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Costly Early Retirement Bill Stopped in Michigan School Reform News, June 2009 MEA analyst says Redford Union needs better planning Redford Observer, May 21, 2009 5 vie for 3 spots on GRPS board Tuesday WOOD TV, May 3, 2009 War of rhetoric and numbers continues Charlevoix Courier, April 29, 2009 Labor strife rules GR school race Grand Rapids Press, April 29, 2009 Kyle Olson of Education Action Group talks school finance Charlevoix Courier, April 22, 2009 Kyle Olson interview on The Ron Jolly Show (large mp3) WTCM, April 9, 2009 Michigan Union Misrepresented Illegal Strike Goals School Reform News, March 2009 Insurance a stumbling block for Cass City Huron Daily Tribune, March 9, 2009 Rumors of a teachers strike are circulating Tuscola County Advertiser, March 7, 2009 EAG uncovers a threat by a Uniserv director to strike over the loss of MESSA. CCEA leader: No strike discussed Huron Daily Tribune, March 6, 2009 Attacks by teachers union raise board's ire Grand Rapids Press, February 24, 2009 Education Action Group released recordings of Grand Rapids teachers' union president Paul Helder and MEA Uniserv director Buz Graeber. The release received extensive coverage. GRPS board irked by audio files attributed to GREA president WOOD Radio, February 24, 2009 TV News stories on the release of the Grand Rapids recordings (2/23/2009) Click here for stories from WXMI Fox 17, WXSP/WOOD TV 8 (NBC), and WZZM 13 (ABC) Board may file complaint over recording WOOD TV8, February 23, 2009 MEA spokesman Doug Pratt said it was a "shame that this guy (Olson) from outside Grand Rapids is so bent against the dedicated teachers in that town that he secretly records private meetings and posts it on the Internet. I think that says a lot about the character of this guy. This guy is a nuisance and I intend to treat him as such." Education Action Group didn't record anything and we've never said anything about teachers. We've trained our scrutiny on union leaders. We may be a nuisance to the MEA but we'll continue to call out their agenda. PrivRecall showdown in Reed City Privatization Report, Winter 2008 MEA: 'No story' in release of union e-mails by EAG Westland Observer, January 29, 2009 Instead of addressing the real issues facing the Wayne-Westland district, as well as the content of their e-mails, the MEA took to attacking us. Education retirement stimulus urged by lawmakers, MEA Gongwer News Service, January 28, 2009 Gongwer, a subscription-only daily newsletter in Lansing, included our critism of the MEA's "more for us" pension plan. Our quote: "They're taking the lead weight out of the front pocket of taxpayers and putting it in their back one. At some point, taxpayers are still going to be caught with their pants down." Michigan teachers union details pension plan Associated Press, January 28, 2009 The AP included EAG in their story as the balance to the MEA's foolish proposal which will dig a deeper hole in Michigan's budget. Judge blocks release of e-mails sent by WWEA president Westland Observer, December 11, 2008 When we filed a Freedom of Information Act request for e-mails written on a taxpayer-funded e-mail account, the MEA filed suit to block the district from honoring our request. Also believing in the importance of FOIA, we're pretty confident we'll find a sympathetic audience with the media. Judge blocks e-mail release Michigan Education Report, December 11, 2008 The Michigan Education Report has a story on the FOIA/e-mail case. Recall organizer Shawnn Maxwell claims to only be receiving "moral support" from the MEA. We think the e-mails will prove otherwise. Teachers' union wins fight to halt e-mails; Howell case up for appeal Livingston Press & Argus, December 8, 2008 The MEA filed suit recently to block the Wayne-Westland school district from honoring our FOIA request. While the headline misleads the reader into thinking the issue is resolved, it's not. We're forced to be back in court soon to plead our case and expose the union's agenda of blocking the public's right to know. School board faces second recall attempt Wayne Eagle, November 5, 2008 The Wayne-Westland board is facing a recall attempt by Shawnn Maxwell, aided by the MEA, because the board did not accept the union's contract offer. We can't make that up. The article includes our research that Ms. Maxwell has never voted in a school election in Wayne County. She's never voted in a primary or general election, either. See her voting record, obtained from the Wayne city clerk (prior to the 2008 general election). Challenging Unions: Former Clinton aide weighs in on negotiations Grand Rapids Press, October 31, 2008 Education Action Group recently hosted Dick Morris for a series of public and private events to raise awareness about EAG. We accepted an invitation to address the Kent County Republicans, where Dick and EAG's Kyle Olson spoke of school spending reform to about 125 attendees. The Press covered the remarks. Voters asked to approve school millage renewal Nov. 4 Southfield Sun, September 10, 2008 The Southfield Sun, one of the C & G Newspapers, worked the MEAexposed.com Southfield billboard into its story on a millage renewal. The quote: "The fact that the MEA can be critical of the school district's decision to save an estimated $21 million over three years for learning--about $805 per student per year--as well as a property tax cut for Southfield district residents shows the MEA will stop at nothing to further its agenda of wasteful school spending..." Billboard takes on Southfield issues - in Novi Southfield Eccentric, September 7, 2008 Because of the radical action of the MEA to attempt to recall four board members in Southfield for their vote to save $21 million over 3 years for learning, we posted a billboard on one of the busiest roadways in Michigan. GR teachers warn subs not to cross picket lines Grand Rapids Press, August 26, 2008 A letter informing members of the Grand Rapids Education Association has surfaced urging them not to cross picket lines or act as substitute teachers. Looks like an illegal action may be imminent. EAG