President’s PLACER ENTERPRISE - CalRTA

CALIFORNIA RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION – DIVISION #67

VOLUME NUMBER 35 ISSUE NUMBER 4 QUARTERLY MAY 2016 PAGE 1

President’s President’s President’s President’s

MessageMessageMessageMessage

Wow, what a great

lecture by Gary Noy at

our annual Lincoln

luncheon. Luncheon

attendees listened so attentively to his tales

of early Placer county pioneers. He placed

the audience right alongside the trail

through Lincoln followed by the first wagon

train party to come to California along the

"California trail" - a full two years before

the Donner party came along the same

route. Many went home with autographed

copies of his book. Thank you Sally for

getting such a great speaker. If you know of

a speaker or have an idea to make our

luncheon program more meaningful, contact

me or any of those who help plan our

meetings.

Congratulations to Susan Cofer on her

election as a delegate to the 2016 Delegate

Assembly. She joins Dan Taylor as our

representatives at this year's California

Retired Teachers Association Annual Meeting.

I especially appreciate the hard work done

by some of our Division 67's key leaders.

Without the tireless efforts of Treasurer

Mary Ann Rogers-we would be unable to

pay our bills, put on our functions, and

pursue our objectives. For years, Susan

Goto has been a linchpin in the success of

our Scholarship Program and in the

planning and organizing of our meetings

and luncheons. Without the help of our

photographer Sally Altman, we would not

have the photos available for you to see of

members and friends attending our events.

Read page 6 for more about the energetic

activities of our Legislative leader Robin

Anderson. She deserves a special thank you

for her efforts in getting out the CalRTA

message to state and federal elected

representatives. She is vigorously fighting

to eliminate the WEP and GPO.

For countless months, Carole Kane has

served as "Interim" Secretary. She

faithfully took the minutes and helped me

accurately report on the

work of the Division.

Therefore it is with great

regret that I say goodbye to

Carole Kane. She feels that

she can no longer continue as the Secretary.

We wish her well and will miss her very

positive and supportive attitude. Hopefully she

can attend a future meeting or two. If you

know of someone who would be a willing note

taker at our meetings, we would welcome their

assistance. For the time being, Sally Altman

has agreed to help in that capacity.

We have several positions that need to be

filled. Now that the state organization has re-

engineered the website, we could use a

webmaster. Most of the work can be done

from home. How great it would be to see

current postings of Division 67 materials

including the colorful newsy Placer Enterprise

newsletter. Most everything comes "camera

ready" for upload to the website. Is there a

webmaster out there hiding in the willows?

Please join us on May 14th when we

recognize our 2016 scholarship recipient and

four grant award winners. A special thanks to

the members of our Scholarship Committee

and Grant Award Committee for their work in

conducting our scholarship program and in

selecting our 2016 grant winners. Read more

about the selectees on page 3.

Chuck Denonn, President

1253 Mercedes Dr, Roseville CA

[email protected]; ,

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Headlining our May General Meeting:

Helping Placer County Educators

A celebration with the 2016

Placer County Division 67

Scholarship and Grant Recipients

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Legends Restaurant, Woodcreek Oaks Country Club

General Meeting at 10:30 am

Luncheon and program to follow


VOLUME NUMBER 35 ISSUE NUMBER 4 QUARTERLY MARCH 2016 PAGE 2

Inside the Teaching Profession

Vergera Overturned. In a stinging rebuke, the state Court of Appeals rejected the lower

court judge's attack on teacher protections. Judge Treu had thrown out Ed Code provisions giving protected rights to public school educators. The original case focused the blame of inadequate minority

education on the deliverers of instruction and ignored the roots of educational inadequacy and inequality that lie outside the schools: in poverty, in family responsibility, in inadequate health care, in the larger culture. The three judge panel repeatedly found that the trial judge's findings were flawed and incorrect. The reversal affirms the arguments of educators, civil rights groups, legal scholars and education policy experts that the state statutes affirming educator rights do not harm students.

UC Pensions will include a Defined Contribution

Supplement. Although Gov. Brown wants a cap on UC pensions similar to the cap imposed by PEPRA on public school employees, the UC Regents has resisted adopting a cap. However, new hires will face a pay cap of $117,020, "sharply reducing pensionable pay that now goes up to $265,000. To offset the reduced pension, the Regents will offer new hires a 401(k) style plan for pay between the new cap and the IRS pension limit. UC employers would contribute 10% into the supplement while the employee would contribute 7%. New hires could choose to receive no pension and accept contributions to a 401(k) plan.

