the voice, april 2012

April 2012 n The NSEA Voice n

The

VoiceThe Nebraska State Education Association April 2012

#April 2012.indd 1 3/27/2012 9:20:03 AM

n The NSEA Voice n April 2012

On a Friday morning in November 2009, ESP Carol Stensvad was fired from her job at the McCook Campus of Mid-Plains Community College. Two years later, the college paid a $162,000 settlement. For more, turn to

the

VOICe Nebraska State Education Association

605 S. 14th StreetLincoln, NE 68508-2742 · www.nsea.org

(402) 475-7611 · (800) 742-0047

Volume 65, No. 8ISSN Number: 1085-0783USPS Number: 000-369

Great Public Schools For Every Child

Executive Director Craig R. ChristiansenAssoc. Executive Director Neal ClayburnDirector of Public Affairs Karen KilgarinAssistant Comm. Director Al Koontz

NSEA BoARd of dIRECtoRSPresident Nancy fulton, Wilber-ClatoniaVice President Leann Widhalm, NorfolkNEA Director John Heineman, LincolnNEA Director Jenni Absalon, Lincoln

Official publication of the Nebraska State Education Asso-ciation, Suite 200, 605 South 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to The Voice, NSEA, 605 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742.

Published and mailed 6 times yearly according to this schedule: September, October, November, February, April and August. Published online in December, January, March and May.

Payment of annual NSEA membership dues entitles Ne-braska educators to receive The Voice. Total cost of pro-ducing 10 monthly issues of The Voice each year is about $4.84 per member.

Advertising rates of The Voice are available from the assistant communications director. All advertisements and advertisers are screened prior to publication. Ap-pearance of an advertisement in The Voice does not nec-essarily imply NSEA endorsement of either the product being advertised or the views being expressed.

“It’s a fact

of life that

educators

simply want

to teach —

to impart

knowledge and

skills to children.

It is also a fact

of life that we

must make a

stand and voice

strongly-worded

opinions when

our ability to

teach effectively

is threatened.

”

The Power of Members

NSEA PresidentNancy Fulton

xxxxx

Opening Bell

On theCover: Page 8.

UpcomingAssignmentsApril 20-21NSEA’s 151stDelegate Assemblyn What: The Association’s an-

nual meeting of member-elected delegates, at which NSEA’s course is set for the coming year.n Details: See page 15-18.

May 12 & Aug. 18Children’s FundWalk-a-Thonn What: Two summer walks

will benefit the Children’s Fund.n Details: See story, page.13

May 15Primary Electionn What: Winners in the Pri-

mary Elections, from school board to U.S. Senator, will advance to the November General Election.

n Details: Don’t forget to register! See story on page 31.

June 19-21NSEA Leadership Instituten What: Aimed at new and

potential leaders this is a three-day, expense paid training at NSEA HQ. Learn about membership, NSEA programs, organizing skills and more.n Details: Space is limited;

first come, first served. Call NSEA at 1-800-742-0047.

As the last few weeks of the school year speed past, many of NSEA’s nearly 28,000 members have an eye on summer plans. In many cases, those summer plans include a return to the classroom.

Nebraska colleges and universities offer the necessary summer classwork that enables teachers to enhance skills and knowledge and to move along the salary schedule.

But just how can teachers select which course and which school might best meet their needs? They can start by reviewing the advertisements placed by many of Nebraska’s colleges and

universities on the pages of this issue.NSEA has solicited information for

this issue, which in-cludes summer ses-sion class offerings from eight Nebraska colleges and univer-sities. The informa-tion includes class schedules, program availability and lo-cation, as well as in-formation on how to contact the colleges and universities for details.

All of the state’s colleges and uni-versities were invited to participate. Let your college or university of choice know that you read about their course offerings in The Voice!

What Are YourSummer Plans?

Have you moved? Changed your name by marriage? Planning a move?

If so, you can update your Associa-tion membership information online.

How? Log on to the NSEA website and click on the ‘For Members’ button on the left side of the screen. Then click on the ‘Members Only’ link and look

for the ‘Member Update’ icon in the center of the next screen, and follow di-rections. Keep your issue of The Voice near, as the mailing label includes your membership number, used to access your information.

The NSEA website is at:www.nsea.org

If Summer Classes are on Your Schedule,You’ll Love This Issue of The Voice!

Have You Moved?

#April 2012.indd 2 3/27/2012 9:20:04 AM


Published and mailed 6 times yearly according to this schedule: September, October, November, February, April and August. Published online in December, January, March and May.

Payment of annual NSEA membership dues entitles Ne-braska educators to receive The Voice. Total cost of pro-ducing 10 monthly issues of The Voice each year is about $4.84 per member.

Advertising rates of The Voice are available from the assistant communications director. All advertisements and advertisers are screened prior to publication. Ap-pearance of an advertisement in The Voice does not nec-essarily imply NSEA endorsement of either the product being advertised or the views being expressed.

“It’s a fact

of life that

educators

simply want

to teach —

to impart

knowledge and

skills to children.

It is also a fact

of life that we

must make a

stand and voice

strongly-worded

opinions when

our ability to

teach effectively

is threatened.

”

The Power of Members

NSEA PresidentNancy Fulton

Members, you have come through again!Earlier this month, NSEA sent out a call ask-

ing members to contact their senators and ex-press opposition to LB970, Gov. Dave Heine-man’s tax plan. We asked you to contact the governor and state senators to share how the never-ending cuts to public school funding af-fect the teaching and learning that goes on in your classroom every day.

As this issue of The Voice heads to press, the final version of LB970 was still under discussion before the Legislature. Suffice it to say that the version of LB970 under debate at the end of the third week of March was a shell of the original version. I firmly believe that you made a distinct difference in the final outcome. Your phone calls, your use of social media and your hundreds of e-mails were heard in the offices and hallways of the Nebraska Capitol building. Many sena-tors have talked about how much they have heard from their constituents regarding the impact LB970 would have on Nebraska children.

Let me share some of the messages sent:From Lori Umstead, a librarian for the

Millard Public Schools:“I am requesting your opposing vote to

LB970 tax cuts because I believe these revenue losses will further reduce Nebraska’s already lagging financial support for public education and services to our most vulnerable citizens. Nebraska’s schools continue to reduce spending, increasing class sizes, eliminating counseling, extra-curricular activities, and social services for our students and community, and leaving in-frastructure and technology below standards for effective learning environments.”

From Margalee Thomas, a math teacher at Heartland High School in Henderson:

“Nebraska’s middle class and low-income families should be our number one priority, but LB970 fails to deliver. The state is already struggling to invest in education, transportation and safe communities: things that we know cre-ate jobs and boost a state’s economy. LB970 will require significant cuts to basic core functions of government that would affect all Nebraskans.

From Grand Island’s Chuck and Devon Hamner, a retired English teacher and retired kindergarten teacher, respectively:

“This is no time to sacrifice the average Ne-braska taxpayer, education and essential services on the altar of pie-in-the-sky short-term ‘eco-nomic growth incentives’ for the wealthy. Why

on earth would we want to enact a desperation budget that not only squeezes all of the above, but is projected to turn out state’s hard-won budget surplus into a deficit within a couple of years?”

From Georgia Sarroub, a world language teacher who teaches French and Spanish at Lincoln Northeast High School:

“I oppose LB970 because if it passes it will shake Nebraska’s educational foundations, and it will jeopardize the future of all of our students. As a veteran teacher, I firmly believe that LB970 will have disastrous effects on school perfor-mance, and it will stop the progress we have so diligently made.”

Even the membership of the Student Edu-cation Association of Nebraska became in-volved. From Peru State College secondary special education major Megan Brown:

“Without adequate funding, it will be difficult for teachers to provide a quality education to every student. I feel that the implications of the deficit caused by LB970 would be too burden-some for the state budget and our local schools. Students would pay the ultimate price.”

It’s a fact of life that educators simply want to teach – to impart knowledge and skills to chil-dren. It is also a fact of life that we must make a stand and voice strongly-worded opinions when our ability to teach effectively is threatened.

There is no doubt that letters like these made a difference. Thank you to all the members who wrote, called or e-mailed your state senator to voice the opinions of the many.

Voices at Delegate AssemblyThere will be another opportunity for you to

give voice for your Association – at the upcoming NSEA Delegate Assembly, which will be held in LaVista on April 20-21. You’ll find details about our 151st Delegate Assembly in this issue.

Delegate Assembly is considered to be one of the most important events of the Association year. Members who are elected by their local at-tend and discuss and debate Association ideals, as well as to set the future direction of the As-sociation. That action will include discussion on Bylaws, changes to Resolutions and the 2012-13 dues proposal. We will also honor deserving individuals and organizations for their service.

I’m looking forward to presiding over my first Delegate Assembly. Please help by seeing that your local association has a voice in NSEA’s future.

From the PresidentOpening Bell

Page 8.

universities on the pages of this issue.NSEA has solicited information for

this issue, which in-cludes summer ses-sion class offerings from eight Nebraska colleges and univer-sities. The informa-tion includes class schedules, program availability and lo-cation, as well as in-formation on how to contact the colleges and universities for details.

All of the state’s colleges and uni-versities were invited to participate. Let your college or university of choice know that you read about their course offerings in The Voice!

What Are YourSummer Plans?

for the ‘Member Update’ icon in the center of the next screen, and follow di-rections. Keep your issue of The Voice near, as the mailing label includes your membership number, used to access your information.

The NSEA website is at:www.nsea.org

If Summer Classes are on Your Schedule,You’ll Love This Issue of The Voice!

Have You Moved?

#April 2012.indd 3 3/27/2012 9:20:05 AM


Lobby dinner success: Meeting face-to-face works well with state senators, as these educators well know. Talking politics at NSEA’s annual Legislative Dinner this January were, from left, De Tonack, Lincoln; Mitch Lingo, Omaha; Sen. Burke Harr, Jane Erdenberger and Harry Gaylor, all of Omaha.

The e-mails and telephone calls to state senators and the governor’s office by NSEA members and other Nebras-kans have worked!

Following three hours of debate in mid-March — and with a number of senators still uneasy with the huge defi-cit LB970 will create — the Legislature advanced an amended version of LB970 to the second stage of consideration.

At press time, the latest version of LB970 would provide a tax cut of $4 a month to a Nebraska family of four with an adjusted gross income of $48,000.

NSEA remains opposed to LB970. Even with the modifications to the tax plan, LB970 will balloon a projected state deficit to more than $550 million for the 2013-15 budget. That coming deficit means that funding for Nebras-ka’s public schools — as well as other vital public services — will face fur-ther cuts in future years.

Just as importantly, the LB970 tax plan ties the hands of future policy-makers, as many of the state’s cur-rent senators, as well as the governor, will be out of office when the tax plan takes full effect.

NSEA members, as well as and members of other groups that formed

Deficit-EnhancementTax Plan Modified

LB970 Scaled Back by Lawmakers; State Aid Cut

#April 2012.indd 4 3/27/2012 9:20:07 AM

http://www.firstnebraska.org


Lobby dinner success: Meeting face-to-face works well with state senators, as these educators well know. Talking politics at NSEA’s annual Legislative Dinner this January were, from left, De Tonack, Lincoln; Mitch Lingo, Omaha; Sen. Burke Harr, Jane Erdenberger and Harry Gaylor, all of Omaha.

THINK LETTERS TO LAWMAKERS DON’T WORK?NSEA Members

Helped Turnthe Tide on LB970These excerpts are from the hun-

dreds of letters sent to senators in re-cent weeks by Nebraska teachers. These and other phone calls and e-mails caused lawmakers to greatly reduce the scope of LB970 (see main story):

“I urge you to vote ‘No’ on the Gover-nor's tax plan in LB970. I do believe this bill is political in nature. What I mean by this is constituents typically like to hear that taxes will be cut. It is a ‘hot topic’ and can be used to sway favor and votes, when in real-ity the savings are minimal while the impact on the programs being cut is detrimental. You know this to be true.

“In light of this, I ask that you stand for what is in the best interest of Ne-braska as a population and state, rather than a collection of individuals.”

Patrick Piskorski,Seward

“As a public school teacher, I am so tired that the answer to every question I pose to my district is ‘there is no money’ – no money for the adaptive potty chair that will allow us to effectively potty train our preschoolers; no money for additional paras who will help us supervise and keep safe our young children with disabilities; no money for important professional de-velopment opportunities, etc.

