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Teachers in Summer...

7/22/2019

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GFEA Member Chris Evans and CMR Drama are working this summer, despite no class being in session. CMR Drama marched in and sold water at the 4th of July Parade, have been actively selling Truck Rffle Tickets for the GFPS Foundation, and are already working on decorations for CMR's homecoming. 
GFEA members are active for kids year round!
​Read more about Chris on the new "Our Members" page
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Here's why teachers deserve 12 months' salary

7/22/2019

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Another must-read from the great Mary Moe. Click to read.
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MFPE Member Interest Form

7/18/2019

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MFPE is run by members like you. That's why we want to know what you care about most. Click here to complete a form to help MFPE better communicate with you about issues that matter to you!
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Official GFPS Memo regarding IRS Letters

7/12/2019

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​Internal Revenue Service – Retirement Distribution Letters
 
It has come to our attention that a number of our employees are receiving information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that indicates they received a retirement distribution from Great Falls Public Schools in 2017.  The District does not issue retirement distributions, so these letters are clearly incorrect as we do not send out these forms.  We are working with the IRS to determine the cause of this problem.  Initially, the information was sent to a few people who worked for the District in 2013, but since then, current employees have been receiving the IRS information as well. 
We have been working with the IRS Fraud Department since April to resolve this matter.  We have been directed by the IRS to provide our employees a letter from the District that indicates the employee did not receive a retirement distribution from Great Falls Public Schools.  Ideally, the IRS would provide us a list of our employees who will be receiving the letter, but as of yet, they have not released that information.
If you have received a letter from the IRS, please contact Katie Allen (6064) in the Payroll Department.  She will provide you with a letter from the school district to be sent to the IRS.  The letter indicates the school district did not issue the 1099-R forms.  We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you and thank you for your consideration as we both work through this situation. 
Updates will be provided as we learn additional information on this matter. 
 
Brian Patrick
Director of Business Operations
Great Falls Public Schools   
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Odd IRS Letters

7/12/2019

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GFEA members,
It has come to our attention the IRS has sent letters to many people associated with the Great Falls Public Schools indicating that they received a retirement distribution in 2017 (1099-R) from the District. People receiving this letter range from retired, current, and student workers, those contributing to TRS, PERS and those never contributing to a retirement system such as the student workers. The District does not do retirement distributions, so these letters are clearly incorrect. To date the District has been in contact with the IRS fraud department, TRS, PERS, Department of Revenue and their auditors. Unfortunately, at this time, there is not a clear answer as to why these letters were sent.
If you received one of these letters, the IRS has asked that you send a letter written on District letterhead stating that you did not receive a retirement distribution from GFPS in 2017. GFPS has a form letter they are sharing for you to send. If you need a copy of this letter you can contact Katie Allen, GFPS lead payroll technician, at either 268-6063 or 268-6064.
You can also contact me for assistance.
We appreciate your understanding and kindness to those attempting to investigate and resolve this issue.
Shelli Lavinder Schwalk 
NC1 Field Consultant
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AFT files lawsuit over failures of Public Service Loan Forgiveness program

7/12/2019

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Click here for the story from NPR:

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Must-Reads by Mary Moe

7/12/2019

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Below are links to two pieces by GF City Commissioner, former State Senator, former GFPS Trustee, former Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education, former GFCMSU Dean, and former public school teacher Mary Moe. If you have any insights that might help Mary in writing these columns to educate citizens about how bad our school funding situation is, her e-mail address is at the end of each piece.
  • https://www.missoulacurrent.com/opinion/2019/07/mary-moe-teachers/?fbclid=IwAR0x-jWuOmJf_wHTLD80ez2Woz5XHzXt9zKBhqTfPKlGk1WyHrxVsehALXI
  • https://www.missoulacurrent.com/opinion/2019/07/teachers-budget-cuts/?fbclid=IwAR0M4oencGDdG3LDrZEYGT6pNGaKy_yrLEC6nm2ruqcgOTBeiDWLOZm-6mQ
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MFPE Adds Western Montana Mental Health CSCT Staff in Missoula

7/11/2019

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​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2019
CONTACT: Bob Funk | bfunk@mfpe.org | 406-461-6787

