Hello SEA,

Thank you for wearing Red in support of Public Education yesterday. At the WEA rally in Olympia state legislators shared how important it is that they hear from you as teachers, parents, and community members, how the cuts that have already taken place are impacting the students of Washington State. In some ways the most powerful allies we have in fighting future cuts are the stories of our classrooms. Please take the time to reflect on how recent cuts have impacted your classrooms and the education that we are able to provide today’s students. Then share that story. Share it with legislators, with your friends, and with your community.

Here is contact information for the three legislators representing Shoreline and Lake Forest Park:

Representative Ruth Kagi: Ruth.Kagi@LEG.WA.GOV

Representative Cindy Ryu: Cindy.Ryu@leg.wa.gov

Senator Maralyn Chase: Maralyn.Chase@leg.wa.gov

You can easily contact the legislators representing your home district via http://www.ourvoicewashingtonea.org/action.html

Are you YouTube fluent? Are you interested in helping to establish a YouTube channel where educators, parents, and kids can share the stories of how cuts hurt them? Please contact me so that we can get share messages with a broader audience.

The Shoreline City Council hosts a community summit on the “State of Education” in Shoreline, this Wednesday, November 30, 6:30-8:30 pm at Shoreline City Hall
The Shoreline City Council will host a community summit on the “State of Education” in Shoreline. Superintendent Sue Walker of Shoreline School District and President Lee Lambert of Shoreline Community College will present the “State of Education” in Shoreline and discuss the challenges they face in today’s economic and political environment.
Come be a part of Shoreline’s first “Education Summit,” which will be held on. Find out what our schools have to offer and the challenges they face in the future. Please consider participating in this summit to help raise awareness of the challenges facing our schools.

Like me, many of you have already received your ballots for this November’s election. To see the candidates that have been endorsed by WEA and its local affiliates please visit http://www.ourvoicewashingtonea.org/Nov8_election.html

The Shoreline Education Association has endorsed Proposition 1: Supplemental Levy to Support Class Size. This proposition offsets some of the more than $6 million in annual cuts due to the budget passed in the last legislative session. It is estimated to cost the owner of a $400,000 home in Shoreline or Lake Forest Park only $36 per year and the funds collected are dedicated to supporting class size – keeping teachers in classrooms.

Please join levy supporters in waving signs to raise awareness and remind people to vote. Sign waiving will take place from 4 – 6pm at these four corners:

·  NE 145th St  and 15th Ave NE

·  N 175th St and Meridian Ave N

·  Ballinger Way NE and 19th Ave NE

·  N 175th St and Aurora Ave N

For more information on the levy visit www.voteyesforshorelineschools.org

If you live outside of Shoreline, please visit http://www.ourvoicewashingtonea.org/Nov8_election.html to find WEA endorsed candidates in your local races.

Most importantly, remember to vote!

Last year one of these seminars was offered to SEA members only, this year there will be more offered, but they are open to all WEA members working in Shoreline, Northshore, and Edmonds.  Registration in first come/first served and these will fill up so register soon to guarantee your spot.

It’s never too early to start planning for retirement!  WEA-Cascade UniServ Council will be hosting retirement seminars in 2011-2012. The seminars are designed for members who are planning for or are close to retirement, and are presented by qualified WEA Retired representatives.  Topics covered will include:  Social Security, Medicare, Health Care, Long Term Care, VEBA, Estate Planning, Financial Planning, Deferred Compensation, Staff Retirement, and much more!

Choose from one of the following Retirement Seminar dates are:

• Friday, October 21^st & Saturday, October 22^nd   (Bothell)
• Friday, November 4^th & Saturday, November 5^th   (Edmonds)
• Friday, December 2^nd & Saturday, December 3^rd   (Bothell)          
• Friday, January 27^th & Saturday, January 28^th    (Bothell)
• Friday, February 10^th & Saturday, February 11^th   (Edmonds)
• Friday, March 23^rd & Saturday, March 24^th    (Edmonds)

Seminars will be held at either the Cascade UniServ Council office or the Edmonds EA office.  Cost for the seminar is $45 for WEA members, $35 for WEA Retired members, and $45 for spouses (if space is available).  Clock hours will also be available.  Seminars are only open to WEA members of the Edmonds, Northshore and Shoreline school districts.

Space is limited and registration is required!  Registration will fill up fast!  Register early to save your spot! Registration is first come, first serve, and a completed registration form and payment are required to register.  Registrations will NOT be accepted by phone or email.

·         Did you know that school employees do NOT have guaranteed paid maternity leave?  We can help you figure out how to maximize the leave provisions in the SEA contract.

·         Do you understand Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) provisions?

·         Do you know what doctor’s notes you may need?

·         Do you know how to qualify for short-term disability insurance?

·         Do you know how to pay for childcare out of pre-tax dollars?

·         Do you know how to use sick leave as a new father?

Representatives from the Shoreline Education Association and Shoreline Human Resources will discuss options, give you some tips, and answer your questions. Join us next Wednesday, September 21^st at 4:15 in the Aurora Room at the SLC.

