Mideastern Region PSEA

Welcome to the Mideastern Region newsletter! Each month we will be featuring information to help our members stay informed, get involved, and advocate for our profession.

Our region represents 15,339 public school educators across the 35 school districts, two intermediate units, one comprehensive technical high school, healthcare worksites, and a virtual charter school. Thank you for being a member!

Because of the state budget impasse, Pennsylvania public schools have missed out on $3.76 billion in expected state payments in July, August, and September.

“School districts across Pennsylvania are feeling dramatic financial pressure because of the state’s failure to pass a budget,” PSEA President Aaron Chapin said. “Without a budget agreement, more public schools are going to have make tough decisions, like delaying building projects, shutting down education programs, and taking out costly loans.

“Pennsylvania needs a budget that makes critical investments in our public schools, including the second installment in the multiyear plan to address school funding adequacy.”

Chapin noted that the typical school district in Pennsylvania keeps enough money in reserve to afford 87 days of expenditures. September 25, the day that the state’s September payment to public schools was supposed to be paid, marked the 87th day of FY 2025-26 without a state budget.

For more information please visit this website. If you are a constituent of the two state senators below, please make contact today!

• Senator Tracy Pennycuick: 215-541-2388
• Senator Frank Farry: 215-638-1784

Are you ready to join other PSEA members in the Mideastern Region to defend public education? Join the Education Defenders volunteer advocacy team today! For more information and to register, please visit this website.

Last year CAPS generously sponsored Science Explorers assemblies for elementary schools in the region - and this year we may be headed to your building! If your classroom or building is interested in being one of the 8 classrooms or schools we randomly select to participate in the program this year at no cost, please take a few minutes to provide your information here by Monday, October 13th. If you were a winner in the past, please allow others to win this opportunity for this year.

Remember to check www.schoolhouseballot.com to find your champions of public education! Election day is Tuesday, November 4th. Make a plan to vote in person or by mail ASAP!

CAPS invites you to register your school for the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee! School champions will compete in the Region Finals to be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Wissahickon High School, 521 Houston Rd, Ambler, PA 19002. For additional information and to register, please review this document. The winner of our Bee moves on to the national competition in Washington, DC!

Have your insurance rates been a little scary lately? We want to remind you to take a moment to review your insurance coverage. Ensuring your policies are up to date can provide peace of mind throughout the busy school year. As part of your PSEA Member Benefits, we are here to help you secure the best auto and home insurance protection at the most competitive prices. Please call me today to learn more and obtain a free rate quote: 267-278-1432. You can also share your current coverage securely with me to get started: https://app.usecanopy.com/c/comparion-comparion-newtown-elizabeth-gillman

The PSEA Education Foundation provides financial assistance to PSEA members who are experiencing dire hardship through illness, disability, and/or financial need. Applications are submitted to the PSEA Retirement & Welfare Committee, which reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the PSEA Education Foundation.

For more information or to apply, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

The Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) is a BIPOC-led space where allies are welcome. We explore the unique experiences and priorities of our members of color and work in concert to improve cultural responsiveness and representation in our unions. Members may attend our 5pm meetings either in person at our Montgomeryville office or via Zoom. The first one of this school year is on Wednesday, October 8. Click here to register!

September 15 – October 15

As a team of multicultural educators, we recognize the profound significance of Latinx Heritage Month. This is a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx communities while celebrating the diversity that strengthens our classrooms every day.

Together, we are committed to creating learning spaces where every student—of every background—feels seen, valued, and celebrated. When every student feels seen, valued, and uplifted, our entire community thrives.

We invite our school community to join us in listening, learning, and uplifting the voices and traditions that enrich us all.

Educationally yours,

Nancy Butcher-Pérez (MER MAC Chairperson)

It's never too early to start thinking about nominations for PSEA's Celebrating Excellence Awards! Nominations are due at the end of December and the award ceremony will be in Philadelphia at the May PSEA House of Delegates. For additional information on the awards and to make a nomination, please visit this website.

Here's our full region calendar for this school year, along with a quick at-a-glace version. We hope to see you at an upcoming event!

We are proud of all that our Council for the Advancement of Public Schools accomplished last school year. From musicals to a spelling bee and everything in between, we are glad to support our students, staff, and communities. Click here for the full rundown!

PSEA has compiled this comprehensive report to highlight key facts and data on the state’s public schools, educator and support staff compensation, school district staffing, funding, and enrollment, and student performance.

The report is designed to be a resource for educators, support staff, students, parents, elected leaders, community members, and the press — with up-to-date facts and information about Pennsylvania’s public schools.

Based on the updated facts in the report, researchers made these key findings.

The NEA RA is the largest democratic deliberative assembly in the world and is held every year during the last week of June and/or first week in July. The Annual Meeting kicks off with pre-RA meetings, conferences, and exhibits. The RA consists of eight business sessions spanning the four final days of the Annual Meeting where RA delegates debate the vital issues that impact public education and set policy and activities for the year ahead.

This year's event will be taking place in Denver, Colorado on July 3-7. For more information and to declare candidacy to be a state delegate, please visit this website. The deadline to declare candidacy as a state delegate is October 17 at 4:30pm.

If you are a member of the Bucks and Montgomery County Schools Healthcare Consortium, check out their website and social media for up-to-date information about benefits for you and your family! The also have a brand new wellness guide featuring all the resources available to you and your dependents.

Resources, events, and information related to Education Support Professionals in Bucks and Montgomery Counties can be found on our Mideast Division Website.

Thursday, October 16, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. (additional 30 minutes asynchronous) at the Michener Art Museum

Join clay artist Lisa Naples in a live demonstration and Q & A – especially for educators! Watch as she builds fascinating 3D forms using darts and pliable red clay, a technique she has perfected over the course of her award-winning career. Suggestions for classroom adaptations will be included.

