VEA E-source

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VEA is proud to send you this e-source newsletter, a tip-filled resource to help you on the job and in your profession. These monthly dispatches will keep you informed about the latest news affecting your job and will help you take advantage of all the resources offered by your Association. If you'd rather not receive the e-source again, click the "Unsubscribe" button at bottom right.

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Electing our leaders is one of the most important tasks we have as citizens. VEA encourages you to study your options and to make a considered decision on November 4. Your Association makes recommendations on key political offices because our members have told us over the years that our Association has an important role to play in these elections. That role includes reviewing the platforms of the candidates who are running, looking at their records and their positions on public education, and providing members that information along with a recommendation, so they can make an informed decision based on facts. Read more about this critical election in VEA President Kitty Boitnott’s Open Letter to VEA Members (VEA member login required). Thank you for being part of our VEA community, and thank you for making a considered decision on November 4.

Speaking of elections, Roanoke Education Association (REA) member Anita Price, a modest counselor at Round Hill Montessori School, took her commitment to political involvement to the next level. In July, Price, a former president of REA, joined the seven-member City Council for a four-year term. She won her seat without the endorsement of the local business community, and she won despite spending less on the campaign than her challengers. ("I'm a teacher, and we've always known how to do more with less," she says with a wry grin.) Her script is one any member could follow—even if your ambitions fall somewhat short of City Council. Read her story.

In 2000, the Augusta County Education Association (ACEA) awarded a $1,000 scholarship to high school senior Amanda Waugh to pursue her teaching degree at Bridgewater College. Eight years later, the Bridgewater graduate is back in the fold, teaching 1st grade in Waynesboro—and serving as co-president of the ACEA. She's served as a building representative and on ACEA committees, and presented to the school board on behalf of her colleagues. Learn more about Massie here.

A recent downturn in the stock market has no effect on your pension. But you should be wary of proposals to lessen the security of retirement programs offered through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) recently previewed a new report on compensation (including retirement benefits) for state employees, and the 164-page tome outlines possible changes to the VRS that would diminish the retirement benefit of future and non-vested employees. Right now, it's just a paper outlining options for state lawmakers. But it may spur bills during the upcoming session of the General Assembly, which begins in January. Get the inside scoop on how to protect your retirement security.

Are you interested in raising the achievement of math-challenged students? Looking for math resources to help students with special needs? Your membership in the Virginia Education Association entitles you to free resources from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) through December 31, 2008. The resources include articles from NCTM journals, book chapters, and other materials. To access the materials made available free to Association members, go to www.nctm.org/nea. While you’re there, check out the advantages of NCTM membership. Until December 31, 2008, Association members will save $10 off NCTM membership dues.

Public education was spared in the latest round of state spending cuts for this year ordered by Governor Tim Kaine, but VEA is fighting to keep schools off the chopping block in the second year of the biennial budget. In October, Kaine tackled a $2.5-billion hole in the 2008-2010 state budget by ordering state agency cuts, delaying a planned 2-percent raise for state workers, and setting in motion a $400-million withdrawal from the state's rainy day fund. He did not propose cuts to the 2009 school aid budget. At a hearing October 20 of the General Assembly's Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding, VEA urged lawmakers to protect K-12 funding for the 2009-2010 school year. "Before we compromise Virginia's investment in the next generation, we should carefully examine our current level of state support for our schools, the ability of local governments to make up for the loss in state funding, tax policy decisions that have, in part, led us to the current fiscal crisis, and Virginia's Constitutional obligation," VEA testified. Click here for all the reasons schools should not bear the brunt.