p:16,x:837,y:1232,w:362,h:22},
{t:"vides a foundation for adding new mem-",p:16,x:837,y:1257,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ber services and features in the future. To ",p:16,x:837,y:1282,w:367,h:22},
{t:"that end, a strategy committee of MESSA ",p:16,x:837,y:1307,w:367,h:22},
{t:"staff members will meet on an ongoing ",p:16,x:837,y:1332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"basis to plan new features that will keep ",p:16,x:837,y:1357,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the site fresh and useful to members.",p:16,x:837,y:1382,w:317,h:22},
{t:"“Our goal with the new Web site is to ",p:16,x:856,y:1407,w:348,h:22},
{t:"continue to provide best-in-class service ",p:16,x:837,y:1432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"with simple navigation while safeguarding ",p:16,x:837,y:1457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"our members’ privacy ,” Irwin said. “We are ",p:16,x:837,y:1482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"very proud of the site and the promise it ",p:16,x:837,y:1507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"holds for future member services.” ",p:16,x:837,y:1532,w:299,h:22},
{t:"17",p:17,x:1196,y:1574,w:23,h:24},
{t:"JUNE 2008",p:17,x:1091,y:1577,w:70,h:19},
{t:"ESP of the Year",p:17,x:904,y:26,w:315,h:69},
{t:"Troy custodian Mel Sledzinski named",p:17,x:56,y:117,w:1011,h:89},
{t:"Michigan School Support Person of Year",p:17,x:56,y:192,w:1080,h:89},
{t:"‘I’m one of thousands of people who work behind the scenes in our public schools every day.",p:17,x:65,y:278,w:915,h:24},
{t:"’",p:17,x:978,y:278,w:5,h:24},
{t:"Head custodian Mel Sledzinski started ",p:17,x:56,y:349,w:367,h:65},
{t:"his day on May 1 getting the gymnasi-",p:17,x:101,y:382,w:317,h:22},
{t:"um at Wass Elementary School in Troy ready ",p:17,x:56,y:407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"for special visitors and a special student as-",p:17,x:56,y:432,w:362,h:22},
{t:"sembly .",p:17,x:56,y:457,w:61,h:22},
{t:"State school superintendent Mike Flanagan ",p:17,x:74,y:482,w:348,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:17,x:56,y:507,w:36,h:22},
{t:"State ",p:17,x:101,y:507,w:45,h:22},
{t:"Board ",p:17,x:154,y:507,w:53,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:17,x:216,y:507,w:21,h:22},
{t:"Education members ",p:17,x:246,y:507,w:177,h:22},
{t:"Kathleen Straus and Elizabeth Bauer were ",p:17,x:56,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"coming to Wass to recognize students and ",p:17,x:56,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"staff for their continued outstanding per-",p:17,x:56,y:582,w:362,h:22},
{t:"formance on the mathematics portion of the ",p:17,x:56,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"MEAP test.",p:17,x:56,y:632,w:92,h:22},
{t:"Little did ",p:17,x:74,y:657,w:84,h:22},
{t:"“Mr. Mel” know that he was ",p:17,x:163,y:657,w:259,h:22},
{t:"getting the gym ready for his own surprise ",p:17,x:56,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"party .",p:17,x:56,y:707,w:46,h:22},
{t:"And, yes, Flanagan did commend Wass ",p:17,x:74,y:732,w:348,h:22},