CalPERS Long Term Care policyholders now face a 36% increase in premiums. To avoid the increase, policy holders would need to drop inflation protection and/or lifetime protection. When deciding what to do, policy holders need to weigh their options based o their personal and family situation.

Relieving the Teacher Shortage: The recession left 32,000 educators unemployed and college students deserting teaching preparation programs. Although shortages are occurring across a range of subject areas, the problem is most acute in mathematics, science and special education. In special education, barely half (52 percent) of new teachers are fully prepared. Bilingual teachers and those with training to teach English language acquisition are also in short supply. A small increase in individuals entering preparation this year was nowhere close to the level of demand, and, further, was not in the fields that have the greatest need. In the past

two years, California has hired 7,700 teachers with temporary permits, waivers or intern credentials. The dearth of qualified teachers is felt most acutely in schools serving more low-income and minority stu-dents. Twice as many students in high-minority as in low-minority schools were being taught by a teacher who either had not completed or has not enrolled in a preparation program. Once hired, teachers need strong training, support and mentoring programs. CalRTA supports educator due process and believes that educator evaluations must be based only on objective criteria from work-related activities that educators control. Pay and benefits need to be competitive and new hires need deserved pension security. Some educators advocate for incentives that support the ability of teachers to stay in or reenter the profession through strategies like mortgage guarantees for housing, easing credential renewal, streamlining reciprocity with other states, and allowing retirees to continue teaching and mentoring.

Prop 30 Extension Initiatives move forward

WITHOUT support from Governor Brown. A group

of health and youth advocates have sponsored a ballot initiative to expand and make permanent the Prop 30 income

tax increases on the state’s highest earners. The measure will increase taxes on couples earning at least $580,000 annually. It will impose even higher income tax rates on couples that make more than $2 million a year. A coalition, including the California Teachers Association, Service Employees International Union, and other public safety and public employees’ unions, introduced a different initiative to extend Prop 30 through 2030.

Believing an economic downturn is inevitable, Brown wants to build up the "rainy day" fund. If the state enters a recession, school funding could fall by $4.6 billion in 2017 and not recover to current levels until 2019. In 2014, referring to Prop 30 as a "a temporary tax", Brown said "and ... it will remain temporary." If both proposed ballot initiatives pass, the one with the most votes will prevail.

"An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the

talent that rubs against it. " Adman William Bernbach



Susan Goto, chairperson of the CalRTA Division 67 Scholarship Committee

announced that the committee is in the final process of making its 2016 scholarship award. Her committee includes Jane McNaly, Sandi Roullier, and herself. Each year we give a $1000 scholarship to a worthy Sierra College student who intends to transfer to a four year program after completing their Associates program. Scholarship recipients have expressed the desire to work as educators. You will have an opportunity to meet and greet our 2016 winner at our May 14th luncheon at Woodcreek Oaks Country Club.. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _

Sandra Roullier, chairperson on the Helen K. Duran Beginning Teacher Support Grants committee, announced that

the selection committee of Jan Bianchini, Sheila Farnsworth, Marilyn Cain, and herself reviewed applications from Areas I and II. They received no applications from Area III. They selected four educators to receive a $250 grants. Each educator has three years or less service in a Placer County public school. The following teachers were selected for the Grants:

Alexandra Snyder teaches 10-12 biology and earth science at

Adelante High School in the Roseville Joint Union High School

District. She will use her grant to update her science equipment and align the curriculum to the Next Generation Science Standards. She believes the increased frequency of labs and hands-on activities has greatly impacted the education of her students. She will use the money to purchase more quality labs and ready-to-go kits for a few of her major units and lab equipment such as safety glasses and glassware.

Michelle McIntyre, teaches 6th to 8th grade Independent Living Skills Special Education Teacher at Twelve Bridges Middle School in Lincoln. Michelle will use the grant money to help meet the diverse needs of her students. She will purchase activities for fine motor skills. a play cash register, mathematics manipulatives, sorting games, and phonic puzzles for use with her students.

