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Front Page News & Notes

From the Executive Director Christina L. Clark...

6.15.10 - The Minnesota Department of Education has denied the Remer School District’s application to move to a 4-day week. As you know, the MSEA Board of Directors recently voted to support efforts to maintain the 5-day week. For our unit in Remer, those efforts included a series of unit meetings to determine the members’ feelings about the 4-day week (strongly opposed!), working with the district to preserve all our rights in the negotiations process, and filing an objection to the district’s application to implement the 4-day week. The objection we filed clearly influenced the MDE’s decision to deny the application. Read MDE's decision.

We continue to face subcontracting challenges. We have defeated subcontracting threats in Fergus Falls, LaCrescent, and Kingsland. We are still fighting these threats in Warroad and Lester Prairie. Please keep your ears and eyes open for these threats and contact your field rep IMMEDIATELY if you hear that your district is looking to subcontract ANY SERVICES that are currently provided by our members. This is our work, and we need to keep it that way!

¡Sí, se puede!

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From the Executive Director Christina L. Clark...

4.27.10 - The MSEA Board adopted a resolution to support efforts to maintain the 5-day school week.  The move to a 4-day school week is now a definite trend.  The MACCRAY district is in its 2nd year.  Three other districts are proposing it for next year (ACGC, Northland, North Branch).  The MSEA has units in three of these districts.

Districts are proposing the 4-day week for only one reason:  potential cost savings. They don't even pretend that it will be educationally beneficial.  And yet these hoped-for cost savings are purely speculative.  The 4-day week is a bad idea for schools, kids, workers and families.  Why?

** Heating cost savings are not realized (buildings still need to be heated whether kids are in school or not so why not have them there!)

** Expensive daycare issues arise for families with multiple children.

** Many kids are left unsupervised on the "free day".

** Longer school days wreak havoc on older students' job possibilities...and these students need cash for college now more than ever!

** Extra curricular activities suffer.

** Kids on rural bus routes will have no daylight time at home after school.

** Current contracts are put in jeopardy.

** Kids will find longer school days difficult to endure (especially the little ones).

** Bus drivers, food service workers, paras and secretaries are left with fewer working hours.

This 4-day-week trend is building throughout the state, especially in small rural districts.  Are you hearing about it in your district?  Do your part to stop it now.  Talk to your school board members about the issue.  Talk to your neighbors, friends, colleagues, and parents in the district.  Point out the list of negative consequences a 4-day week can have in return for a small amount of cost savings.  Ask them this question:  Will it help our students?  If the answer is no, then the district should reject the 4-day week concept and look at other approaches.  Thanks for all you do for MSEA.

¡Sí, se puede!

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From the Executive Director Christina L. Clark...

What do you think of the MSEA website?

2.9.10 - Because you are reading this, I know you are on the MSEA website. MSEA is proud of the content and look of its website. You can play the Trivia Game and win an MSEA vest, get the latest MSEA news, learn more about the Board and staff, find links to other related websites, remind yourself to take advantage of MSEA’s member benefits, or visit the Members Only Section found in the gray navigation bar on the left (to review unit contracts,unit websites, operating policies and more).

At the same time, we know there is a lot of room for improvement. We recently made some changes to the legislative page – adding content and reformatting the look. I would like your ideas on what you would like to see on the rest of the website. The website is not only here to serve our members, but it is also the public’s window into MSEA. What should we be highlighting? What do you like? What could we do differently? Please give me your thoughts at christina@msea-mn.com or 800.622.0289.

¡Sí, se puede!

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Spring is Coming....

