Even the AARP has endorsed the Fair Tax Amendment. You can view their endorsement here.
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Union Works
Engage, Educate, Empower: The Heart of our Union
Local 434 in Action: Celebrating Teaching, Learning, and Leadership – May 2026
Local 434 in Action: Celebrating Teaching, Learning, and Leadership – May 2026
May gave us countless reminders of the incredible work happening across District 201 and the impact our educators have on students every day.
This month highlighted hands-on learning, student achievement, and meaningful connections both inside and outside the classroom. Students built dog houses for community organizations, earned awards in theater, cooking, science, and athletics, explored future careers through apprenticeships and alumni connections, and participated in learning experiences that extended far beyond classroom walls.
We also celebrated the strong sense of community that exists across our schools. From Teacher Appreciation Week and Mental Health Awareness activities to the Life Skills Spring Dance and collaborative events across campuses, our staff continued creating spaces where students feel supported, valued, and inspired.
These stories reflect more than accomplishments — they reflect the dedication, creativity, and commitment of Local 434 members who go above and beyond for students every day.
Thank you to everyone who continues to share the amazing work happening in our schools. Together, we continue telling the story of the positive impact our members make each day. Take a look at May's Good News here!
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by Beth Camplain | Jun 27, 2018
What you can do now to keep our unions strong.
What you can do now to keep our unions strong
Today, President Trump’s appointee to the U.S. Supreme Court cast the deciding vote against everyday men and women in the Janus v. AFSCME case. Though not unexpected, it was disappointing to see powerful special interests take precedence over the best interests of hardworking middle-class Americans.
Simply put, today’s decision outlaws fair share fees. For more than 40 years, these fees have ensured that employees who choose not to join the union were required to contribute toward the costs of union-provided services that all employees benefit from, including contract bargaining and legal representation.
I want to remind you that Governor Rauner started this well-funded attack right here in Illinois. When a federal court ruled that he did not have standing to bring the case, Rauner and his network found Mark Janus, a state employee who was willing to add his name to the legal challenge so it could proceed.
Rauner and his powerful friends have one goal - to eliminate unions. Why? Because our unions are one of the last checks on their control. If unions are weakened, corporate bottom lines would grow while protections like health care benefits, safe workplaces, and small class sizes that we’ve fought so hard for could be eroded over time. But through our collective voice and solidarity, we have the power to fight for equal opportunity for all, not just the privileged few.
We’ve been preparing for today’s decision, and we’re ready to do more than survive – WE WILL THRIVE. But each of us must do our part.
And so are ours. We value our voice. We value our union. And we will fight to protect it - and each other.
Take a moment right now to consider what you will do.
Whether it’s joining your local’s bargaining team to ensure a fair contract, spearheading a union-community partnership to advocate for safe schools, or having one-on-one conversations with colleagues about the importance of sticking with the union, WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER. To those who want to attack our rights and rig the economy further against working people, we say this: we’re ready to fight powerfully for the future we all deserve.
I know we will succeed. As always, thank you for all that you do.
In solidarity,
Dan Montgomery,
IFT President
What you can do now to keep our unions strong.
What you can do now to keep our unions strong
Today, President Trump’s appointee to the U.S. Supreme Court cast the deciding vote against everyday men and women in the Janus v. AFSCME case. Though not unexpected, it was disappointing to see powerful special interests take precedence over the best interests of hardworking middle-class Americans.
Simply put, today’s decision outlaws fair share fees. For more than 40 years, these fees have ensured that employees who choose not to join the union were required to contribute toward the costs of union-provided services that all employees benefit from, including contract bargaining and legal representation.
I want to remind you that Governor Rauner started this well-funded attack right here in Illinois. When a federal court ruled that he did not have standing to bring the case, Rauner and his network found Mark Janus, a state employee who was willing to add his name to the legal challenge so it could proceed.
Rauner and his powerful friends have one goal - to eliminate unions. Why? Because our unions are one of the last checks on their control. If unions are weakened, corporate bottom lines would grow while protections like health care benefits, safe workplaces, and small class sizes that we’ve fought so hard for could be eroded over time. But through our collective voice and solidarity, we have the power to fight for equal opportunity for all, not just the privileged few.
