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Communication with membersRecognition of membersWork for the BEST opportunities for ALL members100% MembershipEncourage members to be more involved in professional trainings and conferencesEducate members on legislative issues and how these issues affect public schools, our work place, and our jobsIncrease individual member understanding of the BCEA labor agreement and diligently defend the current agreement Billings Classified Employees AssociationTEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More

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The Billings Classified Employees Association represents the classified support staff of Billings Public Schools in Billings, Montana. The BCEA has elected five officers and has four appointed Area Directors that represent the 425 BCEA members. Each district building also has a BCEA Building Rep on site.

BCEA Leaders

BCEA Officers

BCEA Officers are elected by BCEA members. Elected positions are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director at Large. Nominations are submitted by April 15th and elections are held no later than May 15th of each year. President and Vice President are elected on odd number years and Secretary, Treasurer and Director at Large are elected on even number years.Current Officers:BCEA President - Deana ElderBCEA Vice President - Butch KochelBCEA Secretary - Peggy RoyerBCEA Treasurer - Jeri AntonBCEA Director at Large - Dee Neiter

BCEA Area Directors

BCEA Area Directors serve a two-year term and are appointed by the President and are members of the Executive Board. Area Directors coordinate Association business with the Building Reps in their designated area. The Area Director shall report on Association activities in their area of responsibility and perform other related duties as designated by the President or Executive Board.Current Area Directors:Elementary - Connie WaggenerMiddle School / First Student - Roxy & Kevin KlundtHigh School - Decora JorgensenLincoln / Warehouse / Facilities - Linda Leligdowicz

BCEA Building Reps

The BCEA Building Reps may be selected by members at their work site or may serve on a volunteer basis. Each work site shall have at least one representative for each ten association members. Building Reps shall attend meetings of the Representative Council that are held in the fall and spring of each school year. Building Reps shall recruit and orient new members, report employee grievances, hold worksite meetings when necessary, distribute Association communications, and maintain a BCEA Information Bulletin Board.

BuildingRep.pdf

BCEA Committees

Committees

This page is under constructionBCEA members serve on committees at many different levels of our Association, as well as many school district committees.

BCEA Job Classifications

The Billings Classified Employees Association represents approximately 450 employees in the Billings School District. These employees belong to many job classifications included in the following list.Accountant I,II,III,lVAdult Ed Nite Owls CoordinatorAudiometric TechnicianAudio-Visual/Computer TechnicianAudio/Visual TechnicianAttendance ClerkBusiness AnalystCertified OT AssistantCommunity TrainerComputer EngineerComputer TechnicianCore Technical EngineerECI Family Support SpecialistElectronics TechnicianFamily Resource Center LiaisonHuman Resources AssistantInformation Specialist l, llInstructional Para-ProfessionalInstructional TechnicianInterpreter for the DeafInventory ControllerLibrary ClerkLibrary System Services CoordinatorLPN/AssistantMedicaid Reimbursement TechnicianMobility TrainerNetwork ManagerParking Lot AttendentPreschool CoordinatorPressmanPrinter ForemanProcurement Card ManagerRegistrarSecretary l,ll,lllSensory Communication FacilitatorSpecial Education Bus AssistantSpecial Needs AssistantTesting TechnicianTitle Vll Home School CoordinatorTitle Vll Indian Education TutorTruancy Center LiaisonTruancy Center Manager

BCEA Officers
BCEA Area Directors
BCEA Building Reps
BCEA Committees
BCEA Job Classifications

Deana Elder
John "Butch" Kochel
Jeri
Peggy Royer
Diane "Dee" Neiter
Connie Waggener
Roxy and Kevin Klundt
Decora Jorgensen
Linda Leligdowicz

BCEA Board of Directors

BCEA NEWS

The BCEA believes in the importance of communication with its members. This page provides links to current events and copies of the monthly newsletter BCEA News for You.

Many members are active in their communities. The Community Engagement tab will show how the BCEA and it's members are engaged in their communities.

You will also find links to the school calendar and the work schedule calendars for all employees.

