The Cat in the Hat and all the fun that ensues when he’s around will be on display March 5 at the Fayette Mall.

Come check us out from 10:00-3:00 outside of Dillard’s — there will be guest readers, goodie bags, and photo opportunities with the guest of honor. If you’re interested in helping with setup, guiding readers, or other tasks, please contact President Hiler.

We’d also like to acknowledge the businesses that have already graciously donated coupons and prizes for the event. Special thanks goes out to:

• Build A Bear
• Disney, and
• Sweet Lillie’s Ice Cream Shop.

Pay Attention to Your Pension!

That’s our advice as the legislative session continues in Frankfort. While Governor Bevin presented a budget proposal pumping desperately needed money into the Kentucky Teacher Retirement System and the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, many lawmakers are already saying that it’s at the expense of other organizations. All that means is that proposals will crop up that slash the cash to prop up pensions.

Due to that, it’s critical for all educators to pay attention and stay updated and active when it comes to demanding the state meet its obligations to provide a secure retirement for all state employees.

Other issues on the horizon include:

• Four legislative seats are up for special election in early March, which could shift the balance of power in the Senate. Whether that shift is in favor of educators remains to be seen.
• The governor and lawmakers keep mentioning pension reform. In other states, that reform has come at the expense of teachers and other state employees. States such as Illinois, Rhode Island, California, and Pennsylvania are just some that have — or are –currently telling teachers that they must bear the brunt of the states’ failure to fund the retirement systems.

Keep in mind that Kentucky teachers already contribute over 12% of their own paychecks toward retirement and have NEVER missed full funding of those payments. We also DO NOT receive Social Security benefits. Whatever Social Security teachers have paid in through other jobs (if it’s enough to vest) or should receive through their spouses will be drastically reduced (20% or less) upon retirement. There is no fallback for educators unless they’ve paid into a personal 457 plan, annuity, etc.

Please let your legislators know that you expect them to Fund the ARC – call, email, tweet – just make sure they know you are paying attention to your pension!

Who’s Your Legislator?

Put in your address and find which legislator belongs to you.

http://capwiz.com/nea/ky/directory/statedir.tt?state=KY&lvl=state&action=myreps_form

To make your voice heard on pension and education-related issues, it is vital that you speak up and out!

If you don’t, we guarantee that other individuals or groups will be there instead — and they may be advocating for policies that are against teachers, students, and schools’ best interests.

• Legislative Message Line:

1-800-372-7181

The folks below have at least some of Fayette County:

• Rep. Robert Benvenuti – robert.benvenuit@lrc.ky.gov
• Rep. George Brown – george.brown@lrc.ky.gov
• Rep. Kelly Flood – kelly.flood@lrc.ky.gov
• Rep. Stan Lee – stan.lee@lrc.ky.gov
• Rep. Russ Meyer – russ.meyer@lrc.ky.gov
• Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo – RuthAnn.palumbo@lrc.ky.gov
• Rep. Sannie Overly – sannie.overly@lrc.ky.gov
• Rep. Susan Westrom – susan.westrom@lrc.ky.gov
• Senator Ralph Alvarado – ralph.alvarado@lrc.ky.gov
• Senator Tom Buford – tom.buford@lrc.ky.gov
• Senator Jared Carpenter – jared.carpenter@lrc.ky.gov
• Senator Alice Forgy Kerr – alice.kerr@lrc.ky.gov
• Senator Reggie Thomas – reginald.thomas@lrc.ky.gov

To find out who your legislator is, click on the link below to enter your address.

http://capwiz.com/nea/ky/directory/statedir.tt?state=KY&lvl=state&action=myreps_form

Fayette Superintendent Manny Caulk discusses the wonderful opportunities already available to FCPS students. President Hiler and retired FCEA educators continue to make their presence known during the #kyga16 legislative session.

Below you will find a quick list of things that we are currently working for on behalf of our members.

• Present at House and Senate Education Meetings in Frankfort during the legislative session and worked with legislators on education issues
• Visited 23 schools in Fayette County to have one-on-one conversations with members around issues such as KTRS and school funding. Goal is to get to all FCPS schools by the end of the school year
• Interviewed on KET program, Are Charter Schools Right for Kentucky?
• Met with the Superintendent during regular monthly meeting.
• Attended all FCPS School Board Planning and Action Meetings
• Represented members on the FCPS Certified Evaluation Plan Committee
• Represented members on the FCPS Budget and Finance Committee
• Represented individual members around employment actions
• Worked with Booker T. Washington regarding their school closing/reopening
• Worked with Crawford Middle regarding student behavior
• Worked with Breckinridge Elementary regarding school climate
• Coordinated Read Across America event planning for March 2
• Selected FCEA members to meet with outside group auditing FCPS
• Coordinated 23 FCEA members attending KEA’s Day of Learning on February 16th to meet with individual legislators in Frankfort

For the second time this year, five teachers have the chance to win FCEA Classroom Grants worth $250.00 each. Based on a classroom need or proposed program, winners are the sole owners of any purchases made with the funds, regardless of moving schools or leaving Fayette Co.

Click on FCEA Classroom Grant Application 2015 – 2016 to download the form.

Jessica Hiler presents one of the Fall Classroom Grants to Mary Henton at the Winter Gathering, December 2015.

If you didn’t get to catch the interview back in January, here’s a link to the Kentucky Educational Television news story, Are Charter Schools Right for Kentucky?.