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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 February WEA Today newsletter. 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 computer. Click on an article to jump to it:

WEA WINS ARBITRATION!

On January 20th a decision was handed down by the arbitrator, Charles Askin. The award was in our favor!

AWARD

“Based on the District’s ability to pay and the Arbitrator’s consideration of normal criteria for interest arbitration disputes, it is concluded that the Association’s proposal is more reasonable than the District’s proposal in this impasse. Accordingly, there will be no change in the current salary schedule as of July 1, 2011. The contract will be extended through July 1, 2013, except that either party may reopen negotiations on salary only for FY 2012-2013.”

In his opinion, “it is undisputed that the District has the ability to pay for the Association’s proposal that the current salary schedule be retained for fiscal year 2011-2012. The District stipulated that it has the ability to pay, and the evidence in this record supports that stipulation.”

Much of the district’s case was based on the premise that if the other employee groups agreed to the cuts, it was the WEA’s obligation to do likewise. In the opinion of the arbitrator, “it cannot be seriously disputed that there are significant differences in the duties of WEA members (e.g. teaching classes of children at all levels) compared with professional and technical administrators, principals, police officers, and a wide variety of unrepresented employee classifications. There are likewise major differences in the education and licensing requirements to perform teaching, library, nursing, physical therapy, counseling, and other duties performed by members of this bargaining unit as compared with police officers’ education, administrators’ education, and principals’ education and licensing. Finally, and of particular pertinence to this wage dispute, there are significant differences in the salary schedules within the District for teachers as compared to administrators, principals, police offiers - indeed, most, if not all, of the other employee groups employed by the District.”

The WEA presented documentation that no other district in Nevada had asked for salary cuts (only freezes) and that in fact, some districts actually got raises. Mr. Askin agreed: “The District proposes that the salary of WEA members be reduced by 2.5% for two consecutive years, for a cumulative reduction of 5%, at a time when no other similarly-situated teacher unit has accepted such a significant reduction. On the contrary, during the same year(s) at issue herein, the evidence establishes that the ‘prevailing practice’ for the units most similarly situated to the WEA unit has been a freeze on salaries - the same proposal made by WEA in this case. In addition, the evidence shows that the adoption of the District’s proposal will have significant, adverse impact upon the comaprative ranking of WEA members among their peers.”

Through this entire proceeding, the district never disputed their ability to pay. Their focus was on the other employee groups and the financial future beyond the life of this contract. Our focus was the district’s ability to pay, and the fact that in the past all employee groups have not been treated the same. We also pointed out that just because those groups chose to settle before an ending fund balance and audit was established, that WEA should not be penalized for doing our job on behalf of our members.

If this salary cut had gone through, WCSD teachers would have fallen back to 2007 pay levels, people would have had to pay back the district for the first 6 months of the year. Over 1/3 of certified staff is at the end of the salary schedule, and the amount lost for them would have been $4,000.

There is a “reopener” clause in the decision that allows either party to re-open negotiations for salaries only, for the 12-13 school year. We will not be re-opening.

Role of the WEA Rep

by Chuck Fletcher, UniServ Director

Our building reps are extremely important to the functioning of the WEA or any labor organization, but for some workplace issues in Washoe County School District, WEA staff is whom you should call.

For instance, WEA recommends that for issues with Testing Violations, Evaluation issues, Track III, all disciplinary issues with an “Investigatory/Due Process” meeting, or issues involving the WCSD Police, your call should be to WEA at 828-9282. It is much better for WEA staff to be involved as early as possible in these situations.

WEA relies on building reps to share information, pass out informative literature, and be a resource for our members. However, they are very busy with teaching issues, but don’t have the training or expertise of the WEA staff.

Contract Corner: Personal Leave / Personal Business Leave / Leave of Absence

by Chuck Fletcher, UniServ Director

Sometimes you just need a day to take care of personal “stuff.” Personal Leave and Personal Business Leave are for this very purpose – but what’s the difference between the two? And what needs to be done?

Personal Leave shall be granted for two days each school year. One is granted unencumbered (with pay), and the second is deducted from accumulated sick leave. Personal Business Leave is granted for up to three days each school year; two days deducted from accumulated sick leave and the third with a substitute’s pay deduction.

What is the “reasonable notification” that the contract mentions? Basically this means that the district wants to know as soon as possible so that any necessary arrangements can be made, so notify your supervisor. And don’t forget to call AESOP for a substitute.

