Representing Our Membership

Much has been said lately about the decisions of the NEA-Alaska PACE. This is the committee that decides which candidates for office we will be supporting as an organization. It would probably be impossible for everyone to agree on every race, but we use a democratic process. The group consists of the entire Board of Directors, including officers and at-large members. Additionally, we elect one committee member for each of the regional directors. The current total of the committee is 61. Every member has a voice and every member can run for a seat on the board or PACE. I routinely encourage those who express disappointment in our decisions to get involved and make their wishes known. This is how we arrive at good decisions and it is how we get real representation.

This weekend I am in Juneau and Fairbanks. On Tuesday I head for Washington, D.C. to represent NEA-Alaska at meetings of our national organization.

NEA-Alaska PACE

Wow! Much has been stated in the last twelve hours via Facebook regarding the actions taken by the NEA-Alaska PACE. First, here are the facts about how the PACE decisions are made and who makes them. The committee consists of the entire board of directors and officers, along with one additional member elected per regional director at our statewide annual meeting. So, the board members and officers have been elected by all members who choose to participate in our elections. The delegates to the annual meeting from each region vote for the members who will represent them in the additional seats on the committee. This is a democratic process. Leadership of NEA-Alaska does not decide who these representatives are in isolation. The process is completely transparent.

In June 2010, the NEA-Alaska PACE selected and approved recommendation of Lisa Murkowski for U.S. Senate. The vote taken for this action was a 2/3 majority of PACE and we forwarded the recommendation to NEA. As of last Friday evening, we still had this recommendation. Yesterday, during the PACE meeting, the committee again chose to endorse Lisa Murkowski, again with 2/3 or more of the group approving. Again, transparent and elected representatives of the membership made the decision.

Why do I support the decision of the committee? I believe the two most important issues at the federal level for educators are the upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind, and the Government Pension Offset/Windfall Elimination Provision affecting Social Security benefits for our members. Senator Murkowski has been working on finding solutions to problems in NCLB since she went to Washington. She has been extremely receptive to ideas and suggestions we have presented. She has made sure decisionmakers understand what Alaska's needs are by bringing three Secretaries of Education to our state. She signed on immediately as a co-sponsor of the bill to repeal GPO/WEP and has not wavered in her support. I don't always agree with her decisions and votes, but I think about the impact on a daily basis that these two issues have for us. Those who think differently are entitled to their opinions. I will be voting for Senator Lisa Murkowski on November 2nd because she believes in the issues I care most deeply about.

Moving Forward

Many new changes are on our horizon. A dedicated and knowledgeable group of leaders, members, and staff has been meeting as an ad hoc committee to work on our organizational technology needs. We have been making specific recommendations and requests to improve our ability to communicate with each other and with our membership. Some examples of the work are improvements to the NEA-Alaska website, a plan to pilot response devices at upcoming meetings, use of technology to provide our board with information, and development of new formats for member engagement. Watch for these and many more changes in the near future!

Primary Election Results

Thanks so much to all who played a part in making sure Ballot Measure 1 was defeated! This was one of the top four priorities from the 2010 Delegate Assembly and our management team helped make sure the word got out through staff and members across the state. A special thank you to those who participated in phone banking!

We still wait for the absentee and questioned ballots to be counted and the election certified. NEA-Alaska recommended Senator Lisa Murkowski in the primary and we hope for a positive outcome once all is known.

How Nice When Politicians Get It!

On Monday I'll be joining U.S. Senator Mark Begich in announcing two pieces of legislation that will help public education in Alaska. The first will make the i3 grants a permanent mechanism for funding innovative educational plans. The second will provide added support for Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) programs and focus on assistance to educators in related fields. I applaud the Senator's efforts in this area and appreciate his work to improve public schools in ways that make sense.

Huge Contributions, Tragic Loss

Former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens was among the five who perished in a tragic plane crash this week. Regardless of political differences, no one can dispute the huge contributions made by "Uncle Ted" to Alaska and to America. It surprised me to learn that Senator Stevens was instrumental in the creation of Title IX and the equity it provided. I was the beneficiary of Title IX's provisions as a student athlete. As a member of the University of Oregon women's golf team from 1974 to 1978, I was afforded opportunities no women previously were allowed. In today's world my daughter has no doubt about being a part of her college crew team. This is but one of the many ideas and priorities the Senator cared about. His presence and influence in Alaska and our nation will be missed greatly.

Let's Be Sure All Students Are Ready for the New Year!

Ah, there's nothing like new clothes and school supplies. It's the signal of the beginning of a new year at school. It's exciting for educators, support staff, parents and students. It's the promise of things to come. It's new learning, new friendships, and new horizons. Sometimes I worry that all the newness isn't so wonderful for our neediest youth. We know who they are. They are the ones who don't have anything new. They are the ones who come to us without the support systems in place that are needed for success. I noticed an ad on television the last couple of years where community organizations offer to help with start of the year essentials like coats and backpacks. This year I plan to see what I can do to help with this effort. Maybe we can initiate efforts like this in every community to be sure that EVERY student starts the year off with something new.