Last week the Republican-controlled state House passed a COVID response plan which is opposed by MEA because it holds much-needed federal COVID relief hostage in a political fight and, among other provisions, adds a voucher-style payment to parents to pay for summer programs outside of schools. An MEA analysis reveals that House Bill 4048, which […]
Reflecting on the past year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told attendees at a virtual MEA-PAC event on Friday that we are “still in the tunnel,” but there is light at the end, and “the commitment I’ve made is centered around supporting you and the kids you help every single day.” “The teachers and the incredible support […]
Because she’s 75 years old, retired educator Pam Kellar was able to get a COVID-19 vaccine quickly, yet most days she’s still on the phone and the internet trying to schedule appointments for shots. For the past few weeks, Kellar – who is president of her MEA-Retired chapter in Warren – has taken it upon […]
On Wednesday, the Michigan House Republicans issued a proposal that made distributing bipartisan federal education funding contingent on the governor giving up important powers to protect public health, including closing schools and suspending activities like athletics if data about how the virus is spreading warrants it. “We need bipartisan action, not political gamesmanship,” said MEA President […]
In a State of the State speech like no other – following a year of historic events, unprecedented challenges, and difficult choices – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vowed on Wednesday evening to put forth an education budget in coming weeks that addresses the fallout. “I want to say thank you—thank you to our incredible educators, administrators, […]
EAST LANSING — The following can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart about the Michigan Department of Education’s request for a federal standardized testing waiver for 2021 that was filed today with the U.S. Department of Education: “MEA applauds Superintendent Rice and the Michigan Department of Education for continuing efforts to obtain a federal […]
This week has marked major news on several fronts in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic: – New President Joe Biden has made good on promises for swift action to fight the pandemic, including another COVID relief package to fill in the gaps left by the last Congress and provide essential federal funding and support, […]
January 13, 2021 By PAULA HERBART/President – Michigan Education Association Since the beginning of the pandemic, educators have longed to safely return to the classroom for in-person learning. Virtual learning options — while vastly-improved thanks to the hard work of educators — are no match for the academic and overall benefits that come with face-to-face […]
South Lake Public Schools in Macomb County was cited and fined $9,800 last week by the state for COVID-19 safety violations. According to MIOSHA, the district was among eight workplaces cited and fined for violating workplace rules to protect employees and the public from the coronavirus. From the department’s Friday news release: “South Lake Public […]
The following statement is from leadership of organizations representing Michigan’s PK-12 Schools: David Hecker, AFT-Michigan President; Don Wotruba, MASB Executive Director; Tina Kerr, MASA Executive Director; Ray Telman, Middle Cities Executive Director; Paula Herbart, MEA President. Since this pandemic began, it has been our most fervent wish to safely reopen our schools for in-person learning. […]
