To: WIS Colleagues
Re: hsta Member Matters, 4-28-2017
Posted by J. Grabar
Date: 4-30-2017

Vast majority says yes! 98% ratify HSTA contract

An overwhelming majority of the teachers who voted Thursday -- 98 percent -- voted to ratify the HSTA's tentative agreement with the state, clearing the way for pay raises and increased state contributions toward health premiums next school year.

Many thanks to all of the teachers who voted. As we announced last night, the contract is ratified, and while the outstanding absentee ballots will not change the overall result, we will continue to accept absentee ballots through 5 p.m. on May 5. On that day, we will count the additional ballots and issue the final results.

We will also follow up with the employer in the coming weeks to discuss implementation of the new contract as well as finalizing all of the documents to print the new contract for distribution at the start of new school year.

See this Hawaii News Now story about the contract ratification vote.

See this KITV Island News story about the contract ratification vote.

See this KHON 2 News story about the contract ratification vote.

Send the Negotiations Team feedback by emailing negotiations@hsta.org.

Lawmakers set aside millions in hotel room taxes for education

House and Senate leaders reached a tentative deal Friday to increase the state’s hotel tax to help pay for construction of Honolulu’s rail system, setting aside $50 million of that hotel tax revenue for each of the next ten years for education in a newly created education special fund.

"This new funding would not have been possible without the effort that so many of our HSTA members spent on the Constitutional Amendment. While the dollar amount may not be everything we had hoped for, the $500 million over ten years will go a long way toward improving public education in Hawaii," said HSTA President Corey Rosenlee.

"We want to thank State Representatives Justin Woodson, Henry Aquino, Sylvia Luke and Scott Saiki as well as State Senators Donovan Dela Cruz, Lorraine Inouye, Clarence Nishihara, Jill Tokuda for ensuring that our public schools will have a new source of revenue," Rosenlee added. "We feel this is another important step forward in giving our keiki the schools they deserve."

How do you think the state should spend the new $50 million on education each year? Send your ideas to info@hsta.org.

Workers Day May Day rally Monday at the Capitol

Calling all teachers: Meet Monday at 5 p.m. at the state Capitol on Oahu for a rally and march to the federal building. Let's gather in solidarity for the rights of organized labor and tell our state and federal leaders that we have a strong voice!

"May Day is an opportunity for teachers to come together with our union brothers and sisters to show solidarity and resist recent attacks on working families," said HSTA Secretary-Treasurer Amy Perruso. "We need to articulate a broader, more inclusive vision for social and political change that begins with our students, our public schools and our teachers."

For more information, contact Amy at aperruso@hsta.org.

EUTF health plan open enrollment extended untilMay 12; read FAQs and watch video

The open enrollment period for EUTF health plans has been extended two weeks until May 12. Ignore the previous deadline of April 28 on any previously-published electronic or hard copy documents.

The HSTA suggests that members take time to assess their current plan enrollment(s) and the health plans available. It is in every member’s best interest to analyze the health plans available and decide which plan(s) best meet members and their family’s health care needs, taking cost and coverage into consideration. You are not required to do anything if you wish to remain with your current plan.

Read HSTA's comprehensive FAQ list on open enrollment that runs until May 12.

EUTF has produced a 35-minute video about open enrollment that starts discussing health plan terms at the 10-minute mark and explains cost examples of different plans about 14 minutes into the video.

See the EUTF open enrollment video here.

Members who have questions can call EUTF’s main numbers 808-586-7390 or 800-295-0089.

Increase your skills and pay with HSTA PD! Enrollment underway

HSTA has successfully provided professional development for almost 800 teachers this school year. The courses our teachers are able to take include 21^st century learning, inclusion, STEM, environmental education, cultural-based education, classroom management and teacher leadership. Our trainers, who are current practitioners, have led face-to-face and completely online courses. We are happy to announce summer courses are open for enrollment.

HSTA’s Summer Internship Program is available on Oahu and Maui and endorsed in a recent Lotus Notes email by the state superintendent. We are also offering level two of the summer intern program for those teachers who are currently teaching secondary CTE. Please also consider registering for the National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Jump Start course that will help you understand the NBCT process and get you started towards receiving a five-year $5,000 stipend from the state.

