Tell Us Your Story!
We're working hard to convince the state legislature to provide increased health insurance funding for all Arkansas education professionals – and we need your help!

To really drive the point home about how badly we need improved funding, we'd like you to tell your story about how the burden of the health insurance premium affects you or someone you know. For example:
· Have you left education, or are you thinking about it because you can't afford the health insurance? Do you know somebody who has left teaching for this reason?
· If you teach or engage in other public school work, are you without health insurance because the premium is too high?

These real-life stories can go a long way toward convincing Arkansas lawmakers to provide increased funds for health insurance. So if you have a story to tell, please reply to this e-mail.  Be sure to include the following items:
· Your name
· Your e-mail address
· Whether you are a teacher or an Education Support Professional
· Your school district, or the amount your district contributes to health insurance
· If you know of someone who has a story to tell, but who does not receive these Alerts, please let us know how to contact them

Support HB 1214
Please take the time to contact your legislator and request that he or she support HB 1214: An act concerning the rules and procedures of the Professional Licensure Standards Board; and for other purposes.

This bill would remove the requirement that the Commissioner or his/her designee serve as chair of the Board. This means the board will be allowed to select its own chair from its members. This bill also would provide protection to any educator who is alleged to have violated the Code of Ethics and gives them the right to appeal to a court of law.

The bill came out of committee today without opposition and is expected to go to the House soon. It is sponsored by Reps. Johnnie Roebuck, David Cook, Nancy Blount, Randy Stewart, Barbara Nix, Bill Abernathy, Rick Saunders, David Rainey, Johnny Hoyt, Monty Betts, Toni Bradford and Eddie Cheatham, and Sens. Jimmy Jeffress and Joyce Elliott.