The Fort Wayne Education Association is sponsoring a bus trip to Downtown Chicago on Dec. 5th. The bus will leave at 6 a.m. and return at 10 p.m. There are still seats available, but they must be reserved by October 23rd.
Please contact FWEA President Julie Dickey Hyndman if you are interested.
Showing posts with label FWEA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FWEA. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Site Update
The FWEA Experience Online has several updated files.
Calendars and Schedules - The following files have been updated:
Important FWEA Documents - The following files have been updated:
Member Information - The following files have been updated:
These files may also be found under their respective titles in the right-hand column of this blog.
Also note: Click here for FWEA/ISTA Uniserv office new address and phones.
Calendars and Schedules - The following files have been updated:
Important FWEA Documents - The following files have been updated:
Member Information - The following files have been updated:
- 2014-2015 Building Reps and Alternates
- 2013-2015 Executive Board Officers
- 2014-2015 Dues Information
These files may also be found under their respective titles in the right-hand column of this blog.
Also note: Click here for FWEA/ISTA Uniserv office new address and phones.
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Wednesday, March 5, 2014
An Open Letter to FWEA Members from President Julie Hyndman
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
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
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Al's Farewell Letter
Dear FWCS Teachers,
I want to personally thank you for and all that you do for FWCS and your students. Not a day goes by that you don't always put your students first. Despite the attacks on the teaching profession and public schools, you continue to fight back and use your ability to make a difference in your students’ lives.
As you may have heard by now, I am retiring from FWCS at the end of February after 38 years with FWCS. The last 6 years I have served as your FWEA President. I want you to know that I am humbled by the support you have trusted in me as your President. Each and every day I have tried to do the utmost to represent and fight for FWCS teachers. The past several years have been a roller coaster ride for public education reform at the National, State, and local level. My ride is about to end, yet those of you remaining in the profession will still need each other to fight back the next wave of reforms and attacks on your profession.
You have the collective power to be responsive and relevant to the challenges that lie ahead. Only through your collective membership and FWEAʼs leadership can a pro-active change come to the teaching profession. The reality is that change is inevitable and you hold the key. The key is your involvement with the change process. By you becoming involved with your local and state organizations and educating yourself and your co-workers you will be better prepared to find the course of action needed for your careers to survive and to thrive. Your collective common sense of purpose is your most important weapon to help you accomplish great things. FWEA and ISTA are member-driven organizations. Without your membership there would be no teachers’ organization. The power of collective action of any group should never be diminished.
Teachers need to rally and believe they can and will make a difference. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
FWEA’s 1st Vice President, Julie Hyndman, a veteran teacher from Lincoln Elementary, will be FWEA’s next President. Julie has served on numerous FWEA, ISTA, and NEA committees and has been in numerous leadership roles and will do a great job. Julie is only a phone call or email away to help FWCS teachers. Please support her in this transition.
Farewell my fellow educators.
Sincerely,
Al Jacquay
I want to personally thank you for and all that you do for FWCS and your students. Not a day goes by that you don't always put your students first. Despite the attacks on the teaching profession and public schools, you continue to fight back and use your ability to make a difference in your students’ lives.
As you may have heard by now, I am retiring from FWCS at the end of February after 38 years with FWCS. The last 6 years I have served as your FWEA President. I want you to know that I am humbled by the support you have trusted in me as your President. Each and every day I have tried to do the utmost to represent and fight for FWCS teachers. The past several years have been a roller coaster ride for public education reform at the National, State, and local level. My ride is about to end, yet those of you remaining in the profession will still need each other to fight back the next wave of reforms and attacks on your profession.
You have the collective power to be responsive and relevant to the challenges that lie ahead. Only through your collective membership and FWEAʼs leadership can a pro-active change come to the teaching profession. The reality is that change is inevitable and you hold the key. The key is your involvement with the change process. By you becoming involved with your local and state organizations and educating yourself and your co-workers you will be better prepared to find the course of action needed for your careers to survive and to thrive. Your collective common sense of purpose is your most important weapon to help you accomplish great things. FWEA and ISTA are member-driven organizations. Without your membership there would be no teachers’ organization. The power of collective action of any group should never be diminished.
Teachers need to rally and believe they can and will make a difference. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
FWEA’s 1st Vice President, Julie Hyndman, a veteran teacher from Lincoln Elementary, will be FWEA’s next President. Julie has served on numerous FWEA, ISTA, and NEA committees and has been in numerous leadership roles and will do a great job. Julie is only a phone call or email away to help FWCS teachers. Please support her in this transition.