2.9.10 ....and so are the Spring Regionals! In this 30th anniversary year, please make an extra effort to attend the Spring Regional meetings. The Spring Regionals provide a first look at what to expect at the Delegate Assembly. We distribute and review the DA books, discuss resolutions that have been submitted so far, solicit your ideas for other resolutions that will support and advance MSEA’s mission, and help you think about whether you might want to run for a position on the MSEA Board of Directors (two positions are up for election at this year’s DA). We will also have a special presentation from the Public Employees Retirement Association, with time for your retirement/PERA questions. We’ll be asking for your ideas on how to improve MSEA’s member benefits. Of course, there is also food, drink, door prizes, and socializing with other MSEA members in your part of the state! With your mileage reimbursed, we’ve eliminated every reason for you to stay home – see you there!  Spring Regional flyer

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Board Updates Model Unit Operating Policy

2.9.10 - At its January meeting, the MSEA Board adopted revisions to the bargaining unit model operating policy, which has not been updated since 2005. Changes include increasing the term for officers to two years, adding a requirement for an Audit Committee, allowing each unit to decide the size of its Negotiations Committee, and making consistent references to “chief stewards” rather than unit “presidents.”

If your unit has been operating under the generic model operating policy, the revised model operating policy is now in effect and replaces the prior version. We’ll be sending copies to you! You can download the updated model unit operating policy or visit the MSEA Policies page for a complete list of MSEA policies and forms.

On the other hand, if your unit has adopted a customized operating policy instead of the model, it is not affected by the changes to the model operating policy. Nevertheless, the Board encourages each unit to take this opportunity to review your operating policy and consider adopting some or all of these updated revisions, which are more reflective of current needs and circumstances. Any questions, please contact your field rep or Executive Director Christina Clark.

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What Can We Expect from St. Paul?

1.19.10 - Minnesota’s 2010 legislature will be up and running on February 2. In a year where the only money under discussion is borrowed, owed, delayed, or already spent, what should we expect our legislators to do?

My answer is the same one that I give in the collective bargaining setting: This year, focus on language, not money. And given that every single state legislative seat is up for election in November (not to mention the Governor and other constitutional offices), declarations promoting new and better policy bills are sure to be flying hard and fast.

What are some of the public’s policies that need attention and improvement? The answer depends on what policy issues are important to you. School safety? Hunting rights? Recycling school supplies and materials? Allowing school districts to include health insurance and other benefits for domestic partners? Repealing unfunded mandates? Reinforcing voting rights or other civil rights? Keeping the “public” in public school services and employees? The list is long – what’s on your list?

Unfortunately, the changes we can ask for and the changes we should reasonably expect are usually markedly different. And yet in this election year, we should feel free to remind our representatives not to make promises they cannot keep. Legislators are saying they are serious about a jobs bill, and we should urge their support and effort in that direction. Employment is a policy item that will actually stimulate the economy and help decrease the dismal effect of the dreaded tax shift and delayed school district payments. And while we are talking jobs, we can bring the discussion full circle back to the issues that matter to you and other MSEA members – a living wage, affordable benefits, and enforcement of rights guaranteed by PELRA.

On February 11, we have a wonderful opportunity to talk directly to our legislators about all of these issues. Please join us at our Day on the Hill – look for details elsewhere on our webpage. Registration deadline is NOW, so don’t delay. You won’t regret it.

Si se puede!

Christina Clark, MSEA Executive Director

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MSEA Welcomes New Field Rep - John Rostad

12.1.09 - Originally from West Fargo, ND, John Rostad began his 25th year of teaching in September of 2009, the last 16+ years atLe Center Public Schools. John has been a local president, member rights person, and chief negotiator with the LCEA during the past 16 years. From Feb 2007 through August 2009, John was a part-time field staff member with EducationMinnesota, working with locals in contract negotiations, trainings, mediations and other related union issues.

Currently John lives in St. Peter, MN. He has a daughter, Sarah, age 22 and a son, Justin, a junior in high school. In his spare time, John enjoys spending time chasing after his son's athletic events, hunting, fishing, reading, exercising, and being with friends and family. John is truly looking forward to the new venture of my life, working with members of MSEA. Welcome aboard John!

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From the Executive Director Christina L. Clark...               

