The Victory is Ours Because WE are Stronger TOGETHER
MCEA Family,
Today, Martin County educators made their voices heard.
And because of you, MCEA has officially prevailed in the union election conducted by the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission.
The results were decisive:
- • 437 votes for MCEA
- • 93 votes for the intervening organization
That means the organization challenging MCEA received support from only 8.2% of the total eligible bargaining unit.
Those numbers matter because they tell an important story: Martin County educators rejected division and chose stability, professionalism, and solidarity.
Throughout this process, many people asked why MCEA did not engage in daily attacks, endless email battles, or constant public back-and-forth communication.
The answer is simple:
Because leadership matters.
Our focus remained where it belonged:
- • On educators
- • On relationships
- • On turnout
- • On protecting our union
- • And on maintaining professionalism, even when others chose a different path
At a time when teacher unions across Florida are facing coordinated political and legislative attacks through measures like SB 256 and SB 1296, this election carried significance far beyond Martin County.
These laws were specifically designed to weaken public sector unions by reducing membership strength and making recertification more difficult. At the same time, outside organizations like the Freedom Foundation have invested heavily in campaigns intended to divide educators and dismantle unions from within.
Martin County educators saw that clearly.
And you responded with unity.
What makes me most proud is not simply that MCEA won.
It is how we won.
We won because Building Representatives talked to coworkers.
We won because members followed up with one another.
We won because educators stayed disciplined and focused on each other instead of distractions.
We won because this union is built on real relationships inside our schools—not outside agendas.
Now comes the next chapter.
Florida law still requires us to maintain at least 60% membership density in order to protect our certification and preserve our collective bargaining rights. That means our responsibility to each other does not end with this election.
In many ways, this victory gives us momentum.
Momentum to:
- • Grow our membership
- • Strengthen our schools
- • Protect our contract
- • Improve compensation and working conditions
- • Continue defending public education in Martin County
This election proved something important:
When educators stand together, outside pressure cannot break us.
I want to personally thank every Building Representative, volunteer, organizer, and member who dedicated countless hours to this effort. Your work mattered. Your leadership mattered. And this victory belongs to you.
Find the memorandum outlining the official election results and recognizing the incredible work done across our district here: MCEA Victory Memorandum.pdf
Today we celebrate.
Tomorrow, we continue building an even stronger union.
In solidarity,
Kelly Coleman
Stronger
TOGETHER
with
Goal-Oriented
Leadership
Stronger
TOGETHER
Through
Our
Accomplishments
• All three presidential goals established by MCEA President Kelly Coleman have been successfully achieved this year.
• Rebuilt and strengthened relationships with MCSD leadership through collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect.
• Achieved the historical attendance of Superintendent Michael Maine at the January 21, 2026 Site Rep Meeting.
• Established joint communications between MCSD Leadership and MCEA, demonstrating a shared commitment to a stronger working relationship.
• Implemented and maintained monthly Labor Relations meetings with MCEA leadership.
• Successfully completed negotiations on the SY25-26 contract.
• Millage payout is expected to be distributed by the end of June.
• Preparations for 2026–2027 negotiations officially begin in July.
• Maintained active member engagement through personal Executive Board outreach and election updates shared at Site Rep meetings.
• Continued visibility and communication through an active MCEA Facebook page.
• Demonstrated consistent professionalism and maintained a positive attitude throughout the year.
Stronger by Spring with a POSITIVE MCEA-MCSD Relationship
Stronger
TOGETHER
with
New
Members
💪✨Let’s
get
recruiting!
✨💪
Kelly Coleman’s Shares FEA’s Pride in MCEA
Kelly Coleman, our union president, had the opportunity to meet with Becky Pringle, the president of the largest labor union in the United States, the National Education Association (NEA), this weekend.
Becky Pringle spoke about the Martin County Education Association during a meeting in Tampa at the Fea’s governance board that Kelly attended. She expressed her pride in our recent election victory against the Freedom Foundation.
As Becky Pringle’s motto goes, “When we fight, we win!”
Stronger
TOGETHER
through
Relationships
Spotlight
on
EBoard
Member
and
26-27
Riverbend
Teacher
of
Year:
Rhonda
Oksman
Spotlight on MCEA Retirees
Stronger
TOGETHER
Through
Non-Renewal/Lay-off/Retirement
with
FEA
Survival
Guide
Stronger
Together
with
MemberAssist
Whatever
You
Need:
MemberAssist
is
Here
for
You
When one member needed a mechanic to get work done on their vehicle, looking for a shop that was close and in budget only added to their stress. By using MemberAssist and asking for local options, they were able to ensure the details were taken care of — from finding a shop to booking the appointment.
What can MemberAssist help you with today?
MemberAssist is your new personal assistant, a benefit that is free to FEA union members. From scheduling appointments to finding experts in your area, MemberAssist is here to help!
Here’s what it can help you do:
- • Find a lawn care team
- • Schedule appointments at the vet
- • Find a tutor for your children
- • Find insurance options and cost-savings
- • Make personal appointments
- • Research activities on any given weekend in a city of your choice
- • Provide trip planning assistance
- • Research nursing home or elder care facilities and schedule appointments for you
- • Find your existing FEA and local member benefits and your local school district benefits in one place
- • Make dinner reservations
- • Help you plan a reunion
- • And so much more
- • With just one text or email, a real person will handle it for you. No phone trees. No runaround. Just the support you need, when you need it.
It’s easy. Click here to sign up.
Stronger TOGETHER with NO-COST NEA Member Benefits
Maximize Your NEA Membership with No-Cost Benefits!
These no-cost resources are designed with you in mind!
Stronger TOGETHER when United with Parents and Community
Stronger TOGETHER with Weekly Communication
Weekly Heart of MCEA
Our President, Kelly Coleman, has remained committed to keeping YOU, the heart of MCEA, informed.
Stronger TOGETHER with Electronic Q & A Communication
Stronger TOGETHER with Knowledge - Knowledge is Power
Know Your Current Contract
Stronger TOGETHER Fiscally with eDues Financial Consistency
With this Payment Schedule, MCEA Dues are PAID through End of SY 2025-2026
MCEA is now operating on 20 payments of $35.10 The total amount of dues for the year still remains $702, AND it eliminates any deductions from your multi-checks. Dues will be pulled from only 20 of your checks on the following dates: 08/13/2025, 08/27/2025, 09/10/2025, 09/24/2025, 10/08/2025, 10/22/2025, 11/05/2025, 11/19/2025, 12/03/2025, 12/17/2025, 12/30/2025, 01/14/2026, 01/28/2026, 02/11/2026, 02/25/2026, 03/11/2026, 03/25/2026, 04/08/2026, 04/22/2026, 05/06/2026.
This change is in response to listening to YOU, our members, who requested to keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible during the summer. The MCEA solution is to reduce the number of deductions from 26 to 20 per year, while keeping the amount of dues paid the same.