Call the Atlanta Public School Board TODAY at 404-802-2255. Tell them to vote NO on any plans to sell our schools.

The following is a list of Delano Executive Council Members.  DTA Executive council elections occur in May of even years. All Exec Council positions are 2 year positions. Member building locations are listed in parantheses after each name. 

Executive Officers

Monica Kunkel (DHS), Association President

Sarah Bersie (DES) Association Vice President

Nicky Pfeiffer (DIS) Association Secretary

Years of disinvestment have hurt our students and faculty and led to overcrowded classrooms; schools without nurses, librarians, guidance counselors and supports to ensure children’s well-being; deteriorating school buildings with outdated teaching materials and technology; and unhealthy, unsafe environments. The testing fixation, coupled with austerity, has meant the loss of instruction in the arts, music and other programs; and disinvestment has led to huge increases in tuition and student debt as well as fewer course offerings and full-time tenured faculty.

AFT affiliates nationwide launched the Fund Our Future campaign in March 2019; educators and our allies across the nation took action to demand adequate and sustainable investment in our public schools, colleges and universities, so students—particularly our most vulnerable and at-risk children—have the resources they need to succeed. The activism of AFT members and our community allies has helped bring about positive change and led to new investments in public education and services. We need to support that trend for the states that have made strides, and now focus on sustaining that commitment to fund our future.

Teachers want what students need. We’re fighting to prioritize these needs because every student deserves a fully funded public education.

It’s time to make students, public education, public higher education and public services a priority at the local, state and national levels. It’s time to Fund Our Future.

This site has been developed to provide you easier access to information that makes Santa Rosa Jr. College Older Adult Program Local 1946 Union members the vibrant organization that it is. Whether you are wondering where or when our next General Meeting will be, or to read our Constitution & Bylaws, or how to contact your officers, look no further. Feel free to contribute news or make suggestions as we progress with this latest information resource. Happy navigating. 

Ever wonder why we are unionized?  It is pretty simple, because if we didn't have a collective voice, the elected officials would eliminate every benefit and wage increase we have ever attained.  Yet again this year, the Governor's State of the State speech spoke to adjusting State Employee benefits.  We have given, and frozen, and furloughed enough over the last 10 years yet we still remain in the spotlight...and this is from the people we have supported...the elected officials we haven't supported think we should be targeted far more.  So today, Gov Ned Lamont said he would be asking State Employees to consider a "shared-risk" COLA on our pensions...the panic can stop there.  Before we try to explain a "shared-risk" COLA, let's start with: we will not be doing this.  The Governor has already heard directly from A&R on this and it isn't even worth another breath, it's dead already. 

So, what is a shared-risk COLA?  They can take many forms and the details can vary drastically, however, the gist is this: our pension funds are invested in various forms of  "Wall St".  In a shared risk scenario, if the pension fund doesn't meet its expected return rate (in our case a 6.9% return), then the pension COLA of retirees is adjusted downward to reflect the poor return on investments.  Therefore, our pensions share the risk of the market-returns.  It essentially reduces any Cost of Living Adjustment based on whether the expected rate of return on investments is acheived.  Perhaps you could look on the flip side and think maybe it works, if the pension fund exceeds its 6.9% return expectation, then the pension COLA gets a boost...nope...in this offering, you share the risk, not the rewards...if the fund loses, you lose, if the fund wins, you get your normal COLA formula...it's a loser's game.  Who would accept a deal where you lose when they lose and you break even when they win?...well, not A&R.  It is a non-starter.  I'm not even sure why the Governor would pitch such a silly concept, so don't waste any time thinking about it, it won't happen.

As for his other idea: re-amortorizing the pension fund, that is something to be considered, that is a no-harm change and the last re-amortorization plan was a bit aggressive.  Our last plan was aimed at front-loading payments to decrease the unfunded liability quickly.  It was a necessary adjustment as the bond-rating agencies were getting a bit viscious about the liabilities, however, the high payments were consuming a large amount of the State budget.  If another plan is put forth, it is worth considering.  To be clear, re-amortizing the debt would not change any benefits, it would only change the Annual Required Contributions the State would have to pay towards the unfunded liability.

Lastly, the Governor proposed expanding the SmartShopper portion of our healthcare plan.  This program compares the cost of medical procedures at different medical facilities and then pays a cash reward for selecting the cheaper facilities.  Currently, this program only covers a few medical procedures but if it is expanded, this could have significant savings for the state and the insured individual gets to share in that savings via a cash reward. This is a shared-risk offering that we can accept, if they win, you win...see how shared-risk could be implemented and be positive?  SmartShopper is a voluntary offering and is explained further on our website under the Health Insurance Plan/Forms section.

Ned Lamont appointed 5 state legislators to positions within his administration which created 5 special elections to be held on February 26, 2019.  A&R is only making one endorsement in these races and that is for Saud Anwar in the 3^rd Senate District (East Hartford, South Windsor, part of Ellington and part of East Windsor).  It is important to make sure you vote in the Special Elections;  these elections have consequences so please do your part.

There will also be 4 other Special Elections held on February 26th:

5th Senatorial District (West Hartford, Farmington)
6th Senatorial District (New Britain)
39th State Representative District (New London)
99th State Representative District (East Haven)

If any A&R member is considering a run for local office this November (town/city government) then we can support you in this effort.  Whether it is for your town committee or the planning/zoning committee, or Board of Ed, as members of the AFL-CIO, there is a training class on how to run for public office.  Further, please notify A&R (office@andr.org or 860 953-1316) and we may also be of assistance in helping your campaign.

Greetings,

The votes have been counted and the FOSCEP Executive Board has approved the results for the new slate of officers who will serve from July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2021. They are listed below:

There was a "budget" press conference held on Monday 2/11/19 and the reporting from that conference seemed to infer that Gov. Lamont has held informal talks with the unions regarding concessions...this is absolutely not true. A&R is one of the 15 members of SEBAC so we can clearly assure everyone that there has been absolutely no such talks.  Gov.

The most famous and first African American to become a world renowned American botanist and lover of nature was George Washington Carver.

How to Give to the 
Detroit Federation of Teachers Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Wayne State University
College of Education

If you would like to make a gift to the Detroit Federation of Teachers Endowed Memorial Scholarship please see below:

To do this via mail: Please make checks payable to Wayne State University and in the memo (or with a note) write, "Detroit Federation of Teachers Scholarship"