11.20.09 - Does your unit collect local dues? Have you ever thought about it? Only 38 of our 80 bargaining units currently collect local dues; an option available to all MSEA units. The cost is only $12 a year for each member (or $10.20 for fair share fee payers). Unit dues give you a little extra money to spend on yourselves. You can throw a picnic, compensate your leaders (negotiators, stewards) with stipends, provide door prizes, pay for pizza and sodas for a unit meeting, donate to worthy causes, purchase supplies for the kids, or cover the many other costs generated by union business. You manage the funds using your own United Educators Credit Union account. Contact Lynn Jansen at MSEA (800.622.0289) to find out how to get started – the $12 from each individual accumulates to significant member benefits.

Fair Share Conversions - Speaking of unit dues, I’ve written before about the benefits of MSEA membership. Our union is only as strong as our membership. Some folks don’t join because they know they are entitled to the same level of contract representation as our MSEA members. What they might not realize is that our strength at the bargaining table is entirely dependent on our membership numbers. When we go to the table and the district knows that 30% or 40% of our unit members are fair share, the district knows that we don’t have the solidarity or strength to make good on our demands at the negotiations table. Please employ some “fair share conversion” strategies to improve your membership numbers. The best strategy is completely simple: Grab a membership application and take five minutes to explain to a fair share fee payer why membership is the only way to go. I guarantee that most of these conversations will result in the person converting to membership!

This is the last newsletter of 2009. Have a great holiday season and a very happy New Year! I’ll see you in 2010.

Si, se puede!
Christina Clark, MSEA Executive Director

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MSEA Core Training "HITTING THE BRICK WALL" - A Big Hit!

11.20.09 - During October and November, members from 24 bargaining units attended the 2009 MSEA Core Training held in Bemidji and Mankato. This year’s subject was Negotiations: “Hitting the Brick Wall”.

Willmar 8 Revisited - We kicked off the workshop with the movie “The Willmar 8 Revisited” which took a look back at the eight courageous women who went on strike against the Willmar Citizens’ National Bank between 1977-79. The movie included interviews with two of these ground-breaking women describing the walls they encountered during the strike that lasted nearly two years. Remarkably, this story is also a part of MSEA’s history. Glennis Ter Wisscha, one of Willmar 8, later served as a field representative and then as MSEA’s second Executive Director. It is a very motivational movie, especially relevant to units facing a tough round of negotiations in these tough economic times. If you would like to view this movie it can be checked out from the MSEA office and runs about thirty minutes.

The Work Begins - We then jumped into the workshop with both feet, dividing members into negotiation teams, presenting them with a challenging bargaining scenario and asking them the difficult question of “Where do you go now?” After deciding what direction to take, the members began customizing a contract campaign to help break down the wall and move negotiations forward. The teams came up with great ideas to motivate unit members, get noticed by the District (and sometimes the public) and create unity in their groups.

But they weren’t done yet! They also had to figure out HOW to realistically make their campaigns work. What are the costs and who will pay for them? How much time will the steps take? How can they help other members get involved? What resources are available to the unit? The teams worked well together to create creative plans that had a minimal cost, maximum member involvement and accomplished their goal.

The last step was to practice selling the plan to the membership. We held mock membership meetings where unit officers needed to convince members why the campaign was not only necessary but also encourage everyone to take part in it. The officers fielded the all too familiar questions with candor, pragmatism and generous helping of humor. The raucus membership meetings were a success and a great way to end the evening.

Related Sessions - On Saturday morning, members attended related sessions called “Selling the Message”, “What About the Fair Share Fee Payers” and the extremely popular “Costings.”

The last session on Saturday was titled ‘The “S” Word’ and explored the harsh realities of a unit voting to strike. Attendees and trainers shared their perspectives on a variety of points, such as: 1) Is there a good time to go on strike?, 2) How do fair share numbers affect the outcome? and 3) How can you really guage your members’ commitment? It was a great discussion and the Bemidji attendees benefitted from member input from two MSEA bargaining units that have been on strike.

Attendees felt this was one of the best trainings that MSEA has offered and was very timely with the tough round of negotiations that are underway or will be coming up in the near future. Don’t miss out - watch your email and the MSEA website to find out about our next Core Training!

