Dear SCEA Members,
Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year!! It's hard to believe we're already off and running. I hope you are off to a good start!

New Member Welcome:
We welcome the 48 new SCEA members who joined our teaching and union ranks this fall. It is always exciting to be around the energy and passion of new teachers and we are glad to have you with us this year.

Contracts:
As usual, many questions have come up regarding both the individual teacher contracts and the Master Agreement for 2007-2009. If you have questions about your individual contract please let me know, or call Betty in Human Resources. As for the 07-09 Contract, it has finally been signed and should be printed both in hard copy and online in the next couple weeks. If you need information from the contract, please let me know.

Health "back pay":
The reimbursement for those who carried dependent coverage last year that was negotiated last spring will be paid on October 15. It looks like the reimbursement will be approximately $500.00 gross. Taxes will be taken out.

Q-Comp:
There are no new developments on the Q-Comp front as of this email. We will keep you informed if anything happens. We are still "on hold" and do not know if there will be a paid Q-Comp plan this year.

SCEA Picnic:
Thanks to all who turned out last week for the SCEA Picnic. It was our best turnout ever and it was really great to see everyone. Thanks too to Horace Mann Insurance and Teacher Federal Credit Union for their donations and time.

Door Knock Thursday:
Tomorrow, Education Minnesota will co-sponsor a political door knock with other AFL-CIO unions in support of Barack Obama and Al Franken. Volunteers will go in groups of 2 or 3 to knock on St. Cloud area doors of other union members. Pizza will be provided and each Education Minnesota member that comes to join us will receive a $10.00 gift card for gas. The event starts at 5:00 at the St. Cloud Labor Home; 1903 4th Street North. Feel free to join us!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please contact me by phone (253-2530) or email. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

In solidarity,
Mary Broderick
SCEA President