Legislative Update

Legislative Update

Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary
and Secondary School Principals
PO BOX 39, Summerdale, PA 17093
Thomas Shivetts, Executive Director
Terri Houck, Director of Govt. Relations

September 2000

As Legislative Contact Person for your District, please share this report with all administrators in your district, and if the person and fax are incorrect let us know.

State lawmakers return to Harrisburg September 25. The legislature will be in session Sept. 25, 26, 27, Oct. 2,3, 4, 10, 11 and Nov. 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29.
Retirement legislation remains a hot item and very much alive. However, retirement legislation will be done quietly and after the November Election. Items on the table include: 30 & Out, increase in health stipend for PSERS and increase in retirement formula multiplier.
Vouchers are always possible and may end up on the trade-off table.
The PIAA oversight bill looks like it will fly. The House will probably amend language in the bill and pass it. The Senate then can concur with the amendments or not.
TO DO NOW

Contact your state senator and representative by letter, phone or fax.
It is time to ask for their support of PAESSP's enhanced retirement proposal.
In your initial contact with lawmakers, outline the reasons why this is needed - see Talking Points.

Talking Points

There is a critical shortage of school administrators.
Teachers who have administrative credentials are not seeking administrative posts.
Teachers typically note, "I wouldn't want your job for anything…too much time, too much stress, too many responsibilities."
It is time to recognize the critical role of school administrator who affects positive change in individual schools.
The proposal PAESSP is offering can do two things:

Recognize the longer workday and year and expanded responsibilities of school administrators; and in so doing,
Entice teachers with administrative credentials to seek the job of principal because it is finally recognized.

The proposal is still not introduced so tell you lawmaker that when it is introduced, you'd like his/her support.
We hope to have the chairs of the Senate and House Education Committees introduce the legislation in October. Your lawmakers who are supportive should contact one of their colleagues for additional information:

Rep. Jess Stairs Rep. Nick Colafella

Sen. James Rhoades Sen. Allyson Schwartz