April 24, 2020
WEAC Region 3 represents public education employees in a large territory stretching from Florence to Port Washington,
and from Menominee to Washington Island.
Good News!
The educators who belong to the Freedom Education Association (FEA) have provided scholarships to deserving Freedom High School students for more than three decades. Over the years they’ve engaged in various fundraisers like the Crazy Color Fun Run to finance these scholarships. One favorite has been Higher Education Day, an idea that FEA got from the New London EA. For this fundraiser, staff make a donation to the scholarship fund and wear clothing or the colors from their alma mater or from the school their child or grandchild attends.

Not only has it been a great way to raise money, it’s been a great way to foster conversations about students’ plans for when their education in the Freedom Area School District (FASD) comes to an end. Conversations about universities, technical colleges, and apprenticeships all flow out of this day.

Unfortunately, this year they had to postpone the Color Run, but got creative and pulled off a virtual version of Higher Education Day by raising money for this year's scholarship in the process.

 
FEA President Mike Fogarty states "I know that we all miss our students, and our hearts go out to the class of 2020. We wish each of you nothing but the best in your futures; we know that you’re going to do great things."
WTCS Election Results

Congratulations to all WTCS locals in Region 3! All successfully recertified!

Click  here  for statewide results.
Region 3 Locals are Having Virtual Membership Meetings!
Some Locals are getting together to have virtual coffee or happy hour - just to say Hi!

Some Locals are conducting their annual Membership meeting online.

If your platform doesn't have the capacity you need, or you'd like some assistance, Region 3 Directors Dave, Kristin, and Kathy can help facilitate with Region 3's Zoom and Ring Central resources. Contact us for more info.
Join Early at No Extra Cost
When you become a member of your local association, WEAC and NEA,
by completing an early enrollment membership form, you pay nothing
until September 1 and immediately receive:

  • $1 million in coverage under the Educator Employment Liability (EEL) insurance to protect you if a student or parent sues you during the course of employment

  • Discounts and savings through NEA Member Benefits (www.neamb.com).


At the start of the school year, you will enjoy the full benefits of membership
including:

  • Representation through your local and region in employment disputes

  • Eligibility for assistance through the WEAC Legal Services Program in matters related to your employment

  • Access to the Attorney Referral Program that provides for two, free half-hour consultations with a participating attorney every year


BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
by contacting WEACRegion3@weac.org !

WEAC
NEA
Best Practices in Virtual Learning

Thursday, April 30th 4:00-5:00
FREE to WEAC Members


_________

Erin McCarthy, WI 2020 Teacher of the Year
Elizabeth Jones, Manager for Instructional
Excellence at FVTC
WEAC Region 3 RA

The decision was made at the April 8 WEAC Region 3 Executive Committee Meeting to hold this year's Region 3 RA virtually.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
10 AM - 1 PM

Presidents received information on March 30 regarding election of delegates. Please contact your local association president if interested in becoming a delegate. Once Region 3 receives delegate certifications, a registration link will be emailed to all certified delegates.

Please note that we have created a secure registration that requires a password for this important Representative Assembly. You must be an elected delegate and you must register, and then you will be sent login and password information to attend the virtual meeting.

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, 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 .
 
In order to be elected to one of these positions, nominees must be a local delegate (either the local president or their alternate, or elected by the local) or delegate-at-large to the WR3 RA.

Nominations can be made by any member. To nominate a member please submit their name, personal email address, local and indicate position for which they are being nominated HERE no later than Monday, May 4 th . Please include the name, personal email address, cellphone number, and local of the person making the nomination. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the RA, however, names received after May 4, or accepted from the floor, may not be included on the pre-printed ballot. All nominations are contingent upon acceptance by the nominee. 
WR3 Committees Looking for Members

WEAC Region 3 has three committees that are open to all members:

  • Legislative -- feed your political soul by helping plan events and member communication around elections and policy.
  • Organizing -- public relations, professional development, and member engagement is the focus -- bring your union activism to our table!
  • Budget -- if you like numbers and want to help plan where your dues dollars go, this is the place for you!

