Friday’s announcement of an over $6 billion pandemic-driven hole in the state budget reinforced the urgency of getting help from Congress to help maintain essential services, like public education. Following relief for big businesses like airlines and cruise operators, it’s time for the federal government to help schools and other state-funded essentials deal with the […]
On Friday, Gov. Whitmer announced the creation of a new Return to Learning Advisory Council – comprised of students, parents, frontline educators, administrators and public health officials – to formalize a process for how schools can safely reopen. “It’s critical we bring together experts in health care and education, as well as students, educators, and […]
The State Board of Education approved a resolution on Tuesday calling on Michigan’s state and national lawmakers to push for legislation preserving “educational services to Michigan school children that have been threatened as a result of this pandemic.” The resolution – which MEA formally supported during Tuesday’s meeting – comes as Congress begins to ramp up discussion […]
The State Board of Education approved a resolution on Tuesday calling on Michigan’s state and national lawmakers to push for legislation preserving “educational services to Michigan school children that have been threatened as a result of this pandemic.” The resolution – which MEA formally supported during meeting – comes as Congress begins to ramp up […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined NEA President Lily Eskelsen García on a webinar on Wednesday night where members of the nation’s largest union – our education association – were urged to press Congress to send money to states for public education needs. The global pandemic has wreaked havoc on state budgets across the country, Whitmer noted. […]
EAST LANSING – The following can be attributed to MEA President Paula Herbart regarding today’s announcement by Gov. Whitmer of the short-term extension of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order through May 15: “By listening to public health experts first in making the tough decisions needed to slow the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Whitmer is […]
You can listen now as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and members of her education policy staff join MEA, AFT Michigan, and AFSCME for a Teletown Hall following her Thursday announcement that schools will remain closed for the rest of this school year. Whitmer told thousands of union members assembled on the call: “I know this is hard, […]
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-35 earlier today, which orders all K-12 school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year — unless restrictions are lifted — and ensures at-home learning will be provided to students, families in need will still be provided meals, and all school employees will continued to receive […]
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor If schools remain closed for the rest of the year, educators at the local level should decide what learning opportunities are most important to provide for their students and how best to deliver them, says MEA President Paula Herbart. The union has been advocating for local control of local […]
Given the unprecedented public health emergency unfolding across Michigan and the rest of the U.S., Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said during a radio interview this morning it is “very unlikely” that students in Michigan will return to classrooms before the end of the 2019-20 school year. MEA leaders and staff are part of ongoing conversations with […]
