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Delegates Pass New Business Items at VEA Convention in Hampton

During the VEA Delegate Assembly in Hampton, April 23-25, 2009, delegates passed a slew of New Business Items. The listing appears below.

NBI #1 - LEGISLATION TO INCREASE VRS MULTIPLYING FACTOR
That the VEA will initiate legislation to move the retirement multiplying factor from 1.7 to 1.8.
-Submitted by Charles Dodge, Warren Co.; Seconded by Ed Miller, Warren Co.
 Adopted

NBI #2 - DUES REBATE
That the 2009-2010 budget be amended to reflect a dues rebate to members based on the dues increase that is included in the 2009-2010 proposed budget.
-Submitted by Deborah M. Snellings, Floyd Co.; Seconded by Erin Bull, Montgomery Co.
Failed

NBI #3 - TASKFORCE TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS IN ALL ASPECTS OF VEA
That the VEA President appoint a taskforce of members, governance, and staff to identify potential cost-savings in all aspects of VEA, including services in the field and headquarters, as well as the governing functions, with recommendations to be made to the Board of Directors by October 1. The Board of Directors will provide a report at next year's Delegate Assembly on the recommendations and actions taken. The report also should include any suggested changes in VEA governing documents necessary to implement the cost-savings plan.
-Submitted by Becky Austin, District 2, Washington Co.; Seconded by Rosemary Wagoner, District 6, Waynesboro
Failed

NBI  #4 - DELEGATE ASSEMBLY FORMAT
That beginning in 2011 in Roanoke the format of the VEA Delegate Assembly be changed to include an instructional conference Thursday evening and Friday. The Delegate Assembly would begin Friday evening and continue through Sunday. 

                    Thursday:   10:00-5:00 VEA Board of Directors
                                      7:00-9:00 Instructional Conference Keynote

                     Friday:        8:30-2:30 Instructional Conference
                                        3:00-4:00 Open hearings
                                        4:00-6:00 District caucuses
                                        7:30-9:30 1st session of Delegate Assembly

                     Saturday:     7:30-8:30 President's Breakfast
                                        9:00-12:30 2nd session of Delegate Assembly
                                        2:30-2:00 Lunch
                                        2:00-4:30 3rd session of Delegate Assembly

                     Sunday:       9:00 4th session of Delegate Assembly

-Submitted by Sarah Patton, District 4, Covington; Seconded by Terry Jones, District 5, Franklin Co.
Failed

NBI #5 - PROPER USE OF STIMULUS FUNDING 
That the VEA President and NEA Directors urge Virginia's Congressional Delegation to pressure the U.S. Secretary of Education to issue a ruling that stimulus/stabilization funds shall be treated as state basic aid (rather than as federal funds) thereby requiring the local appropriating bodies to restore the required local matching funds.
-Submitted by Bonnie Bowen, District 13, Halifax; Seconded by Wade Ellegood, District 16, Richmond
Adopted

NBI  #6 - PROFESSIONAL LEAVE
That the VEA lobby the VSBA to adopt policy(ies) pertaining to professional leave for both teachers and support staff a minimum of two days leave to attend workshops, conferences, and classes pertaining to their classifications, whether they be professional or hourly staff.
-Submitted by Arnold Hash, Grayson Co; Seconded by Marianne Simpson, Spotsylvania
Adopted

NBI #7 - CONTINUING CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL AD HOC COMMITTEE
That the VEA continue the Ad Hoc Committee for the Civil War Sesquicentennial, which will continue to monitor the progress of the state sesquicentennial commission and Department of Education initiatives in public education.
-Submitted by David Winship, Washington Co.; Seconded by Steve Whitten, Mecklenburg
Adopted

NBI #8 - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BIOGRAPHICAL DATA
That the biographical information of all Virginia Board of Education members include their K-12 education backgrounds.
-Submitted by Ed Clark, Washington Co.; Seconded by Ralph Booher, VEA-R
Withdrawn

NBI #9 - CLASS SIZE LIMITS FOR ESL CLASSES
That the VEA work with the Virginia Department of Education to establish reasonable class size limits for English as a Second Language classes.
-Submitted by Wayne Ellis, Richmond City; Seconded by Wayne Booker, Richmond City
Adopted

NBI# 10 - DUES RESTRUCTURE
That beginning next year all dues amounts be established as a percentage of the actual salaries of individual members regardless of position.
-Submitted by Rick Marney, Dickenson Co.; Seconded by Jim Blackburn, Wise Co.
Withdrawn

NBI #11 - TEACHERS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS FALSELY ACCUSED
That the VEA seek legislation that would provide all stake holders in the education process (teachers, support staff and administrators) specific steps to implement when they are falsely accused of harming a student.
-Submitted by Lola McDowell, Richmond City; Seconded by Debra Blackwell, Richmond City
Failed

NBI #12 - REVAMPING EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION
That Exceptional Education be revamped and adhered to by school administrators. Class size should be limited according to the various disabilities. Paraprofessionals should not be substituting for regular education classes nor answering phones in the office. They should be assisting the Exceptional Education teachers. Two grade levels with five disciplines each should not be taught by one teacher attempting to or expected to complete VAAP, VGLA and SOL assessments.
-Submitted by Jajuana Glenn, Richmond City; Seconded by Tammie Palmer, Richmond City
Referred to appropriate committee

NBI #13 - ADDITIONAL DE-ESCALATION TRAINING
That all classroom teachers be required to take workshops or classes provided by their district in behavior management and/or de-escalation techniques.
-Submitted by Tamara Palmer, Richmond City; Seconded by Jajuana Glenn, Richmond City
Withdrawn
 

