Educators urge Whitmer to veto tax break for corporations and the wealthy

State leaders should invest in children, working families and seniors in need LANSING —Michigan’s education unions issued the following statement Thursday urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to veto Senate Bill 768, which would provide tax breaks for Michigan’s wealthiest individuals and corporations while causing drastic budget shortfalls for students and educators. The following can be attributed […]

Survey shows widespread concern over educator shortage among teachers, school staff

Results of 2,600-educator survey show need for Whitmer budget proposals addressing educator shortage and student mental health EAST LANSING – The Michigan Education Association today released a statewide survey of nearly 2,600 educators, with the vast majority of those surveyed saying the state’s acute educator shortage and its impact on students is the most pressing […]

MEA president praises Whitmer’s plan to repeal retirement tax

EAST LANSING — Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart issued the following statement Wednesday in reaction to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address: “The Michigan Education Association strongly supports Governor Whitmer’s proposal to finally eliminate Michigan’s unfair retirement tax. Michigan seniors cannot continue shouldering such a heavy burden while corporate special interests enjoy […]

Labor Voices: Real solutions, not stopgaps, needed to fix educator shortage

In recent days, rising COVID-19 cases mixed with staffing shortages have forced many school districts to switch to virtual instruction or cancel classes. It’s a numbers game when there aren’t enough adults to safely have students in school. The pandemic has exacerbated Michigan’s acute educator shortage. The heightened stress, crushing additional workloads, and destructive political […]

MEA backs Whitmer, Benson and Nessel for re-election

Statewide committee of educators unanimously recommends trio in 2022 EAST LANSING — The Michigan Education Association is recommending to its members the re-election of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel, the state’s largest school employee union announced Wednesday. “Gov. Whitmer closely listens to the voices of educators, and […]

Statement from Oxford Education Association president

The following statement can be attributed to Jim Gibbons, local president of the Oxford Education Association: “As some schools in our community reopen today, I want to express our sincere thanks for the massive outreach of support for Oxford’s students, parents, educators, administrators and the community at large. We are changed forever by the events […]

Statement from MEA and NEA Presidents on Oxford school shooting

The following statement can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart and NEA President Becky Pringle on the school shooting today in Oxford: “News of the shooting today at Oxford High School was horrifying for us both as educators and as parents. School should be a safe place for students and employees alike – but […]

Labor Voices: School support staff are invaluable to education efforts

Much of the tireless work that goes into educating our public school students happens behind the scenes. Michigan’s support staff professionals are the heartbeat that keeps our public schools running. Far too often, they go without thanks or recognition, yet our schools could not operate without them — and this year in particular they’re working […]

Michigan Education Organizations Issue Joint Statement Calling for Civility in Board Rooms and Classrooms

As partners in public education, several major statewide education organizations – AFT Michigan, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, Michigan Education Association, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and Middle Cities Education Association – are calling on the public to stand together against angry […]