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MEA statement on MI Senate’s passage of financial relief for educators and schools
EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County: “The Michigan Education Association applauds the state Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 911, which will permanently end the state’s 3% tax on more than 100,000 veteran teachers and school support staff. “Our union has worked closely with…
MEA announces candidate recommendations for Nov. 5 general election
EAST LANSING — MEA is proud to announce candidates who have earned the recommendation of MEA members through the union’s Screening & Recommendation process. The process, which looks at candidates’ positions on education and labor issues, is decided by everyday educators who serve on S&R committees, based on policies and procedures adopted by members elected to the governing bodies of…
MEA urges schools to spend remaining federal rescue funds before Sept. 30 deadline
EAST LANSING — Michigan school districts have until the end of this month to spend federal school rescue dollars provided by the Biden-Harris administration to help students recover from the pandemic — or else lose them forever. Michigan received a total of $5.63 billion in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, with the vast majority coming under…
MEA, AFT Michigan announce support of statewide education board candidates
MICHIGAN –– The Michigan Education Association (MEA) and American Federation of Teachers Michigan (AFT Michigan) today announced their support for several statewide education board candidates, including: Ted Jones and Adam Zemke for State Board of Education Rebecca Bahar-Cook and Thomas Stallworth for Michigan State University Board of Trustees Denise Ilitch and Shauna Ryder Diggs for University of Michigan Board of…
Erik Edoff announced as new MEA Senior Executive Director
EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association, the state’s largest school employee union, is proud to announce the hiring of Erik Edoff as its new senior executive director. Following a national search, MEA selected Edoff – who currently serves as Superintendent of L’Anse Creuse Public Schools – for its top staff position, providing executive leadership for MEA, MESSA and MEA…
Erik Edoff announced as new MEA Senior Executive Director
The Michigan Education Association, the state’s largest school employee union, is proud to announce the hiring of Erik Edoff as its new senior executive director. Following a national search, MEA selected Edoff – who currently serves as Superintendent of L’Anse Creuse Public Schools – for its top staff position, providing executive leadership for MEA, MESSA and MEA Financial Services. “Erik…
MEA President and CEO hails return of 3% of salaries back to educators, says more work must be done
EAST LANSING — The following is a statement from MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi regarding the Michigan Legislature’s passage of the 2024-25 School Aid budget: “More than 100,000 school employees across Michigan will get a much-needed 3% of their salaries back in their pockets, and school districts will receive an average $250 per-pupil increase to help students learn, thanks…
MEA President statement on introduction of HB 5803, SB 911
The following statement can be attributed to MEA President Chandra Madafferi in response to the introduction of HB 5803 and SB 911. These bills propose reducing the capped rate that schools must contribute to the state educator retirement system by 7% and eliminating the 3% contribution from school employees for retiree health care, now that the system is overfunded. “We…
Rochester teacher, student unearth history of Escanaba man killed during D-Day invasion
U.S. Navy seaman Auvergne Breault EAST LANSING – U.S. Navy seaman Auvergne Breault was just 20 when he was struck by a giant mortar that knocked him off his boat, leading to his drowning death, during the June 6, 1944, allied forces invasion of Normandy, France, known as D-Day. Thanks to Rochester social studies teacher and MEA member Matt Cottone…
New report shows Michigan lagging on educator salaries
As Michigan’s budget process enters the final stretch, lawmakers must maintain our state’s momentum by passing an education budget that prioritizes increasing educator compensation so we can provide every student with trained, qualified and caring school employees. Thanks to the bipartisan support from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature, Michigan has passed record levels of funding for school districts in…
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