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When GEA negotiates with the District, we refer to the financial accounts available for negotiation purposes as the "pots of money." Some of the state and local accounts we look to when deciding the proposals, are the legislative funding through the allocated Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) and the Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP), local tax levy, savings from the self-insurance plan, and federal dollars allocated to states for public education. Each of these "pots" provide arguments for teacher salary and benefit increases, and GEA leaves no stone unturned. We arrive to the negotiations process with amounts available ready for arguing why these amounts should be paid (spent) on educator salaries and benefits. (The remaining 1% of the WPU will be used to fund increases for other employee groups, i.e. classified, secretarial, administrative.

Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU): This "pot" is allocated by the Utah State Legislature during its annual session. This year, GEA members helped us raise this amount to 6% with the loud messages sent through schoolwide walk-ins and state capitol rally. This 6% is quantified and measured amounts are distributed to each school district. The parameters for use are school employee salary and benefits. This year, GEA was able to negotiate that 5% of the total funds be allocated to educators evenly or what we call "across the board" on the salary schedule, as well as fund the increases to salary schedule steps and lanes.

Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP): is a fund legislated in 2019 to supplement the needs in local school districts - 25% of the total fund may be spend on employee salaries. GEA cannot negotiate for other employee groups, but we went on record with the District that this available money should be spent on increasing substitute teacher and paraeducator pay. Our goal was to make a formal statement of the need to enhance support in these areas.

Local Tax Levy: Three years ago, when GEA negotiated an 11.67% salary increase, the district school board agreed to increase local taxes in order to supplement this enhanced increase. As you may be aware, tax increases are very unpopular, and the school board took the heat from constituents in order to honor educators in this way. An adjustment was made to the levy amount this year, which was unexpected. Being that the money was available only for this one-time adjustment, GEA negotiated that a one-time Bonus of 3% be paid to educators as a way to capture the funding.

Self-insured Insurance: Granite District provides one of the best employee insurance plans in the state. An insurance committee, which includes representatives from every employee group (including GEA) meets monthly to review the plan activity, make suggestions for bettering the plan, and deciding how to cover insurance plan increases. District employees have been successful in holding costs down through increased utilization in the Wellness Clinic and use of generic prescriptions. This has enabled a few years with no plan changes (i.e. increased co-pays or utilization maximum amounts). This year we had a 1.7% increase in usage, which meant meeting to determine how to change the plan to cover the increase. Through negotiations, GEA and GSD agreed that the District would cover the increases through savings within the self-insured plan (funding that may only be used for this purpose).
In closing, we hope that this blog answers the questions many educators had as to why the COLA was only 5%.

Dear GEA members,

The GEA office is up and running, but we are trying to work from home when we can, and follow the recommendations of the health department. Because of this, the best way to get in touch with Star, Cindy or myself at the GEA office this month will be email. You may still call and leave a message, but we will be able to return an email more quickly than we get a phone message in most cases.

Executive Director: Starleen Orullian, starleen.orullian@myuea.org
Associate Director: Cindy Formeller, cindy.formeller@myuea.org
Office Assistant: Shana Ellington, shana.ellington@myuea.org
GEA President: Michael McDonough, mike.mcdonough@myuea.org

We will respond to you within 24 hours, during regular school hours. All email correspondence is
completely confidential.

Thank you for all of your flexibility. Stay safe, and stay in touch.

Michael McDonough
GEA President

This just in from NEA about what they are doing to help at the Federal level. Also provided is a handout 'Hot Resources' which hopefully will answer some questions.

​Please call us, our office is open (for now)!

Dear GEA members,
Since the announcement Friday afternoon that Utah's schools would be on a two week dismissal, and Saturday's news that Hunter High would be closed for two weeks, we have received many questions from members wondering exactly how all of this will work. I want to assure you that GEA is communicating your concerns and questions to Granite district administration. We are working closely with legal counsel and district administration to protect teacher contract rights and health.

The GEA office will be open for our normal hours this week. This is an evolving situation, so there will be many questions as it unfolds. Let's all go to work Monday and ask our building principals all of the logistical questions. Utilize suggestions from the Utah Health Department; if you are called to a faculty meeting, sit six feet from one another or ask for a space that allows you to do so, and of course wash your hands frequently and don't touch your face. For Hunter High employees, HR has clarified that during the formal closing you will remain on paid administrative leave, therefore, you will be paid as per your contract without worry about accumulated sick leave.

As issues come up that are difficult to resolve at the building level, GEA is here as always. You will be able to communicate with us through all the usual channels. Continue to let us know your specific concerns. We will continue to be in close conversation with the district. I am confident that we can get through this if we all work together.

Michael McDonough
GEA President
801-266-4411

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When GEA negotiates with the District, we refer to the financial accounts available for negotiation purposes as the "pots of money." Some of the state and local accounts we look to when deciding the proposals, are the legislative funding through the allocated Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) and the Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP), local tax levy, savings from the self-insurance plan, and federal dollars allocated to states for public education.