Western Montana Mental Health CSCT Staff in Missoula Join MFPE
“Together, we have a seat at the table”
(MISSOULA, MONT.) – July 1, CSCT staff employed by Western Montana Mental Health Missoula-Area voted to join the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE). Joining MFPE means Missoula-area CSCT staff now have representation in the workplace and the right to collectively bargain with their employer.
Comprehensive School and Community Treatment (CSCT) is a joint effort between Montana school districts and providers to deliver emotional and behavioral support to students at school. CSCT staff help students with a range issues that affect their ability to be successful in school as well as other areas of life. Support services include individual sessions, group sessions, family support, lunch group, and in-class support.
“The decision to form a union was based solely on our desire to improve working conditions for employees and services for our clients,” said Patrick Shourd, Behavior Specialist. “Those who serve in the trenches deserve to have their voices heard as we can guide our programs in the most ethical manner. Collectively we can work with our organization to improve standards and quality of life for all stakeholders.” 
72 CSCT staff employed by Western Montana Mental Health Missoula-Area cast ballots in the union election. The results were overwhelmingly in favor of joining MFPE, with 71 staff members voting for representation and collective bargaining rights. 
“Through our union, we have the strength in numbers to accomplish things we could not do alone,” said MFPE President Eric Feaver. “Together, we have a seat at the table. Together, we have the freedom to advocate for the highest quality services. MFPE members work is every corner of this state and are dedicated to the people and communities they serve. We’re excited to welcome by Western Montana Mental Health Missoula-Area CSCT staff to the family.”
The total unit size includes 92 Western Montana Mental Health Missoula-Area CSCT staff.

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More adventures at NEA-RA

7/8/2019

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Presidential Candidate Forum at NEA-RA

7/6/2019

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    2021 Legislative Issues
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    GFEA Policies
    Issue Form
    MFPE

    GFEA's 2022
    ​EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION RESULTS


     OFFICERS
    1st Vice President
     Lance Olson

    Secretary-Treasurer

     * Stephanie Olson

     
     REPRESENTATIVES
    Elementary
     * Eric Bush
     * Kari Rosenleaf

    Middle School

      Nick Herd

    ​High School

     * Dawn O’Leary

    Member-At-Large
     * Arienne Konesky


     * Asterik indicates unopposed position elected
    by acclamation.
     Terms run
     June 2022 – June 2024.

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    Youth Art Month

    The Youth Art Month
    2022 Art Show
    at the Montana State Capitol is fast approaching!
     
    ​
    • If you would like to participate please beginning preparing artworks for the show!
    • Each teacher can send two to three 2-D pieces, pending scale & response
    • Works must be mounted/matted and hang-able (hot glue and string works great)
    • We use Command strips on marble to hang, so works can’t be too heavy
    • NO FRAMES unless YOU provide the easel
    • 3-D works are encouraged, number is not as limited but please think of media when shipping

    To register artworks, please fill out a separate form for each student located at the following link: ​https://forms.gle/x5HvLozL9rTfkK9UA//forms.gle/qSyhFfCGRqj96JQE8 
    (The registration link is also available on the Youth Art Month Website)

    Important Dates:
    Feb. 3 - Mail art:
    Victor Daniel,
    MAEA Youth Art Month Chair

    C/O Helena High School
    1300 Billings Ave
    Helena, MT 59601

    Feb. 23 - Show Install
    Youth Art Month Show : Through March
    April 6 - Takedown
     
    Please email 
    vdaniel@helenaschools.org

    Belgrade art teachers welcome students, teachers
    to the Montana
    ​Art Invitational

        Hello,
    Art Teachers of Montana!
       This April 29-March 1, come join us here in beautiful Belgrade, Montana, for our annual Montana Art Invitational (MAI).
        What is MAI exactly? Well, my friends, it's an amazing opportunity for your students to experience art outside of the classroom.
       It includes classes showcasing local artists who are excited to share their techniques, a look at what it is like to go to art school here at MSU, and fun games to get to know our awesome Montana art community.
        Students will be housed over the weekend here at Belgrade High School, meals provided, with a small fee of $35 to cover costs of materials.
        Our Covid-19 policy reflects our district's decision to strongly recommend masks.
        Please consider this opportunity. As a fellow art teacher, we all know the power of creative communities. Let us help facilitate the future of Montana.
    -Belgrade Art Department

    MEMBERSHIP     EVENTS

    WHEN:
    Thurs., Dec. 9, 2021
    from 6- 6:30 p.m. MT

    The registration link:
    https://secure.ngpvan.com/KJvCz8522UGo6BnGEzIFMQ2 
    WHO: 
    Presenter: Sarah Piper
    WHAT: 
    Contract rights and workplace protection are critical reasons to be an MFPE member – but your union membership comes with lots of other benefits too. Learn more about free college for your family, life insurance, trauma counseling, home/auto insurance, discounts, and more. Find out how your membership can help you have more freedom in ALL areas of your life.

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