weighed infor the story. Michiganders Tired of 'Nasty' Teacher Unions Newsmax, September, 2008 National conservative magazine Newsmax published a story in its September issue on EAG. It's available at any Barnes & Noble in America. Big-name politico rips Grand Rapids schools union Grand Rapids Press, July 30, 2008 A video was created in part because while scores of other districts in Michigan have bargained agreements by compromising within the fiscal realities of each district, the case in Grand Rapids, on the other hand, has been quite different. As the film points out, the public fight began when union president Paul Helder proclaimed in October 2007, "We are at war." And aggressive tactics have continued for months. The Grand Rapids Press gave the project front page attention. Teachers strike talk raises criticism Grand Rapids Press, June 8, 2008 When Grand Rapids teachers union president Paul Helder compared their fight against the board's actions to contain costs and reform the district to the civil rights movement, we couldn't let the outrageous statement stand unchallenged. We called him out on it because if there's anyone engaged in a civil rights struggle, it's the kids and parents. In the Press's weekly Polpourri column instead of addressing the issue, Helder resorted to name-calling. Maybe it's a good thing his union activites prevent him from stepping inside a classroom. Teachers' rally highlights concerns in Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Press, May 4, 2008 The Grand Rapids teachers union held a rally with paltry turnout in an effort to get out the vote for Tuesday's school board election. In response to our mailing featuring a "cigar-chomping tough guy," a teacher showed up at the rally "dressed as a cigar-chomping mobster to deflect a group's attempt to portray the Michigan Education Association as a bunch of money-grabbing gangsters." Note to self: if I don't want to further promote a stereotype, don't play into it. Tenions rise with teachers heats up Grand Rapids school board election Grand Rapids Press, May 1, 2008 Our billboard and postcard campaign to Grand Rapids residents has caught a lot of attention and a Grand Rapids Press article brings it more. The front page can be viewed in PDF format here. Controversial anti-teachers' union billboard in Grand Rapids WOODTV, April 30, 2008 Little did we know putting a billboard up along US 131 would cause such attention. NBC-affiliate WOODTV reported live in front of the location as the lead story, ahead of even the governor's emergency surgery! School board discusses billboards Escanaba Daily Press, April 22, 2008 To launch our project MEAexposed.com, EAG posted two billboards in the community of Gladstone to draw attention to some facts we stumbled upon in that community and to drive citizens to the website. We couldn't garner any attention until some naysayers brought it up at a public meeting. Education Action Group rants against school employees MEA Voice, March 2008 The MEA Voice published a full page article on EAG in its monthly magazine. By comparison, on September 10, 2007, a MEA spokeswoman was quoted in the Grand Rapids Press as saying, "We just don't know anything about them." In just a few short months, we're glad to know our message is having a big enough impact to warrant a full page of ink from the union. Ironically, the article was provided by a teacher tired of paying compulsory dues. While the article is--surprise--rife with embellishments and inaccuracies, their grip must be threatened enough to give us attention. State of the Unions American School Board Journal, April 2008 The ASBJ published a story about union involvement in school board elections and our 'Follow the Money' page gets a mention. The most stunning lines are at the beginning, talking about tactics used against boards: giant rats, spitting on cars, and tacks under non-striking teachers' tires. We are professional adults, aren't we? Tracking union money in school board elections Michigan Education Report , Nov. 14, 2007 EAG is quoted because of it's 'Follow the Money' page on this website.
EAG Announces Legislative Leadership Awards Grand Haven Tribune, Nov. 1, 2007 EAG announced two legislators, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon and State Sen. Wayne Kuipers, were receiving the 2007 Legislative Leadership Award for passage of Senate Bill 418. The Grand Haven Tribune covered the announcement. EAG Involves Holton Residents in Negotiations The Muskegon Chronicle, Oct. 19, 2007 As this article notes, EAG recently took the extraordinary step of putting public information into the hands of the public (such as data from this PDF), a move an MEA Uniserv director involved with that district called "counterproductive." Based on the positive reaction we've received from average citizens and school employees, we'll do it again. EAG is 'MEA Watchdog' Grand Rapids Press, Sept. 3, 2007, 1B The Grand Rapids Press ran a profile piece on EAG, which was also picked up by the Muskegon Chronicle. It generated a lot of interest from all over the state. EAG discussed on The Frank Beckmann Show Aug. 28, 2007, WJR Radio Frank Beckmann hosted Steve Kovacs, a Rochester school board member, on his daily radio show on Detroit's WJR. We hadn't been able to find a recording of the interview, until now (hat tip to Mike Reno). Frank and Steve discuss a complaint (at 15:45) EAG has filed with the Secretary of State over contributions the MEA PAC has made. "Ridiculous recall effort fails" July 30, 2007, Grand Rapids Press, 11A David Allen's recall threat is over and in a letter to the editor, we challenged the organizers to 1. apologize to Mr. Allen and his family and 2. reimburse the county for the legal fees they incurred due holding 3 petition language clarity hearings. "Rallying Against Recall" July 1, 2007, Grand Rapids Press, 1B Grand Rapids school board member David Allen is facing a recall threat from local Nation of Islam leader Kenneth Muhammad. Muhammad, incidently, has been receiving help from the MEA. The second item of this week's Polpourri has a blurb about EAG standing with Allen.

