Last week was big for educators in Snoqualmie Valley. We approved revisions to our SVEA Constitution & Bylaws, it was the last week of the statewide mask mandate, and the Washington State Legislature wrapped up the 2022 session. Each of these will impact our work as we finish out the school year and think toward the future.

Constitution & Bylaws Revisions Approved
With 217 voting YES, 2 voting NO, and 9 ABSTAINING, our membership approved updates to our Constitution & Bylaws proposed by our SVEA Executive Board. These changes will improve our structure and make our union more responsive to all members. These revisions:

• Expand our Executive Board to include elected VPs for elementary, secondary, and student services members,
• Allow our Representative Council to set stipends for positions and require those who receive stipends to fulfill their duties,
• Move elections to later in the school year with nominations being closed at the March Representative Council meeting, and
• Clarify association/building representation at large schools like MSHS, smaller schools like TRS and PPP, and member groups such as ESAs and special education teachers.

You can view our revised proposed Constitution & Bylaws here. 

SVEA Officer Elections Ahead
With our Constitution & Bylaws revisions approved, we now move ahead with election for several of our SVEA leadership positions. No matter your level of previous involvement or experience, these are all fantastic opportunities to amplify your voice and impact in our schools. Reach out with any questions or a nomination: nate@sveaunion.org. We will run nominations and elections for the positions listed below.

• President, term is two (2) years starting July 1, 2022
• Secondary Vice-President, term is one (1) year starting July 1, 2022
• Student Services Vice-President, term is one (1) year starting July 1, 2022
• Secretary, term is two (2) years starting July 1, 2022
• Diversity Representative, term is two (2) years starting July 1, 2022

Note: The position of Elementary VP will be open in 2023. Since our current SVEA VP, Amy Jones, works in an elementary position and was elected as VP in 2021, she will continue in the role of Elementary VP until her two-year term ends on June 30, 2023.

• NOMINATIONS: Nominations open 03/14/2022 at 7:00 a.m. (PT) and close 03/21/2022 at 4:30 p.m. (PT). All nominations must be made by Snoqualmie Valley Education Association members in good standing. A nominee needs to consent to their nomination and be a member in good standing to be eligible for any position. Nominations may be submitted by email to Nate Ziemkowski at nate@sveaunion.org or at the Representative Council Meeting, March 21, 2022, 4:30 PM on Zoom.
• ELECTION: The election of Snoqualmie Valley Education Association officers shall be by secret-ballot vote. The election for all open positions will be held electronically beginning 04/18/2022 at 7:00 a.m. (PT) and ending 04/22/2022 at 4:00 p.m. (PT). Only eligible members of the Snoqualmie Valley Education Association may vote for SVEA officers. All voting requires you having access to your home email address of record with SVEA.
• RUN-OFF ELECTION (if necessary): In the event no candidate for officer in a contested election receives the necessary number of votes, a run-off election will be held between the two (2) candidates receiving the most votes. If necessary, the run-off election will be held electronically beginning 05/16/2022 at 7:00 a.m. (PT) and ending 05/20/2022 at 4:00 p.m. (PT).

A paper notification of the election will be sent to your home address. Association elections must comply with a federal law called the Landrum Griffin Act. Currently the law is not being interpreted to allow electronic notice of nominations and elections in Association publications. We apologize for the paper and postage used in this notice, but we need to follow the federal law. 

School Without a Mask Mandate
As always, we continue to be united in supporting high-quality, equitable teaching and learning for our students in schools that have COVID precautions that make sense for the current hospitalization rates. Throughout this pandemic we've been committed to supporting public health experts’ advice. That continues to be the case. Please know that we will be here for you to address any possible challenges that will come from this change. Together in our union, we continue to raise our voices for more behavioral and mental health supports for our students, COLAs for recruitment and retention, and more sustainable and equitable school funding.

• CIVILITY: Some students and educators will have to or choose to wear masks and we need to ensure they are free to do so in their buildings without facing discrimination or harassment. The same is true for those students and educators choosing not to wear a mask.
• SUPPORT STUDENTS: We still have a huge unaddressed mental-health crisis in our schools. We’ve called on the Legislature to increase nurse, social worker, psychologist and counselor staffing. Our educator voices make an impact.

