March 4, 2022
MEMBERSHIP EDITION, Vol. 6, #7
Hello friends,

The Region 3 Roundtable earlier this week was a space for local unions to share what their districts are proposing for this year's CPI negotiations. We were excited to hear that districts have begun to follow suit after Oshkosh and have committed to the full 4.7%.

Now is the perfect time to start collecting data. What does the district's Fund 10 look like? Is there a referendum on the ballot? You can request salary information from the district to begin to investigate further. These are all things your director can help your union leadership committee do. If your local union isn't active on these issues but you want to be, reach out to us! You may be just one person, but chances are your coworkers will be interested in learning more.

We have to stay connected to lift each other up and understand what hidden costs and challenges might be as changes to health care packages or other benefits roll out.

Please fill out the Region 3 CPI information survey here with what's happening in your district so everyone can stay up to date.

In response to the statewide educator shortage, WEAC launched the Teaching Is a Profession Package. WEAC is advocating for a starting salary for educators that is not below a state legislature's salary, paid prep time, a $15k bump at 10 years with a master's degree, educator representation on school boards and more! Take a moment to thank the legislators that are supporting us here.

Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
Upcoming Events:

March 9, Wednesday, Zone A Meeting, 4:30PM
 
March 17, Thursday, NBCT, 5PM

March 19, Saturday, Bridging Race, Class and Gender and Examining Implicit Bias, 10am at Region 3
 
April 7, Thursday, Just One Campaign Kickoff, 4:30PM
 
April 12 ,Tuesday, Zone B Meeting, 6PM
 
April 13, Wednesday, Region 3 Executive Committee Meeting, Follows 5PM WEAC Pre-RA
 
April 13, Wednesday, WEAC Pre-RA, 5PM

April 25, Monday, Organizing Committee Meeting, 5PM
 
April 30, Saturday, WEAC RA, Marriott Madison Hotel
 
May 14, Saturday, Region 3 RA, 10AM
The Ten Minute Meeting
You have an opportunity to keep members in the loop AND respect their time by holding 10-minute meetings! It's also a great time to get feedback from people in the building.

Get out there and BE VISIBLE!

How can we have 10-minute meetings? Facebook live, Google hangouts, Zoom, after-school ...
The March 10-Minute Meeting topic:

Prepping for Negotiations

CPI is 4.7% and a lot of districts have discussed making that a reality but some have stood firm saying that they don't have the money. The ten-minute meeting is a perfect place for members to discuss what's next. Have you reviewed the Fund 10 to see what the district has in savings? I bet your members would love to know. If the district cannot afford the 4.7%, what other things could the district do to improve everyone's workday? Is it prep time? The ability to accrue more sick time? The 10-minute meeting is a good spot to start planning your campaign. As always, your director is available to help you figure out your fund balances and more!
WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS IN FEBRUARY

19!

We're stronger
every day!
Region 3 is taking nominations for Executive Committee positions:
 
Delegates to the WEAC Region 3 RA will be electing the following positions to the WR3 Executive Committee: 
 
  • Officer positions for two-year terms: President and Vice President
  • At-large position for one-year term: ESP Member-at-Large
  • Zone Leaders for one-year term: Zones A, B, C, D North, D South, E, F.
 
To determine which Zone your local is in, please click HERE. To view the duties of each, please click HERE.
 
In order to be elected to one of these positions, nominees must be a local delegate to the WR3 RA. 

Send nominations to region3@weac.org.
Campaign Kickoff
 
Through the Just One campaign last year, we were able to quadruple the number of new members we normally recruit with Early Enrollment! Given it's success, we are continuing this program starting April 1st of this year. We will have a training available to members who want to participate in the program and learn how to strengthen their union. Our training will be Thursday, April 7th at 4:30. Register HERE.
 
Members who successfully recruit new members through Early Enrollment will be entered to win up to ten $50 gift cards. Participants will receive weekly email updates containing wins and best practices from around the Region! 
Wisconsin Lifetime License Background Check

Wis. Admin Code s. PI 34.041 requires educators who hold a valid Lifetime license to submit a request to the department to have a new background check conducted and to confirm employment status at least once every five years. The request shall be made between January 1 and June 30 of the fifth year since the individual's last background check.  If your most recent background check was in 2017, you are due to submit an application to DPI in order to maintain your Lifetime license.  You must submit this application to DPI by June 30, 2022, to maintain your Lifetime license.  
 