Costly Early Retirement Bill Stopped in Michigan

School Reform News, June 2009

MEA analyst says Redford Union needs better planning

Redford Observer, May 21, 2009

5 vie for 3 spots on GRPS board Tuesday

WOOD TV, May 3, 2009

War of rhetoric and numbers continues

Charlevoix Courier, April 29, 2009

Labor strife rules GR school race

Grand Rapids Press, April 29, 2009

Kyle Olson of Education Action Group talks school finance

Charlevoix Courier, April 22, 2009

Kyle Olson interview on The Ron Jolly Show (large mp3)

WTCM, April 9, 2009

Michigan Union Misrepresented Illegal Strike Goals

School Reform News, March 2009

Insurance a stumbling block for Cass City

Huron Daily Tribune, March 9, 2009

Rumors of a teachers strike are circulating

Tuscola County Advertiser, March 7, 2009

EAG uncovers a threat by a Uniserv director to strike over the loss of MESSA.

CCEA leader: No strike discussed

Huron Daily Tribune, March 6, 2009

Attacks by teachers union raise board's ire

Grand Rapids Press, February 24, 2009

Education Action Group released recordings of Grand Rapids teachers' union president Paul Helder and MEA Uniserv director Buz Graeber. The release received extensive coverage.

GRPS board irked by audio files attributed to GREA president

WOOD Radio, February 24, 2009

TV News stories on the release of the Grand Rapids recordings (2/23/2009)

Click here for stories from WXMI Fox 17, WXSP/WOOD TV 8 (NBC), and WZZM 13 (ABC)

Board may file complaint over recording

WOOD TV8, February 23, 2009

MEA spokesman Doug Pratt said it was a "shame that this guy (Olson) from outside Grand Rapids is so bent against the dedicated teachers in that town that he secretly records private meetings and posts it on the Internet. I think that says a lot about the character of this guy. This guy is a nuisance and I intend to treat him as such."

Education Action Group didn't record anything and we've never said anything about teachers. We've trained our scrutiny on union leaders. We may be a nuisance to the MEA but we'll continue to call out their agenda.

PrivRecall showdown in Reed City

Privatization Report, Winter 2008

MEA: 'No story' in release of union e-mails by EAG

Westland Observer, January 29, 2009

Instead of addressing the real issues facing the Wayne-Westland district, as well as the content of their e-mails, the MEA took to attacking us.

