Negotiations Status

The LNEA bargaining team wants to update you on the situation with negotiations. You have probably noticed (unless you’re brand new to the district) that you have not been asked to ratify a new agreement or sign a new contract, nor did you receive a raise in your September 20 paycheck. That is because we have yet to settle with the district for this year’s negotiated agreement. 

Why is that? Well, any raise, even movement down and/or over on the salary schedule has to be agreed upon through the bargaining process.  LNEA feels strongly that teachers should be paid for their years of service to this district as indicated in the salary schedule.  So far the district claims it does not have the funds to pay for movement down on the salary schedule (i.e. step movement, or pay for your years of service) for all teachers.  If you read our August 12 blog post (lneanews.blogspot.com) then you know that their special education cooperative budget is the reason they cite for their reluctance. 

They asked us to wait until after the enrollment numbers were in for all the co-op districts. Now we’ve been asked to wait until after they ask the co-op superintendents for the additional money needed to pay for step movement. They will meet with the administrators of the other districts in the co-op on October 21. We should have more information then.

In the meantime, LNEA will be meeting with budget experts from KNEA to discuss the situation. 

We feel it’s important to remind you that you will pay an extra 1% into KPERS beginning in January. 

As part of the settlement, we will advocate for back pay for any increases, but that is another negotiable item; it is not automatic.

The negotiations team,

Dennis Dickson, Bryan Walker, Ginger Riddle, Michelle Smalls, Kay Smith, Ruth Striggow, Robin Crim

This was originally sent by email to the members of the bargaining unit on October 8, 2013. If you are a teacher (not previously retired) in USD 453 or Leavenworth County Special Ed Cooperative and did not receive this message, please email lneanews@gmail.com.  We highly recommend that Co-op teachers working in districts outside USD 453 set up their district email to forward automatically to an email address they use regularly.

Tree Planting Ceremony in Honor of KNEA's 150th Anniversary. You are invited!

Education has always been the pillar of our community and state.  In 1863 there were 564 teachers in the state of Kansas, and 34 of them gathered in Leavenworth in the fall to establish the Kansas State Teachers Association.  On October 1, 2013, the Kansas National Education Association will celebrate its 150^th anniversary by planting a Legacy Tree in Tenth Avenue Park  (located at the Leavenworth Tree Legacy which is in the city area by Warren Middle School).   An invitational flyer is attached.  The tree planting ceremony will be led by KNEA President Karen Godfrey, Vice President Mark Farr and Secretary Sherri Schwanz.

KNEA will also appear on the City Commission agenda for a proclamation on September 24th at 7 pm. 

More History

KNEA’s rich history began in Leavenworth with the organization of its first local teachers association.  The leaders of the Leavenworth organization put out the call to all teachers in the state to join together in one organized group.  A series of resolutions explained that the purpose of the new organization included  “securing in Kansas the best system of public schools;” and recommending appropriate “provision for the school buildings, personal attention of parents to the progress of their children at school, the employment of teachers of good mental and moral qualification and daily reading of the Bible…” (100 Years in Kansas Education by C.O. Wright).  The minutes from the first meeting celebrated the new organization by reporting, “Teachers and friends of education return to their respective fields of labor with the consciousness of having discharged their full duty in a noble cause.”   

Today, the Kansas National Education continues its mission to advocate for education professionals and to unite KNEA members, Kansans, and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.  KNEA members have adopted a set of core values that guide their work as an organization and define their mission.  These core values are: Equal Opportunity for All, a Just Society, Democracy, Professionalism, Partnership and Collective Action.  

Superintendent Isaac Goodnow served as the first president of KSTA.  Superintendent Goodnow earlier established Bluemont Central College which later became Kansas State University. 

Congratulations to Member Jeff Baxter!

Our LNEA colleague Jeff Baxter  was chosen as the Northeast Kansas Teacher of the Year this week in Topeka.   Mr. Baxter was awarded a financial prize and qualifies as a finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year. LNEA would like to add its congratulations to those of LHS principal Dr. Tom Barry, who says "We wish Mr. Baxter the best of luck as he competes with other State Finalists for that honor.  Go Pioneers and please know how proud we are of Jeff as he represents himself and our school.   Hurrah!"

Certain members eligible for Extended Educator Employment Liability

Any members who are occupational therapists, physical therapists, or athletic trainers are eligible for Extended Educator Employment Liability (EEL) Coverage at no extra cost through KNEA.  Email lneanews@gmail.com for an application form to take advantage of that coverage.

This policy is intended for professionals whose activities as an OT/PT involve teaching and supervising those activities; professionals who are rendering physical therapy or occupational therapy are covered by the Basic EEL policy. Also covered by the Basic EEL policy are all members administering medication when advance written authorization from guardian is provided, all members administering emergency first aid when a nurse is unavailable, nurses rendering first aid, psychologists rendering psychological therapy, etc. Most of us have no need of this extended coverage, but if you do teach or supervise PT or OT activities, please let us know.