Retired teachers, staff to discuss legislative updates
The San Marcos Area Retired Teachers and Staff (SMARTS) will have their next monthly meeting on Oct. 9 at The Price Centerin San Marcos. This meeting is the association’s annual “Legislative Update.” Viki Hicks, president of SMARTS, will preside at the meeting which will feature Susan Pulis, president of Texas Retired Teachers of Texas (TRTA) District XIII, and Larry Yawn, TRTA District XIII Legislative Chair.
Pulis holds a BBA in Accounting and Computer Science and an MBA from St. Edward’s University in Austin. Her career was in school finance, serving several school districts in San Antonio and Austin areas. In the past, she has held several positions in the local San Marcos unit, most recently President and then Treasurer. In District 13, she has worked as a Committee Chair and has served on TRTA’s State Committee for CVS. Pulis resides in Kyle.
Yawn began his career in education as a teacher of government and U.S. History in the Austin ISD. He has served as president of the Texas State Teachers Association, state director of education, and was assistant superintendent for government relations for the Houston ISD. Currently, Yawn is a member of the board of directors for the Texas Retired Teachers Association and chair of the Organizational Affairs Committee. Mr. Yawn resides in Round Rock.
Both will present a summary of the efforts of TRTA this past year to work with Texas legislators to protect the health care for retired teachers. They will also give suggestions and information about how retired teachers, school districts and school administrators can work with the legislature in protecting their pensions and in electing legislators who are “pro-education.” They will have a certified deputy voter registrar at the meeting, who can register voters on site. Oct.9 is the last day citizens can register to vote.
The buffet lunch of $15 is by reservation; RSVP to Ms. Hicks, vikihicks@gmail.com.
SMARTS meets every month, September through May, on the second Tuesday, at the Price Center. Meetings start at 11:30, with a buffet lunch (by RSVP), and ends about 1 p.m. The November meeting will be the Salute to Veteran’s on Nov. 13.