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From the Executive Director Christina L. Clark...               

11.3.09 - Having a unit meeting soon? A negotiations planning session? An executive board meeting? During my first year with MSEA, my goal is to meet with MSEA members in each of the 60 school districts where we have units. After 6 months, I’ve only been to 25%, so I need your help reaching my goal! Won’t you please invite me? Call me directly or call your field rep to get me on your calendar.

Si, se puede!
Christina Clark, MSEA Executive Director

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From the Executive Director Christina L. Clark...               

9.17.09 - In MSEA’s September Classified newsletter, President Mapes asks this question: How do we get our members to take ownership in their contract? After our two-day August Rally with unit leaders from 16 MSEA units, I ask you a question on the other side of the MSEA coin: How do we get new hires and fair share fee payers to become members? The answer seems obvious - we must convince them of the value of MSEA membership. But how do we do that? Perhaps even more importantly, why does it matter?

Maybe we need to convince ourselves first. Click here to view the MSEA member-only benefits. Give them a look. Are they worth an additional 15%? For many, the answer is apparently "No." Some insurance, training, discounts and a few other items aren't enough.

So what benefits are enough? The intangible benefits, that's what. The benefit of being able to vote on the proposed contract - YOUR contract - when it is up for renewal. The benefit of being able to hold office and make decisions - to have a voice in what MSEA does as your union. And during contract negotiations, when it counts the most, the benefit of being able to say to the school district, "In this unit, we are 100% members. We speak with one voice and we have but one collective goal - to improve our terms and conditions of employment.”

Unfortunately, only ten of our bargaining units maintain 100% membership status. Only those ten units can tell the district that they speak with a 100% united voice. And those ten units include only 2% of the individuals we represent. Think about the additional clout your unit could have at the bargaining table if you joined that 100% membership club – or even the 80% or 90% club. Right now, the membership rate in 14 of our units is below 60%, with another 25 units between 60-80%. Are you in one of those units? What message does that send to your district?

The tangible value is also worth a second look. A member earning $14,000 pays $250 in dues each year. A fair share fee payer earning the same amount pays $212.50, a difference of only $37.50 for that individual over the entire year.

Now look at it from the other side. Over 1900 individuals pay the lower fair share fee but still get our services and representation. Even if all 1900 paid the lowest dues of $85 per year, the difference is an additional $24,000. If they were in a middle dues range of $200, the difference increases to $57,000. Now we are talking about some real money. Money that MSEA could devote to expand and improve our training opportunities, services, communications, etc. Money that ensures continued high caliber professional representation at the bargaining table.

Are you convinced? Will improving your unit’s membership rate make a difference in negotiations? Or in the services MSEA can provide to its units? Think about this when you meet that new hire, or talk to the longstanding fair share fee payer. Invite them to join the MSEA! And remember…..

Si, se puede!
Christina Clark, MSEA Executive Director

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MSEA Welcomes Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative!                    

9.1.09 - MSEA would like to welcome our newest organized unit - the Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative para support staff! This group includes 35 paraprofessionals, interpreters, job coaches, food service and assistants specializing in audiology, auto mechanics and technology. The Coop services eight school districts near the Twin Cities including Chaska, Shakopee and Norwood/Young America. Members of the group contacted MSEA in May to learn more about how to join a union. Several informational meetings were held to ensure everyone had an opportunity to learn exactly what MSEA has to offer. On August 5, the unit voted overwhelmingly (20-1) to join MSEA!

Shakopee members Deanne Glynn, Brenda Henning and Carol Snell also attended one of the meetings to answer questions and offer a "member's perspective" regarding the advantages of joining MSEA. It was beneficial for the Carver-Scott employees to hear first hand from MSEA members why they feel organizing has helped their unit. Thanks so much for your time and efforts!

We received this contact from MSEA member Jane Donna from our Shakopee para unit. In keeping with MSEA's Member Organizing Incentive Program, Jane received $50 after her referral led to a meeting with the new group. However, Jane will now have her MSEA state dues for 2008-09 waived because the referral led to a successful election! Thank you Jane and congratulations!

