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The Connection
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
920-496-2440
800-472-5582
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WEAC Region 3’s Just One Campaign kicks off April 1! To help us continue to advocate for all educators, we are asking each local to sign up at least ONE NEW MEMBER between April 1 and May 31. New members who join in April and May via Early Enrollment will pay nothing until September 1, 2022 (receiving up to 5 months free). Each current member who signs up a new member will be entered to win one of up to ten $50 gift cards. For each additional member recruited, another entry will be submitted, increasing your chances to win.
Last year, the Just One Campaign resulted in 20 new Region 3 members with 18 participating Locals! So far, just two Locals have accepted our challenge, Seymour and Ashwaubenon. Don’t worry, there’s still time - add your Local to the list by signing up now!
As a union, we derive our power from our members. To build more power for those on the front lines of public education in Wisconsin, it’s essential that we build our membership. Many hands make for light work – join us in signing up Just One new member in your Local Association this Spring!
Erin Karsten
Regional Director
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Upcoming Events:
April 13, Wednesday, Region 3 Executive Committee Meeting, Follows 5PM WEAC Pre-RA
April 13, Wednesday, WEAC Pre-RA, 5PM
April 21, Thursday, NBCT, 5PM
April 30, Saturday, WEAC RA, Marriott Madison Hotel
May 14, Saturday, Region 3 RA, 10AM
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Voting will take place between noon on Friday, April 1, and noon on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
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.
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 1.
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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Here are the school board candidates recommended by the local unions in Region 3: |
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Appleton
- James Bowman
- James Bacon
- Jason Kolpack
- Pheng Thao
Ashwaubenon
- Michelle Garrigan
- Cassondra Pink
De Pere
- Adam Clayton
- Bob Mathews
- Mark Meneau
Green Bay
- James Lyerly
- Bryan Milz
- Laura Laitinen-Warren
Howard Suamico
- Teresa Ford
- Jason Potts
- Michael Moran
Kaukauna
- Chad Berken
- Kathy Breitzman
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Manitowoc
- Lisa Johnston
- Meredith Sauer
- Dave Nickels
Neenah
- Lauri Asbury
- Rocky Schafer
- Lydia Rhoads
New London
- Peter Bosquez
- Tina Ruckdashel
Pulaski
Seymour
- Tom Heins
- Paul Bucheger
- Lindsay Kraft
West De Pere
- Jamie Kinjerski
- Barbara VanDeurzen
- Scott Borley
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Educator Retention Bills Formally Introduced in Legislature
A package of bills aimed at addressing the massive staffing shortages in Wisconsin’s K-12 schools has been formally introduced in the state Legislature.
Our union collaborated with elected officials to bring forward the legislative solutions included in WEAC’s platform for solving the educator shortage. This legislative package supports maintaining our education workforce through treating educators as professionals once again. It includes establishing a minimum pay threshold to pay educators fairly. The package also creates mandated preparation periods, gives educators a voice on school boards, lessens the burden of student loans and more.
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Paid Organizer Positions
WEAC and Region 3 are looking for passionate union members to work on summer organizing projects. The goal of summer organizing is to welcome new hires to your district, get to know them and talk to them about why joining the union is important. Region 3 staff works closely with these individuals to teach them all about organizing membership drives.
The program will consist of a two-day training, July 20-21 and then continue for 6 weeks. The commitment is 20 hours a week with the Region 3 Directors working with the summer organizers to create a weekly schedule.
If you understand the importance and power of a strong union, and you love meeting new people, this is for you! You can learn more about the Region 3 summer organizing program and apply HERE.
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Tax Management Services
Tax Management Services will provide members and their families professional tax services, investments, and financial planning at an affordable cost throughout the year. For a 25% discount on professional tax preparation and planning services, contact: Michael Savolt, CPA, Tax Management Services, Inc., 828 Cherry St., Green Bay, 920-432-1985.
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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 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.
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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.
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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:
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April 30 - preliminary notice of nonrenewal
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May 15 - final notice of nonrenewal
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May 15 - issuing individual contracts
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June 15 - accept or reject individual contract
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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 .
