Kudos to...Minnesotans save college

...In Minnesota, members of the United Technical College Educators have successfully worked with the community, legislators, students, alumni, and other staff to prevent the closing of Anoka-Hennepin Technical College (AHTC). The college, targeted for extinction last winter because of much-needed repairs, will now get $12.5 million for renovations.

AHTC will also get a new "middle college" that offers seamless transition from the 11th and 12th grades to the first two years of postsecondary education.

...Members of the Plaquemines (Louisiana) Association of Educators (PAE) and community allies convinced voters last fall to pass three school millage proposals by whopping three to one margins. That means raises this school year of $4,000 for teachers and $3,000 for ESP.

"This raise will help cover our insurance premium increases," says PAE President Jean Kelly, "and also make a difference in our retirement checks when that time rolls around."

...ESP in Gorham, Maine, have a new contract that gives drivers and maintenance personnel raises of 10 to 30 percent over three years-and health insurance that remains at 100 percent of the previous year's rate. A revamped ESP salary scale has 15 two-percent steps, with a process for new and existing employees to obtain credit for up to five years' prior experience.

...In Washington State, the United Faculty of Central has won $6,000 in back pay for a tenured Central Washington University English professor-and published poet-who was overlooked while the school hired new assistant professors in his department at salaries far above his. The settlement amount will be added to the professor's salary base, and he will continue to receive the additional $6,000 annually until he retires.

...In bargaining, the Mercer County (New Jersey) Community College Faculty Association (MCCFA) has defeated a Board of Trustees attempt to force staff to pay part of their prescription drug benefits-payments that would have escalated dramatically over the term of the contract-- and to give college deans unilateral authority over course scheduling. MCCEA's new three-- year contract gives faculty raises of 3.6 percent, 4 percent, and 3.8 percent.