Current Events BCEA members voted to ratify the tentative agreement with 92% of the votes for YES to ratify.BCEA Contract Ratification Meeting4:30 Thursday, December 15Senior High Library10/26/11 - The BCEA and the District have tentative agreements on all of the language items that have been presented. Negotiations on any dollar items on on hold until the District's Bargaining team has direction from the school board.9/27/11 - The BCEA Bargaining team will meet with representatives of the district for our first negotiations today at 1:00 pm.9/26/11 - The Billings School Board voted to pay the BCEA longevity, retroactive to July 1, 2011. Eligible employees should see this in their next pay check.9/19/11 - Meeting with HR Director Jeana Lervick and Executive Director Scott Anderson concerning the grievance. They do not consider the meeting I had with Josh Middleton as a meeting in the grievance process and they do not recognize his authority to agree to pay the longevity. They will give me their written response in 5 days. 9/13/11 - Walk Around the Block demonstration a success wth over 200 people participating in our demonstration of labor unrest in the school district. Many thanks to everyone that walked with us and to BEA and MPEA members that showed our solidarity as we walked around Lincoln Center together.9/9/11 - A special board meeting is scheduled for the renewal of Supt. Beeman's contract. All members are asked to meet at Lincoln Center Tuesday, September 9th from 4:30 - 5:30 to demonatrate our concerns and participate in a hour long walk around the block. Your attendance is important.9/9/11 - BCEA President Deana Elder met with Josh Middleton to discuss the immediate payment of longevity and to determine dates for negotiations. 9/2/11 - The BCEA has filed a grievance against Billings Public Schools for non-payment of longevity to eligible district BCEA employees.8/23/11 After the school board meeting on 8/22/11, Superintendent Beeman told BCEA President, Deana Elder that the district would be in contact very soon concerning negotiations. He hopes to have negotiations settled soon.7/20/11 After the school board meeting on 7/19, there is still no news on negotiations. One item of news is that the Critical Family Illness Leave has been taken off the list of proposed cuts for the 2011-12 budget.7/13/11 - Legislative action affects early retirement benefits - if you plan to retire before you have worked 30 years or before you are 60 years old, you will be affected by the legislative change. More information can be found at this link. 6/30 - 7/6 NEA Representative Assembly - Chicago, Illinois Standing Strong 6/10-13/11 - BCEA members Deana Elder, Linda Leligdowicz, and Roxy Klundt attend the AFT Community Engagement Project in Denver, Colorado.5/26/2011 - An email was sent to the district to ask if any decision had been made about tentative bargaining dates. The Superintendent did not respond to the email. 5/18/2011 - BCEA Election Results President - Deana Elder 269 Scott Proctor 54 V President - Butch Kochel - 247 Jan McCandless 704/1/2011 - Janet Baum MEA-MFT ESP of the Year

Current Events

BCEA and BEA members at Community Engagement Project

Newsletter

BCEA News for You

September_2011.pdf

Community Engagement

Member surveys have been given to all BCEA members. The BCEA will use this information to build our Community Engagement Project.

Resolution – Community Engagement.pdf

Calendars

Here are copies of the calendars that direct school days, work days, holidays, along with other events that are scheduled during the year.

CALENDAR 12 MONTH 2011 2012.pdf

CALENDAR 9 MONTH 2011 2012.pdf

CALENDAR 10 MONTH 2011 2012.pdf

BPS School Calendar

News

Current Events
Newsletter
Community Engagement
Calendars

BCEA Documents

BCEA Labor Agreement
BCEA Constitution
BCEA Goals
Bill of Rights
Weingarten Rights

BCEA Labor Agreement

The Billings Classified Employees Association has bargained a Labor Agreement with the Billings Public Schools. The term of the agreement is from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011. The BCEA has received a letter from the district to notify the Association of their intent to bargain a successor agreement. If a successor agreement is not bargained before June 30, 2011, the current agreement will remain in place until an new agreement is reached.The current BCEA Labor Agreenent can be viewed at this link.
handshake

BCEA Labor Agreement

BCEA Constitution Puzzle 1

BCEA Constitution

The BCEA Constitution was revised in May 2011. The Constitution provides the guidelines for the Billings Classified Employees Association.