Follow the Application Directions for Background Check to Maintain Lifetime License to submit your background check 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 2022-23 school year, the school board must notify with a preliminary notice of non-renewal on OR before April 30, 2022.  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
Next Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Session - March 17
 
WEAC, Region 3 and GBEA have organized ongoing monthly National Board Support for the 2021-2022 cycle. Sessions will be held in person at the WEAC Region 3 office but with a virtual option and facilitated by Sarah Johnston (Marinette) and Ellie Hinz-Radue (Green Bay).
 
March 19, 10AM @ the Region 3 Office - Bridging Race, Class and Gender and Examining Implicit Bias
 
Participants will reflect on their own biases, explore asset-based and deficit-based perspectives and how they affect educators’ actions toward families, and explore strategies to increase student engagement and academic expectations while decreasing discipline issues. Please register at Bridging Race, Class, Gender and Examining Implicit Bias - Wisconsin Education Association Council (weac.org). A complimentary lunch will be provided and door prizes will be awarded. 

WEA Academy and Families & Schools Together Institute partner for this series of virtual and in-person workshops for educators to explore proven strategies that create a welcoming environment for families of all racial, cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Register for the sessions you are interested in - they are all FREE for WEAC members. REGISTER HERE

Rural school educators and our local unions have unique experiences and needs. WEAC brings us together to keep our rural schools strong and be sure all students have the best teachers and resources. Join us for our next Zoom meeting, 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 8. REGISTER HERE
WEAC Webinar Wednesday

On Wednesday, April 6, be sure to register for Multi-Sensory Learning Using Arts Integration. When students are exposed to the same content in different subjects and through multiple senses, they are able to make connections across the disciplines. Participants will see examples of cross-curricular lessons that incorporate science, writing, social studies, music, and visual arts.

Register HERE.
 
The WEAC Representative Assembly will be held April 30, with a virtual or in-person option. The in-person meeting will be in Madison. With two options to participate, local associations are encouraged to send delegates to help shape the future of our union.
Local presidents will receive emails to report delegates in early March. The deadline for delegates to register is April 20. 
The NEA Representative Assembly is July 2-6 in Chicago, with in-person and virtual options. 
 
 
 
Several elections will be held in conjunction with the WEAC Representative Assembly April 30 in Madison and online.
 
 
Check with your municipal clerk for specific dates and times for registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot, in-person early voting, and election day voting.

Spring Elections Are
Right Around the Corner!
 
Help elect the candidates for local school boards who will fight for healthy, safe, and well-funded public schools and the educators that make those schools great!
 
 
And if you really like politics . .

The Region 3 Legislative Committee has openings for a Committee Chair and Committee Members.
 
As public employees, Region 3 members are tremendously impacted by politics, the political process, and the decisions made by legislators, legislatures, and school boards. If you are looking for a way to contribute to Region 3, the Legislative Committee needs your passion, experience, and knowledge to formulate plans, identify priorities, and generate a sustainable voice for members in the political process.
 
The Committee generally meets a couple times each year with at least a virtual option. For in-person meetings, food and mileage reimbursement will be provided. If interested email Region 3.

Elected officials must hear from their constituents so they know whether or not they are representing you, says Education Support Professional Gail Kablau in the latest Let's Talk blog for ESPs. If we don’t speak up, legislative proposals that harm students, educators and public schools will continue to be advanced. Find out what you can do to speak up now and protect our public schools. READ MORE 
If you have recently moved, gotten a new phone number or email address, changed schools or banking information, please contact Region 3 staff assistant Debbie Armitage or Sue Clauss. They will be able to make any changes to your records. This information helps us ensure that we are able to stay connected with you.
 
They can both be reached by phone at 920-496-2440. 
 
Debbie can be reached through email at ArmitageD@WEAC.org. 
 
Sue can be reached at ClaussS@weac.org.
This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members