Killeen Educators Association
LOCAL people making a WORLD of DIFFERENCE!
Additional information can be found HERE.
Dear Members,
The health and safety of our members is of paramount concern. With that in mind I am informing you of the following event.
During the afternoon of Friday, April 29th Killeen ISD released a statement informing the public it had been informed by the Bell County Public Health Department that some students and staff of four KISD campuses may have been exposed to Tuberculosis. According to the press release, the four schools are:
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Eastern Hills Middle School
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Manor Middle School
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Charles Patterson Middle School
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Union Grove Middle School
According to the Center for Disease Control Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterium that usually attacks the lungs, but can also attack any vulnerable part of the body, such as the kidneys, spine and the brain. TB is an airborne disease, and is spread through the air from one person to the next through actions such as coughing, sneezing, speaking or singing. Infection with TB bacteria does not necessarily lead to an active infection of the disease. If an active infection occurs, and is not treated properly the disease can be fatal.
While the district has stated that the buildings in question have already been cleaned and disinfected, and that select students and staff at the above-listed campuses have been notified, the staff and population in general was not notified of the event until today. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution I am taking steps to notify you as members of Killeen Educators of the event, so that you may take whatever precautions you feel are necessary to ensure your health and that of your families.
Should you have any questions regarding Tuberculosis, preventing its transmission, its treatment or any other concerns, please contact the Bell County Public Health Department at (254) 526-8371, or visit their website at www.bellcountyhealth.org.
In solidarity,
Richard M. Beaulé
President, Killeen Educators Association
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure about some things? No problem. Scroll down to see if the answer is here. If not, don't hesitate to email us, or contact the TSTA Help Desk by clicking here.
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Why should I join KEA/TSTA/NEA?
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Members gain political power at the local, state, and national levels: Political power is electing candidates who support public education and opposing those who don't. Real political power is writing the laws we need, and defeating the laws that will be harmful to you and students.
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Members get he best legal defense when they need it: In today's world, no education employee should walk onto a work site without legal protection. TSTA has protected members for over 125 years. We have the clout, the legal team and the money to give you a fair shot at justice. We also provide more liability insurance than you'll ever need. No liability claim against an educational employee has ever exceeded our coverage.
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We provide help when you need it: As a TSTA/NEA member, you belong to the largest democratically run, member controlled, professional organization in the world. We have the resources to help you do your job well. Our NEA and TSTA Member Benefits programs provide you with the buying power that comes from having 3.2 million members in the U.S. alone. Also, by calling 877-ASK-TSTA toll free from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday (8-5 summers), experts from every TSTA center, including our legal center, can assist you and your local association with legal, professional, and organizing needs.
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Members can access the information they need: Whether you need a lesson plan or the latest education news, TSTA/NEA provides the information you need. Sign up for our weekly electronic newsletter and visit all the great NEA web sites for lesson plans, grant opportunities, ways you can save money, and much more.
Why is TSTA Legal Coverage my best option?
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Other organizations provide an insurance policy with limits for attorney services, but TSTA covers the costs of an attorney completely through our defense fund. TSTA assists you when your employment rights are being violated or your employment is in jeopardy. When we take a case, the cost of an attorney will never be an issue. TSTA spends over a million dollars each year representing members. TSTA has in-house attorneys who are experts in education employment law. TSTA also retains attorneys across the state to assist members In addition to employment rights defense, TSTA provides a comprehensive insurance that protects members against most legal claims while acting within the scope of your employment. Contact TSTA for details.
What can I do when I have a complaint about something at my job?
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Routine problems arise on the job all the time. Ideally, the goal of workplace problem solving should be a win-win solution, freeing you from the problem yet maintaining a positive relationship with your supervisor and the district itself. Working towards that end, KEA officers meet each month with KISD Board Trustees and administration. We keep lines of communication open to head off conflicts, and to resolve issues before they escalate. There is safety and power in numbers. You have already taken the first step to job security by becoming a member of KEA/TSTA/NEA. You are now one of the many members of this local who are covered by TSTA and NEA employment protection. Your membership in the association communicates clearly to district administration that you are not helpless, and that you have access to active support through your membership. If nothing else has worked, a grievance is a formal way to air an unresolved complaint. This is usually a last resort for solving your problem since there must be an actual violation of law by the district which you can prove.
Can my supervisor or principal require me to work overtime?
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As a general rule, a school district may require any employee to work additional hours. However, employees such as custodians, bus drivers, and paraprofessionals are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and must be paid overtime. Teachers, librarians, athletic trainers, and nurses are "professional employees" and therefore exempt from the FLSA. This means that they are not entitled to additional compensation for overtime. TSTA believes contract employees who are required to work a significant amount of time outside of the instructional period should be compensated. Decisions from the Commissioner of Education have not been favorable when teachers have sought compensation for working beyond regular school hours.
I received a bad appraisal. What can I do about it?
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A teacher may submit a written response or rebuttal to a written observation summary, a written summative annual appraisal report, or any other written documentation associated with the teacher's appraisal. The teacher may also request a second appraisal by another appraiser. Both actions must be submitted to the appraiser within 10 working days of receiving the appraiser's written appraisal.