KEEPING YOU INFORMED - Negotiations Update By Ruben Mancillas
The ABCFT/ABCUSD master contract is typically renewed and renegotiated every three years. Our present Master Contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. A general negotiating survey was sent yesterday afternoon to all members asking for input regarding concerns you would like addressed in our new contract. Thank you for your time and effort in providing valuable ideas and suggestions to the negotiating team as we return to the bargaining table.
I was in a meeting recently with a primary grade elementary staff member, and the overall message could be that “things are different now.” As in, more and more is being asked of teachers while challenging behaviors are at a level that was not seen in the past. We were able to talk about expedited timelines for assessment or creative scheduling to provide some assistance, but this situation that once might have felt extreme is something many of our teachers deal with every day. This is another reason that I encourage everyone to take the time to fill out the members only negotiations survey. It is not a magic wand nor a wish list to be checked off but can give us meaningful insights to what you are experiencing in your classrooms. Narratives matter. Anecdotes are helpful at the table. The numbers are what they are. The funding percentages from the state for this year are already fixed. But we are more than numbers. Our students are more than data points. We are in a position to know best what our students could benefit from regarding support and resources. A master contract year is an opportunity to bargain for language that improves our working conditions. So please consider your suggestions that could help you be more effective and successful. In this fiscal environment, lasting language that clarifies, supports, and offers protections will be a priority.
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I read an interview with his youngest daughter, Dr. Bernice King, who warned against her father’s teachings being “cherry picked to peoples’ convenience and comfort. I feel the need to invoke my father’s words because if I don’t invoke them, and invoke them in the right context, then people will be misled, and they will whitewash and misappropriate his word.” She reminds us although her father is revered today, MLK was one of the most disliked people in the country according to a Harris poll from the year he was killed, with a 75% disapproval rate as he spoke out about the Vietnam War and economic injustice. Dr. Drew Dellinger, scholar in residence at the King Institute at Stanford University, noted, “we tend in our popular memory to think of Dr. King as a big civil rights teddy bear, but this guy was radical. King is not a figure to be sentimentalized. He’s not a figure, to be flattened into a cardboard cutout. This was a full spectrum thinker who had a radical critique of racism, war, and poverty.”
Members who were nominated to represent ABCFT as delegates at the CFT Convention, March 14-16, were sent an acceptance form via email yesterday. These members have until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21 to respond to the link and accept or decline the nomination. The delegate election will take place online from January 27 to January 31. Election results will be emailed on February 3.
Last week we were aware that this communication was labeled as dangerous when it came to your inbox. We have worked with the IT department on solutions so that you do not have to worry about opening up your YOUnion news. As much as I appreciate the dramatic potential, “our words are so impactful they have to warn people” I would rather that our members be able to freely access this information. Enjoy your three day weekend and good luck to NFL fans on a big slate of playoff games.
In Unity,
MEMBER ONLY RESOURCES FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE RECENT LA FIRES
Trauma counseling for CFT members impacted by the LA fires
At last count over 200 CFT members have suffered damaged or lost homes from the LA fires, with many more having been forced to evacuate alongside tens of thousands of others in the community.
For those CFT members who the fires have impacted, there is a vital resource available to you through our national union, the AFT, which provides all active, working members with counseling if they are injured or traumatized by natural disasters like fires.
This invaluable benefit offers one-to-one counseling sessions with a licensed therapist with a master’s degree or higher who has advanced training in post-traumatic incident recovery. To access this resource, go to the member benefits portal on the AFT website.
We are also continually updating our LA fires resources page for those impacted by the fires, including links to apply for the CFT Disaster Relief Fund, one-time FEMA relief of $770, and more. Thanks again to the many CFT members who have donated to the CFT Disaster Relief Fund. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
Additional resources
Staying safe in wildfire regions – A resource page on the CFT website dedicated to air quality issues resulting from wildfires, along with additional worker resources from Cal/OSHA.
Lesson plans on the LA fires – AFT’s Share My Lesson has two lesson plans available to help teach about the LA fires: Lesson 1 | Lesson 2.
CFT’s Climate Justice Campaign – The CFT Labor and Climate Justice Education Committee has put together excellent resources to teach about climate change through the lens of an education union. In our Climate Justice Toolkit you will find flyers to distribute to union members and at meetings and by email or text, resolutions and articles, and more resources for teaching and learning.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT
Social Security Fairness Act FAQ
What does the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) do?
