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State of the Association Address
by LEA President, Arlene Rea
May 21, 2009
A Fond Farewell
As I reflected upon the last six years, I decided to share with you what I have learned.
I have learned…
That collaboration is time consuming, stressful, and rewarding. It takes time to build a climate where
the people can talk freely and discuss ideas to find a resolution. The climate begins with the LEA
Executive Committee and the LEA Staff, expanding to the LEA Board, to the LEA members, to the
Superintendent, to the Associate Superintendents, to the School Board, to the Legislators, to the NSEA
and NEA, and to the community. Sometimes we agreed, sometimes we disagreed. When we
disagreed we discussed until we found a way so that everyone would be a winner. With a tradition of
collaboration LEA and LPS have bargained three two-year contracts using the Harvard model for interest-
based bargaining; via ProCom, LEA and LPS addressed and presented an Action Plan to address
Teacher Workload; and through the Appraisal Committee, members have studied, will pilot, modify,
refine and implement a new teacher appraisal. Our current appraisal is over twenty-five years old. It has
been stressful because the answers weren’t always easily found. But it has been rewarding because
LEA and LPS found the solutions together. The LEA and the District can live with the results. There will
always be situations and problems that will arise, but there is now a mechanism and a process in place
to find the answers. I am confident that this collaboration will continue.
I have learned ….
Almost everything we do with education is political. When I hear people say they wish the Association
wouldn’t be so political, I would like to say to them, “Where have you been?” Everything that has to do
with public education, which is supported by public dollars, is political. Goodness, even my own church
is political, from who will lead the next committee to how my dollars are being spent. LEA must be
involved with the school board and the state senators because the life blood, the dollars, of education is
dependent on both as they control the purse strings. Because of LEA’s contact teams, school board
members and legislators share and use the information they gather when they make decisions. Both
school board and legislative candidates covet LEA-PAC’s recommendation and will go through a
rigorous process to get it. Now that is political.
I have learned…
That people will volunteer if they are asked. I have learned that people volunteer for a variety of reasons--
a way to pay back or a way to learn new skills or they believe strongly in the mission of the organization
or because they were asked. Volunteerism comes in many forms. It may be paying one’s dues, serving
on one committee or event or on several committees, chairing a committee or two, e-mailing or writing a
letter to a school board member or a legislator or delivering the books for the Harvest. No matter the
form, each volunteer effort is important and LEA recognizes its impact on the well-being of the
Association.
I have learned….
That LEA members believe that they will not ever have to contact the LEA for a professional concern until
the day they are summoned to the principal’s office because the principal has had a call from a parent.
The building FR is the strongest advocate and link between the member and the LEA Office. So often
the FR can support a member such as the one summoned to the office or resolve many of the day to
day problems that may arise. If the FR or member needs additional assistance, then Dan, Jim, Teresa,
Elaine or the President will answer, refer or give advice to each and every member who calls. LEA is an
advocate for members who need advice about surplussing, job performance, health insurance,
curriculum, flex time……No question is too trivial.
I have learned….
That all LEA members expect something from their dues. Some want the satisfaction knowing that there
is someone who will support them professionally, much like insurance. Some want to learn other skills,
thus they participate in financial, personal and professional workshops sponsored and led by LEA
members and professionals, or volunteer for a variety of committees and activities. Some want to take
advantage of the money saving offers that the LEA/NSEA endorsed vendors provide or the discounts that
are offered through the NSEA Access and the LEA Discount Cards.
I have learned….
That LEA has power, power, not in the military sense, but power in the form of respect. LEA has earned
that power by supporting our members and students with scholarships and grants, sponsoring and
delivering over 120,000 books to the community’s first and second graders over the past twelve years,
meeting with school board members and legislators, advocating for quality salaries and benefits for our
members, advocating for our members by negotiating with administrators every day to insure that LEA
members provide the best education possible for our students, advocating for quality working conditions
for our employees and members, and working in the community for a variety of causes both individually
and as an association.
I have learned….
That LEA has helped LPS be a quality district. LEA is a collaborator and at the same time a watchdog. I
attend various meetings with NEA members from across the United States. I am always amazed to
hear about the unfortunate working conditions and environment in which our colleagues are working.
Worse, are the conditions for their students! On the other hand, our Lincoln community is a strong
supporter of education. Just look at what the Housing Task Force and the $250 million bond have
accomplished! Because of LEA’s diligence in responding to members and their concerns regarding
the contract and other issues, the district is a better district because the district is forced to do what is
right for both members and students.
I have learned….
That for the past six years I have been riding on the shoulders of those who came before me. The fifty-
two presidents, the countless officers and faculty representatives, volunteers and staff who have
negotiated and enforced contracts, established collaboration models, and advocated for members have
set a high precedent for succeeding leadership teams. With your support, just like you supported me,
the Association is in good hands with the new leadership team as they, too, will be riding on your
shoulders and on those before them.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve and to grow as an individual. I bid you a fond farewell
and wish you the best in your next adventure….
by LEA President, Arlene Rea
May 21, 2009
A Fond Farewell
As I reflected upon the last six years, I decided to share with you what I have learned.
