President's Newsletter, September 2010

MLEA Members,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a fulfilling summer and a great first day of school, especially those of you who are new to the district or are taking on new assignments this year. With the construction and the work that's been put in front of us regarding test scores we really are living in some interesting times; here's to best wishes for a successful 2010-2011 campaign!

There are a few things I'd like to make you aware of as we get going:

1) Evaluation Pilot Project: You may have seen the recent article in the Cheney Free Press about the new evaluation system that we'll be working on this year. Medical Lake is part of a consortium along with Reardan, Davenport, Pullman, and a number of other area districts. This year will be spent in conversation talking about what effective teacher and ESA evaluation should look like; next year we'll be piloting a new system. In 2013 Superintendent Dorn makes a recommendation to the legislature regarding the system that should be used on a statewide basis.

I'm excited about the potential here, and you'll be hearing a lot more about the project as the year goes on. Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions!

2) Negotiations: This is the third year of our three-year contract, meaning it's time to go back to the table and review the agreement we have in place and talk about any changes that need to be made. As I write this word is coming through that the Seattle EA has approved their new contract just in time for the beginning of school next week, so it looks like this could be a blessed year of labor peace here in Washington State.

If you have interest in being a part of the bargaining team please let me know; it's a great way to get involved, and there's no better way to get to know your contract than by helping to write it. We'll also be setting up opportunities to talk about what you want out of the MLEA during these negotiations. Please, let us know what you think!

3) Candidate Endorsements: Part of the work that I do with the WEA-Eastern Uniserv Council is to lead the candidate interviews and endorsements process for all the area legislative districts. We met with almost everyone who has declared that they are running, and I really do believe that we are blessed with some strong education advocates representing us in the state legislature. Our official WEA endorsements:

3rd Legislative District (downtown Spokane): Andy Billig and Timm Ormsby (Democrats)
4th Legislative District (Spokane Valley): No endorsements given.
6th Legislative District (Mead, Windsor, and the area east of Airway Heights): Chris Marr and John Driscoll (Democrats); Kevin Parker (Republican)
7th Legislative District (essentially everything north of Highway 2): Shelly Short and Joel Kretz (Republicans)
9th Legislative Distict (Medical Lake, Cheney, south to Pullman): Susan Fagan and Joe Schmick (Republicans)

There are two area politicians who I'd like to point out for special consideration. Senator Marr has been one of the most consistent voices in Olympia regarding education. He was one of the most vocal that changing standards and "overhauling" the system without funding what we have didn't make any sense, and that one of the priorities of the state needed to be to restore the lost COLA for teachers. Similarly, I think that Joel Kretz is one of the best friends public schools have. The House Republicans were instrumental in saving levy equalization in 2009 and getting it expanded in 2010; without his hard work, we'd be far worse off to the tune of almost $1,000,000.

4) That said, this legislative session is going to be rough. The number being bandied around is that the legislature will be looking at a $3 billion dollar shortfall when they go back in January; some expect it to me more like $5 billion, and a few estimate even higher. Congress did pass the teacher jobs bill that should make some difference for the schools, but areas like levy equalization are still critically at risk. I'll update more frequently as the legislative session gets closer; please just know that making effective contacts with your Representatives and Senators is more important than ever.

5) Construction Project: The Cheney Free Press has had some great coverage of the interactions between the MLSD and the City of Medical Lake regarding the hang-up with getting the construction done at Hallett Elementary. The City Council will be taking the issue up soon; I'll let you know when it's set to be before them.

Should you ever have questions or concerns, please feel free to call me on my cell phone or contact me via email. Thank you for taking the time to visit the site, and have a great Labor Day weekend!

--Ryan--