The Advocate - March 22, 2017

• Devastating State Budget Cuts Will Hit Staffing and Support Services
• School Board Candidates For Strong Public Schools
• Support Candidates Who Support Public Education! Give to PAT PAC and OEA PIE
• Congratulations to PAT Election Winners
• Promoting Racial Equity Through PAT
• PAT Bylaws Review
• 2017 Members Scholarships
• Deadline for Requests for Full-Year Unpaid Leave is April 15^th
• Calling All Troublemakers!
• 6th Annual Oregon School Employee Wellness Conference: March 26-28^th

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By now, the devastating effects of Oregon’s school budget are no longer an abstract discussion. Educators across the state are face-to-face with the crushing reality of what this budget means in our buildings.

The PAT PAC is proud to announce our recommendations for the May 2017 Portland School Board election. These candidates share a proven track-record of leadership and commitment to strengthening Portland Public Schools so that our students can receive the education they deserve.

• Rita Moore for Zone 4
• Scott Bailey for Zone 5
• Trisha Parks for Zone 6

Now more than ever, we need to amplify the voice of educators in decision-making and politics.

This spring, we are asking all members to contribute to the PAT PAC and OEA PIE. In the fight to preserve and strengthen public education, we are up against big-money interests who want to cut our budgets and privatize our schools. Together, we can fight back!

Ballots were counted on February 20^th for several PAT positions. Congratulations to the following members elected to represent our union:

The Racial Equity Committee of the Portland Association of Teachers is looking for individuals to take part in a listening campaign this May.  The purpose of the “listening” is to hear directly from PAT members of color about their experiences in PPS, and how the PAT can better support them. We are recruiting listeners!

This year we reviewed PAT bylaws and are bringing several recommendations to the RA on Wednesday, March 22nd. The proposed bylaws revisions come with a “do pass” recommendation from the Executive Board. Your building reps will be voting on the recommendations at the April RA. The proposed changes can be found here. 

The 2017 PAT Members’ Scholarship Application is now available.  If you are a member of the Portland Association of Teachers and you have a high school senior who is planning on attending college in the fall of 2017, they would be eligible to apply.  Six of these scholarships will be awarded in 2017.

Requests for a full-year personal, exchange or career development leave of absence, whether part-time or full-time for the next school year, must be submitted to the PPS Human Resources prior to April 15^th .  Requests submitted after that date will not be approved, except in extenuating circumstances.  See Article 14, D, on page 40.

On Saturday April 8^th join union members, shop stewards, organizers, and community activists from across the Pacific Northwest for a day of skill-building workshops and strategy discussions to create a stronger workers’ movement in our region. The school will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 290 Training Center, 20210 SW Teton Ave in Tualatin, OR.