The Advocate - February 8, 2017

• Holding On to What We Have
• Tell Our Legislators: No Cuts to Public Schools!
• Join Us for the OEA Lobby Day
• Superintendent Search Update
• Ratification Update
• PAT Elections: Check your PPS Email
• Staffing for the 2017-18 School Year
• Sick Leave May be Used in Increments of One Hour
• Tax Time
• Read Across America Grants Available Through PAT
• Teaching In a Time of Trump
• Save the Date: Student Loan Debt Forgiveness and Basic Financial Planning Workshop
• Retirement Planning Seminar

As educators, we bear the brunt of our underfunded schools, and there’s no way to stay on top of everything we need or want to do for our students. Despite our skills and training, our work is routinely compromised by limited resources.

The recent “snowtastrophes” really demonstrate just how emaciated our school budgets are. We already suffer from a school year so short that we are clamoring to find ways to make up instructional time for our students. And now the District has sacrificed our professional development, time we need to collaborate with colleagues, sharpen our practice, and really foster safe and inclusive environments in our schools.

Oregon’s proposed budget would mean more cuts to public schools. These cuts could mean larger classes, fewer electives, and the loss of wrap-around services.

It is unacceptable, and our lawmakers need to hear from you what budget cuts would mean for your students. We need to spell out what our schools need in order to ensure every student has the support, tools, and learning time they need to be successful.

The Oregon Legislature's Ways & Means Committee is hosting a public hearing Saturday, February 11, at Portland Community College, Sylvania campus, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Come tell your story! Sign up here.

There are major shifts on the horizon for public education, and now more than ever Portland students need your passion and advocacy. Join us for the Legislative Engagement Training & Lobby Day and learn best practices for tapping your experience to support public education.

Monday, February 20, 2017 (President’s Day) @ 9:00 AM
Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial St. SE, Salem, OR 97301

Learn more at OregonEd.org

Register here. Registration deadline is Friday, February 10, 2017 at 5:00 PM. Questions? Email [email protected]

After a series of conversations with the Portland Public School Board, the Portland Association of Teachers has decided to take part in the Portland Public Schools 2017 Superintendent search. Though we do not feel that the Advisory Committee is the best way to conduct such a search, we saw benefits to participation.

PAT members voted yes on our TA mini-package for contract negotiations. The next step is for the School Board to vote. After that, it will immediately become contract language. 

You should have received an electronic ballot for PAT elections. It was sent to PPS email on Tuesday, February 7 at about 11:30 am, with the subject "2017 PAT Elections."

Due to changes in the contract, the staffing process will begin much earlier than in the past. Educators may expect to be notified of unassignments in mid-February.  Informational meetings for members who are unassigned are scheduled for March 1 and 2.  PPS will offer Interview and Resume workshops on March 7 and 15 for any interested educator.

There may be occasions when you need to be absent from work for less than a full day.  Appropriate paid leave may be used to cover such absences.  Examples might include having to leave work an hour early to go to a doctor appointment (sick leave), or needing to be absent for a couple of hours to take your child to the doctor (family illness leave).  Check the contract for the specific requirements for requesting various types of leave.  (See, Article 14).

Members may be able to deduct their union dues on their 2016 income taxes. This includes NEA, OEA and PAT dues. The deduction must meet the limitations on miscellaneous itemized deductions (deductible when "Miscellaneous" itemized deductions exceed two percent of adjusted gross income). To claim union dues as a deduction you must use the long Form 1040.