IPE
Founded in 1976 by Indianapolis school teacher, Jane Ping, IPE provides an alternative for professional, independent school educators in Indiana.
INDIANA PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS, INC.
128 So. East Street #200
Crown Point, IN 46307
Phone: 219-663-8559 or 844-663-8559
Fax: 219-663-8569
Email:
Who are we?
IPE's priority is children and the commitment to provide them the best possible, uninterrupted education through professional educators.
IPE is adamantly opposed to forced unionization of public school educators and is the leading force protecting them from these abuses.
IPE believes that educators should be free from all forms of compulsory membership and endorsements.
IPE does not get involved in election campaigns, endorse candidates or use member dues to fund political causes or special interest groups.
IPE dues are very reasonable and related directly to the actual costs of our member benefits and services.
IPE IS NOT A UNION! We provide an alternative to the insurance that is often obtained through teacher unions.
IPE supports Indiana teachers who have been thrust in e-learning with little or no experience in this type of teaching. The coronavirus is changing life and our careers as none of us could have expected. But with our students as our priority, we rise to the challenge to provide the best education possible.
INDIANA SENATE BILL 251
In order to bring Indiana into compliance with the USSC Janus decision (see below), the Indiana Senate held committee hearings on prospective new Educational laws in January and February. One of particular interest is SB251, sponsored by Senator Boots of the Labor and Pension Committee and Rep VanNatter in the House. This bill seeks to add integrity to payroll deductions for teacher union membership and establish teacher rights in regard to their financial obligation in being a teacher. Currently, most schools allow their teachers to have their union dues payroll deducted and the district then forwards that money to the teacher unions. Teachers are not usually told up front how much those dues will be and oftentimes, deductions are taken without their knowledge or permission. This bill will seek to verify that the member does indeed want their union dues deducted and a confirmation in writing will be required of both the member and the district who is taking their money.
While this will ensure union members understand the gravity of their payroll deductions, it also enables union members to STOP their payroll deductions at any time AND to resign from the union upon demand. Currently, union constitutions and by-laws make the window of opportunity to resign elusive and prohibitive. Some unions will accept resignation only between certain hours of certain days. Others by a certain date in writing and signed by multiple parties, including member, union rep and an admin. Still others must receive the written request within 48 hours after it was mailed (let's hope the mail is quick!). Additionally, some associations require an August 1st or September 1st deadline and any other time during the year will be forfeited until the NEXT year on August or September 1st. These members are stuck until the "magic" date rolls around NEXT year.
Teachers who have been successful stopping their payroll deductions with their district are met with having to continue paying the dues because of that little piece of paper they signed at the beginning of the year which the union claims is a contract. If dues are not paid by the member, regardless of payroll deduction or not, members may be sued for payment.
IPE has intervened for teachers across the state, helping them to get out of their contract with the union and become an independent professional teacher.
This bill has passed both the Senate and the House and is on its way to the Governor. Indiana may, once again, become the leader in teacher rights legislation.
Members who would like more information may go online and click here
To find your Indiana Senator or Representative and offer your voice and experience, click here. Feel free to also reach out to Governor Holcomb and encourage his signing this bill into law.
Another bill that needs the attention of EVERY teacher in Indiana is SB 219, sponsored by Karen Tallian. It requires that $100 million is transferred EACH year from the Teacher Retirement Stabilization fund to provide supplemental funding for teacher salaries - teachers who have not yet retired. A few years ago, Indiana made a law that the pension fund MUST always have enough money to cover every new teacher hired. Does this put teacher retirements in jeopardy? Again, for more information, click here. Feel free to contact your Indiana Senator and voice your concern.
