APRIL 20, 2018
Attention: There was an incorrect date posted in the April 17 Unity for the SEA CRE Leadership Summit. Please note that the correct date is May 12, 2018. 

Legislature sends big funding increase to Seattle

The state legislature's attempt to comply with McCleary has brought billions in new school funding to Districts across the state, with much of it earmarked for compensation.
"We're still figuring out the exact implications of the new funding law for Seattle," said SEA president Phyllis Campano. "But with the insane cost of housing and the need to hire several hundred more staff, there is no way for SPS to move forward without prioritizing compensation."

WEA's analysis shows an additional $100 million in funding for next school year for Seattle - bringing total funding for the District to just over $800 million. That huge increase is reduced by $30 million the following year as the full levy restriction comes into place (the state is increasing its share and simultaneously decreasing Districts' levy authority).

"Taking away funds from one year to the next is ridiculous," said Campano. "We'll need to go back to the legislature next year to fight against that going into effect."

We are steadily developing our agenda for bargaining as our contract expires this August. 1200 SEA members participated in online "Building Bargaining Sessions" in March and early April at more than 85 schools to identify concerns and develop our interests and potential solutions.

"We really got a lot of deep and thoughtful input from members," said SEA vice president and bargaining chair Michael Tamayo. "A lot of schools spent well over an hour, sometimes two hours, working through their ideas."

SEA will convene a group of bargaining team members to sort and organize that input, largely captured in google docs that allowed teams who were meeting at the same time to see each other's ideas. A bargaining survey will also be released in early May.

Teams are already meeting with the District on special education, how to support struggling high school students, and on the implications of new salary guidelines as a lead in to full bargaining.

"Our success is almost entirely dependent on membership participation," said Campano. "And we've never had more meaningful participation in bargaining than we have so far this year. And there is much more to come!"                       __________________________________________________________________________

Campano and Tamayo re-elected as SEA President and Vice President

Phyllis Campano and Michael Tamayo were re-elected as SEA President and Vice President in the recently concluded SEA elections. Vallerie Fisher, also recently named WEA ESP of the Year, was elected as SEA Treasurer. Paraprofessional President Micheal Melonson and SEA Substitute Association President Peter Henry were also re-elected. Elizabeth Ward-Robertson was elected SAEOP president. All results, including for the  Boards of SEA and our departments, are on our website .

____________________________________________________________________

>>>>> QUICK NOTES <<<<<
_____________________________________________________________________

SEA CRE 2018 Leadership Summit - May 12, 2018!

As social and racial equity continue to be an essential goal in our district, our schools, and our communities, the Center for Race and Equity will continue dedicating support and resources to its SEA district leaders in this critical and necessary work.  In fulfilling our vision and mission at the CRE, the Seattle Education Association is honored to be hosting our 2nd Annual Leader Shummit for our Seattle School District educators.

At our first event, we brought together over 80 educators who are leading the work on issues of equity.  Focusing our collective energy, the summit created opportunities for collaboration and learning with one another to address inequities happening across our schools.  From this, we established action teams, one of which led the development and implementation of Ethnic Studies in our district.  

Please join us in our commitment to this important work at the 2nd Annual SEA Center for Race and Equity Leadership Summit which will be held on May 12th, 2018.  This year we are providing workshops centered on Culturally Responsive Teaching, Restorative Practices, and Racial Equity Teams, and much more!

____________________________________________________________________
 
SEA is hosting Certification 101 Workshops in May!
 
The 2017 legislative session introduced many changes to educator certification requirements. Do you have questions about the latest requirements, timelines and continuing education processes? Do you want to find out more about the National Board Certification process as well?
 
May 1, 4:30 - 7:30 PM: Mercer International Middle School
May 3, 4:30 - 7:30 PM: Ballard High School
 
Space is limited. Register at  https://tinyurl.com/SEASpring2018Cert
*3 FREE Clock Hours to WEA members
____________________________________________________________________

WEA Teaching Equity Conference: Saturday, April 28, 2018

One of WEA's most popular events, be sure to register soon! 

Click here for Flier and Conference description.

WEA Member Rates: $40.00 - Online; $50.00 - At the Door

Non-member Registration: $150 -Registration  
____________________________________________________________________
 
Great tip for SAEOPs!

