Thousand Islands educators have been listening, asking and propelling.

That was the charge for the Thousand Islands Education Association coming out of NYSUT's Local Action Project training session last summer.

Over three intensive summer sessions, LAP trains NYSUT locals in ways to engage their members and their communities.

The accomplishments this school year of the 112-member local union in the St. Lawrence River resort area are many. The local:

• helped get a major capital improvements proposal passed by district voters after two defeats in previous years;
• held coalition-building fund-raising events;
• negotiated a new contract; and
• created a logo.

Their methods? Listen, ask questions and propel into action - L-A-P.

At the LAP conference, the local learned that the statewide union could help them create a survey administered through NYSUT's polling center.

TIEA President Heather LaVarnway and other school and community members met with NYSUT research analyst Joan Rogers-Harrington to fashion a survey to determine what voters wanted in a capital improvement bond issue. Twice in recent years, voters had rejected multi-million-dollar proposals. The survey was taken, spending plans were fine-tuned and a two-part bond issue went out again for a vote last fall. It passed.

"The survey did a huge service," said LaVarnway. "It was communication with the public." She said board members have told her that, armed with survey results, they have felt confident speaking with dissenters.

A major change, for example, was removing part of the proposal that called for new football fields and lights - something the board had thought people wanted. The survey revealed most people were opposed.

Priority was put on essential health, safety and improvement projects - roof replacements, pool bleachers so parents could watch competitions, chemistry and earth science lab stations, energy-efficient lighting, bus garage upgrades, boiler replacements and security systems. New music rooms will free space for classrooms.

Two proposals totaled $9.6 million, down from the original $13 million and subsequent $9.9 million. State aid and reserves will offset the cost.

"Our district doesn't have a lot of money, so if the roof is leaking so badly you can't ignore it, that's when it gets fixed," said April Knight, a LAP team member.

The local has also been working on other relationships with the board and administrators.

Earlier this month the union gained a contract that they had been negotiating since October 2005.

Also, they have worked on keeping communications open - separating negotiations on the contract from other work issues.

"We tried to keep positive things going," said LaVarnway. "LAP gives you strategies to do things different ways."

"Locals learn about coalition-building and increasing their community presence year-round so they can count on support in times of crisis," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira, whose office oversees the LAP program.

Just before joining LAP, the local started a political action team to recruit new people to run for school board seats and help get the voters out.

In the past, the Thousand Islands local raised money for local organizations. This year they chose a project related to the propositions: They raised more than $2,000 for extras - including trees and benches - for a school playground.

The local put on a Christmas dinner and concert, working with school colleagues in CSEA and a local band.

Fund-raising

This year, the local stepped up fund-raising for a long-standing scholarship it offers to a graduating senior. Members hosted a dance with music from the '50s, '60s and '70s. They sought and got publicity for their efforts.

"This is a local that struggled with a lack of respect, both vocally and with pay, compared to other schools in the area," said Woody Lyndaker, NYSUT labor relations specialist for the local.

More than 70 NYSUT locals have taken part in LAP since the program graduated its first class 10 years ago.

- Liza Frenette