{t:"for the MEAP math achievements, but the ",p:17,x:56,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"real reason for the visit and special assembly ",p:17,x:56,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"was to surprise the recipient of the 2007-08 ",p:17,x:56,y:807,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Michigan School Support Person of the Year, ",p:17,x:56,y:832,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Mel Sledzinski.",p:17,x:446,y:357,w:126,h:22},
{t:"Students and staff cheered Mr. Mel when ",p:17,x:465,y:382,w:348,h:22},
{t:"Flanagan ",p:17,x:446,y:407,w:79,h:22},
{t:"made ",p:17,x:536,y:407,w:50,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:17,x:597,y:407,w:30,h:22},
{t:"announcement, ",p:17,x:637,y:407,w:130,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:17,x:778,y:407,w:36,h:22},
{t:"Sledzinski was indeed surprised.",p:17,x:446,y:432,w:270,h:22},
{t:"“I feel I am fortunate to work in a place ",p:17,x:465,y:457,w:348,h:22},
{t:"where I’m so appreciated,” said Sledzinski, ",p:17,x:446,y:482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"43, who has worked seven years at Wass and ",p:17,x:446,y:507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"23 years in the Troy district.",p:17,x:446,y:532,w:226,h:22},
{t:"“I feel I represent so many support staff. I’m ",p:17,x:465,y:557,w:348,h:22},
{t:"one of thousands of people who work behind ",p:17,x:446,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the scenes in our public schools every day .”",p:17,x:446,y:607,w:346,h:22},
{t:"Sledzinski, who owns a bachelor’s degree ",p:17,x:465,y:632,w:348,h:22},
{t:"in fne arts and a master’s degree in comput-",p:17,x:446,y:657,w:362,h:22},
{t:"er technology from Wayne State University, ",p:17,x:446,y:682,w:367,h:22},
{t:"loves his job.",p:17,x:446,y:707,w:105,h:22},
{t:"“I like being here with the kids every day ",p:17,x:465,y:732,w:348,h:22},
{t:"and making a difference every day ,” he said.",p:17,x:446,y:757,w:362,h:22},
{t:"Students and staff certainly like and ap-",p:17,x:465,y:782,w:343,h:22},
{t:"preciate Sledzinski.",p:17,x:446,y:807,w:158,h:22},
{t:"“Mr. Mel does a terrifc job at our school,” ",p:17,x:465,y:832,w:348,h:22},
{t:"fourth-grader Hannah Schell said.",p:17,x:837,y:357,w:277,h:22},
{t:"Says third-grade teacher Jane Austin: “Mr. ",p:17,x:856,y:382,w:348,h:22},
{t:"Mel ",p:17,x:837,y:407,w:36,h:22},
{t:"is ",p:17,x:881,y:407,w:18,h:22},
{t:"a ",p:17,x:907,y:407,w:14,h:22},
{t:"one-in-a-million custodian. The ",p:17,x:928,y:407,w:275,h:22},
{t:"children in my classroom always marvel at ",p:17,x:837,y:432,w:367,h:22},
{t:"his pleasant demeanor and positive attitude ",p:17,x:837,y:457,w:367,h:22},
{t:"as he takes care of business all around the ",p:17,x:837,y:482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"school, inside and out.”",p:17,x:837,y:507,w:192,h:22},
{t:"Kindergarten teacher Lauren Fragomeni ",p:17,x:856,y:532,w:348,h:22},
{t:"said Sledzinski does much more than keep ",p:17,x:837,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the school building safe and sparkling clean. ",p:17,x:837,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"“He is a friend, a mentor and a problem-solv-",p:17,x:837,y:607,w:362,h:22},