We’ve been preparing for today’s decision, and we’re ready to do more than survive – WE WILL THRIVE. But each of us must do our part.
- Be on the lookout for slick mailers, phone calls, and even home visits from anti-union groups like the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) or “My Pay My Say,” who will try to get you and your colleagues to quit the union. These groups are funded by ultra-conservative, wealthy benefactors who are only concerned about their bottom line, not our members, students, or communities.
- If you haven’t signed a new union card recently, do it online now. Reaffirm that you will stand with your colleagues to protect your voice and workplace rights!
- Tell your friends why you’re sticking with the union. Post about why you are #IFTstrong on social media. Click here to tweet your support and here to post to Facebook. You can also share a Solidarity Selfie! Just click on the image below and print out the sign, then take a picture of yourself with it to post to your social media accounts.
- Commit to defeating Bruce Rauner on November 6. From his two-year budget impasse that devastated higher education and held public schools hostage, to the backdoor private school voucher scheme he forced into new funding legislation, to his campaign against workers’ rights, Governor Rauner has failed Illinois. His priorities are clear.
And so are ours. We value our voice. We value our union. And we will fight to protect it - and each other.
Take a moment right now to consider what you will do.
Whether it’s joining your local’s bargaining team to ensure a fair contract, spearheading a union-community partnership to advocate for safe schools, or having one-on-one conversations with colleagues about the importance of sticking with the union, WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER. To those who want to attack our rights and rig the economy further against working people, we say this: we’re ready to fight powerfully for the future we all deserve.
I know we will succeed. As always, thank you for all that you do.
In solidarity,
Dan Montgomery,
IFT President
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In early June, three changes to the Illinois Pension Code that affect some TRS members were signed into law:
We cannot answer all questions at this time regarding any effect these laws will have on any member’s TRS benefits.
Here’s what we know: READ MORE . . .
- A reduction in the “threshold” affecting employer contributions on year-to-year salary increases for a TRS member from 6 percent to 3 percent, if the pay hikes would factor into the calculation of a member’s initial pension.
- A new law requires TRS to offer all eligible inactive members a chance for a one-time, irrevocable “accelerated pension benefit payment” in return for giving up any future claim to a TRS benefit.
- A new law requires TRS to offer all retiring Tier 1 members a chance for a one-time, irrevocable change in the automatic annual increase to their TRS pensions, along with an “accelerated pension benefit payment.”
We cannot answer all questions at this time regarding any effect these laws will have on any member’s TRS benefits.
Here’s what we know: READ MORE . . .
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State funding: The District is waiting for the General Assembly’s Joint Committee for Administrative Rules (J-CAR) to set the guidelines for the new calculation of adequacy formula to replace the old state funding scheme for schools. Until this is complete, the state will continue paying out from the old formula. Under this formula the state owes the District $2.904 million currently.
Audit: The external audit of district finances went well and there were no concerns from the auditor.
Transportation: With the District assumption of transportation services, we are conservatively set to save $640,000 this year or approximately $3,714 per day last year to this year actual costs for September. This figure would have been much higher if the District stayed with First Student and their projected rate increase of 7.5% over last year’s actual costs.
Tax levy: The District is reviewing the current tax levy, and it is expected to slightly decrease for the coming year. The decrease is the result of the District restructuring and refinancing to reduce the obligation on the debt. The levy on the Bond and Interest Fund cannot exceed the amount of the bond and interest held by the District by law so the refinancing of the debt legally necessitates a reduction of the levy. The District will continue to collect the maximum levy in funds where it is legally allowed such as the Education and Transportation Funds. See below for a further explanation of the District funds and levies.
