September 8, 2003

I’m Deb Larson, and I am serving as an MEA Intern with Chuck Herring through the middle of January. I’m learning the "ins" and "outs" of being a Uniserv Director from Chuck. I’ve been assisting at bargaining tables, attending meetings, and adjusting to life in a cubicle. I’m on a semester leave of absence from Bellaire Public Schools, where I work as the K-12 library media specialist and girls’ varsity track coach. I am finding that my 22 years in public education and association leadership have set a good foundation for Uniserv work. I am weathering the transitions in MEA with you, getting to know new people or become reacquainted with familiar faces in new roles throughout the organization. I’m enjoying my experience on the "sunrise side" of the state very much in large part due to the welcoming spirit and dedication of the members of the 14A service area. I look forward to continuing to work with you, providing information or assistance on both Association, Higher Ed, and Educational Support Personnel issues.

Beginning January 1, 2004, the cost of service credit, sometimes known as universal service credit, will be calculated differently. Service credit includes universal buy-in, maternity, paternity, or child rearing time, and nonpublic educational service. The purchase cost will be based on age and years of service rather than solely on age as it is computed currently. There will also be an 8% interest charge on the remaining balance in any account established after January 1. To avoid these increases, a purchase agreement must be established with an employer before January 1, 2004.

The U.S. Department of Labor proposed changes to the Wage and Hour law in March which revises overtime pay guidelines for workers. Workers earning less than $425 a week must receive overtime pay. How much of a worker’s time is spent performing managerial and "professional" tasks could determine whether or not that worker is eligible under the new guidelines. An estimated 640,000 jobs could be affected by this decision.

There are nine contracts open and none are settled?

Most of the districts with open employee contracts have settled administrative contracts?

Alpena ESP II (Aides, Security, Para pros, and less than three hour cooks) have been without a contract since August, 2002?

ACC will be facilitating WorkKeys testing—dates and places to be announced?

We had only four schools in 14A that did not meet Annual Yearly Progress (AYP)?

Atlanta has a new Interim Superintendent—Paul Mancine returned from 30+ years in the Alcona Schools?

Cash for Kids Drive will probably be over by the time this is read?

I have a new boss—Lee Longfield. She transferred from the Central Zone Director’s position to the Northern Zone position?

The Northern Zone Office is now housed in Lansing?

Most of the schools on the "critical list" have fund balances over 20%?

Did you know that...life expectancy in the US is at an all-time high. As of 2001—the latest year for which data are available—it was 77.2 years. In 1991, life expectancy was 75.7 years. Reason for the increase: Lower death rates from heart disease, cancer and stroke. Statistics from mortality study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.