CEC Days--The LFT will soon be signing a letter of agreement on the issue of CEC time. The primary change from the current contract language will include a 2 year (24 month) carryover of CEC days up to 10 days. Anyone who has accumulated more than 10 days will still be able to keep those days for 24 months. Check out the Contract Q&A section of the LFT Webpage for more details--http://www.lft1614.org. The contents of the letter of agreement will be posted there as soon as it is signed.

Shop Union -- During the holiday season remember to shop at those stores that have a unionized workforce whenever possible. Farmer Jack’s, Kroger and Meijer have unions. Avoid Walmart and K-Mart!

2002 SBC Ameritech STAR Awards--Applications are now being accepted for the 2002 SBC Ameritech School Technology Achievement Recognition (STAR) Awards Program. This year the SBC Ameritech STAR Awards will again honor three outstanding schools and this year it has been expanded to include every teacher eligible for the Michigan Laptop for Teachers Program!

Because of the many success stories generated by the Michigan Laptop for Teachers program (known as the Teacher Technology Initiative), the teacher award was added to the STAR Awards. These awards will honor those teachers who have used their new technology to enhance the way they teach and learn. Winning teachers will receive $2,500 to be used to purchase technology for his or her classroom, and the award will be presented at a special ceremony in their district. An easy three-question application is all it takes to be considered for one of the six awards.

This year’s STAR school awards will again recognize an elementary, middle, and high school that made exemplary use of educational technology in the classroom. Awards in the amount of $5,000 each will be presented to each school at a special ceremony in their district. Schools may use the award money to enhance their technology programs.

For the application or more information visit: macul.org/star or call the MACUL office at 517-694-9756. Applications are due by January 16. 2002 and winners will be officially announced at the MACUL conference in March.

Lamphere Webpage--The district webpage, http://www.lamphere.k12.mi.us has listed all of the insurance providers complete with phone numbers and contact information. It can be found under the Administrative pages in the Human Resources section.

 Changes in retirement contributions--Changes in Federal tax laws and regulations may affect your retirement contributions. Many of these cahnges will take effect beginning in January of 2002. For example, the minimum salary deduction a person can contribute to a 403 (B) plan will be increased to $11,000. Limits will be increased to $15,000 by the year 2006. There also have been changes made concerning rollover pensions. In addition, extra catch-up benefits have been instituted for those over the age of 50 who participate in a 403 (B) plan. IRA contribution limits have also been increased.

 Happy Holidays. 

 Respectfully submitted,

 Judy Schram

LFT President

Click here for past newsletters.