The SSFA repeals provisions of law that reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other pension or disability benefits from a system that does not require participation in Social Security, such as California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS). The rules that reduce Social Security benefits are called the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Once signed into law, these changes are effective for benefits payable after December 2023.
In short, this act eliminates the WEP and GPO penalties. By eliminating these penalties, it gives the promised benefits from all systems a worker has paid into and doesn’t penalize anyone for being in multiple systems during different periods in their working life.
What are WEP and GPO?
WEP is a formula applied by the Social Security Administration that can reduce the size of a worker’s Social Security retirement or disability benefit. It applies to people with a combination of Social Security-covered employment and non-covered employment (e.g. a teacher or faculty member in California who had other jobs that paid into Social Security).
It impacts public employee retirees who participate in a public pension system such as CalSTRS who do not pay into Social Security but paid Social Security taxes while at other jobs.
An example of this would be a person who worked at a private company before getting into teaching or a school nurse who works extra shifts at a hospital.
The WEP reduction does not apply to workers with fewer than 10 years (40 quarters) of employment covered by Social Security. So, for example, if you taught for decades and worked five summers outside the school system, WEP would not impact you.
The WEP reduction does not apply to workers with more than 30 years of substantial earnings from employment covered by Social Security. So, for example, if you worked in the private sector for 30 years and then worked as a substitute teacher, WEP would not apply to you.
The GPO reduces the spousal or widow(er) benefit by two-thirds of the monthly non-covered pension and can partially, or fully, offset an individual's spousal/widow(er) benefit, depending on the amount of the non-covered pension.For instance, an individual with a $900 spousal benefit from Social Security, who also has a $1,000 non-covered pension like CalSTRS, would see their Social Security benefit reduced by $667, or two-thirds the non-covered pension amount. That leaves them with a $233 remaining spousal benefit. With the GPO measure repealed, the same individual would be entitled to the entire $900 spousal benefit amount without an offset reduction.
Who does this affect?
For CFT members, this affects those who are retired (or one day will retire), in the CalSTRS system and have paid into Social Security for another job and/or have a spouse who pays or has paid into Social Security. Teachers do not participate in Social Security when they are members of the CalSTRS Defined Benefit plan.
Neither of these penalties, nor the elimination of these penalties, applies to benefits derived from CalPERS since those workers (mostly classified professionals) simultaneously contributed to Social Security.
Does this change my contributions to my pension fund or Social Security?
This does not change anyone's current participation in Social Security, nor does the act change anyone’s contribution to their pension fund or Social Security. Participation in whatever retirement system a person is in will continue with no additional cost to the employee or employer. This only affects the benefits received in retirement from Social Security into which a person has already contributed.
Does this apply to those already receiving retirement, disability, or survivor benefits?
Yes, this applies to current recipients. We believe this will be retroactive to December 2023. The law states the following:
The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to monthly insurance benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act for months after December 2023. Notwithstanding section 215(f) of the Social Security Act, the Commissioner of Social Security shall adjust primary insurance amounts to the extent necessary to take into account the amendments made by section 3. Once the bill is signed and the Social Security administration can apply the rules, the reduction in payments will be eliminated and all new payments should be based on the normal calculation for Social Security benefits.
When does the change in law take effect?
President Biden still needs to sign the law and then the Social Security Administration will need to make rules and create a process to implement this for millions of current and future beneficiaries.
Other questions?
We will continue to update you in the new year as more answers can be verified. We also know that individual retirement circumstances may be complex. More detailed answers may be obtained by using the CalSTRS and My Social Security websites or calling CalSTRS or the Social Security Administration. It is recommended to get advice from retirement specialists before making any decisions on retirement.
New law could boost Social Security checks for thousands of retired California teachers
The Social Security Fairness Act, signed by President Joe Biden on Sunday, will increase retirement benefits for many educators and other public sector workers, including nearly 290,000 in California. The act repeals both the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset laws, which reduced Social Security benefits for workers who are entitled to public pensions, such as firefighters, police officers and teachers, according to the Social Security Department.
The change in the laws does not mean that California teachers, who do not pay into Social Security, will all get benefits. Instead, teachers who paid into Social Security while working in non-teaching jobs will be eligible for their full Social Security benefits, as will those eligible for spousal and survivor benefits.
Teachers who had previous careers, or who worked second jobs or summer jobs, benefit from the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision, said Staci Maiers, spokesperson for the National Education Association.
California is one of 15 states that does not enroll its teachers in Social Security. Instead, teachers receive pensions from the California Teachers’ Retirement System, or CalSTRS.