“I am not politically active, nor do I want to be, but I will do everything I can to oppose your efforts to give tax cuts to the rich at the loss of vital services in our schools.”

Hope MacFarlane,Lincoln

“In my building alone, we’re already at four classrooms with more than 25 students. That may seem manageable to many people, but the curriculum we deliver to our students is very differenti-ated to meet the needs of all our learn-ers. As educators, we are proud of what we offer our students, but our class sizes are making it close to impossible to de-liver the curriculum that we know is best for our students.”

Melissa Hansen,Papillion

The e-mails and telephone calls to state senators and the governor’s office by NSEA members and other Nebras-kans have worked!

Following three hours of debate in mid-March — and with a number of senators still uneasy with the huge defi-cit LB970 will create — the Legislature advanced an amended version of LB970 to the second stage of consideration.

At press time, the latest version of LB970 would provide a tax cut of $4 a month to a Nebraska family of four with an adjusted gross income of $48,000.

NSEA remains opposed to LB970. Even with the modifications to the tax plan, LB970 will balloon a projected state deficit to more than $550 million for the 2013-15 budget. That coming deficit means that funding for Nebras-ka’s public schools — as well as other vital public services — will face fur-ther cuts in future years.

Just as importantly, the LB970 tax plan ties the hands of future policy-makers, as many of the state’s cur-rent senators, as well as the governor, will be out of office when the tax plan takes full effect.

NSEA members, as well as and members of other groups that formed

a coalition to fight LB970, flooded leg-islative offices with phone calls and e-mails urging ‘no’ votes on LB970. The initial version of LB970 would have pushed the deficit into the $660 million range.

In other legislative action, state senators advanced to Final Reading an amended budget bill.

Changes to the 2011-13 state bud-get include a $10 million increase in special education funding for 2012-13, with that money drawn from the state’s cash reserve fund. State aid to schools is now set at $852 million for 2012-13, a $28 million cut from current state aid, but far better than the governor’s pro-posed $51 million cut.

Kearney Sen. Galen Hadley’s state aid bill (LB947), a priority bill of Sen. Ken Haar and cosponsored by 18 law-makers, would maintain state aid at $880 million. It remains in committee.

Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh’s LB720, which reduces the Omaha Public School board from 12 to seven members, appeared on the Legisla-ture’s Wednesday, March 21, agenda. NSEA does not have a position on LB720, but will continue to monitor this legislation.

Deficit-EnhancementTax Plan Modified

LB970 Scaled Back by Lawmakers; State Aid Cut

#April 2012.indd 5 3/27/2012 9:20:09 AM


Educators HealthAlliance Approves

2.99% Rate IncreaseAs school budgets get hammered

by state aid cuts, the Educators Health Alliance is doing its part to keep costs down for the coming school year. The EHA Board of Directors has announced that pre-mium rates for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska health care plan used by nearly ev-ery Nebraska school district will increase by just 2.99 percent next year.

Health care costs for Nebraska’s school dis-tricts have been virtu-ally unchanged for two years. The EHA Board did not raise rates last year, and at that time pledged that the rate increase for 2012-13 would be no more than 4 percent.

Further, the only changes to ben-efits for the coming year are enhance-ments to women’s health care pro-grams, said EHA Board of Directors Chairman Neal Clayburn. Those en-hancements go into effect at the start of the plan year on Sept. 1. There will be no changes to deductible options, coinsurance or prescription drug co-payments.

“Nebraska teachers, school dis-tricts and school district employees are getting some real bang for their buck through this plan,” said Clay-burn. “This very modest increase in rates is welcome news for school dis-tricts as they begin their budget plans for 2012-13.”

The rate is further tempered in that there will be no increase for the early retiree category. The EHA board sought and received $5 million in rate stabilization funds from the Early Re-tirement Reinsurance Fund as part of the national Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. That funding allowed the zero percent increase in rates for the early retirees category, and lowers the overall rate increase for the plan to 2.82 percent. The plan

EHA: Small Increase in RatesAssociation leaders and activists know that strong local associa-

tions bolster the strength of the statewide association. They also know that the work of a strong statewide association benefits mem-bers at the local association level.

Is your local association as strong as it might be? Does it have the traits of a strong local? This series reviews the traits of what the NSEA and the NEA consider a “Full Capacity Local Associa-tion.” The series allows current leaders, future leaders and members to measure the strengths, as well as opportunities for gaining full capacity, within their local association. This month looks at a core local association service: membership.

NSEA UniServ Director Marlene Wehrbein knows that membership is important to any vital and vibrant organization. A former local association leader at Louisville – and a former school board member at Plattsmouth – her experience is that broad membership creates a thriving organization.

“Strong local associations depend on a steady flow of new energy and dynamic ideas,” said Wehrbein.

“Locals must embrace change on a regular basis. New members must be provided with opportunities through men-toring, training, workshops, leadership opportunities and orga-nized social opportunities to take on meaningful roles in local association affairs,” she said. “There is strength in numbers.”

A local with a strong, dynamic membership will reach mem-

bership, contract and other goals, she said. Traits exhibited by a successful local include:nAn expectation that high membership

is the local association’s goal, and that mem-bership is every member’s job.nThe use of local financial resources to-

ward membership recruitment and retention.nActive leaders who coordinate membership activities.nRegular training of association representatives to conduct

the local association’s recruitment and retention activities.nAn established and regularly updated plan to recruit new

members year-round.nAn effort to welcome and engage new members through

new teacher and education support professional orientation.nInclusion of ESP members in local association trainings,

activities and political actions.nRecognition of and incentives or rewards for recruiters.nUse of goals, targeting and an early enrollment process.nMaintenance of accurate local association records on

members and potential members by building.NSEA has available for use by local associations a complete

assessment survey. It will help determine whether a local meets these and other ‘full capacity local’ benchmarks.

Questions? Call your UniServ director at 1-800-742-0047.

Reaching Full CapacityLocal Vitality Built on Growing, Vibrant Membership

Wehrbein

#April 2012.indd 6 3/27/2012 9:20:09 AM

online.unl.edu/SPEDedu


A Historyof Rate Increases

A history of rate increases for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan now managed by the EHA Board of Directors:2002-03: .................. 17.00%2003-04: .....................9.40%2004-05: .....................9.70%2005-06: .....................9.00%2006-07: .....................8.84%2007-08: .....................7.80%2008-09: .....................4.80%2009-10: .....................7.70%2010-11: .....................4.56%2011-12: .....................0.00%2012-13: .....................2.99%

Educators HealthAlliance Approves

2.99% Rate IncreaseAs school budgets get hammered

by state aid cuts, the Educators Health Alliance is doing its part to keep costs down for the coming school year. The EHA Board of Directors has announced that pre-mium rates for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska health care plan used by nearly ev-ery Nebraska school district will increase by just 2.99 percent next year.

Health care costs for Nebraska’s school dis-tricts have been virtu-ally unchanged for two years. The EHA Board did not raise rates last year, and at that time pledged that the rate increase for 2012-13 would be no more than 4 percent.

Further, the only changes to ben-efits for the coming year are enhance-ments to women’s health care pro-grams, said EHA Board of Directors Chairman Neal Clayburn. Those en-hancements go into effect at the start of the plan year on Sept. 1. There will be no changes to deductible options, coinsurance or prescription drug co-payments.

“Nebraska teachers, school dis-tricts and school district employees are getting some real bang for their buck through this plan,” said Clay-burn. “This very modest increase in rates is welcome news for school dis-tricts as they begin their budget plans for 2012-13.”

The rate is further tempered in that there will be no increase for the early retiree category. The EHA board sought and received $5 million in rate stabilization funds from the Early Re-tirement Reinsurance Fund as part of the national Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. That funding allowed the zero percent increase in rates for the early retirees category, and lowers the overall rate increase for the plan to 2.82 percent. The plan

covers more than 70,000 school dis-trict employees, their spouses and children across the state.

Clayburn said the EHA board was particularly pleased that the 2.82 overall rate increase is below industry surveys of medical plan rate increases nationally. The plan has now marked

10 consecutive years with increases of less than 10 percent.

“That is an extraor-dinary record of rate stability for our EHA plan participants,” he said.

Several factors con-tributed to the small increase, he said, in-cluding low utilization of the plan; further expansion of EHA’s state-wide wellness program; continuing declines in medical in-flation trends; extended use of a pharmacy ben-

efit management plan that has led to reduced pharmacy trends; and further use of a program designed to assist in the management of chronic diseases.

EHA health insurance rates for the 2012-13 plan year apply to all avail-able seven active employee health benefit plans, three early retiree bene-fit plans, and five dental benefit plans.

The enhancements to the plan are

in compliance with the Patient Protec-tion and Affordable Health Care Act (PPACA) and include:nWell women visits.nCounseling for breastfeeding

and breast pumps.nScreening for gestational diabe-

tes in pregnant women.nCounseling for STDs.nScreening for papillomavirus.nCounseling, screening for HIV.nScreening and counseling for in-

terpersonal and domestic violence.Clayburn said the EHA board ap-

preciates the financial pressures and concerns facing school districts and individual plan members.

“We understand that every penny counts,” said Clayburn. “We think our work to keep costs down, to keep this rate increase at a minimum, is just what our plan members expect.”

The Educators Health Alliance is a non-profit corporation that was cre-ated to procure quality, affordable health care insurance for Nebraska educational employees. The EHA is managed by a Board of Directors con-sisting of members selected by the Ne-braska State Education Association, the Nebraska Association of School Boards and the Nebraska Council of School Administrators.

For more details on the rates, go to the EHA website at:

www.ehaplan.org/

EHA: Small Increase in Rates

NSEA members can become lifetime members of NEA-Retired/NSEA-Retired at any time in their teaching career by

making a one-time payment of the current lifetime dues.

Lifetime dues for NEA-Retired will increase by $50 on Sept. 1, 2012.

If you join before the dues increase takes effect, you will pay only $400 for pre-retired lifetime dues.

After Sept. 1, 2012 the lifetime dues amount will be $450.

Visit www.nsea.org/members/retired to join at the current rate. Call 1-800-742-0047 if you have questions.

Members of OEA (402-346-0400) and LEA (402-489-7500) should contact their local office for the proper membership form.

Join NSEA-Retired now!Beat the dues increase.

bership, contract and other goals, she said. Traits exhibited by a successful local include:nAn expectation that high membership

is the local association’s goal, and that mem-bership is every member’s job.nThe use of local financial resources to-

ward membership recruitment and retention.nActive leaders who coordinate membership activities.nRegular training of association representatives to conduct

the local association’s recruitment and retention activities.nAn established and regularly updated plan to recruit new

members year-round.nAn effort to welcome and engage new members through

new teacher and education support professional orientation.nInclusion of ESP members in local association trainings,

activities and political actions.nRecognition of and incentives or rewards for recruiters.nUse of goals, targeting and an early enrollment process.nMaintenance of accurate local association records on

members and potential members by building.NSEA has available for use by local associations a complete

assessment survey. It will help determine whether a local meets these and other ‘full capacity local’ benchmarks.

Questions? Call your UniServ director at 1-800-742-0047.

Wehrbein

#April 2012.indd 7 3/27/2012 9:20:10 AM


Carol Stensvad’s MembershipPaves Way for Court Order:

College Violated FMLA RightsOn a Friday morning in late 2009, Carol

Stensvad was finishing her work week at Mid-Plains Community College’s McCook Campus when her supervisor ut-tered eight words that changed her life.

“I need to see you in my office.”

Stensvad was in a bit of a rush. At noon she was to drive her medically-fragile husband the 70 miles to North Platte for one in a series of medi-cal appointments. Once in her supervisor’s office — with the area dean of student services on hand — the supervisor handed Stensvad termination pa-pers.

“He said ‘clean out your desk before you leave,’” Stensvad recalls.

Packing boxes were ready. Stensvad would not be allowed to return after her North Platte trek to collect personal items. She packed her

belongings and was escorted out.“I could not believe what had happened.”For nearly 10 years Stensvad had worked

at Mid-Plains. Through several supervisors her performance evaluations were consistently good. The lone issue with Stensvad’s work was her frequent leave time. When her husband’s health worsened in 2006, Stensvad took leave

to get him to medical stops in McCook, North Platte and, at times, Oma-ha, Lincoln and Kearney.

