Caddo Parish teachers and staff met before Tuesday’s board meeting to rally for a raise.  We are Caddo’s gold!

Media Advisory for Caddo Parish Pay raise

April 7, 2017

Red River United will be hosting a general membership meeting on Thursday, March 23rd at 4:30 at our office on Line Ave.

With the 2017 special session coming to an end by midnight this Wednesday, February 22, the Louisiana legislature is racing to determine how much of the Budget Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day) will be used and to determine what cuts we will face in order to balance the budget.

Governor Edwards hoped to allocate 1/3 or 119,000,000 of the Budget Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day).  At this point, the senate has agreed to allow at least $99,000,000 to be used to balance our budget. On the house side, as it stands now, HB3 will cut education with reductions in state activities by $7,000,000 and subgrantee assistance by $1,750,000.

We have  our champions and our foes in Baton Rouge. Representative Pat Smith offered an amendment that would have eliminated K-12 education from the budget cuts, however, it was voted down with nay votes coming from local legislators LARRY BAGLEY, DODIE HORTON, THOMAS CARMODY, and ALAN SEABAUGH. With these votes, it’s easy for one to question WHOSE SIDE THEY ARE ON.

The same amendment was offered and passed on the Senate floor with only one nay vote coming from local Senator JOHN MILKOVICH . Senator MILKOVICH  offered an amendment of his own, which would have reduced the Minimum Foundation Program (our school funding) by more than $10,000,000. MILKOVICH’S  amendment was rejected by every member of the Senate.

While education appeared to escape budget cuts, Senator Claitor, District 16, amended the original education cuts back in. As it stands now, the pro-public education amendments offered up by the Senate were rejected by the House, and have yet to be scheduled for floor debate. SCR2, which will allow the Governor to utilize $99,000,000 of the Budget Stabilization Fund, will be debated in House Appropriations this morning.

The question all public educators should be asking themselves is- WHOSE SIDE ARE THEY ON???

Thank you to the teachers and school employees of Bossier, Caddo, and Red River Parishes for contributing to our ode to public education!

“An Ode to Public Education” 

By Red River United

Oh, public education!

You are the greatest hope for our future.

You are an equalizer and a promise.

Thank you for giving our boys and girls an opportunity for greatness.

Oh, public education, we love you!

Click here to see our ode to public education!

TRSL & Social Security

This workshop is open to all members and covers the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) associated with Social Security benefits. A TRSL representative will also address retirement eligibility and how a TRSL benefit is calculated.

Approximate time length: 2 hours (Also available as a 30-minute Member Webinar) located here –https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8612028556296065539

Register for these dates/locations here – https://www.trsl.org/main/events?cid=7870

 

TRSL & Social Security – Lafayette Parish

April 25 at 4:30 p.m.

Clifton Chenier Center Auditorium (Bldg. C)

220 West Willow Street, Lafayette

REGISTER TODAY

TRSL & Social Security – Lafourche Parish

May 17 at 4:30 p.m.

Central Lafourche HS Library

4820 Highway 1, Raceland

Yes, we do!  Red River United stands up for our schools, students, teachers and staff, and community.

Below are two resolutions created and presented by Red River United, and ultimately adopted by the American Federation of Teachers for the purpose of new legislation.

Resolution 1:

The Healthy Student- Student Recess Time

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess is a crucial and necessary component of child development; benefiting children emotionally, socially, physically, and academically.

Resolved: Recess is to be a designated component of the curriculum and be no less than 30 minutes per day.

Resolution 2:

The Healthy Student- Mandatory Minimum of 25 Minutes Seated Lunch Time

Over 50% of students nationwide are either on free or reduced lunch, but there is no mandate designating the amount of time a student is to receive to eat.  Studies show students consume more fruits and vegetables if they are given at least 25 minutes of seated lunch time.

Resolved:  There should be legislative action ensuring all students receive a minimum of 25 minutes of seated lunch time per day.

The Senate voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as education secretary. For the first time in Senate history, Vice President Mike Pence voted to break the tie in a confirmation vote.

 We, as public educators, must remember how we vote affects our schools, our students, our colleagues, and our community.  If you voted for Senator Cassidy or Senator Kennedy, you voted against yourself and those you vow to serve.  

Let’s do better in the future by electing those who advocate for us and our profession.  It is our duty to uphold the PROMISE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. Let’s remember how they voted when they ask for our vote!

A smart budget choice:

Tell lawmakers to use the state’s Rainy Day Fund!

Our state is facing a mid-year budget crisis. Revenues are $304 million short of what is needed for a balanced budget. By law, this must be corrected before the 2016-17 fiscal year ends on June 30.

Gov. John Bel Edwards is calling a special session for February 13-22, giving legislators and the public an opportunity to weigh in on the important choices that must be made.

The governor’s plan, released on February 6, does not call for new taxes, but would allow increases to some fees to be determined by the legislature.

He proposes spending $119 million from the state’s $359 million “rainy day fund” to help balance the budget. That is a savings account funded with mineral revenues. It exists to help stabilize the budget during tough financial times – like this one.

The remaining cuts would still be painful, the governor said, but not as bad. His plan would preserve public education, family services and the department of corrections.

Click here to send a letter today!

Red River United is hosting a Valentine’s Day Crafts and Games Saturday at our office on Line Ave.  

The event will take place on Saturday, February 11th from 10:00-11:30 AM.  It is intended for children grades 1st-5th, and it is open to members and non-members.  Use the link below to reserve your child’s spot today.  

You won’t want to miss out on this LOVELY event!

Click here to reserve your child’s spot