Farewell my fellow educators.
Sincerely,
Al Jacquay
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Summary of Changes for 2013-2015 FWEA/FWCS Ratified Contract
1. Eligible teachers* will receive $1,100 (pro-rated for part-time teachers) on their base salaries for 2013-14. Teachers who were rated Effective or Highly Effective during 2012-13 and have continued employment with FWCS will receive this base increase to their salaries.
2. Base salary for Bachelor’s Degree will be raised the next two years for new hires and eligible teachers* currently below the base salary level:
5. Teachers Incentive Fund grant money will be awarded to eligible teachers* in the form of a one-time stipend (following final calculation of evaluations with SIP scores included) during Fall 2013 as follows:
7. Per Indiana Law the only items that are allowed to be bargained are salaries and wage-related benefits. Items removed by law are now discussable.
8. Your FWEA bargaining team was able to also keep this language in the contract:
10. All other former contract language remains intact and will be put in a Human Resource/Administrator/Teacher Handbook with a Memorandum of Understanding that requires official discussion with the Association before any changes are made.
11. The final contract will be available on the FWCS website and the FWEA blog: http://fweateachers.blogspot.com/
Additional Information
Health Insurance Summary
FWCS Press Release announcing Contract Agreement
2. Base salary for Bachelor’s Degree will be raised the next two years for new hires and eligible teachers* currently below the base salary level:
2013-2014 = $33,875 present, raised to $35,500 = increase of $1,6253. Base salary for Master’s Degree will be raised the next two years for new hires and eligible teachers* currently below the base salary:
2014-2015 = $35,500 present, raised to $37,000 = increase of $1,500
2013-2014 = $37,500 present, raised to $39,500 = increase of $2,0004. New teachers hired in hard-to-fill areas may receive a stipend after completing a required minimum time period after consultation with the Association.
2014-2015 = $39,500 present, raised to $41,000 = increase of $1,500
5. Teachers Incentive Fund grant money will be awarded to eligible teachers* in the form of a one-time stipend (following final calculation of evaluations with SIP scores included) during Fall 2013 as follows:
*Only Effective and Highly Effective rated teachers are eligible per law.
Effective Highly Effective6. Length of contract – July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015.
School Year 2012-2013 (retroactive) $2,000 stipend $2,500 stipend
School Year 2013-2014 $2,100 stipend $2,600 stipend
School Year 2014-2015 $2,300 stipend $3,000 stipend
7. Per Indiana Law the only items that are allowed to be bargained are salaries and wage-related benefits. Items removed by law are now discussable.
8. Your FWEA bargaining team was able to also keep this language in the contract:
- Grievance Procedures intact with binding arbitration except for teacher dismissals
- Any teacher who incurs expenses or damages for glasses, braces or personal items because actions of a student shall be reimbursed by the Board.
- No teacher shall suffer loss of salary or reduction of leave if the teacher is absent to appear before judicial body or legal authority in an action resulting from student disciplinary situations.
- Teachers providing official retirement notification prior to February 1 and completing the school year will be paid 2% of the teacher’s base salary.
10. All other former contract language remains intact and will be put in a Human Resource/Administrator/Teacher Handbook with a Memorandum of Understanding that requires official discussion with the Association before any changes are made.
11. The final contract will be available on the FWCS website and the FWEA blog: http://fweateachers.blogspot.com/
Additional Information
Health Insurance Summary
FWCS Press Release announcing Contract Agreement
Friday, December 16, 2011
December Newsletter
Click on the images of the FWEA Experience and the FWEA Experience Insert below to download and read the latest issue.
In this issue:
- Aging FWCS Buildings
- State Intervention Comparisons: How does FWCS compare to other districts around the state?
- Teachers Using Social Media: Review FWCS Policy
- What do you get for your Union Dues?
Download the insert for
- Voucher Numbers from around the state
- FWEA Membership numbers
- Information on Teacher Awards
- Important Dates
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
New Contract Handouts
Click the links below for copies of the handouts from the June 27 Ratification meeting.
Handouts from the June 27 Ratification Meeting:
Ratification Meeting Powerpoint Presentation
Insurance Plan Structure
Ratification Summary
WE HAVE NOT LOST OUR VOICE!
Handouts from the June 27 Ratification Meeting:
Ratification Meeting Powerpoint Presentation
Insurance Plan Structure
Ratification Summary
WE HAVE NOT LOST OUR VOICE!
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