Value of MEA
MEA helps Perry and Morrice defeat consolidation
School employees in Perry and Morrice learned firsthand the value of being MEA members during a successful campaign to defeat a ballot proposal to consolidate their districts.
Voters rejected consolidation by a resounding 73 percent to 27 percent margin on Jan. 15.
Presidents of the two teacher locals, Perry’s Dave Myron and Morrice’s Cathy Edington, thanked MEA for helping to defeat consolidation.
“You don’t realize how much help MEA provides its members until you really need it,” Myron said. “Anything we asked for, we received.”
Edington credited MEA for developing a winning campaign strategy. “The support we received from MEA was awesome. I’m proud of my state association and our local associations for working so hard to defeat this.”
MEA provided advice from its legal and communications departments, daily guidance from UniServ directors Walt Rogowski and Nancy Knight, and answers to myriad questions that arose during the campaign—everything from retirement to health insurance coverage.
In the end, though, hard work by Perry and Morrice school employees—after school, on weekends and during the holiday break—won the election.
“We approached this like the ‘good old days’ when we were trying to pass millages,” Myron said. “Our members really worked hard, and winning was a great relief. Logically, I thought we would carry the day, but I think my hair got grayer in the process.”
Edington called the election a vote of confidence for both districts.
“This was stressful for the kids and the staff. Now everyone’s attention can be focused on learning.”
The EA presidents also thanked Region 8 and the 8-C Coordinating Council for each contributing $2,000 to the campaign.