SPECIAL OFFER: Attendees of this program will also receive dinner and a complimentary ticket to the Putnam Arts Leader Lecture with Anila Quayyam Agha, happening at 7 p.m. on the same night. Don’t miss this artfully spectacular evening celebrating the voices of two amazing women artists!

Two (2) Act 48 hours are available for current PSEA members. Registrants are asked to spend 30 minutes visiting the special exhibition Lisa Naples: Grounded in Gold in-person or virtually ahead of the workshop’s start. (Please note that the lecture is not an Act 48 eligible event).

Please bring a personal sketchbook or notebook to use during the demonstration. Nascent project ideas are also welcome as part of the Q & A. Dinner will be provided for all attendees at 6 p.m.

For more information and to register: https://michener.ticketapp.org/portal/product/110

PSEA has teamed up with PennWest University to offer you college credit for your hard work! For more information, please visit this website.

PSEA offers a wide array of in-person and online professional learning opportunities in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Members can earn Act 48 credit (PSEA is an approved Act 48 provider by PDE) and Chapter 14 verification to submit for district consideration toward the fulfillment of annual hours for HQT. For additional information please visit this website: Professional Development

Start your retirement planning NOW - not later! The PSERS Foundations For Your Future (FFYF) programs are designed to give public school employees an overview of their retirement benefits. These programs provide active​ members with general information about PSERS' benefits and services. Attendance at an FFYF program will help you begin to plan for your retirement early in your career. Each program lasts approximately 90 minutes. These sessions are designed to help you plan sooner than later for your retirement. If you are within five years of your anticipated retirement date, you should take advantage of other presentations via our region or PSERS.

There are both in-person and virtual sessions on the PSERS calendar, including:

• Quakertown High School, October 9
• Montgomery County IU, October 16
• Pottstown High School, October 21
• Bensalem High School, October 31 and Nov 13

For more information and to register, please visit this website.

Now is the time to start preparing! As part of the PSERS Countdown to Retirement Series, view the checklist below to ensure you stay on track to retire.

• Purchase Service
• Submit a Domestic Relations Order (DRO), if applicable
• Attend a Foundations for Your Future (FFYF) session
• Do Your Research
• Set Aside Three Months of Living Expenses - this will help you transition in the space between leaving your school entity payroll and the beginning of your PSERS monthly benefit.

Learn more:

Retirement Checklist | Public School Employees' Retirement System | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Registration for our in-person (Montgomeryville) and virtual (Zoom) pre-retirement workshops this school year is now open! These sessions are intended for members who are five years or less from their anticipated retirement date. For additional information and to register, please visit this website.

The Health Options Program operates for the sole benefit of participants of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS), their dependents and survivors. Under the Health Options Program, you have access to comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage before and after you become eligible for Medicare. Click here for upcoming virtual information sessions on this program to help you decide if it's right for your household.

If you are looking for vision and dental benefits in your retirement, consider taking a look at the PSEA Health and Welfare Fund. It's an easy and affordable way to secure coverage for you, your spouse, and dependents in retirement.

Browse even our extensive PSEA member benefits at psea.org/mb and don’t forget to browse even more opportunities to save money from NEA at neamb.com.

Boscov's Travel

Boscov's Travel offers all eligible PSEA Members vacations at affordable prices. Whether you want to experience the magic of Disney with your family, or you want to relax in the sun and sand in the Caribbean, they can help make your vacation dreams a reality. They offer special discounts on certain cruises and tours for PSEA members and their immediate family when traveling together.

These reporting guidelines have been prepared by the PSEA Legal Division and are current as of June 5, 2015. Please review the information in this critical alert to ensure you are properly following the reporting guidelines for the following four laws:

• Child Protective Services, 23 Pa.C.S. § 6301 - § 6386
• Educator Discipline Act, 24 P.S. § 2070.1a - § 2070.18a
• Criminal Conduct, 24 P.S. § 1-111.1(e), (f.1)
• Employment History Review Act (Act 168 of 2014), 24 P.S. § 1-111.1

Each of the guidelines includes a description of the law and definitions of terms appearing within the reporting obligations to ensure complete understanding. If you have any questions about a reporting obligation, please call your PSEA UniServ representative, who will refer you to the appropriate PSEA attorney.

For a complete list of Legal Alerts from PSEA, please visit this website (member login required).

PSEA has a Personal Legal Services Program for members and their families. The program provides discounted rates and two 30-minute consultation sessions free during each membership year with the designated law firms below. The areas of concentration are:

• Personal Injury (Cordisco & Saile)
• Workers' Compensation (Cordisco & Saile)
• Domestic Relations (Susan Levy Eisenberg, Esq)
• Criminal Law (Neff & Sedecca)
• Wills & Estates (Martin Herring)

There are multiple ways to stay connected to our organization. If you're not yet a member of our private Facebook group, please consider joining (be sure to answer the question and let us know the name of your local). Our website is also a great place to get information about upcoming events. Please also like and follow the CAPS (Council for the Advancement of Public Schools) public Facebook page!

Bill McGill, President, Perkiomen Valley EA

Bill Senavaitis, President-Elect, Central Bucks EA

Debbie Lee, Vice President, Montgonery County - Retired

Nicole Peirce, Treasurer, Pennsbury EA

Ted Trissler, Secretary, North Penn EA

Theresa Prato, PACE Director, Bucks Co. Technical High School EA

Maria Bennett, NEA Director, Bristol Township EA

Colleen Brodbeck, NEA Director, Pennsbury EA

Website: www.psea.org/mer
Location: 601 Bethlehem Pike, Building C, Montgomeryville, PA 18936
Phone: 215.853.2100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PSEAMER

This message is intended for PSEA members and members of their immediate households.