PAT Building Rep Elections

As the school year comes to a close, it’s time to elect your site’s PAT Building Representatives. Each site is entitled to one Rep per every nine members. 

Our building elections are how we ensure that Reps at each site are trusted, respected leaders. To run be a Rep for your sight, let you your current Head Rep know you are interested. Each site should create a ballot and hold an election at a 10-minute meeting before the end of the year.

For more information and resources, go to www.pdxteachers.org/pat_elections.

PAT PAC Elections April 26th

All active members of the PAT PAC (Portland Association of Teachers Political Action Committee) are invited to a brief meeting on Wednesday, April 26th, at 6:30 PM at the PAT office, immediately following the RA.

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Please Donate to the Sick Leave Bank!

Recent changes to the contract increased the number of hours PAT may collect from members for the Sick Leave Bank. This helps ensure that hours will be available through the end of the school year for your colleagues who have exhausted their leave and need assistance. 

Donations of hours are still needed, as there are several pending applications for grants from the sick leave bank.

Please donate here – and thank you!

Bargaining Brief - April 19, 2017

Progress, but not yet Close to a Settlement

Your PAT team met with the District on Monday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. We originally described the meeting as a “settlement” day, but quickly realized that both sides needed some additional financial information not yet available to the group. We therefore set up new bargaining dates on May 8th and 9th. We were disappointed that we were not able to schedule the next group bargaining session earlier, but there were several conflicts with schedules.

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Fighting on All Fronts

This weekend we wrapped up four full days of bargaining with the District, and we’re meeting again on April 17th. Be sure to read the latest Bargaining Brief to get all the details. There are lots of balls in the air, since neither the state legislature nor the District has finalized their respective budgets, but we are still trying to reach a fair settlement.

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PAT PAC Endorsements - How to Get Involved in the School Board Election

The PAT PAC is proud to announce our recommendations for the May 2017 election. Candidates share a proven track record of leadership and commitment to strengthening our public schools so that our students can receive the education they deserve.

For Portland School Board:

  • Zone 4: Rita Moore
  • Zone 5: Scott Bailey
  • Zone 6: Trisha Parks*

 For MESD Board:

  • Pos. 1, Zone 5: Susie Jones
  • Pos. 2, At Large: Helen Ying
  • Pos. 3, Zone 2: Mary Botkin 
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Applying to Transfer for the 2017-18 School Year

The transfer application process for current PPS employees will begin with the posting of vacancies on April 18th – April 24th.  Contract, Probationary 3, and unassigned Probationary 1 and 2 educators may apply in the Internal Phase. Interviews will be held from April 25th – May 1st.  Find out more from this FAQ on applying and interviewing for positions.

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Get the Facts About PERS

Several bills in the Oregon legislature will cut PERS benefits by as much as 31 percent. Find out more about the pending legislation and read this PERS factsheet to learn more about how PERS works.

Addressing School Climate Issues In the Statehouse

Educators across Oregon are seeing a rise in serious student behavioral issues and disciplinary challenges. The Oregon Education Association supports a variety of bills that would help us address these school climate issues. Find out more in this one page factsheet.

Leveling the Policy-Making Playing Field

Currently, educators don’t have enough input when decisions are made at the state level. There is only one non-voting educator on the State Board of Education, while the rest of the Board is dominated by non-educator political appointees, the majority of whom lack firsthand experience educating students in our public schools. The Oregon Education is supporting legislation that would level the playing field and give educators more voice – find out more!

Know Your Rights If You Are Stopped By the Police

This one page fact sheet from the American Civil Liberties Union details your rights if are stopped by the police, immigration agents, or the FBI. It is also available in Spanish.

Divesting From Private Prisons

Below is testimony from PAT President Suzanne Cohen in the Oregon Legislature:

Thank you Chair Prozanski, and members of the committee for allowing me this opportunity to speak in support of divesting from private prisons.

I’m Suzanne Cohen a proud public school teacher, with the privilege of serving as President of the Portland Association of Teachers, representing over 4,000 educators.

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Industry for a Day

Registration is now open for “Industry for a Day,” scheduled for April 19th from 1:00-5:30 PM. This is a unique chance to bring K-12 educators and leaders face-to-face with careers in the trades and manufacturing in an effort to shift perceptions, dismantle stigma and build awareness of these high-quality, high-growth career opportunities. Last year’s event was a big success, and this year organizers are hoping to recruit 125 teachers from across the county. See the attached flyer for more information.

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April 27th - National Retirement Security Advocacy Day

Our April 27th National Education Association members from across the country will be pushing Congress to protect our retirement security. We’re asking members to participate in local lobbying efforts or call and email your congressional representatives.

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Mobilizing for May Day

May 1st is a great opportunity for educators to stand with their colleagues and the community to fight for the schools ALL our students deserve. Educators across Oregon will be mobilizing to make sure our schools are places where all students feel safe to learn, especially those targeted because of immigration status, ethnicity, or gender identity. We have to defend the public schools that are supported by our community, defend the community that supports our public schools, and protect our students from people who see them as sources of profit. Our public schools are not for sale!

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The Substitute - March 27, 2017

Sub Bargaining Update
As all of you know, the 2012 – 2016 Substitute Teachers’ Agreement expired on June 30, 2016. We reported to all Substitutes that we entered into an MOU with the District that extended the terms of the CBA until December 30, 2016. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a successor agreement in place before the expiration on December 30.  During the period after a contract has expired and before a new contract is finalized, state law requires districts to generally maintain the status quo on contract provisions.

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Devastating State Budget Cuts Will Hit Students and Support Services

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.

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School Board Candidates For Strong Public Schools

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
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Support Candidates Who Support Public Education! Give to PAT PAC and OEA PIE

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!

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Congratulations to PAT Election Winners

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

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