Dear Colleagues,
This is officially the “Lame Duck” session when legislators push through bills that have profound consequences yet only receive minimal input or scrutiny.
Three bills that had hearings this week are of special interest. They represent the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
The GOOD – HB 497 would end punishing third graders by retaining them in third grade because of their test scores. This long needed modification of the Third Grade Guarantee passed the House with flying colors and was endorsed by the State Board of Education with 18 yes votes. We cannot let it die in the senate primary and secondary education committee or in the senate.
The BAD – SB 178 would strip powers from the State Board of Education and give them to a director of Education and Workforce Development appointed by the Governor. Proponents in this week's hearings see this as a way to elevate career technical education. Opponents argue the 1,200 page bill takes oversight and public engagement in public policy away from voters and injects even more partisanship into education which should be a nonpartisan aspect of state government. It is a radical change that surely needs much more time and scrutiny than lame duck allows.
The UGLY – HJR6 would further limit democracy by making it even harder for voters to amend the Ohio Constitution. In a one party rule state, there are few options for the unrepresented to make any difference. Ballot initiatives are an important source of balance in an out of balance political system. This proposal is in the House Government Oversight Committee. The Heights Coalition was one of more than 150 organizations across the state that signed a letter urging legislative leaders to abandon the bill.
Please stay tuned and be prepared to advocate on these bills in the next few weeks.
Our partners at Northeast Ohio Friends of Public Education have also been tracking the lame duck session and have a good set of explanations and priorities on more of the bills. (link here)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA):
A Flexible Spending Account allows you to have pre-tax payroll deductions for health care related expenses that are not covered or reimbursed by insurance. Childcare/Eldercare expenses are also covered under our Flexible Spending Account.We anticipate receiving the applications for FSA open enrollment to arrive via school email tonight. Open enrollment will be December 2nd to December 16th.. We presented an FSA workshop on Tuesday, November 29 that was open to all members. If you missed our workshop and would like to learn more about Flexible Spending Accounts, please visit the CHTU website.
The IRS has increased the employee health contribution limit for 2023 to $3,050 (from $2,750) and the carryover to $610 (from $500). Employees will be able to use any carryover for the entire 2024 year (changed from March 15). To determine how much money you should elect to take, you might consider going to your Medical Mutual dashboard and looking at your out-of-pocket expenses from 2022. Be mindful that if you have more than $610 left in your FSA account at the end of the year that you will lose that money. Do not take more than you think you will need. Once you determine your annual FSA deduction , divide that number by 24 to calculate your payroll deduction. For example, if you elect to take the full amount of $3,050, your per-pay deduction would be $3,050 divided by 24, which equals $127.08.
Independent Professional Activity day (IPA) - 3 pays this month:
The first IPA (Independent Professional Day) day will be included in this pay period. This is a negotiated benefit for all 795 members in the teacher contract. It is equivalent to one day's pay that you will now receive three times per year. December is a 3 payroll month. The third pay this month will not have any deductions for medical insurance, union dues, or credit union.
Winter Break:
You may have noticed that Winter Break starts later this year than it has over the past few years. Our last day of work before break is December 23. This decision was made by the calendar committee, which is composed of leaders from all four unions, upper administration, and Board of Education members. Had the calendar committee not pushed Winter Break back a week, we would have had to return on January 2. The last time that happened, many members expressed dissatisfaction with returning on the observed federal holiday. While the calendar committee could have opted for a break that started midweek with a return to work midweek, we believe that having two full weeks off that includes three full weekends is optimal. A Wednesday-Wednesday break would actually reduce the number of consecutive days off (14 instead of 16). We know that working so close to Christmas will not be convenient for some, but we hope that returning on January 9 makes it easier.
Lantern Festival:
Please join the Lantern Festival presented by Coventry Peace Campus on December 10, 2022. The fun begins at 3:30 with lantern making and a procession. It concludes with a sing a long and snacks inside the Peace Campus. Please RSVP coventrypeacecampus.org if you are interested in this fun for all ages event. For more information you can visit their website by clicking here.
In Solidarity,
Karen Rego
CHTU President