oct-nov

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2018 CEA ADVISOR 3

News Briefs

IN THIS ISSUE

CEA, Legislators: No to Federal Education Dollars for Firearms Senator Chris Murphy: “We should be listening to teachers”

2

LEADING CEA’s leadership team emphasizes the critical impact of teachers becoming education voters. Read why teachers must advocate for their profession, their students, and their schools. ASSESSING CEA compiles its first-ever Legislator Report Card—a fact-based evaluation of candidates running for office in districts throughout the state. See how your candidates scored on issues important to your classroom and your future. RECOGNIZING Legislative candidates who have made the best efforts and achieved the best results for teachers and public education deserve special recognition. CEA’s Honor Roll gives a shout-out to Connecticut’s education champions. Some races are especially close this election season, and the winners will decide what direction public education takes in this state. Check out 30 spotlight districts where teachers’ votes are more important than ever. Connecticut’s major-party gubernatorial hopefuls, Ned Lamont and Bob Stefanowski, have very different ideas about public education, teachers’ pensions, and your right to negotiate for fair wages and working conditions. Get the facts on where they stand and what that means for you. From John Larson to Teacher of the Year Jahana Hayes, read what your colleagues are saying about their congressional candidates and why they deserve your support. TEAMING UP Whether it’s making the holidays brighter for children in need or filling the stands at UConn’s homecoming game, teachers are teaming up to show their goodwill and spirit.

CEA joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy and other Connecticut leaders at a September news conference calling on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to abandon plans that would allow the use of federal funds to arm teachers. Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, stressed that arming teachers is not a solution to classroom safety issues and urged DeVos to testify before the HELP Committee on the issue. “Congress has made its intent clear,” said Murphy, describing bipartisan consensus that federal funds should not be used to arm teachers. Calling it “a pivotal moment on a critical issue,” U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro

4

5

CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas (at the podium) joins U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (right) in calling on Betsy DeVos to abandon plans for allowing federal dollars to arm teachers.

teachers union, CEA Vice President Tom Nicholas, a 30-year Manchester educator and school social worker, agreed. “Our students and our schools are in need of so many basic necessities, such as books, technology, guidance counselors, and school social workers, and that is where our resources should be spent. Traditionally, families and community groups provided children with stability, guidance, and a sense of belonging. Now, our teachers are being asked to shoulder more and more of this responsibility. Our certification and training is in education, not sharpshooting. It is preposterous to ask educators to holster weapons instead of workbooks.”

also called for a prohibition on the use of federal education funds to pay for guns and firearms training for school staff. Dangerous proposal Citing recent incidents of teachers’ and school safety resource officers’ guns accidentally being discharged by adults and children in schools, Murphy said, “This is a very dangerous proposal coming down from Betsy DeVos.” He added, “The data is clear: 75 to 85 percent of teachers surveyed said teachers should not be armed, and we should be listening to teachers.” Speaking on behalf of Connecticut’s largest Every dollar invested in transportation infrastructure returns $3.54 in economic impact. That’s why CEA’s Board of Directors made a motion on September 21 to urge Connecticut residents to vote yes on a Transportation Revenue Lockbox. The lockbox would ensure that tax dollars raised for transportation are spent on transportation—not raided to plug budget deficits. Connecticut is no stranger to deepening income inequality and the socioeconomic disadvantages it brings. Teachers see it in their classrooms every day and are working hard to strengthen the safety net for students and families at risk. To combat economic disparities and promote economic growth, CEA has formed alliances with groups such as the

6-7 HIGHLIGHTING

8-9 EVALUATING

CEA Urges Teachers to Vote Yes on Transportation Lockbox Investing in roads, bridges is an investment in Connecticut’s future

10-11 SUPPORTING

have been graded structurally deficient • Car and truck exhaust contributes to high rates of asthma in our cities • Transportation is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector of the state’s economy • Despite these grim statistics, since 2005, our legislators have diverted more than $250 million away from the Special Transportation Fund to balance the state budget Join CEA in voting yes on November 6 to protect Connecticut’s transportation funding.

13

15

REPRESENTING Your teachers union needs you!

Represent your colleagues by serving as a county director or NEA state delegate. See which positions are open and how to submit your nomination.

Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, whose goals include repairing roads and bridges and expanding bus and rail service. Achieving those goals will benefit families, businesses, job growth, local economies, and public health and safety. Consider the facts: • 41 percent of Connecticut’s state and local roads have been rated in “poor condition” • More than 300 bridges

Your membership working for you

CONNECT WITH CEA

Are you making the most of your membership? Your card saves you money on everything from groceries to vacations. Find all your discounts at cea.org/mb .

cea.org

facebook.com/ CTEdAssoc

youtube.com/ ceavideo

blogCEA.org

twitter.com/ ceanews

instagram.com/ cea_teachers

flickr.com/ photos/ceapics