{t:"er. He’s an outstanding person to represent ",p:17,x:837,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"our state.”",p:17,x:837,y:657,w:85,h:22},
{t:"Second-grade teacher Marilyn Papandrea ",p:17,x:856,y:682,w:348,h:22},
{t:"says Mr. Mel serves as much more than a cus-",p:17,x:837,y:707,w:362,h:22},
{t:"todian at Wass. “Mel is an integral part of our ",p:17,x:837,y:732,w:367,h:22},
{t:"staff and is regarded as a friend by all staff ",p:17,x:837,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"members. He has a big heart, and we are lucky ",p:17,x:837,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to have him as a friend and co-worker .”",p:17,x:837,y:807,w:319,h:22},
{t:"Sledzinski is involved with kids in and ",p:17,x:856,y:832,w:348,h:22},
{t:"out of school. He coaches youth baseball and ",p:17,x:837,y:857,w:367,h:22},
{t:"accompanies groups of students on many ",p:17,x:837,y:882,w:367,h:22},
{t:"after-school feld trips. He co-spon-",p:17,x:897,y:907,w:302,h:22},
{t:"sors the school’s BUDDIE (Building ",p:17,x:897,y:932,w:307,h:22},
{t:"Understanding Develops the Desire ",p:17,x:897,y:957,w:307,h:22},
{t:"to Include Everyone) club, a group of ",p:17,x:897,y:982,w:307,h:22},
{t:"fourth- and ffth-grade students who ",p:17,x:897,y:1007,w:307,h:22},
{t:"assist new students and strive to have ",p:17,x:897,y:1032,w:307,h:22},
{t:"all students get along.",p:17,x:897,y:1057,w:179,h:22},
{t:"In 2004, BUDDIE club members ",p:17,x:916,y:1082,w:288,h:22},
{t:"collected ",p:17,x:897,y:1107,w:76,h:22},
{t:"more ",p:17,x:986,y:1107,w:46,h:22},
{t:"than ",p:17,x:1046,y:1107,w:41,h:22},
{t:"750 ",p:17,x:1100,y:1107,w:32,h:22},
{t:"Beanie ",p:17,x:1145,y:1107,w:58,h:22},
{t:"Babies and sent them to U.S. armed ",p:17,x:897,y:1132,w:307,h:22},
{t:"forces in Iraq to give to the children ",p:17,x:897,y:1157,w:307,h:22},
{t:"in the war-torn country. Last year, he ",p:17,x:897,y:1182,w:307,h:22},
{t:"helped students make bird houses for ",p:17,x:897,y:1207,w:307,h:22},
{t:"a PTO fundraising project.",p:17,x:897,y:1232,w:215,h:22},
{t:"After the assembly, Mr. Mel headed ",p:17,x:916,y:1257,w:288,h:22},
{t:"off to the school cafeteria for a lunch ",p:17,x:897,y:1282,w:307,h:22},
{t:"in his honor, but he knew exactly ",p:17,x:897,y:1307,w:307,h:22},
{t:"what he’d be doing afterward.",p:17,x:897,y:1332,w:247,h:22},
{t:"“I’ll be cleaning up the gym after ",p:17,x:916,y:1357,w:288,h:22},
{t:"my own party ,” he smiled.",p:17,x:897,y:1382,w:217,h:22},
{t:"The ",p:17,x:916,y:1407,w:36,h:22},
{t:"honor ",p:17,x:965,y:1407,w:54,h:22},
{t:"presented ",p:17,x:1033,y:1407,w:86,h:22},
{t:"for ",p:17,x:1132,y:1407,w:28,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:17,x:1174,y:1407,w:30,h:22},
{t:"Michigan School Support Person of ",p:17,x:897,y:1432,w:307,h:22},
{t:"the Year brings $1,500 from MEEMIC ",p:17,x:897,y:1457,w:307,h:22},
{t:"Insurance Company to be used for ",p:17,x:897,y:1482,w:307,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:17,x:897,y:1507,w:30,h:22},
