MONTGOMERY | Alabama Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice said Thursday that he’ll seek raises for K-12 education employees in the budget lawmakers will begin debating in February.

Bice’s proposed working budget for the 2013-14 year that begins Oct. 1, 2013, contains money for a raise of about 1 percent.

“Employees have not received a raise or (cost of living adjustment) in four years,” Bice told the state board of education.

His declaration follows Gov. Robert Bentley’s announcement last week that he’ll consider raises for teachers and support personnel. On Thursday, Bentley repeated his support for pay increases.

“I’m very much for a pay raise for teachers and support personnel,” Bentley said. “It’s too early to determine how much.”

Bice said a 1 percent raise will cost about $22 million. The Legislature meets in regular session beginning in February and the state’s two budgets will be considered.

Bentley also said last week that he’s considering reducing the number of teachers, mostly by offering early retirement incentives.

At a Thursday work session, Bice said he’ll seek $4.08 billion for K-12 in the 2013-14 budget, which will take effect Oct. 1, 2013. That’s an increase of $378.8 million.

Click For Large View (pdf)

PEEHIP provides premium assistance to qualifying members (active and retired) based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). A PEEHIP member who has a combined family income of 300% or less of the FPL may qualify for a reduced premium on his or her PEEHIP hospital medical or HMO premium and may apply for the discount anytime during the year. The discount does not, however, apply to the optional coverage plan premiums. The discount can reduce the member’s monthly premium by 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50% depending on the member’s FPL. To apply for FPL premium assistance:

• Submit the FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION with a copy of your signed Federal Income Tax Return forms and copies of all supporting 1099s and W-2s.
• The form is available on the PEEHIP web page at www.rsa-al.gov/PEEHIP/peehip-pubs-forms.html.
• The FPL premium discount is effective for the plan year only and recertification and reenrollmentis required annually during Open Enrollment.

Dear AERA Members,

It is so great to finally get to reach out to you, our AARP Alabama members. My first few months as your new AARP Alabama State Director have been a whirlwind of activity. We have had so many things going on. It has been great to get our staff and volunteers activated in support of our growing population.  

First, I should probably start by introducing myself. With my move to Montgomery in January of this year, I’m coming home, in a manner of speaking. My last position was with the Points of Light Institute in Atlanta, but I am a VERY proud graduate of the University of Alabama, and early in my career I worked with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. I am so honored to bring my skills and experience in the nonprofit sector to the AARP Alabama state office. We have an amazing staff, executive council and many great volunteers “in the trenches” doing some great work across the state. 

Special offer exclusively for educators. Take the AARP Driver Safety Classroom Course for $5 in July and August.

Download the flyer and coupon HERE

To recognize and thank teachers, AARP is offering all educators the opportunity to take the AARP Driver Safety course for $5. From July 1 through August 31, all current and retired educators and school personnel are eligible to take the AARP Driver Safety classroom course at the discounted rate. 

The 2012 Educator Appreciation Promotion is offered to those individuals who have been an educator, or have worked for a school district or university in any capacity. This includes custodians, secretaries, aides, pre-school teachers, college professors, guidance counselors, band directors, school nurses, Sunday school teachers, cafeteria workers and even parents who home-school their children. It does not matter how long someone was an educator, or if they have a teaching degree. The only requirement will be to fill out a coupon, which is available online www.aarp.org/educators or can be obtained at the time of the class.