Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 5-19-2025

Inside this issue

• U.S. House passes terrible budget reconciliation bill
• May 2025 House of Delegates recap
• Wishing you a peaceful and happy Memorial Day
• Primary Election results
• 2026 PA Teacher of the Year finalists announced
• Member Benefits spotlight: Aetna Dental Access discount dental program

On Thursday, the U.S. House passed a budget reconciliation bill that would be disastrous for Pennsylvania’s schools, students, and families. The bill would pay for nearly $2 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy with deep cuts to health, education, nutrition, and other programs that benefit millions of Pennsylvanians in rural, urban, and suburban communities.

PSEA strongly opposes the bill, and so does most of our membership. In the leadup to Thursday’s early morning vote, PSEA members sent nearly 3,000 letters to U.S. representatives asking them to oppose this bill.

It now goes to the Senate. Following the bill’s passage, PSEA President Aaron Chapin sent a letter to Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick urgently expressing that they oppose this bill on their constituents’ behalf.

Stay tuned for further calls to action as we continue to fight this bill.

This past weekend 489 voting delegates and 25 non-voting delegates gathered in Pittsburgh to conduct the business of the Association at PSEA’s May House of Delegates. Delegates representing locals from across the state got key updates about PSEA’s challenges and priorities, elected new officers, and debated 17 new business items. Here are some highlights. 

PSEA officer team re-elected: 

• PSEA President: Aaron Chapin
• PSEA Vice President: Jeff Ney
• PSEA Treasurer: Rachael West

NEA directors elected:

• Erin Ruggiero (Western Region)
• Colleen Brodbeck (Mideast Region)

PSEA pension plan director elected:

• Joe Steeves (Southwestern Region)

New Business Items:

Below is a brief summary of each NBI. Read the full descriptions here.

• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 1 – PASSED – Honor Retiring PSEA Staff Persons
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 2 – PASSED – Endorse Sue Lemmo for PSERS
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 3 – PASSED – Amend PSEA Bylaw Regarding Committee Composition
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 4 – PASSED AS MODIFIED – Create Action Plan to Increase Participation at Statewide Houses of Delegates
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 5 – REFERRED TO COMMITTEE – Advocate for Legislation Mandating District Action on Behavior Policies
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 6 – REFERRED TO COMMITTEE – Advocate for Establishment of Required Staff-to-Student Ratio for Recess
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 7 – PASSED – Advocate for PDE Review of Content Advisor Structure
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8 – REFERRED TO COMMITTEE AS MODIFIED – Advocate for PDE Guidelines Limiting Special Education Students in General Education Classrooms
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 9 – PASSED – Research Membership Options Other Unions Offer to Members on Unpaid Leave
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 10 – PASSED – Investigate Ways to Mandate Administrator Presence
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 11 – PASSED – Advocate for Legislation to Include IUs in Pre-K Counts
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 12 – PASSED – Facilitate IU Virtual Coordinated Bargaining Meetings
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 13 – FAILED AS MODIFIED – Acknowledge Members with National Board Certification
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 14 – FAILED – Email All Organizing-Related Grants to All Members
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 15 – FAILED – Advocate for Legislation for Enforceable Classroom Size Limits
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 16 – FAILED – Fund Full Scholarships for Organizing-Related Events
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 17 – PASSED – Research Child-Care Options for Summer Leadership Conference

On this Memorial Day, we honor Americans who have served and continue to serve in the military. We remember the fallen, stand with their families, and express gratitude to those currently serving.

Whether in times of peace or conflict, their commitment inspires and strenthens our nation.

Congratulations to the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year finalists, who were announced on May 16.

This year's 12 finalists are:

• Whitney Bellomo, Dallastown Area School District
• Nicole Birkbeck, Council Rock School District
• Katherine Blandino-Nienhuls, Pittsburgh Public School District
• Renee Decker, Central York School District
• Madeline Loring, Jefferson-Morgan School District
• Jenna Love, Elizabethtown Area School District
• Jennifer Nesser, Laurel Highlands School Districat
• Ashley Oldham, Big Spring School District
• Andrea Rutledge, Hempfield School District
• Rachel Sebastian, Governor Mifflin School District
• Rebecca Showalter, Mount Lebanon School District
• Elizabeth Troxell, Penns Valley Area School District

The PA teacher of the year will be announced in early December. 

In the May 20 Primary Election, voters cast ballots for several statewide and local offiices including common pleas court judges, county judges, district attorneys, mayors, and school directors. The two PSEA-recommended statewide candidates, Brandon Neuman for Superior Court and Stella Tsai for Commonwealth Court, sailed to victory unopposed. 

With the General Election coming up Nov. 4, it's important to remember that voting in judicial elections is crucial for the future of public education. Judges make decisions that directly impact school funding, curriculum standards, and students’ rights. By electing judges who prioritize equitable and quality education, you help ensure that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

Your vote influences the legal framework that shapes our schools and communities.

Smile brighter with savings at over 262,000* available dental practice locations nationwide.  Use your card over and over again to keep your teeth sparkling clean!

For one flat household rate of just $8 per month, PSEA members and their legal dependents up to age 26 can access dental savings through Aetna Dental Access.

• In most instances, save 15% to 50% per visit.**
• Save on dental services such as cleanings, X-rays, crowns, root canals, and fillings.

Learn more about this new program below:

*As of April 2020.

**Actual costs and savings vary by provider, service, and geographical area. The discount program provides access to the Aetna Dental Access® network. This network is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company (ALIC). Neither ALIC nor any of its affiliates offers or administers the discount program. Neither ALIC nor any of its affiliates is an affiliate, agent, representative, or employee of the discount program. Dental providers are independent contractors and not employees or agents of ALIC or its affiliates. ALIC does not provide dental care or treatment and is not responsible for outcomes.

(Not available to VT residents.)