Welcome Back

I hope that you found time to enjoy your summer, through relaxation, excitement, or preferably both. As the school year begins I am excited (and a little intimidated) by some of the challenges this year will bring. We will be continuing our work on a new evaluation model through a joint committee between the District and SEA. (For more information on the Teacher and Principal Evaluation Pilot, TPEP, visit their website: http://tpep-wa.org/) WEA and your SEA Exec Board have also prioritized getting to know our members. We will be visiting schools as well as participating in one-on-one conversations to ensure that we understand what brought you to education, what gives you the passion needed to do your job, and how we can meet your needs.

As I’m sure you are aware, the Tacoma Education Association is on Strike. They are fighting to avoid pay cuts, increased class sizes, and proposed changes to how teachers are evaluated, assigned to buildings, and retained. For more information visit http://weteachtacoma.org/. Please take the time (from home) to post comments of support either on their website or facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/WeTeachTacoma. They need to know that we support them.

Know Your Contract

Professional Development:

29.1     Each year of this agreement, the District shall support educator-selected professional development. The District agrees to provide a budget allocation equal to the cost of one and one-half day substitute days for each certificated FTE.  Each certificated employee will be given an opportunity to visit other classrooms, attend conferences, work to obtain the Professional Certificate, or engage in other forms of self-selected professional growth that supports the individual’s professional growth plan or the building’s school improvement plan. All funds not committed by the individual as of February 1 shall be pooled for support of certificated instructional staff professional development by the Instruction Department.  See also Section 32.16 for additional permissible use of this budget allocation.

32.15   Elementary Assessments. The District shall not mandate any one-to-one assessments without providing sufficient paraprofessional and/or certificated staffing (release time or team of assessors) to conduct them.  The District shall provide an annual electronic notice to the Association and to all certificated employees regarding projected District and building-level support for assessments.  Any district-wide expectations for student assessments, including timing and frequency, shall be communicated to teachers annually prior to the first day of school.

32.16   Assessment Support.  Each certificated employee may, at his or her discretion, use the resource allocated in Section 29.1 in support of administering common assessments, collaboratively analyzing assessment results, and modifying instruction based on results.

What this means to you:

·         Use your time and/or money! If you don’t have other plans I encourage you to spend time visiting other classrooms.

·         You do not have to use it by February 1, you only have to earmark it. Check with your Administrator or Office Manager for how to do this.

·         Elementary teachers are in no way obligated to use this money for assessment support. The District must provide adequate support for mandated testing. You may choose to augment this support using your professional development money if you’d like.

Opportunity for Involvement

Be a Building Rep:

Why should you become a building representative?

·         We’re a member driven organization and SEA Building Reps serve as the ultimate link between our members and our larger organization

·         You will be better informed about what is happening to your profession at the District, State, and National level

·         You have a chance to meet and interact with colleagues across grade levels, disciplines, and the schools monthly

·         You will provide a valuable service to your school and your association

For more information contact a current or former rep in your building, myself, or a member of Executive Board. A calendar of meetings can be found on the SEA Events Calendar here.

Contract Ratification ResultsThank you to all of the members who took the time to attend the June 13th General Membership and Contract Ratification Meeting. Your bargaining team truly appreciates the thoughtful discussion and questions that you shared with us.

I encourage you to personally thank the members of your bargaining team who have taken on this tremendous responsibility in addition to their everyday jobs. They do a tremendous job of representing your interests at the table.

Andy Berkbigler, Shorecrest
Amanda Findley, Parkwood
Roger Nelson, Shorewood
Dani Pratt, Kellogg
Kevin Rodgers, Brookside
Liz Travis, Brookside

At our meeting the Tentative Agreement was ratified by a vote of 84% to 16% of those members attending and voting.

Below you will find links to the Tentative Agreement Summary that was given shared at the General Membership Meeting, as well as a new salary schedule and calendar. (If you don't see them click here)

Here are the candidate statements from our nominees to serve as delegates to WEA-RA. Election will take place during the week following midwinter break.

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Sarah Bayle

Highland Terrace, Self-Contained Primary Spec. Ed

Offices Held, SEA Activities, & Association Services:

SEA Building Rep

Candidate Statement:

I am interested in:

·         Better understanding of legislative process and field of education

·         Meeting Reps from around the state

·         Becoming a better building representative by deepening my understanding of WEA and our connection to it.

I would appreciate the opportunity to attend WEA Rep Assembly as a teacher and a learner!

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Veronica Cook

Shorewood, Directed Studies

Offices Held, SEA Activities, & Association Services:

Building Rep (14 years), 8 years as a WEA Rep, CONGREGESSIONAL CONTACT TEAM member, Rep Member at large on Executive Board, Member at large on Executive Board, Legislative Chair on Executive Board, and WEA representative on the WAAS committee.

Candidate Statement:

As an active SEA member, I advocate for our members and students.  I’ve represented members in Olympia, on a commercial for Yes on 1098, and with groups that disagree with Unions.  To be the best advocate I can, I want to continue my work representing you at the State level.

