A standing-room-only crowd of Jefferson Parish teachers tonight unanimously ratified a new three-year contract  that was negotiated between the bargaining teams of JFT and the JPPSS.

The previous contract expired on June 30, 2012, in the wake of the Jefferson Parish School Board's decision to not extend it while a new  one was negotiated. The Board did authorize the Superintendent to enter into negotiations last summer, and the district's bargaining team met regularly for many months with the union's bargaining team to reach agreement on the new contract.

Andy Wright, Teacher Outreach Manager from DonorsChoose.org, recently gave a presentation on how the DonorsChoose.org system works for Newtown Teachers.

You can watch the video here:

Click here to download a PDF of the Powerpoint presentation.

NESHAMINY SCHOOLS — Neshaminy teacher Tara Huber spoke at the 89th Annual Columbia Scholastic Press Association National Convention at Columbia University on Wednesday.

For a second year in a row, she received this honor based on the Gold Medal achievements of the student journalists of the Playwickian, Neshaminy High School's student newspaper. Her presentation was "Going Gonzo: Incorporating Literary Journalism Techniques in Your Publication.” Huber is an adviser to the newspaper.

By Christian Menno, Courier Times Staff Writer

Posted Friday, March 22, 2013 on phillyburbs.com

The North Dakota Public Employees Association was very active at the state Legislature this past week. We played a huge role in defeating a bill that would have lowered oil extraction taxes and cost the state $3.6 billion in the first five years. And we're fighting hard to protect our university system, and to protect education from the meddling of extreme forces in the Legislature. Click here to read more about it all.

AFT Healthcare-Maryland president Debra Perry reports that a bill before the Maryland Senate intended to strengthen violence prevention standards in health care facilities across the state has been withdrawn.

Reportedly, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Katherine Klausmeier (D), was told by nursing home representatives that they already have sufficient standards and methods for dealing with workplace violence. Delegate Tom Hucker (D), who introduced a similar bill in the Maryland House of Representatives, expressed disappointment at the Senate bill’s withdrawal.

The Executive Board of the American Federation of Teachers held its first meeting of 2013 March19.

The Baltimore City Public Schools Construction and Revitalization Act of 2013 was passed in the Maryland House of Delegates March 20, but only after having been completely rewritten by Maryland legislators.

The Maryland Senate passed Governor O’Malley’s budget with overwhelming support March 21. Only five Republicans voted against the budget, with seven Republicans joining 35 Democrats voting to support the budget.

The Maryland House of Delegates approved the governor’s proposed state budget March 15. The Democratic-controlled House voted 101-36 for the bill, largely along party lines. Both houses have approved a $36.8 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2014.

District courts have ruled two of Gov. Jindal's education schemes unconstitutional. What's next?