NEA MEMBER BENEFITS

The NEA Member Benefits representative, Snookie Krunbiegel, visited northern New Mexico during February giving presentations about financial decisions during tough times. One conversation she had with Connie, an NEA member, highlights the content of what she said to many members during formal and informal presentations. Listen to the audio podcast for ideas that you will find useful.

POJOAQUE SCHOOLS HAVE MUCH TO GAIN FROM SUFFICIENT STATE FUNDING

The school employees of Pojoaque’s public schools are contacting their representatives to make sure the New Mexico State Legislature passes a new funding formula, in addition to the tax revenue to pay for it. Sufficient funding, or the lack of it, has important implications for the district.

The schools in Pojoaque would receive close to two million dollars if the district is funded sufficiently. This means significantly improved educational programs, student services and much more.

Sharon Morgan, president of NEA-NM, has been traveling around the state on a listening trip to gather feedback from school employees in districts large and small. Morgan says she is in touch with NEA leaders and members in Pojoaque. She reports hearing many concerns about the implications of a lack of a stable funding source for public schools, the possible reduction of medical benefits for school employees, and the urgent need to hold public schools harmless from any additional present or future budget cuts.

NEA-NM is a member of New Mexico Education Partners which has been working closely with policymakers and elected representatives to make certain that a reliable funding source is found to prevent the annual difficulties during the annual legislative session to fund public schools adequately. “It makes sense to have a stable source of revenue,” Morgan added. She says that lawmakers agree about the importance of funding public education sufficiently which is a guarantee in the state constitution. Agreement on the revenue source, however, remains under discussion.

“School employees in Pojoaque realize what’s at stake. Education cuts don’t heal. And the administrators, school board members, school employees and parents represented in New Mexico Education Partners are expressing a level of determination that is unprecedented in all the years I’ve been involved in public education.”

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION OUTCOME A SURPRISE!

There are two new school board members in office --Sharon Dogruel and Jon Paul Romero. The story of the campaign which provoked an editorial in the SF New Mexican, and the voters' decision for a change are detailed in this article.

POJOAQUE NEA REORGANIZING

We met in January to begin the process of reorganizing our NEA local. There was discussion about continuing with officers or creating a leadership team of people who would represent elementary, middle and high school. Either way, we need to join together to get the work done. It’s also high priority to monitor what’s happening in the state legislature. And it’s essential for some of us to take advantage of the trainings NEA-NM has to offer.

We can send delegates to the Fall Delegate Council that will be held in Albuquerque on April 25, 2009. And on April 24, 2009, there’s a Spring Training where great sessions are available in school district budgets and how to understand them. In June, there are Summer Leadership Trainings. And if you’re thinking of getting more involved in NEA in the future, there an emerging leaders cade. Applications are being accepted. Go to the nea-nm.org web site for more information.

OUR NEXT MEETING: February 18, 2009. 4:30-5:45 p.m. Join us for dinner at the Sopapilla Factory in Pojoaque.