“This is about fairness. These unjust Social Security penalties have robbed public service workers of their hard-earned benefits for far too long,” said Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association in a media release. “They have hurt educators and their families — and damaged the education profession, making it harder to attract and retain educators. And that means students are impacted, too.”
ABCFT PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Ray Gaer
Consistent and regular communication is a union’s most important tool for advocating for its members at the bargaining table. Every conversation with members is focused on the result of negotiating for the future prosperity and well-being of ALL ABCFT members. This weekly report informs members about issues impacting their working/learning conditions and mental well-being. Our work as a Union is a larger conversation and united, we make the YOUnion.
I’m gonna keep this one short but I wanted to keep you up to date on what we are working on in ABCFT. Ruben and I had great conversations this week with band directors and art teachers about how we can work together to provide a spotlight on their contributions to our student’s success. We discussed how to develop contact language and professional support to ensure that they have planning time and the necessary resources and supplies to be successful. About seven years ago, ABCFT worked with Visual and Performing arts teachers on a push to get a budget line in the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) to support these vital subjects. For decades VAPA teachers were told to make do with minimal funding and relied heavily on fundraising or grants to keep their programs moving forward. Getting funding from the LCAP ensured that they would have supplies, money for music or fixing musical instruments, clay for ceramics, and money for competitions.
The passage of Proposition 28 mandated funding for VAPA for every school in California, and those monies would go directly to help our VAPA programs. These dollars were a lifesaving boon for visual and performing arts programs across the state. Unfortunately, a side effect of this money is that the districts were not given good and timely guidelines on how these monies are spent. In the end, districts, including ABC, are providing frameworks and spending plans, but in the end, it's all been good for our students.
As I explained to the ABCFT Executive Board, this union continues to fight for bread and butter issues but it isn’t often that a union can dig deep within its member core to highlight teachers who probably don’t get the recognition they deserve from our community.
I want to wish you a thoughtful Martin Luther King Jr Day. We are still unpacking the lessons learned from his tenure on the mountaintop.
In YOUnity,
Ray Gaer
President, ABCFT
CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
The latest CFT articles and news stories can be found here on the PreK12 news feed on the CFT.org website.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NEWS STORY HIGHLIGHT-----
Wildfire chaos disrupts LA schools
Wildfires in Los Angeles have led to significant disruptions, with over 12% of the state's schools, including nearly 800 in Los Angeles USD, halting in-person instruction. As of Thursday, fires have burned between 350 to 17,000 acres, resulting in at least five fatalities and extensive property damage. Pasadena USD Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco expressed the community's resilience, stating: “Our hearts are broken for everything that our beloved community is enduring.” In response to the crisis, LAUSD has closed all campuses through Friday, citing extreme winds and unhealthy air quality. The California Department of Education is collaborating with SupplyBank.org to provide emergency resources to affected families. Additionally, partnerships with organizations like the YMCA aim to support displaced families with childcare and resources.
How to check if your home was damaged or lost in the Eaton and Palisades fires: New maps from L.A. County let you drill down to see the latest on fire damage in your neighborhood. (LAist)
Are you a renter displaced by the wildfires? Will you be searching for temporary or long-term rental housing in Southern California? Check out KCRW's renter resources guide to key info and questions, including determining whether you owe rent if your property has been damaged, making insurance claims, applying for federal disaster relief, and knowing your rights.
Debunking six videos and images spreading gross disinformation during L.A.’s fires: These videos can be dangerous, causing mass panic, outrage, danger, and enmity where it doesn’t need to be. It’s more urgent than ever that we learn to question what we see and avoid sharing things we cannot confirm or just outright created by AI
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Alabama schools to fine students for phone violations
Alabama Rep. Pebblin Warren has introduced a bill aimed at curbing cell phone use in classrooms by imposing fines on students who repeatedly violate usage restrictions. The proposed legislation requires the state Board of Education to create a model policy that mandates local school boards to enforce rules prohibiting cell phone possession during instructional time. Warren emphasized the need for serious measures, stating: “If we want to do what we say, and that's improve education in the state of Alabama, we've got to get really serious about what happens in our classrooms.” While some schools have already implemented similar policies, the bill does not specify fine amounts. Concerns have been raised by Vic Wilson, executive director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, regarding the precedent of fining students, suggesting that local districts should determine their own rules. The legislative session begins on February 4.
