Final votes tallied: Ratification approved by 98%

The final numbers are in after 329 absentee ballots were counted May 5: a total of 98 percent of the HSTA members who voted approved the tentative contract agreement. The final turnout was 58 percent, or 8,168 teachers voting both in person on April 27 and absentee by mail.

The new contract, for which lawmakers approved funding in their final week of the legislative session, gives members a 13.6 percent raise over four years, including two step increases.

“On behalf of your negotiations team, I wish to express our sincere thanks to you for your support as we progressed through negotiations and I hope you felt included in that process more than ever before,” said Osa Tui, HSTA’s negotiations chair. “While we know the new contract won't rectify a number of issues that need to be addressed, there is no time like the present to tackle these issues head on as a unified force to further allow our keiki to have the schools they deserve.”

HSTA embarked on an unprecedentedly open negotiations process, as we shared every detailed proposal with members in January, sent out repeated updates on progress and even held our first Facebook live contract briefing from HSTA headquarters-- watched live by 130 people and viewed by thousands more on YouTube and Facebook recordings -- to answer members’ questions on the eve of the ratification vote.

On May 2, Hilo Chapter HSTA members brought out their “mahalo” signs and waved to parents, students and taxpayers outside their schools in a show of gratitude for the new contract.

Teachers gathered outside (above) Pahoa Elementary and (below) Waiakea High on May 2 as they mounted a “thank you” effort.

Superintendent candidates interviewed by HSTA Board

The two finalists for Hawaii schools superintendent met HSTA's board for private interviews Thursday after speaking with reporters at a media availability earlier in the day.

Both from the mainland, the finalists are Linda Chen, an educational consultant and former chief academic officer at Baltimore City Public Schools (with 84,000 students), and Christina Kishimoto, the superintendent of Arizona's Gilbert Unified School District, which serves about 38,000 students. Neither candidate has held an administrative position in a system as large as Hawaii's statewide district with 180,000 students, 13,500 teachers and 290 schools.

Chen and Kishimoto each spent about an hour and a half in private interviews with HSTA board members May 4, with some members joining the interview virtually on HSTA's Zoom system. Each candidate answered 20 questions from the board, whose members stayed for another hour and a half afterwards to discuss the interviews and their impressions.

Chen served as a public school teacher in Seattle and New York City for seven years before going into administrative capacities. Kishimoto does not have a teaching background. Her first job was as an assistant analyst at a benefits consulting firm in New York City.

HSTA President Corey Rosenlee will submit testimony to the Board of Education at next Thursday's BOE meeting, when the public is invited to testify about the finalists.

Watch May 2 BOE Student Achievement Committee meeting.

SAC agenda included updates about policies on Seal of Biliteracy and Multilingualism for Equitable Education, which is connected to ELL.

Watch May 2 BOE General Business Meeting.

BOE agenda included action on Hawaiian language arts standards, reports from Audit and Student Achievement Committees.

Speak out: ESSA plan and STRIVE HI survey

The Hawaii DOE is seeking feedback on its draft Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan and STRIVE HI accountability system update. ESSA requires all states to submit plans on how to meet the law’s requirements and manage federal funding.

Teachers’ voices are critical in crafting a plan and accountability system that support the classroom experience. As our state reflects on the condition of our school system, we must highlight the ideas of teachers entrusted to shape our children’s future.

The DOE’s ESSA plan and STRIVE HI survey can be found here.

To help you complete the ESSA survey, HSTA has composed these sample answers for each question.

You are welcome to copy and paste our suggestions into the space provided or create your own answers based on your professional expertise.

Teachers must be at the center of education policymaking. Please take five to ten minutes to complete ESSA Plan survey and share your vision of the schools our keiki deserve.

Teacher Appreciation Week; Look for new lunch bags and free coffee Tuesday

It's impossible to properly thank our members for all they do inside the classroom and out for students, the community and our Association, but Teacher Appreciation Week next week is a good start.

Be on the look out for this year's teacher appreciation gift. Back by popular demand, the insulated lunch pack, just in time to replace your well-loved old one. They should arrive in your schools next week, if you haven't already received them.

HSTA Membership Services Committee Chair Gayle Enriquez said, "We wanted to thank teachers for everything they do, especially this year. We showed that we are truly stronger together and we hope that more teachers will step up into leadership roles."

On HSTA's social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter, look for shout outs to teachers and invitations to thank teachers by name, using the hashtag #thankateacher.

On Tuesday, teachers can receive a free regular-sized iced or hot coffee from any of Jack in the Box Hawaii's 30 restaurants on four islands. Just show your school ID or paystub.

Your kokua is needed for a colleague in need

Kalaheo High Teacher Luseane Suliafu is an avid, dedicated and hard-working teacher. She had eye problems and the doctors couldn’t figure out what was going on. She went on medical leave in January of last year and then could not return to work with the doctor’s clearance for the 2016-17 school year. She has been on leave without pay since December 2016.

She was approved by the DOE Leave Sharing program for 86 days through May 30, 2017, but still needs donated leave days to recover and recuperate.

Log in to DOE's intranet system for a leave sharing application.

If you are interested in sharing your leave, click here for the leave sharing donation form.

Click here for leave sharing instructions.

Once you have completed the form, you may submit it electronically to the SASA at Kalaheo High School at Dominique_Silva/KALAHEOH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us, fax it to 254-7907 or mail it to Kalaheo High School, ATTN: SASA, 730 Iliana Street, Kailua, HI 96734.
Mahalo!

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

The open enrollment period for EUTF health plans has been extended two weeks until May 12. Ignore the old 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

We are happy to announce HSTA's professional development summer courses are open for enrollment, with teachers teaching teachers. The courses include 21^st century learning, inclusion, STEM, environmental education, cultural-based education, classroom management and teacher leadership.

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 HSTA PD 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

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.

COME celebrate WITH US! May is Member Appreciation Month, and we’re thanking you for everything you do every day to help shape the future. Here’s how we’re celebrating you:

“31 DAYS OF GIVING” GIVEAWAY — enter daily through May 31, 2017 for a chance to win one of 400 prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize
THANK-YOU GIFTS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS — to help you save money all year long
INSPIRING VIDEOS — see the impact members have on their students

Don’t miss out! Come join the celebration at www.neamb.com/appreciation

NEA members SAVE 20% on Graduation, Mother's Day and Father’s Day flowers and gifts

Celebrate Moms, Dads, Grads with our best and brightest graduation flowers, keepsake gifts and gourmet treats from 1800Flowers.com or 1800Baskets.com. NEA members get 20 percent off their purchase! For more information and to place your order, go to www.neamb.com and look for 1800Flowers.com under the Discounts tab.

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.