IEA President Ken Swanson Comments on Recent Newspaper Series

Colleagues:

If you have read a newspaper in the last week, you have likely run across news stories focused on inappropriate sexual contact with students by education employees.

While the Associated Press ran a national series this week on the issue, we here in Illinois received a double dose, as a series produced by an Illinois newspaper chain ran last week.

I believe very strongly in the adage that "Unless you define yourself, you will be defined by others."

It seemed to me that the worst thing for the 130,000 members of IEA would be for us to be defined by the indefensible actions of a tiny number of school employees. With that in mind, it was decided we would release an op-ed article to the editorial pages of newspapers around the state.

No one should be allowed to think that we, as education professionals, condone the shameful actions described in these stories. I thought it was important that we state, clearly, what it is IEA members believe in and what our position is.

A link to the op-ed is here. I welcome your comments.

Nippersink, Earlville End Respective Strikes

Nippersink District 2

Members of the Richmond-Spring Grove Education Association in Nippersink District 2 emerged stronger on Oct. 21, after six days on the picket line.

The 140 teachers and ESPs demonstrated solid commitment to each other and to their students throughout the ordeal. IEA President Ken Swanson and Vice President Bob Blade joined the employees and several hundred community supporters at a rally on Sunday.

Earlville Teachers Association

Members of the Earlville Teachers Association went back to class today, ending a three-day strike that sent them to the picket line Oct. 19.

The 37-member ETA and the Earlville Community Unit District 9 school board agreed on a contract Tuesday night. Terms of the agreement are not yet available since a ratification vote was expected late this afternoon. Salary and health insurance premiums were unresolved issues after an accord was reached on retirement issues last week.

IEA President Ken Swanson joined the picket line several times in support of the teachers who serve the 400-student district located in LaSalle County.

Online Savings for IEA Members

From Bose to Sprint, IEA members can save up to 50 percent at more than 125,000 merchants nationwide.

Just log on to the IEA Web site, scroll down and click on the icon that looks like your membership card, enter the 10-digit member ID found on the front of your card, and click "go."

IEA Advocate Julie Newell Dies

Julie Newell, 57, longtime IEA activist and member of the board of directors, died Oct. 19 in Cairo.

Julie worked 37 years for the Cairo Public Schools, during which time she was the founding president of the Cairo Association of Educational Support Professionals.

Julie served as IEA Southern Section Chair from July 2001 to July 2006.

Condolences may be sent to Julie's husband Ron at 513 29th Street, Cario, IL 62914.

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