There were several major wins for teachers and TEA this legislative session. These issues include:

• Passage of a bill to ensure that teacher evaluation ratings are not public records. (HB 1908/SB 1447)

• Passage of additional funding for the BEP including a 2.5% salary increase for BEP funded teachers.  (HB 3835/SB 3768)

Hundreds of delegates from local affiliates across Tennessee and student chapters on college campuses are expected to attend the annual business meeting of the Tennessee Education Association set for May 11-12 at the Nashville Convention Center.  

Elections of TEA President, Vice President and NEA Director for Tennessee top the agenda of the TEA Representative Assembly.  Elections will also be held for eight seats on the TEA Board of Directors and several other offices. 

The Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees announced at its March 30, 2012 meeting that retirees who have been on the TCRS retired payroll for a least 12 consecutive months as of July 1, 2012 will be receiving a three (3%) percent cost-of-living adjustment.  The percentage of COLA is based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year.

If you or any of your colleagues have never been a member of the National Education Association before, you are eligible to join now without paying any dues until September 2012

Between April 1 and August 31, 2012, the NEA Early Enrollment Membership Incentive Plan offers eligible recruits no-cost access as “Insureds” in the NEA Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program and access to select NEA Member Benefits programs.