April 23, 2021
Hello friends,

It's almost new contract time! While we know you are excited to turn it in, please be sure to read and review it to see if there are any changes. Some districts are adding language stating that they now have the power to lay off and non-renew outside of the timelines defined by state statute.

School budgets are secured and planned the year before so to say a district suddenly does not have the funds to keep staff on for the full school year feels disingenuous. Rather, this feels like an attempt to retract their commitment to you as an employee.

Even though this concerning language exists in a few contracts we have not seen districts act on this language yet. However it's a lot easier to remove something from your contract before it's formally put in. Once the language exists in your contract for a few years it is a lot more difficult to remove.

If you see changes to your contract:
  • Alert your union leadership and UD
  • Tell your coworkers to hold their contracts
  • Have a union meeting to discuss next steps

Local unions have been able to successfully organize and get these questionable items removed from their contracts. Please reach out if you have any questions!

In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
UPCOMING EVENTS
All Meetings Virtual

April 23-24, Friday-Saturday
WEAC RA

April 27, Tuesday

May 6, Thursday

May 8, Saturday
Region 3 RA

June 9, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM
Region 3 Members Honored by Fox Cities Chamber with Shining Star Awards

The Appleton Post-Crescent reported that in a virtual ceremony April 29 on YouTube Premiere, the Fox Cities Chamber will present its 2021 Excellence in Education Shining Star Awards to 11 Fox Cities area education professionals. This year’s honorees represent a variety of communities and professional specialties, but the common thread of commitment to education, students, innovation and learning during a trying pandemic year runs through all of this year’s award recipients.

The Excellence in Student Services Award will be presented to Tracy Schmidt, a school counselor at Little Chute Intermediate/Middle School. The longtime faculty member has been an enthusiastic ambassador for the community and was integral in piloting an Animal Assisted Learning Program for the district. The Excellence in Career and Technical Education Award will be presented to Staci Sievert-Zahn of Seymour High School. After 23 years as a social studies instructor, Sievert-Zahn entered the field of technical education and has flourished in the role over the past four years, advancing opportunities for Seymour students. The Excellence in Early Childhood Education Award will be presented to Emily Rasmussen, a teacher at Highlands Elementary School in Appleton. Rasmussen has used her expertise in early childhood education to craft an inclusive learning experience for her students that speaks to each child’s individual development and needs. For more information or to view the awards presentations via YouTube Premiere at 6 p.m. April 29, visit foxcitieschamber.com.
Educators are counting on elected officials to act in the best interest of Wisconsin Public School students as they develop the 2021-23 state budget. That starts with listening to input from teachers, support professionals and families. Sign the Pledge for Our Students to show your commitment to public education in the state budget. You'll receive a Public School Advocate laptop sticker and important alerts about the state budget.
Are you a teacher, education support professional, school nurse, or counselor who cares about our children's futures in Wisconsin? Do you want a better public education system that works for your child, and all children? WEAC wants to hear about your experiences through their State Budget Video Project. They are filming safe, in-person stories for a docuseries to bring about a 2021-23 Wisconsin State Budget that supports public education and families. Together, we can make a better life and education system for everyone in Wisconsin. Stipends are available as a thank you for time spent helping us create this project. SIGN UP NOW
MAKING EARLY ENROLLMENT WORK FOR YOUR UNION
Potential members are now able to join their local association and pay nothing until September 2021 (receiving up to 5 months free)!

Early enrollment excludes representation for disciplinary issues, but it's a great opportunity for interested parties to learn more about who your local union is and what you're working on!

From April to May members who bring on Just One new member to their local will be entered for a chance to win one of up to 10 $50 gift cards! Below is information about the Just One Campaign! Contact your director for forms or questions about the join online feature!
Just One  
Campaign

A membership drive that utilizes early enrollment while rewarding current members for their organizing efforts! 




Shoutout to:
Random Lake EA
Marinette EA
Cedar Grove-Belgium EA
for bringing on new members!
We'll talk more about their wins in the weekly
Just One Campaign update email!

As we’ve all come to learn, sometimes it’s Just One person that can light the spark and move people in a new way. Region 3 is inviting locals to have a friendly competition and get “Just One” new member between April 1 and May 31, 2021. New members who join in April and May via Early Enrollment will pay nothing until September 2021 (receiving up to 5 months free). The members who recruit people will have a chance to win a $50 gift card.