Riley Lacey teaches seventh grade Language Arts and history at Newcastle Elementary School. She will use some of her grant funds for classroom materials like novel sets. She is especially appreciative that now she will be able to attend a class called ACA. This professional development program will help her access all kinds of resources to be able to reach the "Gap" children.

Michelle Cunningham teaches seventh grade mathematics and

science at Newcastle Elementary School. With her funds, she will acquire supplies and equipment to enhance the hands-on activities in her science classes. These activities include laboratory work, experiments, and other projects. The rest of the grant money will allow Michelle to recover some of the costs of the math tools

she has already purchased and used this year: dice to pursue probability and statistics concepts; windup toys to study the relationship between distance and time; and modeling clay to explore surface area.

CalRTA objectives:

> To promote, protect, and advocate for the interests of retired public California educators,

> To safeguard the State Teachers Retirement System,

> To study and promote or oppose state and nation legislation affecting the interests of retired educators, and

> To promote and safeguard public education systems.

What's In This Issue

Page 1 - President's Message

Page 2 - Items of Interest

- Scholarship and Grant Winners

Page 4 - Eliminating the WEP

Page 5 - Lincoln Luncheon Photos

Page 6 - March Meeting Minutes

Page 7 - May Luncheon Preview

Page 8 - Officer Listing/Luncheon

Reservation Form



BILL

HR 711

Equal Treatment of

Public

Employees

Bipartisan Effort to Repeal Windfall Elimination Provision

On March 22, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on HR 711, a bipartisan effort to modify the WEP formula. Kevin Brady (R-Tx) and Richard Neal (D-MA) co-wrote the bill. About 1.3 million Social Security beneficiaries lose as much as $413 a month because of WEP. The WEP reduces their benefit because they receive public pensions from work not covered by Social Security. This includes educators and other dedicated public servants who, for example, had to take part-time or summer jobs to make ends meet. H.R.711 would replace the WEP with a new “public service fairness formula” for people who turn 62 during or after 2017. Under the proposed H.R. 711 formula, Social Security benefits would be calculated as if all the worker’s earnings were subject to Social Security taxes..

Brady says, "[HR 711] strengthens the solvency of Social Security while guaranteeing our public servants receive the full benefits they earned when paying into the program." Brady further states that "those who teach our children and protect and serve us everyday deserve equal treatment when they retire." He wants to base Social Security benefits on the worker's real-life contributions, not some arbitrary formula.

The Social Security Actuary’s office estimates that the average retiree would receive an annual $1,034 increase in Social Security income, or an additional $20,000 over the lifetime of an average retiree for those who are retired already or will turn age 62 before December 31, 2016. Retiree's Social Security income would increase by approximately 32%. Persons who turn 62 after January 1, 2017, would be subject to the new Public Servant Fairness Formula. On average, these retirees would receive $1,620 in additional Social Security benefits per year, about $32,400 over the average lifetime of retirement.

Eight California Congresspersons have joined 56 others in cosponsoring HR 711. The bipartisan bill has 39 Republican and 25 Democratic co-sponsors. The California co-sponsors are: John Garamendi (CA-3), Mike Thompson (CA-5), Jerry McNerney (CA-9), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Stephen Knight (CA-25), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), and Juan Vargas (CA-51). We need more co-sponsors.

Unfortunately, HR 711 does not correct the Government Offset Provision problem. GPO reduces Social Security spousal and survivor benefits. Nationwide, more than one-third of educators and more than one-fifth of police officers, firefighters, and other public employees are not covered by Social Security.

This subjects them to the GPO. An estimated 9 out of 10 public employees affected by the GPO lose their entire spousal benefit, even though their deceased spouse paid Social Security taxes for many years. They might have done better by not working at all. GPO hits lower-income women the harshest.

It is time to eliminate all Social INsecurity. It is time to stop treating millions of public servants as third class citizens. Unfortunately, since neither President Obama nor Congress will support any GPO resolution, it is time

to move forward on the WEP problem. Let's get behind HR 711. If someone has 40 quarters in the SS system they should get paid that benefit and not be penalized. This bill is for people that paid into the system.

CalTRA supports passage of HR 711 as the first step towards eliminating the unfair penalties imposed on some public employee retirees. Although many other groups also want to eliminate the GPO, they too agree that the time has come to bury the WEP. We thank AARP and others for joining us in this battle.