Food Service: Sales of tray lunches are up 15% from last year for September and 14% for August. These increases also reflect a greater number of free and reduced lunches which provides more federal reimbursement to the District for food service. After consultation with the food service staff about adding a second window at the Snack Bar to improve efficiency and serve more students, it was decided to keep a single window and add a runner to fill orders to make the overall service process more efficient and to generate more revenue. The District also made changes to the federal commodities that are available to schools for lunches Under existing contracts between Sodexo and its vendors, last year food service was only able to use 40% of the federal commodities as other products had to be purchased under existing contracts. Under the District, food service can now use 100% of their allotted federal commodities which results in more margin on tray lunches. For more information on the federal commodities program and the foods included in it, check out the USDA website: (http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/storage/documents/parent-toolkit/partner-resource-pdfs/NANAcommodities.pdf)
Audit: The external audit of district finances went well and there were no concerns from the auditor.
Transportation: With the District assumption of transportation services, we are conservatively set to save $640,000 this year or approximately $3,714 per day last year to this year actual costs for September. This figure would have been much higher if the District stayed with First Student and their projected rate increase of 7.5% over last year’s actual costs.
Tax levy: The District is reviewing the current tax levy, and it is expected to slightly decrease for the coming year. The decrease is the result of the District restructuring and refinancing to reduce the obligation on the debt. The levy on the Bond and Interest Fund cannot exceed the amount of the bond and interest held by the District by law so the refinancing of the debt legally necessitates a reduction of the levy. The District will continue to collect the maximum levy in funds where it is legally allowed such as the Education and Transportation Funds. See below for a further explanation of the District funds and levies.
Food Service: Sales of tray lunches are up 15% from last year for September and 14% for August. These increases also reflect a greater number of free and reduced lunches which provides more federal reimbursement to the District for food service. After consultation with the food service staff about adding a second window at the Snack Bar to improve efficiency and serve more students, it was decided to keep a single window and add a runner to fill orders to make the overall service process more efficient and to generate more revenue. The District also made changes to the federal commodities that are available to schools for lunches Under existing contracts between Sodexo and its vendors, last year food service was only able to use 40% of the federal commodities as other products had to be purchased under existing contracts. Under the District, food service can now use 100% of their allotted federal commodities which results in more margin on tray lunches. For more information on the federal commodities program and the foods included in it, check out the USDA website: (http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/storage/documents/parent-toolkit/partner-resource-pdfs/NANAcommodities.pdf)
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Kelly reminisces with his former teacher and current BFT member, Brad Schmidt.
Former Belleville East alumnus, Navy veteran, and St. Clair County prosecutor Brendan Kelly, who is vying to replace Mike Bost in Congress, addressed members of Local 434 last week at the general membership meeting. Having attended Belleville schools growing up, Kelly expressed a fondness for public schools in the community, noting that he and his family are products of a great public education. Kelly claims the needs of the people are being ignored because politicians are too busy pandering to special interests at the expense of the people of Southern Illinois. He said he's running to put the people first, and that "changes require the support of . . . people involved in organized labor."
His support for people, public education, and organized labor earned him the endorsement of Belleville Federation of Teachers as the candidate to represent the best interests of our schools, our students, our families, and our members in District 12.
You can find out more about Brendan Kelly on his website.
His support for people, public education, and organized labor earned him the endorsement of Belleville Federation of Teachers as the candidate to represent the best interests of our schools, our students, our families, and our members in District 12.
You can find out more about Brendan Kelly on his website.
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Congratulations to Remi Williams and Adam Harbison, this year's winners of the one-thousand-dollar Secondary Education Scholarship!
We wish both of them the best in their future endeavors!
We wish both of them the best in their future endeavors!
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District Budget and Finances Meeting March 2017 (Boring but important.)
1. Bond Restructuring
The District will be doing a bond restructuring for the 2007 bonds. There is currently a $17.5 million balance on the bonds, and the restructuring will free up $1 million when it is complete. The District is currently working to pay off $3.5 million on working cash bonds. They may re-issue these for $2 million to have some cash balance protection.
If you are not sure what working cash bonds are, here is a simple explanation of working cash and the bonds that are sold by the District to populate that account:
1. Bond Restructuring
The District will be doing a bond restructuring for the 2007 bonds. There is currently a $17.5 million balance on the bonds, and the restructuring will free up $1 million when it is complete. The District is currently working to pay off $3.5 million on working cash bonds. They may re-issue these for $2 million to have some cash balance protection.
