Update from September's Region 6 Local Leaders Meeting

 

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Hi! This is Rachel Showers, one of your MEA co-presidents. I attended this month's WEAC local leader network meeting, and I wanted to share some of the updates.

Did you know that there is a coalition in Wisconsin that has come together to support a lawsuit against the Wisconsin Legislature for failing to adequately fund public schools? If you want to learn more about what they are up to or join their effort head to their website: https://www.fundwipublicschools.org/

As the November election draws closer WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen reminded us that WEAC recommends David Crowley for Governor. Check out her press release.

And finally the time for union recertification draws near: November 4 - November 24. In a month, we'll be sending out our recertification emails and asking you to vote YES.  

Please reach out to your building rep. or any executive board member if you have questions or concerns you'd like addressed. 

Stay informed & stand together.

Recertification Election: Noon, Wednesday, November 5 -- Tuesday, November 25

 

A Yes Vote to Recertify the MEA is important. 
https://werc.elections.vote/

Standing United: A Yes vote is one way to send a message to administrators, policymakers

and the community that education professionals stand together on important issues that

affect our schools and students – such as class sizes and manageable student loads, health

and safety, and a host of other issues.

A Yes vote is one way to send a powerful message that we are united.

We recertified last year and that gave us power to advocate on your behalf with the Board and

Administration. We need to do it again this year.

This election is unique from others because if you DO NOT vote, you are considered to have

voted “No.” The MEA needs 51% of ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS to win the recertification election.

We need your vote to remain united. Please vote Yes. Cost of Living – It’s all about attracting enough staff, and paying a good wage.

Voting Yes designates the MEA as your official bargaining representative.

That means that the MEA has official standing with the District to negotiate on “base wages” and

you have a representative voice on cost-of-living pay increases and other matters of concern.

Representation – It’s all about fairness and how you are treated.

Employees in certified bargaining units have the right to representation – also called Weingarten

rights – allowing a member being questioned by administration with the potential that this will

lead to discipline to request union representation. Weingarten rights may not exist in non-certified

locals, meaning that the employer has no obligation to grant a request for representation.

Your colleagues appreciate your support.

Show your support by voting YES to recertify the MEA.  

 

WEAC Updates - Week of October 13th!

 Hi MEA!

Last night I attended WEAC's Local Leaders Meeting and wanted to pass along some time-sensitive updates and opportunities for activism.

• Recertification Updates:

• Our Recertification election is coming up on November 7-27

• This is the important one that allows us to continue being the bargaining unit for salary with the district.

• Keep your eyes peeled for emails and reminders when voting opens in November!

• New Course Opportunity from WEA Academy (free to all union members):

• Regulate 2 Educate gives educators the missing piece that makes everything else in the classroom work: nervous system regulation. You’ll learn simple, science-backed practices to support your own regulation, think clearly, and get inspired again.

• Advocacy Updates:

• Saturday is National No Kings Day, and WEAC representatives will be out in force!

• Locals are partnering on events around the state -- follow this link for event updates in cities near you!

• You can also sign up for email alerts for the current legislative sessions with that link

In Solidarity,

Carolyn

MEA Secretary

2025-2026 Salary Schedule & Appendix D & E Extra Duty Pay Schedule

 Click on the links below to view PDFs of 

2025-2026 Salary Schedule

Last spring, the negotiation committee worked to offer a proposal that was met by the board and administration with positive results: the full (max) CPI base increase of 2.95% plus step (years movement) and lane (credit movement) increases, including a $750 (full step) stipend for those professional staff on step 25.

Appendix D &E Extra Duty Pay Schedule

After the spring 2024 negotiations, based on questions and ideas from members, the negotiations committee asked to review and revise the extra duty schedule for equity and consistency. Members were then invited to join the extra duty committee and received a survey about the extra duty work they do. Using this information, a committee of principals, DAC administrators, and MEA members reviewed Appendix D during the 24-25 school year. As a committee, they worked hard to bring you a revised schedule keeping in mind that the MEA could not negotiate an increase in the amount the district budgets for extra duty pay. The committee also recommended a more regular review of Appendix D for the future.

**Remember that for 25-26 due to the failed referendum and as one of the administration's suggested options for cost savings the board reduced the extra duty base calculation by 10%.

That means that you should calculate your extra duty pay from base x 0.9 (53,064 x .9): $47,757. 

If you are curious, last year you calculated your pay from this base: $51,037.

When is the MEA executive board meeting for the 2025-2026 school year?

 

 Meeting dates for this school year:

• Wednesday, September 17
• Wednesday, November 5
• Wednesday, January 14
• Wednesday, March 11
• Wednesday, May 6

Prior to the meetings, members can always contact their building reps (or any member of the exec board) with questions, concerns, or celebrations. 

Who is on the executive board this year?

• Co-Presidents: Rachel Showers & Michelle Kister
• Treasurer: Barb Keegan
• Secretary: Carolyn Schultz
• Membership Chair: Megan Dilley
• MEA Board Liaison: Donna Cairy
• MHS Building Rep: Hannah Bechtolt
• MMS Building Rep: James Cassidy
• NS Building Rep: Katie Abraham
• PS Building Rep: vacant (can still be filled by any member interested)
• Abe Building Rep: vacant (can still be filled by any member interested)