Fortunately, Stens-vad’s union contract included paid leave provisions to care for a family member with a serious health condition. The Family and Medi-cal Leave Act (FMLA) allows up to 12 weeks a year leave to care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health is-sue. But her supervisor and other administrators

eventually all considered her absences exces-sive, and worked to some degree to discourage or deny her efforts to use FMLA leave.

“Her union contract was key in her ability to exercise her FMLA leave,” said NSEA At-

torney Scott Norby. “FMLA leave is unpaid, unless the negotiated agreement provides for paid leave.”

With NSEA at her side, Stensvad al-leged in a United States District Court lawsuit that her FMLA rights had been vio-lated. Judge Laurie Smith Camp ultimately issued an unusual 18-page Memorandum and Order that favored Stensvad on every count. College officials quickly sought a settlement. In December, the Mid-Plains Community College Board of Directors ap-proved a payment of $112,500 to Stensvad. Another $50,000 came her way from the Nebraska College Insurance Fund.

“For education support professionals, it demonstrates this organization’s commit-ment to pursuing statutory remedies for ESP members,” said Norby. “We’re committed to working to provide the same level of servic-es to ESPs as we provide to our instructional membership.”

Said Stensvad: “I could not have had better representation than what I had with NSEA.”

Short Duration LeaveHired in February 2000 as the administra-

tive assistant for community services, Stens-vad’s job was to get people on campus for classes on topics from hunter education to computers. Her outgoing nature drew people to the campus. The college’s health care and 401k plan were helpful to Stensvad, a divor-cee putting a son through pharmacy school.

In 2004, she married a retired railroader. His health faltered in 2006 and he has since dealt with Type 2 diabetes, lost a kidney to cancer and bladder cancer, among other is-sues. Norby said Stensvad used FMLA leave frequently to meet her husband’s medical needs, though most of the leave was of short duration. Her absences may have caused dif-ficulties, but that was because Stensvad did everything from set up tables to deal with complex financial reports.

“They did not deal with her absences effectively, and it was exacerbated because, in part, the dean in the past would step in and get his or her hands dirty and help with the work. But the last dean would not do that,” said Norby.

Reduced HoursAs her interim supervisor in 2007, the college vice president

gave Stensvad a satisfactory evaluation. Within weeks, how-ever, the vice president and the human resources director began to talk about her use of FMLA. According to a deposition, the human resources director suggested that Stensvad’s job be re-classified as part-time, “eliminating the availability of benefits.”

The HR director noted the tactic was “pretty drastic and may be a little underhanded, but I kind of like it.” The vice president initially declined that option. But in November 2007, he said he was ready to alter the hours – if the college president agreed. The HR director noted that “if we change the position, rather than attack the individual, we should be OK from an HR and

Busy schedule: Carol Stensvad’s monthly schedule has slowed very little since she was fired from her job as an administrative assistant at the McCook Campus of Mid-Plains Community College. Her husband’s medical appointments fill up much of her calendar.

Reversal of Fortune

Paper Made the Case

Never underestimate the power of paper – it was an important part of the Carol Stensvad case against Mid-Plains Community College.

On one hand, Stensvad had an extensive collection of paperwork and e-mails that documented the effort by college officials to stifle her use of the Family Medi-cal Leave Act.

On the other hand, NSEA Attorney Scott Norby had to go to extraordinary lengths to get paper from the college documenting its handling of Stensvad’s leave requests.

Stensvad worked first with NSEA UniServ Direc-tor Ellen Yates, and later with UniServ Director Kristen Sedlacek. Director of Mem-ber Rights Trish Guinan was involved, and finally Norby became involved, and first met with Stensvad at a public library in Lexington.

“I had such a paper trail,” said Stensvad. “Scott said that ‘we definitely have a case.’”

Guinan said that Stens-vad’s is another example of the need for members to document their workplace life and history. She remind-ed members to keep a file of workplace documents.

“Good documentation can make or break a mem-ber rights case, or even de-termine whether there is a case to consider,” she said.

After the case was filed, Norby sought college paper-work to review as he built a case for Stensvad. The col-lege sent ream upon ream of paperwork – but withheld about 120 documents citing privilege and other reasons. Norby had to file a second lawsuit to request those papers, and a federal court order succeeded in getting about two-thirds of those documents.

“That was enough. That made the case,” he said.

Page 8 n The NSEA Voice n April 2012

“For education support professionals, it demonstrates this organization’s commitment to pursuing statutory remedies for ESP members. We’re committed to working to provide the same level of services to ESPs as we provide to our instructional membership.”

— Scott Norby,NSEA Attorney

#April 2012.indd 8 3/27/2012 9:20:11 AM


belongings and was escorted out.“I could not believe what had happened.”For nearly 10 years Stensvad had worked

at Mid-Plains. Through several supervisors her performance evaluations were consistently good. The lone issue with Stensvad’s work was her frequent leave time. When her husband’s health worsened in 2006, Stensvad took leave

to get him to medical stops in McCook, North Platte and, at times, Oma-ha, Lincoln and Kearney.

Fortunately, Stens-vad’s union contract included paid leave provisions to care for a family member with a serious health condition. The Family and Medi-cal Leave Act (FMLA) allows up to 12 weeks a year leave to care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health is-sue. But her supervisor and other administrators

eventually all considered her absences exces-sive, and worked to some degree to discourage or deny her efforts to use FMLA leave.

“Her union contract was key in her ability to exercise her FMLA leave,” said NSEA At-

torney Scott Norby. “FMLA leave is unpaid, unless the negotiated agreement provides for paid leave.”

With NSEA at her side, Stensvad al-leged in a United States District Court lawsuit that her FMLA rights had been vio-lated. Judge Laurie Smith Camp ultimately issued an unusual 18-page Memorandum and Order that favored Stensvad on every count. College officials quickly sought a settlement. In December, the Mid-Plains Community College Board of Directors ap-proved a payment of $112,500 to Stensvad. Another $50,000 came her way from the Nebraska College Insurance Fund.

“For education support professionals, it demonstrates this organization’s commit-ment to pursuing statutory remedies for ESP members,” said Norby. “We’re committed to working to provide the same level of servic-es to ESPs as we provide to our instructional membership.”

Said Stensvad: “I could not have had better representation than what I had with NSEA.”

Short Duration LeaveHired in February 2000 as the administra-

tive assistant for community services, Stens-vad’s job was to get people on campus for classes on topics from hunter education to computers. Her outgoing nature drew people to the campus. The college’s health care and 401k plan were helpful to Stensvad, a divor-cee putting a son through pharmacy school.

In 2004, she married a retired railroader. His health faltered in 2006 and he has since dealt with Type 2 diabetes, lost a kidney to cancer and bladder cancer, among other is-sues. Norby said Stensvad used FMLA leave frequently to meet her husband’s medical needs, though most of the leave was of short duration. Her absences may have caused dif-ficulties, but that was because Stensvad did everything from set up tables to deal with complex financial reports.

“They did not deal with her absences effectively, and it was exacerbated because, in part, the dean in the past would step in and get his or her hands dirty and help with the work. But the last dean would not do that,” said Norby.

Reduced HoursAs her interim supervisor in 2007, the college vice president

gave Stensvad a satisfactory evaluation. Within weeks, how-ever, the vice president and the human resources director began to talk about her use of FMLA. According to a deposition, the human resources director suggested that Stensvad’s job be re-classified as part-time, “eliminating the availability of benefits.”

The HR director noted the tactic was “pretty drastic and may be a little underhanded, but I kind of like it.” The vice president initially declined that option. But in November 2007, he said he was ready to alter the hours – if the college president agreed. The HR director noted that “if we change the position, rather than attack the individual, we should be OK from an HR and

legal perspective. One would assume that Carol would resign if this were to occur.”

The vice president did not act on that op-tion, and by June 2008, Stensvad had a new supervisor who was told to address her use of FMLA. In a deposition, the supervisor said “when I came into this position, (the college vice president) told me to fix it.”

The supervisor admitted Stensvad was entitled to FMLA leave, but advocated against it because “I felt it would keep her at her desk.” He encouraged her to use flex time and to set medical appointments out-side of work hours – even though the HR director said he outlined FMLA rights and said “I don’t know how you require her to attend her medical visits outside of work hours when her work hours are the same as the hours of available medical service.”

The supervisor also conditioned FMLA leave on Stensvad’s ability to identify how her workstation would be occupied; her du-ties would be performed; and whether she would make up time out of the office.

Legal ActionAt one point, the supervisor denied an

FMLA request. Stensvad e-mailed adminis-trators asking why it was denied and why it was conditioned on her making up the time out of the office. The HR director advised that the college was exposed to legal action.

In October 2008, the HR director suggest-ed that Stensvad be put on a performance improvement plan for poor performance, insubordination and short or no notice when using FMLA leave. In a deposition, he said he had no knowledge of her performance, other than absenteeism due to FMLA. Fur-ther, he admitted recommending insubordi-nation as a basis for the plan – without actual knowledge of insubordination.

A team of top administrators, including the campus president, vice president, human resources director and attorney then met to prepare a July 2, 2009, evaluation for Stensvad. The goal: to make sure that performance, rather than “chronic absenteeism due to FMLA leave,” was a legitimate is-sue. The team identified data entry as the performance problem.

After the poor evaluation, Stensvad prepared and delivered a written response defending her use of FMLA. She was placed under an the improvement plan — which also found her insub-ordinate for her e-mail response to the previous evaluation. She responded with a grievance, and on Nov. 6, 2009, was fired.

Not quite 26 months later, Judge Smith Camp issued her Memorandum – unusual because at the U.S. District Court level, magistrates typically handle proceedings at that stage.

“The fact that she wrote the opinion, rather than the mag-istrate, was a clear signal to the college to ‘make this case go away,’” said Norby.

Stensvad misses her colleagues and meeting the public. But she knows that what happened to her could happen to anyone.

“If you have representation from the NSEA, it just makes it so much easier. They are just a phone call away.”

What is FMLA?The Family Medical Leave Act

was approved by Congress in 1993. This explanation comes from the U.S. Department of Labor website:

The FMLA entitles eligible em-ployees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. Eligible employees are entitled to 12 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for:nThe birth of a child and to

care for the newborn child within 1 year of birth; nThe placement with the

employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement; nTo care for the employee’s

spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition; nA serious health condition

that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his or her job;nAny qualifying exigency arising

out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent is a covered military member on “cov-ered active duty;” or nTwenty-six workweeks of

leave during a single 12-month pe-riod to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness if the eligible employee is the service member’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin (mili-tary caregiver leave).

Busy schedule: Carol Stensvad’s monthly schedule has slowed very little since she was fired from her job as an administrative assistant at the McCook Campus of Mid-Plains Community College. Her husband’s medical appointments fill up much of her calendar.

Reversal of Fortune

April 2012 n The NSEA Voice n Page 9

#April 2012.indd 9 3/27/2012 9:20:11 AM


#April 2012.indd 10 3/27/2012 9:20:14 AM

www.peru.edu/graduate


#April 2012.indd 11 3/27/2012 9:20:14 AM

www.peru.edu/graduate


RIFS and YouNotification Deadline is Near

It happens every year at Nebraska school districts large and small: a veteran teacher receives a Reduction in Force notice – a pink slip – notifying the teacher that the last day of school is the teacher’s last day with the district.

Nebraska schools will continue to deal with extremely tight budgets into the future, and RIFs will likely be a fact of life across the state. The best way to deal with RIF notices is to be prepared. The first fact to know is this tried and true advice: if you receive a RIF notice, call NSEA immediately.

The second fact to know is this: the statutory deadline for school districts to hand out RIF notices is April 15.

The moment you receive a RIF notice, a countdown begins. By state statute, you have seven days in which to request a hearing to contest the notice. While your situation may never reach an actual hearing, the best option is to act quickly by immediately giving NSEA a call. That will give you, your NSEA UniServ director and NSEA’s Member Rights depart-ment time to determine what steps are in your best interest.

If you receive a notice, do two things:nFax a copy of the RIF notice to the NSEA at 1-402-

475-2630.nCall your NSEA UniServ director at 1-800-742-0047

to verify that the fax has arrived.As always, if you have questions, contact your UniServ

director or the NSEA office of Member Rights at 1-800-742-0047.