BCEA_Constitution.pdf

BCEA Goals Business-woman-plan

A characteristic of a healthy local organization is having specific goals or objectives that are shared by members. BCEA has established these goals/objectives.

BCEA Goals

Communication with members

Recognition of members

Work for the BEST opportunities for ALL members

100% Membership

Encourage members to be more involved in professional trainings and conferences

Educate members on legislative issues and how these issues affect public schools, our work place, and our jobs

Increase individual member understanding of the BCEA Labor Agreement and diligently defend the current agreement

Bill of Rights
tree

BCEA Bill of Rights

We, the classified members of the BCEA, proclaim these rights for ourselves and our fellow employees wherever they are employed and whatever their positions. For ourselves and our fellow classified employees, we pledge to each other and our Association that we will unite in a common effect to establish and to protect these rights. * The Right to be treated with dignity and respect in our employment. * The Right to be paid a living wage and to be paid a reasonable compensation for the work we do. * The Right to conduct our private lives without interference. * The Right to participate in those decisions of our employer which affects our employment. * The Right to be free from unlawful discrimination. * The Right to join a labor organization and to bargain collectively for our common interests without retaliation. * The Right to have our legitimate grievances addressed fairly and without delay. * The Right to safe and reasonable working conditions. * The Right to retire, not in poverty, but with pride and dignity.

Weingarten Rights
Meeting

Weingarten Rights

BCEA Members Standing Daisy

The BCEA believes in the recognition of its members and the promotion of the professional work of our members. This page will showcase the ESPs of the Month and our members involved in the community.

Outstanding BCEA Members

ESP of the Month

Julie CarlsonSpecial Needs AssistantRiverside Middle School The December ESP of the month is Julie Carlson. Julie is an SNA in our Independent Living classroom this year. Prior to that she had the privilege to work with Rogers Ssembatya, our young man from Uganda. Julie has been with the district since 1993 when she started teaching at Sandstone. After four years of teaching their she moved on to Senior High School where she taught French for another four years and then left briefly to teach on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Busby. After returning to Billings in 2004, Julie went back to work for the district as a classroom aide at Eagle Cliffs and then was hired to be an SNA here at Riverside with a student. Through his years here at Riverside she communicated with him a lot using her French greetings and such that it always brought the biggest smile to his face. Although born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Julie was raised in Montana and has always had a tremendous love for teaching and for the many children whose lives she has touched in so many different ways.

2011-12 Gallery - ESP of the Month

Linda Pickard
Ronda Close
Linda Staszcuk
Julie Carlson

2011-2012 ESP of the Month

Each month the BCEA recognizes an outstanding Education Support Professional as the BCEA ESP of the Month. Any BCEA member can nominate another member for this honor. Each ESP of the Month receives a visit from the BCEA President with a card and flowers. They are recognized in the BCEA News for You Newsletter and on this website.
September 2011 - Linda Pickard - INPP Washington ElementaryOctober 2011 - Ronda Close - SecretaryCareer CenterNovember 2011 - Linda Staszcuk - INPPMiles Avenue ElementaryDecember 2011 - Julie Carlson Special Needs Assistant Riverside Middle SchoolDecember 2011 - January 2012 - February 2012 - March 2012 - April 2012 - May 2012 -

2010-11 Gallery-ESP of the Month

2010-2011 BCEA ESPs of the Month

Peggy Johnson - September
Jackie Dyba - October
Susan McClain - November
Tammy Crum - December
Debbie Shankle-February
Lori Mendenhall -March
Alicia Pugh - April
Marie Scharfe - May

Nomination Form

Nomination Form - ESP of the Month

To nominate a BCEA member for the ESP of the Month, simply complete the email form on this page and click send. Nominations are collected and the ESP of the Month is selected at the monthly BCEA Board meeting. Any person may nominate a BCEA member for ESP of the Month.

