April 16, 2021
Hello friends,

In the world of politics power is either comprised of organized people or organized money. Unions operate off budgets that are approved by union members and based off of membership dues. Unions have no other income, and they do not make a profit. If a union cannot organize and mobilize its membership it has no real political power. Our recommended candidate won the state superintendent’s race because educators texted and called one another to share why they were voting for Dr. Jill Underly.

Tomorrow morning, we are holding a workshop centered on learning to tell your story. It is our hope that we can shape the conversation around the budget with our stories as public educators. Register HERE. There will be more opportunities to come!
 
I understand why talking about the state budget does not bring a sense of overwhelming joy. Like a lot of Americans, I am also allergic to numbers. That coupled with the fact that many of our elected politicians do not always have the same values as us can leave us feeling less than optimistic.
 
As educators though, you know what the state budget means for your students, their families, and our communities. The last year has shown us just how important our schools are, they are one of the few remaining social safety nets. It is our job to show our elected officials what cuts to public education funding really mean.
 
Registration for tomorrow’s workshop is open through the morning and I urge you to attend and pinpoint what you would say if you had 2 minutes to make your case for funding for your classroom. How would you tell the story of the students, coworkers and families that are the faces behind all those numbers? 

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

April 17, Saturday
A workshop on budget activism, 9-11:00AM

April 20, Tuesday

April 22, Thursday

April 23-24, Friday-Saturday
WEAC RA

April 27, Tuesday

May 8, Saturday
Region 3 RA

May 12, Wednesday
WR3 Gathering, 4:30PM

May 12, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM
(Tentative)

June 9, Wednesday, Executive Committee Meeting, 6PM
Telling Your Education Story:
WEAC State Budget Workshop
Saturday, April 17, 9-11am
Join us for a hands-on workshop about provisions in the proposed state budget, including a measure to allow educators to negotiate with our employers in areas such as school safety and predictable, stable salary schedules.

This Zoom workshop will be from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 17.

The focus will be on a measure to allow educators to negotiate with employers in areas such as school safety and predictable, stable salary schedules. You’ll learn tips and tricks from experts about how to use your personal experience with students to convey the need for educator voice, increased funding for special education, rural schools and mental health, and more.

Leave with your story in hand to deliver to your legislators, along with skills you’ll use as you advocate for your students in the future.
WEAC's work to support the governor's state budget proposal puts educators at center-stage to explain why our students benefit under the plan. There are three more public hearings in April, and educators are encouraged to submit written testimony.
Encourage members to visit WEAC's Budget Resource Page to get familiar with the plan, which includes:

  • The right for educators to negotiate with our employers;
  • Two-thirds state funding for public schools, including additional aid for special education and mental health; and
  • A plan to study the deteriorating quality of educator health insurance.

Do you have a member who would be great in one of WEAC's video clips? Let them know! Stipends are available as a thank you for the investment of time.
On April 28 a virtual state budget hearing hosted by the Joint Finance Committee will be open to only the first 200 people who register online.

Registration will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 19, so you may want to save the sign-up link in your calendar.


Governor Evers visited WEAC Region 3 member Diana Vantassel’s Oral and Interpersonal Communications class on Wednesday, April 7 at New London High School. He had a discussion with students about mental health issues and how the pandemic has impacted their well being in the last year. Students shared with the governor how school programs such as Sources of Strength and other support systems have helped them meet the challenges they have faced. They also gave suggestions to improve mental health awareness in school and beyond. Governor Evers encouraged students to be leaders in promoting mental health in the future and emphasized that their generation was the one that could make a lasting impact.

Thanks to the New London Education Association, WEAC Region 3 and WEAC for helping arrange this important visit!
Next Virtual Gathering WEDNESDAY, May 12
Wednesday, May 12th at 4:30pm is the next Region 3 Virtual Gathering!

As always, the Virtual Gathering is a space to network with colleagues from around the region and ask questions to gain perspective.

We hope you'll join us!
Register HERE.
MAKING EARLY ENROLLMENT WORK FOR YOUR UNION
Beginning April 1st potential members are now able to join their local association and pay nothing until September 2021 (receiving up to 5 months free)!

This excludes representation, but it's still 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! 

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 to businesses (School House, Target, Starbucks, etc.).

Shoutout to Appleton Organizers who have brought on THREE NEW MEMBERS!
We'll talk more about their wins in the weekly
Just One Campaign update email!

Want to be part of the update emails and strengthen your union with the Just One Campaign? Fill out this FORM. 
Recertification Election for WTCS Locals
Voting will take place between noon on
Wednesday, April 7, and 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 21, be sure to register for Schoology Intermediate: Learn & Explore. Incorporating Schoology into BigBlueButton is about leveraging the features in Schoology and using them synchronously with BigBlueButton. Create guided opportunities for students to interact with Schoology as opposed to presenting new tasks as asynchronous and unguided work. While students interact with Schoology, the BigBlueButton session can be utilized as a help desk for students having trouble with navigating directions.

Registration HERE.
Added Dates/Times in April, May, June, and July for the "Preparing for Your Retirement" Webinar

Whether you are just beginning your career under the Wisconsin Retirement System or close to retirement, join ETF for this two-hour webinar. They will review benefit basics, Core and Variable Trust Funds and things to know and do to maximize your benefits as you move through your career. Those within five years of retirement will appreciate hearing about WRS annuity options, returning to work after you retire, post-retirement annuity adjustments and more. Questions are welcome and encouraged. Here's what's been heard from other participants:

  • "My participation in the webinar was a first for me, and I just want to compliment you on how easy it was to connect, follow along, and provide questions or requests. Excellent job!"
  • "Thanks for having these valuable webinars. The professional but conversational style helped me to understand the presentation as easily as an "in office" meeting. Really appreciate that the presenter fully understands the subject. Wonderful job."

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. 
WEAC Representative Assembly
April 23-24, 2021

The 2021 WEAC RA will be held virtually Friday, April 23, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and reconvene on Saturday, April 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Delegates will find all the information needed for the RA on WEAC's Representative Assembly page, including the agenda, candidate biographies, Constitution and Bylaw proposed amendments and more. Click HERE for more information.  
2021 NEA Representative Assembly
June 30 - July 3, 2021

The 2021 NEA RA will again be held virtually the first week of July. The deadline for reporting delegates is April 10.

All Local Presidents should have received a memo from NEA and an election form personalized with the local name and allocation data.

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.
If you did not receive your election form, please email Becky Bachman at WEAC bachmanb@weac.org.
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.