{t:"advancement ",p:17,x:936,y:1507,w:116,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:17,x:1060,y:1507,w:21,h:22},
{t:"education at ",p:17,x:1090,y:1507,w:114,h:22},
{t:"Wass Elementary School. ",p:17,x:897,y:1532,w:209,h:22},
{t:"State Board of Education President Kathleen Straus congratulates Mel Sledzinski, Michigan’s School Support ",p:17,x:56,y:876,w:698,h:19},
{t:"Person of the Year.",p:17,x:56,y:896,w:115,h:19},
{t:"Sarah Anderson of Belleville, recipient of ",p:18,x:446,y:957,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the David McMahon Award, which recog-",p:18,x:446,y:982,w:362,h:22},
{t:"nizes individuals or groups outside of MEA ",p:18,x:446,y:1007,w:367,h:22},
{t:"who have achieved excellence in the area of ",p:18,x:446,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"human rights.",p:18,x:446,y:1057,w:116,h:22},
{t:"Bencik, a fnalist for Michigan Teacher of ",p:18,x:465,y:1082,w:348,h:22},
{t:"the Year in 2007-08, coaches Future Problem ",p:18,x:446,y:1107,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Solvers, combined teams of Troy students ",p:18,x:446,y:1132,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and teammates from schools in Tokyo and ",p:18,x:446,y:1157,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Kanagawa, Japan.",p:18,x:446,y:1182,w:149,h:22},
{t:"The ",p:18,x:611,y:1207,w:36,h:22},
{t:"group, ",p:18,x:662,y:1207,w:59,h:22},
{t:"Japanese ",p:18,x:736,y:1207,w:77,h:22},
{t:"American ",p:18,x:592,y:1232,w:86,h:22},
{t:"Mindthinkers, ",p:18,x:690,y:1232,w:123,h:22},
{t:"is producing a documen-",p:18,x:592,y:1257,w:216,h:22},
{t:"tary addressing concerns ",p:18,x:592,y:1282,w:221,h:22},
{t:"of ",p:18,x:592,y:1307,w:21,h:22},
{t:"Japanese ",p:18,x:626,y:1307,w:77,h:22},
{t:"and ",p:18,x:716,y:1307,w:36,h:22},
{t:"other ",p:18,x:765,y:1307,w:48,h:22},
{t:"immigrants as they tran-",p:18,x:592,y:1332,w:216,h:22},
{t:"sition into the American ",p:18,x:592,y:1357,w:221,h:22},
{t:"school education system.",p:18,x:592,y:1382,w:207,h:22},
{t:"18",p:18,x:37,y:1574,w:23,h:24},
{t:"MEA VOICE",p:18,x:93,y:1577,w:72,h:19},
{t:"News You Can Use",p:18,x:37,y:26,w:394,h:69},
{t:"Election 2008 and political action will ",p:18,x:56,y:374,w:367,h:65},
{t:"be a major focus at MEA’s Summer ",p:18,x:89,y:407,w:333,h:22},
{t:"Leadership ",p:18,x:56,y:432,w:97,h:22},
{t:"Conference ",p:18,x:170,y:432,w:98,h:22},
{t:"July ",p:18,x:284,y:432,w:38,h:22},
{t:"29-31 ",p:18,x:338,y:432,w:48,h:22},
{t:"at ",p:18,x:403,y:432,w:20,h:22},
{t:"Saginaw Valley State University.",p:18,x:56,y:457,w:268,h:22},
{t:"The conference kicks off at 1 p.m. July ",p:18,x:74,y:482,w:348,h:22},
{t:"29 with a panel discussion featuring state ",p:18,x:56,y:507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Democratic Party chair Mark Brewer and ",p:18,x:56,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"former state Republican Party chair Rusty ",p:18,x:56,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Hills, communications director for the State ",p:18,x:56,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Attorney General’s offce.",p:18,x:56,y:607,w:213,h:22},