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MSEA August Rally                    

8.10.09 - We just finished two great days (August 6-7) on the St. Benedict's College campus where Chief Stewards and other leaders from 16 MSEA units worked together on building the union during MSEA's August Rally. The new Gorecki Conference Center is a great new facility - with fabulous food and St. Ben's staff helping us with our every need.

Our facilitators, Mary Bellman and Deborah Rosenstein from the U of M Labor Education Services program, led members through sessions on labor history, building solidarity across diverse lines, sharing strategies for converting fair share fee payrs, signing up new hires as members, activating the inactive segment of our membership, building relationships, practicing difficult conversations and solving workplace conflicts.

Using these sessions and MSEA's Fair Share Conversion Plan, each leader developed their own list of ideas and strategies to take back and implement with their unit. To help celebrate our work, we finished with the comedy of C. Willi Myles and prizes for each participant.

The member feedback has been excellent! Members appreciated learning a bit of union history and welcomed the opportunity to network and brainstorm with other unit leaders. Many walked away with new enthusiasm and creative ideas on how to tackle issues within their units. Nearly every participant stated this event was very beneficial and enjoyable and would recommend others to attend in the future!

Thanks so much to all who attended! Let's all have a great school year!

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From the Executive Director Christina L. Clark...

April 2009 - Hello, MSEA! As I told the members and staff who attended the recent Delegate Assembly in Fergus Falls, I am thrilled and excited to join the MSEA as your Executive Director. I want to begin by giving Gary Johnson a great big thank you for serving as your interim executive director for the past several months. Gary’s steady hand kept the MSEA moving forward as you looked for a permanent director.

Let me share with you a little bit about me. My mother first opened my eyes to the issues that affect working people when I was 13 years old and she took me and my sister to leaflet at our local grocery store on behalf of Cesar Chavez and his efforts to organize farmworkers in California. From Chavez, I learned “Si, se puede!” (Yes, you can!), and I never looked back. When I was in high school, the teacher’s union in my school district went on strike. In support of our teachers, my high school friends and I organized “PLEASE” (Protect Littleton Educators and Students’ Education). We attended school board meetings and joined our teachers on the picket line, bringing them coffee and snacks. They explained to us the strength of collective action for workers: dignity, and a living wage.

I came to Minnesota over 30 years ago without ever having visited this great state. I fell in love with the cold winters and the amazing variety of community events that are available all year long. I went to college and law school and clerked for Judge Gary Crippen at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. As you know, his wife Nancy was the Executive Director of the MSEA from 1987-1996, when cancer took her from us. Nancy was a mentor and hero to me – she reminded me to keep my eye on the prize, fight for the workers, and stay the course. I became a labor law and employment attorney and represented AFSCME, MAPE, and other public sector unions. For the last 19 years, I have been fighting the good fight for members of Education Minnesota. I now join you at the MSEA and look forward to the next several years of growing stronger as a statewide organization, improving compensation and benefits, organizing more units, and helping our units grow to full capacity.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, ideas, concerns, compliments, or complaints! The MSEA is here to serve you, the members. I hope to meet as many of you as possible during the upcoming year.

Si, se puede!
Christina Clark, MSEA Executive Director

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MSEA Hires New Executive Director!

The MSEA Board of Directors is pleased to announce they have hired Christina L. Clark as MSEA's new Executive Director! Christina comes to MSEA with over 20 years experience in the labor movement and will be a great asset to the members of MSEA. For the last 18 years, Ms. Clark, who is an attorney, has worked with Education Minnesota. She was responsible for arbitrations, appeals, court actions and agency hearings. She also provided advice, consulation and training to staff and members on legal and organizational issues. Christina also worked daily to improve service to members and solve the problems facing them and the staff. As you can see, Ms. Clark clearly understands MSEA's issues and has the experience and desire to work towards the betterment of all MSEA members.

