- Budget Update: MCPS Budget Proposed by BoE to County Disappoints – Next Steps in Funding Fight
- MCEA Union Election Results Are In!
- Elect our next bosses! Be part of the process.
- RSVP for the IN-PERSON March 6 Representative Assembly (RA)
- Summer Opportunities at MCEA
- MCEA Members: Making Our Voices Heard at Our Worksites!
- Attention Conditionally Certified Members: FREE Live Praxis Support Available
1.Budget Update: MCPS Budget Proposed by BoE to County Disappoints – Next Steps in Funding Fight
Budgetary Disappointments:
Despite our efforts, the Board of Education did not request the full funding necessary to address our critical needs. While this is disheartening, it’s important to acknowledge the progress we made through our collective advocacy.
Celebrating Our Wins: Through our united voice, we achieved some victories.
- The budget fully funds our wages and benefits
- Restoration of a CT position
- Restoration of 504 Instructional Specialist• Restoration Counselor Coordinator • Restoration of the Career Pathway Program for ParaEducators • Arcola will continue the ISY program • Virtual Academy will continue next year • Addition of a Medial Specialist at Loiderman
However, our work is far from over. Now, we must shift our focus to the next critical steps.
Next Steps: County Funding and Board Elections:
• Secure County Funding: The battle is not over. We must ensure that County Elected Officials allocate the necessary funds to support our budget. Your continued engagement is crucial.
- Board Elections: This is an opportunity to strengthen our position. We need Board of Education members who will boldly advocate for what our students and educators deserve. Let’s seize this chance to elect individuals who have the courage to ask for and fight for the resources we need.
2. MCEA Union Election Results Are In!
With record-breaking member participation, union election results are in! See the results here.
The free breakfast contest drawing will be held at the March 6 Representative Assembly at MCEA.
Thanks to all who voted – participation in the process makes our union stronger!
3. Elect our next bosses! Be part of the process.
Did you know that we can elect our bosses? MCEA members have a special role in recommending and electing pro public education candidates who value students, educators, and the communities we serve.
The Apple Ballot candidate recommendation process begins with candidate interviews. Your participation in these interviews is a critical first step to recommending the right candidates and holding those elected accountable to their campaign promises.
- Learn more about the candidates running for the three open Board of Education seats here.
- Join the Apple Ballot Candidate Recommendation Interview Team to interview candidates and determine whose names will appear on the educator-approved Apple Ballot. Sign up to participate in the interviews on March 3 here.
- Take action to get our Apple Ballot recommended candidates elected! Early voting starts May 2, 2024, and runs through Thursday, May 9, 2024. There are early morning, morning, mid-day, afternoon, and evening shifts available at multiple locations throughout the county. Sign up for your Apple Ballot shift here!
For more information, please contact AlicennePassavanti at [email protected]
4. RSVP for the IN-PERSON March 6 Representative Assembly (RA)
Building reps will gather IN-PERSON to make recommendations for MCEA’s Apple Ballot endorsements, discuss the MCEA FY2025 budget proposal, and other union business.
- 4:15pm – Doors open with refreshments available
- 4:45pm – Meeting start
RSVP to attend this IN-PERSON RA here.
5. Summer Opportunities at MCEA: Save the Dates
Union Summer Program
MCEA’s Union Summer program is an exciting opportunity for MCEA members to improve their organizing skills by doing outreach to new educators, non-members, and members about critical issues we face in our schools.
MCEA’s Union Summer Program will be held from July 8 – August 16, 2024. Stay tuned for the program announcement and application in April.
New Educator Orientation
The New Educator Orientation is an inspiring time of year. We get to welcome our new educators to the union and build relationships with our new colleagues. New Educator Orientation will be held on Tuesday, August 13 and Wednesday, August 14, 2024. ntation..
For more information or to volunteer at orientation contact the MCEA Help Desk at [email protected].
New Educator Action Team (NEAT) Store
The New Educator Action Team is excited to host the New Educator Supplies Store @ MCEA during NEO – Thursday, August 15 and Pre-Service week Monday, August 19 – August 23, 2024.
- The New Educator Supplies Store will accept your gently used classroom supplies at the end of the school year. Stay tuned for dates and times. If you have any questions, contact the MCEA Help Desk at [email protected].
6. MCEA Members: Making our voices heard at our worksites!
Since December 6, 2023, over 25 schools and worksites have taken action to address climate concerns. Through our organizing efforts, we are making bold demands to MCPS administration, imploring them to work with us to improve working conditions and students’ learning conditions at the foundational levels of the system, our worksites. We will continue amplifying our collective voice and make bold demands. To get involved and join other worksites in our climate campaign, reach out to your MCEA Building Representatives, your assigned MCEA Uniserv Director, and/or learn more about how to take action at https://bit.ly/MCEAmembermaterials.
Stephen Knolls wears Red for Ed!
We celebrate Red for Ed every Wednesday! Don’t forget to wear your red this week, Wednesday, February 28 to build union solidarity and awareness at your school or worksite. We love to share our actions with each other, so please email [email protected] with pictures or videos of you and your colleagues taking action!
7. Attention Conditionally Certified Members: FREE Live Praxis Support Available
Are you looking for support to help you with certification? Do you want to schedule your Praxis test but would like some help studying? Praxis Live Support Programming from MSEA is back! From sessions on dealing with testing anxiety to a variety of content and level-specific classes, MSEA has tailored this season’s courses to meet your individual needs.
To see the full list of courses or to sign up, click here. For additional questions, please email [email protected].