Union Action
Spring RA delegates re-elect MEA’s top officers, adopt 2008-09 budget, act on other business
Incumbent Peggy McLellan bested three challengers to retain the position of MEA secretary-treasurer at the Spring Representative Assembly in Lansing on April 26.
MEA President Iris K. Salters and Vice President Steven Cook, running unopposed, won re-election to three-year terms by acclamation.
In the secretary-treasurer race, two challengers, Chris Korbel of Traverse City and Michael Graves of Southfield, were eliminated in the first round of voting. McLellan, a Reese teacher, then defeated Lansing EA President Jerry Swartz in a run-off election for the position.
McLellan has held the secretary-treasurer post for two years. Her new term runs three years.
Delegates adopted the 2008-09 MEA budget and approved the same percentage dues rate for members, 1.5 percent, not to exceed $620 in annual dues, for next school year.
They also approved a major investment to promote a positive image for MEA, its members and public education.
Delegates:
• Approved a new business item to make the passage of Matt’s Safe Schools Law Spring RA delegates re-elect MEA’s top officers, adopt 2008-09 budget, act on other business (Senate Bill 107 and House Bill 4162) an MEA priority. This legislation—named for 14-year-old East Lansing High School student Matt Epling who was hazed and bullied and committed suicide—will ensure that all local school districts adopt anti-bullying policies. The legislation has passed the House but remains tied up in the Senate Education Committee.
• Directed the MEA president to develop a comprehensive discussion paper on moving local affiliates from state option to local option for UniServ. The paper is to be completed by Oct. 1.
• Changed MEA bylaws to allow up to three members of the MEA Board to serve on MEA commissions.
• Directed the MEA executive office to investigate the possibility of displaying brief written text of items being discussed on the large screens at the RA.
In other action, delegates elected:
• To the National Education Association Board: Van Buren teacher Katherine Murphy and Carman-Ainsworth teacher Frank Burger for three-year terms beginning on Sept. 1.
• To the MEA Board: Terry Johnson of Godwin Heights, Sharon Mason of Lansing and Gloria Wagener of Saginaw Valley State University to ESP at-large seats; Ferris State University professor Bill Papo to a higher education at-large seat. Terms run three years.
• To the Human Relations Commission: John Penn of Haslett and Kurt Meyer of Grand Rapids for three-year terms; Nancy Rozier of Flint for a term running to Aug. 31, 2010.
• To the Legislation Commission: Dan Quinn of Grosse Pointe and Donald Tilley of Bay City for three-year terms; Robert Jerow of West Ottawa for a term ending Aug. 31, 2009.
• To the Local Affiliates Commission: Chris Kriss of Fitzgerald and Alicia Matthes of Grand Rapids for three-year terms; Doug Haan of Rockford for a term ending Aug. 31, 2010.
• To the Instruction and Professional Development Commission: Renee Sandora of West Ottawa and Diane Wildfong of Kalkaska for three-year terms.
• To the International Understanding Commission: Mary Ann Schwartz of Jackson and Sigrid Grace of Almont for three-year terms.