Education retirement stimulus urged by lawmakers, MEA

Gongwer News Service, January 28, 2009

Gongwer, a subscription-only daily newsletter in Lansing, included our critism of the MEA's "more for us" pension plan. Our quote: "They're taking the lead weight out of the front pocket of taxpayers and putting it in their back one. At some point, taxpayers are still going to be caught with their pants down."

Michigan teachers union details pension plan

Associated Press, January 28, 2009

The AP included EAG in their story as the balance to the MEA's foolish proposal which will dig a deeper hole in Michigan's budget.

Judge blocks release of e-mails sent by WWEA president

Westland Observer, December 11, 2008

When we filed a Freedom of Information Act request for e-mails written on a taxpayer-funded e-mail account, the MEA filed suit to block the district from honoring our request. Also believing in the importance of FOIA, we're pretty confident we'll find a sympathetic audience with the media.

Judge blocks e-mail release

Michigan Education Report, December 11, 2008

The Michigan Education Report has a story on the FOIA/e-mail case. Recall organizer Shawnn Maxwell claims to only be receiving "moral support" from the MEA. We think the e-mails will prove otherwise.

Teachers' union wins fight to halt e-mails; Howell case up for appeal

Livingston Press & Argus, December 8, 2008

The MEA filed suit recently to block the Wayne-Westland school district from honoring our FOIA request. While the headline misleads the reader into thinking the issue is resolved, it's not. We're forced to be back in court soon to plead our case and expose the union's agenda of blocking the public's right to know.

School board faces second recall attempt

Wayne Eagle, November 5, 2008

The Wayne-Westland board is facing a recall attempt by Shawnn Maxwell, aided by the MEA, because the board did not accept the union's contract offer. We can't make that up.

The article includes our research that Ms. Maxwell has never voted in a school election in Wayne County. She's never voted in a primary or general election, either. See her voting record, obtained from the Wayne city clerk (prior to the 2008 general election).

Challenging Unions: Former Clinton aide weighs in on negotiations

Grand Rapids Press, October 31, 2008

Education Action Group recently hosted Dick Morris for a series of public and private events to raise awareness about EAG. We accepted an invitation to address the Kent County Republicans, where Dick and EAG's Kyle Olson spoke of school spending reform to about 125 attendees. The Press covered the remarks.

Voters asked to approve school millage renewal Nov. 4

Southfield Sun, September 10, 2008

The Southfield Sun, one of the C & G Newspapers, worked the MEAexposed.com Southfield billboard into its story on a millage renewal. The quote: "The fact that the MEA can be critical of the school district's decision to save an estimated $21 million over three years for learning--about $805 per student per year--as well as a property tax cut for Southfield district residents shows the MEA will stop at nothing to further its agenda of wasteful school spending..."

Billboard takes on Southfield issues - in Novi

Southfield Eccentric, September 7, 2008

Because of the radical action of the MEA to attempt to recall four board members in Southfield for their vote to save $21 million over 3 years for learning, we posted a billboard on one of the busiest roadways in Michigan.

GR teachers warn subs not to cross picket lines

Grand Rapids Press, August 26, 2008

A letter informing members of the Grand Rapids Education Association has surfaced urging them not to cross picket lines or act as substitute teachers. Looks like an illegal action may be imminent. EAG weighed infor the story.

Michiganders Tired of 'Nasty' Teacher Unions

Newsmax, September, 2008

National conservative magazine Newsmax published a story in its September issue on EAG. It's available at any Barnes & Noble in America.

Big-name politico rips Grand Rapids schools union

Grand Rapids Press, July 30, 2008

A video was created in part because while scores of other districts in Michigan have bargained agreements by compromising within the fiscal realities of each district, the case in Grand Rapids, on the other hand, has been quite different. As the film points out, the public fight began when union president Paul Helder proclaimed in October 2007, "We are at war." And aggressive tactics have continued for months. The Grand Rapids Press gave the project front page attention.

Teachers strike talk raises criticism

Grand Rapids Press, June 8, 2008

When Grand Rapids teachers union president Paul Helder compared their fight against the board's actions to contain costs and reform the district to the civil rights movement, we couldn't let the outrageous statement stand unchallenged. We called him out on it because if there's anyone engaged in a civil rights struggle, it's the kids and parents. In the Press's weekly Polpourri column instead of addressing the issue, Helder resorted to name-calling. Maybe it's a good thing his union activites prevent him from stepping inside a classroom.

