Our Mission

The Washoe Education Association works to protect rights and due process for education professionals serving the Washoe County School District. We believe that the best possible working conditions are the best possible learning conditions for the children of Washoe County. It is our goal as an association to advocate for the members in the classroom, at the school site, and with the District, as well as at state and national levels.

Our Committment To You:

  • WEA is the only professional organization advocating for your rights.
  • WEA represents you during the development of the Negotiated Agreement
  • WEA gives you an avenue for receiving quick, confidential, impartial advice on professional matters
  • WEA keeps you up-to-date with effective and efficient communication
  • WEA offers programs, workshops and trainings to keep you current
  • WEA generates public and legislative support for your profession
  • WEA provides you with liability insurance
  • WEA provides you with discounts to community businesses

WEA Today Featured Articles and Current Events

Below are some articles featured in our April 2010 WEA Today. You can always click on the "WEA Today Issue Archives" button on the left-hand menu bar of this web page and read or print full issues from your personal computer. Click on an article to jump to it:

42nd NSEA Delegate Assembly Wrap-Up

by Ken Buhrmann

On April 24th and 25th, the 42nd annual NSEA Delegate Assembly convened at the Reno Peppermill. The theme of the Assembly this year was “COURAGE AND LEADERSHIP: That’s What Our Kids Need.” Our current economic crisis, education funding, and the upcoming primary and general elections took center stage. The agenda also included the nomination and election of state officers.

At 11:45 A.M., President Warne called the Assembly to order. The first major speaker for the day was Senator Harry Reid. Senator Reid spoke about the concerns of reauthorization of the Elementary Secondary Education Act (NCLB). A number of areas need to be reviewed and AYP needs to either be revised or go away. Senator Reid also suggested using Federal Funding for revitalization and construction of schools, thereby freeing up state and local funds for use in the classroom.

The rest of the afternoon was spent discussing bylaws and the 2010-2011 NSEA budget. A motion was made and passed by the assembly that froze NSEA dues for one year.

The final speaker of the afternoon session was Rory Reid, the NSEA endorsed candidate for Nevada governor. Candidate Reid spoke about his EDGE plan (Economic Development through Great Education) which will place more money into education, recognizing that the economic recovery of the state lies in an educated workforce. Reid stated many times, very forcefully, “I will NOT compromise on education.”

That evening, NSEA conducted its annual Awards Banquet, a wonderful evening of fine food and conversation with friends from all across the state. Mr. Jesse Gutierrez was the honored guest for the evening and received the NSEA 2010 Human and Civil Rights Award. Ms. Christena Fox of Clark County was presented with the Isaac Perez Outstanding Education Award for her work with the local youth of her community. Ms. Bo Yealy, President of ESEA in Clark County, received the Outstanding Achievement Award for her tireless work advocating for NSEA members. Ms. Sue Strand was the recipient of the Retired Achievement Award for her work on behalf of the retired membership of NESA-R. And finally, the Dedicated Educator Award was presented to Mr. Ken Buhrmann, President of WEA in recognition of his 43 years of service in public education.

On Sunday morning elections of NSEA officers were held. Lynn Warne ran unopposed and was elected to a second term of office by acclamation, Doug Bache was re-elected Vice President, and Natha Anderson was elected for a first term as the new NEA Director succeeding the outgoing Director, Ken Buhrmann.

Later Sunday morning, guest speaker Dennis Van Roekel, President of the National Education Association (NEA), 3.2 million members strong, the largest labor union in the US, spoke to the assembly. His very inspiring speech was well received by the assembly. “You can lay-off adults/teachers/ESP but that does not reduce the number of children/students in the classroom!” he stated. President Van Roekel also spoke about the Blueprint for Education plan and the reauthorization of ESEA/NCLB. NEA is in continuous talks with the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, working to iron-out many of the details and flaws that are found in ESEA.