#April 2012.indd 12 3/27/2012 9:20:15 AM

neamb.com/retire1


RIFS and YouNotification Deadline is Near

It happens every year at Nebraska school districts large and small: a veteran teacher receives a Reduction in Force notice – a pink slip – notifying the teacher that the last day of school is the teacher’s last day with the district.

Nebraska schools will continue to deal with extremely tight budgets into the future, and RIFs will likely be a fact of life across the state. The best way to deal with RIF notices is to be prepared. The first fact to know is this tried and true advice: if you receive a RIF notice, call NSEA immediately.

The second fact to know is this: the statutory deadline for school districts to hand out RIF notices is April 15.

The moment you receive a RIF notice, a countdown begins. By state statute, you have seven days in which to request a hearing to contest the notice. While your situation may never reach an actual hearing, the best option is to act quickly by immediately giving NSEA a call. That will give you, your NSEA UniServ director and NSEA’s Member Rights depart-ment time to determine what steps are in your best interest.

If you receive a notice, do two things:nFax a copy of the RIF notice to the NSEA at 1-402-

475-2630.nCall your NSEA UniServ director at 1-800-742-0047

to verify that the fax has arrived.As always, if you have questions, contact your UniServ

director or the NSEA office of Member Rights at 1-800-742-0047.

Walks to BenefitChildren’s Fund

The inaugural walk-a-thon for the Children’s Fund last August was such a success that organizers thought they’d would try it again this year. Twice!

Children’s Fund supporters can show their support for the Fund at walk-a-thons in both Lincoln and Omaha this spring and summer.

A two-mile walk in Lincoln on Saturday, May 12, will be held at the Super Saver Grocery Store at 27th and Pine Lake Road. A second walk will be held at Millard’s Super Saver Grocery Store at 5710 S. 144th St., on Saturday, Aug. 18. Registration for both walks will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the walks to start at 10:30 a.m.

Participants are asked to collect pledges in exchange for completing the walk, or to provide a donation for participa-tion. At both sites there will be prizes and other fun activities.

Last August’s walk in Lincoln collected more than $8,000 for the Children’s Fund. In the past two years, more than $120,000 in relief has been provided by the Children’s Fund.

For more details on the walk-a-thons, watch The Voice and the NSEA website, or call NSEA at 1-800-742-0047, to participate or for more details. The website is at:

www.nsea.org

#April 2012.indd 13 3/27/2012 9:20:16 AM

http://www.nsea.org

www.unomaha.edu


NSEA Delegate Assembly will OfferHeavyweight Lineup, Action

Each of the more than 27,000 NSEA members have an interest in their professional association.

In that manner, they resemble stockholders.

The vested interest of members is never more apparent than at the As-sociation’s annual Del-egate Assembly, at which elected delegates from across the state represent all members as they set NSEA’s course for the coming year.

This year’s event — the 151st Assembly in the Association’s 146-year history — promises to be memorable. The agenda in-cludes National Education Association President Dennis Van-Roekel as well as Omaha State Sen. Steve Lathrop, a legislative floor leader, potential gubernatorial candidate and the man who last year brokered a legislative compromise that preserved pub-lic sector bargaining in Nebraska.

Several Bylaws changes have been proposed (see Page 18), and the delegate ‘stockholders’ will also hear a summary of the past year’s work from NSEA program directors. Delegates will consider changes to NSEA Resolutions, and there may be New Business Items proposed by the time the Assembly convenes. Bylaws are NSEA’s governing documents; a New Business Item calls for a specific action by the Association. Resolutions are the Association’s guiding principles. Add action on the 2012-13 dues proposal, and the April 20-21 Delegate Assem-bly will be a fast-paced affair.

“We’re counting on this being a pretty busy event – delegates won’t get much rest,” said NSEA President Nancy Fulton.

Van Roekel, Lathrop ScheduledA graduate of the University of Iowa, VanRoekel taught

high school math for 23 years in Phoenix before embarking on a leadership path. He is past president of his local association and the Arizona State Education Association, and served two terms as NEA vice president.

VanRoekel is committed to improving student learning and enhancing the professionalism of education employees, which he believes go hand-in-hand. Under his leadership, NEA un-veiled its “Leading the Profession” plan in December. This agenda in-corporates proven best practices from thousands of leading teachers from around the country – its main com-ponents are raising the bar for entry into the profession; teachers ensuring teacher quality; and union leadership to transform the profession.

An Omaha native, Lathrop is a father to four daughters, a graduate

‘Stockholder’ Meeting is Near

#April 2012.indd 14 3/27/2012 9:20:17 AM

nebraskablue.com


NSEA Delegate Assembly will OfferHeavyweight Lineup, Action

Each of the more than 27,000 NSEA members have an interest in their professional association.

In that manner, they resemble stockholders.

The vested interest of members is never more apparent than at the As-sociation’s annual Del-egate Assembly, at which elected delegates from across the state represent all members as they set NSEA’s course for the coming year.

This year’s event — the 151st Assembly in the Association’s 146-year history — promises to be memorable. The agenda in-cludes National Education Association President Dennis Van-Roekel as well as Omaha State Sen. Steve Lathrop, a legislative floor leader, potential gubernatorial candidate and the man who last year brokered a legislative compromise that preserved pub-lic sector bargaining in Nebraska.

Several Bylaws changes have been proposed (see Page 18), and the delegate ‘stockholders’ will also hear a summary of the past year’s work from NSEA program directors. Delegates will consider changes to NSEA Resolutions, and there may be New Business Items proposed by the time the Assembly convenes. Bylaws are NSEA’s governing documents; a New Business Item calls for a specific action by the Association. Resolutions are the Association’s guiding principles. Add action on the 2012-13 dues proposal, and the April 20-21 Delegate Assem-bly will be a fast-paced affair.

“We’re counting on this being a pretty busy event – delegates won’t get much rest,” said NSEA President Nancy Fulton.

Van Roekel, Lathrop ScheduledA graduate of the University of Iowa, VanRoekel taught

high school math for 23 years in Phoenix before embarking on a leadership path. He is past president of his local association and the Arizona State Education Association, and served two terms as NEA vice president.

VanRoekel is committed to improving student learning and enhancing the professionalism of education employees, which he believes go hand-in-hand. Under his leadership, NEA un-veiled its “Leading the Profession” plan in December. This agenda in-corporates proven best practices from thousands of leading teachers from around the country – its main com-ponents are raising the bar for entry into the profession; teachers ensuring teacher quality; and union leadership to transform the profession.

An Omaha native, Lathrop is a father to four daughters, a graduate

of Creighton University and an attorney. In the Legislature, he chairs the Business and Labor Committee; is vice chair of the Judiciary Committee; and sits on the Agriculture Committee.

During the 2011 session of the Legislature, when threats to public sector collective bargaining were at their highest, Lath-rop brokered a compromise that preserved the Commission of Industrial Relations and the right of teachers and other public sector union members to bargain for salaries and benefits.

One Member, One VoteThe more than 300 NSEA members who serve as delegates

are elected proportionally to represent their colleagues across the state. The issues they debate and consider will affect the Association’s course during the 2012-13 year. All the action

will take place at the Omaha-LaVista Embassy Suites Convention Center, which opens on Friday, April 20, and closes on Saturday, April 21.

NSEA was founded in 1867 — just five short months after Ne-braska gained statehood. In the 145 years since, members have met nearly every year, and in some years have held two Delegate As-semblies.

‘Stockholder’ Meeting is Near

VanRoekel

On These Pages:The 2012 Delegate Assembly schedule, as well

as proposed changes to the NSEA Bylaws and the proposed dues for the 2012-13 Association year.

Online:All NSEA committee reports and proposed

Delegate Assembly Standing Rules have been posted to the NSEA website. Find them at:

www.nsea.org

Annual meeting of stockholders: In this photo from NSEA’s 1960 Delegate Assembly, Columbus delegate Wayne Krepel studies a copy of the Nebraska Education News, predecessor to The Voice. The headline reads ‘A del-egate is like a stockholder.’

Lathrop


#April 2012.indd 15 3/27/2012 9:20:18 AM


Order of Business:Delegate Assembly 2012

Embassy Suites Omaha-LaVista Hotel and Conference CenterPresident Nancy Fulton, Wilber-Clatonia, Presiding

Registration: Embassy Suites Omaha-LaVista Hotel and Conference Center, Beginning at 5 p.m.

Friday, April 20, 2012 t 7 p.m.Call to Order: NSEA President Nancy Fulton, Wilber-ClatoniaPledge of Allegiance: SEAN President Patrick White, Hastings CollegeNational Anthem: Assembly DelegatesFirst Report of Credentials CommitteeAdoption of Standing/Procedural RulesAdoption of Order of BusinessFirst Report of Resolutions Committee: Co-Chairs Tracia Blom, S. Sioux City, and Resa Wiltse, Lincoln, Nebraska representatives on NEA’s Resolutions Committee; and Becky Torrens, Elkhorn, member of NEA’s Internal Editing Committee of the NEA Resolutions CommitteeSubmission of Additional New Resolutions and/or Amendments to Continuing ResolutionsReport of the Bylaws Committee: NEA Director Leann Widhalm, Norfolk, Bylaws Committee ChairDebate on Proposed Bylaws Amendments (Voting to take place Saturday from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m.)Keynote Address: NEA President Dennis VanRoekelBegin Action on New Business ItemsReport of the Auditing CommitteeDues Proposal for 2012-13: NSEA Vice President Leann Widhalm, Norfolk, Chair, Budget CommitteeSubmission of Additional New Business ItemsAnnouncements and Recess

These activities will take place immediately following the close of the First Session: tNEA and NSEA Resolutions Hearing, Fedora I Room. tNSEA Budget Hearing, Fedora II Room. Horace Mann Reception: Windsor Ballroom VII-X

Saturday, April 21, 2012 t 8:30 a.m.Voting on Bylaws Amendments will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Final Report of Credentials CommitteeSubmission of Additional New Business Items (By 10 a.m.)Submission of Additional New Resolutions and/or Amendments to Continuing Resolutions (By 10 a.m.)NSEA Awards ProgramReports to the Assembly: NSEA CommitteesAddress to the Delegates and Members by the President: Nancy Fulton, Wilber-ClatoniaPrograms in Review: NSEA Program DirectorsAction on New Business ItemsFinal Report of Resolutions Committee: Tracia Blom, Resa Wiltse and Becky TorrensAction on ResolutionsReport of the Executive Director: Craig R. ChristiansenAction on the Dues Proposal for 2012-13Adjournment

Parliamentarian: Michael Cheney, University of Illinois SpringfieldFriday evening break service provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska;

Saturday Morning Break Service Provided by NSEA.


2012-13 NSEA Dues RecommendationDues for Certificated Staff

The NSEA Board of Directors has recommended the following annual fee structure for Association membership by certificated staff. Delegates to the NSEA Delegate Assembly on April 20-21 will consider and act on this proposal. For the 2012-13 Association year, the NSEA Board of Directors recommends the dues for these certificated classes of NSEA membership be as follows:

Active: $376 Half-time Active: $188 Active Substitute: $188 Non-Active Sub: $94

The total NSEA dues and assessments for 2011-12 were $372, including a one-time assessment of $10 for the Ballot Contingency Fund. That special assessment was approved by the 2011 Delegate Assembly and expires at the end of the current Association year. The total NSEA dues and assessments for the current year and the proposal for next year are summarized below:

2011-12 2012-13 Changes (%) General Fund Dues ............................ $342 ................... $355 ..........$13 (3.8%) Special Assessment .............................. $10 .......................n/a .......................n/a Ballot Contingency Fund ....................... $5 ....................... $6 .............$1 (20%) State PAC ............................................. $15 ..................... $15 ........................$0 Total .................................................. $372 ................... $376 .............. $4 (1%)

The Ballot Contingency Fund is used when proposed ballot initiatives or referenda affect public education. The NSEA Political Action Fund (PAC) supports member-recommended pro-education candidates.

With the expiration of the special assessment, the proposed dues and fund assessments reflect a net increase of $4 to fund the NSEA budget for 2012-13.

