NEA RA Will Be in
Orlando this Summer

The National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly (RA) will be in Orlando, Florida Friday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 5.

The State Declaration of Candidacy is in the December issue of the California Educator and on the reverse side of the January 17 Contact. (Due to CTA Friday, February 3.)

The local Declarations of Candidacy is on the reverse side of this Contact and available at the MTA office. (Due to the MTA office Tuesday, February 28.)

All members of the Association are eligible to submit Declarations.

The American Cancer Society Is Sponsoring the 1st Montebello
Relay for Life

The Montebello Relay for Life will be held at Montebello High School Saturday - Sunday,
April 29 - 30.

One in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life gives everyone the opportunity to fight back and to make a difference in the battle against cancer.

Teams come from businesses, clubs, families, churches, and schools to form relay teams.

For more information call 626.795-7774 or email rosie.rivas@cancer.org.

Governor’s Proposed Budget Is A Good Start for Schools – More Is Needed!

The Governor’s words tonight were a welcome change from last year when he attacked teachers, nurses and firefighters. But teachers know that actions speak louder than words. We are hopeful that the new year will bring action that helps our students and schools, rather than more broken promises.

California voters have been very clear. They want adequate funding for our public schools, affordable health care and safe communities. They also strongly support the minimum school funding protections provided by Proposition 98 and believe our schools should get the money they are owed under state law.

So while the Governor’s proposals on education are a start, they continue to shortchange local schools, fail to meet the minimum funding requirements of Prop. 98 and make no commitment to repay the money that was borrowed from public education. CTA will continue to work with the Legislature and the Governor to make sure our students get the resources they deserve and need to succeed.

California continues to rank near the bottom in per-pupil funding – $1,000 below the national average – and has some of the largest class sizes in the nation. Investing in our public schools is the most important investment we can make for the economic future of our state. CTA believes that it’s time that we look at real education changes, including a school funding system that is adequate, equitable and helps all children reach the state’s academic standards. We also need to look at how we attract and keep quality teachers in every classroom and how we best improve those schools that are struggling.

We do applaud the governor’s proposal to forgive student fee increases at California colleges. This will give more students the opportunity for higher education. And while we believe that building adequate school facilities is important, the governor offered no plan to provide the textbooks or teachers to make those classrooms a good place for students to learn.