Warning labels could be placed on food items under FDA proposal
The Food and Drug Administration has proposed a new rule under which food manufacturers would be required to identify key nutrition information on salt, added sugar and saturated fat in products. A new label described as a “nutrition info box” would be attached to packages, breaking down information about sodium, added sugar and saturated fat content by saying whether the food contains “Low,” “Med” or “High” levels of the nutrients. A few different design options were tested in a representative sample of U.S. adults to see which type of packaging allowed consumers to make “quicker and more accurate assessments” of products. “Participants provided more correct answers regarding the helpfulness of the product than the other schemes tested and also spent significantly less time evaluating the nutrient profile of the product,” said Dr. Robin McKinnon, acting director for the FDA’s Nutrition Center of Excellence. If the proposal is approved, food manufacturers who make $10m or more in annual food sales will have three years to add the labels to their packaging, while businesses with less than $10m in annual food sales will have four years to comply.
CNN USA Today Wall Street Journal New York Times
Schools brace for immigration crackdown
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, schools across the U.S. are taking measures to protect immigrant students amid fears of increased immigration enforcement. California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the importance of ensuring that “students, their parents, and their teachers... are prepared” for potential changes in immigration policy. A 54-page guide has been issued in California outlining protections for students and procedures for handling law enforcement requests. Many school districts, including those in Chicago and Des Moines, have reaffirmed their commitment to not assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Vermont Principal Chris Young highlighted the need for schools to be safe havens, stating: “We would like them to think that school is obviously a safe place.” With an estimated 733,000 school-aged children in the U.S. illegally, educators are striving to alleviate the fears of immigrant families and ensure their children feel welcome and secure in school.
Time-Standard
----- STATE NEWS -----
California schools face funding crisis
California's rural schools are facing severe financial challenges as Congress eliminates funding from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, a program that has supported these districts since 1908. Allan Carver, superintendent of schools for Siskiyou County, commented: “It might not seem like much, but it's real money for us.” The funding, which provided nearly $40m last year, is crucial for maintaining essential services and programs in areas with high needs and limited resources. With the bill's failure to pass in December, school officials are concerned about potential layoffs and reduced educational opportunities. Superintendent Jaime Green warned that without this funding, his district may have to cut jobs, leading to larger class sizes and fewer enrichment programs. Local leaders are actively lobbying for the bill's reintroduction, stressing the importance of these funds for the future of rural education.
Newsom suspends state rules to help fire-displaced students
Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued a new executive order to assist students displaced by recent fires in L.A. County. The order aims to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, allowing affected students to attend schools outside their home districts. It also facilitates the use of temporary facilities for damaged schools and waives penalties for not meeting attendance requirements. Newsom stated: "The executive order I signed today will help bring back some sense of normalcy for our youth by eliminating barriers to getting them back learning in school." The fires have severely impacted over 20 school districts, with many campuses closed and staff members displaced. As conditions improve, Los Angeles USD has reopened most of its schools, although some remain closed due to evacuation orders.
Pasadena Star-News Pasadena Star-News SGV Tribune
Governor Newsom announces modest education COLA in proposed budget for upcoming fiscal year
After two years of deficits, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that the state will see a modest budget increase in the coming year. On Monday he previewed a $322.2 billion proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes a 2.43% COLA for K-14 education.
However, in his announcement Newsom expressed caution about the potential impacts of actions by the incoming Trump administration, including possible cuts in federal funding for schools.
Public education is not properly funded in California. And we will continue to advocate for additional funding above and beyond the governor’s current proposal. Full and stable funding through progressive taxation is a must for our students and communities.
Full details about Governor Newsom’s proposed budget were released earlier today. We will have a more detailed report in upcoming emails and on the CFT website.
----- DISTRICTS -----
LAUSD students return to schools
Students and staff from Palisades Charter Elementary and Marquez Charter Elementary, both heavily impacted by wildfires, will begin classes at Brentwood Science Magnet Elementary and Nora Sterry Elementary from today, Los Angeles USD has announced. The district plans to resume normal activities, including outdoor events and field trips, if conditions improve. However, seven schools will remain closed, including Topanga Elementary and Canyon Charter Elementary. Meal distributions will continue at Webster Middle School from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The district will keep monitoring the situation and provide updates to the community by Wednesday at 5:30 a.m.