All amounts listed are for state dues only. NEA dues for 2012-13 have been proposed at no more than $180, a $2 increase.As noted, the 2012-13 dues amount for full-time, active members of NSEA includes a voluntary contribution of $15 to NSEA’s

Political Action Fund and $7.50 for half-time active members and active substitute members. This contribution is refundable upon receipt of a written, individually-composed request. A reminder of the opportunity to seek a refund is published in the January issue of the NSEA Voice. Address refund requests to NSEA PAC Refund, in care of NSEA President, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508.

Dues for Educational Support ProfessionalsDelegates to the 2001 Delegate Assembly approved a separate dues structure for Educational Support Professionals (ESP). That

action created four levels of dues for ESP members, and the NSEA Board of Directors modified the ESP dues structure to a six-tiered structure. The ESP dues structure is motivated by an effort to establish equity between the wide range of ESP salaries, while taking into consideration the fact that beginning teachers or teachers in lower-paid school districts are still paying full NSEA dues. In this model, the ESP member’s total base salary, regardless of the hours or number of days worked, establishes the state dues for that member. The percentages are based on the lowest starting teacher salary in the state, which was $27,050 in 2011-12.

ESP Dues Tier NSEA Dues Active ESP (salary of $27,050 or more) ........ $376.00 (100 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($21,640 to $27,049) .................. $338.40 (90 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($16,230 to $21,639) .................. $263.20 (70 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($10,820 to $16,229) ................. $188.00 (50 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($5,410 to $10,819) ................... $112.80 (30 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($5,409 or less) .......................... $37.60 (10 percent of teacher dues)

2012-13 Dues ComparisonMembership dues for the Nebraska State Education Association rank in the middle of adjacent states.

State 10-11 11-12 Proposed Wyoming ........... $504 $508 $NA Iowa .................. $454 $466 $481 Colorado ........... $376 $376 $NA Nebraska ......... $357 $372 $376 Kansas .............. $362 $366 $369 South Dakota .... $350 $360 $370 Missouri ............ $341 $351 $359 AVERAGE .............$392 $399.85 $391

#April 2012.indd 16 3/27/2012 9:20:18 AM


Order of Business:Delegate Assembly 2012

Embassy Suites Omaha-LaVista Hotel and Conference CenterPresident Nancy Fulton, Wilber-Clatonia, Presiding

Registration: Embassy Suites Omaha-LaVista Hotel and Conference Center, Beginning at 5 p.m.

Friday, April 20, 2012 t 7 p.m.Call to Order: NSEA President Nancy Fulton, Wilber-ClatoniaPledge of Allegiance: SEAN President Patrick White, Hastings CollegeNational Anthem: Assembly DelegatesFirst Report of Credentials CommitteeAdoption of Standing/Procedural RulesAdoption of Order of BusinessFirst Report of Resolutions Committee: Co-Chairs Tracia Blom, S. Sioux City, and Resa Wiltse, Lincoln, Nebraska representatives on NEA’s Resolutions Committee; and Becky Torrens, Elkhorn, member of NEA’s Internal Editing Committee of the NEA Resolutions CommitteeSubmission of Additional New Resolutions and/or Amendments to Continuing ResolutionsReport of the Bylaws Committee: NEA Director Leann Widhalm, Norfolk, Bylaws Committee ChairDebate on Proposed Bylaws Amendments (Voting to take place Saturday from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m.)Keynote Address: NEA President Dennis VanRoekelBegin Action on New Business ItemsReport of the Auditing CommitteeDues Proposal for 2012-13: NSEA Vice President Leann Widhalm, Norfolk, Chair, Budget CommitteeSubmission of Additional New Business ItemsAnnouncements and Recess

These activities will take place immediately following the close of the First Session: tNEA and NSEA Resolutions Hearing, Fedora I Room. tNSEA Budget Hearing, Fedora II Room. Horace Mann Reception: Windsor Ballroom VII-X

Saturday, April 21, 2012 t 8:30 a.m.Voting on Bylaws Amendments will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Final Report of Credentials CommitteeSubmission of Additional New Business Items (By 10 a.m.)Submission of Additional New Resolutions and/or Amendments to Continuing Resolutions (By 10 a.m.)NSEA Awards ProgramReports to the Assembly: NSEA CommitteesAddress to the Delegates and Members by the President: Nancy Fulton, Wilber-ClatoniaPrograms in Review: NSEA Program DirectorsAction on New Business ItemsFinal Report of Resolutions Committee: Tracia Blom, Resa Wiltse and Becky TorrensAction on ResolutionsReport of the Executive Director: Craig R. ChristiansenAction on the Dues Proposal for 2012-13Adjournment

Parliamentarian: Michael Cheney, University of Illinois SpringfieldFriday evening break service provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska;

Saturday Morning Break Service Provided by NSEA.

2012-13 NSEA Dues RecommendationDues for Certificated Staff

The NSEA Board of Directors has recommended the following annual fee structure for Association membership by certificated staff. Delegates to the NSEA Delegate Assembly on April 20-21 will consider and act on this proposal. For the 2012-13 Association year, the NSEA Board of Directors recommends the dues for these certificated classes of NSEA membership be as follows:

Active: $376 Half-time Active: $188 Active Substitute: $188 Non-Active Sub: $94

The total NSEA dues and assessments for 2011-12 were $372, including a one-time assessment of $10 for the Ballot Contingency Fund. That special assessment was approved by the 2011 Delegate Assembly and expires at the end of the current Association year. The total NSEA dues and assessments for the current year and the proposal for next year are summarized below:

2011-12 2012-13 Changes (%) General Fund Dues ............................ $342 ................... $355 ..........$13 (3.8%) Special Assessment .............................. $10 .......................n/a .......................n/a Ballot Contingency Fund ....................... $5 ....................... $6 .............$1 (20%) State PAC ............................................. $15 ..................... $15 ........................$0 Total .................................................. $372 ................... $376 .............. $4 (1%)

The Ballot Contingency Fund is used when proposed ballot initiatives or referenda affect public education. The NSEA Political Action Fund (PAC) supports member-recommended pro-education candidates.

With the expiration of the special assessment, the proposed dues and fund assessments reflect a net increase of $4 to fund the NSEA budget for 2012-13.

All amounts listed are for state dues only. NEA dues for 2012-13 have been proposed at no more than $180, a $2 increase.As noted, the 2012-13 dues amount for full-time, active members of NSEA includes a voluntary contribution of $15 to NSEA’s

Political Action Fund and $7.50 for half-time active members and active substitute members. This contribution is refundable upon receipt of a written, individually-composed request. A reminder of the opportunity to seek a refund is published in the January issue of the NSEA Voice. Address refund requests to NSEA PAC Refund, in care of NSEA President, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508.

Dues for Educational Support ProfessionalsDelegates to the 2001 Delegate Assembly approved a separate dues structure for Educational Support Professionals (ESP). That

action created four levels of dues for ESP members, and the NSEA Board of Directors modified the ESP dues structure to a six-tiered structure. The ESP dues structure is motivated by an effort to establish equity between the wide range of ESP salaries, while taking into consideration the fact that beginning teachers or teachers in lower-paid school districts are still paying full NSEA dues. In this model, the ESP member’s total base salary, regardless of the hours or number of days worked, establishes the state dues for that member. The percentages are based on the lowest starting teacher salary in the state, which was $27,050 in 2011-12.

ESP Dues Tier NSEA Dues Active ESP (salary of $27,050 or more) ........ $376.00 (100 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($21,640 to $27,049) .................. $338.40 (90 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($16,230 to $21,639) .................. $263.20 (70 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($10,820 to $16,229) ................. $188.00 (50 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($5,410 to $10,819) ................... $112.80 (30 percent of teacher dues) Active ESP ($5,409 or less) .......................... $37.60 (10 percent of teacher dues)

2012-13 Dues ComparisonMembership dues for the Nebraska State Education Association rank in the middle of adjacent states.

State 10-11 11-12 Proposed Wyoming ........... $504 $508 $NA Iowa .................. $454 $466 $481 Colorado ........... $376 $376 $NA Nebraska ......... $357 $372 $376 Kansas .............. $362 $366 $369 South Dakota .... $350 $360 $370 Missouri ............ $341 $351 $359 AVERAGE .............$392 $399.85 $391

NSEA Dues HistoryBudget NSEA Percent Year Dues Increase2012-13 $376 1.082011-12 $372 4.202010-11 $357 2.002009-10 $350 2.302008-09 $342 4.262007-08 $328 6.492006-07 $308 4.052005-06 $296 4.962004-05 $282 5.222003-04 $268 4.28


#April 2012.indd 17 3/27/2012 9:20:19 AM


Proposed NSEA Bylaws RevisionsThese proposed changes to NSEA’s Bylaws will be consid-

ered during the annual meeting of the Delegate Assembly at the LaVista Embassy Suites on April 20-21.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment 1nArticle I: MembershipSection 2. There shall be eight (8) classes of membership in

the Association: Active Professional; Active Educational Sup-port Professional; Substitute; Reserve; Special Services; Stu-dent; Retired; and Staff.

(a) Active membership shall be of two types, Professional and Educational Support Professional (ESP). Active Profes-sional membership shall be open to any person who is engaged in or who is on a leave of absence from the profession (teaching, administrating or substituting) or is serving as an elected offi-cer of the Association or a chartered local association, or whose employment status is in dispute and for whom the Association is providing legal services. Active Professional members shall hold or shall be eligible to hold a baccalaureate or higher de-gree or the regular teaching, vocational or technical certificate required by their employment. Active Professional members regularly employed fifty percent (50%) or less of the normal schedule for full-time faculty members (as verified by the lo-cal association) are eligible to join the Association as half-time active members. Active Professional members shall be eligible to be voting delegates to the NSEA Delegate Assembly and the NEA Representative Assembly. Educators employed on a regu-lar basis as a substitute teacher holding at least a baccalaureate degree are eligible for active substitute membership. The active substitute receives all the benefits of active membership. Dues for active substitutes employed full-time are 100 percent of Ac-tive Professional dues; for substitutes employed less than full-time, the dues are fifty percent (50%) of NSEA active dues.

Where no local association is available, an active profes-sional may join NSEA/NEA directly.

Rationale: This Bylaw change would allow active profes-sionals who teach at an institution without an active local asso-ciation the opportunity to belong to the NSEA/NEA. Submit-ted by the Bylaws Committee of the NSEA Board of Directors.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment 2

nArticle III: Board of DirectorsSection 2. The District Presidents, the President of NSEA-

Retired, the President of the Higher Education Academy, an Education Support Professional representative, the President of the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN), and the Chair of the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC), shall be invited to attend all meetings of the Board of Direc-tors each year as ex-officio members without the right to vote. In the absence of any Board member the District President may assume the seat of an absent director from the same dis-trict with voting privileges. NSEA members who are elected at the National Education Association level to be members of the NEA Board of Directors shall be invited to attend meetings of the NSEA Board as ex-officio members without the right to vote. NEA-budgeted funds must be utilized for expenses.

Rationale: With the Higher Education membership no lon-

ger a separate NSEA district for the coming association year, this Bylaw would allow the Higher Education president to con-tinue as a member of the NSEA Board of Directors as an ex-of-ficio member, without voting rights. Submitted by the Bylaws Committee of the NSEA Board of Directors.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment 3nArticle III: Board of DirectorsSECTION 2. The President of NSEA-Retired and the

President of the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN) shall serve as ex-officio voting members of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the President, the Vice President of the respective association may assume the seat of the absent President with voting privileges.

SECTION 2 3. The District Presidents, the President of NSEA-Retired, an Education Support Professional represen-tative, the President of the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN), and the Chair of the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC), shall be invited to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors each year as ex-officio members with-out the right to vote. In the absence of any Board member the District President may assume the seat of an absent director from the same district with voting privileges. NSEA members who are elected at the National Education Association level to be members of the NEA Board of Directors shall be invited to attend meetings of the NSEA Board as ex-officio members without the right to vote. NEA-budgeted funds must be utilized for expenses.

Rationale: This amendment would establish three catego-ries of NSEA Board membership: (a) voting members who have been directly elected to the board and who have propor-tional representation for their respective electing bodies; (b) ex-officio voting members who have not been directly elected to the board, but who represent membership categories who do not have voting rights through other membership groups on the board; and (c) ex-officio members who do not have voting rights who are a subset of members who otherwise have voting rights on the board.