NBI #14 - CREATING SAFER SCHOOLS
That the ad-hoc study committee to explore the escalation of violence in Virginia's classrooms be reauthorized for one year. This committee, with partners, will continue to explore possible solutions and policies, making our recommendations to the VEA Board of Directors for implementation.
-Submitted by Michael Weisbrod, Hanover; Seconded by Wade Ellegood, Richmond
Adopted

NBI #15 - NO EXCUSE EARLY VOTING
That VEA endorse and support "no excuse" early voting in all elections in Virginia.
-Submitted by Bruce Smith, Prince William; Seconded by Bonnie Klakowicz, Prince William, District 9
Adopted

 
NBI #16 - RELIGIOUS LEAVE POLICY
That VEA initiate legislation to have the Commonwealth require districts to create equitable leave policies for all employees regarding religious leave.
-Submitted by Christal Tanks, Fairfax EA, District 8; Seconded by Theresia Rollins, District 8
Failed

 
NBI #17 - RETIREMENT COMPENSATION
That VEA seek legislation to require that the Virginia Retirement System compensation be based on the compensation defined on the school system's W2 form so retirement income reflects total earnings.
-Submitted by Linda Kelly, Smyth; Seconded by Dana Houck, Spotsylvania
Adopted

NBI #18 - BUYING BACK SERVICE CREDIT AT REDUCED RATES
That the VEA shall seek again legislation to reopen a window period in which school employees can purchase prior service credit at a reduced rate with other school districts, government agencies and military.
-Submitted by Wayne Ellis, Richmond City; Seconded by Angela Dews, Richmond City
Failed

NBI #19 - STATE MANDATED ASSESSMENT PROGRAM STUDY
That the VEA allows the statewide committee that has been established to study the effects of state mandated assessment programs (including the SOL, VGLA. VSEP and VAAP) are having on teaching and learning to continue to work on this study. The results of such study shall determine what actions, if needed, are to be taken to modify, correct and/or improve such programs through legislation, regulation and policy.
-Submitted by Angela Dews, Richmond City; Seconded by Terry Jones, Franklin City
Adopted

NBI #20 - FALL INSTRUCTIONAL CONFERENCE
That the VEA plan and implement a Fall Instructional Conference as early in the school year as feasible by the end of 2010.
-Submitted by Liz Goodson, Fauquier;  Seconded by Peter Pfotenhauer, Spotsylvania
Adopted

NBI #21 - ACCOUNTABILITY OF STIMULUS FUNDS
That the VEA/NEA urge the Secretary of Education to oversee the allocation of stimulus/stabilization funds as they are passed down to the locals to ensure they are used to maintain current teaching staff along with ESPs and continue to support educational programs used to educate our students.
-Submitted by Felecia Briggs, Franklin City; Seconded by Brenda Jones, Franklin City
Adopted

NBI #22 - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BIOGRAPHICAL DATA
That the appropriate VEA officers petition the State Board of Education members to submit biographical data to the Department of Education web site and that such information include an education summary inclusive of K-12 schooling.
-Submitted by Ed Clark, Washington Co.; Seconded by Linda Kelly, Smyth Co.
Adopted

NBI #23 - RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS
That VEA prepare a report evaluating the pros and cons of these new programs (Retirement Health Savings Plans) and prepare a preferred list of these plans.
-Submitted by James Blackburn, Wise Co.; Seconded by Wayne Ellis, Richmond City
Adopted

NBI #24 - CHANGES IN UNISERV STAFF FORMULA
That VEA shall not implement any changes in the UniServ staffing plan that changes the UniServ staff ratio from 1 staff person per 1200 members without the approval of the Delegate Assembly.
-Submitted by Wayne Ellis, Richmond City; Seconded by James Blackburn, Wise Co.
Failed

NBI #25 - MEMBER INFORMATION LINK
That VEA create a link on the VEA web page concerning what to do if accused of harming a student physically, verbally, or emotionally.
-Submitted by Carol Bauer, York; Seconded by Fay Carter, Spotsylvania
Adopted

NBI #26 - TRAINING FOR THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND STAFF
That the VEA shall request that the State Board of Education mandate that all LEAs (Local Association Agency) train special education staff in recognized high quality programs that emphasize de-escalation techniques to ensure the safety of students and staff.
-Submitted by Angela Dews, Richmond, District 16; Seconded by Melodie Henderson, Chesterfield, District 15
Adopted

NBI #27 - PUNISHABLE FALSE ACCUSATIONS
That the VEA seek legislation that makes it punishable by law to falsely accuse any educational employee of harm.
-Submitted by Lola McDowell, Richmond; Seconded by Margaret Panik, District 8
Adopted
 

NBI #28 - VEA GOING GREEN
That the VEA take more care at our annual convention to model good stewardship of our earth by taking actions such as, but not limited to, distributing fewer handouts, reusing plastic name tag holders, providing water bottles that could be refilled, choosing facilities with ample recycling opportunities, and directing delegates to use the recycling bins.
-Submitted by Jill Grissom, Manassas City; Seconded by Allison Swanson, Manassas City
Adopted

NBI #29 - PARTNERSHIP FOR 21ST CENTURY SKILLS
That VEA collaborate with other professional organizations to request that the Virginia State Board of Education and the Governor apply to become a partner state in the partnership for 21st Century Skills.
-Submitted by Kimberly Adams, District 8; Lois Stanton, District 15
Adopted

NBI #30 - RETIREE HEALTH CARE CREDIT
That the VEA initiate legislation to expand the retiree Health Care Credit to include all educational support professionals.
-Submitted by Ramona Crane, Stafford; Seconded by Marianne Simpson, Spotsylvania
Adopted