Fight Voucher Campaign In Utah, a voucher bill has passed, sponsored by such familiar names as the Walton Family (of Wal-Mart fame), the De Vos Family (Amway), and the Coors Family.  On November 6, that decision will be put to a referendum vote.  The implications for public schools across the nation are not to be underestimated.  Please consider making a personal donation to assist in the battle:  www.utahnsforpublichschools.org/ For more information about vouchers and their impact on public schools: Voucher Powerpoint State Senate Hears About Funding From IEA Members Members of the Illinois Senate this week are getting their information on what Illinois students and school districts need directly from the people who work in public schools. The Senate Education Committee is holding hearings Monday through Friday this week dealing with what Senate Democrats call "the challenges to the state of education." Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) said the hearings are intended to help lawmakers to understand "what we need, as far as education reform." Among the IEA members testifying at Monday's opening session on funding disparities was Vickie Mahrt, a speech pathologist in McLean County Unit 5 District in Bloomington-Normal and IEA Region 14 chair. Mahrt told the lawmakers that providing adequate resources for all students is an absolute necessity. "Quality education costs money," Mahrt said. "Quality facilities cost money." Gary Ebers, a middle school math teacher from Sparta, used a textbook to illustrate how funding shortfalls hurt students in his district. Ebers explained the book had been re-bound so many times over the years that the binding had encroached on the text, making the book incomplete. The hearings continue through Friday. Here is the schedule: Tuesday: School Board members' perspective on FY08 education spending and its impact on school budgeting and planning. Wednesday: The Foundation Level and Adequacy. Thursday: Poverty Grant, Gifted Education, Special Education, and Vocational Education Funding. Friday: Ensuring achievement through accountability. Find out what's going on at the Capitol by reading the Capitol Report here. Pictured from left: Walt Hoshaw, Rockford; Gary Ebers, Sparta; Vickie Mahrt, Bloomington; Jan Jorgensen, Elgin

New IRS Filing Requirement for Locals The Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires certain small not-for-profit organization to begin filing a new form annually- Form 990-N which is more commonly known as the "e-Postcard." This form is primarily designed for not-for-profits that are not required to file the regular 990 or 990-EZ form because their annual receipts are less than $25,000. Find out more on the IEA Web site.

Region 25 Members Fight Against Questionable Labor Practices

Our brothers and sisters in transportation continue to struggle.  Although the District voted to outsource the transportation department to Durham Transportation, the members organized and approached the new company with contract proposals, only to be rebuffed as part time employees.  Durham does not hire full time and does not provide benefits anywhere else and refused to meet with an IEA led bargaining team in D300.  That decision is currently being reviewed by the Illinois Labor Board.  If IEA is not recognized as the agent for the transportation employees, the Teamsters are interested in organizing them.  Check back here for updates on the Labor Board's decisions.

Tell Us About It:

Do you have newsworthy information?  Is there something interesting happening in your building, team, classroom?  Please share with us so that we can share with the district:

email your story or lead to lisa.holbrook@ieanea.org along with contact information.