Ex-officio members of the NSEA board serve because they have an official elected position in an affiliated organization. There is currently no voting member on the NSEA Board of Directors who either is directly elected by or who represents the membership of either NSEA-Retired or SEAN. This change would create a new category of ex-officio NSEA Board mem-bership with voting rights, but does not establish proportional representation for either NSEA-Retired or SEAN.

The Bylaw change specifically provides for voting rights for the presidents of NSEA-Retired and SEAN. Both NSEA-Re-tired and SEAN presidents currently hold ex-officio member-ship on the NSEA Board. This Bylaw will not increase the size of the NSEA board, and does not provide for proportional rep-resentation for these two membership categories. This Bylaw gives these two membership categories, who do not currently have voting rights for their respective members through any other membership category on the board, a vote at the NSEA Board level.

Submitted by NSEA-Retired President Roger Rea and SEAN President Patrick White.


2013 Teacher of the YearApplication Materials AvailableAn excellent teacher resides in every Nebraska

classroom. Even so, only one Nebraska teacher will earn the honor of Nebraska’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Nebraska Teacher of the Year program. Those who apply should understand that the state’s top teacher earns far more than just a title: the winner also re-ceives thousands of dollars in classroom materials.

Candidates should be exceptionally dedicated; knowledgeable and skilled; active in the commu-nity in which they teach; and poised, articulate and energetic.

The SMART Technologies provides the Teacher of the Year with a package of hardware and software for classroom use. Assorted other gifts, from NSEA and other education organizations, add to the value.

The Nebraska Teacher of the Year Program has re-ceived financial support from BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska, SMART Technologies, the Nebraska Council

Are You TOY Material?

Coverage Comes with Your Professional Dues

Every member of NSEA is cov-ered by the Educator’s Employment Liability (EEL) Insurance policy pur-chased by the National Education As-sociation.

In general, the EEL policy provides coverage for members arising out of their educational employment activities. Those activities are generally defined as duties performed pursuant to the ex-press or implied terms of their employ-ment or at the express request of the member’s supervisor acting within the supervisor’s school employment.

In addition to defending civil mat-ters, the EEL insurance provides re-imbursement for bail bonds in em-ployment-related criminal matters and reimbursement for personal property damages caused by an assault at school or while performing school duties.

Further, the EEL insurance pro-vides reimbursement in criminal mat-ters arising out of educational em-ployment activities if the member is found not guilty.

The specific terms and coverage pro-vided by the EEL insurance policy are

NSEA Membership: Liability Coverage, Too!

#April 2012.indd 18 3/27/2012 9:20:19 AM


Proposed NSEA Bylaws Revisionsger a separate NSEA district for the coming association year, this Bylaw would allow the Higher Education president to con-tinue as a member of the NSEA Board of Directors as an ex-of-ficio member, without voting rights. Submitted by the Bylaws Committee of the NSEA Board of Directors.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment 3nArticle III: Board of DirectorsSECTION 2. The President of NSEA-Retired and the

President of the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN) shall serve as ex-officio voting members of the Board of Directors. In the absence of the President, the Vice President of the respective association may assume the seat of the absent President with voting privileges.

SECTION 2 3. The District Presidents, the President of NSEA-Retired, an Education Support Professional represen-tative, the President of the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN), and the Chair of the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC), shall be invited to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors each year as ex-officio members with-out the right to vote. In the absence of any Board member the District President may assume the seat of an absent director from the same district with voting privileges. NSEA members who are elected at the National Education Association level to be members of the NEA Board of Directors shall be invited to attend meetings of the NSEA Board as ex-officio members without the right to vote. NEA-budgeted funds must be utilized for expenses.

Rationale: This amendment would establish three catego-ries of NSEA Board membership: (a) voting members who have been directly elected to the board and who have propor-tional representation for their respective electing bodies; (b) ex-officio voting members who have not been directly elected to the board, but who represent membership categories who do not have voting rights through other membership groups on the board; and (c) ex-officio members who do not have voting rights who are a subset of members who otherwise have voting rights on the board.

Ex-officio members of the NSEA board serve because they have an official elected position in an affiliated organization. There is currently no voting member on the NSEA Board of Directors who either is directly elected by or who represents the membership of either NSEA-Retired or SEAN. This change would create a new category of ex-officio NSEA Board mem-bership with voting rights, but does not establish proportional representation for either NSEA-Retired or SEAN.

The Bylaw change specifically provides for voting rights for the presidents of NSEA-Retired and SEAN. Both NSEA-Re-tired and SEAN presidents currently hold ex-officio member-ship on the NSEA Board. This Bylaw will not increase the size of the NSEA board, and does not provide for proportional rep-resentation for these two membership categories. This Bylaw gives these two membership categories, who do not currently have voting rights for their respective members through any other membership category on the board, a vote at the NSEA Board level.

Submitted by NSEA-Retired President Roger Rea and SEAN President Patrick White.

2013 Teacher of the YearApplication Materials AvailableAn excellent teacher resides in every Nebraska

classroom. Even so, only one Nebraska teacher will earn the honor of Nebraska’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Nebraska Teacher of the Year program. Those who apply should understand that the state’s top teacher earns far more than just a title: the winner also re-ceives thousands of dollars in classroom materials.

Candidates should be exceptionally dedicated; knowledgeable and skilled; active in the commu-nity in which they teach; and poised, articulate and energetic.

The SMART Technologies provides the Teacher of the Year with a package of hardware and software for classroom use. Assorted other gifts, from NSEA and other education organizations, add to the value.

The Nebraska Teacher of the Year Program has re-ceived financial support from BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska, SMART Technologies, the Nebraska Council

of School Administrators, the Nebraska State Educa-tion Association, the Nebraska Association of School Boards, Nebraska PTA, Data Recognition Corpora-tion (DRC), Dillard’s in Lincoln, Nebraska, The Sher-wood Foundation, Union Bank & Trust Company, The Nebraska Academy of Sciences, Inc., and ConAgra Foods Foundation. These sponsors and other friends of the Nebraska Teacher of the Year Program provid-ed stipends to the Awards of Excellence recipients and to the Nebraska Teacher of the Year.

The application is on the Department of Education website, and can be completed electronically. Cop-ies will be mailed to individuals who request them.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 10. Finalists will be interviewed in October, and an awards luncheon and reception will be held at the NSEA headquarters in November.

For details, or for application materials, call Lora Sypal at the Nebraska Department of Education, 402-471-5059. The Department of Education web-site is at:

http://www.education.ne.gov/

Are You TOY Material?

2012 Nebraska Teacher of the

Year Luisa Paloma, Omaha

Coverage Comes with Your Professional Dues

Every member of NSEA is cov-ered by the Educator’s Employment Liability (EEL) Insurance policy pur-chased by the National Education As-sociation.

In general, the EEL policy provides coverage for members arising out of their educational employment activities. Those activities are generally defined as duties performed pursuant to the ex-press or implied terms of their employ-ment or at the express request of the member’s supervisor acting within the supervisor’s school employment.

In addition to defending civil mat-ters, the EEL insurance provides re-imbursement for bail bonds in em-ployment-related criminal matters and reimbursement for personal property damages caused by an assault at school or while performing school duties.

Further, the EEL insurance pro-vides reimbursement in criminal mat-ters arising out of educational em-ployment activities if the member is found not guilty.

The specific terms and coverage pro-vided by the EEL insurance policy are

governed by the insurance company.For additional information, contact

your NSEA UniServ director, who

will be happy to provide you with ad-ditional details. Reach your UniServ director at 1-800-742-0047.

NSEA Membership: Liability Coverage, Too!

#April 2012.indd 19 3/27/2012 9:20:19 AM

www.nppd.com


#April 2012.indd 20 3/27/2012 9:20:21 AM

www.csc.edu/buisnessoffice/summer.csc


#April 2012.indd 21 3/27/2012 9:20:22 AM

www.csc.edu/summer


Ag in Classroom SetsNational Conference

Plans are well under way for the 2012 Agriculture in the Classroom Na-tional Conference, to be held in June at Loveland, CO.

All educators, as well as administra-tors, curriculum specialists, career guid-ance counselors and others interested in agriculture are urged to attend.

The conference includes engaging, interactive workshops that share meth-ods for incorporating real-life agricul-tural applications into classroom style language arts, math, nutrition, science and social studies lessons. Resource materials will be available, along with links to useful websites. Mini-work-shops, workshops and workshops-on-wheels are also available.

Two pre-conference tours include a flora and fauna hike in Roosevelt National Forest, and a tour of Rocky Mountain National Park.

The conference is also certified through Colorado State University for continuing education credits.

#April 2012.indd 22 3/27/2012 9:20:23 AM

wa.doane.edu


Ag in Classroom SetsNational Conference

Plans are well under way for the 2012 Agriculture in the Classroom Na-tional Conference, to be held in June at Loveland, CO.

All educators, as well as administra-tors, curriculum specialists, career guid-ance counselors and others interested in agriculture are urged to attend.

The conference includes engaging, interactive workshops that share meth-ods for incorporating real-life agricul-tural applications into classroom style language arts, math, nutrition, science and social studies lessons. Resource materials will be available, along with links to useful websites. Mini-work-shops, workshops and workshops-on-wheels are also available.

Two pre-conference tours include a flora and fauna hike in Roosevelt National Forest, and a tour of Rocky Mountain National Park.

The conference is also certified through Colorado State University for continuing education credits.

The conference is set for June 19-22. For details, go to:

www.agclassroom.org/conference Ad-Free WebsiteSimulates Stock Trades

Have your students compete in an online stock trading simulation found at SimVest.com. The simulation offers students the opportunity to invest in real stocks, but with virtual money.

Each student starts with $100,000 in virtual dollars to buy and sell stocks

that trade on stock exchanges in North America. SimVest uses real market data and a leader board keeps track of gains and losses. Teachers can create a pri-vate, password-protected tournament so that players outside of the classroom are not competing with students.

The website is funded by Resource World magazine, a monthly that reports on mining, oil and gas, and alternative energy investments. The simulation is free; there is no advertising on the site. For details, call 1-604-729-5576, or visit the website.

News You Can Use

Teen Drivers: A Comprehensive Resource Teen drivers are at greater risk than any other age group. Now, parents can stay involved

in their teen’s learning-to-drive process utilizing the new AAA website.TeenDriving.AAA.com provides the latest state-specific information, as well as useful

tools to help improve your teen’s driving skills. On the site are:nDetails on your state’s graduated driver licensing stages.nA downloadable Parent-Teen Driving Agreement.nTips to help teens steer clear of distracted driving habits.nConsiderations for choosing the right car, plus much more.For more details, visit:

teendriving.aaa.com

#April 2012.indd 23 3/27/2012 9:20:23 AM

neamb.com/insurance


#April 2012.indd 24 3/27/2012 9:20:26 AM

www.wsc.edu/community_learning


#April 2012.indd 25 3/27/2012 9:20:26 AM

www.wsc.edu/continuing_education


Snookie’sSnippets

Did you know? Snookie Krumbie-gel, NSEA’s NEA Member Benefits specialist and the edi-tor of “Snookie’s Snip-pets,” has retired!

“As this is my last column for The Voice, I wanted to convey my thanks and apprecia-tion to the NSEA staff and leadership for the support and opportuni-ties they consistently provided for inclusion of NEA Member Ben-efits’ program informa-tion with their locals and constituency groups,” she said.

Krumbiegel also thanked NSEA for allowing her to participate in NSEA state events over the past several years.

“A special thanks to NSEA Execu-tive Director Craig R. Christiansen, who was a great state contact; to As-sociate Executive Director Neal Clay-burn for the easy transition to that posi-tion; to Administrative Assistant Patty Schroer, for all she did so well for MB; and to the entire NSEA staff,” she said.

Go California Casualty!California Casualty, provider of the

NEA Auto & Home Insurance Program, is providing two opportunities for edu-cators and students to win great prizes:nWin a $7,500 School Lounge

Makeover. Four winners, entry dead-line is April 30. Enter at:

www.schoolloungemakeover.comnCreate Real Impact is a contest

about distracted driving. It asks youth ages 15-22 asks students to submit creative entries in one of four catego-ries – art, writing, music or video. The deadline is April 27. Details are at:

www.createrealimpact.com

Search Engine for TeachersLesson Planet offers educator-test-

ed, reliable resources – choose from 400,000 standards-correlated, teacher-reviewed lesson plans using the Lesson Planet search tool. NEA members re-ceive 20 percent off a $39.95 one-year membership fee. Check it out at:

www.neamb.com/1209_5382.htmSnookie Krumbiegel is Nebraska’s

NEA Member Benefits representative.