If you are not sure what working cash bonds are, here is a simple explanation of working cash and the bonds that are sold by the District to populate that account:
Source: Illinois Compiled Statutes
Source: http://www.icemiller.com/MediaLibraries/icemiller.com/IceMiller/PDFs/publications/Financing-Options-Using-Bonds-for-Illinois-School-Districts.pdf
2. Evidence-based Financing
It appears that evidence-based financing for schools is stalled in the Illinois General Assembly at this time. Evidence based funding would help District 201 if implemented. Here is the wording of the proposal:
It appears that evidence-based financing for schools is stalled in the Illinois General Assembly at this time. Evidence based funding would help District 201 if implemented. Here is the wording of the proposal:
Source: http://illinoisvision2020.org/2015/04/08/sb-1403hb-4022-evidence-based-school-funding-solution/
3. Transportation Services Acquisition
The District is still looking at a plan for acquiring First Student to provide transportation services in house.
From the Belleville News-Democrat:
On Monday night, Belleville District 201 officials told the school board they were still negotiating on possible changes to the district’s school bus services.
The district’s current transportation contract is coming to an end, so it has been exploring three options: extending that contract, offering the service itself or hearing proposals from other companies.
Last month, Assistant Superintendent Brian Mentzer said the district asked its transportation provider, First Student, Inc., for a proposal for a one-year extension of its current contract.
“Negotiations continue with First Student on a daily basis,” he said on Monday.
The district has also been working on the cost estimates of offering the service itself instead of contracting with a bus company, which would involve purchasing buses and employing drivers. Belleville District 118 Superintendent Matt Klosterman has said the two Belleville districts talked about joining forces to offer bus services. Both districts currently have a joint contract with First Student.
During its meeting Monday, the District 201 School Board approved a letter of intent to buy or lease the property at 2012 Mascoutah Ave. in Belleville, which is currently a First Student transportation facility. Mentzer said the letter doesn’t require the district to do anything, but it does allow school officials to negotiate the sale of the property with its current owner.
Superintendent Jeff Dosier said it gives the district more insight into its options.
“We don’t want to close any doors,” he said.
Kurt Schroeder, vice president of the board, abstained from the vote on the letter.
District 201 could have also asked for proposals from other transportation companies, but Mentzer said district officials haven’t pursued that route so far.
School board members have not yet been asked to make a final decision on any of the options for transportation services.
Source:: http://www.bnd.com/news/local/education/article139701728.html#storylink=cpy
The District is still looking at a plan for acquiring First Student to provide transportation services in house.
From the Belleville News-Democrat:
On Monday night, Belleville District 201 officials told the school board they were still negotiating on possible changes to the district’s school bus services.
The district’s current transportation contract is coming to an end, so it has been exploring three options: extending that contract, offering the service itself or hearing proposals from other companies.
Last month, Assistant Superintendent Brian Mentzer said the district asked its transportation provider, First Student, Inc., for a proposal for a one-year extension of its current contract.
“Negotiations continue with First Student on a daily basis,” he said on Monday.
The district has also been working on the cost estimates of offering the service itself instead of contracting with a bus company, which would involve purchasing buses and employing drivers. Belleville District 118 Superintendent Matt Klosterman has said the two Belleville districts talked about joining forces to offer bus services. Both districts currently have a joint contract with First Student.
During its meeting Monday, the District 201 School Board approved a letter of intent to buy or lease the property at 2012 Mascoutah Ave. in Belleville, which is currently a First Student transportation facility. Mentzer said the letter doesn’t require the district to do anything, but it does allow school officials to negotiate the sale of the property with its current owner.
Superintendent Jeff Dosier said it gives the district more insight into its options.
“We don’t want to close any doors,” he said.
Kurt Schroeder, vice president of the board, abstained from the vote on the letter.
District 201 could have also asked for proposals from other transportation companies, but Mentzer said district officials haven’t pursued that route so far.
School board members have not yet been asked to make a final decision on any of the options for transportation services.
