News You Can Use

Wait! Why is our education union concerned about Election Day? Legislators decide a lot of our working conditions, appropriate funds and make other important decisions for our schools. Vote by Nov 8th!

To find union endorsed candidates:

2022 WEA Endorsements

To join WEA-PAC and support candidates who support education: Join WEA-PAC

To get cool WEA-PAC swag: WEA-PAC SWAG!

Safety

The issue of educators' safety is coming to the forefront. Please report any concerns to your safety committee and any threats to both admin and TEA. If we don't know about the threats or risks we cannot advocate for your safety.

Cert CBA: Section 49
OP/PT CBA: Section 22

Benefits Open Enrollment

Visit the SEBB open enrollment site, which includes benefit and plan changes, premiums, benefits fairs, newsletters, webinars and much more!
Open enrollment details will be mailed to staff in mid-October.
Starting Oct. 31, staff can log in to SEBB My Account to enroll or change plans.
Decisions and choices made during open enrollment will take effect Jan. 1, 2023.
You were autenrolled in Long Term Disability last year. If you don't want this coverage you have to opt out. More Information

Worksite Visits

I am visiting worksites on Wednesdays to meet with members. If you would like a visit, please reach out. I am currently scheduling for mid-November.

Membership Updates

NEA is doing member outreach in Washington and calling members to update their contact information. These calls are legitimate and a part of a grant to help locals keep accurate membership records.

In Solidarity,

Penny

Red for Ed Wednesdays!

The Red for Ed movement started as a grassroots movement to draw attention to funding issues in Arkansas. As it was starting to dissipate, more states started using it to draw attention to similar issues in their states, including Washington during the McCleary fights, so the movement grew rather than going away.

It was declared a national movement by NEA with a declaration to wear red on Wednesdays. This happens in all states.

If you are looking to increase your wardrobe, you only need look as far as Google “Red for Ed” and find all kinds of fun shirts, many of which fund different state organizations.

-Jennifer Vandever, Lincoln Zone Rep

WEA-PAC Swag

The hat is perfect for Red for Ed Wednesdays!

Recent Wins for our members!

Pearl Youth Residence classrooms are now classified as "self-contained" and are getting more resources for their work with students.
A staff member who has been paid .8 FTE and working more hours than required is now getting 1.0 FTE pay.
Schedules have been adjusted for two of our elementary part time staff so they are only working the hours/days of their contract.
OPs at these schools are going to be getting extra support. Hiring will be happening soon. Thanks to Danita for advocating for this contract right!

New Educator Dinner

A few of our members at the New Educator Dinner with their door prizes! Thank you for coming!

If you RSVP'd but were unable to attend, a welcome packet and T-shirt is coming to your worksite soon.

More Information about Transformational Leadership

Equity Leadership Training

WEA is providing an equity leadership training along with clock hours and substitutes. We can have up to 28 members in this training. This training will begin in December with have 6 sessions and no expectations for training others. It truly is an opportunity for you to expand your learning and to further the causes of racial, social and economic justice.

Contact Penny if you want to be involved.