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Rejected LTEs
Oct 19, 2011 Posted by Judy Ferro Login and commentVictoria Young on visit to Congressman Labrador
What Representation?
We are quick to talk about “good” and “bad” teachers; what about good and bad laws?
Senator Risch admits there are major problems with No Child left Behind (NCLB) but hasn’t worked to fix them. That law is 4 years past its lawful reauthorization date. Is it not bad enough? Has it not been costly enough? Or is it just not important enough?
Congressman Labrador won’t even address NCLB with me, an informed constituent whom he represents (I’m not sure how since he can’t hear me). Understandably, he had to miss our scheduled appointment in D.C. but his staff could have at least pretended that what I had to say was important enough to note. I came prepared with recommendations specific to the law. I don't waste other people's time. They obviously don’t feel the need to reciprocate that respect.
And Idaho’s trio of new education laws is not just lunacy; they represent idiocy. They are not research-based best practices; they are more experimentation with our tax dollars and the public’s children.
Be it federal or be it state, in this uncertain of times one thing is certain; Idaho representatives are not putting students first.
The Idaho Press-Tribune's response:Thanks for submitting a letter to the editor.We allow letter writers to criticize public officials based on their policies and publicly stated positions on issues, but when they make claims in regards to how they were personally treated by elected officials and their staffs, we have no way of verifying the accuracy of those claims.I checked with the congressman's spokesman, and he indicated that an aide to Labrador, Alex Etchen, met with you for at least a half hour. Obviously he didn't tell you what you wanted to hear, but you were granted a half hour with a congressional aide. We're also aware that congressmen have busy schedules and are often unable to meet with each constituent as requested.We'll be happy to publish a letter from you criticizing the education laws, since those are a matter of public policy, but won't be able to publish this letter, which deals with your perceptions of how you were treated in a one-on-one situation. When we receive such letters, we advise the writer to deal with the officials individually to resolve their disputes. In this case, we would advise you communicate directly with the congressman's office.Victoria's response:
I have communicated with Labrador's office multiple times on the issue and they do not respond.
The story is that the "aide" sat down with his hands folded over his leather portfolio, no pen - no intention of jotting down anything I had to say. How does representation "work" anyway? Why set an appointment that you have no intention of keeping? Why waste my time when you have no intention of passing on my suggestions? I sent written material - I just keep asking if it was passed on to the Congressman - no answer. I have asked his general stance on NCLB - no answer. I asked for a local town hall on education - no can do, I guess. Where is the accountability that they claim is important in government institutions?
I'd love to speak with you or anyone on your staff about this situation. We shouldn't wonder why this country is in the shape it is in....a republic can't work without true representation of the people. That can't happen when they won't hear us. #### -
Updates from Rep. John Rusche
May 19, 2011 Posted by Judy Ferro Login and commentOctober 14, 2011 House Minority Leader John Rusche Finally it feels like fall. Family travels are done and Legislative meetings continue. Here is a brief update on things I have been doing. Health Insurance Exchange No doubt you remember the vocal denunciation of the Affordable Care Act and anything related to "Obamacare" by the Governor and the Republican Legislative Leadership during the campaign of 2010 and through the 2011 session. "Nullification" bills, a lawsuit against the federal government, and an executive order forbidding cooperation with ACA were part of last session. Now, the reality of the increasing cost of healthcare, the 20% of Idaho citizens without health care coverage, and the effect of not complying with the law are setting in on Idaho healthcare providers and businesses and business organizations. The Governor and the Departments of Health and ...continue reading -
Nicole LeFavour's Feb. 7 letter on Education
Feb 7, 2011 Posted by Judy Ferro Login and commentJudy, Nothing in my seven years as a legislator has concerned me so deeply as the proposals before the legislature this week . It seems inconceivable that a rational person would intentionally increase the number of children in each Idaho classroom -- but indeed State Superintendent Tom Luna is proposing just that: devastating the economy by eliminating 770 jobs in communities across the state and then experimenting with Idaho kids by pretending he can replace those teachers with laptops and mandated internet classes. Even worse, this past week, problems in Butch Otter 's budget came to light along with huge losses in state dollars due to tax cuts and exemptions creating an additional new shortfall of $137 million. If we don't temporarily raise taxes, the existing proposals for devastating cuts to schools and people with disabilities will only be the beginning. ...continue reading -
Brief of Modernization and Reform
