September 19, 2020
CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS
President Murray thanked local leaders who have stepped up and worked through these challenging times and the staff, both professional and associate, who showed true professionalism and helped local leaders, members, and students. He thanked DeeAnn Aull, Rebeka McIntosh, and the field managers.
President Murray congratulated:
-Jason Steliga (Park Hill NEA), selected to chair the search committee for a new PSRS Director.
-Carmen Hill (NEA St. Louis) on her election to the NEA Board of Directors as an ESP at-large director.
-Matt Berry (Ritenour NEA) who was selected as the state Middle School Counselor of the Year and Missouri Counselor of the Year by the Missouri School Counselors Association (MSCA).
-Darrion Cockrell (Lindbergh NEA) who was selected as the 2021 Missouri Teacher of the Year by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE).
REPORTS
President/VP Reports– President Murray and Vice President McIntosh shared their work during August and September. President Murray has conducted multiple media appearances and interviews addressing school pandemic safety and MNEA’s efforts to have transparent data reporting for school districts to inform decision making. McIntosh shared actions from the State Board of Education.
NEA Director Report- Directors Paul Guess and Andy Slaughter highlighted the issues they would be discussing with the MO congressional delegation during NEA Superweek: emergency funding, technology access, and police reform/racial justice.
Executive Director Report– DeeAnn Aull reported to the Board several MNEA staffing changes: Mark Jones, Communication Director, Liz Zerr, Political Director, Melissa Albright, UniServ Director. She reported strong membership numbers and praised leaders and staff for their enrollment efforts.
BOARD BUSINESS
The Board approved:
- 2020-21 MNEA Capital Budget
- Board policy revisions
- Ethnic Minority Involvement goals and plan
- 2020-21 Legislative Platform – The 2019-20 platform will carry over into this cycle, the MNEA Resolutions will continue to guide our priorities with lawmakers.
- New member benefit – Identity theft program
INFORMATION ITEMS and DATES:
MNEA Fall Leadership Conferences have been canceled.
MNEA Fall Representative Assembly (November 21) will be held virtually.
Please refer to the Timeline for Action Leaders Update for information on:
- Shirley Cromer Award nominations due October 1
- Leila Medley Quality Local Association checklists due November1 (deadline extended and greater flexibility for locals to submit activities)
- Illinois Ethnic Minority and Emerging Leaders (EMELT) Training, November 6-8
- NEA Minority Leadership Training/Women’s Leadership Training, December 4-6
- Horace Mann Teacher nominations due December 15
- Read-On Missouri Tour – February 22 - March 5
- 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