When I transfer a file to a new school, I send this form along with the file asking them to sign they rec'd the file. This has come in handy more times than I can count. Today, I rec'd an email asking for two student files. I found that the school signed for them in Feb. I do not have to spend any time looking for a file I already sent.
All of us are going to be transferring files soon. Think about using this, or something like it. That way you know who got the file and you do not have to worry about it again.

Cheryl Parker-McLane, Robert Eaglestaff K-8
 
Tech pay update for paraprofessionals and SAEOPs:
 
In our contract, paraprofessional and SAEOP staff are eligible to be paid for up to eight (8) hours of technology training time in the 2017-2018 school year, as set out in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, Art. IX, Sec. 2(d).   The tech training can occur at any time during the school year, and is available in eight (8) one hour periods during the school day. To receive this additional 8 hours of pay, employees must complete the technology training before August 15, 2018, complete an Extra Time Reporting Form with Tech Pay written in the Cost Center area, sign by employee and supervisor, and return it to Payroll before September 15, 2018.   Once completed, please submit the Extra Time Reporting form to Payroll Services at mailstop 33-344.
 
There are multiple online options that are available to support your technology learning for the 8 hours of Tech Pay:
 
There are several courses in Schoology:

 
 
 
These or any other technology-related training you may have already done this year as a part of your work.

Questions regarding professional development?   Please contact Kim Van Atta at [email protected].
 
Questions regarding the collective bargaining agreement? Please contact Sheryl Anderson-Moore at [email protected].
 


National Board Celebration:
 
Seattle Education Association is an incredible membership full of incredibly dedicated and highly distinguished educators. This was highlighted as the successful candidate numbers were released nation-wide. Seattle had the 2nd highest achievement rate in the United States! With over 100 newly National Board certified educators, Seattle continues to demonstrate their passion to drive education forward for students and communities.
 
Join us in congratulating the newly certified National Board educators as well as a heart felt thank you to our exceptional National Board cohort facilitation team, led by NBCT Mary Lanza, an educator at Mercer Middle School.
  
The school calendar for 2018-19 is posted! Click here to view.

_____________________________________________________________________________


Don't miss out  on breaking SEA text alerts: text SEATTLEEA  to 41411 to stay informed!
_____________________________________________________________________________

SICK LEAVE REQUESTS

Patti Crow, a paraprofessional at Madison Middle School, is fighting a Glioblastoma brain tumor.  She has been off work since November and has gone through radiation & chemo, but her recovery is slow-going. She appreciate any and all help.

Patty Murray, SAEOP at JSCEE in the Accounting Office is asking for shared leave for 2 reasons:  As she has shared with us: "I need leave to help cover  my away time while I work to get healthy  from my own life-threatening illness  - but to also help with my sister's care while she is struggling with cancer.  (she is also an SPS employee) Thank you!"

Gail Richards, Literacy Specialist @ Leschi recently had surgery and will be out for 6 weeks of healing and rehab. She thanks you for any hours that you can donate to help her get through this trying time.

Sophie-Shifra Gold, Original Van Asselt is under extended leave, as her doctor as prescribed and needs donated sick leave to help her through this lengthy challenge.

Lauro Medina Ortega, an ELL Instruction Assistant at Concord Elementary is on a doctor-mandated leave through May and could really use some donated hours to make it through the worst of it. He very much appreciates any help and offers of leave.

Edward Byers, at Southlake High School, has been hospitalized since March 6 and due to his heart surgery recovery time required, he'll run out of leave to cover it.  He gratiously thanks everyone in advance for your generous donation of leave to help ease this burden.

Liliana Calimlim, a Spanish IA at Hawthorne Elementary, has a son who's been having intestinal infections (started last year) and appendicitis, which led to surgery earlier this year. Because of this, Liliana's sick leave has been depleted. If you're able, Sick Leave donations will be very welcome, as well as good thoughts for her and her family.

Mary Mills (Davidson), 20+ year veteran of Seattle Public Schools (17 years at Sacajawea Elementary, plus years spent at other schools and summer school programs, currently working in the Office of Advanced Learning) is requesting donations of sick leave as she continues to battle brain cancer. She sends heartfelt thanks!

Thank you all for your generous donations in this challenging time for the above members. 

Members can access the shared leave form to donate hours by clicking HERE. Forms can be submitted to [email protected] or FAXED to 206-252-0021 or mailed to Seattle Public Schools, MS 33-380, PO Box 34165, Seattle, WA 98124-1165.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

Seattle Education Association
5501 4th Ave S, Ste 101
Seattle, WA 98108

See what's happening on our social sites