Feb 7, 2011 Posted by Judy Ferro Login and commentSCF Modernization and Reform draft published by the State Department of Education Thursday. Jan. 27 Pages 2 ‐ 3 – Transparency • This section adds the school district budgets and any master labor agreement to the list of items that the school district must post on its website. p. 2 • Department of Education will produce a fiscal report on schools p. 3 Pages 4 ‐ 40 – Divisor Changes & Fractional ADA for online • Increases funding divisor for 4 ‐ 12 by 1.25; No changes for K ‐ 3 grades. Funding will support technology, dual credit courses, increased math/science courses for high school students, severance pay for September RIFs p. 4 • Grades 1 ‐ 3 become part of a “primary” support unit. p. 6 • Alternative school, summer school divisors will change also p. 38 • Use it or lose will expand for online instruction p. 40 • Establishes fractional ADA for dual enrolled ...continue reading -
Brief on Labor Relations & Employee Entitlements
Feb 7, 2011 Posted by Judy Ferro Login and comment1 SCF Labor Relations & Employee Entitlements Page numbers based on draft published by the State Department of Education Thursday. Jan. 27 Page 3 • Contracts must be signed within 21 days after delivered, if board doesn’t set deadline • Boards can’t pay teachers without certification Pages 4 ‐ 5 – Administrators Performance Evaluations • 50% of performance evaluation based on student growth for administrators starting after 6/30/12 • Expands the two ‐ year administrative contracts to include directors and other district administrative employees • 50% of performance evaluation of superintendent, administrators of based on student achievement growth (determined by school board starting after 6/30/12) • Districts must consider input from parents in evaluating school ‐ based administrators • Allows for unpaid administrative leave when court orders prevent employee from being in ...continue reading -
Nampa School District analysis of Ed bill changes
Feb 7, 2011 Posted by Judy Ferro Login and commentUnderstanding the Proposed Changes to Idaho’s Education System and What They Mean to the Nampa School District How school funding in Idaho works In Idaho, funding is tied to what you might think of as a classroom: for each classroom, a district receives money to hire a teacher, some support staff, and enough money to payfor the principal that will supervise all the staff in a school building. In addition, eachclassroom receives money that is used to pay for heating and lighting, books and supplies, staff health care benefits, and the 25% of busing costs that are not directlypaid by the state. State proposes to increase the size of the “classroom,” cut jobs Increases in the number of students it will take in each grade to qualify for a “class” in Idaho’s education system during the next two years and an additional three years of reductions are planned. Current Average Class Unit Size Proposed Class Unit Size in 2012 ‐ 13 Grade Number of ...continue reading -
Details of Luna's "Public School Modernization and Reform" bill
Feb 7, 2011 Posted by Judy Ferro Login and commentLuna’s “Public School Modernization and Reform” Bill · Requires districts to post a copy of their contract/master agreement on their website(s) – most already do this, and all contracts are available upon request as public documents (p.5, lines 4-5) · Allows districts to layoff teachers by October 1 st of new school year, and the Board is prohibited from using seniority as a criterion (p.6, lines 3-4, reference to [new proposed] Idaho Code 33-521, in other bill) · Will pay any employees who are laid off (see above) 10% severance package from same state fund(s), which means less money going to districts per student (p.6, lines 11-12) · Breaks elementary support units (used to determine funding from state) into separate categories: primary (Grades 1-3) ...continue reading -
Details of Luna's "Labor Relations and Employee Entitlements" Bill
Feb 7, 2011 Posted by Judy Ferro Login and commentLuna’s “Labor Relations and Employee Entitlements” Bill Individual Employee Contracts · Definitions of Category 1,2, and 3 teachers redefined (with year limitations) (p.4, lines 1-20) · Tenured teachers who transfer from another district can be Category B or C or continuing contract at Board discretion (p.6, lines 22-23) · “Experienced” teachers from out of state can be given [only] a Category B or C contract (p.6, lines 24-26, p.11, lines 7-11) · Redefines Category 3 to Category C, takes away probationary period. Affected individual gets written statement of reasons for nonemployment by July 1 st . Has informal review by Board, parameters of such to be set by Board. No property ...continue reading -
Letters to the Editor e-mails
Dec 1, 2009 Posted by Judy Ferro Login and commentTo submit letters to the Idaho Press Tribune, e-mail op-ed@idahopress.com Submit 250 words or less Include name, address and phone number; expect a phone call to verify Wait 30 days between submissions (there are exceptions) Visit http://action.citizen.org/pickMedia.jsp?letter_KEY=199&t=&state=ID for full guidelines To submit letters to the Idaho Statesman, e-mail editorial@idahostatesman.com Submit 200 words or less Include name, address, and phone number Wait 30 days between submissions Visit https://forms.idahostatesman.com/lettertoeditor/ for a form and guidelines To submit letters to the West Canyon Chronicle, e-mail wcchronicle1@yahoo.com Submit 300 words or less Include a connection to Parma, Notus, Wilder or Greenleaf if possible Include name, address, and phone number Submit by Monday noon for incusion in Thursday's newspaper Wait 30 days between ...continue reading