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Legislative Impacts
We're fortunate to have WEA advocating on our behalf in Olympia while we're in busy in our Snoqualmie Valley schools. Through WEA and WEA-PAC, we spoke out for what our students, our professions, and our schools and colleges need, and lawmakers listened. It has made a big difference.

• COLA: When lawmakers considered funding a smaller inflationary COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), WEA members sent more than 15,000 emails to let them know that we need our pay to keep up with inflation. By taking action together we won more money for our COLA.  K-12 funding will include a 5.5% COLA. The amounts are for all employees in these systems and are calculated based on funding provided by the state. This additional state funding must be negotiated locally, but fortunately our 2020-23 CBA (Section 21.2.5.3) ensures that this COLA will make it's way into our paychecks.
• STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH: From before Day 1 of this session, WEA members knew we needed to act to provide our students with more student physical, mental and behavioral supports.  We ran a public campaign at the beginning of session and 67 educators shared their compelling stories with legislators.  The Legislature heard us, changed the K-12 funding formula, and budgeted $91 million more  to increase nurse, social worker, counselor and psychologist staffing so when our students need help we have more resources for them.
• MOVING FORWARD: These huge accomplishments are only possible because WEA-PAC  is a strong non-partisan voice to elect pro-labor, pro-education candidates. It makes a difference when our lawmakers understand the importance of public education and supporting educators.  Now is a great time to join educators from across the state in WEA-PAC or to increase your contribution.

You can always can find more specifics on the WEA Advocacy blog.

The volume and pace of information and change over the last month has been overwhelming. During this time, your SVEA and WEA representatives have been busy representing educator and student interests as we sort through this unprecedented situation together. We, along with our labor partners at PSE and SVASA, are in ongoing discussions with SVSD administration to protect your interests. This includes, but is not limited to:

• ensuring no loss of pay,
• continuation of benefits,
• minimizing the need for higher risk members to deplete sick leave,
• working conditions during the transition to remote learning, and
• member health and well-being.

We've made progress on many of these issues and our Representative Council has approved two MOAs: MOA Regarding COVID-19 Impacts and MOA Regarding Rescinding Resignations. You can learn more about these agreements and our collaborative work with the district by joining one of our Zoom Member Meetings this afternoon (4/10) or reading more below.

Your health and safety, that of our families, students and community is of utmost importance, so please, do take good care. -Nate

Zoom Member Meetings
Please join us this afternoon for one of our member Zoom meetings for an update and to ask questions (using the chat feature). Our elementary, secondary, and student services leads will be present to answer questions and gather input. We hope you'll join us if you're available.

MOA Regarding COVID-19 Impacts
This agreement, approved by our Representative Council on Monday, 4/6 addresses many of our interests.

• Ensuring No Loss of Pay: Washington State has assured districts that they will continue to fund schools as usual which allows the district to continue to provide SVEA members their regular pay. Second semester class size overload compensation will be paid.
• Continuation of Benefits: Health benefits will not be impacted by the school closure.
• Higher Risk Members: SVEA has negotiated Pandemic Health Leave to support members at higher risk who are unable to meet the expectations for their position. 
• Remote Learning: SVEA teams at each level have been in ongoing collaboration with administration to facilitate our transition to remote learning according to OSPI guidance. While there have been missteps and miscommunication, SVEA is committed to bringing members’ voices to the table. The feedback we’ve received from members has been essential. Employees will use sound professional judgment to accomplish this work and will communicate with their supervisors/administrators regarding any clarifications needed for this work. Read more below about the work of our elementary, secondary, and student services teams. 
  • Technology: Employees are not required to use their personal devices for work assignments. The District will make reasonable efforts to provide employees with the technology required to perform remote work. Technology may include, but is not limited to voice/video accessibility, laptop, and wifi hotspot. Lack of access to technology shall not negatively impact an employee’s evaluation or be used as the basis for discipline.
  • Professional Boundaries: Employees will follow District guidelines and policies related to communicating with students. Guidelines will be developed collaboratively between the District and Association. Relevant District policies include, but are not limited to:
    • Maintaining Professional Staff/Student Boundaries (5253 policy/procedure)
    • Electronic Resources and Internet Safety (2022 procedure)
    • Social Networking Guidelines for Staff
  • Member Protection: Students committing offenses such as, but not limited to, harassing or inappropriate e-mail messages, websites, false electronic text messages or other technological misconduct that threatens the safety and/or reputation of certificated staff may be disciplined in accordance with RCW 9.61.260 and District policies.
• Member Health and Well-Being:
  • Physical Health: All SVEA members are able to work remotely to reduce exposure to the virus and prevent further spread. Pandemic Health Leave is available in the event a member tests positive for COVID-19.
  • Flexibility: We've attempted to provide educators with as much flexibility as possible. 
    • Employee work hours may be flexible during this closure, but generally employees will check email and be available for phone calls and virtual meetings during their regular work hours on normally calendared work days during this crisis.
    • Employees will be given at least twenty-four (24) hours advance notice of a required meeting. 
    • Expectations for the following week will be communicated to employees no later than the Friday prior.

