may-june

REPRESENTING

8 CEA ADVISOR MAY - JUNE 2018

ELECTION OF NEW LEADERS TAKES CENTER STAGE AT 170TH CEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY Jeff Leake, Tom Nicholas assume top spots I n contested races, more than 400 teacher delegates elected a new president, Jeff Leake, and vice

president, Tom Nicholas, to lead the Connecticut Education Association for the next three years. The election took place at the 170th CEA Representative Assembly (CEA RA). The president and vice president’s three-year terms begin July 15. In addition, in uncontested races, delegates elected directors to represent them on the NEA Board of Directors. Vernon teacher David Jedidian was elected NEA director, and Tara Flaherty, a teacher at Shepaug Valley School in Washington, was elected NEA director alternate. Their three-year terms begin September 1. New CEA Leaders Leake received 242 votes, to 184 votes received by challenger Robert Smoler, a math teacher and president of the Fairfield Education Association. Leake, who has been CEA vice president for the past six years as well as president of the Connecticut Education Foundation, promised to continue working hard to champion public education and the teaching profession. An ardent supporter of collective bargaining rights, which increasingly have been under fire around the country, Leake said, “Collective bargaining lifts up everyone and empowers teachers to fight for the rights of their students and public Reflecting on nearly 50 years in public education and more than two decades in official roles at CEA, outgoing President Sheila Cohen— whose term ends July 15—urged teachers to continue the fight to protect students, public education, and the teaching profession. Addressing delegates as CEA president for the sixth and final time, Cohen called this one of her most poignant days as well as one of her proudest. “Even when faced with daunting challenges, constantly changing mandates, frustrations that can bring you to tears, funding cuts to education, and political attacks on our profession and our union,” she said, “teaching is still the only job for me, and the best job in the world. From the time I first became your NEA director, in 1997, until today, I have never been afraid to take calculated risks and to be an outspoken advocate for our collective bargaining rights, our professional development, social justice issues, and our political organizing. I have been vigilant on the issue of our pensions—the benefits we were promised and have worked so hard for—so that we can retire with dignity.” Cohen spoke about issues that were front and center over the last year, including teacher certification,

Left to right: Jeff Leake and Tom Nicholas were elected as CEA’s new president and vice president beginning July 15. On September 1, David Jedidian and Tara Flaherty begin their terms as NEA director and NEA director alternate.

legislative protections for educators facing student assault, decoupling state standardized test scores from teacher evaluations, collective bargaining, and adequate, equitable education funding for towns. “We knew that education cost sharing was getting the short end of the stick, and in partnership with locals, parents, and students, CEA filed an injunction against a gubernatorial executive order. Miraculously,” she said with a wave of her hand, “more money appeared.” Crediting the thousands of CEA members who stood together on these and other issues—attending rallies, providing oral and written education. We must not forget that teachers need the right to collectively negotiate for decent, equitable pay, affordable healthcare, quality schools, and vibrant communities.” Newly elected CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas received 296 votes, to 132 votes garnered by challenger Mia Dimbo, a Bridgeport teacher and member of CEA’s Board of Directors, who ran from the floor. A Manchester school social worker, Nicholas currently serves as CEA treasurer, a post he was elected committees, and his positions have included county director, past NEA director, and local Association president. to in 2012. He also serves on numerous CEA boards and

“With all the attacks on public education,” Nicholas said, “it is crucial to continue working with legislators and the State Department

of Education to ensure adequate and equitable funding for our public schools.”

Nearly 500 teachers attended the two-day CEA Representative Assembly.

NEW BUSINESS, NEW BUDGET

COHEN REFLECTS ON CAREER AS TEACHER, EDUCATION LEADER

Delegates overwhelmingly adopted a new CEA budget of $20,948,420 for fiscal year 2018- 2019, with no increase in membership dues. They also voted in favor of a new business item that would reconstitute a Poverty Task Force, appointed by the incoming president, to propose legislation and other appropriate steps to reduce poverty and diminish its impact on students. In addition, two amendments to the constitution were passed. One clarifies the CEA Board of Directors’ role in reviewing changes to the constitution and bylaws. The other— which also passed as an amendment to the bylaws—allows amendments to come before the RA for approval or denial, without requiring the Board of Directors’ prior approval, as long as those amendments were presented to the Board. Two other amendments to the bylaws passed, while one was struck down. Passing unanimously were inclusion of a county treasurer in county Presidents’ Forums and the description of a treasurer’s duties. Delegates rejected an amendment to the bylaws that called for only voting members to be county treasurers or secretaries. Objections to the proposed language primarily centered on the fact that retired members would become ineligible to fill those posts.

testimony, and contacting their legislators—Cohen said, “All of you stepped up, answered the challenges, and kept moving forward for the sake of your students, your profession, and our belief that together we can change public education for the better. My achievements are our achievements, and they would not have been possible without you.” Cohen implored her colleagues to keep up the fight. “While we did not win every battle, we learned something from each and every one—something that helped us move forward and made us stronger for the next battle— which always comes.”