- Building Political Power for a Stronger MCPS
- Tomorrow (9/4)! September Representative Assembly (RA) RSVP
- MCEA Back-to-School Ball: A Minority Scholars Program Fundraiser
- Improve Union Communications: Input Needed
- Superintendent Thomas Taylor’s Educator “UnConference” 9/10
- Join the Labor Management Restructure Transition Team
- Action Needed: Short IEP Days Survey
- Your Input Needed: Materials & Supplies at MCPS
- Minority Affairs Committee Minority Leadership Training Program: Deadline 9/13
- Women’s Concerns Committee Women’s Leadership Training Program: Deadline 9/13
- Enforcing Your Union Contract: Grievance Snapshots
- Washington Mystics Special MCEA Member Invitation
1. Building Political Power for a Stronger MCPS
It’s critical for us to win at the ballot box! We must elect politicians who will adopt a school budget that allows us to raise salaries, improve benefits, and ensure that students get the resources they need.
We win elections by contributing to our Political Action Committee (PAC). Our PAC funds are used to pay for digital ads, political mailers, and our famous Apple Ballots, so that we can educate voters on the most pro-public education candidates.
- Contribute to PAC here.
- Download the form to contribute to PAC through payroll deduction here.
- Volunteer for an Apple Ballot shift on Election Day.
Custom PAC Contribution Incentives
- 1+ PAC Sticker
- $10 to $14.99 PAC Backpack
- $15 to $19.99 PAC Tumbler
- $20 + All PAC Incentives
2. Tomorrow, 9/4! September Representative Assembly (RA) RSVP
Join us in person for our first RA of the 2024-25 school year! Don’t forget to bring any completed PAC contribution forms.
- RSVP here
- Meet at 12 Taft Ct., Rockville
- Doors open at 4:15 pm, meeting begins at 4:45 pm
- Dinner provided
- Kids welcome
3. MCEA Back-to-School Ball: A Minority Scholars Program Fundraiser
We’re thrilled to announce MCEA’s Back-to-School Ball taking place Saturday, September 21, 2024, featuring incredible leaders from the Minority Scholars Program. MCEA is a proud sponsor and supporter of the MSP. Proceeds from the Back-to-School Ball will go to support the work of this program.
Attendees will enjoy a festive evening of dinner, drinks, a DJ, and dancing. It will showcase the powerful work of the program. Purchase tickets by clicking the invitation above.
4. Improve Union Communications: Input Needed
MCEA’s Public Affairs team wants to improve how our union communicates to members and external audiences (the press, community members, etc.).
Complete this short survey to help inform how our union will develop and structure future communications.
5. Superintendent Thomas Taylor’s Educator “UnConference” 9/10
Zoom: https://bit.ly/4dYO0Iz
RSVP: https://bit.ly/3Z27NlZ
6. Join the Labor Management Restructure Transition Team!
One of the essential ways we can advocate for our students and our working conditions is through the committees and workgroups established in our contract. In recent years, members have made significant gains in building our union’s labor management structure. Through contract negotiations, members have successfully established new labor management bodies, ensuring that educator voices are at the forefront of discussions with MCPS decision-makers.
The MCEA Board of Directors has identified the need to reorganize the labor management committee structure to make it more effective and strategic. To this end, we are launching the MCEA Labor Management Restructure Transition Team. All interested members are invited to join the team.
The transition team will take on the important task of comprehensively reviewing the current structure and developing a proposal of modifications to improve the efficacy of MCEA labor management committees and workgroups. Your participation and input are vital.
Click here to learn more and sign up.
For any questions or additional information, please contact Yasmina Mrabet at [email protected].
7. Action Needed: Short IEP Days Survey
The Special Education Labor Management Committee (LMC) is seeking data on IEP days and how many days Special Educators and Related Service Providers were able to access during the 2023-24 school year. IEP Days are allocated to schools for use by case managers and related service providers to complete the IEP writing and planning process.
If you were in a job that was eligible to take IEP days, even if you did not take any, please fill out this short survey.
Your response will help us continue to advocate for MCEA special educators and related service providers – thank you!
8. Your Input Needed: Materials & Supplies at MCPS
Please support the efforts of the Material & Supply Selection Workgroup! Complete the Materials Feedback Form to share your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions to help improve the procurement and quality of materials at MCPS.
9. Minority Affairs Committee Minority Leadership Training Program: Deadline 9/13
MSEA needs strong, diverse leaders to help move our schools and communities to safer, more equitable, and more empowered places where everyone is welcomed and respected.
The MSEA Minority Affairs Committee Minority Leadership Training Program (MLTP) is a year-long, cohort-based, professional development program that seeks to support diverse educators interested in pursuing leadership opportunities within the association at the local, state, and national levels. Cohort members will engage in a powerful learning journey whose goal is to raise their individual and collective awareness about their ideas and competencies as leaders. The cohort will build and strengthen their capacity to become transformational leaders and catalyze them to take action and lead the movements focused on creating and sustaining equitable, inclusive, and just schools and communities as well as strengthening a professional association firmly rooted in racial, social, and economic justice. Please note the early application deadline.
Deadline for applications: September 13, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Learn more and apply here.
Contact: Tina Dove, [email protected]
10. Women’s Concerns Committee Women’s Leadership Training Program: Deadline 9/13
MSEA needs strong leaders who identify as women/womxn to help move our schools and communities to safer, more equitable, more empowered places where everyone is welcomed and respected.
The MSEA Women’s Concerns Committee Women’s Leadership Training Program (WLTP) is a year-long, cohort-based, professional development program that seeks to support diverse educators interested in pursuing leadership opportunities within the association at the local, state, and national levels. Cohort members will engage in a powerful learning journey whose goal is to raise their individual and collective awareness about their ideas and competencies as leaders, build and strengthen their capacity to become transformational leaders, and catalyze them to take action and lead the movements focused on creating and sustaining equitable, inclusive, and just schools and communities as well as strengthening a professional association firmly rooted in racial, social, and economic justice. Please note the early application deadline.
Deadline for applications: September 13, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Learn more and apply here.
Contact: Stephanie Walters, [email protected]
11. Enforcing Your Union Contract: Grievance Snapshots
Leave for Professional Improvement
After attempts to resolve the matter informally, a grievance was filed on behalf of a member who was improperly denied leave for a prestigious fellowship opportunity. The denial incorrectly cited a ‘requirement’ that, upon review, was found not to be a condition of the applicable provision, Article 31 H. 2. of the MCEA-MCPS Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The grievance was upheld, and the member was subsequently granted the requested leave.
Due Process
Due process is a fundamental right codified in the MCEA-MCPS Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), ensuring that all members are treated fairly, and their rights are protected. Article 12 E. of the CBA states: No unit member shall be disciplined without proper cause. After a member was improperly issued a letter of reprimand based on unsubstantiated and hearsay evidence – and without being given the opportunity to share their side of the story – a grievance was filed citing a violation of the proper cause requirement in Article 12 E. The grievance was upheld, and the Hearing Officer ruled that the member must have the opportunity to present their perspective prior to the implementation of any disciplinary action. Due process protection is vital, as it prevents arbitrary or unjust actions by ensuring that any allegations or disputes are thoroughly reviewed and that members have a voice. Upholding this provision is essential to maintaining a just and respectful workplace for all.
12. Washington Mystics Special MCEA Member Invitation
Join the Washington Mystics for their last home game of the season (Thursday, September 19 at 7 pm)! MCEA members can get discounted tickets here.