{t:"They ",p:18,x:74,y:632,w:46,h:22},
{t:"will ",p:18,x:134,y:632,w:36,h:22},
{t:"be ",p:18,x:183,y:632,w:24,h:22},
{t:"discussing ",p:18,x:220,y:632,w:91,h:22},
{t:"how ",p:18,x:325,y:632,w:41,h:22},
{t:"their ",p:18,x:379,y:632,w:43,h:22},
{t:"party platforms impact public education in ",p:18,x:56,y:657,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Michigan.",p:18,x:56,y:682,w:83,h:22},
{t:"Conference workshops on Election 2008 ",p:18,x:74,y:707,w:348,h:22},
{t:"and political action touch a variety of top-",p:18,x:56,y:732,w:362,h:22},
{t:"ics from November’s state ballot initiatives ",p:18,x:56,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"to electing your own employer, the local ",p:18,x:56,y:782,w:367,h:22},
{t:"school board.",p:18,x:56,y:807,w:111,h:22},
{t:"Other ",p:18,x:74,y:832,w:52,h:22},
{t:"training ",p:18,x:138,y:832,w:70,h:22},
{t:"sessions ",p:18,x:219,y:832,w:72,h:22},
{t:"cover ",p:18,x:302,y:832,w:50,h:22},
{t:"MEA’s ",p:18,x:363,y:832,w:60,h:22},
{t:"SLC at a glance",p:18,x:845,y:127,w:345,h:74},
{t:"What: 2008 Summer Leadership ",p:18,x:845,y:210,w:267,h:24},
{t:"Conference.",p:18,x:845,y:235,w:99,h:23},
{t:"When: July 29–31.",p:18,x:845,y:267,w:143,h:24},
{t:"Where: Saginaw Valley State University.",p:18,x:845,y:300,w:328,h:24},
{t:"Theme: Finding Your Way Along the ",p:18,x:845,y:333,w:290,h:24},
{t:"Leadership Highway.",p:18,x:845,y:358,w:175,h:23},
{t:"Highlights: More than 70 workshops that ",p:18,x:845,y:390,w:336,h:24},
{t:"will build your skills in communications, ",p:18,x:845,y:415,w:345,h:23},
{t:"finance, the membership system, ",p:18,x:845,y:438,w:285,h:23},
{t:"strategic planning and political action.",p:18,x:845,y:462,w:323,h:23},
{t:"Fun stuff: ESP Wine and Cheese:  ",p:18,x:845,y:495,w:266,h:24},
{t:"A Conference Gathering, 4:30–6 p.m. July ",p:18,x:845,y:519,w:352,h:23},
{t:"29; “Get Your Party On” dance, 8:30–11:30 ",p:18,x:845,y:543,w:352,h:23},
{t:"p.m. July 29; ImPACting the Future ",p:18,x:845,y:566,w:297,h:23},
{t:"reception with entertainer Dan Kramer, ",p:18,x:845,y:590,w:334,h:23},
{t:"5:30–7:30 p.m. July 30.",p:18,x:845,y:614,w:190,h:23},
{t:"Registration deadline: Sign up by July 11 and ",p:18,x:845,y:647,w:359,h:24},
{t:"attend for $150 ($215 for late registration); ",p:18,x:845,y:671,w:361,h:23},
{t:"$100 for new members/emerging ",p:18,x:845,y:695,w:287,h:23},
{t:"leaders—members in the first six years of ",p:18,x:845,y:718,w:356,h:23},
{t:"employment in the education profession ",p:18,x:845,y:742,w:347,h:23},
{t:"or involvement in the association ",p:18,x:845,y:766,w:286,h:23},
{t:"who have not previously attended the ",p:18,x:845,y:790,w:326,h:23},
{t:"conference ($140 for late registration).",p:18,x:845,y:813,w:320,h:23},
{t:"Political action and ",p:18,x:56,y:117,w:528,h:89},
{t:"much more to highlight ",p:18,x:56,y:192,w:637,h:89},
{t:"Summer Leadership",p:18,x:56,y:267,w:536,h:89},
{t:"Building Full Capacity Locals initiative and ",p:18,x:446,y:382,w:367,h:22},
{t:"engaging new MEA members in association ",p:18,x:446,y:407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"activities.",p:18,x:446,y:432,w:78,h:22},