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Amanda Findley

Parkwood, Resource Room

Offices Held, SEA Activities, & Association Services:

Current SEA VP, current bargaining team member, building rep for many years prior

Candidate statement:

I love representing SEA.  I am proud of our delegates and feel privileged to have time to spend with them and get to know them.  I love nerding out as we dig into new business items presented by delegates from around the state and appreciate hearing the varied and intelligent debates.

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Alisan Giesy

Shorewood High School, 9-12 Science

Offices Held, SEA Activities & Association Services:

Rep Council member

Candidate statement:

I would like to attend WEA-RA this year.  I attended as a first-time participant last year and learned a tremendous amount about how our state body functions and what it attempts to do.  It was eye-opening to see what is important to different districts in different parts of the state.  I believe that I could be a better contributor, now that I know what to expect!

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Michelle Ramey

Brookside, 2^rd Grade

Offices Held, SEA Activities & Association Services:

SEA Building Rep, SEA Rep at-large and SEA Secretary

Candidate Statement:

This will be my second time hopefully going to WEA RA.  I enjoy being able to represent our union and discussing educational policies with teachers from around Washington.

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Eric Scaia

SEA President (on leave from Shorewood, HS Math)

Offices held, SEA Activities & Association Services

SEA Building Rep, SEA Exec. Board member at-large, SEA Vice President, SEA President, NEA RA delegate

Candidate Statement:

I look forward to the opportunity to meet with other delegates from Shoreline and across the state and working to guide the priorities of WEA.  Our current economic and political climate makes it especially important to take an active role in advocating for public education.

This message is political in nature. Do not reply, forward or print from school computers. Do not make political calls from school phones.

Imagine a world in which reductions in force are made according to employee evaluation, there are no recall rights for employees who are laid off, and teachers who are eliminated from one building have no guarantee of being placed elsewhere in the district, even if there are openings for which they are qualified.

 State Representative Ruth Kagi proposed just this world in House Bill 1609, which she co-sponsored.

 EVERY SINGLE EDUCATOR COULD POTENTIALLY BE IMPACTED BY THIS LEGISLATION!

 Kagi’s bill deals primarily with reductions in force and has the following “highlights”

·         In a RIF situation, decisions are made according to a weighted average of the prior two years’ evaluations.

o   Teachers who are new to a district would be retained before teachers with similar current year evaluations who had lower scores the previous year.

o   Seniority would serve as a tie-breaker, but would only take into account time in district.

·         Employees who are non-renewed are guaranteed an interview, but not employment. Even if they have received satisfactory evaluations.

o   This proposed law would forbid locally bargained language to guarantee recall.

·         In-district reassignments would no longer be mandatory. If a building has a reduced number of positions displaced employees must apply for jobs in other buildings within the district and be ‘hired’ by those buildings.

o   Employees who have been hired into other buildings within 6 months may be non-renewed by the district.

Ø  Possible Example: Due to declining enrollment Shorewood loses a math position. Two Shorecrest teachers split a winning lottery ticket and resign at the end of the school year. It is possible for Shorecrest to hire two teachers who are new to the district while the displaced Shorewood teacher is non-renewed.

·         The only provision for enacting these measures is “When reductions in the workforce occur due to enrollment decline or revenue loss…”

The bill presents a rationale that principals should be evaluated on creating a school culture, and “a principal needs the ability to select teachers who have demonstrated effectiveness and have demonstrated qualifications and teaching experience that support the instructional practices of the school.”

The bill also eviscerates the collaborative spirit of the new 4-tier evaluation system that is being piloted by districts in Washington (required to be in place state wide in two years). WEA worked closely with the legislature last session to form a system that is focused on professional development and fosters trust and dialog between educators and their evaluators.

House Bill 1609 undermines that legislation and effectively reverts Washington to a two-tiered (“top tier” or “in danger of losing your job-tier”) system.

ACTION NEEDED!

It is very important that YOU take the time to contact Representative Kagi from your home phone or computer and let her know how these changes will negatively impact the teachers, students, and schools in her home district. Her bill is disrespectful, and assumes teachers are the problem. Her misdirected effort devalues the thoughtful work that is already underway to reform our evaluation system and improve student learning. Please tell her we need her support, not more bills that promise reform but only undermine the good educators working in our schools now.

Thank you.

E-mail: kagi.ruth@leg.wa.gov

Phone: (360) 786-7910

As you know Donna Lurie retired as our UniServ Representative at the end of August. During her long service in Shoreline Donna proved invaluable to SEA and SESPA members as she dedicated herself to ensuring that Shoreline’s Schools are excellent place to work and to learn. She has spent countless hours advocating for all of us at the bargaining table as well as supporting our members in crisis.

Please take the time to show her how much her work meant to all of us by attending a Thank You event on Thursday, January 13^th in the Darlene Sherrick room at the Shoreline Center. Light refreshments will be provided. This is a drop-in event and will run from 3:30 to 5:30