The day ended with the introduction of seven New Business Items (NBI’s) to the assembly. NBI # 1, looking into “pod-casting” Delegate Assembly, and NBI#2, addressing awareness training on bullying in the workplace/classroom, were both passed. The rest of the NBI’s did not pass. Legislative NBI #1, addressing kindergarten readiness, and LNBI #2, editorial word change, were both passed as well.

So ended the 42nd NSEA Delegate Assembly. As you know, many important issues face educators in our state. The upcoming year is going to be very active and very important to all people working in education. Everyone needs to become involved, to be a voice for Nevada students and education in general. No one can afford to be silent and depend upon others to speak out for them. Be involved, be strong, be an advocate for your students and for yourself! Education needs you NOW!

Budgets and Legislatures: What Do They Have in Common?

by Elaine Lancaster

By now every school has had the budget presentation from the school district - if not you will soon. It is perfectly clear that if MAJOR changes are not made in the 2011 Legislature to reform our tax structure, not only education, but all services in Nevada will either cease to exist, or be severely impacted. Nevada has paid for at least four tax reform studies, which all pretty much say the same thing, so it isn’t that they don’t know what needs to be done. What they need is the will to do it!!

That’s where we come in! We need to, as a collective body, along with parents, elect friends of education who will have the where-with-all to go to Carson City and fix the problem. The NSEA, along with the WEA, has interviewed candidates and made their endorsement selections. It is essential that we work to get these people elected to represent us in Carson. The primary is June 8th. The WEA GR committee will be organizing activities to get folks elected. Please be willing to give your time and energy to this important endeavor. This may well be our last chance.

Assembly Races
AD24
David Bobzien
AD25
Robert Townsend
AD26
Michael Maupin
AD27
Teresa Benitez-Thompson
AD30
Debbie Smith
AD31
Richard "Skip" Daly
Senate Races
SD1
Sheila Leslie
SD2
Allison Edwards
State Races
Governor
Rory Reid
Lieutenant Governor
Brian Krolicki
State Treasurer
Kate Marshall
State Controller
Kim Wallin
State Attorney General
Catherine Cortez-Masto
Secretary of State
Ross Miller
Federal Races
U.S. Senate
Harry Reid

End of The Year Odds and ... well ... Ends

by Chuck Fletcher

Assignments for 2010-11

Before the end of the school year, employees who are not “newly employed or transferred” are expected to be notified of their assignments for the next school year. This includes programs, grades/subjects, and any special or unusual classes. The article in the Negotiated Agreement (Contract) is Article 26.1.1.

Overage Schedule
June 1st:
Overages at the school sites are to be identified, and the Needs List out to teachers so volunteers for overage can declare.
June 2nd:
Teachers who will appear on the overage lists will be notified of the openings. [Principals can visit overage teachers for a possible match.]
June 7th:
Teachers on Overage List must have their preference forms to Human Resources, and the Principals also must notify HR of their teacher preferences.
June 9th:
Last day of school.
June 14th:
Principals must submit their preference forms to HR.
June 15th:
Meeting to place Overage Teachers will be held at District Office. If a teacher and a principal are a “match” as indicated by their preference forms, this is approved. Other overage teachers will be assigned.
Looking for a Specific Job?

Changing “lanes” (e.g. special ed. to regular ed.) is not possible until after the Overage Teachers have been placed. This policy assures that there will be jobs for people and no one will get shut out because they were the licensed “odd man out.”

On June 22nd, unfilled positions will become available. Preference for these positions is to go to “one-year-only” teachers, and when accepted their jobs will be “standard contract” positions. This will also be the time when a teacher could change “lanes.” For these positions, make the principal aware that you are interested in a particular position, and check back occasionally. The principals are under no obligation during the summer if you don’t contact them.

Beginning of 2010-11

For “traditional” schedule employees, the Professional Development day will be Wednesday, August 25th . The Tuesday of that week and Voting day (Nov. 2, 2011) will be the furlough days. The modified schedule for MTYR and Green Track is still being worked out.