MINUTES Woodford County Retired Teachers’ Association

March 20, 2015

OPENING: WCRTA met at the Gathering Place with 31 members and4guests(Bill Lane, Polly Campbell, Judy Skutt, and speaker, Pat Durley) present.

PROGRAM

Judith Quiram introduced Pat Durley, Assistant Superintendent of Tazewell-Mason Counties. As of July 1st Woodford County will also be in this group, location yet to be determined. He spoke about the controversial Core Curriculum. Common Core Standards (CCSS) was started by a large group of states. It is a conceptual framework that outlines what students should know. It’s goal is to prepare them for college and careers. It has an increased focus on higher level critical thinking skills and problem solving. It is not directing an exact curriculum. This is controlled locally. The PARCC or Smarter Balance tests are used to assess CCSS. Assessment for grades 3-8 and 1 high school are required bystate to receive federal monies. As of now all students are required by school code to take this test to graduate. Only math and language arts are currently tested. Science and social studies are to be developed. CCSS do not require certain methods to teach the materials. PARCC is directing the choice. The validity and reliability of PARCC are coming into question.

MEETING

The meeting was called to order by President, Lynn Campbell at 12:16pm. The minutes of the November 21, 2014 meeting were approved as printed. Treasurer Jane Roth reported a balance on hand of $2139.49. The treasurer’s report was approved and filed for audit.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Program: No report.

Membership: Judith Quiram gave an update on membership as of the end of 2014. We had 218 state members, 146 local members, and 3 deaths. By the end of the meeting Polly Campbell had also joined. Welcome!

Bill Lane from IRTA told us about the “Bring One” state project. He is asking us to recruit at least one person for IRTA, which is the only lobby group for teachers in the state as well as the only group that is solely responsible for retired teachers.

Judith announced that April 27-May 1st is Teacher Appreciation Week. Gift bags will be prepared for active teachers as in the past. Contact Judith if you can help with this project.

Member Benefits: Pete Hughes informed us that according to United Health Care we are not subject to the “donut hole”.

Foundation: John Byrne reminded members that teacher grants and scholarships for relatives of IRTA members are available through the IRTA Foundation.

Community Participation: Jo Crow sent off 2 more boxes to Operation Smile. The next box will be sent after the May meeting. They are desperately in need of gowns. The sewing group would appreciate material, bias tape, and helpers to sew and cut.

Legislation: Bill White gave an update on FD1.

Public Relations: No report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Lynn Campbell will serve as Vice-President and contact the caterer.

The greeters will be expected to arrive by 9:45am. One of them shall help with the set-up. The reservationist should arrive at 9:45am and stay at the entrance table.

The changes to our 2015 program booklet are as follows: Switch the July and November programs. Add Bev Nix(S&L) and Deb Young(S&L) whose names were omitted.New member, Polly Campbell(S&L) should be added.

NEW BUSINESS:

TRS has received the Financial Award for the 25th consecutive year.

The IRTA nominating committee has forms to nominate P, VP, Sec., and Treas..

Any of our names can be submitted.

The IRTA convention will be in October. Submit names for Unit Honoree by June

1st.

The IRTA convention silent auction item is due in September. Our group decided

toenter. It was suggested to fill a basket with gift cards, greeting cards, business

cards, and stamps. More to follow at a later date.

The IRTA Area 1 Conference is May 19. It will be at IVCC college in Oglesby.

Registration is due by May 8th. Anyone interested should contact Lynn. Your

way and luncheon will be paid.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Rick Frankenfeld from TRS will talk about pensions on Monday, 3/23 at Metamora H.S. at 3:45pm.

Breakfast Lovers-April, 13, 2015

Next Meeting-May15, 2015

Meeting adjourned at 12:54pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Martha(Marty) Eckert, Secretary Pro-tem