The MSEA Board of Directors is truly excited to soon have Ms. Clark working on behalf of all MSEA members. Everyone agrees that it is time to move this organization forward and Ms. Clark will be an integral part of doing just that! Ms. Clark will officially begin her duties on April 22, 2009. Therefore, she will attend MSEA's annual Delegate Assembly meeting in April, for the Delegates and Alternates to meet. Further, she would like to meet as many members as possible by attending unit meetings. Dates and times for this to occur will be arranged through your field staff at a later date.

The MSEA Board of Directors welcome Christina L. Clark as the new Executive Director of the Minnesota School Employees Association and look forward to a new partnership between the Board and the Executive Director working together for the benefit of all MSEA members.

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A CHANGE IN THE WIND - Gary L. Johnson, Interim Executive Director

It seems that change is going on all around us. A new President brings hope for changes that will bring us out of this economic downturn. The State legislature is hoping to make changes to solve a drastic budget shortfall. School Districts continue to look for ways to balance their bugets. Change is everywhere - including MSEA. Your Board of Directors just received the final report on a member research study that was conducted in October and November of last year. The purpose of the research was to discover what matters most to members. Along with a list of other areas of concerns, the Board wanted to know such things as:

           * What are we doing well?       

           * What are we doing poorly?      

           * Are we meeting the needs of you, the members?

With this report, your Board will be preparing both a short and long-term strategic plan that will point this organization in the direction that will lead to better service, more member involvement and better communications. All to be done with every effort made to keep MSEA's operating costs down.

Be sure to attend your Spring Regional meeting! We will reveal the results of the member research study and also ask for your thoughts about this organization. It is going to be an exciting time. As a member run organization, this is your time to help chart the course of MSEA now and into the future.

Change is coming!! Get ready. Get set. Be part of the change, it's in the wind already!

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MSEA Core Training "MULTIPLE HATS" - A Success!

MSEA was excited to offer the "Multiple Hats" workshop on Oct 24 & 24 (Shakopee) and Nov 14 & 15 (Bemidji) to give members a fresh prespective and new techniques when performing their various unit leadership roles. Thirty members traveled to Shakopee and 36 turned out in Bemidji to listen, discuss, question and role play during these two-day workshops.

 Lecture & Small Groups

The first Friday session focused on the basic elements of “just cause”, employee rights and how our own perception and bias can interfere with reality. Members were then treated to a short melodrama called “The Interview” where much of what they’d just learned was demonstrated and put into practice as a chief steward was asked to represent another employee during a meeting that could potentially lead to discipline.

For the rest of Friday afternoon, participants concentrated on taking a fresh look at the age-old problem of approaching new employees and eventually signing them as full members. Creating effective steward programs to “catch” new employees early is essential in strengthening a unit, improving internal communication and decreasing the need for fair share conversions in the future. Members broke into small groups to customized steward programs in an attempt to address the specific challenges faced by MSEA’s diverse bargaining units. Members were able to benefit from networking and brainstorming with other leaders throughout the state on this ongoing issue.

Role Play

Saturday morning was reserved for the ever-popular negotiation role play which consisted of members playing the various labor and management roles during a bargaining session. Both teams had their own objectives and played their parts well; drawing upon their own personal experiences to flesh out their roles. The mood rose and fell in tune with the simulation, offering key opportunities to identify and discuss the natural barriers and biases that are a normal part of the negotiation process.

As usual, members jumped right into the discussions, small groups and role plays with enthusiasm and vigor. This training proved once again that there is no shortage of talented and committed MSEA leaders. The training received high praise from the participants and their comments and feedback will undoubtedly help us to create other exciting learning opportunities in the future.

MSEA would like to thank all of the attendees for their willingness to share their personal opinions and eagerness to learn something new. For those of you who haven’t yet attended an MSEA workshop - we encourage you to do so next time around. And as always, remember to bring a friend along!

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MSEA Hires Interim Executive Director

The Board would like to announce the hiring of Gary Johnson as Interim Executive Director. Gary comes to MSEA with over 25 years of union experience and will be an asset to MSEA during this time of transition. The Board is continuing the hiring process for a permanent Executive Director.

