February 20, 2021
MISSOURI NEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Summary
February 20, 2021 – virtual meeting
VISITORS – President Murray welcomed MNEA staff members (Sharon Fortner, Sandy Smith, Regina Cooper, Lisa Blaha) to the meeting.
CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS
President Murray thanked Board members, local leaders, and staff for their work during the pandemic. He expressed his appreciation and gratitude for local leaders that are responding and advocating for MNEA members across the state.
REPORTS
President/VP Reports – President Murray and Vice President McIntosh shared their work during the fall and winter. President Murray shared the continuing work and advocacy occurring around the pandemic, highlighting efforts around vaccinations and state testing. President Murray reviewed NEA trainings, local leader calls, and COVID updates. He thanked the staff and local leaders for their ongoing work under difficult circumstances on behalf of members. “We’re fighting on every front that we can, we’re fighting in every way that we can, we’re fighting at the local level, the state level, and at the national level.” Vice President McIntosh encouraged Board members to share resources from trainings they are attending and recognized Allie Rodgers, Westminster University, as the Aspiring Educator Director on the Board.
NEA Director Report - Directors Paul Guess, Andy Slaughter, and Carmen Hill (NEA ESP at-large director) highlighted NEA activities from February Superweek and the discussions they had while lobbying the MO congressional delegation: COVID relief, testing waivers, technology access, and immigration reform.
Executive Director Report – DeeAnn Aull shared information about MNEA’s ongoing responses to COVID19 and other state issues - “Not just to keep things going, but to thrive.” She recognized Dr. Melissa Albright as the new UniServ Director for Unit 18 and
mentioned upcoming training for local leaders/members interested in staff work for MNEA. The Supreme Court decision on HB1413 is still pending. The hearing will be available virtually. She highlighted Legislative lobbying and zoom meetings with members and legislators as well as trainings and member engagement for school board elections. Aull demonstrated the new Join Now membership enrollment process – a one step, online platform that will be available April 1. She presented a very strong membership report and praised staff and local leaders for their efforts at all levels for recruitment activities and membership retention.
Annual Audit Report – Representatives from MNEA’s independent auditing firm, Evers & Co, reviewed the yearly annual audit with the Board - a clean opinion with no exceptions. 2
Financial Report – Karen Struemph, CFO, presented the current statement of financial position. She discussed the unusual impacts of COVID 19 on revenues and expenditures. Cancellation of in-person meetings and reduced travel resulted in significant savings that will be used to support post-pandemic budget priorities.
Legislative Report – Otto Fajen reviewed legislation that is moving through the Capitol. The House and Senate are considering numerous bills that include tax credit vouchers, charter school expansion, virtual instruction expansion, school board member recall elections, and homeschool participation. Leaders and members should be ready for action alerts from MNEA.
Field Reports – Patrick Layden and Chastity Young highlighted bargaining work that is occurring around the state and the ongoing planning for winter and summer leadership training.
BUSINESS ITEMS
The Board recommended the 2020-21 revised and 2021-22 proposed budgets to the Spring Representative Assembly. Vice President McIntosh reviewed the budget recommendations with Board members. In general, the savings from the current budget will be used to support the return to post-COVID activities and member services.
The Board approved the 2021-22 Board Calendar.
The Board elected Alexander Tai and Patrick McPartland to the UniServ Grant Committee.
The Board reviewed the nominations for the Horace Mann Friend of Education awards.
INFORMATION ITEMS and DATES:
Please refer to the Timeline for Action or Leaders Update for information on:
NEA Higher Ed Conference, March 10-12, 2021
NEA Leadership Summit, March 12-14, 2021
NEA Retired Conference, March 12-14, 2021
NEA ESP Conference, March 19-21, 2021
Please contact [email protected] if you need assistance with registration.
Mar. 1 Read-On Missouri Tour Requests due
Mar. 1 NEA RA State Delegate Election – voting ends at 11:59 p.m.
Mar. 1 Minority Involvement entry due
Mar. 6 MNEA Board of Directors Meeting (Zoom mtg)
Mar. 19 Report changes to delegates and alternates for 2021 MNEA Spring RA
Apr. 1 Future Leaders’ Academy Application due
Apr. 2-5 MNEA Offices Closed
Apr. 6 Local School Board Elections
Apr. 10 NEA RA Local Delegate election results due
Apr. 15 Submit names of retiring members to MNEA
Apr. 24 MNEA Spring RA (virtual event) 3
Local leaders are encouraged to contact their Board member with any questions and to receive information about governance district meetings. President
Phil Murray
[email protected]
Vice President
Rebeka McIntosh
[email protected]
NEA Director
Paul Guess
[email protected]
NEA Director
Andy Slaughter
[email protected]
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Lisa Baldwin
[email protected]
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J. Eric Simmons
[email protected]