Applecore December 2004

Special General Membership Meeting – January 5, 2005

There will be a Special General Membership meeting on January 5, 2005, in the LMHS auditorium at 4:15PM. The purpose of the meeting is to inform members about upcoming negotiations and the contract proposal.

Gift Policy

The Board policy regarding gifts has not changed since last year. Board policy states “employees may not accept gifts”. The LMEA urges you to adhere to the policy but not hurt children’s feelings. Accept gifts from students and give them to the building principal. Do not accept gifts directly from parents. Evidently, there are administrative guidelines that differentiate types of gifts. Administrators are authorized to make this determination and may return gifts for you to keep. The professional and ESP staffs are not authorized to make such a determination.

LMEA Web-Site

If you have not visited www.lmeaonline.org please do so. Negotiation updates will be posted in the password section once bargaining begins.

LMEA Office to Relocate

The LMEA has purchased 306 Parsons Ave, Bala Cynwyd. The LMEA will be moving its office to this location the week of January 17, 2005. Please, stop by. An open house is scheduled for late spring.

IRS Deduction

The Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 reinstated the educator expense deduction which had expired at the end of last year, for both 2004 and 2005. Expenses incurred any time this year may qualify for the deduction. The deduction is available to eligible educators in public and private elementary or secondary schools. To be eligible, a person must work at least 900 hours during a school year as a teacher, instructor, councilor, principal or aid. An educator may subtract up to $250 out of pocket expenses when figuring adjusted gross income.

For more information, call the IRS at 1-800-829-4477 and select Topic 58 or go to www.irs.gov and use its search engine to find Tax Topic 58.

The LMEA wishes you and your family a happy holiday season!

LMEA Unit / Officers Meetings
Throughout the year, unit meetings will be held prior to officers meetings at all buildings. November’s meeting will be held Wednesday, November 10 at 3:35 at PennWynne. Meetings for other buildings will be announced monthly in the AppleCore and posted in your building. Unit meetings give you the chance to make suggestions and voice concerns with your LMEA officers.

NEA-RA State Representative Elections

You will be soon be receiving ballots to elect state delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly. Please use five of your votes to vote for our region officers Jim Sando, Jerry Oleksiak, Linda Weaver, Donna Milner, and Steve McCarter.

Upcoming LMEA Events

January 5- Officers’ Meeting
January 5-Special General Membership Meeting – contract proposal
January 10- Executive Council, PR&R
January 28-29- NEA Region
February 9- Officers’ Meeting
February 14- Executive Council, PR&R
March 2 – LMEA Read Across America
March 9- Officers’ Meeting
March 10-13 NEA-ESP Leadership Conference (San Diego)
March 11-13-Minority Leadership Conference
March 14 – Executive Council
March 16- General Membership Meeting (RA, Nominations)
April 6- Officers’ Meeting
April 11- Executive Council, PR&R
April 21- MER House at Wm Penn Inn
May TBA- 25 Year Tribute
May 4- Officers’ Meeting
May 9- Executive Council, PR&R
May 11 – General Membership Meeting (Elections)
May 13-14- PSEA House in Pittsburg.
May 17 – LMEA Elections
June 2 – Banquet


Executive Council meetings are held the second Monday of the month in the LMEA office at 4:00PM except November 15.

Officers Meetings are held the Wednesday before Executive Council meetings. Locations and times will be announced.

If you have any issues or concerns that you need addressed, please contact your building representative.