On Friday evening, February 2nd and Saturday morning, February 3rd, Team ISEA's Executive Board met in Des Moines at the ISEA Headquarters building. A "caucus" has developed within our board--"Music Educators"! Pictured here (from front to back) are Oscar Ortiz, Middle School Band in Chariton, South Central UniServ Unit; (standing) Jean Swenson, Elementary-Middle School Vocal Music in New Hampton, NEIEU; Al Mattison, Middle and High School Band in Belmond-Klemme, UniServ Unit Two; Peg Thein, 5-8 Middle School Band in Clayton-Ridge, JDC; and Marlin Jeffers (certificated in Vocal Music and Band), AEA Professional Development Facilitator, Northwest Iowa AEA; Chair of AEA Standing Committee.On Friday evening's portion of our board meeting we had two presentations. The first from South Central UniServ Director and staff liaison to our state committee "Protecting Members Rights", Jim Crotty. 
Jim (pictured at left) shared the planning and trainings that have taken place for members of our state committee. Jim shared with Team ISEA leaders how great strides are being made in bargaining as more and more local bargaining teams are committed to attaining the goals set. He reminded us that at the bargaining table you must be comfortable in talking about what you are worth. In addition he added, "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate!" Thanks, Jim for your continued leadership on Team ISEA!
Jim (pictured at left) shared the planning and trainings that have taken place for members of our state committee. Jim shared with Team ISEA leaders how great strides are being made in bargaining as more and more local bargaining teams are committed to attaining the goals set. He reminded us that at the bargaining table you must be comfortable in talking about what you are worth. In addition he added, "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate!" Thanks, Jim for your continued leadership on Team ISEA!
Our final presentation on Friday evening came from Administrative Lobbyist, Brad Hudson. Brad (pictured at right). Brad shared, "what a difference a year can make!" With a new majority party in both chambers of the Iowa General Assembly, add to that a Governor of the same party....great strides are occurring for the students and their families in our state. He went on to say that it is likely that both chambers will take up the "Allowable Growth" bill this coming week and set that at 4% for the 2008-2009 school year. We think coupled with the committment from Governor Culver to add an additional $35 million to the already promised $35 million for Teacher Compensation, as well as increasing dollars for Early Childhood, Class-size reduction, Community Colleges and AEA's...we will be most pleased with setting allowable growth at 4%.
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