Fullerton Union High considers new mascot
Fullerton Union High School's longstanding nickname, "Indians," is facing scrutiny due to the California Racial Mascots Act, which prohibits derogatory Native American terms by July 2026. Former Assemblyman Chris Norby has proposed a new nickname, "Fenders," honoring Leo Fender, a notable alumnus and inventor of the Stratocaster guitar. Norby stated, “Ultimately, there needs to be a process where nominations are made from the community, alumni and students.” The proposal has sparked interest among students, with some suggesting "Flyers" as an alternative, reflecting the city's airport. The school district is navigating the implications of the new law, with discussions ongoing among board members and the community.
Fresno USD still seeking superintendent
Since Bob Nelson announced his retirement as superintendent of Fresno USD, the search for his replacement has faced significant delays. The district, which serves over 68,000 students, began its search with community sessions and hired Leadership Associates for $40,000. However, a controversial decision to limit the search to internal candidates led to public protests and the withdrawal of the search firm. Currently, Misty Her serves as interim superintendent. The board plans to select a search firm in February, with a job description posted in March and interviews in April, aiming for a new hire by May. As noted by Michelle Asadoorian, a former trustee: “It is harder to find the right candidate because contracts usually start and end the same as the academic year.” The challenges of filling the position are compounded by a shrinking pool of candidates willing to take on the politically charged role.
----- TECHNOLOGY -----
AI tools may hinder critical thinking
A study from the Center for Strategic Corporate Foresight and Sustainability at the SBS Swiss Business School reveals concerning insights about the impact of AI on critical thinking. It found that younger participants, who relied more on AI tools, exhibited lower critical thinking scores compared to older individuals. The research indicates that "higher educational attainment was associated with better critical thinking skills," suggesting that reliance on AI may come with cognitive costs. The findings underscore the necessity for educational strategies that foster critical engagement, as the study contributes to the ongoing discussion about AI's cognitive implications and offers recommendations to mitigate its negative effects.
----- WORKFORCE ----
Teachers feeling overburdened by extra tasks
The 2024 State of Teaching survey by Education Week reveals significant disparities between teachers and administrators regarding non-teaching duties. While 32% of principals believe teachers are not overburdened, only 14% of teachers agree. The survey, which included 1,498 teachers and 659 administrators, highlights a disconnect in perceptions of additional responsibilities, such as supervision and administrative tasks. Scott Goldstein, executive director of EmpowerEd, notes that this gap reflects a lack of awareness about daily classroom demands. He emphasizes, “If we are prioritizing adults so that they are fully well and able to pour into the students, we are absolutely prioritizing kids.” The findings suggest that without addressing these discrepancies, teacher morale and retention may continue to suffer. The next report on teacher morale is expected in early 2025
California's teacher diversity on the rise
California is witnessing a shift in its teacher workforce demographics, with an increasing number of Hispanic candidates entering teacher preparation programs. In the 2022-23 school year, over 50% of new teacher candidates identified as non-white, with nearly 40% being Hispanic. José Magaña, executive director of Bay Area Latinos for Education, emphasized the importance of representation, stating: “The research is pretty clear that not just Latino students and English language learners, but all students, benefit from having a more diverse educator.” Despite this progress, challenges remain, particularly in attracting Black teacher candidates, who have consistently made up only about 4% of the total. The state is implementing various initiatives to address these disparities and enhance the diversity of its teaching workforce.
----- CLASSROOM -----
Inclusion benefits students with disabilities
Research indicates that including students with and without disabilities in the same classroom can yield significant benefits for all involved. Kellen Hedler, 11, thrives in a general education setting, spending over 80% of his day with non-disabled peers, while Adaline Whitmer, 7, primarily attends a separate class for students with disabilities. Jennifer Kurth, a professor of special education at the University of Kansas, states, "Study after study is showing that there's no harm to being included, but there's great risks of harm to being segregated." Despite federal recommendations for inclusion, many students with disabilities still face segregation in schools. Parents like Kristen Whitmer advocate for their children to be seen as general education students first, aiming for more inclusive environments. Both families emphasize that inclusion is crucial for their children's future, fostering skills and relationships that will help them navigate adulthood.
Student misbehavior on the rise
Student misbehavior has surged since the return to in-person learning, with 72% of educators reporting increased disruptions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The EdWeek Research Center survey revealed that 70% of teachers noted more misbehavior in early 2023, with 36% indicating it was "a little more" and 33% stating "a lot more." This trend has negatively impacted teacher morale, with only 18% of public school teachers expressing job satisfaction, a decline from previous years. Many educators feel overwhelmed, with 80% addressing behavioral issues weekly, and 58% daily. One teacher lamented, “Our school is really struggling with student behaviors... teachers are almost too tired to even care.” Despite some improvements attributed to better leadership, the overall sentiment remains one of concern as schools seek effective strategies to engage students and foster positive behavior.