MOA Regarding Rescinding Resignations
This agreement, approved by our Representative Council on Monday, 4/6 addresses the financial well-being of our members who planned to resign, retire, or take a leave of absence during the 2020-21 school year. While these requests would typically be denied, SVEA/SVSD have reached a compromise that gives members flexibility without impacting the district's ability to fill open positions.

For those who submitted a resignation, retirement of leave of absence request for the 2020-21 school year prior on or before March 13, 2020: The District will make every effort to accommodate a request for rescinding a resignation, retirement or leave absence that is received in Human Resources by close of business on April 30, 2020.

• For positions where a replacement has not yet been hired, the employee will remain in their current school, subject to the normal provisions of the CBA regarding involuntary transfers and/or assignments.
• For positions where a replacement has been hired, the employee requesting to rescind their resignation, retirement or leave absence will be placed in the next open position for which they are qualified.

During salary negotiations in the summer of 2018, the SVEA/SVSD bargaining team extended the current collective bargaining agreement an additional year, through August 2020, and identified several issues to examine during the 2018-19 school year using the Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) process. These topics include:

• Considering the addition of extra days to provide for more time to improve professional development and collaboration
• Addressing special education and ESA staff caseloads and workloads
• Two additional non-monetary issues to be identified by SVEA members

​The SVEA/SVSD bargaining team is composed of district and association members representing a variety of schools and positions within the district. Team members, in alphabetical order, are: Lynn Bradwell (CKMS Teacher & SVEA Treasurer), Joe Baginski) MSHS Teacher), Ginger Callison (Associate Director of Secondary Education), Jeff Hogan (Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Technology), Amy Jones, (FCES/TRES Instructional Coach & SVEA VP), Rob Manahan (Superintendent), Tony Manjarrez (CKMS Teacher), Michael Ruiz​ (WEA-Sammamish Council Staff), Dan Schlotfeldt (Executive Director of Teaching and Learning), Stephanie Shepherd (NBES Principal), Ryan Stokes (Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations), Nate Ziemkowski (SES Teacher & SVEA President). At times, the team may work with a facilitator from the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) and be joined by observers from the school board or other SVSD unions.

The SVEA/SVSD bargaining team met on the evening of January 9 with a facilitator from PERC to refocus on the Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) process and identify their tasks for the upcoming months. The team worked to enhance their understanding of IBB, examine individual working styles, strengthen relationships, reaffirm group norms, and consider the timeline for bargaining. Work began on the topic of professional development and the following issue statement was drafted: How do we improve our current professional development and collaboration model and how do we allocate the necessary time to accomplish our goals? As the session ended, team members began the process of sharing educator and district interests related to this issue. Additional dates and times are being scheduled.

The SVEA/SVSD bargaining team is looking forward to the work ahead and are committed to approaching these tasks in a collaborative, positive manner in order to provide students and educators with an improved learning and working environment.

As of Wednesday evening, August 22, a conceptual agreement between the Snoqualmie Valley Education Association (SVEA) and the Snoqualmie Valley School District (SVSD) has been reached around new compensation parameters. The bargaining team will share some information at the general membership meeting on Thursday; however, specific details still need to be worked out. It is important that we have additional time to finalize the salary schedule and contract language before bringing forward a tentative agreement. The bargaining team thanks all members for their patience and support during this process. We look forward to seeing all of you at the general membership meeting tomorrow, 8/23 at 11AM. There will be an additional general membership meeting Tuesday, 8/28 at 4:30PM to vote on a tentative agreement.