Read more about all these courses and register here.

Schools have been paying for teachers to take HSTA courses and receive PD credits, since they take place outside of the workday. To take advantage of this great deal, please register yourself for the course (so that you secure a seat) and once your school sends us payment, we will process a reimbursement to you. Schools can use HSTA Vendor #021749

Oahu volunteers needed to sort food donations May 13

Oahu teacher volunteers are needed to sort donations May 13 for the National Association of Letter Carriers 25^th anniversary Food Drive.

This union-driven food drive has grown to be the largest one-day food drive in our nation which helps to ensure our local food banks have enough supplies to meet the need of every child who is lacking a nutritional meal. For many students, the summer months mean the end of regular meals in school, causing families who participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program to seek food from food banks. The food collected from this drive will benefit our local food banks which according to the Hawaii Foodbank support more than 200 agencies that provide food to help feed one in five people each year in Hawaii.

Able to help sort food donations at the Hawaii Food Bank on Oahu Saturday,May 13 from 4 to 10 p.m.? Sign up for 4 to 7 p.m. or 6:30 to 10 p.m. shifts or both. Deadline: April 28.

Beverages and a meal will be offered to volunteers. Please wear your red HSTA shirts to show your spirit!

Can't volunteer on May 13? Look for the blue bags in your mailbox and donate a few containers of non-perishable food. Mahalo for your generosity.

Free NEA/HSTA restorative justice training in June; Neighbor island slots available

For more information about HSTA/NEA restorative justice training, click here.

Apply here by April 30 for the June 21-24 restorative justice training sessions on Oahu.

Only 20 spots are available, so gather your school/district teams and apply for teams of up to four people.

There is funding for up to two (2) teams from the neighbor islands that will cover airfare, hotel (double occupancy) and ground transportation.

HSTA’s Windward Chapter invites teachers across the state to register for free leadership training provided by NEA this fall. We need at least 30 members to register by May 19 in order to receive the training from NEA experts.

Read more about free leadership training from NEA. Register by May 19.

Where are our priorities?

According to the Council for Disability Awareness’ Study conducted in 2014, the top 3 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS in life are:

Health
Income
Home

But, the three things we protect are: Health, home, and car. If INCOME is one of the most important things in life, why are we not protecting it?

Learn more about long or short term income protection at our website, www.hstaveba.org or call our office at 808-440-6940 or 1-800-637-4926 (toll free from neighbor islands).

NEA Vacations!

Just in time for summer vacation planning, the multifaceted NEA Vacations offers the guaranteed best value on hotels, luxury resorts, cruises, guided vacations and more. Members will be able to take care of all their travel planning needs, including domestic and international flights, by booking online or calling a Member Service Representative.

Members may access NEA Vacations by registering on or logging into www.neamb.com and clicking on the Travel tab. Members may also call the toll-free Member Service telephone number, 1-866-524-2807, for assistance.

Heading to theme parks this summer?

If your summer plans involve roller coasters and water slides, check out these insider tips to help you spend your time and money wisely. From NEA Member Benefits: Theme park vacations -- for less

Up-to-date information on merchant discounts, shipping terms and WOW Points appears on the NEA Click & Save Web page at www.neamb.com/clickandsave and may change at any time. Don’t forget to use your WOW Points—they’re just like cash (100 WOW Points = $1; plus, no blackout dates and no expiration)!

Regal movie ticket deal for HSTA members

Buy 10 Regal movie tickets for $89.90. Dole Cannery Stadium 18, Windward Stadium 10, Pearl Highlands Stadium 12, Wharf Cinema Center (Lahaina). www.neamb.com/clickandsave

Question: Why haven't I received an HSTA membership card this year?

Answer: We have delayed sending out membership cards since we are continuing to upgrade our systems here at HSTA which will allow us to better serve you in the future. Also, HSTA staff are working on completely redesigning our website which will allow you to use the upcoming membership card/ID to gain access to exclusive member areas. We can reassure you that your membership with HSTA is intact. We appreciate your patience with this process.

Subscribe to and follow HSTA's social media accounts

Be sure to subscribe to HSTA's YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram for the latest videos, photos and news about our Association and public schools in Hawaii.