Want to be part of the update emails and strengthen your union with the Just One Campaign? Fill out this FORM. 
We've Reached the Midpoint -Recertification Election for WTCS Locals

If you haven't already voted, you can still do so until noon on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

The following Region 3 WTCS locals are recertifying: FVTC ESPA, FVTC FA, Lakeshore EA, and NWTC ESS.

Voting online is quick and easy at www.aaaelections.org/WERC.
Here is a flowchart of the online voting process. (There is an option to vote by phone, but given past issues with that system, Region 3 recommends using the online voting process.)

As a reminder, certification with the WERC requires 51% or more of ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS to vote “YES” in favor of being represented by the Local Association & WEAC Region 3. 

Recertification elections are unique in that all eligible employees who do not vote are counted as “NO” votes. Therefore, encourage ALL of your co-workers to VOTE "YES".

Additional Recert Voting Information:
  • Your vote is secret.
  • Please do not vote prior to noon April 7.
  • The WERC will release the number of votes cast (not who or how) in each election at the mid-point of the voting period.
  • Voting "Yes" does not obligate anyone to become a member.
  • All employees in a bargaining unit vote, not just union members.
  • If you have questions about the election process, click here for FAQs on recertification.
  • If you have problems voting, call 1-800-529-5218 during the hours of 9 am to 5 pm Monday-Friday.
  • If you are still having problems please report the issue to Region 3 at 920-496-2440, 800-472-5582 or email Region3@weac.org.
WEAC Weekly
Webinar Wednesday

On Wednesday, April 28, be sure to register for Building Slides for Accessibility: Why and How. Explore best practices for digital-visual accessibility as you learn practical tools and strategies which can be implemented immediately and efficiently into your lessons. Google Slides is a focus tool, but the strategies apply broadly.

Registration HERE.

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 Region 3 Representative Assembly
May 8, 2021

The WEAC Region 3 RA will be held virtually Saturday, May 8. Delegates to the RA will be electing the following positions to the WR3 Executive Committee: Treasurer, Secretary, ESP Member-at-Large, and Zone Leaders. 

Please contact the WEAC Region 3 office if you have any questions at 920-496-2440, 800-472-5582 or email Region3@weac.org. 
2021 NEA Representative Assembly
June 30 - July 3, 2021

The 2021 NEA RA will again be held virtually the first week of July. 

Please visit the NEA RA page on the WEAC website for the latest information specific to Wisconsin Delegates - click HERE.
The NEA RA website has a page dedicated to delegate resources - click HERE.
Educator Employment Opportunity

The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is a nonprofit dedicated to identifying and developing the talents of academically advanced K-12 students around the world. They provide today’s brightest students with fun, challenging courses; a community of engaged learners; and a strong foundation for future success in college and their careers.

CTY’s distance learning programs, CTY Online and L.I.V.E, are gearing up for spring (April) and summer (June) sessions. As a result, they have multiple part-time (casual, similar to adjunct) positions. The roles include:

  • Academic Dean (begins in June)
  • Instructor and Instructor Supervisor
  • Program Assistant
  • Tutorial Assistant/Teaching Assistant

Over the past year, they have developed healthy and mutually fruitful relationships with educators and advocates all across the country. Their goal is to bring visibility to our members regarding current and future employment opportunities by partnering directly with us. Many of their casual staff members cited some of the following items, as reasons for working with CTY:

  • Working with some of the world’s brightest and most engaging children and adolescents
  • Flexible schedule
  • Flexible workspace due to being 100% remote
  • Supplemental income
  • Helping to build a vibrant living-learning community
  • Opportunities to work in a singular or multiple academic focus areas
  • Building long-lasting professional relationships with dedicated educators from around the world

Here's a link to the candidate interest form: https://centerfortalentedyouth.formstack.com/forms/allprograms. This form will provide you with more information and allow you to directly express your interest in working for CTY. 
Thank a Teacher
Teacher Appreciation Week is
May 3-7, 2021

Thank an educator for keeping learning on track during this extraordinary school year by posting a thank you note to a Wisconsin Public School teacher today. Your message will be shared across Wisconsin and your featured teacher may be selected for special recognition. Submit a thank you HERE.
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
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.