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Click to Open

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March GEA Member Spotlight (Click to Open)

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GEA Meeting with Star

2/26/20

Star said this meeting has been too long in coming.  She’s been wanting to get information to the district office members.  Hopefully this is a beginning for improved communication and support.

Red Flag moments- GEA does training with building reps on red-flag moments.  It’s a way to cue in when things are going sideways and know what to do those circumstances?  Red flag moments for us are much the same as for teachers.

Whenever someone in a supervisor role may want to discipline us, we need to make sure we have due process.  We are public employees and need to be protected.  Cue in- if they ask you to put something in writing.  “This is a request for information…., So and so said….., It was brought to my attention...”  (this request should come in writing)  If that response is your only chance to tell your story, that is a problem.   Call GEA.  Red flag moment for any educator is if they ask for written documentation.

School level warning...for us a building letter warning.  This would stay with your supervisor.  When the supervisor leaves, that level would go away.

A written warning comes next.  This will go into your HR file.  Will stay there indefinitely, but we can take it out of the file after 5 years.  (Administrators can look at the file).

There may be a second written warning.  This could go directly to termination.

Why does it seem that coaches are not as supported by GEA the same way teachers are? We are teachers.

-Star thinks they are supported, but coaches aren’t usually put in that situation so they don’t call GEA.  Anyone that calls,  GEA will support.  It doesn’t matter their role/responsibility. As long as they are members.

Are coaches considered middle management?

No.  Not now.  USBE has moved social workers to different salary schedule, but not coaches.  We are still paid on the teachers salary schedule, although we have extra days.

When should coaches call GEA?

-Always!  If there is a worry, need clarification.  If something happened and we want to run something by uthem.  We don’t operate any differently than anyone else.

What to do if principals ask questions about teachers?

There are times we can and times we can’t answer questions.  Keep it general.  “We are working on….”, not “So and so is struggling…”  Watch out for “gotchas.  Coaches should not be put in that position by the administrator.

Say to the administration, “Please don’t put me in that position by asking me about….” However, iff they push, you must be compliant, not  insubordinate.  Call GEA asap.

Teachers can file a grievance if they find out you (coach, specialist) are talking to the principal about them.

It is the culture of some schools that principals use coaches in this capacity.

If a district coach is having a confidential conversation with a school coach, then the school coach tells the principal, what can we do?

Watch out!

If teachers complain about us…

- Star says the protocol is that GEA would would first reach out to the person to let them be aware that there is a problem (If they are a member, and if it was a serious complaint)

Fail to fill:

-Star admits this is an absolute mess.  It will come back to the table during negotiations. There is a fail to fill committee.  School leadership and improvement services are looking at using non-certified teachers as subs.  There are schools where it is working, there is a rotation.  Other schools only use the coaches.   Should coaches be paid if they substitute? There is a fail to fill bank that would pay them, however, it’s not happening.

Can coaches say no?  Yes, and no.  Ask to be put back in the rotation.

We discussed bringing Star in to talk to coaches/specialists about all these issues.

Let's put an article in the observer, what a coach is/is not.  What a district coach is/is not.  Can someone put together a draft?

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UEA is engaging in a campaign this month to let the Utah Legislature know we need increased funding, to address critical needs in our schools such as class size, mental health and behavioral support, substitute coverage, etc.  To address these needs, UEA is asking the legislature to increase the WPU – the unrestricted funding the state provides to school districts – by at least 6%.  The Utah Board of Education and the Utah School Boards Association have also said that we need a 6% increase in the WPU to meet the needs of our students.  The education community is united.

As part of this campaign, GEA is asking you to take the following actions:

Please consider attending one of the UEA Educator Day on the Hill events at the Capitol.  They are every Friday during the legislative session, from 7 a.m. to about 1 p.m. You can use a personal day to come up, or you can come up next Friday morning, February 14th, when school is out.  Wear red.  For more information about Educator Day on the Hill, see https://myuea.org/Default.aspx?page=issues_action%2fuea_under_the_dome%2feducator_day_on_the_hill

Save this date on your calendar: on February 28th, UEA has reserved the Capitol rotunda from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m.  There will be some kind of rally or celebration that afternoon.  Tentatively plan on coming to the capitol after school on the 28th.  Stay tuned for more details on this event as the session develops.

Over the next few weeks schools will be holding “Walk-Ins”. A “Walk-In” is when teachers, parents, students, and any community members gather out front of their school for 30-40 minutes before teacher contract day begins. This is a RedforEd moment, so everyone should be invited to wear red. The group will march/rally, share information, have donuts, coffee, network, and perhaps hear a short program. And then, they all walk into the school together. This is a positive action that proclaims that these are our public schools and together we show collective action for adequate funding of needs.

