February 22, 2020
MISSOURI NEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Summary
February 22, 2020
VISITORS – President Murray welcomed MPSO observers: Mark Jones, Liz Zerr, Kari Estes, Regina Cooper. MSO observers: Sandy Smith and Olivia Compton.
CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS
- • JoWanda Bozeman, Julia Todd, Marcia Petrus, Melissa Albright, and staff for their leadership during the Fall RA.
- • Cheryl Collins (Center), Melissa Englert (Liberty), Shenee McCoy & Megan Benjamin (Ritenour) for receiving NEA Foundation Grants.
- • Planning for Success Campaign! o Mark Jones and Liz Zerr presented a summary of the campaign. Thanks to the hard work of local leaders, staff, and members the State Board of Education received over 5,000 public comments urging them to protect and expand teacher planning time. The final MSIP6 language adopted by the State Board will specify that planning time should be self-directed and include counselors, librarians, early childhood staff, and anyone with instructional responsibilities.
President/VP Reports – President Murray and Vice President McIntosh shared their recent work in locals.
NEA Director Report - Directors Paul Guess and Andy Slaughter highlighted lobbying efforts and board business from NEA Superweek. The full report will be forwarded to local leaders.
Executive Director Report – DeeAnn Aull reported to the Board on the legal status of HB1413. The law is permanently enjoined and will now enter the appeals process on its way to the Missouri Supreme Court. She shared efforts around the Welcome Back online campaign and upcoming Early Enrollment recruitment efforts. Salary and Benchmark data has been published and is available to local leaders. Mark Jones, Political Director, and DeeAnn Aull shared important information about ballot initiatives on the political horizon. MNEA will work with coalition partners to defend the voter-approved CLEAN initiative to maintain the reforms to ethics rules, transparency, ending gerrymandering of legislative districts, and reducing dark-money in state elections. Decisions that impact our public schools must be made by officials that are elected fairly and ethically.
Missouri NEA also supports the efforts to ensure healthcare access for working families and children by expanding Medicaid. Medicaid expansion would provide healthcare to more than 200,000 Missourians – many of them children in our public schools.
Financial Reports – CFO Karen Struemph and our independent auditors presented the financial statements and a clean audit report to the Board. Struemph updated the Board on the Ballot Issue Crisis Fund and Charitable Fund. 2
Manager Reports – Field Managers Patrick Layden and Chas Young reported on membership work and advocacy efforts around the state. Pam Koetting, Association Manager, reported on Member Benefit activities, Degrees Not Debt workshops, and ongoing planning with the Member Benefits and NEA Convention Committees.
Legislative Update – Otto Fajen, Legislative Director, updated the Board on the status of multiple bills. His report is attached below.
BUSINESS ITEMS
- • Board members voted on nominees for the Horace Mann Friend of Education and Soar with the Eagles Awards.
- • Andy Slaughter presented amendments to the 2020 Resolutions document.
- • The Board recommended the Proposed Budget, Resolutions, and Constitutional Amendments to the delegates at the Spring Representative Assembly.
- • President Murray outlined changes to the Spring RA format in April. Sunday morning will be dedicated to learning opportunities for delegates that will include Degrees Not Debt, PSRS/PEERS, Disrupted Learning, Educator Voice, and others.
- • President Murray reviewed MNEA’s plan to support our students and members coping with disrupted learning and safety in our classrooms. MNEA will lead forums around the state to gather stories, data, and develop resources and assistance for our members. President Murray led the Board through the aides that will help leaders conduct these meetings/discussions in their locals. These resources will be made available to local leaders.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
- • Committee liaisons shared the work of committees. The report is attached below.
- • Registration for Spring RA is available for delegates online. PreRA meetings:
St. Charles—April 9, 5:30 p.m.
St. Louis—April 15, 5:30 p.m.
Margaritaville Lake Resort, Osage Beach, MO—April 24, 8:00 p.m
https://www.mnea.org/Missouri/ConferencesWorkshops1/19.aspx
- • Board of Directors elections will be held at the RA in Governance Districts 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Nominations will be taken from the floor of the RA in April.
- • The MNEA HOPE fund will host “Rock the Socks” at Spring RA.
BOARD TRAINING
Mark Jones led a Board training on NEA’s Campaign 2020 and online resources related to the election for members. https://educationvotes.nea.org/presidential-2020/
INFORMATION ITEMS
- • Missouri NEA ESP conference, April 4, Hollywood Casino, St. Louis https://www.mnea.org/Missouri/ConferencesWorkshops1/16.aspx
- • Winter Leadership Workshops: Kansas City (February 29), St. Louis (March 7) https://www.mnea.org/Missouri/news-events/Fall_FollowUp_Leadership_Meetings_854.aspx
- • MNEA Spring RA, Margaritaville Lake Resort, Osage Beach, April 25-26 https://www.mnea.org/Missouri/ConferencesWorkshops1/19.aspx
- • MNEA Summer Leadership Training: Kansas City (6/15-16), St. Louis (6/18-19