by Kym Randolph, WVEA Communications Director
WVEA PAC met over the weekend and made recommendations for the November 2 election. Watch for the list of pro-education candidates coming to you soon!
Early voting begins on October 13th.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Federal Jobs Funds
by David Haney, WVEA Executive Director
The Federal Jobs Bill is a rare and unique opportunity for West Virginia’s schools. The program was designed at the federal level to retain and hire back education employees who would go unemployed due to decreasing education revenues. WVEA believes that must be the first use of these funds.
However, since we have not experienced the massive layoffs of other states, we believe the balance of the funds should be spent this year on programs to enhance student learning: Those include:
1. Reduction of split grades
2. After school and/or Saturday tutoring
3. Implement AP courses
4. Start a pre-school program for 4 year olds a year early
5. Etc.
Some superintendents are saying they want to save the funds as a hedge against possible losses in their 2012 budgets. WVEA believes this is contrary to the intent of the legislation. The purpose is to get the funds out quickly to boards of education to make a difference this year, not as a hedge for the future.
WVEA believes the legislation does not allow a county to supplant funding. In other words, a county board cannot use the funds for positions already allocated – such as positions over the state aid formula for which the county has already dedicated funds from local sources for the current year.
The federal funds should be used to support educational activities designed to increase student performance. Programs that are successful can be used as evidence to lobby the state legislature for future funding.
Let’s use these dollars this year to make a difference in our students’ academic performance.
The Federal Jobs Bill is a rare and unique opportunity for West Virginia’s schools. The program was designed at the federal level to retain and hire back education employees who would go unemployed due to decreasing education revenues. WVEA believes that must be the first use of these funds.
However, since we have not experienced the massive layoffs of other states, we believe the balance of the funds should be spent this year on programs to enhance student learning: Those include:
1. Reduction of split grades
2. After school and/or Saturday tutoring
3. Implement AP courses
4. Start a pre-school program for 4 year olds a year early
5. Etc.
Some superintendents are saying they want to save the funds as a hedge against possible losses in their 2012 budgets. WVEA believes this is contrary to the intent of the legislation. The purpose is to get the funds out quickly to boards of education to make a difference this year, not as a hedge for the future.
WVEA believes the legislation does not allow a county to supplant funding. In other words, a county board cannot use the funds for positions already allocated – such as positions over the state aid formula for which the county has already dedicated funds from local sources for the current year.
The federal funds should be used to support educational activities designed to increase student performance. Programs that are successful can be used as evidence to lobby the state legislature for future funding.
Let’s use these dollars this year to make a difference in our students’ academic performance.
WVEA Bullying Presentation
by Kym Randolph, Director of Communications
October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. WVEA has a fantastic presentation regarding bullying and the responsibilities of the school and education employees. The presentation takes 45 minutes to an hour and is a great staff training or staff development tool.
If you are interested in arranging a presentation for your school send an email to mail@wvea.org. Someone will get back in touch with you to work out a date.
October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. WVEA has a fantastic presentation regarding bullying and the responsibilities of the school and education employees. The presentation takes 45 minutes to an hour and is a great staff training or staff development tool.
If you are interested in arranging a presentation for your school send an email to mail@wvea.org. Someone will get back in touch with you to work out a date.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
2011 County Teachers of the Year
by Anita Maxwell, WVEA Communications and Instructional Issues
Last night I was privileged to attend a dinner and ceremony held in Charleston where members of the WVBE, WVDE, county educators and officials as well as friends and family honored the West Virginia county teachers of the year. As candidates for the 2011 West Virginia Teacher of the Year award, each was recognized for their hard work and drive for excellence to ensure a high quality education for all West Virginia's students.
The WVEA congratulates and applauds the following WVEA members who are teachers dedicated to great schools in West Virginia. The educators' names listed in bold were finalists for the 2011 WV Teacher of the Year award.
Franklin Ferguson, Brooke; Jim Morgan, Calhoun; Brenda Vargo, Fayette; Jo Ann Hill, Gilmer; Amber Champ, Hampshire; Ronald DeMedici, Hardy; Michelle Cox, Jackson; Michael Carte, Kanawha; Rebecca Grimmett, Logan; Tammy DeWitt, Marshall; Victoria Nunley, McDowell; Aleta Jo Crotty, Mercer; Amy Rice, Mineral; Deborah Lynn Starr, Mingo; Paula Oliverio, Pleasants; Shelley Shaffer, Preston; Jennifer Furr, Ritchie; Stacy Ward, Taylor; Danielle Riggins, Tucker; Mary Weber, Wood.
Last night I was privileged to attend a dinner and ceremony held in Charleston where members of the WVBE, WVDE, county educators and officials as well as friends and family honored the West Virginia county teachers of the year. As candidates for the 2011 West Virginia Teacher of the Year award, each was recognized for their hard work and drive for excellence to ensure a high quality education for all West Virginia's students.
The WVEA congratulates and applauds the following WVEA members who are teachers dedicated to great schools in West Virginia. The educators' names listed in bold were finalists for the 2011 WV Teacher of the Year award.
Franklin Ferguson, Brooke; Jim Morgan, Calhoun; Brenda Vargo, Fayette; Jo Ann Hill, Gilmer; Amber Champ, Hampshire; Ronald DeMedici, Hardy; Michelle Cox, Jackson; Michael Carte, Kanawha; Rebecca Grimmett, Logan; Tammy DeWitt, Marshall; Victoria Nunley, McDowell; Aleta Jo Crotty, Mercer; Amy Rice, Mineral; Deborah Lynn Starr, Mingo; Paula Oliverio, Pleasants; Shelley Shaffer, Preston; Jennifer Furr, Ritchie; Stacy Ward, Taylor; Danielle Riggins, Tucker; Mary Weber, Wood.
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