January 31, 2020
WEAC Region 3 represents public education employees in a large territory stretching from Florence to Port Washington,
and from Menominee to Washington Island.
Introduction to Restorative Practices

Sponsored by GBEA.
All Region 3 Members are welcome to attend!
When
Thursday, February 6, 2020
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM CST
Where
Green Bay Education Association / WEAC Region 3 Office
1136 N Military Ave, Green Bay, WI 54303
Restorative Practices is a framework for building community and repairing harm when it occurs. The fundamental hypothesis for Restorative Practices, Social Discipline Window and Continuum of Restorative Practices will be presented. Discussion will focus on how to become more restorative in your work with students and families.
Union Dues No Longer Deductible
WEAC Region 3 has received a couple of questions regarding the deductibility of union dues. To ensure that everyone is aware of one of the changes that took place last year with the Federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017:
 
Union dues are no longer a deductible expense for those people who itemize on their personal tax return for tax years 2018-2025.
Wisconsin State Statute 118.22 governs the renewal and NON-renewal of full-time teacher contracts
 
This important deadline is approaching: 
 
For teacher contracts that a District does NOT want to renew for the 2020-21 school year, the school board must notify with a preliminary notice of non-renewal on OR before Friday,  May 15, 2020 .  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 May 15th. 

 
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.
  • Union members who are fearful of a non-renewal should contact the Region 3 office as soon as possible. 
  • Union leaders and building reps who are working with teachers who may be in danger of non-renewal should contact the Region 3 office as soon as possible. 
 
Please do not wait until the preliminary notice has already been issued!
Do you want to attend a FANTASTIC conference?
Submit your application today!
4 members will be chosen to attend the Labor Notes 2020 Conference Friday (after school) April 17 through Sunday, April 19 in Chicago.
Winners will attend the conference with Regional Directors Kathy Rohde and Kristin Lytie. Transportation, lodging and food are included.
Send a short (2-minute) video to Kristin Lytie by Monday, February 10th .

For details about what to include in your video application, click here .
For more information about Labor Notes, click here .
To see the schedule from the 2018 conference, click here .
Important Dates for WTCS Locals:
April 1 - 21, 2020
Voting period (complete details to follow).
NEA ESP National Conference
Friday, March 20 - Sunday, March 22, 2020

New Orleans Marriott
555 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Conference registration is now OPEN!
WI Public Ed Network:
Summer Summit Registration is Open
(click below for more info)
Heading Here
Disrupted Learning Town Hall

How many of us have had to make do with what we have knowing students deserve better? How many of us have experienced a “classroom clear”?

At play are homelessness, trauma, unmet mental health needs and more. At the same time, class sizes are growing, resources are shrinking, and educators are being asked to do more with less.
 
We need your stories!
Thursday March 5th 4:30-6:00pm
Mead Public Library in The Loft
710 N 8th St. Sheboygan

 
We ARE Community!
This is the time of year when school board candidates start their campaigns for spring elections. Find out how education support professionals can get involved.
Political Action
Unlimited, full, fair collective bargaining bill announced

Read President Martin's message by clicking on the photo below.
Travel Tips
Thomas Kreif, WEAC-Fox Valley Retired Member and Traveler
The WEAC-Fox Valley Travel Committee has been meeting for the past 13 years. Membership is open to all active and retired members. During the year, we meet at Appleton’s Mary’s North (Richmond St. off of 41) the second Wednesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. As the years have gone by, this group has also discussed topics of interest such as WEA-Trust / Benefits, Wisconsin Retirement System (fixed and variable), Medicare, Medicare supplements, investment tips, and WEAC.
 
I researched my records and discovered my last article was January 2019 about China. Because I went into a business venture nearly six years ago, I did not travel—business first. Business continues to be thriving, but we are seasonal. Once again, the perfect time to travel. Where to go? How about Israel, Jordan, & Egypt? Just got back from the trip, and of course I would like to share some suggestions and advice.  

Numbers DOUBLE at This Year's Winter ReCharge!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 20, 2021!
What Winning Looks Like!
Learning about Mindfulness.


(left) Organizing Around Special Ed Issues.
Building Union Power!
A big crowd learns about issue campaigns.
Hello friends,
 
I feel the tide is turning. We've got exciting things going on in Region 3 and I believe it's because our members are starting to understand and embrace their power. At our November 16 "UP Connection" and last weekend's "Winter ReCharge," members participated in This is What Winning Looks Like panel discussions. These members shared issue campaigns that their locals had worked on, or were in the middle of working on. They talked about the tipping point - when their members had had enough and wanted to see changes. They talked about the planning and the strategies members engaged in - collective action! They talked about celebrating their successes and what's next.

There's a feeling that resonates after these panel discussions: Hope .

We CAN overcome our fear. We CAN do something to change our lives for the better. We CAN build membership. We CAN grow stronger. We CAN win.

Peace,
Kathy Rohde
Regional Director
Region 3 WEAC