No need to wear red tomorrow or rally at the school board meeting.

Dear Fellow SVEA members,
 
It is with great excitement that I share with you the  2018-2019 SVEA  Executive Board. Congratulations Nate and Jen on your election!

• Nate Ziemkowski: President (2nd Grade @ SES)
• Amy Jones: Vice President (Elementary Instructional Coach @ TRES/FCES)
• Jen Gose: Secretary (4th Grade @ CVES )
• Lynn Bradwell: Treasurer  (Math teacher @CKMS) 

I know I am leaving you in very capable hands as I head into retirement in July. It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as your President for the last 6 years and an Exec Board member for the last 12.    
 
In the Spring of 2019, SVEA will have an election for Vice President and Treasurer. Be thinking ahead, if you want to get involved. 
 
Lisa J Radmer
SVEA President

SVEA is a member-driven, democratically governed organization. The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary who are elected for two year terms. An election for the officers of President and Secretary will be held March of the even numbered years and the election for the offices of Vice-President and Treasurer will be held March of odd numbered years. This year, we are choosing our union’s President and Secretary.

Ballots will be distributed on Tuesday, March 20 and must be returned to your building representative by Thursday, March 22 at 4PM. If you have not received a ballot by Wednesday, March 21, please contact your building representative.

President: "The president shall: preside at all official meetings and shall perform such duties as are customarily associated with the office, appoint and/or discharge all committee members with the approval of the Executive Board (and/or Representative Council) and serve as an ex-officio member of all committees or designate someone to do so, charge committees with their duties, and represent the Association at meetings with school district management."

Candidate: Nate Ziemkowski
"This is my 11th year teaching second grade at Snoqualmie Elementary. I first became involved in SVEA as a building representative about 7 years ago. After seeing how our union was able to make improvements for members and students during our 2013 negotiations, I decided to get more involved. I’ve been our secretary since 2014, served on our bargaining team, represented SVEA members as a delegate to WEA Representative Assembly, and sat on the statewide WEA-PAC board. I’m proud of the gains we’ve made during this time, but we still have much work to do in terms of compensation, benefits, class size/caseloads, student supports, and giving educators a say in the direction of our schools. I'd appreciate the opportunity to serve as your SVEA president."

Secretary: "The secretary shall: handle all correspondence for the Association, notify the appropriate members as to the time and place of the Executive Board, Representative Council and membership meetings within the time limits set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws, keep accurate minutes of all Executive Board, Representative Council and membership meetings, distribute copies of Executive Board minutes to Executive Board members following meetings, distribute minutes of general membership meetings to all members within thirty (30) days following meetings and distribute minutes of the Representative Council meetings to Representative Council members within the thirty (30) days following meetings, maintain the records, files and membership records of the Association, and distribute copies of all proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws."

Candidate: Jen Gose
"This is my fourth year teaching at Cascade View. I am currently teaching 4th grade. This is my second year as a building rep for CVES. I believe that we are better educators when we support each other, not only in our classroom practices, but also in our professional futures. I want to be part of the movement to preserve teaching as a noble profession, where educators can provide security for their own families. I would be honored to serve as your SVEA secretary.”

Congratulations to these 15 SVEA members who took next step as educators by earning Nation Board Certification.

• Mary Allinger, MSHS
• Jennifer Christensen, TFMS
• Alexandra Clark, Parent Partnership Program
• Lindsey Elgammal, MSHS
• Wendy Harrison, OES
• Jennifer Holloway, MSHS
• Haley Isaacs, MSHS
• Emily Larson, CVES
• William Leather, MSHS
• Victoria Miller, SES
• Rebecca Rice, TRES
• Leslie Seelye, MSHS
• Katharine Sharkey, SES
• Matthew Wenman, MSHS
• Shannon Wenman, MSHS

These educators will be honored at the upcoming March 22 School Board meeting. Please join us at 6:30PM at Snoqualmie City Hall to celebrate their accomplishments. Your SVEA sisters and brothers are proud of you! #unionproud