MNEA delegates adopt budget, present awards
at Spring Representative Assembly

At its April 18 –19, 2009 meeting, he Missouri NEA Representative Assembly approved a new Association budget and resolutions, and honored excellence through MNEA ’s awards program.

Delegates also voted to sustain the Ballot Issue Crisis Fund assessment, a fund the MNEA Board of Directors established in 2005 to respond to the increasing constitutional attacks on public education. The fund provides members an opportunity to strike back at the ballot issue threats against Missouri public schools. By assessing every active member $1 per month during the next year, the assembly voted to fortify the MNEA Ballot Issue Crisis Fund.

The R.A. also approved the formation of an Educational Reform Task Force, which will study such issues as performance pay. The task force will convene in June and will include members from across the state as well as the chairpersons of the MNEA Resolutions and Legislative Committees.

Elections
Members newly elected to the MNEA Board of directors are Thomas Bamvakais, Special district NEA (governance district 11); Cornelia Levels, Rockwood NEA (governance district 11); Michelle Shepard, Columbia NEA (ESP), and Nancy Copenhaver, MNEA-Retired. Jackleen Khair Badra, University of Missouri-St. Louis, was elected student board member.

The Student NEA elected Renee Stites, Truman State University, as the Student NEA chairperson. Scott Kempf, St. Louis Community College-Flo. Valley, was elected vice chairperson, and Bethany Jacobs, University of Missouri-St. Louis, was elected secretary.

Jo Wanda Bozeman, Parkway NEA, and Shelley Hoffman, Francis Howell EA, are newly elected Heritage House board members. Bozeman was also elected to serve on the MNEA Budget Committee.

Awards
Horace Mann Friend of Education Award
CATEGORY NAME
Journalism – Print - No award presented
Journalism – Television - No award presented
Legislation Representative - Rep. Sara Lampe
Individual Contribution to Education - Cathy Nickens, MNEA-Retired
Teaching Profession - Margaret Williams, University City EA
Education Support Professional - Teresa Jercinovic, Pattonville ESP
Organizational Achievement-Civic - Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce
Organizational Achievement-Corporate - Sherry Politto, Zona Rosa Barnes and Noble

Soar with the Eagles Award - Connie Johnson, Fort Zumwalt EA

Lorna Bottger Award for Political Action - Christy Garnett, Raytown NEA

Political Action Awards - PAC Honor Roll and Payroll Deduction Awards

Membership Pacesetter Awards

Greatest Numerical Increase
Locals of 2-40 members:
Warsaw CTA, Wellston NEA, Spokane MNEA and Advance NEA
Locals of 41-100 members:
Potosi MNEA, infield NEA, North St. Francois Co. NEA and Rockwood Custodial MNEA (second consecutive year)

Locals of 101-300 members:
Center EA, St. Louis JCD NEA, Grain Valley and Windsor NEA

Locals of 301+ members:
MNEA-R took the award for the fourth consecutive year. Other winners in this category were Independence NEA, Rockwood NEA, Springfield NEA, Fort Zumwalt EA (third consecutive year), Special District NEA and Wentzville NEA

Locals Reporting Enrollment of at Least 80 percent of New Employees
Advance NEA, Fort Zumwalt EA (second consecutive year), Wentzville NEA, Hazelwood NEA (5th consecutive year), Parkway NEA, Ferguson-Florissant NEA (fifth consecutive year), Francis Howell EA (3rd consecutive year) and Park Hill NEA (fourth consecutive ear)

Locals Receiving Summer Academy Scholarships
Advance NEA, Wentzville NEA, Parkway NEA, Park Hill NEA and Hazelwood NEA.