Subcommittee Chair Texas Representative Johnson clearly defined the issue. “Hardworking Americans who have paid into Social Security should have their benefits calculated fairly. And they deserve to know how much they can expect to receive from Social Security. But unfortunately for many of our teachers, firefighters, police officers, and others, that’s not the case.”

Tim Lee, Executive Director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association said: “For current retirees impacted by these provisions, it can mean hundreds of dollars a month lost in much–needed Social Security benefits. For the private sector employee contemplating a career shift into public education, the impact is the future benefit loss felt after years in another field. And, for those contemplating education as a career from the beginning, the provisions provide arguments against entering the profession at all.”

We should not allow the government to continue to harm millions of public servants. Encourage your Congressperson to join others from their party caucus to vote for this bipartisan bill. HR 711 corrects a serious injustice imposed on those who have chosen to serve their fellow citizens as educators, policemen or firemen. Please follow up by asking your Senators to take up this issue this year. Call or write today!

1.5

Material presented in this newsletter appears only to create awareness and is not intended as expert or professional advice. CalRTA members are encouraged to carefully consider the issues presented and take the action they believe is in their best interest and the interest of their profession and fellow educators.



Many members attended the March luncheon at the Buonarrati Ristorante in Linclon, CA. Our members actively

participated in the business of the Association approving the social and business calendar for 2015-2016. Members

listened to Sierra College professor recounts the story of national figures with direct connections to Placer County.

Some photos from the meeting are presented for those who could not attend.



Minutes of the March General Membership Meeting

Division #67 held its annual Lincoln

Luncheon on March 24, 2016. Pres.

Denonn asked those present to introduce themselves and

give a synopsis of their experiences in educating students.

Treasurer's Report: Mary Ann Cassell-Rogers distributed a written treasurer’s report. Explanations were given and questions were addressed by Mary Ann.

State Board: Pres. Denonn reported about actions taken at

the March meeting of the state Board of Directors. The mileage reimbursement will remain at 40 cents per mile. The Board approved the contracts for the Executive Director, the Director of Communications, and Legislative Advocate. The attorney will revisit the issue of a blanket Insurance policy. Several Standing Rules were changed. The registration fee for future conventions was raised to $45. Innovative grants will continue. The Board approved $33,800 for re-engineering the state website. Members voiced strong dismay that CalRTA charges volunteers a registration fee when they volunteer for CalRTA activities.

Holiday Reception: President Denonn reported on the success of the holiday reception held at his home in December. Many present commented on the good time they had and the great opportunity to mingle with other members. The possibility of repeating that activity had positive remarks. Many also commented on the success of the first annual Soup and Salad Scholarship Benefit luncheon held in January. Pres Denonn thanked everyone who brought one or more salads and/or soups.

Spring Workshop: Delegates, division leaders, and future leaders were invited to attend the Spring Workshop being held at the Sacramento City Teachers Association office at 5300 Elvas Ave in Sacramento at 11:30 on April 30, 2016. Lunch will be provided.

Scholarship Luncheon: Members were reminded of the Saturday, May 14

th, Scholarship Luncheon. We hope to hear

from the 2016 Scholarship winner and those teachers who have received Division 67 teacher grants. We will meet at the Legends Restaurant at Woodcreek Oaks Country Club off of Woodcreek Oaks Blvd in Roseville.

State Convention: Div 67 can have three delegates to the May convention. Robin Anderson reported that she will not be able to attend the 2016 Annual Meeting. The members elected Susan Cofer to join Dan Taylor as a 2016 delegate. The Division will pay the registration fee for all members attending the Convention. The state will pay for most of the division President's expenses. The Division will reimburse local

delegates for the cost of driving to Sacramento, self parking, all meals including banquets and luncheon, one night's lodging, and other reasonable expenses.

Legislative Action: Legislative leader Robin Anderson provided a written report on her attendance at the California State Legislature Session. She reported that the state contributions and district contributions have put CalSTRS on track for achieving full funding by 2043. Robin discussed her attendance at the 2016 Advocacy Day at the Capitol on March 15

th. She joined Pres. Denonn, about 25 others from

our own Area III and about 70 others from around the state visiting offices of our Assembly representatives and state Senators. Her teams visited the offices of Beth Gaines and Ted Gaines. Robin reported that aides to our representatives were very cordial and listened to the "advocates" carefully, taking notes on what was said. Robin also reported on her contacts with aides to Congressman Tom McClintock. She is continuing to educate his staff on the onerous impacts of the WEP and GPO social security penalties. She is looking forward to "making CalRTA's presence felt" in Washington as part of the 2017 CalRTA Legislative Lobby activity. Finally she reported good news about HR 711 (also known as the Brady Bill). Congress held hearings this week on the bill which would change the WEP formula for future recipients of social security. Although "only a half loaf" solution, it is the only solution with any chance of passing. The President's solution has a 2027 implementation date.