I have learned…
That collaboration is time consuming, stressful, and rewarding. It takes time to build a climate where
the people can talk freely and discuss ideas to find a resolution. The climate begins with the LEA
Executive Committee and the LEA Staff, expanding to the LEA Board, to the LEA members, to the
Superintendent, to the Associate Superintendents, to the School Board, to the Legislators, to the NSEA
and NEA, and to the community. Sometimes we agreed, sometimes we disagreed. When we
disagreed we discussed until we found a way so that everyone would be a winner. With a tradition of
collaboration LEA and LPS have bargained three two-year contracts using the Harvard model for interest-
based bargaining; via ProCom, LEA and LPS addressed and presented an Action Plan to address
Teacher Workload; and through the Appraisal Committee, members have studied, will pilot, modify,
refine and implement a new teacher appraisal. Our current appraisal is over twenty-five years old. It has
been stressful because the answers weren’t always easily found. But it has been rewarding because
LEA and LPS found the solutions together. The LEA and the District can live with the results. There will
always be situations and problems that will arise, but there is now a mechanism and a process in place
to find the answers. I am confident that this collaboration will continue.
I have learned ….
Almost everything we do with education is political. When I hear people say they wish the Association
wouldn’t be so political, I would like to say to them, “Where have you been?” Everything that has to do
with public education, which is supported by public dollars, is political. Goodness, even my own church
is political, from who will lead the next committee to how my dollars are being spent. LEA must be
involved with the school board and the state senators because the life blood, the dollars, of education is
dependent on both as they control the purse strings. Because of LEA’s contact teams, school board
members and legislators share and use the information they gather when they make decisions. Both
school board and legislative candidates covet LEA-PAC’s recommendation and will go through a
rigorous process to get it. Now that is political.
I have learned…
That people will volunteer if they are asked. I have learned that people volunteer for a variety of reasons--
a way to pay back or a way to learn new skills or they believe strongly in the mission of the organization
or because they were asked. Volunteerism comes in many forms. It may be paying one’s dues, serving
on one committee or event or on several committees, chairing a committee or two, e-mailing or writing a
letter to a school board member or a legislator or delivering the books for the Harvest. No matter the
form, each volunteer effort is important and LEA recognizes its impact on the well-being of the
Association.
I have learned….
That LEA members believe that they will not ever have to contact the LEA for a professional concern until
the day they are summoned to the principal’s office because the principal has had a call from a parent.
The building FR is the strongest advocate and link between the member and the LEA Office. So often
the FR can support a member such as the one summoned to the office or resolve many of the day to
day problems that may arise. If the FR or member needs additional assistance, then Dan, Jim, Teresa,
Elaine or the President will answer, refer or give advice to each and every member who calls. LEA is an
advocate for members who need advice about surplussing, job performance, health insurance,
curriculum, flex time……No question is too trivial.
I have learned….
That all LEA members expect something from their dues. Some want the satisfaction knowing that there
is someone who will support them professionally, much like insurance. Some want to learn other skills,
thus they participate in financial, personal and professional workshops sponsored and led by LEA
members and professionals, or volunteer for a variety of committees and activities. Some want to take
advantage of the money saving offers that the LEA/NSEA endorsed vendors provide or the discounts that
are offered through the NSEA Access and the LEA Discount Cards.
I have learned….
That LEA has power, power, not in the military sense, but power in the form of respect. LEA has earned
that power by supporting our members and students with scholarships and grants, sponsoring and
delivering over 120,000 books to the community’s first and second graders over the past twelve years,
meeting with school board members and legislators, advocating for quality salaries and benefits for our
members, advocating for our members by negotiating with administrators every day to insure that LEA
members provide the best education possible for our students, advocating for quality working conditions
for our employees and members, and working in the community for a variety of causes both individually
and as an association.
I have learned….
That LEA has helped LPS be a quality district. LEA is a collaborator and at the same time a watchdog. I
attend various meetings with NEA members from across the United States. I am always amazed to
hear about the unfortunate working conditions and environment in which our colleagues are working.
Worse, are the conditions for their students! On the other hand, our Lincoln community is a strong
supporter of education. Just look at what the Housing Task Force and the $250 million bond have
accomplished! Because of LEA’s diligence in responding to members and their concerns regarding
the contract and other issues, the district is a better district because the district is forced to do what is
right for both members and students.
I have learned….
That for the past six years I have been riding on the shoulders of those who came before me. The fifty-
two presidents, the countless officers and faculty representatives, volunteers and staff who have
negotiated and enforced contracts, established collaboration models, and advocated for members have
set a high precedent for succeeding leadership teams. With your support, just like you supported me,
the Association is in good hands with the new leadership team as they, too, will be riding on your
shoulders and on those before them.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve and to grow as an individual. I bid you a fond farewell
and wish you the best in your next adventure….