Teachers' rally highlights concerns in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Press, May 4, 2008

The Grand Rapids teachers union held a rally with paltry turnout in an effort to get out the vote for Tuesday's school board election. In response to our mailing featuring a "cigar-chomping tough guy," a teacher showed up at the rally "dressed as a cigar-chomping mobster to deflect a group's attempt to portray the Michigan Education Association as a bunch of money-grabbing gangsters." Note to self: if I don't want to further promote a stereotype, don't play into it.

Tenions rise with teachers heats up Grand Rapids school board election

Grand Rapids Press, May 1, 2008

Our billboard and postcard campaign to Grand Rapids residents has caught a lot of attention and a Grand Rapids Press article brings it more. The front page can be viewed in PDF format here.

Controversial anti-teachers' union billboard in Grand Rapids

WOODTV, April 30, 2008

Little did we know putting a billboard up along US 131 would cause such attention. NBC-affiliate WOODTV reported live in front of the location as the lead story, ahead of even the governor's emergency surgery!

School board discusses billboards

Escanaba Daily Press, April 22, 2008

To launch our project MEAexposed.com, EAG posted two billboards in the community of Gladstone to draw attention to some facts we stumbled upon in that community and to drive citizens to the website.

We couldn't garner any attention until some naysayers brought it up at a public meeting.

Education Action Group rants against school employees

MEA Voice, March 2008

The MEA Voice published a full page article on EAG in its monthly magazine. By comparison, on September 10, 2007, a MEA spokeswoman was quoted in the Grand Rapids Press as saying, "We just don't know anything about them." In just a few short months, we're glad to know our message is having a big enough impact to warrant a full page of ink from the union. Ironically, the article was provided by a teacher tired of paying compulsory dues.

While the article is--surprise--rife with embellishments and inaccuracies, their grip must be threatened enough to give us attention.

State of the Unions

American School Board Journal, April 2008

The ASBJ published a story about union involvement in school board elections and our 'Follow the Money' page gets a mention. The most stunning lines are at the beginning, talking about tactics used against boards: giant rats, spitting on cars, and tacks under non-striking teachers' tires. We are professional adults, aren't we?

Tracking union money in school board elections

Michigan Education Report , Nov. 14, 2007

EAG is quoted because of it's 'Follow the Money' page on this website.

EAG Announces Legislative Leadership Awards
Grand Haven Tribune, Nov. 1, 2007
EAG announced two legislators, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon and State Sen. Wayne Kuipers, were receiving the 2007 Legislative Leadership Award for passage of Senate Bill 418. The Grand Haven Tribune covered the announcement.

EAG Involves Holton Residents in Negotiations
The Muskegon Chronicle, Oct. 19, 2007
As this article notes, EAG recently took the extraordinary step of putting public information into the hands of the public (such as data from this PDF), a move an MEA Uniserv director involved with that district called "counterproductive." Based on the positive reaction we've received from average citizens and school employees, we'll do it again.

EAG is 'MEA Watchdog'
Grand Rapids Press, Sept. 3, 2007, 1B
The Grand Rapids Press ran a profile piece on EAG, which was also picked up by the Muskegon Chronicle. It generated a lot of interest from all over the state.

EAG discussed on The Frank Beckmann Show
Aug. 28, 2007, WJR Radio
Frank Beckmann hosted Steve Kovacs, a Rochester school board member, on his daily radio show on Detroit's WJR. We hadn't been able to find a recording of the interview, until now (hat tip to Mike Reno). Frank and Steve discuss a complaint (at 15:45) EAG has filed with the Secretary of State over contributions the MEA PAC has made.

"Ridiculous recall effort fails"
July 30, 2007, Grand Rapids Press, 11A
David Allen's recall threat is over and in a letter to the editor, we challenged the organizers to 1. apologize to Mr. Allen and his family and 2. reimburse the county for the legal fees they incurred due holding 3 petition language clarity hearings.

"Rallying Against Recall"
July 1, 2007, Grand Rapids Press, 1B
Grand Rapids school board member David Allen is facing a recall threat from local Nation of Islam leader Kenneth Muhammad. Muhammad, incidently, has been receiving help from the MEA. The second item of this week's Polpourri has a blurb about EAG standing with Allen.

Contact EAG.

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In The News