{t:"One notable workshop—Harlan County ",p:18,x:465,y:457,w:348,h:22},
{t:"USA: A ",p:18,x:446,y:482,w:76,h:22},
{t:"Union ",p:18,x:533,y:482,w:56,h:22},
{t:"Story—will ",p:18,x:600,y:482,w:99,h:22},
{t:"feature ",p:18,x:710,y:482,w:62,h:22},
{t:"the ",p:18,x:783,y:482,w:30,h:22},
{t:"Academy Award winning documentary on ",p:18,x:446,y:507,w:367,h:22},
{t:"the coal miners’ strike against the Brookside ",p:18,x:446,y:532,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in ",p:18,x:446,y:557,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Harlan County, Ky., in June 1973. Eastover’s ",p:18,x:446,y:582,w:367,h:22},
{t:"refusal to sign a contract when the miners ",p:18,x:446,y:607,w:367,h:22},
{t:"joined the United Mine Workers of America ",p:18,x:446,y:632,w:367,h:22},
{t:"led to a strike that lasted more than a year ",p:18,x:446,y:657,w:367,h:22},
{t:"and included violent battles between gun-",p:18,x:446,y:682,w:362,h:22},
{t:"toting company scabs and the picketing ",p:18,x:446,y:707,w:367,h:22},
{t:"miners. A discussion will follow on the simi-",p:18,x:446,y:732,w:362,h:22},
{t:"larities and differences of today and what ",p:18,x:446,y:757,w:367,h:22},
{t:"we can learn from the miners’ experiences.",p:18,x:446,y:782,w:355,h:22},
{t:"For more information on the conference, ",p:18,x:465,y:807,w:348,h:22},
{t:"go to www.mea.org/conferences. ",p:18,x:446,y:832,w:281,h:22},
{t:"Two MEA members—Troy teacher Diane ",p:18,x:56,y:949,w:367,h:65},
{t:"Bencik and Kalamazoo teacher Tisha ",p:18,x:89,y:982,w:333,h:22},
{t:"Pankop—received ",p:18,x:56,y:1007,w:156,h:22},
{t:"MEA ",p:18,x:225,y:1007,w:47,h:22},
{t:"Human ",p:18,x:284,y:1007,w:68,h:22},
{t:"Rights ",p:18,x:365,y:1007,w:58,h:22},
{t:"Awards for implementing programs that ",p:18,x:56,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"have enhanced international ",p:18,x:56,y:1057,w:255,h:22},
{t:"or ",p:18,x:319,y:1057,w:22,h:22},
{t:"intercul-",p:18,x:348,y:1057,w:69,h:22},
{t:"tural awareness among educators and their ",p:18,x:56,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"students.",p:18,x:56,y:1107,w:75,h:22},
{t:"They each received the Elizabeth Siddall ",p:18,x:74,y:1132,w:348,h:22},
{t:"Human Rights Award at a banquet April ",p:18,x:56,y:1157,w:367,h:22},
{t:"25 in Lansing. Also honored was the Rev. ",p:18,x:56,y:1182,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Teachers receive Siddall Awards at MEA Human Rights banquet",p:18,x:56,y:890,w:1143,h:59},
{t:"Pankop, Michigan’s journalism teacher of ",p:18,x:856,y:957,w:348,h:22},
{t:"the year in 2006, serves as adviser for Loy ",p:18,x:837,y:982,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Norrix High School’s award-winning stu-",p:18,x:837,y:1007,w:362,h:22},
{t:"dent newspaper, Knight Life. For the past ",p:18,x:837,y:1032,w:367,h:22},
{t:"two years, she orchestrated pen pal interac-",p:18,x:837,y:1057,w:362,h:22},
{t:"tions with her reporters and students from ",p:18,x:837,y:1082,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Romania and Uganda.",p:18,x:837,y:1107,w:186,h:22},
{t:"In the 2006-07 school year, Knight Life ",p:18,x:856,y:1132,w:348,h:22},
