ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION VOLUME 139, NUMBER 1 JANUARY 2022
ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
The Alabama Legislature convened for the 2022
Legislative Session on January 11, 2022 - and this session is expected to be tremendously significant
for Alabama's students and educators. With a large surplus in state revenue, legislators expect to pass an $8.3 billion education budget this year - surpassing last year's budget of $7.7 billion. As the Legislature returns to Montgomery, all concerned with education should pay attention. What happens in the Statehouse has a substantial impact on education - and AEA will be present daily to highlight legislative priorities on behalf of our members.
Substantial Pay Raises for All Educators
Alabama must keep pace with the Southeast in compensation to recruit and retain the best and
brightest. In recent years, Alabama has boasted one
of the highest starting salaries in the Southeast. However, the Mississippi House of Representatives recently passed a $4,000 raise for all teachers and
a $6,000 raise for some teachers. If that raise passes
the Mississippi Senate, Alabama will no longer
hold that title. The teacher shortage is real and Alabama has to get serious about recruiting and retaining teachers. All states are taking measures to recruit teachers - Alabama must step up and
make sure all educators know we value and
respect them - and we back that up with salary and resources.
Throughout the pandemic, educators have been required to go far beyond normal responsibilities - covering multiple classes for absent teachers, handling both virtual and
in-person classes, and whatever else is necessary
to ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment for Alabama students - and educators have risen to the occasion for their students. The single best thing we can do for
children in school is to support highly qualified
teachers, support staff, and administrators. During Governor Kay Ivey's State of the State
Address, she announced educators will receive a 4% raise this year - and while we appreciate her acknowledgment, we know more can be done and educators certainly deserve more.
Retiree Bonus Checks
Education retirees are a vitally important part of AEA, just like teachers, ESPs, postsecondary,
administrators, and students - and we advocate for all members of AEA. After receiving only one bonus
check and no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in
the last 13 years, it is past time for them to receive
a significant bonus. Due to the extreme growth in
the Education Trust Fund (ETF) of over $1 billion last fiscal year, money is available to give to retirees
and there is no time like now to take care of the
ones who have spent years educating our children. The Alabama Legislature could use the excess funds collected in FY2021 to fund a large bonus check for retirees. A real check that can make a difference in the life of a retiree.
#FixTier2
Tier 2 continues to be an issue for Alabama educators. In a recent survey by the Alabama
Commission of Higher Education, 38% of educators said they would be leaving the profession in the next 5 years - a large portion of that group pointed toward Tier 2 as one of the major contributing factors. Last year, AEA successfully lobbied for Tier 2 educators
to be able to accrue sick leave and convert those days toward retirement. While that was a welcome
change, Tier 2 educators still cannot draw retirement
until the age of 62, no matter how many years of
service they hold. Allowing Tier 2 educators to draw
retirement at 30 years of service would be a small price to pay to secure a stable educator workforce
for years to come. Recruitment and retention of the
best teachers and support professionals are linked
to benefits. Increasing the Tier 2 benefits will help us recruit and retain quality educators and increase interest in the education profession in our colleges and universities.
Postponement of the Retention Portion of the Alabama Literacy Act
AEA played an instrumental role in the passage of SB94 - the bill postponing implementation of the
third-grade retention requirement of the Literacy Act - during the 2021 Regular Legislative Session.
However, Governor Kay Ivey vetoed the bill - sighting she needed to see data regarding reading proficiency. Further data has now been released and Governor Ivey has now recommended what Alabama teachers
have said all along - the retention portion should
be delayed. AEA will once again lobby to delay the
retention portion of the Literacy Act in the 2022
Regular Session. AEA has been and will continue to be your voice at the Statehouse. Throughout this upcoming session, AEA will continuously update members on legislative issues impacting education. The Capital Pulse will be sent to AEA members each Friday during the session
and will provide a weekly summary on education issues making their way through the Alabama
Legislature. To contact your legislators, see pages 6-9 in this Journal. Also, educators can stay informed by following AEA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Historical Revenues Must Benefit Educators
AEA Members Meet with Local Legislators throughout Alabama
Rep. Louise Alexander (Fairfield) and Rep. Rod Scott (Bessemer)
Rep. Mike Jones (Andalusia)
Sen. Bobby Singleton (Greensboro) and Rep. Chris England (Tuscaloosa) and Rep. Ralph Howard (Greensboro) Rep. Jamie Kiel (Russellville) Rep. Victor Gaston (Mobile)
Rep. Laura Hall (Huntsville)
Sen. Greg Reed (Jasper) Rep. Tim Wadsworth (Arley)
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