Source:: http://www.bnd.com/news/local/education/article139701728.html#storylink=cpy
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A cartoon featured on Feb. 13 showed marshals escorting the first black child into an all-white elementary school in 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, so that she would have the same educational opportunity as her white peers. Unproven voucher systems and charter schools will likely result in economic re-segregation of students by how much income their parents make, creating unequal learning opportunities using government tax dollars. If it wasn’t OK in the 1960s, it certainly shouldn’t be OK today, to have segregation in any form in schools receiving taxpayer dollars. Nothing has occurred in our nation since the 1960s that would justify such probable economic re-segregation.
Betsy DeVos, as depicted in the cartoon, was escorted through an alternate entrance to a D.C. public school to bypass protesters, most likely because of the previous two sentences. Protesters are fearful she will try to impose her unproven ideas about education on our country. The protesters were rejecting the economic re-segregation of schools based on the financial resources of well-off parents being combined with voucher money to send their children to more exclusive educational learning opportunities to the detriment of the children without those financial resources: defacto economic re-segregation of publicly funded education.
DeVos had the perfect platform to make the case for her views during her confirmation hearings. She did not. Why? Public schools cannot survive already stretched thin educational tax dollars being diverted to for profit schools, charter or otherwise. Involve all stakeholders in educational reforms please.
RICHARD HODSON
PRESIDENT, ILLINOIS FEDERATION OF TEACHERS LOCAL 434
BELLEVILLE FEDERATION OF HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS
Betsy DeVos, as depicted in the cartoon, was escorted through an alternate entrance to a D.C. public school to bypass protesters, most likely because of the previous two sentences. Protesters are fearful she will try to impose her unproven ideas about education on our country. The protesters were rejecting the economic re-segregation of schools based on the financial resources of well-off parents being combined with voucher money to send their children to more exclusive educational learning opportunities to the detriment of the children without those financial resources: defacto economic re-segregation of publicly funded education.
DeVos had the perfect platform to make the case for her views during her confirmation hearings. She did not. Why? Public schools cannot survive already stretched thin educational tax dollars being diverted to for profit schools, charter or otherwise. Involve all stakeholders in educational reforms please.
RICHARD HODSON
PRESIDENT, ILLINOIS FEDERATION OF TEACHERS LOCAL 434
BELLEVILLE FEDERATION OF HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS
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Belleville Federation of Teachers is seeking applicants interested in pursuing a career in secondary education. Each applicant will be evaluated according to several criteria. The deadline is March 31, so don't miss this opportunity. Eligible applicants can apply online in just a few minutes.
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Thank you to everyone who took the time today to show support for public schools! Strong community support is important to maintaining successful public schools. When studies show that 76% of parents are either satisfied or very satisfied with their local public schools, it's hard to believe the hype that the public school system in America is failing. Let's fix the small percentage of schools that are failing without throwing all the successful ones under the bus. We can't just sit back and watch as organizations try to transfer our public dollars into their private pockets.
If you're proud of your local public school, or know a teacher, paraprofessional, counselor, librarian, nurse, custodian, principal, administrative assistant, engineer, cafeteria worker, bus driver, or anyone else who helps to drive the engine of our public schools, then remember to thank them. (Or just share or like this post and maybe they'll see it.) :D
Sincerely,
Belleville Federation of Teachers Local 434
A Union of Professionals
If you're proud of your local public school, or know a teacher, paraprofessional, counselor, librarian, nurse, custodian, principal, administrative assistant, engineer, cafeteria worker, bus driver, or anyone else who helps to drive the engine of our public schools, then remember to thank them. (Or just share or like this post and maybe they'll see it.) :D
Sincerely,
Belleville Federation of Teachers Local 434
A Union of Professionals
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Strength in unity, power in solidarity.
Editor:
Lannette Story
Local 434 Teachers' Council Secretary. Educator in District #201 since 2012.
Contributors:
Lucas Spriggs
Lucas Spriggs is the author of the Union Works newsletter, which includes posts in three series: "Get Organized," "Get Represented," and "Get Informed."
Ashley Mims
Local 434 Teachers' Council President, former Secretary/PR Chair. Educator in District #201 since 2011.