{t:"published a special edition, “The Uganda ",p:18,x:837,y:1157,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Project,” ",p:18,x:837,y:1182,w:75,h:22},
{t:"with ",p:18,x:921,y:1182,w:42,h:22},
{t:"students ",p:18,x:972,y:1182,w:75,h:22},
{t:"from ",p:18,x:1056,y:1182,w:44,h:22},
{t:"St. ",p:18,x:1110,y:1182,w:25,h:22},
{t:"Kizitio ",p:18,x:1144,y:1182,w:60,h:22},
{t:"School in Kampala, Uganda. It exposed the ",p:18,x:837,y:1207,w:367,h:22},
{t:"nightmares that young people in Uganda ",p:18,x:837,y:1232,w:367,h:22},
{t:"face every day and educated readers about ",p:18,x:837,y:1257,w:367,h:22},
{t:"life in Uganda.",p:18,x:837,y:1282,w:123,h:22},
{t:"Anderson serves as the volunteer execu-",p:18,x:856,y:1307,w:343,h:22},
{t:"tive director of SCANN (Sevenfold Coalition ",p:18,x:837,y:1332,w:367,h:22},
{t:"Addressing Neighborhood Needs), which ",p:18,x:837,y:1357,w:367,h:22},
{t:"provides ",p:18,x:837,y:1382,w:77,h:22},
{t:"summer ",p:18,x:926,y:1382,w:73,h:22},
{t:"programs ",p:18,x:1010,y:1382,w:84,h:22},
{t:"for ",p:18,x:1106,y:1382,w:28,h:22},
{t:"youth, ",p:18,x:1146,y:1382,w:58,h:22},
{t:"backpack/gym shoe giveaways, life skills ",p:18,x:837,y:1407,w:367,h:22},
{t:"training and after-school programs.",p:18,x:837,y:1432,w:294,h:22},
{t:"For an exciting look at this year’s MEA ",p:18,x:856,y:1457,w:348,h:22},
{t:"Human Rights Awards recipients, view the ",p:18,x:837,y:1482,w:367,h:22},
{t:"special ",p:18,x:837,y:1507,w:61,h:22},
{t:"video ",p:18,x:908,y:1507,w:51,h:22},
{t:"at ",p:18,x:969,y:1507,w:20,h:22},
{t:"www.mea.org/awards/",p:18,x:999,y:1507,w:200,h:22},
{t:"humanrights.html. ",p:18,x:837,y:1532,w:160,h:22},
{t:"MEA Human Rights Awards ",p:18,x:592,y:1469,w:179,h:19},
{t:"recipients (from left) the Rev. ",p:18,x:592,y:1489,w:187,h:19},
{t:"Sarah Anderson, Diane Bencik ",p:18,x:592,y:1509,w:195,h:19},
{t:"and Tisha Pankop.",p:18,x:592,y:1529,w:114,h:19},
{t:"Committed to best-in-class service",p:20,x:92,y:877,w:1087,h:88},
{t:"MESSA is committed to ",p:20,x:210,y:1055,w:312,h:34},
{t:"outstanding personalized ",p:20,x:197,y:1096,w:325,h:34},
{t:"member service.It’s a ",p:20,x:243,y:1138,w:280,h:34},
{t:"commitment that sets us ",p:20,x:197,y:1180,w:325,h:34},
{t:"apart–and earns tremendous ",p:20,x:153,y:1221,w:370,h:34},
{t:"loyalty from our members. ",p:20,x:182,y:1263,w:340,h:34},
{t:"MESSA ’s Medical Case Management team has earned full ",p:20,x:547,y:1056,w:530,h:24},
{t:"accreditation from the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission ",p:20,x:547,y:1099,w:620,h:24},
{t:"(URAC), an independent, nationally-recognized leader in promoting ",p:20,x:547,y:1142,w:617,h:24},
{t:"health care quality. In earning this honor, MESSA ’s Medical Case ",p:20,x:547,y:1184,w:595,h:24},
{t:"Management underwent rigorous evaluation and was measured ",p:20,x:547,y:1227,w:575,h:24},
{t:"against national standards.",p:20,x:547,y:1270,w:244,h:24},
{t:"It’s all part of the MESSA difference–providing our members best-in-",p:20,x:547,y:1322,w:624,h:24},
{t:"class service.",p:20,x:547,y:1364,w:120,h:24},
{t:"800.292.4910",p:20,x:959,y:1576,w:113,h:22},
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