Local Actions Combat Bullying Behavior at Board Meetings

Engagement * Bargaining * Advocacy * Justice * Empowerment * Support by Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor One philosophy of the union bargaining team at Clarkston Community Schools says if it’s a problem for one, it’s a problem for all. For local president Daryl Biallas, that value now extends to a spate of attacks on […]

Budget deal increases higher education, child care funding

This week, the Legislature and Governor reached an agreement on remaining state budget legislation (aside from the K-12 budget adopted this summer), including additional funding for higher education and child care. For higher education, HB 4400 includes $2.2 billion in higher education funding – including increases for community colleges and universities of 1% in state […]

NEA & MEA Presidents, AG Nessel visit Lincoln Park’s Resilient Schools program

School visit highlights the district’s Resilient Schools Project, expanded by COVID-19 funds LINCOLN PARK, Mich. — National Education Association President Becky Pringle, Michigan Education Association President Paula Herbart, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel visited Raupp Elementary School Friday afternoon to learn about Lincoln Park Public Schools’ Resilient Schools Project. The Resilient Schools Project supports […]

NEA, MEA President Roundtable with Farmington Educators & Students

FARMINGTON, Mich. – Following the largest education investment in Michigan’s history of $17 billion – which closed the funding gap between the highest- and lowest-funded school districts all without raising taxes – National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle met with Michigan Education Association (MEA) President Paula Herbart, educators, school administrators, and students from Farmington […]

Senate GOP push bills banning local control over masking and other health decisions

On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Senate Education Committee advanced a series of bills that would bar local school districts from requiring masks and other measures to keep students and educators safe. SBs 600-603 now go to the full Senate for their consideration – the bills prohibit a variety of health and safety mandates from the state, […]

COVID-19 pushes Cedar Springs teacher to realize dream of outdoor classroom

CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. — Determined to overcome hurdles created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Education Association member Audrey Debri took her Young Fives classroom to the great outdoors.  Throughout Debri’s 10 years at Cedar Trails Elementary School, she often dreamed of making her goal of an outdoor classroom a reality as she regularly walked nature […]

Labor Voices: Address Michigan’s educator shortage by reducing student debt

Skyrocketing student loan debt is a major contributor to Michigan’s educator shortage crisis. Addressing college affordability is a critical step to ensure we have enough teachers and staff to meet student needs. Student debt has forced many talented young teachers out of Michigan classrooms as they struggle to make ends meet while making large monthly […]

State Reports Lower Student Test Scores Amid Pandemic

After a year and a half of disrupted learning due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, student state assessment scores from this spring dipped from the last time that students were given statewide assessments in the spring of 2019, according to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). In results released on Tuesday, the percentages of 8th and […]