AEA helps Irondale teachers fight back against city’s new occupational tax
Despite public outcry, the City of Irondale, Ala. unanimously approved and passed a one percent occupational tax during its Council Meeting back in May, which went into effect Aug. 1. The decision came in an effort to remedy the city’s $1.6 million budget deficit, due in part the city losing a big chunk of the yearly tax revenue when Sam’s Club closed. But a lot of people aren’t happy about it, including Irondale’s teachers. Which is why the Alabama Education Association (AEA) — statewide professional organization that represents public school employees in the state of — is now helping teachers in city fight back against the new occupational tax. “Public education employees cannot afford anything else to come out of their pay checks and that’s just the bottom line,” Tracee Binion, Uniserve Director for District 28, told WVTM-13. She said the tax could cost some teachers as much as $500 a year, leaving Irondale teachers to be paid less than their Jefferson County counterparts, despite also being located in Jefferson County. Teachers voice their disapproval In conjunction with school going to into session, earlier of this month dozens of Irondale teachers went down to City Hall to voice their disapproval. “We have many teachers..many of our child nutrition professionals couldn’t be here tonight and that is because they are working two jobs to be able to support themselves,” Dana Jacobson, the 2017 Alabama School Teacher of the Year, said according to WBRC. “There are some 25-year paraprofessionals that are bringing home less than $25,000 and that will take $250 out of their pay and when you think they could be living on this salary..that is a burden.” The AEA intends to file a motion against the city in the next few weeks.
Alabama Education Association names Brenda Pike new executive director
The Alabama Education Association has hired a new executive director. Brenda Pike, Ed.D., CAE, will assume top spot at AEA on May 16 — more than a year after Henry Mabry‘s March 2015 resignation following an audit that revealed financial mismanagement. The AEA Board announced Pike’s hiring Friday after an extensive national search. Pike currently serves as the Executive Director of the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA). “We are extremely pleased that Dr. Pike is assuming this important role at this time,” said AEA President Sheila Hocutt Remington. “She has the deep experience and skill to lead AEA forward, to foster collaborative working relationships across the state, and to continue the strong membership advocacy that is the trademark of the Alabama Education Association,” A Gadsden native, Pike moved to Montgomery when her father, William Dodson, left his role as assistant pastor of the First Baptist Church of Gadsden to become the founding pastor of Eastern Hills Baptist Church. Pike later received her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee, and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Memphis. Pike worked for 12 years as a classroom teacher before joining the staff of the Tennessee Education Association. She subsequently was employed for eight years as the assistant executive director for the Texas State Teachers Association before being named to lead the ISTA in 2010. Under Pike’s leadership, the ISTA achieved stability and improvements in education policy. Pike instituted robust membership and communication programs, and cutting edge technological advancements to engage members and communities around improving public education and student learning. “I am so deeply honored for the opportunity to come back home to serve Alabama educators,” Pike said. “AEA has been the leading advocate for education professionals, public schools and students for 160 years, and I look forward to making a meaningful contribution to its legacy alongside its leaders, staff and members.”