Greetings From Gary Johnson...

Hello to all members of MSEA:

It is a pleasure to serve you as Interim Executive Director of this great organization. I am excited to work on your behalf in carrying out the mission of this organization. That mission is to ensure the dignity and respect of you, our members, and to empower you through your union. I come to you with 30 years of union involvement and firmly believe in a member run union. We at the MSEA office and the field representatives work for you. Our job is to provide the best possible service to you. Period! To that end I encourage your units to meet at least every other month during the school year. Insist that your field representative be there. He/she will be prepared to work with you on such issues as internal organizing, education of unit leaders, developing plans to make your unit stronger, give updates on union issues from across the state and any other issues for which you are concerned. It is very important for us to meet your needs. I also want to hear from you with any concerns that you might have about this organization or its personnel. Remember, we work for you and we ought to be doing the very best we can for you!

Do not be afraid to call me (651.261.1693 or 888.225.3052) concerning any issues that you might have in your workplace. I will be delighted to hear from you and anxious to put the power of 6,000 MSEA members to work on your behalf.

Fraternally,

Gary L. Johnson

Interim Executive Director

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MSEA Bargaining Unit Web Pages (past article)

As you may already know, MSEA now maintains a generic webpage for each bargaining unit as part of MSEA’s website. Your web page can be viewed by clicking on the Members Only link on the gray menu bar along the left side of the front page of MSEA’s website. Units may also choose to maintain a customized unit webpage to improve communication with their membership.

Interested in customizing your unit webpage? Follow these steps.

Customizing your unit web page is each unit’s choice and therefore each unit’s responsibility to update (not your MSEA Field Rep or the MSEA office). This tool is designed to help leaders keep members better informed regarding meeting notices, unit events and negotiation updates – if you so choose. Field reps may also choose to add information to your site, but these webpages were created to give leaders another way to connect and communicate with their members.

Step-by-step procedures for customizing your unit webpage are available by contacting Jodi Lietzau. Unfortunately, there are some limitations to what units can do to customize their webpage. You are not able to post pictures or attach pdf documents to your unit webpage at this time.

However, we hope many of you will take this opportunity to use your unit webpage to help keep your members informed and engaged. Please feel free to email Jodi Lietzau with questions or call 800.622.0289 or 651.227.3623.

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MN Para News & Updates

**Minnesota’s Rubric – Para Portfolios: The MN Dept. of Ed. (DOE) has developed Minnesota’s Rubric for the Evaluation of Para Portfolios, a system of evaluating portfolios is through a set of rubrics, which outlines the MN Core Competencies. This process allows an effective and efficient process for districts to assist the portfolio evaluation team to ensure that paras have the required knowledge and skills. Download the Rubric in pdf format.

**Consortium Members Needed: The MN Para Consortium has several vacant positions brought about by terms ending including: Parent (Spec. Ed.), Parent (Title), Principal, Spec. Ed. Para and Staff Development Coord. For more information about the open positions, you can check out the Consortium’s website or contact MSEA Field Rep Bob Schrank (cell phone: 651.260.3781).

**Planning to take the the ParaPro Assessment test? Check out MSEA's Links page for websites offering assistance in helping you prepare.

**Download a pdf copy of the final MN Paraprofessional Requirements for meeting NCLB.  Local Requirements can also be found at http://ici2.umn.edu/para/. The House Education and the Workforce Committee majority staff released two updated guides to "Frequently Asked Questions" regarding NCLB and IDEA. Update your library with these handy reference guides.

**The MN Dept. of Education has drafted Local Assessment Definitions to be used in determining if paras meet NCLB standards that have been adopted. Remember, the local assessment is different than the standards for the voluntary credential being developed under MN statute.

**Para eFolio: This online resource will provide a tool for paras to track completion of all core competencies, as well as an online resume. Click here to build a Para eFolio.

**Minnesota will use the ETS Para Pro Test as the assessment tool referenced in the Para Credential and Local Assessment. Information about this test can be found on the Consortium website.

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