Help CalRTA protect our pensions and pass HR 711.

A. Call/write/email local legislators about state issues. [Addresses and contact information is in the Division 67 Directory] B. Join Robin on a visit to the local offices of Assembly-woman Beth Gaines and state Senator Ted Gaines(or your representatives) so we can follow up on last week's visits to their Capitol offices. C. Write Congressman Tom McClintock (or your Congress-person) and our Senators telling them how you or someone you know has been personally hurt by the onerous WEP/ GPO provisions. D. Join Robin when she next visits the office of Congress-man McClintock. We will urge the Congressman to support HR 711 (aka The Brady Bill). [If you live outside any of Placer County, you could really

be helpful by contacting your local California legislator

about state issues. If you live in another state, you could

really be helpful by contacting your federal representa-

tives and Senators about the WEP/GPO issue since it

affects some public employees in every state.]

An email copy of the Division minutes is available on request or in printed form at the next General Membership meeting.



The 2016 Division 67 Scholarship Banquet

will take place at the Legends Restaurant

at Woodcreek Oaks Country Club in West Roseville 5880 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd, Roseville, CA (916) 771-5161

on Saturday, May 14, 2016

celebrating "What They Do For Education"

Recognizing the 2016 Division 67 Scholarship Recipient

and Division 67 Teacher Grant Recipients

Events will begin at 10:30 am with a General Membership meeting. Lunch and the Award ceremony will follow.

Please complete the Luncheon reservation on the cover page and mail to Susan Goto, 230 Diamond Oaks Blvd, Roseville

CA 95678. Lunch will be served at 11:30 am. Reservations are due by May 6, 2016.

Program will follow lunch.

Remember: when a member brings a potential new

member to a lunch, and that person joins on that day,

the Division will pay for the new member’s lunch and

the current member’s lunch. Your attendance at our

meetings is important to us. If transportation is a

barrier to your attending the luncheon, please call the

Division President or any other Executive Board

member so we can arrange a carpool ride for you.

Directions:Directions:Directions:Directions: The Legends Restaurant is at the Woodcreek

Oaks Country Club in Roseville. Woodcreek Oaks Blvd is

0.6 miles north of the intersection with Pleasant Grove Blvd

(and approximately 3 miles west of Highway 65). From

Lincoln, Woodcreek Oaks Blvd can be reached by going

west on Blue Oaks Blvd or taking Highway 65 to Pleasant

Grove Blvd. From locations to the south and east, exit Hwy

65 at Pleasant Grove Blvd and go to the left. The Country

Club is on the right side of Woodcreek Oaks Blvd, just over

a half mile to the north of Pleasant Grove Blvd.

Dates to Remember Please mark these dates on your calendar.

Next General Membership Meeting:

October 20, 2015, Catered luncheon,

Placer County Office of Education, Auburn CA

May 20-22, 2016 Annual Meeting and Delegate

Assembly in Sacramento

September 2016 Area III Fall Workshop

December 8, 2016 Holiday Reception in Roseville

The Executive Board will meet on October 6, 2016 at

Roseville City School District. Any Division 67 members

can attend the open sessions of the Board.

CalRTA’s Major Goal: To be the dominant authoritative voice for all retired teachers.

CalRTA’s Core Purpose: To enhance and protect the benefits of retired teachers.

Division Division Division Division 67676767 mourns the lossmourns the lossmourns the lossmourns the loss of the

following members (Jan-Mar 2016):

Britta Callamaras Robert Currie

Mary Holland Barbara Jean Hunt

Solveig Lardner Marina Mangiola

Carmeta Perry Carol Sands

Herman Schauer

The Division makes a contribution to the Division

67 Scholarship Fund in the name of each departed

member. Family and friends may also make a

memorial donation to the Scholarship Fund by

contacting Susan Goto, Scholarship Chair.

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President’s PLACER ENTERPRISE - CalRTA

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