​News From MSEA

​Know Your Rights!!!
The following are your Weingarten Rights:

If you are accused of child abuse, assault, or any other criminal charge:

1. Don't talk to anyone about the case.  Tell the principal, parent, police officer, or social services worker that you will be happy to answer questions as soon as you have an attorney present.  They must respect your right to have an attorney present during the questioning- even if it means postponing the meeting.
2. Call ACEA at 301-729-8280 immediately.  Advise the person who answers that you are being accused of a crime and need an attorney.  If for any reason you are unable to reach someone at the ACEA office, call headquarters in Annapolis at 1-800-448-6782 and ask to speak to an attorney.
3. If you are unable to reach the Uniserv Director at ACEA or an MSEA attorney, advise the principal, administrator, or officer that the questioning will have to be rescheduled when you have an attorney present and that you will advise them as soon as you have arranged for representation.  They can contact your attorney by contacting MSEA.
4. Do not allow yourself to be manipulated into discussing the case without legal counsel.  The vast majority of complaints are false, but your response can easily be twisted or misconstrued.  Promises like "just answer a few questions and we can close the book and go home" or insinuations like "you wouldn't mind talking to us if you were "not guilty"" are designed to help the investigators and the accusers, not you.  Expedience is never a good reason to sacrifice your legal rights.

If you are accused by your supervisor of misconduct, incompetence, insubordination, or impropriety:

1. Advise the supervisor that the charge is one for which you could be reprimanded or suffer other disciplinary action and that you have a right to have a representative attend any meetings held to discuss the charge.
2. Contact your building ACEA rep or call the ACEA office at 301-729-8280.  The building rep can accompany you to the meeting or we can arrange other representation as the situation requires.
3. If you are unable to reach the ACEA office, advise your supervisor that you wish to postpone the meeting until you can have a representative present.  If the supervisor insists that the meeting proceed, you must attend in order not to be insubordinate.  But, don't discuss the charge.  Your best bet is to repeat, "I'll be happy to respond to that when I have a representative present."

IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO START THINKING ABOUT NOVEMBER!

All elections are important, but this year’s election is vitally important for public education in Allegany County. 

First, the Fix the Fund-Question 1, that our members fought so hard to have on the ballot this November is in the balance and will determine whether or not Allegany County Public Schools receives more than $7 million in new state funding over the next four years. 

We need you to spread the word that voting yes on Question 1 means more resources for public education in Allegany County. That vote will decide whether we have more funding for smaller class sizes, better compensation and more opportunities for our students.

Passing Question 1 will have less impact if we don’t have friends of public education on the Board of Education.  That’s why ACEA is recommending

• Deb Frank
• Nicholas Hadley and
• Carmen Jackson

for Allegany County Board of Education. 

You can find out more about each candidate by clicking on their names.

ACEA put every candidate that participated through a rigorous questionnaire and interview process. Through that process Deb, Nick and Carmen showed their unwavering commitment to our students, schools and educators.  They are committed to:

• Fostering parental involvement.
• Improving professional respect for educators.
• Thinking and acting independently and in the best interests of students- not personal agendas.
• Making our schools safe and supportive of all students.
• Securing resources for smaller class sizes and the best possible learning environments.

​Early voting for the general election runs from October 25th to November 1st from 10am-8pm at the Allegany County Government Building on Kelly Drive in Cumberland.  Election day is November 6th and polling places are open from 7am-8pm.   

​ACEA Office Facelift
Many thanks to the volunteers who worked hard to give our sign and office a facelift, the final product looks amazing!