* AFT Sweeps to Big Victory for PSRPs in Dallas
* Senate Backs K-12 Tax Deduction Bill
* Democrats Blast 'Blank Check' on Education Reform
* Improving Schools through Cooperation
* Toledo Teacher Honored for Volunteer Efforts
* Info on the Web…Where and When

AFT SWEEPS TO BIG VICTORY IN DALLAS PSRP ELECTION

The Alliance of Dallas Educators/AFT scored a huge victory on Feb. 29 when the local won consultation rights for some 7,000 paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRPs) in the district. The final tally was 1,368 for the Alliance, 129 for the local National Education Association affiliate, 128 for an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, and fewer than a dozen votes each for two other groups. The victory comes a little more than two years after the Alliance won exclusive consultation rights for more than 9,000 Dallas teachers. Collective bargaining is illegal in Texas, but some AFT locals there have succeeded in winning administrative policies that allow school staff to choose a single "coordinating organization" for representation purposes. The Alliance is now that organization for teachers and PSRPs in Dallas.

Alliance local president Harley Hiscox reported that the local faced tremendous logistical obstacles in the PSRP election--including only 10 polling sites throughout the huge district--that kept turnout low, especially since many of those voting don't own cars. But Alliance activists and volunteers provided transportation to the polling sites; for some, that meant a 30- or 40-mile drive. Salaries, health insurance, job security and working conditions were among the main issues in the campaign, noted Dorothy Isaac, Alliance vice president for classified employees. AFT national representative Sally Eskew coordinated the campaign and field writer Matt Jacob provided the literature. State staff on loan from Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri and West Virginia teamed up with the federation and local staff.

SENATE BACKS K-12 TAX DEDUCTION

The Senate last week approved a bill that would allow parents to use education savings accounts for K-12 expenses, including tuition at private and religious schools. The bill also would boost the ceiling on annual contributions from $500 to $2,000 per family. The Senate also approved an amendment that relaxes eligibility requirements--married couples making more than $200,000 a year could take advantage of the tax break under the Senate-approved bill--and makes the program permanent. The 61-37 vote was largely along party lines. Democrats who voted for the bill (S. 1134) were: Joseph Biden Jr., John Breaux, Robert Byrd, Max Cleland, Dianne Feinstein, Robert Kerrey, Joseph Lieberman, and Robert Torricelli. Republicans who voted against the bill were Lincoln Chafee and Jim Jeffords. "Scarce public funds for education shouldn’t be squandered on providing token assistance to a small number of affluent families," said AFT president Sandra Feldman prior to the vote. "They should be invested in doing what works to improve our public schools." AFT leaders and members are encouraged to contact their senators and congratulate them if they voted against the so-called Affordable Education Act. Senators who voted for the bill should be urged to reconsider their stand on S. 1134. Top administration officials are urging Clinton to veto any final version of the proposal, which has yet to be taken up by the House.

SENATE DEMOCRATS, RILEY BLAST ‘BLANK CHECK’ EDUCATION REFORM

Senate Democrats and Education Secretary Richard Riley last week pledged to fight for federal education laws that take their cue from the types of commonsense reforms that Americans want--including safer schools, smaller classes and well-trained teachers. Those reforms are now under fire, they warned, from some GOP leaders who insist on seeding the law with schemes and gimmicks like vouchers, K-12 tax credits and block grants.

Democratic members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a Capitol Hill press conference on Feb. 29, a day before the Senate Education Committee took up reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the flagship federal law for K-12 education. The Democrats detailed plans to amend the bill to keep resources under ESEA, which includes Title I, targeted on the students who need it most. They also supported concrete, proven reforms rather than block grants, which Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) called "a blank check to states in hopes that improvement is made." ESEA "should reflect what Americans want in education and what we know works" said Riley. The amendments to ESEA supported by Democrats reflect those priorities, said Riley, adding, "I have never met [a voter] who said, ‘go back and fight for block grants’" in Washington, D.C.

IMPROVING SCHOOLS THROUGH COOPERATION

The Harvard Executive Institute on Labor-Management Cooperation in School Districts has positions available for AFT locals interested in participating in its next executive education program. The program will take place at Harvard University April 15-18. The program brings together a select group of union and management leaders to equip them with practical ways to use labor-management cooperation to improve student achievement. It is a joint project of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the State and Local Government Labor-Management Committee, which includes the AFT. The program is open only to those school districts with collective bargaining. Teams from several AFT districts took part in the two institutes held in 1999. For details, contact Kristi Scafide at 617-496-8287 or e-mail her at kristi_scafide@harvard.edu.

TOLEDO TEACHER HONORED FOR INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER EFFORTS

AFT member Thomas Sorosiak, a Toledo social studies teacher, is among 32 recipients of the U.S. Department of State's Millennium International Volunteer Award. The awards celebrate individuals' contributions to international and cultural exchange. As an award winner, Sorosiak won an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.--where the recipients participated in a symposium on Capitol Hill and were honored at a gala dinner featuring U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley--as well as a $5,000 cash award to be given to the nonprofit organization of his choice. Sorosiak's donation will go to the International Institute of Greater Toledo, which is also the focus of much of his volunteer work. A Polish-American, Sorosiak is currently president of the institute. He has worked to set up tours, professional appointments and home hospitality for visiting foreign guests, and he includes the visitors as guest presenters in his classroom. Sorosiak also is president of the Toledo-Poznan (a city in Poland) Alliance, a nonprofit organization that promotes cultural activities and exchanges between the two cities and has helped raise money to support an orphanage in Poznan.

WHERE AND WHEN…On March 11, AFT president Sandra Feldman will be in New York for the UFT's annual festival and awards luncheon where the local honors its outstanding paraprofessionals. AFT executive vice president Nat LaCour will address the AFT's Women's Issues Conference in Chicago on March 9.

American Federation of Teachers, AFL•CIO - 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW - Washington, DC 20001