Contact your representatives in the Utah legislature. You can use the Call to Action and the UEA Legislative Priorities Infographic as your talking points (posted.) To help find your representatives, you can use this link: https://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp (There is also a link on the UEA Under the Dome page https://myuea.org/issues_action/uea_under_the_dome.aspx)

Wear RED every Friday.

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CkicK Below to see UEA's Legislative Priorities

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November GEA Member Spotlight (Click to Open)

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Click to see information on this year's candidates

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It’s time for GEA Elections!  Please come to Barrie and JaNeil’s office (D-217) to cast your vote.    We are voting for two At Large seats on the GEA Board, an Ethnic Minority representative, a NEA RA Delegate, and an unfunded NEA RA (Lily Eskelsen!).  The last day to vote will be Friday, November 22. See PowerPoint (below) for candidate bios. (Barrie has video of the speeches in her office.  They were too large to post.)

GEA is urging members to write their legislators about tax reform and school funding.  The new tax reform proposal would cut the education fund, while increasing the general fund. We are asking for a guarantee to fund public education.  Tell your story! What does the funding shortfall look like for the schools you work with?  Is it class size?  Lack of aide support?  No subs?  Student Traumas? If you can, please attend the final meeting of the tax reform task force on Monday, November 4:00 PM at the Utah Capitol.   Wear your #RED4ED shirts.

The GEA office has been asked about video recording in the classroom.  Is it legal for people to record you?  Short answer…YES! Work everyday as if you are being recorded.

-          Can students record you (i.e. yelling, lecturing,…)  YES!

-          Can you record a faculty meeting or PLC? YES!

-          Can you record when you are meeting with your boss? YES!

-          Can people post pictures or videos of you?  YES!

-          Can you record your students?  Not Exactly.  Be careful with this.  Call GEA if you have any questions. 801-266-4411

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October GEA Member Spotlight (Click to Open)

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Click the below links for more information

Tracy Aviary K-6 Educator Fair (Flier)

UEA Policy Ambassador Program (Flier)

Recruit Today! Belong Now (Flier)

2020 Excellence in Teaching Awards (Form)

UEA Elections  (Form)

UEA-PAC Voluntary Contributions (Form)

NEA Member Benefits (Flier)

Access Development Benefits (Flier)

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September GEA Member Spotlight (Click to Open)

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·          GEA Elections will take place in early November.  If you are interested in running for a seat on the GEA board or to be a representative at the NEA Representative Assembly  I have the Candidate Form for you (Due Nov. 1)

·         Student Loan Forgiveness/Retirement Planning seminar will be on 11/12/19 in the UEA auditorium.

·         Fall Surplus: Elementary must send in their enrollment numbers by September 16.  Surplus will happen that week.  Secondary Surplus is due by October 1.  Anyone affected by the process is encouraged to contact GEA to assure due process is followed and preference for placement are honored.

·         UEA is beginning a campaign about Tax Restructuring.  Right now 100% of the money in the Education Fund comes directly from income tax.  This needs to stay that way.  Voices need to be heard.  Do not cut income tax.

o   To learn more visit: myUEA.org/TaxReform .

o   Complete the school checklist: MySchoolMyVoice.nea.org

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August GEA Member Spotlight (Click to Open)

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NEA Website

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The National Education Association (NEA) is more than 3 million people-educators, students, activists, workers, parents, neighbors, friends-who believe in opportunity for all students and in the power of public education to transform lives and create a more just and inclusive society.

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UEA Website

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For more than a century, the Utah Education Association has been dedicated to preserving and enhancing Utah public education. The UEA represents more than 18,000 active classroom teachers, retired educators, administrators, licensed educational support personnel and campus student organizations.

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*Where do our dues go?  NEA, UEA, and GEA
*NEA now has over 3,000,000 members.  It is the largest Union in the nation!

*2019-2020 GEA budget was approved

* Member recruitment:  GEA recruited 300 new members at the New Teacher Orientation !  If you know anyone in your department who is not a member,  please reach out to them and share why being part of the  association is beneficial.  Or give me their names and I can reach out.

*Retirement deadlines: October 1 and February 1(This has changed since last year)

*It has been negotiated that the second Wednesday of each month be reserved for GEA meetings.  Please don't plan any mandatory PDs on this day.

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GEA Website

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Welcome to the website for the Granite Education Association. We are the association that represents educators in the Granite School District. We believe in advancing the professional and economic well being of our members. We also believe in promoting public education. We are a local affiliate of the
Utah Education Association and the National Education Association.

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Welcome to the website for the Granite Education Association. We are the association that represents educators in the Granite School District. We believe in advancing the professional and economic well being of our members. We also believe in promoting public education. We are a local affiliate of the Utah Education Association and the National Education Association.

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Contact Information

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Please feel free to come to us with any questions, comments, or concerns!