One of CTA’s proudest achievements is Proposition 98. Approved by voters in 1988, Proposition 98 guarantees that schools and community colleges receive a minimum amount (approximately 40 percent) of revenue from state taxes and local property taxes.

CTA has vigorously defended Prop. 98. At the height of

California’s economic recession - in 1992 and again in 1993 - the governor and legislature decided to call portions of Prop. 98 school revenues “loans” with repayment due in future years. CTA objected and sued the state in CTA v. Gould. CTA won the lawsuit in the biggest school funding victory ever scored against a state government. This victory not only cemented a significant legal issue, it resulted in schools getting $540 million more in 1996-97 and millions more every year in the foreseeable future.

CTA was also the driving force behind class-size reduction. For more than a decade, CTA has lobbied hard for class-size reduction. In 1996, CTA’s advertising campaign aired for 30 days in every television market in

California. The ads, which featured real teachers, parents, and students, drove home the message: “More teachers, smaller classes.” CTA spent $2.3 million on that campaign and made class-size a “hot button” political issue. The legislature appropriated $770 million to reduce K-3 class sizes from 30 students to 20, and kicked in another $200 million for portable classrooms. As a result, nearly 95 percent of the state’s school districts managed to launch a class-size reduction program in kindergarten through 12th grade.In 2005, CTA won a historic victory for students, public schools and CTA members by defeating several initiatives on the  governor’s special election ballot.

When the governor attacked teachers and our association in his State of the State address in January, CTA responded. After announcing his intention to break his promise to repay the money he borrowed from the education the year before and his plan to destroy the public employee retirement system, CTA joined a broad coalition of teachers, firefighters, nurses, public safety officers, parents, public employees and all education groups to form the Alliance for a Better California.

With CTA members taking the lead in the

Alliance, we defeated the governor’s special election initiatives that would have:

• Cut school funding and destroyed the minimum school funding guarantees of Proposition 98
• Given the governor’s extraordinary powers over the state budget to make school cuts in the middle of the year — without consulting anyone.
• Destroyed teacher dues process rights by allowing districts to fire teachers during the first five years without any reason.
• Silenced the voices of teachers, education support professionals

Through an aggressive organizing and media campaign, CTA members made the difference in this election, making more that 1,000,000 phone calls to voters.CTA has been the predominant force for improving both the quality of education and the well being of educators in

California. CTA led efforts to:

• Create free and integrated public schools and institute compulsory attendance laws.
• Outlaw child labor and enact other legal protections for children.
• Establish community colleges, the University of
  California, and the California State University System.
• Devise and implement plans for educational reform and improvement.
• Create a pension plan: the State Teachers Retirement System.

Protect academic freedom with the “continuing contract” system that affords due process to teachers in their employment

A note from the President…

Mary Lou Caldwell

Fellow teachers,
It’s been quite a start to the beginning of the school year.  From every direction and school site, there are grumblings of unrealisitic expectations put on you by site administrators, not enough prep time to do it in and disregard for the children and their families who will end up being the ultimate sacrifical lambs when more district cuts are made.
Some of us remember the days under prior superintendents when classes were dissolved and combined at a moment’s notice.  Once again, that seems to be happening.  In these days of fiscal undertainty, of course we know that money is tight, but it should never come at the expense of our children.  It’s hard to fathom that children might lose their teacher that they started the year with because of numbers.
Some of you have even talked to me about not doing any of the extra duties San Jacinto teachers often take upon themselves to do after school.  I would caution you not to do that at this time; this is usually done as a unit when we want to make a statement about conditions.  We must all stand together.
Negotiations have not yet started for the 08-09 school year; management is till trying to get the nurses to give up extra days for last year.  So now you have time to really think about how your life in the district has changed this year in SJUSD.  If you could change anything through the contract, what would it be?  How are conditions most adversenly affecting you?  This will be a year when language is changed, so we will be asking you to do some soul searching and see what you think would help you the most in the classroom. 
None of us like the direction things are going.  Join you site rep in voicing your displeasure, so constructive steps may be taken to rectify it.  We hope to utilize survey monkey before negotiations do begin, so get your home e-mail address to your site rep or myself.  But meanwhile, suggestions may be made during the monthly ten minute meetings.
Keep up all of the good things that you do for kids!

Did you know that you can get FREE Tutoring at home or at the Hemet Public Library

Ayuda de la compudadora para la escuela-GRATIS!

 HOW:

*Go to www.hemetpubliclibrary.org

*Click on the Homework Help Link or click on “databases.”

*For “username,” type in your library card number.

*Type in your 4-digit pin number (not sure-try the last 4-digits of your home phone number.)

Right Click on “Live Homework Help.”

Select “Open in new window.”

Select your grade Level-4th grade to introductory college.

Select your subject-math, science, English, or social studies.

Click on “connect” and wait to be connected with a tutor.

When:

*Every day from 1-10 p.m.

*Matematicas y ciencias en espanol, Domingo a Jueves 1-7 p.m.

Learning Expressoffers online access to study and practice for educational exams from 4th grade on up including math, reading, SAT, ACT, and GED.  Career related exams such as Police, Firefighter, Civil Service, and Postal Worker are included.  Additionally, check out their resume and job interview preparation.  You will need your Hemet Public Library Card and PIN number to access this database from home.