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Next Region 3/GBEA National Board Support Session - April 21
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).
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The Green Bay Education Association is inviting you to a FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT webinar!!
The Professional Learning Committee is hosting Dr. Frida Rundell on Saturday, April 2 from 9-11AM. Please consider joining this virtual opportunity to learn more about resilience for caring professionals.
In this online seminar presented by IIRP Staff Member, Dr. Frida Rundell, participants will reflect on self-compassion and ways to ensure we are caring for ourselves without judgment in order to provide the best care to our students/clients. Through the lens of the Relational Care Ladder, participants will learn these strategies through an experiential based webinar. Come prepared to analyze your own stress level and increase your self-kindness.
Prof. Rundell has more than 50 years of experience working with children and families facing adversity, from youth with learning difficulties to those who are
homeless, disabled, delinquent or suffering from AIDS. She initiated and developed an undergraduate degree program for child-and youth-care professionals at Durban University of Technology, South Africa. She has also
worked with IIRP community-based programs.
Thanks to a NEA Grant received by the Professional Learning Committee, each participant (up to 50) will receive a gratitude journal and IIRP pen for personal use to continue implementing the strategies and ideas gained from this webinar.
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WEAC Region 3 is Hiring!
Are you passionate about strengthening your union?
Do you understand the importance of equity in Public Education?
If you answered "yes," you should think about applying to be a Uniserv Director at Region 3! Directors work with local unions to help them identify goals, create campaigns, build their membership, create Get-Out-the-Vote plans for elections and more. Every day is different and it truly is rewarding work. If you have questions, reach out to your director. You can read more HERE. Deadline to apply is 5PM on Friday, April 1. |
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WEAC Region 3 Representative Assembly
May 14, 2022
The WEAC Region 3 RA will be held Saturday, May 14. The RA will be held at the WR3 office, with the option to attend virtually via Zoom.
Delegates to the RA will be electing the following positions to the WR3 Executive Committee: President, Vice President, ESP Member-at-Large, and Zone Leaders. 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.
Local Presidents received an email from WEAC Region 3 on Thursday, March 10th regarding delegate registration. The deadline for registration of delegates is March 31. If your local did not receive this email, please email WEAC Region 3 at region3@weac.org.
Once Region 3 receives delegate certifications, a registration link will be emailed to all certified delegates.
Watch for more information in the coming weeks.
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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 received 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.
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Several elections will be held in conjunction with the WEAC Representative Assembly April 30 in Madison and online.
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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.
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ETF WEBINARS
To avoid connectivity issues during webinars, we highly recommend using Google Chrome as your web browser.
Additional Contributions
Looking to increase your WRS retirement? Learn how Additional Contributions can increase your WRS retirement benefit.
Wed, May 4, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Tue, May 10, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Thu, May 26, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Understanding Your Statement of Benefits
Your annual Statement of Benefits shows you the current state of your WRS account. Not sure about something on your statement? Watch this webinar with your statement in hand. We’ll walk you through each section.
Tue, April 12, 2022 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Wed, April 20, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Thu, April 28, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Tue, May 3, 2022 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Wed, May 11, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Preparing for Your Retirement
Planning to retire in the next 5 years? Then this webinar is for you. Learn about your WRS benefits and the retirement process.
Thu, April 14, 2022 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Tue, April 26, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thu, May 12, 2022 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wed, May 25, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wed, June 15, 2022 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Tue, June 28, 2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Annuity Options
When you get your retirement estimate, you’ll see that there are many options for receiving your retirement benefit. You can choose to receive the payment for your life or extend it beyond your life to your loved ones. The choice is yours.
Mon, April 4, 2022 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Wed, April 13, 2022 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Tue, April 26, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
WRS Retirement Benefit Calculation Methods
Have you requested a retirement estimate? Thinking about it? In this presentation we’ll discuss how we calculate your retirement benefit.
Tue, March 29, 2022 11:00 am – 11:30 am
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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.
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This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members |
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WEAC Region 3
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303.
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