Committees meet 4-6 times a year. Participation available via video-conferencing!

Send inquiries and interest to our mailbox:  region3@weac.org
Student loan debt and the federal CARES Act
The federal CARES Act includes temporary relief for federal student loan borrowers. WEAC/NEA is here to help members figure out what this means to you and how to access relief. Read more .
You are Invited!
WR3's ALL-MEMBER
Weekly Virtual Gathering
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
4:30 - 5:30 pm

Please note that you need to PRE-Register for the meeting by clicking on the link above. Then an email will be sent to you with the login link.
We are doing our best to Zoombomb-proof our meeting!

Agenda:
1) Latest updates on school closings.
2) Time for sharing! What's going on in your area?


We look forward to SEEING you!
It's a good idea to log in a few minutes early
to get the audio and video working on your device.
Organizing Together Wisconsin 2020, partnering with WEAC/NEA, is offering workshops and calling events. Register by clicking on the headings below:

April 26, 2020
4-5 PM

Learn how to create and impart impactful messages to aid in recruiting other volunteers and talking to voters.

May 2-3
2:30-6:30 PM

Join OTW2020 to call voters across the state to educate them on Vote by Mail!

Region 3 has added a COVID-19 INFO tab at the top of our webpage: https://region3.weac.org/

Clicking on that tab gives you access to a Google Drive with all kinds of updated information. We have posted a document with links and resources, recordings of virtual gatherings, an Excel version of our survey data, and more.
WEAC
2020 WEAC Representative Assembly - Saturday, May 23 - Via Zoom Video Conference Call

T he 2020 WEAC Rep Assembly is being held via Zoom conference call on Saturday, May 23. The Zoom meeting will start at 10:00 a.m. The RA agenda and Standing Rules, along with other information, can be found at www.weac.org/ra . We will continue to post items as necessary. See the WEAC RA page for more information.
If you have a question about other meetings, check WEAC's webpage:
Keep Up to Date with the Latest Coronavirus News

Teacher Contract Renewal / Non-Renewal for 2020-21
Wisconsin State Statute 118.22 governs the renewal and NON-renewal of full-time teacher contracts

DEADLINES WILL NOT CHANGE BECAUSE OF SCHOOL CLOSINGS!
 
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
When you receive an individual contract for 2020-21, please send a copy to the Region 3 office. We are looking to see if Districts are including layoff language of any sort in the individual contract.

IF YOU DON'T RECEIVE A 2020-21 CONTRACT BY MAY 15, YOU SHOULD "SELF-RENEW"
Teachers can write a letter to the Board:
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 118.22(2), given that the District did not provide me with notice of renewal or refusal to renew my individual contract by May 15, my teaching contract now in force is to continue for the ensuing school year. I hereby accept the renewal of my 2019-20 individual contract for the 2020-21 school year.  
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 Thursday,  April 30, 2020.  This timeline applies regardless of the reason for non-renewal, e.g., 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 30.

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!

Other important deadlines:
May 15th:  all teachers should receive a continuing contract for 2020-21.
June 15th:  all teachers must sign and return 2020-21 contracts.
COVID-19 Financial Updates from WEA Member Benefits

Read up on CARES Act provisions that may affect you and learn about new tax and IRA deadlines. And visit our website for more information on the impact of COVID-19 and your finances.  Get the latest financial updates .
Early enrollment forms are now available for your local. This program allows people to become members now and start paying dues in the fall of next school year. Right now people are realizing how important it is to have the sense of security and community that the union provides. Since we are all trapped at home, social media is a great way to get that message out there!

Some locals are making selfie videos of “why I'm a union member” and they’ve been really fun. It’s an opportunity to show ourselves as our whole self with our kids and pets. They then use these videos on their public Facebook page or Instagram account to talk about the early enrollment program. It’s been effective! Please contact me at LytieK@WEAC.org if you would like to create a social media plan for your local. I feel like we will look back on this as a pivotal moment that brought us all closer together--so let's make it happen!

Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3