February 19, 2021
Hello friends,

It was so exciting to see Dr. Jill Underly take first place in the primary this week! Meghan Mills-Koehler also won her primary in the Pulaski school board race.

This is important but it's only the first step.

We have to get out the vote for April 6th now. If you want to help out with a campaign, contact your director. Underly is up against a candidate who has been able to raise a lot of money and we expect conservative, pro-voucher forces to up their game even more as we approach the election. If you've got a local candidate or a referendum you want to support, reach out to your director and we can help your local create a plan! We've even got grants!

The budget proposal from Governor Evers was an exciting breath of fresh air! Speaking of budgets and money, local presidents received a communication about ESSER funds last week. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding can be used in a variety of ways; mental health services, protective equipment and some districts are using it to make up for funding losses that would have resulted in laying some educators off. If you are wondering how much your district received and how your local can help shape what that money does-reach out to your director!

In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:
 
Tuesday, February 23, Zone B Meeting, 5:30PM

Wednesday, February 24, Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM

Wednesday, March 10, WR3 Virtual Gathering, 4:30PM

Thursday, March 18, NBCT, 5PM

Wednesday, April 7, WEAC Pre-RA, 5PM & WR3 Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM

Friday-Saturday, April 23-24, WEAC RA

Saturday, May 8, Region 3 RA




Books and stories are tools children need now more than ever to discover themselves and understand that the world is far richer and diverse than just their experiences alone.
There are limitless opportunities to share the love of reading—on March 2 and throughout the year.
Text READ to 48744 for more Read Across America tips and resources, delivered to your mobile phone.

Please, share your stories and pics after March 2. We'd love to show them off in our newsletter!
SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday
May 8, 2021

The WEAC Region 3 RA will be held virtually. Delegates to the RA will be electing the following positions to the WR3 Executive Committee: Treasurer, Secretary, ESP Member-at-Large, and Zone Leaders. 

Watch for more info and nomination forms in the coming weeks.
Important Dates for WTCS Locals:

April 7 - 27, 2021
Voting period (complete details to follow).
CPI for Total Base Wage Negotiations
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has advised the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC) that the CPI-U increase applicable to one-year collective bargaining agreements with a term beginning July 1, 2021, is 1.23%. That applies to all K-12 and WTCS contracts, and is a decrease from last year's 1.81%.
Wisconsin State Statute 118.22 governs the renewal and NON-renewal of full-time teacher contracts
 
This important deadline is approaching: 
 
For full-time teacher contracts that a District does NOT want to renew for the 2021-22 school year, the school board must notify with a preliminary notice of non-renewal on OR before Friday, April 30th, 2021.  This timeline applies regardless of the reason for non-renewal, i.e., performance, economic reasons, declining enrollment, etc.

A preliminary notice of non-renewal must be voted on and issued by the school board (not an administrator).
 
Many teachers have already been given some kind of indication that the District is thinking about non-renewal. These teachers may be on a plan of improvement. For teachers under this scrutiny, the preliminary notice of non-renewal may come well before the deadline of April 30th. 
Union members who may be in danger of non-renewal, as well as leaders and building reps working with those members, should contact the Region 3 office as soon as possible. 

Once preliminary notice of non-renewal is given to an educator, they only have five calendar days to request a hearing before the school board.

Please do not wait until the preliminary notice has already been issued!
Individual Contract Deadlines:
  • April 30 - preliminary notice of nonrenewal
  • May 15 - final notice of nonrenewal
  • May 15 - issuing individual contracts
  • June 15 - accept or reject individual contract
Background Check Applications are Open
 
The DPI background check application is now open for teachers whose license would have expired in 2021. Members can check to see if they are due for a background check by logging into their Educator Licensing Online (ELO) account. Background check applications are due no later than June 30, 2021. It is advised that members submit their application sooner rather than later. Remember this is your responsibility! 
WEAC Join Now ONLINE
Member Sign Up
WEAC online member sign-up, Join Now, is now available to provide a convenient and fast way for educators to become members of our union.


In a series of simple screens, educators can enter their information to become a member. This feature is especially useful during one-on-one membership conversations. While the process is entirely online, it is recommended that organizers and leaders stay with educators through the sign-up process to answer any questions that might arise.
For an overview of the Join Now experience, click here.
WEAC
NEA
You are Invited!
WR3's ALL-MEMBER
Virtual Gathering

Wednesday, March 10
4:30 - 5:30 pm

Please note that you need to PRE-Register for the meeting by clicking on the link above. Then an email will be sent to you with the login link.

We look forward to SEEING you!
On Wednesday, February 24, be sure to register for Engaging Youth in Elections. Even students who are not eligible to vote can have their voices heard and learn about elections and the democratic process. Participants will learn strategies to engage students in elections by having them explore their own ideologies, learn about candidates, explore media messages, develop their ability to be critical consumers of information and find creative ways to get involved in the election process. Includes free lesson plans, just in time for spring elections. Please note: this session is 90 minutes long (6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.)

The registration link can be found HERE.
2021 NEA ESP Conference

The 2021 NEA ESP Conference will be held virtually March 19-21, with a special ESP of the Year celebration on Friday, March 26.
Registration for the 2021 NEA ESP Conference will open February 15-26, and will be offered FREE of charge to NEA members! NEA has increased their capacity to 2,000 participants. Spaces will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Conference participation is limited to NEA members only.

Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Sessions
WEAC, Region 3 and GBEA have organized ongoing monthly National Board Support for the 2020-2021 cycle. Sessions will be held virtually until further notice and facilitated by Sarah Johnston (Marinette).
Find the schedule with registration links HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to join the meeting. Please save this email. 
WEAC
Attention Local Treasurers

The new and improved WEAC Local Treasurer Training Videos are now posted, along with accompanying documents, on the WEAC website for your use. 
To access the videos you can simply click:


These seven separate training videos cover various topics that may be of interest to you and will serve as a resource to use in navigating the responsibilities of being a local treasurer. We hope you find them useful! As always, if you have any questions or need any help, please just let us know.
Thank you for your work for our members and for what you do every day with our students.
WEAC is working in partnership with UW-Stevens Point to host the 2021 Educators Rising-Wisconsin Summit and Competition. Formerly Future Teachers of Wisconsin, Educators Rising-Wisconsin aims to inspire and equip a future generation of educators to serve Wisconsin’s public schools. It works to encourage young people to explore the benefits of a career in education and embrace the calling of teaching as a profession.
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee. 
WEAC-recommended candidate Dr. Jill Underly has advanced to the April 6 General Election for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

  • Mar 17 - Register by mail
  • Mar 17 - Register to vote online
  • Mar 23 thru Apr 4 - In-person early voting *
  • Apr 1 - Request regular absentee ballot
  • Apr 2 - Register at municipal clerk's office
  • Apr 6 - Register at polling place
  • Apr 6 - Return absentee ballot

*Check with your municipal clerk for specific days and times.
Spring Elections Are
Right Around the Corner!
Let's build on the Presidential Inauguration to help elect the candidates for local school boards, and State Superintendent, who will fight for healthy, safe, and well-funded public schools and the educators that make those schools great!

Go to MyVote.WI.gov to:

Region 3 encourages Locals to get involved in their district's school board elections and/or referendums. Please contact your Region 3 Director for school board candidate screening questions and information on the types of assistance available through Region 3 PAC.