LAMPHERE FEDERATION
OF TEACHERS
AFT Michigan #1614
March 2010
VSRP--There have been many questions about the buyout offer. If you are considering the buyout offer the deadline for submitting your VSRP paperwork is March 5th. If you have questions feel free to contact me, at jschram@juno.com.
Governor’s Proposal for Changes in Retirement System (message directly from AFT-Michigan)
There has been a lot of concern and confusion expressed by members over the proposal put forth by the Governor to encourage retirements and change retirement benefits for school personnel. These are just proposals; they would require legislative action and in some cases a change in the state constitution to be implemented. No one should be making retirement decisions based on ideas that may or may not ever materialize. We will keep you posted if or when anything develops. You can read the Governor’s proposal here http://www.michigan.gov/documents/orsschools/MPSERSReforms_310724_7.pdf .
Lobby Day--If you are interested in attending Lobby Day on March 17th with AFT Michigan contact your building rep. The deadline for registration is March 1st, so contact your rep by February 26th.
MetLife Survey Calls for More Collaboration on Reform
The findings of this year's "MetLife Survey of the American Teacher" reinforce what the AFT has been saying: Collaboration, not conflict, holds the key to successful education reform. "Neither principals nor teachers can do it alone; they need to be part of a team that works together to improve teaching and learning. And they know it," AFT president Randi Weingarten says.
The annual report, one of the most highly regarded, independent surveys of educators, will be released in three parts. Part 1 of this year's survey, "Collaborating for Student Success," was released on Feb. 17.
Weingarten calls the finding that teachers and principals believe greater collaboration would have a direct impact on improved student achievement "a clarion call that, if heeded, will help students succeed in school."
"The fact that 69 percent of teachers do not believe their voices have been adequately heard in the education debate means that this call, to date, has gone unheard," she says.
"It's important that teachers not only be given the time to work with one another, but that they also have a strong partnership with school leaders. We are encouraged by the fact that more and more school districts are stepping up to the plate and creating better labor-management relationships. The AFT will continue to push for stronger partnerships and for making sure that teachers have the tools, time and trust they need to do their jobs well." [AFT press release]
February 17, 2010
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Schram
LFT President