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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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    UPCOMING 
    ​EVENTS

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       The corona virus has definitely created a novel reality.  If you check our our website, you will find links to resources for remote learning, and, of course, there is a plethora of information on the website  FaceBook has  great interest groups, too.  

    Youth Art Month

       We have the virtual platform ready for you to upload images for the 2021 Virtual Youth Art Exhibition. 
       Please follow the link to the 2021 MAEA Virtual Youth Art Month Exhibit HERE.  It is in a Google Slide format. 
       We ask that everyone participate, but only upload 2-3 works per specialist. 
       There are a few slides at the beginning giving format guidance. Please inquire if you have questions. The closer you adhere to the requested format the easier it will be for YAM Chair Victor Daniel of Helena and I to prepare for presentation. 
       The deadline for uploading will be next Wednesday, March 3, 2021. 
       After that deadline, Victor and I will refine the presentation, convert it to a movie file, and upload it to YouTube. 
       We will post the virtual show on the MAEA website and send out a link via email so you can use it on your school and district websites, for promotion in local businesses and board meetings or anywhere there is a screen connected to the internet. 
       If you need it in another format, just let us know. We will be happy to share it as a slide presentation as well.      

    ​
    ​MFPE-MAEA 2021
    Teacher
    Conference      Needs YOU!

       Please submit your proposal to present no later than April 30.     
       The next conference is in Great Falls on October 21 and 22, 2021.  It will be hosted at CM Russell High School. 


    2021 
    Montana
    Educators' Conference

    Where:  GREAT FALLS
    C.M.RUSSELL HIGH SCHOOL
    When:  OCT. 21-22, 2021             Helping our members succeed in their careers is a top priority for MFPE. That’s why, each year, we sponsor the Educator Conference -- the best professional development of its kind anywhere.
       MFPE teams up with 18 Montana curriculum groups to bring you the best in teacher-led professional learning. More than 500 workshops, keynotes, & institutes are available. No matter what or where you teach. You’ll find a wealth of events perfect for you. And you can earn renewal units!
      To find more information and to submit a proposal to present, please visit the following: 
    https://www.mfpe.org/edconference/

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