#April 2012.indd 26 3/27/2012 9:20:27 AM

http://www.schoolloungemakeover.com

myblue.unk.edu


Snookie’sSnippets

Did you know? Snookie Krumbie-gel, NSEA’s NEA Member Benefits specialist and the edi-tor of “Snookie’s Snip-pets,” has retired!

“As this is my last column for The Voice, I wanted to convey my thanks and apprecia-tion to the NSEA staff and leadership for the support and opportuni-ties they consistently provided for inclusion of NEA Member Ben-efits’ program informa-tion with their locals and constituency groups,” she said.

Krumbiegel also thanked NSEA for allowing her to participate in NSEA state events over the past several years.

“A special thanks to NSEA Execu-tive Director Craig R. Christiansen, who was a great state contact; to As-sociate Executive Director Neal Clay-burn for the easy transition to that posi-tion; to Administrative Assistant Patty Schroer, for all she did so well for MB; and to the entire NSEA staff,” she said.

Go California Casualty!California Casualty, provider of the

NEA Auto & Home Insurance Program, is providing two opportunities for edu-cators and students to win great prizes:nWin a $7,500 School Lounge

Makeover. Four winners, entry dead-line is April 30. Enter at:

www.schoolloungemakeover.comnCreate Real Impact is a contest

about distracted driving. It asks youth ages 15-22 asks students to submit creative entries in one of four catego-ries – art, writing, music or video. The deadline is April 27. Details are at:

www.createrealimpact.com

Search Engine for TeachersLesson Planet offers educator-test-

ed, reliable resources – choose from 400,000 standards-correlated, teacher-reviewed lesson plans using the Lesson Planet search tool. NEA members re-ceive 20 percent off a $39.95 one-year membership fee. Check it out at:

www.neamb.com/1209_5382.htmSnookie Krumbiegel is Nebraska’s

NEA Member Benefits representative.

NEA Member Benefits

Krumbiegel

The Right Timeto Refinance?

Take a Step to Reduce Monthly PaymentsMany homeowners consider refi-

nancing when interest rates suddenly fall or there’s a change in financial cir-cumstances. But even though a large decline in rates or an opportunity to pay off debts might make refinancing seem like an easy decision, you shouldn’t consider any single variable on its own. Think about how long you plan to stay in your home, how you plan to use your equity, and how a refinance can support your overall financial goals. A good rule of thumb is, if interest rates are 1/2 to 5/8 percent lower than your current in-terest rate, it may be a good time to con-sider a refinance.

When you refinance your mortgage, you’re actually replacing it with a brand new loan. In doing this, expect to go through a mortgage application process similar to what you experienced with your original mortgage.

Refinancing can be a sound financial choice that enables you to meet a variety of needs:nReduce your monthly payments

by taking advantage of lower interest rates or extending the repayment period.nReduce your interest rate risk by

switching from an adjustable-rate to a fixed-rate loan or from a balloon mort-gage to a fixed-rate loan.

nReduce your interest cost over the life of your mortgage by taking ad-vantage of lower rates or shortening the term of your loan.nPay off your mortgage faster (ac-

celerating the build-up of equity) by shortening the term of your loan.nProvide funds for major expenses

or to consolidate debts.

Rate-Term Refinancevs. Cash-Out Refinance

A rate-term refinance has a loan amount that is just enough to repay the balance of the existing mortgage. The purpose of the loan could be ei-ther to reduce your interest rate, adjust your loan term, or both. A cash-out re-finance, on the other hand, has a loan amount that exceeds the current mort-gage balance. The higher loan amount converts some of your home equity into cash proceeds, which you receive at loan closing.

To learn more about your refinancing options, call the NEA Home Financing Program at 1-866-327-6385 and speak with a home mortgage consultant. Re-member, the benefits of the NEA Home Financing Program are extended to par-ents and adult children of NEA mem-bers.

Sometimes you have to pay more to get the best deal! In other words, it’s better to have one good pair of shoes than four bad ones! When it comes to electronics, shopping bargain-basement can be a bad idea. You’ll get cheaper parts and usually slower customer service if something goes wrong. When buying furniture – investing in quality gets you a kiln-dried hardwood frame as opposed to short-lived plywood and particle board.

Yet it’s never wise to spend more than you can afford. Even then, being smart with your money may mean saying no to a cheap option. Here are some deals:

nH&R Block: It isn’t too late. Download a coupon for special NEA member discounts until April 30 at:

www.neamb.com/hrblocknNEA Auto Purchase Advantage

Program: Offers members low pricing with used cars always priced below Kelley Blue Book. The average member’s savings is $3,729. Visit:

www.neamb.com/autobuyingnNEA Moving & Storage:

Reasonable pricing of 67 percent off interstate moving services and 45 percent off storage, with one-on-one customer service provided by Bekins Van Lines.

Here are Some Real Deals!

#April 2012.indd 27 3/27/2012 9:20:28 AM

http://www.schoolloungemakeover.com

http://www.neamb.com/hrblock

http://www.neamb.com/autobuying


The Public Value of Public UnionsPublic employees in Nebraska have had the right to

unionize and collectively bargain in Nebraska for more than 40 years. What is the value of these unions for the public?

Harvard University Professor Mark Moore, in his book, Creating Public Value (1995), challenges us to see the mission of our public institutions as the creation of public value. It is a fair claim on government. Public agencies and institutions must be able to articulate the public value they create. Public-sector unions are not an exception. So, is there a public value that public employee unions offer to the community?

Professor Moore describes the creation of public value in two ways: by public-sector production (clean parks, national defense, good roads, etc.) and by creating pub-lic institutions that are run efficiently, fairly, courteously, or-derly and responsibly. How do public-sector unions contribute to these two ways of cre-ating public value?

Personal InterestThe mission of

virtually every pub-lic-sector union has a focus on the im-provement of the ser-vice product to our communities. Why? Firemen have a per-sonal interest in fire prevention and safe firefighting. Police of-ficers have a personal interest in public safety and crime prevention. Teachers are personally invested in the edu-cational experience of their students. Public social work-ers want the best service possible for their clients. Public employees are citizens and members of the communi-ties they serve. That is the reason why public employees demand that their unions voice their concerns to policy-makers. Public employees understand firsthand the barri-ers they encounter in providing public service. The ad-vocacy of these street-level experts for their clients is a major reason why the public service they provide is so highly valued by our communities. Individual voices, es-pecially those of public employees, are often lost in the public decision-making process. Public-sector unions, voicing their members’ experienced and expert concerns, are important forces in increasing the value of our public institutions. It is often the union voice that adds firsthand expertise to public deliberation.

#April 2012.indd 28 3/27/2012 9:20:29 AM

alamo.com


A mission of creating public value: NSEA Executive Director Craig R. Christiansen in front of the NSEA Headquarters in Lincoln.

From the Executive Director

The Public Value of Public UnionsPublic employees in Nebraska have had the right to

unionize and collectively bargain in Nebraska for more than 40 years. What is the value of these unions for the public?

Harvard University Professor Mark Moore, in his book, Creating Public Value (1995), challenges us to see the mission of our public institutions as the creation of public value. It is a fair claim on government. Public agencies and institutions must be able to articulate the public value they create. Public-sector unions are not an exception. So, is there a public value that public employee unions offer to the community?

Professor Moore describes the creation of public value in two ways: by public-sector production (clean parks, national defense, good roads, etc.) and by creating pub-lic institutions that are run efficiently, fairly, courteously, or-derly and responsibly. How do public-sector unions contribute to these two ways of cre-ating public value?

Personal InterestThe mission of

virtually every pub-lic-sector union has a focus on the im-provement of the ser-vice product to our communities. Why? Firemen have a per-sonal interest in fire prevention and safe firefighting. Police of-ficers have a personal interest in public safety and crime prevention. Teachers are personally invested in the edu-cational experience of their students. Public social work-ers want the best service possible for their clients. Public employees are citizens and members of the communi-ties they serve. That is the reason why public employees demand that their unions voice their concerns to policy-makers. Public employees understand firsthand the barri-ers they encounter in providing public service. The ad-vocacy of these street-level experts for their clients is a major reason why the public service they provide is so highly valued by our communities. Individual voices, es-pecially those of public employees, are often lost in the public decision-making process. Public-sector unions, voicing their members’ experienced and expert concerns, are important forces in increasing the value of our public institutions. It is often the union voice that adds firsthand expertise to public deliberation.

Union members often learn the detailed processes of democracy in their union meetings, including campaign-ing for office, discussing and debating issues, conduct-ing elections, and building coalitions. They also learn the importance of collective action, including pooling their money to support their causes. This is how en-gaged democracy works. The laboratory public unions provide for its members to learn the process of democ-racy is a unique opportunity that some experts believe is a critical contribution to American public life. Public employees become more engaged citizens because they have learned hands-on democracy through their union experience.

Good CitizensPublic-sector union

members understand the importance of political action, be-cause they work in uniquely political en-vironments. The road crew, the fire battal-ion, the police night shift, and the cafeteria workers at the public school all understand the importance of po-litical decisions on their work. They are involved in the politi-cal process because they understand that democracy belongs to those who show up. Public-sector union

members “show up” and participate in our democracy through their pooled contributions and their involvement in the political process. And that is exactly the engage-ment that we expect of good citizens. The laboratory of democracy in our public unions creates great public value by the engagement of street-level experts in the political decisions on public service.

Few people legitimately dispute that public employ-ees contribute great value for our communities. But some question the role of public unions. The fact is that public-sector unions create value in our communities in unique ways that help shape the direction and quality of our public institutions. Yes, unions advocate for working conditions and wages for their members. They also ad-vocate for public safety, good roads, quality education, clean water, safe food and care for the disadvantaged. Public-sector unions are advocates for their members. They are also important advocates for all of us.

#April 2012.indd 29 3/27/2012 9:20:29 AM


NSEA-Retired Corner

NEA-Retired Lifetime Dues Increase Ahead;

Join NowNSEA members can become pre-

retired, lifetime subscribers to the re-tired organizations at any time in their careers with a one-time payment of the current lifetime dues.

However, NEA-Retired lifetime dues will increase by $50 on Sept. 1. Thus the current combined state and national life-time retired dues of $400 will increase to $450 on that date. In order to beat the dues increase, NSEA members are en-couraged to become lifetime members in the retired organizations now.

For those not securing the lifetime membership, the annual NEA dues will increase by $5 on Sept. 1.

There is a list of nearly 50 member-ship benefits that active teachers cur-rently enjoy that will continue with the lifetime retired membership. Retired lifetime members also have access to NSEA-Retired BlueSenior Classic, the Medicare supplement that is endorsed by NSEA-Retired and underwritten by Blue Cross of Nebraska. NSEA-Retired BlueSenior Classic is the only Medicare supplement that has dental coverage available as part of the sup-plement itself. And with your NSEA-Retired membership, you will continue working with colleagues in NSEA; you will continue to have an impact on your education profession; and you will continue to help the young people to whom you gave so much of your-self during your career. For a list of the nearly 50 continuing membership ben-efits, click on “Membership Informa-tion” at this website:

nsea.org/members/retiredTo join now and beat the dues in-

crease, visit the above link. Download the membership form and return it with your payment to the address on the form. Omaha Education Association and Lincoln Education Association offices process their own membership applications, so members in Omaha (402-346-0400) and Lincoln (402-489-7500) should contact their local associ-ations for the proper enrollment forms. After June 1, NSEA members will be

able to enroll online at the website above by clicking on the JOIN NOW! link at the top of the page. Payment for Pre-Retired Lifetime Membership must be completed by August 15 to qualify for the reduced dues of $400.

For assistance, call NSEA’s Mem-bership Department at 1-800-742-0047.

EHA Wellness ProgramThe EHA Wellness Program is de-

signed to support the health and well-ness of every EHA plan subscriber. The program empowers EHA members to improve their health. The results of a healthier body include greater produc-tivity in the workplace and at home, as well as lower plan medical expenses.

