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Updated 5.15.2012
May 2012
News & Views
N&Vs Archive
Newsletter Policies
Next Meeting Dates
Board of Directors
May 9
Representative Council
May 15
Fund for Needy Kids
Request Forms
Contributions
It's New!
Welcome to the BEA's new website! Some pages are still under construction and therefore the links to those pages do not work yet. Thank you for your continued patience.
BEA Members approve Tentative Agreement!
The Election Committee tabulated all the votes from the Ratification Election and the Tentative Agreement has been approved!
Thanks go to all members who voted, Building Reps who conducted the elections, and the Election Committee!
BEA Annual Spring Fling May 18
All BEA members are invited to attend the BEA Spring Fling on Friday, May 18. It will be at Surfer Joe's, located at 1516 4th Ave. North, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Join your fellow BEA members and celebrate the end of the school year. It's almost here! Beverages and appetizers will be provided by the BEA.
Bargaining Summary for the 2012-2013 Contract Year
Salary
- All members will receive an increase of the 2012-2013 contract year.
- Individuals who are eligible for a step will move down one step and receive that increase.
- Those who are already at the bottom (maximum pay) of a lane will receive a 1.25% increase for next year.
- Anyone who has earned a lane change will move laterally when transcripts are turned in to HR.
Insurance
- The District contribution to health Insurance premiums will cover the 3.7% increase at the single rate.
- Language has been added to create onsite clinics with two locations to be determined.
- Language changes will allow for attendance at the onsite clinics during preparation periods and allows for attendance at other medical appointments during the day, after students have left.
Other Language
- A more specific requirement for notice of an opening or new position in a teaching, specialist or extracurricular position.
- A clarification for the use of sick leave
Two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed as well. One will annually readjust the language which specifies where new hires are initially placed on the salary schedule. This will take place until 2017 when the language will be back to the 2007 level. The second MOU will for a Labor Management committee which will study salary issues as well as any other topic which could have a large impact on the district.
Click here for actual TA language changes
Click here for MOU language
General Membership Meeting & Ratification Election
A General Membership meeting will be held on Thursday, May 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Senior High's Auditorium to discuss and answer questions regarding the Tentative Agreement. Members only may attend.
A Ratification Election will be held on Tuesday, May 15. Building Representatives will conduct the elections in their schools/buildings. Only members can vote. Building Reps will bring the ballots to the BEA office before 5 p.m. on May 15 where the ballots will be counted by the Election Committee. The Ratification Election results will be announced and posted to this web site that evening.
Join Us for 'Walking with Wanda'
Volunteers are needed to help Wanda Grinde, candidate for Senate District 24, walk and canvass the neighborhood.
- Saturday, May 19
At the Teamsters office
(437 Kuhlman Drive, Billings, MT 59105) - Your choice of times: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 1 - 4 p.m. or 4 - 7 p.m.
Thanks for your help! Questions? Email Becky at becky@montanademocrats.org.
May 2012 BEA News & Views is here!
To read and enjoy the current issue of the BEA News & Views just click the link to the right below the picture of the newspapers. Copies of the newsletter will be sent to Building Representatives to post and leave in teacher lounges.
Serve on a BEA Committee next year!
BEA members interested in serving on a BEA committee for the 2012/13 school year need to complete a committee assignment sheet and submit it to the BEA office by May 15. The BEA President will make committee appointments by the end of the school year.
THANK YOU BILLINGS for Passing the Bonds!
The BEA would like to thank the voters who voted YES to pass the bonds on the recent School Election.
Thank you also to all those who put up signs, talked to friends and family, made phone calls or contributions, passed out brochures, made cup and chain link signs and more.
Thank you also to our partners in this endeavor, Support Your Schools. You know who you are and you are cool!
BEA PAC endorses legislative candidates
In March the Billings Education Association's Political Action Committee interviewed local legislative candidates and reviewed cadidates' voting records and questionaire responses. They are making the following candidate recommendations for the House and Senate Districts below. Please support the endorsed candidates with your vote, make a campaign contribution, ask for one of their signs to display in your yard, help with a literature drop or a mailing, and talk to your family, friends and colleagues about voting for them.
- HD 44 Wallace Yovetich
- HD 47 Dale E. Rumph
- HD 48 Rita Wells
- HD 49 Mary McNally
- HD 50 Deborah D. Willis
- HD 51 Kelly McCarthy
- HD 52 Virginia Court
- HD 53 Joseph Sands
- HD 54 Margie MacDonald
- HD 55 Bob Winger
- SD 22 Jean Lemire Dahlman
- SD 24 Wanda Grinde
- SD 26 Robyn Driscoll
- SD 27 Gary Branae
BEA Awards winners announced
Congratulations to Crystal Knutson and Anne Cole on their selection as this year's BEA Award recipients.
Crystal Knutson, school counselor at Eagle Cliffs Elementary, was nominated by fellow BEA members and selected by the BEA Awards Committeee as this year's BEA Teacher of the Year!
Anne Cole, former Executive Director of the Education Foundation and stalwart supporter of education in Billings Public Schools, was selected BEA Friend of Education.
Both BEA Award recipients were honored at the Educator Appreciation Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at 6 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 27 N. 27th Street. Friends, family, students, parents, and fellow educators attended this event to honor Crystal and Anne, as well as the Golden Apple recipients, School District 2 retirees and 25-year employees, and recipients of grants and scholarships from the Education Foundation.
A Retiree Reception was held immediately before the banquet from 4:15-6 p.m. School District 2 and Altana Federal Credit Union sponsored this free event for the community to attend and express their gratitude to those who have devoted their careers to the students of School District 2.
Golden Apple recipients announced
Six Golden Apple Awards were bestowed upon these very deserving people at the Educator Appreciation Awards Banquet on April 26:
Kathleen Anderson, Big Sky Elementary, elementary teacher award
Michelle Andrikopoulos, Highland Elementary, elementary teacher award
Peggy Reynolds, Bench Elementary, support professional award
Lisa Lopez, Boulder Elementary, specialist award
Tammy Grimm, Lewis & Clark Middle School, middle school teacher award
Glenda McCarthy,Senior High School, high school teacher award
Summer, Fall and Winter ER&D courses scheduled
Several ER&D professional development opportunities have been scheduled. School, Family & Community and Instructional Strategies that Work for all Disciplines will be offered as one week courses in June. Foundations of Effective Teaching I will be offered as a one week course in August. Managing Anti-Social Behavior will be available next Sept.-Nov. and Instructional Strategies that Work for all Disciplines will be available again next winter, Jan.-March.
See all the details on this web page - ER&D Course Schedule. Register early, recruit others to attend! Earn OPI renewal units and Step-up credits.
Now What's New at the BEA Office?
Last winter the BEA purchased the rest of the building that houses our office. Renovations began this summer and now much of the office space is ready to be rented.
Go to this web page to check out the progress. Better yet stop by the office to see for yourself! Right away you will notice the changes to the entry and the stairs up to our offices.