Without exaggeration, this election is the most crucial for Texas’ public schools and educators in many years.  Hundreds of school districts around the state are financially strapped, thanks to an inadequately funded school finance system. And, with the Legislature facing a revenue shortfall as high as $21 billion when it convenes in January, the situation will become much worse, unless we elect new leadership in Austin.

At the behest of Gov. Rick Perry, the Texas Education Agency already has proposed $261 million in cuts from the next public education budget, including $48 million for new textbook purchases, $35 million for science labs, $12.9 million for teacher mentoring, more than $16 million for dropout prevention programs, $11 million for middle school physical education and $42 million for the Student Success Initiative, a program designed to give special help to struggling students.

What’s more, a move already is underway to lift the 22-1 class-size limit on grades K-4, a key, longstanding reform that has helped promote quality teaching in the primary grades.

Think we sound alarmist? Ask one of the hundreds of Texas educators who already have lost their jobs. Hundreds more – including maybe you or someone you know – will follow them, if this slash-and-burn attack on the public schools isn’t stopped.

The halt can start on Election Day — but not without the help of educators.

Check out TSTA’s list of endorsed, pro-education candidates in the “Members Only” section of our website, www.tsta.org. Registration is required. There, you will find our choices in the governor’s race as well as state legislative, congressional and State Board of Education races. Our endorsements also are listed on page 8 in the new issue of the Advocate.

It is essential that educators who value their jobs, who care about their students’ futures, make phone calls and knock on doors for pro-education candidates…and then get out and vote! They also need to bring friends and family members with them to the polls. There is simply no excuse not to because too much is at stake.

Early voting will run from Oct. 18-29. Election Day is Nov. 2.

It also takes money:
Political campaigns are expensive, and TSTA’s candidates are competing against candidates heavily funded by voucher advocates, private school boosters and other interests who would undermine public education. Please consider contributing to TSTA-PAC, so we can help our candidates stay competitive.

Many school districts have discontinued the practice of deducting PAC contributions from employee paychecks since Attorney General Greg Abbott issued a legally questionable opinion earlier this year banning the practice. TSTA is developing an online way to make PAC contributions using your credit card. Please check www.tsta.org for updates. Click on the “Legislative” section.

• 102,000 calls to Congress;
• 42,000 postcards; and
• 301,000 e-mails.

David Casillas, Vanessa Riley, and Susan Copenhaven are in New Orleans representing Klein TSTA at the NEA’s Representative Assembly. But what *really* is going on?

NEA leaders and delegates from state and local affiliates will gather July 1 through July 6, 2010, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana for the Association’s 148th Annual Meeting and 89th Representative Assembly.

The National Education Association Representative Assembly (RA) is NEA’s highest decision-making body. With over 9,000 delegates, it is also the world’s largest democratic, deliberative body.

The RA is convened every July during the Annual Meeting. The first two days are devoted to discussions, conferences, and exhibits—but the highlight is the Representative Assembly itself. During this important event, delegates debate issues that impact American public education, elect top officers, and set policy for the 3.2 million-member Association.

How do NEA members become delegates?
In balloting conducted by NEA affiliates throughout the country, NEA members elect their peers to represent their concerns at the RA. The delegates represent NEA local and state affiliates, student members, retired members, and other segments of the NEA membership. The elected delegates determine NEA’s strategic plan and budget, legislative program, and resolutions. Delegates also vote, by secret ballot, on proposed amendments to the NEA constitution and bylaws and elect NEA’s executive officers, Executive Committee members, and at-large members of the NEA Board of Directors.

Why is the annual meeting held over the July 4th holiday?
Traditionally, July 4 was chosen because it was convenient for many educators. It was a time when most schools had finished the regular school year. In most cases, July 4 did not interrupt summer school sessions. Now that many schools have to make up snow days, the school year can run through the later part of June.

Is the RA always in the same city?
No. The site of each year’s NEA Annual Meeting is determined by the NEA Board of Directors. Future meetings will be held in New Orleans (2010), Chicago (2011), and Washington, D.C. (2012).

What factors determine where NEA holds its annual meetings?
The NEA Board of Directors decides the location of the annual meeting. These decisions are limited by the size of a city’s convention center, hotel availability, dates and affordable pricing. Many convention centers do not have enough space for the general session (the Representative Assembly).

How many people support the convention while it is going on?
Several convention center personnel such as laborers, food service workers, security personnel, and cleaning personnel help us during the Annual Meeting. Also, there are about 300 NEA staff and almost 250 volunteers who support the convention.

What is the NEAExpo?
The NEAExpo is a trade show for our delegates and members in attendance at the Annual Meeting. If you are interested in exhibiting, please visit the Expo Web Site and click on the link for exhibitors.