The wellness program began two years ago as a pilot project, and has been fully operational for more than a year. The results, as reported by members, are impressive. Members reported a 21 percent increase in the

number of individuals who exercise at least 30 minutes each day; a 19 per-cent increase in finding new opportuni-ties to add physical activity into daily routine; an 11 percent increase in pro-ductivity at work and home; and a 10 percent increase in overall well-being. An impressive 43 percent of the par-ticipants in the weight-loss promotion lost weight. The online EHA wellness program is free to all EHA subscribers.

Are you an early retiree who is en-gaged in the EHA Wellness Program? Has the wellness program created a healthier lifestyle for you? NSEA-Re-tired would love to share your success story in our publications. Tell us about changes in diet, exercise, weight loss and lifestyle. Send your story to your NSEA-Retired EHA Board of Direc-tors’ member Art Tanderup at:

[email protected] — Tom Black, Editor

[email protected]

Annual Meeting, Spring Conference The dates have been set, plans are being finalized. All that is needed is you!Here’s the tentative schedule: for the NSEA-Retired annual meeting and Spring Con-

ference. There will be an evening social event at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, followed by the conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, at the Boys Town Con-ference Center, Omaha.

Included on the agenda: Artist Matthew Placzek as the keynote speaker. Also sure to be a highlight will be Darrel Draper as Theodore Roosevelt, the Roughrider President! Tenta-tive breakout sessions will include the topics of honeybees, digital photobooks, antique appraisal, spring gardening, health insurance after retirement and others. There is no cost to attend for members. For non-members and guests, the cost is $10. For the agenda, and to register on-line, go to:

www.nsea.org/members/retiredRegister or obtain more details through NSEA’s Rebecca Smith at 1-800-742-0047 or:

[email protected]

Beat the Rate Hike

NSEA-Retired Election Results NSEA-Retired held elections in February and March. Here is the slate of

candidates elected to represent you:Metro District Director: Walta Sue Dodd, Omaha.Delegates to NSEA Delegate Assembly: Jan Barnason, Hastings; Tom

Black, West Point; Walta Sue Dodd, Omaha; DeLoris Tonack, Arlene Rea and Pat Etherton, Lincoln; Dee Gillham, Bartlett; Joe Higgins, Liz Rea, Roger Rea, John Jensen and Carol Krejci, Omaha; Jim McDermott, Scottsbluff; Guy Roggenkamp, Grand Island; Art Tanderup, Neligh.

Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly: Tom Black, West Point; Pat Etherton, Lincoln; John Jensen, Carol Krejci and Roger Rea, Omaha.

There’s one sure way to encourage your students, colleagues and friends to be good citizens: exercise the right to vote.

Nebraska’s Primary Election is set for Tuesday, May 15. That means there is yet plenty of time to register to vote, to change or update voter registration information, to receive an early voting mail-in ballot and to consid-er all the candidates seek-ing election.

In each case, contact your county clerk or county election com-missioner, or look for your county clerk or county election commis-sioner’s website for exact details on voter registration and mail-in ballot information.

Then watch for the May edition of The Voice, which will include a list of pro-education candidates recommend-ed by your colleagues.

From the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office, these are the important

A Civics Question:Are You Registered?

Set an Example for Students, Colleaguesand Register to Vote in the May 15 Primary

#April 2012.indd 30 3/27/2012 9:20:30 AM

mailto:[email protected]



Extra CreditNSEA-Retired Corner

number of individuals who exercise at least 30 minutes each day; a 19 per-cent increase in finding new opportuni-ties to add physical activity into daily routine; an 11 percent increase in pro-ductivity at work and home; and a 10 percent increase in overall well-being. An impressive 43 percent of the par-ticipants in the weight-loss promotion lost weight. The online EHA wellness program is free to all EHA subscribers.

Are you an early retiree who is en-gaged in the EHA Wellness Program? Has the wellness program created a healthier lifestyle for you? NSEA-Re-tired would love to share your success story in our publications. Tell us about changes in diet, exercise, weight loss and lifestyle. Send your story to your NSEA-Retired EHA Board of Direc-tors’ member Art Tanderup at:

[email protected] — Tom Black, Editor

[email protected]

Annual Meeting, Spring Conference The dates have been set, plans are being finalized. All that is needed is you!Here’s the tentative schedule: for the NSEA-Retired annual meeting and Spring Con-

ference. There will be an evening social event at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, followed by the conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, at the Boys Town Con-ference Center, Omaha.

Included on the agenda: Artist Matthew Placzek as the keynote speaker. Also sure to be a highlight will be Darrel Draper as Theodore Roosevelt, the Roughrider President! Tenta-tive breakout sessions will include the topics of honeybees, digital photobooks, antique appraisal, spring gardening, health insurance after retirement and others. There is no cost to attend for members. For non-members and guests, the cost is $10. For the agenda, and to register on-line, go to:

www.nsea.org/members/retiredRegister or obtain more details through NSEA’s Rebecca Smith at 1-800-742-0047 or:

[email protected]

Beat the Rate Hike

NSEA-Retired Election Results NSEA-Retired held elections in February and March. Here is the slate of

candidates elected to represent you:Metro District Director: Walta Sue Dodd, Omaha.Delegates to NSEA Delegate Assembly: Jan Barnason, Hastings; Tom

Black, West Point; Walta Sue Dodd, Omaha; DeLoris Tonack, Arlene Rea and Pat Etherton, Lincoln; Dee Gillham, Bartlett; Joe Higgins, Liz Rea, Roger Rea, John Jensen and Carol Krejci, Omaha; Jim McDermott, Scottsbluff; Guy Roggenkamp, Grand Island; Art Tanderup, Neligh.

Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly: Tom Black, West Point; Pat Etherton, Lincoln; John Jensen, Carol Krejci and Roger Rea, Omaha.

There’s one sure way to encourage your students, colleagues and friends to be good citizens: exercise the right to vote.

Nebraska’s Primary Election is set for Tuesday, May 15. That means there is yet plenty of time to register to vote, to change or update voter registration information, to receive an early voting mail-in ballot and to consid-er all the candidates seek-ing election.

In each case, contact your county clerk or county election com-missioner, or look for your county clerk or county election commis-sioner’s website for exact details on voter registration and mail-in ballot information.

Then watch for the May edition of The Voice, which will include a list of pro-education candidates recommend-ed by your colleagues.

From the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office, these are the important

dates for this year’s election season in Nebraska:nMonday, April 9: Early voting be-

gins.nFriday, April 27: Postmark dead-

line for mailed in registrations.nWednesday, May 9: 4 p.m. is the

deadline to receive an application for early voting ballots to be mailed out to a specific address for the May 15 Primary Election.nMonday, May 14: The last day

for early, in-person, voting at the county clerk or election commis-sioner office.n Tuesday, May 15:

Statewide Primary Election Day.nWednesday, Oct 31: 4 p.m. is

the deadline to request an application for early voting ballots to be mailed out to a specific address for the Nov. 6 Gen-eral Election.nMonday, Nov. 5: The last day for

early, in-person, voting at the county clerk or election commissioner office.nTuesday, Nov. 6: Statewide Gen-

eral Election Day.

Don Maxson Donald A. Maxson, 55, of Brainard,

died on March 6 in Lincoln.Maxson was presi-

dent and chief negotia-tor for the East Butler Education Association. He taught business and math, and had coached volleyball, boys’ basket-ball and baseball, and was a basketball and volleyball referee. He taught at Polk before joining the East Butler faculty in 1983.

Maxson was president of the Butler County Fair Board and was active on the State Fair Board. He enjoyed running, biking, collecting antiques and Husker football memorabilia and working with livestock. He owned the Brainard Cafe for 15 years and served on the local volunteer fire department for 27 years, most of those as secretary. Memorials are suggested to the fire department or the Butler County Ag Society.

Henry Nelson Retired North Bend Central teacher

and administrator Henry Nelson, 81, died in Fremont on Feb. 11. He was a life member of NEA and NSEA, and for-mer North Bend Education Association member.

An Alliance native, Nelson graduated from Chadron State College and then served in the Korean War. He taught at Farwell and Thedford before taking a job at North Bend in 1964. He taught industrial arts, and was activities direc-tor and principal before retiring in 1989.

Memorials are suggested to the North Bend Senior Center.

Kathy Sebby Kathy A. Sebby, 58 Beatrice, died

March 14 in Lincoln.A Beatrice native and Hastings Col-

lege grad, Sebby taught music for 23 years at Todd County Schools in Mis-sion, SD, before returning to Beatrice in 2001. At the time of her death, she was an instrumental music teacher and the orchestra instructor for Beatrice Public Schools. She was a member of NSEA and the Beatrice Education Association, and was longtime choir director at the First Presbyterian Church in Beatrice.

Maxson

A Civics Question:Are You Registered?

Set an Example for Students, Colleaguesand Register to Vote in the May 15 Primary

#April 2012.indd 31 3/27/2012 9:20:30 AM



www.mccneb.edu


Mailed By: The Nebraska State Education Association Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742

Family of Teachers

More than 270 years: The Rasmussen family of teachers has been in the teaching profession for hundreds of years!

Front, from left, are Deb Cavenee, in her 37th year teaching physical education and coaching at Minden; Robbie Rath, who taught music for 30 years, with her last stop at Aurora; Shari Kimple, who is in her 35th year teaching elementary level at Kearney; Shelia Rasmussen, who has taught elementary at Gibbon for the past 19 years; and Marilyn Rasmussen, who taught elementary at Minden.

Back row, from left, are Tanner Cavenee, who has taught and coached at Elm Creek for 9 years; Rick Rath, who taught and coached at Clay Center for 39 years; Scott Rasmussen, who has taught and coached at Gibbon for nearly 28 years; Steve Rasmussen, who has taught and coached at Franklin for nearly 33 years; and Mike Rasmussen, who has taught and coached for nearly 39 years, and is an athletic director for the Lincoln Public Schools.

Point CupsFrom Jamie Whooley, a primary teacher in Addison, IL:

“I recently augmented the behavior management system (token economy) in my classroom. All students at my school (K-12) have daily behavior charts. Their teachers are to keep the charts with the students at all times. These charts show the students’ behavior in 5-minute intervals throughout the day and a section for fines and bonus points. The students in my class are beginning readers, and for the most part are unable to read the important things on their charts.

“I came up with a system using base 10 blocks and colored unifex cubes. Students have a cup Vel-croed to their desk. Every 5 minutes the student is work-ing, I put a base ten block (1 unit) in their cup, each time

the student receives ten blocks, they must come to the bank (me) and exchange them for a rod (10 units). If the student earns a fine, they must pay the bank with their earned points. They also have the opportunity to earn bonus points (color coded for each teacher in the classroom-use unifex cubes). The bonus points can be used to buy computer time during breaks. The base ten blocks can be used to purchase larger items from my store (toys, stickers, etc.).

“I still have to use the behavior charts in addition to the cups, but this works out great for the students. They are beginning to understand what the behavior manage-ment system is all about. Of course, they get angry when they have to pay their fines off, but it has reduced the number of times

they act inappropriately in a given day!!” Sign up for Works4Me at this link:

http://www.nea.org/tools/Works4Me.html

Speaking of Teaching“Nothing more clearly signals what you value as a state as the decisions

you make about where to invest. Budgets are about choices, so today

I’m calling on you to choose to invest more in teachers, invest more in education, and invest more in our

children and their future.”—President Barack Obama,

Speaking to the National Governors Association at the White House,

Feb. 27, 2012

Journeyinto DyslexiaPublic Invited to AttendFilm, Panel DiscussionThe Nebraska Dyslexia Association

and the Friends of the Nebraska Dyslexia Association will offer a free event for families, middle school through college students, educators and the public. It will feature a showing of HBO’s Journey into Dyslexia.

The movie examines the complexi-ties of the differently-structured brain and debunks misperceptions about dyslexia. A panel discussion with the audience will address medical, social, psychological and other aspects of dys-lexia. Resource information will also be available. The events will be held Satur-day, April 14, 9-11 a.m., at the Phoenix Academy, 1110 N. 66th St., Omaha.

For details, call the NDA at 402-434-6434, e-mail [email protected] or visit:

www.ne-da.org

#April 2012.indd 32 3/27/2012 9:20:31 AM

the voice, april 2012

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