----- FINANCE -----
California schools score big on bonds
A record number of California school districts successfully passed local construction bonds in the November elections, with 205 out of 267 proposals approved, achieving a passage rate of 77%. Michael Coleman, founder of CaliforniaCityFinance.com, noted that this rate is just shy of the historic approval rate of 79% since 2000. Major urban areas, including Los Angeles Unified and San Francisco Unified, led the way with significant bond proposals. Clovis Unified Superintendent Corrine Folmer emphasized the importance of their bond measure, stating, “This bond measure is critical to keeping our schools in the great shape they are in today.” However, some rural districts faced challenges, with Brie Fraley highlighting the economic strains that influenced voting decisions. In addition to construction bonds, 24 out of 26 proposed parcel taxes also passed, reflecting strong community support for school funding.
----- LEGAL -----
Judge strikes down Biden's Title IX rule
In a significant ruling, Judge Danny C. Reeves of the U.S. District Court in Kentucky has invalidated the Biden administration's Title IX regulation, which expanded protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. This decision, issued on January 9, is the first to fully assess the merits of the regulation and is expected to have nationwide implications. Reeves stated, “[E]xpanding the meaning of ‘on the basis of sex' to include ‘gender identity' turns Title IX on its head.” The ruling could eliminate protections for pregnant students and alter requirements for sexual harassment complaints. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised the decision, noting that it allows President Trump to reassess Title IX regulations upon his return to office. Conversely, Fatima Goss Graves, president and chief executive of the National Women's Law Center, criticized the ruling for disregarding vulnerable students in need of protection.
CNN Edition Higher Ed Dive Washington Post
New California bill threatens transgender athletes
On the first day of California's legislative session, Assemblymember Kate Sanchez introduced the Protect Girls' Sports Act, aiming to ban transgender high school students from competing on girls' teams. Sanchez argued that “young women who have spent years training... are now being forced to compete against individuals with undeniable biological advantages.” Despite its introduction, the bill is expected to fail in a Democratic-controlled legislature. Critics, including Assemblymember Chris Ward, labeled it a political stunt, emphasizing that it targets a vulnerable population. The Williams Institute estimates that only about 1.4% of American teenagers identify as transgender, with even fewer participating in sports. The bill has ignited discussions on the rights of transgender youth, with contrasting proposals like the Transgender Privacy Act introduced by state Sen. Scott Wiener, aimed at protecting transgender individuals from discrimination.
----- HEALTH & WELLBEING -----
School nutrition programs face tough times
An annual survey by the School Nutrition Association reveals that school nutrition directors are grappling with significant challenges, including rising food, labor, and equipment costs. The poll, which included responses from around 1,400 cafeteria leaders, highlighted that only 21% of respondents believe federal reimbursements adequately cover lunch preparation costs. Additionally, 95% of programs without universal free meals reported carrying unpaid student meal debt. The survey also noted a concerning 72% of respondents facing employee vacancies, exacerbated by competition from gig economy jobs. Shannon Gleave, SNA President, emphasized the importance of healthy school meals, stating, “For less than the average price of a latte, school nutrition professionals are expected to prepare and serve a nutritionally balanced lunch.” As federal food policy changes loom, the future of school meal programs remains uncertain.
----- OTHER -----
At NTA Life, we’re here to provide extra peace of mind with individual supplemental benefits that offer tax-free financial support directly to you or your loved ones. Our benefits are designed to go above and beyond your major medical insurance, helping cover things like deductibles, co-pays, and those unexpected expenses that can come up during an illness or injury. We offer the following programs:
- Cancer Coverage
- Heart Coverage
- Hospital Coverage
- Accident Coverage
- Disability Coverage
- Life Insurance
- Specified Disease Coverage – which even comes with a return of premium after 20 years!
The best part? Most of our benefits are guaranteed renewable for life, meaning you can keep them even if you switch districts or retire.
We’re so thankful for the strong partnership we have with ABCFT, and we look forward to continuing to support and serve your incredible educators.
If you’d like to learn more, feel free to reach out anytime:
- Leann Blaisdell: 562-822-5004 | leann.blaisdell@horacemann.com
- Shannon Donovan: 714-727-8261 | shannon.donovan@horacemann.com
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