Week of 6-3-2024

Inside this issue

• Breaking News: PA House poised to pass landmark basic education funding bill
• New PSEA Member Code of Ethics
• Happy Pride Month!
• PSEA job opportunity: Organizing/Communications Specialist
• Member Benefits spotlight: Voluntary Vision plan

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is poised to pass legislation that would increase basic education funding by more than $1 billion in the FY 2024-25 state budget. A final House vote could come as soon as next week.

The bill contains many of the recommendations included in the Basic Education Funding Commission’s majority report and represents a significant step toward ensuring that the commonwealth’s basic education funding system passes constitutional muster. Learn more at www.psea.org/schoolfunding.

Here’s what you need to know about this bill:

• Adequacy supplement. Includes $736 million for school districts that currently spend less than $13,704 per student.
• Tax effort supplement. Includes $136 million for school districts that have local tax effort in the top 34 percent of all school districts.
• Salary and wage increases. Allows school districts to use adequacy supplement funds to increase EA minimum salaries to $60,000 and ESP minimum wages to at least $20 per hour.
• Student supports. Allows school districts to use funds to support student learning, assist students with academic or behavioral needs, improve educational outcomes, and establish healthy learning systems, among others.

The bill reflects much of the budget proposal Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled in February.

Stay tuned for updates.

On May 18, 2024, the PSEA House of Delegates adopted a new PSEA Member Code of Ethics. The new code will replace both the Code of Member Responsibility that previously applied to ESP members and the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession that applied to EA members.

The new code is organized into two sections: Members’ Obligations to Other Members and Members’ Obligations to the Union. The text of the new PSEA Member Code of Ethics can be found at the link in the button below or click www.psea.org/professionalrights#coe

PSEA is proud to join communities across Pennsylvania to celebrate Pride Month! Our LGBTQ+ students, educators, and support professionals are important and essential members of our school communities. We stand with you and support you this month and always.

PSEA has a position for a Field-based organizing/communications specialist located in Indiana and Johnstown, PA. We are seeking individuals with strong labor credentials, excellent organizing skills and experience, and superior communications skills/expertise.

The individual in this position works with other labor relations specialists to motivate and engage school employees, other members, and the community around work-related issues of concern and support for public education.

Experience working in a labor environment, a non-profit association, electoral or legislative campaigns, or education is preferred.

Successful candidates must possess the ability to motivate and engage individuals, and demonstrate excellent writing skills, as well as the ability to work in a team setting, promote membership, develop plans to deal with campaigns and crises, and foster positive relationships with the news media. 

Successful candidates will have a solid understanding of digital tools and databases and their applications. The position requires a consistent physical presence in both our Indiana and Johnstown offices.  Evening and occasional weekend work is also required.

Instructions on how to apply and the job description can be found at www.psea.org/jobs

The PSEA Voluntary Vision Plan offers low monthly payments, great frame and contact lenses allowances, exam coverage, fitting fee coverage for contact lenses, and the choice of 12-month or 24-month coverage. The plan is available to all PSEA members and eligible dependents to age 26. Enrollment opens the first of each month.

The 12-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $150 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $12 for single coverage, $24 for two-party, and $35 for family coverage.

The 24-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $175 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $8 for single coverage, $16 for two-party, and $23 for family coverage.

For more information on the vision program please visit https://pseahwf.org/voluntary_vision/ or call the PSEA Health & Welfare Fund at 800-944-7732 ext. 7024.