The BCEA President will visit the ESP of the Month to present them flowers and recognize them at their work place.

Community Members

Outstanding Community Member

Many of our BCEA members live in the community where they work. They have children in our schools and volunteer their time and servces to many community organizations. We recognize these outstanding members for their contributions to the community.

ESP of the Month
2011-12 Gallery - ESP of the Month
2010-11 Gallery-ESP of the Month
Nomination Form
Community Members

Member Benefits

MEA-MFT

NEA-AFT

BCEA

BCEA - Local Benefits

There are many benefits that come with membership to the Billings Classified Employees Association.BCEA News for You NewsletterVoting Rights for Elections and Contract RatificationBonnie Slough Memorial ScholarshipBCEA Donated Sick LeaveMember Recognition - ESP of the Month Twenty Year Recognition BCEA Retired Members

MEA-MFT

MEA-MFT Membership Benefits

Member Benefits

Your MEA-MFT Membership card provides MEA-MFT members special discounts that can save you hundreds of dollars. Click here for a direct link to benefits available to you as a member.

As members of MEA-MFT, classified school employees are full partners with teachers, higher education faculty, and other MEA-MFT members. MEA-MFT offers conferences and workshops especially for classified employees, with topics such as time management, assertiveness, professional image, interview skills, workplace safety, student discipline, and much more. These are all offered free of cost.MEA-MFT's PASS program is helping hundreds of Montana paraprofessionals meet the "highly qualified" requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law. MEA-MFT works year-round to help our local ESP affiliates negotiate better salaries and working conditions for local MEA-MFT members. MEA-MFT's award-winning Stand Up For Education campaign is mobilizing thousands of Montanans to call for better state funding of public schools.MEA-MFT has won several major victories for classified employees in the state legislature to help you in your retirement years. Read about our victories in the 2009 Legislature.The MEA-MFT staff works with local members to negotiate good contracts; enforce existing contracts; and improve your salary, benefits, and working conditions.

NEA-AFT

NEA and AFT Member Benefits
September 1, 2000, the Montana Education Association and the Montana Federation of Teachers merged to become MEA-MFT. This in turn gives all members the advantage of member benefits from both of our national affiliates, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. To check out benefits available to you as a BCEA member click on the links below.NEA Member Benefits

AFT Member Benefits

BCEA

Legislative Info

Local

copeformembership_BCEA.pdf

Local

COPE - Committee on Political EducationThe BCEA and MEA-MFT do not use any dues dollars for political means. The COPE Committee interviews and recommends political candidates and legislative issues that support public education and what we do as Education Support Professionals. BCEA members can contribute to the COPE fund by completing a form for payroll deduction. Recommended contributions are $2.00 per pay period. Print the form above and send to Deana Elder at Facilites Services.

State

BCEA members attend the No Fooling with Our Future Rally during the MEA-MFT RA in Helena.

State

Click here to see how legislators voted this legislative session. On April 1, 2011, seventeen BCEA members joined 2,000 others at the "No Fooling with Our Future" Rally at the state capitol building in Helena Montana. For a video of the rally click here

voterecord_web.pdf

National

Legislation at the national level can make significant changes in our work. Decisions are made that can affect our working conditions, funding for programs and schools, and many other areas that can make changes in our jobs.Specific legislation that is on the table now include the reauthorization of the ESEA legislation. (Also known as No Child Left Behind). One specific piece of legislation that will recognize the Education Support Professionals is the National Classified Employee of the Year Award Act. Montana Senator Jon Tester is a co-sponsor of this legislation and believes that anyone that contributes to the overall education opportunity experience should have the opportunity to be recognized for his or her hard work.Education Votes

State

National

Local

Billings Classified Employees AssociationMEA-MFT District 27AFT Local 7514

email: bceabillings_gmail.com

address: 510 North 30th Street

Billings, MT 59101

phone: 406-281-5790

The BCEA welcomes your questions, comments, and concerns. Please contact us in a way that is most convenient for you. You can use the email contact form on this page and click Send. Thank you for your interest.

BCEA President, Deana Elder

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