Do I have to tell my supervisor why I want the leave?

For Personal Leave you do not have to provide any explanation – it is “personal.” For Personal Business Leave, you do need to provide the general nature of the business to support that it cannot be done outside of school hours or that it will “not reflect adversely on the District.” The principal cannot deny either of these leaves as long as the request meets the guidelines.

For both Personal Leave and Personal Business Leave, “this leave shall not be granted during the first and last weeks of school unless approved by the principal/supervisor.” However, if the leave is to be used during the last week of school and you are enrolled in a class to be used for professional growth, then it will be accepted.

The other limitation for Personal Leave is that no more than 15% of a school’s staff (or the District-wide nursing staff) can use the same day – another reason to notify as soon as possible.

These days do not accumulate from one year to the next if unused. So, let’s recap: one day “free” – three days deducted from accumulated sick leave – one day with substitute pay deduction. Two days are “personal” – no reason need be given; three days are for “business” – requested because it can’t be taken care of outside of school.

The language for these leaves is in our “contract” which can be found on both the WEA website and the WCSD website. Personal Business Leave is article 21.6, and Personal Leave is 21.8.

Questions? Call 828-3022!

Extended Leaves of Absence

When wishing to apply for a Leave of Absence for an extended period of time (a year or more) the requests for that leave should happen by April 1, 2012. Leaves can be granted after that time by the Area Superintendent. This will allow returning to the same position.

Make a Date with History: Read!

by Janet Carnes, Teacher-Librarian

For 34 years librarians, teachers, students, administrators, and readers from all over northern Nevada come together in the middle of the winter to celebrate books, reading, and education. The Nevada Reading Week Conference enjoys a proud history of offering the best in keynote speakers such as Bill Martin, Jr., Sharon Draper, and Chris Crutcher. The workshops address a variety of topics with something for every grade level and interest. The food is always good and there are plenty of books to see and read. WEA has supported Nevada Reading Week (NRW) for over 20 years by sponsoring the bookmark contest.

A very patriotic t-shirt logo illustrates the 2012 NRW theme “Make A Date With History…READ.” This year’s keynote speakers include Carl Deuker, author of Runner, Teri Sloat, author/illustrator of One to One Hundred, Marc Tyler Nobleman, author of Boys of Steel, with a special guest appearance by John Archambault, co-author of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Workshop titles highlighting the theme include “Titanic to Moon,” “Every House a History,” “Nevada Barns,” and “Longboard to Olympics.” Of general interest are the workshops on “Parent Engagement,” “Reluctant Readers,” “Science Magic,” and the ever popular “Speed-Date-A-Vendor.” Some workshops have limited registration so everyone needs to sign up early to ensure admission to the desired sessions.

The conference starts at 4:15 on Friday, February 10th and continues on Saturday, February 11th from 8:00 to 5:15. Pre-registration cost, which includes one in-service credit, dinner, breakfast, lunch and snacks, is $75 and $90 after February 3rd. One UNR Extended Studies Credit is available for an additional $50. All the information is available on the NWR website, http://www.nevadareadingweek.com/index.html , including the complete program description and registration packet. For questions or concerns call Ellen Fockler, 742-0184 or Shirie Wallace, 682-5550 or e-mail Janet Carnes.

WEA Celebrates Nevada Reading Month with Annual Bookmark Contest

The Teachers & Community Together Committee of the Washoe Education Association would like to announce its annual bookmark contest. All schools are urged to participate by selecting one winner from each grade level and submitting the winning bookmarks to the WEA Office by Friday, February 17th. Judges will then select district-wide level winners (one for each grade level) and an overall Grand Prize Winner. In addition, we will have a category entitled “computer-generated.” These entries will be judged separately. WEA produces the Grand Prize-Winning Bookmark for distribution to students at the beginning of Nevada Reading Month: March 2012.

Each Grade Level Winner will receive a framed certificate with the student’s winning bookmark, a gift certificate from Barnes & Noble and a recognition celebration for his/her achievement with the class.

All entries must reflect this year’s theme: “Make a Date With History – Read!”

  • The bookmarks must be 2 ½” by 8 ½”.
  • The student’s name, grade level, teacher’s name and school name MUST be printed on the back of the bookmark.

REMEMBER: ONLY SUBMIT ONE ENTRY PER GRADE LEVEL, AND SUBMIT ALL ENTRIES BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH