March 5, 2014
Dear FWEA Members,
My interest in our professional organization was sparked several years ago as I witnessed teachers from across Indiana gather in Indianapolis to advocate for what we do each day. The collective voices of those public school teachers energized me to become more passionate about the job I perform and all that surrounds it. Today marks my first official day as your FWEA President. I promise to continue to passionately advocate for our profession and the commitment you make to our students each day.
As I begin this term, numerous questions and concerns have been shared about the June workdays. Over the past two weeks former President Al Jacquay, UniServ Director Angela Miller, and I have immersed ourselves in the calendar and contract language. We regularly followed up with requests to and from the FWCS administration, and then went back to our figures. ISTA Legal Counsel, Eric Hylton, was brought in to assist us in Indiana State code and expectations, as well as the legality of the days/hours we were required to work.
On Tuesday, March 4, a delegation of seven FWEA teachers and our UniServ Director traveled to Indianapolis to lobby at the Statehouse. We were personally invited to join Supt. Glenda Ritz in her office. Obviously, the subject of makeup days and our concerns were the main topic of discussion. Superintendent Ritz emphasized the requirement of the days we must complete, both for our students AND as the educators. She spoke of what was waived, and what we MUST fulfill, stressing the days for which we have already been paid. Her message was consistent with our legal counsel, FWCS, and our own final conclusion.
If Supt. Ritz had not waived two student instructional days and offered flexible options for FWCS to consider regarding making up the missed days, the last day with students would have been June 16th and FWCS teachers’ last day would have been June 19th. State law requires that teachers are paid for snow days, but also requires teachers to work the missed semester-end work days. FWCS could also insist that teachers work another additional day for the 2 missed nights of parent-teacher conferences, but have agreed not to require that.
This winter has been extremely outrageous. The flexibility teachers are known for has been challenged many times over. I expect that this season’s experience will be part of the discussion in upcoming calendar meetings, as well as contract negotiations. Please remember that YOU are the Fort Wayne Education Association! This means that you are able to be involved and be one of the collective voices for what happens in our profession. Please join us as we continue to work to be a proactive professional organization!
Please feel free to call, visit, or email me throughout the year. I plan to visit as many schools as possible before the end of this school year. I look forward to meeting with you and your colleagues.
Sincerely,
Julie Hyndman, President
Fort Wayne Education Association
Juliefwea@gmail.com
(260)704-4793
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